You’ll see everything this special edition has to offer in the video below: pay close attention to that Green Screen X-ray portion, that could lead to some big things in interactive movie entertainment if allowed to expand. For now though it seems like most of these special edition bits are limited to single “pivotal” scenes while the rest of the movie will be yours to continue thinking about on your own time. Deconstruction of scenes in simultaneous different-angled views.

You’ll also be getting the original screenplay as written by James Cameron, his scriptment of the movie – this being essentially a novella of some scenes complete with dialog, and one big gigantic gallery of 1,700 images. This release should be interesting to watch as Avatar is already the highest grossing film in history thus far and still holds the title for top-selling Blu-ray disk in history as well. Will you pick it up?

To refresh your memory, the Pioneer BDP-140 Blu-ray Player supports the latest and greatest high-quality formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for crisp movie viewing, and Super Audio CD (SACD) for music playback. Furthermore, the BDP-140 has the ability to upconvert standard definition sources to 1080p resolution for all the full-HD displays out there. The BDP-140 also offers 3D video output with the most up-to-date HDMI 1.4a spec.

Last but not least, Pioneer’s completely free iControlAV2 App turns various smartphones and tablets into remote controls for the BDP-140. When your Blu-ray player is connected via Ethernet to a wireless router, the app enables users to have basic functions over the player. The iControlAV2 app is available for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and for select Android devices. Get your BDP-140 now at Pioneer’s own website.

[via Pioneer]

Lucky for you, we’ve got the video for you to peek at here, just in case you don’t want to waste any of your data for this month, that is. If you love to rack it up, go for it! What we’re looking at here is several scenes featuring everyone’s favorite hyper-talkative droid C3P0. If we wanted to go so far as to think the R2-D2 version of the DROID were successful enough to get a follow-up, we’d say this would be a sign that C3PO was next. As it is, the original R2-D2 didn’t do all that spectacular, so we’ll be having to do our own modifications to get a golden DROID for now.

You’ll notice in the text for the promo that the word DROID has a trademark TM after it. This always appears after the word Droid because that word is trademarked by Lucasfilm. It’s not only this advertisement that you’ll see it, the TM then connecting to the bottom of the page where it tells you who the real owner of the word is. Imagine that!

Also, for those of you who have been confused about the difference between Android and Droid in the past, you’re not alone: nearly every single time I speak to a person about what I do for a living, inevitably the question is asked: what is Droid? Does Google make Droid? The answer is no, Google does not make Droid, but what I think you’re asking is does Google make Android? Android is a word used by Google as the name for their mobile operating system, while the word Droid, owned by Lucasfilm and coming from the Star Wars franchise, is licensed by Verison for use on their devices where they see fit. Any type of device can be a DROID device, regardless of manufacturer.

Cleared up? What are you still doing here? Why aren’t you out buying the Blu-ray disks now?! Oh my god what if they’re sold out?!

One of those changes is a big one for Star Wars purists. In Return of the Jedi when Vader finally turns away from the dark side and tosses the emperor off the balcony, he did it in silence in the original. I can remember vividly how surprised I was by that change given little warning when seeing the original. Now in the Blu-ray version Vader says, “No… Noooooo!” as he hurls the emperor to his blue flaming death.

I’m not sure how I feel about it, it doesn’t really hurt anything, my kids will think nothing of it. They ask me what the originals were like on occasion when we watch the flicks on DVD or on TV and I tell them about what they were like in my youth. It’s kind of fun and certainly gets us talking about the films. What do you think, good, bad or indifferent? Check out the new clip in the video below.

[via NYT]

With the franchise coming to Blu-ray, apparently the new discs are getting some tweaks of their own. Some of the tweaks will be subtle with things like better visuals, removing things like the puppeteers arms in some scenes and other things. Some of the changes might not be so subtle though. Apparently, Lucas has added some surprises to the new films.

What those surprises might be is unknown at this time. However, reports are claim that there will be new things to notice in the films on Blu-ray. For instance, the hairy-eared puppet that was Yoda in the original films will be all computer generated now. There will be other things too. Considering the tweaks the original films received, I am sure fans will be pouring over the new discs when they launch on September 16 to find out.

