Meet the world's first portable Blu-ray player. The 8.9-inch screen has a resolution of 1024x600, but the HDMI 1.3 output can feed a 1080p display. Like Panasonic's other new BD players, this one conforms to BD-Live, and it can access online content. The battery has a claimed life of 3 hours, with a 6-hour optional battery available. It should ship in June for $800. It even comes with a car-seat holder, so the kids can be entertained in high def on those long trips.
Panasonic introduced two new conventional Blu-ray players, the DMP-BD60 ($300, pictured) and BD80 ($400), which are identical except for 7.1 analog outs on the BD80. Also on hand was the DMP-BD70V ($450), which combines a Blu-ray player and VHS VCR for those who still cling to those relic tapes. All are BD-Live out of the box with 1GB of internal memory, and all can access online and networked content. Twentieth century, meet the 21st!
Pioneer has no new plasma panels at the show, but it was not to be outdone in the Blu-ray player department, with three new models. Under the Pioneer brand, we have the BDP-120 (<$300, pictured) and BDP-320 (<$400), while the BDP-23FD ($600) joins the Elite brand. All are BD-Live with internal memory (except the 120, which comes with a memory stick). The unique feature here is that all can be connected to USB hard disks—up to 2TB!—for additional BD-Live storage. Not only that, the 320 and 23FD can power portable hard disks. As I always say, you can't have too much storage!
Among the four or five contenders showing wireless HD transmission systems is the WirelessHD Consortium, which includes 30 companies such as LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. The system transmits up to 1080p/60 in the 60GHz range, which is relatively free from interference, and it has a maximum latency of 1-2ms. RF signals at this frequency can be blocked by obstacles such as people, so the technology automatically redirects the beam to reflect off walls, ceiling, or floor as needed, and it's designed to transmit its full bandwidth up to 10 meters as long as there's some line-of-sight path to be found. Pictured here is a WirelessHD transmitter (bottom) and receiver (top) by LG Innotek, a subsidiary of LG that makes components for various products from LG and other manufacturers.
Its been awhile since I had heard from Moxi, whose DVR didn't get nearly as much recognition as TiVo. Making a stronger, more earnest effort to make a name for themeselves in that category, Moxi introduced a HD DVR here at CES. They made it clear this is a high quality solution for digital cable subscribers. Satellite users need not apply, The unit is far more than a straightforward DVR, as it serves as the hub for all your media with a 500GB hard drive. If that's not enough it can be upgraded to maximum of 2TB. Of course, it can also share content from your home (wired) network and interface with an iTunes library. It also provides access to web-based services such as Flickr for photo sharing and Finetune, a music streaming service. Instead of charging a monthly fee for their service, you pay a one time fee of $799 for the basic model. If I rememeber correctly, that was TiVo's original business model and they realized they made more money charging a monthly fee. So we'll see how succcessful this is for Moxi.
High Resolution Technologies (HRT) shiowed the simolist solution I've encountered fr getting music from your computer into your soundroom. The small device, that fits in the palm of your hand has a USB input and analog audio outputs. Come ot of the putputs directly in your preamp or receiver. There are two models, one is $89.95 and the slightly larger one is $250. The main difference is the more expensive device uses a higher-end DAC with better signal-to-noise, lower noise floor and improved frequency response. It does mean integrating your computer into your hifi, but for those purists who are skeptical of WiFi and what it might be doing to the signal, it doesn't get more direct than this.
Tivoli Audio known for their high-quality desktop radios has added networking, making it possible for them to stream from Internet radio stations around the world. It also allows access to stored media on PCs from any room in the house through a wireless or Ethernet connection. Using the front panel readout, you use the supplied remote to scroll through your media or Internet stations. The basic unit has a single speaker, and a second speaker can be purchased to listen in stereo.
One of the interesting oddities about CES, is the the Adult Video industry shares the Sands Convention Center with us for their annual awards show. So we come across some unusual posters from time to time, in addition to some of the industries top celebrities. However, I don't think I even want to know what this is.
Scott Wilkinson | Jan 06, 2009 | First Published: Jan 07, 2009 |
Driving to Vegas, I always stop in Baker, California, gateway to Death Valley and home of the world's tallest thermometer—134 feet, representing the highest recorded temperature in the US of 134 degrees in 1913. In this night shot, the thermometer is reflected in the 2009 Lincoln MKS that THX loaned me for the trip to check out the THX-certified sound system therein. Unlike past systems, this one can play multichannel DVD-Audio and even DVD video on the in-dash screen (as long as the car parked). Just like past systems, however, this one is quite boomy in the bass, and the only EQ controls are bass and treble. I got it sounding pretty good, especially on Donald Fagen's <I>Nightfly</I> DVD-A, though road noise—even in a car as quiet as this—can wreak havoc on something with a wide dynamic range like Stravinsky's <I>Firebird</I>.
As in years past, LG had the distinction of holding the first press conference of CES—at 8:00 AM! Many new products were announced, including nine new lines of LCD TVs and three new lines of plasmas with a total of 30 new models in all. Among the LCDs is the 55LH90 pictured here, which uses LED backlighting to achieve a claimed contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 as well as a 240Hz feature that combines 120Hz frame interpolation and backlight flashing. Other notable technologies include wireless HD built into the LH85 and LHX series LCDs that can convey uncompressed 1080p/60 at a maximum date rate of 3Gbps.
Sitting next to an IPhone, you can see that Netgear's new Internet TV Player is pretty small. Hook it up to any TV (and yes there is HDMI) and you can browse the Internet right from your TV using your existing home network. You can stream TV shows and videos from a wide selection of channels in full screen HD. There are icons you can click for key sites such as CBS, ABC, YouTube and more. Its possible to search via pre- programmed interests, too. Moreover, you are not restricted to just US sites, you can check out sites originating in Europe and Asia. The Internet TV Player will hit the stores sometime this summer for $199.
Dubbed a Digital Media Receiver for the serious enthusiast with a large library of digital media files, Netgear introduced the Digital Entertainer Elite. With a substantial 500 GB hard drive that is upgradable to 1TB, the Digital Receiver plays 1080p content via HDMI and is capable of Blu-Ray quality (according to the company spokesperson). The real question is how will you find or rip media equal to Blu-Ray quality to even store on the device?
Toshiba reps had a lot to say in their press conference today, including several new features and models the company's upscale Regza line of LCD TVs. Perhaps most impressive is Resolution+, the new name for what had been known as SRT (Super Resolution Technology), which can even upconvert 1080p to 4K when displays of that resolution become available. Another LCD theme being pursued by Toshiba is 240Hz scanning, which combines 120Hz refresh rate with backlight flashing. None of the new sets is fully operational yet, and they were not showing any video images at the press conference, but the 52ZV650U pictured here diffracted the spotlights to create a cool rainbow effect.
Which would you rather have, more content options streamed from the Internet or wireless speaker connectivity? LG Electronics thinks you should have both and has introduced three Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems featuring content-on-demand options through alliances with CinemaNow, YouTube and HD titles from Netflix as well as wireless speaker connectivity. The speakers are designed by Mark Levinson, well known in the arena of high-end audio. This introduction follows on the heels of the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray player shown at CEDIA 2008. The LHB979 system is shown in the photo above and is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2009. A price was not available at the time of the announcement.
Seeking to expand its presence in the broadcast, satellite radio, automotive and gaming markets, DTS announced the acquisition of Neural Audio of Kirkland, Washington. The acquisition also brought aboard several executives from Neural who were instrumental in the development of the AAC and MP3 digital formats. It's encouraging to see aggressive business strategies like this in difficult economic times.