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SV Staff  |  Jan 08, 2009
Everyone is showing off their Internet-connected devices, and Samsung is never one to be left behind. The new Samsung Yahoo! Connected TVs will feature TV Widgets - icons that let you connect directly to the features you'll use most -...
SV Staff  |  Jan 08, 2009
It's a good time to be a home movie-loving home theater buff, since more and more high-def consumer camcorders are coming out every year. This CES has seen several new models from Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic, most of which are smaller, cheaper,...
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009

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.

Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009

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.

Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 08, 2009

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!

uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2009

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.

uavGary Altunian  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  First Published: Jan 08, 2009

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.

SV Staff  |  Jan 07, 2009
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...
SV Staff  |  Jan 07, 2009

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.

Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009
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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