[via SlashFilm]

Each of these systems is different but the same, if you get my drift, each one prepared for a different cinema experience seeker. There’s two slightly more expensive flagship systems called BCS-717 and BCS-414. These systems consist of four large and tall speakers with a separate center speaker as well as a slim subwoofer. The other two systems are slightly less expensive, called BCS-313 and BCS-212 they use compact satellite speakers and a much larger subwoofer speaker for the bass.

Each of these four systems have the same 180w output on each of their speakers, the subwoofer in both cases reaching 200w. All four systems also feature a high gloss acrylic outer coating and a lovely blue glowing light around their volume dials. Finally, each of the four units feature Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio plus 1080p 3D Blu-ray playback so you’ll be able to play whatever the newest films throw at you.

The two higher-end models come with an iPod/iPhone cradle for easy access to your favorite tunes as well as Wi-fi connectivity for all your online video exploits. These units will cost you anywhere from $500 to $830 USD – go grab em all, just for fun!

Android is seeing rapid growth with more than 550,000 devices activated daily and 20th Century Fox is looking to tap into that huge market and are aiming to bring digital downloads to all your Android devices. They are jumping aboard the Android train and will be offering Blu-ray titles with a digital-download for Android. We are hearing one of the first titles with the new option should be X-Men: First Class.

The digital copy will be downloaded right to your computer like the system already in place for Windows and users will be able to side-load the movie to any and all of their Android devices. Hopefully Android tablets are included but I can’t imagine them not offering it on those beautiful 1280×800 resolution displays. Users in the U.S., U.K. Germany and France will be among the first to access this new service.

This should be a huge boost for Android as far as movie options, with Netflix only supporting a small number of devices this could potentially be a large market and very successful for 20th Century. We should be hearing more regarding this soon so stay tuned.

[via TechCrunch]

The main chamber itself uses a double purification system to make sure no contaminants get into whatever it is that Sharp is growing. First, a near-perfect vacuum is created, sucking out any airborne motes or other objects; then, liquid nitrogen is used to cool the outer surface of the chamber. When objects land on it, they instantly stick and freeze.

Substrate wafers are loaded inside and then manipulated into position using magnets on the outside; the various chemicals layered on top are kept in canisters around the outer edges, and released in controlled amounts using shutter doors. Because of the carefully maintained environment, they settle in a perfectly even layer, with the orientation decided by the atomic structure of the wafer itself: Sharp uses sapphire bases with various chemical toppings for Blu-ray lasers, for instance.

With the current MBE, Sharp can produce a couple of small trays of LEDs in a day. However, the production techniques being experimented with should eventually head to more mass-production friendly facilities, where bigger numbers can be catered for.

There’s also on-demand media streaming support, including Netflix, Blockbuster, VUDU and Film Fresh, in up to HD quality, and Onkyo has used Marvell’s Qdeo processor for 1080p upscaling, deinterlacing and noise reduction. Ports include two HDMI outputs, so as to make hooking up – and flicking between – an HDTV and a projector more straightforward.

DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, along with THX certification, round out the key specs, though as you’d probably imagine there are plenty of other ports on the back including digital and analog audio outputs.

And what would you pay for this rich, creamy, uncommonly good Blu-ray player (disclaimer: we haven’t actually tried it; it could be rubbish)? Onkyo will be asking $599 when the BD-SP809 lands in August.

That Blu-ray drive is capable of burning the new, super-capacious 128GB disks, as well as playing 2D or 3D Blu-ray movies and upscaling 2D DVDs into 3D. There’s also a 640GB 5,400rpm hard-drive, Harman Kardon speakers, HDMI port, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0+HS and a memory card reader, while ports include three USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0.

Toshiba’s eye-tracking system uses the HD-resolution webcam to identify the user’s face and then tweak the positioning of the left/right-eye pixels behind the lenticular film, twisting the 3D image to suit their position. It’s also capable of showing 2D and 3D images simultaneously, so that you can have a 3D movie playing in one window and a 2D spreadsheet opened in another. On the downside, it’s only intended for one viewer, since the tracking system can’t handle multiple viewpoints.

The Toshiba Qosmio F750 3D will go on sale in the UK from early August 2011, priced at around £1,300. US pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed.

