LATEST ADDITIONS

CES 2010
Sony KDL-52XBR9
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  0 comments

Sony repeated many of the day's themes at it's press conference—green is good, 240Hz, Internet TV—but conspicuously missing were any new LED-backlit LCDs. The current XBR8 line will remain available, and a rep hinted that the company has more up its sleeve than it revealed today. What was revealed today was the XBR9 series, including the largest KDL-52XBR9 (pictured). This conventionally backlit panel is chock full of connections for accessing Internet and networked content, and it offers true 240Hz operation.

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CES 2010
Panasonic 3D HD Initiative
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  0 comments

The big message at Panasonic's press conference was 3D with "full HD" resolution (i.e., 1080p)—many current 3D systems cut the effective resolution in half to accommodate two eyes separately. The company is spearheading a drive to develop a standard for 3D HD content production, mastering, and display this year, with products appearing in 2010. Director James Cameron is on board, and Panasonic Hollywood Labs, Panasonic's R&D arm, is working with studios and manufacturers to achieve these goals. I've never found 3D all that compelling, and it sometimes gives me a slight headache after a while, so I welcome any substantive progress toward a standardized improvement.

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CES 2010
Samsung LED 8000
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009  |  0 comments

Samsung's press conference echoed the themes heard throughout the day—green tech, Internet TV, LED-backlit LCD, 240Hz. To address those last two points, the company announced a new line of LED LCDs, dubbed Luxia. Three models were shown, the LED 6000, 7000, and 8000 (pictured). The 55-inch LED 8000 offers oodles of connectivity and content-access options as well as true 240Hz operation—none of this 120Hz with backlight flashing. It's also just over 1 inch thick. Can't wait to get my hands on one!

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CES 2010
News From The Digital Experience
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2009  |  0 comments

The Digital Experience is an annual press event held at the Mirage that showcases the latest in mobile digital devices, computer peripherals and anything that is, well...digital. AV components are typically not part of the event, but this year Samsung showed two unique home theater products, the HT-BD8200, a 2.1 channel sound bar with a built-in network BD player (shown in the background) and a wall-mountable network BD player. The HT-BD8200 includes a wireless subwoofer and an iPod dock and can stream digital content from Netflix. Prices were not announced and the sound bar is expected to be available mid-year. Note: The wall-mountable BD player in the foreground is black, not red.

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CES 2010
A Look Back at the Analog Experience
uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2009  |  0 comments

Amidst all of the digital mobile devices and computer peripherals at the Digital Experience, this sweet specimen from the 1950s was on display in the center of the Mirage Grand Ballroom. It's a rare 1955 Pontiac Starchief convertible with an upgraded 445 cubic inch V8 engine, a three-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and front disc brakes. Needless to say, the price was not disclosed.

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Audio Video News
CES 2009: Sharp's Latest Lineup
SV Staff  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments
Sharp has some big plans for 2009. While TV combos used to be the ultimate in low-class technology, Sharp is coming out with a new line of Aquos LCD displays with built-in Blu-ray/DVD/CD players. Very classy indeed. The sets will be available in...
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Other Tech
CES 2009: 8 Products Worth Checking Out So Far
SV Staff  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments

The show floor hasn't even opened yet, but the flood of stuff we want to get our hands on has already started. Last year's CES was kind of a let down when it came to getting new products we would actually get our hands on during the year. If last night's preview was any indication, we might leave this year's show with a longer wish list.

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CES 2009
Sony Goes 240
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments
Sony, and other manufacturers as well, are big on 240Hz refresh rates this year. At CEDIA in September Sony showed one Bravia line that operates at 240Hz—the XBR7 (just beginning to ship now).
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CES 2009
Light and Easy
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments
Sony's exhibit at the CEDIA EXPO in September leans heavily on flat panel displays and projectors. But at CES they back off on that emphasis and go for a wider range of audio, video, and other electronic thingys. We're not covering computers here, but I was drawn to the new VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC ($900, February). Especially attractive to long-suffering A/V bloggers suffering under the weight of oversized laptops at trade shows, this tiny compact computer tips the scales at 1.4 lbs. Its 8-inch screen is not for the weak or eye, or the smallish keyboard for the thick of thumb. I found typing on it reasonably easy, though wouldn't want to use it to write the Great American Epic. Wireless everything, of course. Why didn't Steve Jobs and Apple think of this first?
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CES 2009
Panasonic Loves 3D
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments
Panasonic has announced a major initiative to bring true, full 1080p resolution on Blu-ray to the home theater. At their press conference they announced that they will be conducting demonstrations of 3D at their booth at the show. This demo will use active shutter glasses. No polarized lenses or glasses using funky colored filters. The company will work toward the adoption of an industry standard for the future of home 3D, and hopes to have such a standard in 2009 with consumer 3D products meeting that standard available by 2010. By February 1 of this year they plan to install a 3D disc authoring authority center at the Panasonic Hollywood Labs.
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