HDTV news overview
Sony STR-DA5300ES, STR-DA4300ES and STR-DA3300ES introduction
July 24, 2007 7:55 am
 Sony today launched new audio/video receivers in its “Elevated Standard” (ES) line featuring compatibility with the latest audio formats including Dolby Labs’ Dolby® Digital +/Dolby® TrueHD and dts® High Resolution Audio and dts® HD Master Audio.
The new Sony STR-DA5300ES, STR-DA4300ES and STR-DA3300ES 7.1 channel models offer iPod® intergration through the receiver’s Digital Media Port feature and optional iPod audio dock (TDM-iP1), sold separately. Users can then access digital music from most iPod players as well as the device’s playlists, artist, album and track information through the receiver’s Xross Media Bar™ (XMB) inspired icon-based, on-screen menu system.
Additionally, the Digital Media Port feature allows users to add other optional accessories such as a PC WiFi client for streaming digital music (TDM-NC1), a Bluetooth® receiver that allows users to connect to various compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices to the receivers (TDM-BT1), as well an additional audio docking station (TDM-NW1) that is compatible with select Network Walkman™ products. All Digital Media Port accessories are sold separately.
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Panasonic 103 inch Plasma HDTV in New York City Hall
July 23, 2007 11:33 pm
 Panasonic announced that its 103-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV ”“ the world’s largest High Definition Plasma TV on the market today ”“ has been installed in New York’s newly renovated City Hall. In addition to the 103-inch Plasma, Panasonic also installed its BD-10A Blu-ray Disc Player for playback of 1080p High Definition video content.
The Panasonic’s 103-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV will help the Mayor’s Office monitor news and play back other video content in High Definition. In addition to television channels, the Plasma HDTV will display real-time 311 call statistics and live video feed from NYC-TV’s City Drive Live traffic cameras.
“Panasonic has been a great corporate citizen, and I would like to thank them for their generous donation,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “New York’s City Hall is the oldest in the nation to still house its original government functions, and this desperately-needed renovation, including this 103-inch High Definition Plasma display, has given the building new life ”“ making our office safer, more efficient and more technologically advanced.”
“It is a great honor for Panasonic to have the flagship of our market-leading 1080p Plasma HDTVs become a part of New York’s City Hall,” said Joseph Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Just as this cutting-edge display provides amazingly sharp, crisp video for entertainment purposes, it is also a great way for the city’s leaders to share remote video and other data vital to the safe and secure operation of the city’s systems.”
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Motörhead Stage Fright HD DVD goes online
9:50 pm
 Released by SPV and produced in cooperation with the German authoring studio Imagion AG, Motörhead’s ”žStage Fright“ is the first European music HD DVD using the HD DVD standard online functionality.
In addition to first class high definition picture and sound, this HD DVD strongly demonstrates the numerous interactive features like picture-in-picture video commentaries or the possibility to create individualized picture galleries and set lists.By integrating the Motörhead fan community, the HD DVD is continuously amended with dynamic online content and exclusive specials for HD DVD users.
After the release of the first two HD DVDs with online functionality in the USA in June and July, the first European dynamic music HD DVD, Motörhead “Stage Fright”, is now available.
As required by the HD DVD standard, every HD DVD player is equipped with a network interface to expand the pressed disc with additional content any time. Motörhead’s fans can enjoy the latest news, tour dates, pictures and fan artworks, which are located on the Imagion HD DVD Server and will be integrated in the HD DVD menus via network interface. “Motörhead for Life” is a section where Motörhead fans are invited to present their newest Motörhead tattoos and thus enlarge the HD DVD tattoo gallery continuously.
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PS3 firmware update 1.9 coming soon
7:50 am
 Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations, announced on the Playstation Blog that PS3 firmware version 1.9 will be ready for download within a couple of days.
Playstation 3 firmware 1.9 will contains the following additional functions:
• Customization is one new feature: you can now personalize the wallpaper on your XMB with a photo. This was one of the top three requests we received via the blog’s contact form. When viewing a photo, simply bring up the options screen by pressing the triangle button and selecting “set as wallpaper” from the options displayed. Additionally, you can now change the order of the games displayed under the game icon on the XMB
• Another new feature focuses on added communication elements: When you’re sending messages to friends on PLAYSTATION Network, you can now use emoticons. We’ve added a bunch of emoticons that can be easily accessed from the virtual keyboard. Also, another cool addition is, when an avatar is displayed during voice/video chat, the avatar will move in response to audio.