But over the weekend, I had an epiphany.

I sat down on Sunday and decided to revisit Battlestar Galactica from the beginning of the series. But rather than go to my Blu-ray box set, I instead went to Netflix, found the episode I wanted to watch, and turned it on. At no point did I get up out of my chair to watch the show.

In that moment, I realized what had just occurred. And I started to thinking back at the recent times that I have ditched Blu-ray in favor of a streaming option. When those thoughts came back, I came to one unlikely conclusion: I don’t really need Blu-ray.

If I take into account all of my entertainment viewership each month, the amount of time I spend watching a movie or television show on Blu-ray is extremely limited. For the most part, I watch some of my favorite shows while they air. And if I happen to miss them, I can typically go to Hulu Plus and watch an episode.

When it comes to movies, I typically go to theaters to see films I’m really interested in. If I want to watch a movie at home, though, I’ve found myself going to Netflix more and more. When new films aren’t available on Netflix, I’ve found it easier to simply go to my cable provider’s on-demand channels and pick the film I’d like to watch.

In the last month, I didn’t even touch a Blu-ray disc. And I didn’t mind it one bit.

When I started talking to friends about my discovery, I was surprised to find that many of them didn’t even own a Blu-ray player, and quite shockingly, they didn’t have any desire to get one. One friend told me that with all the streaming he does, Blu-ray is an additional expense that he doesn’t need to take on.

He makes a good point. Good Blu-ray players are still quite expensive — I bought my last player over the winter for $169 — and buying Blu-ray content is not cheap either. Considering Netflix and Hulu Plus cost just $8 per month for unlimited streaming, and Redbox is available for those who want to rent a film for just $1 a day, it turns out many of us don’t necessarily need Blu-ray.

Of course, I’m sure there are some out there that would disagree with that sentiment. They will quickly point to Blu-ray’s 1080p video quality and outstanding sound, and say that it’s an integral part of any home-theater set-up. Others would point to Blu-ray storage capacity as a key feature.

But as of late, I haven’t been as willing to admit those benefits as I have in the past. Sure, 1080p is nice, but for many folks, 720p is just fine. And the improved sound can only be enjoyed with the proper set-up — something many consumers don’t have. And considering how cheap external storage devices are nowadays, I’m not so quick to jump on the Blu-ray bandwagon.

Maybe my interests are changing or perhaps I’m just jumping to a premature conclusion. But I’m starting to think that I don’t need Blu-ray in my home. With all the other options available to me, it seems like an extra addition that costs too much over the long-term for the added benefit it provides.

As expected, fans on both sides of the debate jumped on the story. Some said that Nintendo’s decision to nix Blu-ray in the Wii U proved that the company just didn’t know what it was doing in the gaming space any longer. Those who came out in defense of Nintendo said it makes perfect sense, since streaming is the future, and the console will likely support Netflix and other similar services.

Although I can see both sides of the argument, I’m a little perplexed by Nintendo’s decision to not offer Blu-ray in the Wii U. Yes, I understand the company’s licensing argument and I can see where streaming would be more important, but whether we like it or not, physical media isn’t going anywhere. And Blu-ray will be with us for the long haul.

As far as I’m concerned, every next-generation console, including the Wii U, the PlayStation 4, and the Xbox 720 (or whatever those platforms will be called) should be running Blu-ray.

When I think about a game console, I no longer consider it as a device that only lets me play video games. Instead, I see game consoles as full home-entertainment platforms that allow me to enjoy different types of content depending on my mood.

So, if I want to play a video game, I can turn on my console and do so. But if after I’m done playing for a while, I want to watch a movie, I should be able to pop a disc into the device and be entertained. And just in case there’s something on Netflix that I want to watch, I shouldn’t have any trouble flipping over to that app and firing it up.

As much as Nintendo seemingly doesn’t want to admit it, the gaming business is about more than just video games nowadays. It’s why Xbox Live and PlayStation Network are integral to the experiences of using the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. And it’s also why Microsoft is doubling down on television content with the upcoming availability of live TV on its Xbox 360.

My ultimate goal in the living room is to eliminate all the many devices I currently have connected to my television, and get down to one or two products that let me do everything. As I’ve mentioned on SlashGear before, I believe the PlayStation 3 helps me get closer to that goal than any other device — gaming or not — on the market. And it’s my hope that the PlayStation 4 will capitalize on that even more.

