Barb Gonzalez

CES 2012
LG’s Upgraded Smart Upgrader
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 13, 2012
LG showed an upgraded model of its Smart Upgrader media player and streamer. The new model is 3D compatible, and is able to play almost any kind of video file.

The 2012 model will come with the LG magic wand remote that can act like a virtual mouse for navigation.

Upgraded from last year’s models this LG Smart Ugrader has a web browser that includes both Flash 10 and HTML 5, which means it can stream videos from many TV and movie websites.

LG will still offer a less expensive model similar to its 2011 Smart Upgrader. Both include Vudu, Netflix, YouTube and access to download 1200 LG smart TV apps.

CES 2012
Locking HDMI Cables
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 13, 2012
If you have any TVs or monitors with a vertical HDMI connection where the HDMI cable comes loose and wriggles itself out, you’ll appreciate the locking HDMI cables being shown by Perfect Path. The cable locks into place because its end cover slides back and forth to lock or release the cable.
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CES 2012
Panasonic Announces MySpace TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 12, 2012
Myspace CEO Tim Vanderhook, and co-owner, Justin Timberlake announced Myspace TV at the Panasonic CES press conference. Available on Panasonic TVs as part of VIERA Connect on their next generation of Smart VIERA TV HDTVs, Myspace TV allows users to share and comment on the TV shows that they’re viewing.

Vanderhook began by explaining,“Historically, TV has been a shared experience, as people gathered together to watch their favorite programs.” Viewers can make comments on programming creating a group conversation that will show up on their friends’ Myspace TV.

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CES 2012
Roku Dongle Announced
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 10, 2012
Roku showed a network media player that is simply a large dongle that connects directly to your TV set. Shrinking the already small Roku 2 design even more, the new device doesn’t reduce the content or experience.

The Roku dongle will connect to an HDMI port on your TV. It will not come with its own remote. Instead, once connected, you can use the TV remote to navigate the Roku’s home screen, channels and to control playback.

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CES 2012
Dish Unplugged Brings Blockbuster, HBO GO
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 10, 2012
Dish Network will bring Blockbuster@Home and an expanded version of HBO On Demand and Cinemax on Demand to customers who haven’t been able to stream movies and TV shows because they have slow internet. “Dish Unplugged” will stream content directly to the “Hopper” DVR via satellite.
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Streaming Device Reviews
Roku 2 XS Media Streamer
Barb Gonzalez  |  Dec 16, 2011

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $99 At A Glance: Vastly improved picture quality • More responsive, motion-sensitive, Bluetooth remote • Tiny footprint • Wide variety of content providers

Roku has released its newest generation of media streamers, including the top-of-the-line Roku 2 XS player. Perhaps you haven't given Roku much thought as a serious addition to your home theater. Its earlier models gave more attention to the quantity of media-streaming partners than to the quality of the pictures they were streaming. The Roku 2 XS may change your mind as it changed mine.

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CES 2009
Calibrating Your Picture Doesn’t Take an Installer—Just a Wizard
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 11, 2009
LG’s new feature, the “Picture Wizard” aids the average viewer in optimizing the TV’s picture by offering onscreen examples of what is the optimal setting. They can then see the effect of the changes they’ve made in the setting as compared to the onscreen examples. Setting adjustments in the Picture Wizard include: black level, white level, color, backlight adjustment, tint, vertical sharpness and horizontal sharpness. Calibration made easy.
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CES 2009
Say “Hi” to Turn On Your TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 11, 2009
Hitachi showed a prototype of a motion sensing TV that could be controlled simply by waving your hand in front of its sensor. On screen circles and arcs help you determine the volume levels and other controls. Simply applaud the end of your show (clap your hands) to turn the TV off. It’s estimated that this won’t be available until 2010 or 2011.
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CES 2009
Touch Pad Remote is Virtually All Thumbs
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 11, 2009
Panasonic showed a prototype of a TV remote control that works on technology like that of a mouse touchpad on your laptop. Actually, it is equipped with two touchpads and is motion sensing. A point and click technology, the secret is in the onscreen navigation and onscreen virtual remote. Turning it sideways you can thumb-type—like you would for texting—on the onscreen virtual keyboard. The cartoon thumbs that appear onscreen to show you what you are clicking on definitely add a comic personality to this interface.
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CES 2009
New HDMI Standard -Simplifying Connections
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 10, 2009
HDMI Licensing LLC, who won a Technology and Engineering Emmy for their contribution of the HDMI™ single cable audio and video standard, has announced the development of a new HDMI specification beyond the current 1.3 version. While not final, it is expected that the new standard will include transfer of Ethernet over the new HDMI cable. The other significant addition will be an “audio return channel.” Currently when a source—say, your HD satellite—is connected directly to a TV, an optical audio cable must be connected to an AV receiver to hear your satellite programming in surround sound. This new bi-directional feature brings it back to a single connection that will send the sound back to AV receiver without the need for an additional cable. Woohoo! We’re getting closer to a single cable connection, I’m all for that type of simplicity. Go HDMI!
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