Mark Fleischmann

Microsoft and the University of Washington are jointly working on a new video display technology that would more efficiently use the backlight in flat-panel displays, potentially cutting power consumption in these increasingly energy-conscious times.

Making receivers easy. Well, easier.

The Consumer Electronics Association recently kicked off a “Convert Your Mom” campaign to advance the transition to digital television. One thing your mom will probably never want is a surround receiver. Sure, no home theater buff in her right mind would relegate audio functions to TV speakers. But, although the receiver is the nerve center for many systems, it’s also a stumbling block to many potential users. Receivers just do too many good things—entailing setup and adjustment hassles along the way. Make them simpler, and you lose capabilities. Make them full featured, and you get an instruction manual that’s like War and Peace (minus the literary merit).

Sony is now shipping the BDP-S350, a next-generation Blu-ray player that is far slimmer than its predecessor and even comes in a much smaller box. It uses a third less packing material, and what it does use is biodegradable paper. And due to the lightness of both the product and its packaging, shipping it will involve 43 percent less diesel use and other carbon emissions. Proof, were any needed, that I'll do anything for a novel lead.

Two major videogame platforms are broadening their appeal with movie downloads, it was announced at this week's E3 gaming show. Microsoft's Xbox 360 will accommodate downloads from Netflix, while Sony's Playstation Network will launch a download service of its own.