By not offering Blu-ray or DVD playback in the Wii U, Nintendo has left itself open to unnecessary criticism. And if Microsoft and Sony can deliver that playback along with improved game experiences, should we really expect Nintendo’s console to be the next generation’s winner?

Sorry, Nintendo, but the times are changing. And it’s about time you realize that.

Alas, the console will not support DVDs or Blu-ray playback. The confirmation on the lack of playback capability came by way of Satoru Iwata, “Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities.” I would wager a bunch of folks already have devices for playing discs. However, I think on a modern console the ability to at least play DVDs should be a given. This rather reminds me of Nintendo insisting Wii gamers didn’t want HD graphics when most certainly did.

Iwata said, “The reason for that is that we feel that enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray, such that it didn’t warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies.” What do you think, should a modern console like the Wii U be able to play DVDs and Blu-rays or is that not an important feature?

[via Kotaku]

The little external optical drive is blazing fast with 12x speed and connects to your rig via USB 3.0 making it one of the highest performing Blu-ray drives around. The burner uses OTS technology inside and comes with Magic Cinema technology.

That Magic Cinema tech allows the drive to play 3D Blu-ray movies and convert 2D to 3D content. The drive also has a cool design that is black and has diamond facets to it. The gadget has Dolby Digital EX and DTS-HD surround sound support and lots more. Pricing and availability are unknown at this time.

These cool black boxes can do a whiz-bang job at piping all kinds of sound nicely to your home theater system. They all have front panel USB that can interface with the iPod/iPhone as well as standard USB mass-storage devices. All but the lowest priced offering offer ethernet capabilities so that you can stream all manner of online radio through your home’s internet connection. Everything from Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly and more. The Home Theater in a Box systems come with receiver and speakers packaged in a single box, while the TX-NR709 is just the Receiver, but it also has an impressive eight HDMI ports. They developed an iPhone app that works as a remote for any of these. It’s free.

The Blu Ray player also supports all of the internet content on-demand services available with the HTiB’s and receiver. It can play media off of a variety of storage devices like any of these. Two USB ports provide the connectivity. Read more about blu-ray here. I’d focus on the Slashgear 101 article about what’s going on with 3D TV. It’ll give you the digs.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (4/11/11) — Onkyo, a brand renowned worldwide for quality home entertainment technology, has announced four new packaged home theater systems, including its first with networking capabilities, a new home theater speaker system, upgraded mid-line AV receiver, and an affordably-priced 3D Blu-Ray player.

Home Theater Systems: Onkyo has increased its premium home theater line-up from three models to four, consisting of the HT-S6400, HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX. All four have a front-panel USB port that offers a direct digital connection for an iPod or iPhone, along with support for audio playback from USB mass-storage devices. The top three models include Ethernet networking capabilities to support streaming PC audio and Internet radio from the likes of Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly, Last fm, and vTuner and provide compatibility with Windows® 7 and DLNA. The Internet connection greatly simplifies the process of providing future updates to the receiver’s firmware. These same three models also include the new Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling processor for use with upcoming higher resolution video display.

These networking models can also take advantage of Onkyo’s free Remote App for iPod, iPhone, or iPad to control the A/V receiver. All these models are also compatible with the recently announced UWF-1 Wireless USB Adapter that provides an IEEE 802.11b/g/n connection to access music on a home network.

As with previous HTiB lineups, the top-of-the-line 7.1-channel HT-S9400THX is THX Certified and includes THX approved speakers–the reference standard for excellence in home theater sound. The HT-S8400 includes a distinctive 7.1-channel slim floor standing speaker package with high-performance 41-inch high front speakers, while the HT-S7400 uses a more-compact 5.1 speaker package. All of these systems include powered subwoofers.

The HT-S6400 uses brand new 5.1-channel speaker set that includes a powered subwoofer and matching gloss-finished front, center, and surround speakers. These compact—yet reassuringly solid—speakers are made from a new, high- density resin designed for maximum rigidity and minimum vibration. The elegantly curved shape of the speaker cabinets does more than just add a touch of class; it also helps to counteract standing waves, ensuring sound output with greater fidelity. This speaker system will also be sold separately as the SKS-HT690.