• On the more technical side, you can now play AVCHD videos saved on a Memory Stick or digital video camera, and we’ve added the ability to upscale audio CD output from your PS3. Now, there are two requirements for this feature: the device you’re outputting to must support a sampling frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz, and your PS3 must be connected to that device with an HDMI cable or digital optical cable
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Shuttle XPC Barebone SG33G5M introduction
July 20, 2007 5:36 am
 Shuttle Inc. introduced the Shuttle XPC Barebone SG33G5M, a new mini barebone for media centre applications. Built around Intel’s G33 Express chipset, the Shuttle XPC Barebone SG33G5M is loaded with lots of clever features making it ideal for use in living rooms.
This Vista-ready SFF PC supports processors of Intel’s Core[TM] 2 Quad, Core[TM] 2 Duo E6000/E4000 series, Pentium Dual-Core E2000 series and Celeron 400 series and can accomodate up to 4GB of DDR2-800 memory in dual-channel mode. Another special feature is its HDMI output supporting the playback of copy protected HDTV content through HDCP. No more wiring, as picture and sound are sent digitally over only one cable.
The Intel GMA 3100 onboard graphics engine supports high-definition resolutions optimally. Its 3D performance outshines competitive solutions thanks to its DirectX 9 compatibility. Besides the HDMI connector, the included remote control for Windows Vista Home Premium/Ultimate and the integrated VFD display on the front complete the package. Many features of Windows Vista’s media centre interface can be accessed easily. Information on the playing song, TV programme or DVD is shown on the VFD display and well readable even from a distance.
Setting the right tone: the built-in 7.1 HD audio chip with Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect certification puts the viewer at the centre of action of thrilling 3D games or exciting films.
The integrated Gigabit-LAN connector is well-suited for data streaming in the local network or fast downloads from the internet.
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Sharp T-Series AQUOS LCD HDTVs introduction
4:12 am
 Sharp will introduce two new T Series AQUOS Full-HD 1080p AQUOS LCD TV models in 65V- and 52V-inch screen sizes. These models have acquired certification under the THX Certfied Display Program for home theater applications established by THX Ltd., and can replicate in the home a visual environment on a level envisioned by filmmakers. These sets will be available into the Japanese market on a build-to-order basis beginning September 1, 2007.
Consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with high-quality audio and video content, including terrestrial and satellite digital broadcasts, DVDs and BDs (Blu-ray Discs). With the proliferation of large-screen flat-panel TVs, interest in home theater equipment such as AV component racks with built-in speakers and surround sound systems is rising rapidly.
These new T Series AQUOS models have been certified under the THX Certified Display Program , a performance benchmark and certification program for high-definition displays developed by THX Ltd., a company well-known worldwide in the movie and home entertainment industry. These models that have achieved the highest quality level for image display to satisfy consumers who are true home-theater aficionados.
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JVC Everio GZ-HD3 introduction
July 18, 2007 8:22 pm
 JVC Company of America today announced the launch of a new consumer high definition camcorder that combines a 3-CCD image sensor, high definition 1440 x 1080 recording and embedded 60GB hard disk storage in a compact size that fits in the palm of the hand.
The new HD Everio GZ-HD3 follows the launch earlier this year of the high definition HD Everio GZ-HD7, which combined the pristine image quality of high definition with the convenience and high capacity of recording to a built-in hard drive.
With the new GZ-HD3, JVC brings these same benefits to a wider audience in a palm-sized camcorder that’s easy to carry and offers point-and-shoot simplicity.
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Sony VRD-MC5 DVDirect recorder introduction
July 17, 2007 8:40 pm
 Sony Electronics today unveils its next-generation multi-function DVDirect™ DVD recorder which can quickly transfer high-definition home videos and digital photos to DVD discs without using a computer.
The new Sony VRD-MC5 model can now transfer AVCHD™ quality videos to DVD discs in their native 1080i HD resolution when connected directly to a Sony hard drive or Memory Stick® Handycam® camcorder. The resulting DVD can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc™ devices, including players and computer drives as well as PlayStation® 3 (PS3™) computer entertainment systems.
The VRD-MC5 recorder can also transfer standard-definition home videos to DVD without the complexity of using a computer from virtually any camcorder, VCR or digital video recorder. The new model includes Digital Video (i.LINK®/FireWire®/IEEE-1394), S-Video, Composite Video inputs, and USB (for Sony hard drive, DVD, and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders). DVD video discs recorded in this manner are playable in most consumer DVD players.
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