Bob Ankosko

Toshiba may not jumping head first into the curved screen craze sweeping across the TV industry but it is demonstrating another way to deliver an “immersive” TV experience at 2014 CES: Stretch the standard 16:9 screen to an extra-wide 21:9—or 2.35:1—so it perfectly matches the aspect ratio used for most of today’s blockbuster movies.

Over the years International CES has become a melting pot of every imaginable consumer technology. The show has been a showcase for aftermarket car stereo and entertainment since the ’70s and has in recent years evolved into a showcase for new-car tech—from superbly integrated and great sounding entertainment systems to sophisticated sensors and head-up displays to Internet and Bluetooth connectivity, and more. From BMW to Chrysler, a record nine automakers are occupying 140,000 square feet of exhibit space at 2014 CES, many with booths reminiscent of the New York Auto Show. Let’s take a look…

Texas Instruments is touting miniaturization at 2014 CES with a showcase of 30 products based on its DLP Pico video projection technology. Several implementations were demonstrated at the Digital Experience exhibition on the eve of the show, including the “smallest video projector in the world” from Korea-based Sekonix.

If you patiently search the big-name booths at 2014 CES you’ll find a couple old-fashioned Blu-ray Disc players tucked away—far away—from the gleaming Ultra HD TVs everyone is ogling over. But you really have to hunt. My Day One travels in the cavernous main hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center turned up a couple models, both of which offered new features.