The Onkyo HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX will be available in May with Suggested retail prices of $799, $899, and $1099 respectively. The HT-S6400 and SKS-HT690 will follow in July with MSRPs of $699 and $449 respectively.

Onkyo TX-NR709 AV Receiver: Onkyo has also announced late April deliveries of its 7.2-channel TX-NR709 Network home theater receiver. Like it’s predecessor, the TX-NR708, it has full networking capabilities to support streaming PC audio and Internet radio, adding Last.fm to its roster of Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly, and vTuner. It is also has compatibility with Windows® 7 and DLNA, front panel USB, powerful WRAT amplifiers, and a broad suite of audio processing from Dolby, DTS, and Audyssey. The TX-NR709 has been upgraded with the new Marvell Qdeo 4k video upscaling processor, Audyssey MultEQ XT advanced room correction technology, dual subwoofer outputs, dual HDMI outputs and one additional HDMI inputs for a total of eight front and rear. It can also take advantage of Onkyo’s free Remote App for iPod, iPhone, or iPad to control the A/V receiver and it is compatible with the recently announced UWF-1 Wireless USB Adapter. The Onkyo TX-NR709 will have a suggested retail price of $899.

Onkyo BD-SP309: Onkyo has also introduced its first 3D Blu-Ray Player, the BD-SP309. The BD-SP309 also supports internet radio and video on demand via Pandora, Netflix and VUDU, so you can explore a cornucopia of great audio and video content whenever the mood strikes. With the BD-SP309, standard DVD sources at various resolutions—480p, 720p, or 1080i—can be upscaled to 1080p for playback on a compatible high-definition display. Its HDMI interface supports lossless studio sound quality of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential for Blu-ray Disc. Connectivity on the BD-SP309 is rounded out by two USB ports that let you play media from a variety of storage devices. The Onkyo BD-SP309 will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $249.

Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company’s philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

Alternatively you could use it for regular data storage, though if backup is your intention then you’ll probably find a hard-drive is cheaper. The three layers are sandwiched with a fingerprint- and scratch-proof coating for increased durability.

Still, 100GB doesn’t come cheap; Panasonic Japan will be asking a heady 10,000 yen ($119) per disc.

It’s those geeky red/blue glasses, right?

Not any more. Theater audiences decades ago were hooking flimsy cardboard glasses over their ears and settling in to watch cheap 3D movies, but the home technology has come on in leaps and bounds since then. The glasses themselves look more like a semi-fashionable pair of Oakleys than something you’d find free in a cereal box and, while the principles of 3D are the same, they don’t work in the same way.

3D content takes advantage of the fact that each of our eyes see things from a slightly different angle. Out in the real, naturally-3D world, those two angles are combined by the brain and so we get a 3D perspective; when you’re dealing with a flat, 2D display, you have to figure out some way of showing each eye a slightly different picture, preferably as close as possible to the same time.

Those cardboard specs – known as “anaglyph” glasses – did it by offsetting the red and blue colors of the movie slightly: the eye with the red lens couldn’t see the red part of the picture, and vice-versa with the blue lens. That meant two different views from one single onscreen image. Problem was, the colors got mangled in the process, and so film-makers could only use a limited palette.

Modern 3D TVs either use special passive (i.e. unpowered) or active (i.e. powered) glasses to create the 3D effect. Passive glasses use polarized lenses, like polarized sunglasses, which restrict the light reaching each eye; a filter layer over the TV splits the picture into the left and right eye channels, so that the brain gets two slightly different perspectives which it can combine into 3D.

Active glasses are more complex, with each lens being optically clear but in fact a sheet of liquid-crystal like a calculator display. Rather than the TV showing the left and right eye images simultaneously, as with passive 3D, it rapidly flips between the two images; at the same time, the glasses blank out the opposite eye, so that only one eye sees one image at a time. Basically, when the TV is showing what the right eye should see, the glasses make sure the left eye is obstructed. Thanks to the high speed that the images are switched, and that the active “shutter” glasses flick between the eyes, the brain actually sees a consistent picture from each rather than spotting the obstructions, and then builds those pictures into 3D.

