Samsung has officially released pricing on its 2010 line of Blu-ray players ranging from $179 to $499. The BD-C6900 (which won Best of Innovations at CES 2010) features built-in 3D playback, Netflix and Blockbuster apps, social widgets, and a slim design with transparent cover (so you can be mesmerized by the spinning of your Blu-ray discs). The BD-C6900 also comes with 1GB internal memory and 7.1 channel audio. Full Story
Samsung’s new line of multimedia R80 notebooks will hit Best Buy stores on Sunday, March 7. Two of the three R80 models are loaded with nVIDIA GeForce graphics cards (R580 and R780) and the less expensive R480 and R580 models come with internal Blu-ray Disc drives. It’s strange that the more expensive R780 doesn’t come with a BD drive, but those are specs we got. The 16:9 hi-def resolution LED displays vary in size according to the model. (See chart below.) All three models include HDMI ports. Full Story
In the U.S. the Wi-Fi enabled Apple iPad (available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB) will hit stores on Saturday, April 3. Later in April, the 3G models will be released throughout the U.S. as well as Japan, Australia and Europe. The iPad is almost an enlarged iPhone, with the functionality of Amazon’s kindle its driving point. The large 9.7″ display on the iPad is LED backlit at 1024 x 768 resolution. “iPad is something completely new,” said Steve Jobs. Continue on for pricing. Full Story
Sony’s new “personal internet viewer” branded “Dash” will stream Netflix content you can access though their queue-based interface. The wireless device will automatically update your choices when the Netflix app is selected. The Dash features a 7-inch touch display and built-in speakers, and can be angled on a table or set on its back for viewing. It also has USB and headphone ports. Full Story
A first for Blockbuster, the HTC HD2 mobile phone from T-Mobile will provide subs with over 100,000 movies, TV shows and games from their mobile On Demand library. The HTC HD2 has a large 4.3 inch touch display and operates at 1 GHz – making it the largest and fastest touchscreen smartphone in the U.S. (according to T-Mobile). Full Story
The $200 Blu-ray player is the Sony BDP-S470 and it will handle 3D content after a firmware upgrade headed your way this summer. No it’s not quite a 3D player yet, but the firmware upgrade will make it one, along with the higher-end BDP-S570 ($250) player and the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570 home theater systems. Full Story
With no real announcement Microsoft has dropped the price of its Zune HD 16GB and 32GB models by $20. The Microsoft online store, as well as Best Buy, have the media players priced at $199 and $269 respectively. Amazon and Walmart have dropped the 32GB model by $40, offering it at $249 (Reg. $289). The 16GB model is currently $188 (Reg. $219). Full Story
Oppo has released the BDP-80 Blu-ray Disc player, their cheapest player yet at $289. The BDP-80 features 1080p24 at 24Hz, SACD & DVD-Audio/Video, and BD-Live (w/1GB memory). For audio the BDP-80 supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, 7.1 Channel output, and comes with digital optical and coaxial outputs. Full Story
The big news this week comes in the form of announcements from online services to require subscriptions or fees for certain content. YouTube and Hulu have been part of the talk, although Hulu’s fees are still rumored. Both follow the Wednesday news that The New York Times is planning a subscription program in which a limited amount of content would be offered free, but additional content would have to be paid for. Full Story
CES 2010 is over but one announcement saved until after may be the biggest yet in display development. Silicon Valley company Prysm revealed a new HDTV technology that uses 75% less energy than established LCD, plasma, DLP and OLED technologies. The company developed what is called a Laser Phosphor Display, or LPD, which it claims can be constructed of non-toxic materials. Full Story
Editors at CNET named the Panasonic VIERA 3D plasma HDTV the “Best of Show” and “Best in Television” at the Consumer Electronics Show this past weekend. The 3D VIERA HDTVs will be available in 50″, 54″, 58″, and 65″ sizes, all four models falling under the TC-VT25 label expected to ship this Spring. Full Story
LG’s newest top line Blu-ray player, the BD590, is the first to be built with an internal 250GB hard drive for storing digital files such as music, photos, and movies. The BD590 will also feature “MusicID-Stream” (from Gracenote), allowing users to get information about a song playing in a movie or TV show. Full Story
Panasonic was displaying its new portable Blu-ray players at CES 2010. The DMP-B500 is the higher-end model, with a 10.1 inch display and VIERA Link utilizing HDMI. In addition to being easy to carry along, this lil’ Blu-ray player can output 1080p to your HDTV. Full Story
Sony, in association with Panasonic, has just announced plans to increase the storage capacity on their Blu-Ray discs from 25GB to 35.4GB. Full Story
VIZIO will show off their new XVT Pro series of LCD HDTVs at CES 2010, which boast 480Hz, 3D, 16:9 and built-in wireless HDMI. The displays, expected to ship sometime this year, will be available in 72″, 55″, and 47″ sizes. MSRPs are set at $3499, $2499 and $1999 respectively. In addition to the 16:9 models, a 58″ Cinema Wide HDTV with 21 x 9 aspect ratio will also be available (no price yet). Full Story
Sony is running a limited time offer until Dec. 12 on select HDTVs and HD camcorders, including a 32″ Bravia (KDL32L504) for only $379 and 40″ Bravia (KDL40S504) for only $589. The Sony CX500V HD Camcorder is marked down to $999 ($100 off), as well as several Cyber-shot digital cameras and the Sony Reader. (Some the offers may require the coupon code SONYTV40S.) Full Story
Got an interesting piece of mail today from Southern California Edison which addresses the HDTV energy usage issue (see pic of front). The message of the mailer is that Energy-Star qualified TVs use up to 30% less energy than others without suffering quality in picture or design. The initiative was funded by California utility customers under the “auspices” of the California Utilities Commission. In case you didn’t know, California is posed to place restrictions on HDTVs sold after Jan. 1, 2011. (See our last article regarding future HDTV regulations in California.) Get more information on the initiative at SCE’s “Save Energy, Money, and the Environment” web page.
Last year at this time there were a few cheap Blu-ray players out there for around $150. But they were generic brands – you know the kind that probably work decent but you don’t brag to your friends about. Well this year there are several brand name models, even some with streaming capabilities, that are hard to pass up given the recent price drops. Full Story
The California Energy commission is expected to announce new energy efficiency regulations for big-screen HD televisions sold after January 1st, 2011. That’s 20Eleven… giving consumers enough time to buy energy-hogging screens prior to the new restrictions going into effect. Full Story
for $213.
Good news for Netflix customers and Sony Bravia HDTV owners. Netflix will now stream to Sony BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs, previous BRAVIA models compatible with Sony’s BRAVIA Internet video link module, and the Sony Network Blu-ray Disc Player. Full Story
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