Audio Video News

It's just about time for CES, the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. While mobile devices are expected to dominate, as manufacturer's vie for recognition in the tablet and smartphone categories, there will still be an abundance of announcements from top AV companies with newer, thinner, HDTVs offering 3D capability, Internet-connected Blu-ray players providing a range of options and services, and AV receivers that connect to your home network. With an increased number of components offering Internet connectivity, wired and wirelessly, the living room space is changing dramatically. So catch all the news and the latest product announcements from the show floor with daily updates from our correspondents at sister publications <a href="http://www.hometheater.com/category/ces-2011/">
Home Theater</a> and <a href="http://www.ultimateavmag.com/category/ces-2011/">UltimateAV</a>.

The new service will operate via subscription, like Rhapsody, versus download, like iTunes. It will enable owners Sony TVs, Blu-ray players, HTiBs, and PS3 gaming consoles to enjoy a catalogue of six million songs. Eventually it will also cover Android phones, Sony portable devices, and other things.

While the service is making its debut in the U.K. and Ireland, it will expand in 2011 to the U.S. and other countries. Pricing will be four euros a month (about $5) for basic service and 10 euros a month ($13) for premium service. The latter lets you hear every song on demand, create personal playlists, and access the premium Top 100 channels.

Blu-ray disc production is up sharply over the past year. Within four more years it is expected to rise to billions of units.

Futuresource, a research firm, says that BD production is likely to hit 400 million discs in 2010, a 60 percent increase from 2009. By 2014, two billion discs are likely to be shipped worldwide.

The analysts say growing ownership of players and falling disc prices have both played a role in Blu-ray's current growth. They say 3D is likely to give it an additional boost. In particular, the expiration of Panasonic's Avatar exclusive in February 2012 will give the format a shot in the arm.

According to The New York Times, which broke the story last week, Google wants to "refine the software, which has received a lukewarm reception." The newspaper cited similar delays in Android-related tablets whose debuts have been pushed into the future, adding: "Industry analysts also say Google's sudden change of plans reflects a weakness in the company's business culture around managing relationships with partners."

In addition to current Google TV products from Sony and Logitech, Samsung will show a Google TV at CES. But the Times says LG, Sharp, and Toshiba will not. No others were raising their heads above the parapet at presstime.

The Xcalibur box can search live TV, on demand, and recorded material including web material. No, it doesn't offer the same broad selection of web video that you'd get on a PC or other browser-equipped device. But Comcast people say the selection will broaden over time as the device moves from the current testing stage to more widespread use.

The Wall Street Journal describes the interface as "fluid and graphical. A menu displays a strip of images representing recently watched channels and programs, which expand when selected. A redesigned 'guide' displays a cleaner grid of programs by network and airtime so that it's possible to watch TV on part of the screen while browsing."