What if I don’t want to wear glasses?

Doing away with 3D glasses – whether active or passive – is the holy grail for TV manufacturers. Usually known as “autostereoscopy” there are various methods by which it can be achieved, though none are really ready for a commercial launch in the living room.

Most common are “parallax barrier” and “lenticular”, both of which rely on a layer on top of the display to split the picture between the viewer’s eyes. The Nintendo 3DS, for instance, uses a parallax barrier system, where a layer with a series of slits is used to selectively block and frame different parts of the display for each eye to see. Lenticular systems, meanwhile, put a panel of tightly-packed lens rods in front of the display, splitting the light out to the viewer’s eyes.

The drawbacks of both systems are plentiful, but primarily it’s the limited “sweet spot” in which viewers must sit in order to see the 3D effect. In the Nintendo 3DS, for instance, the gamer’s eyes must be directly in front of the 3D screen; not so difficult when you’re working with a handheld console, but a different matter when you want a TV in your living room which multiple people can watch. Samsung and other manufacturers have developed large-scale glasses-free 3D prototypes, but the general consensus is that they won’t be ready for the market until they can support larger numbers of simultaneous viewers.

So what should I buy?

The choice between active and passive 3D comes, in part, down to cost. Passive glasses, because they have no electronic parts and merely rely on polarized lenses, are far cheaper; active glasses need batteries and to wirelessly synchronize to the TV they’re being used with (so they blank off each eye in correct time with the changing display), so tend to be more expensive. Most 3D TVs come with one set of glasses, but if you’re buying further pairs for the rest of the family, that can quickly get expensive.

There’s also the issue of compatibility, with active glasses from some brands not being usable with other manufacturers’ TVs. A universal standard is in development, but so far it’s a work-in-progress. Basically, the glasses you use with your 3D TV might not work with the 3D TV your friend chooses.

The nature of each technology also has its drawbacks. Because of the way passive 3D glasses work, with polarized lenses, you need to be looking at the TV straight-on or the effect won’t work. That means no lying down on the sofa and watching 3D at an angle. Active 3D glasses, meanwhile, can suffer from flickering problems with fast-moving films, sports and other content: that’s because the TV’s refresh rate – the speed at which the picture on-screen changes – is effectively halved since it’s having to show two image for each single frame (one for each eye).

In practice, the viewer limitations of passive glasses and the general improvement in TV refresh rates mean that active glasses are the best way forward for most living rooms. Still, it’s worth trying both systems in-store before you buy, since some people find the active 3D flicker issue more frustrating than others. A future SlashGear 101 buyer’s guide will look at which 3D TVs should be on your shortlist.

Okay, so what can I watch?

A 3D TV is only half of the story: you also need content to watch on it. Right now that’s limited, primarily because 3D films and shows are only appealing the minority subset of those who have upgraded to a compatible TV. In the US, DirecTV offers three channels with 3D content, including ESPN 3D, while Comcast plans to offer it in June this year alongside its “3D Events” channel of occasional programming. In the UK, satellite provider Sky offers the Sky 3D channel.

Pre-recorded 3D content is easier to find, and usually involves a 3D-capable Blu-ray player. An increasing number of titles, such as Avatar, are being released on Blu-ray in 3D versions. Meanwhile, Samsung and others plan to launch 3D video-on-demand services – which allow you to buy or rent digital 3D content, downloaded through your internet connection – over the coming months and years.

As for creating your own 3D content, manufacturers are gradually introducing 3D camcorders which will allow you to capture family memories in three-dimensions. In a future SlashGear 101 we’ll run down the 3D options open for the home videographer.

The drive ships with CyberLink TrueTheater software for playback of movies and the software will also test the ability of the PC to support 3D content. The player will play normal DVDs and Blu-ray flicks too. It can also read and write to CDs and DVDs. However, it only reads Blu-ray discs.

The SE-406A is designed to work with both Mac and Windows computers and it has Buffer Under Run technology to prevent any errors that may result from writing speeds that are faster than data transfer speed. The drive supports most DVD and CD formats and can read from multiple Blu-ray formats too. The drive will ship in April for $150. Samsung offered no images of the optical drive with the official announcement.

The Sony BDP-S280, BDP-S380, BDP-S480, BDP-S580, BDP-S780, BDV-E280, BDV-E580 and BDV-E780W have all been confirmed as having VUDU support, though Sony’s entire Blu-ray line in 2011 will apparently get the service. VUDU pushed its updated UI to the PS3 earlier this year, with the promise of Move control coming later on.

Press Release:

VUDU Goes Live on Sony 2011 Connected Blu-ray Disc Players

Santa Clara, CA – (March 15, 2011) – VUDU, the leader in HD streaming, today announced that its steaming movie service is shipping on the 2011 line of Sony connected Blu-ray Disc™ Players, offering instant access to the extensive VUDU library of Hi-Definition movies from all major Hollywood studios and leading independent distributors.

VUDU, a subscription-free service, provides consumers with the highest quality cinematic experience via instant streaming of 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The VUDU library boasts the most extensive collection of HD and HDX movies from all major Hollywood studios, offering most titles the same-day as DVD release. On Sony’s 3D enabled devices, users can also access 3D content.

All 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players and Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems feature VUDU, including:

· BDP-S280

· BDP-S380

· BDP-S480

· BDP-S580

· BDP-S780

· BDV-E280

· BDV-E580

· BDV-E780W

“From the newest Hollywood blockbusters to our extensive library of classics, VUDU continues to give people more options to discover and enjoy the highest quality movie experience in their living room,” said Edward Lichty, General Manager of VUDU. “By adding Sony Blu-ray Disc Players to our roster of top tier connected devices we provide yet another avenue to for anybody to enjoy a great movie, with a simple click of a button.”

VUDU-enabled 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players are available now in select stores and will be shipping nationally in March. Models include connected and 3D capable devices.

Panasonic has clad the SC-HTB520 in a fingerprint-resistent black mesh and mirror-finish enclosure, and the various drivers semi-hidden behind create a virtual surround sound experience. As for the Blu-ray 3D systems, they pack integrated WiFi for VIERA Cast and BD-Live, along with a universal iPhone/iPod dock.

The BTT770 and BTT370 also throw in wireless rear speaker support (bundled with the flagship unit, a $129.95 option on the mid-range model), a down-firing subwoofer and Skype support with the optional camera. The Panasonic SC-HTB520 will be priced at $399.99 when it arrives next month, while the Panasonic SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 will be priced at $599.99, $499.99 and $399.99 respectively.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICE OF SLIM BAR AUDIO SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER AND 3D PASS THROUGH

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) — Panasonic today announced pricing of its new slim bar home theater speaker system, SC-HTB520, which will be available next month. The elegant system neatly mounts on a wall by a TV and offers an easy-to-install, stylish alternative to a conventional home theater sound system. The SC-HTB520 supports Stream Out for 3D image signals and Audio Return Channel, making it easy to configure a FULL HD 3D home theater system by combining it with a 3D Blu-ray DiscTM player and 3D VIERA TV. The SC-HTB520 ideally matches large panel displays 42-inches and above and includes a separate, wireless Down Firing subwoofer.

The front of the SC-HTB520 features a black stainless mesh material with a luxurious mirror finish and a special coating that resists dust and fingerprints. A unique design concept boosts the ambience of the SC-HTB520′s high-quality sounds by making the speaker units partially visible through the mesh, so listeners can almost visualize the sound.

The SC-HTB520 system delivers dialog that is crisp and clear. This is made possible by the Clear-Mode Dialog, which makes the sound seem like it is coming from the center of the TV display. With more precise linking of the picture and the sound, the result is clean, pure sound for dialog voices on video and vocals on music. Virtual surround technology also reproduces surround sounds from the front speakers that seem to wrap around the listening position. And dynamic, deep bass sounds are achieved by the Down Firing Subwoofer. The subwoofer is equipped with a wireless system, so there is no need to connect it to the main unit by cables. Lack of wiring keeps the room interior uncluttered and enables a simple and flexible layout.

Connection and installation could not be easier, thanks to the system’s compatibility with ARC* (Audio Return Channel), which allows receiving audio signals from the TV. Simply place it by the television or wall mount for a custom installation (via supplied wall mounts) and connect it with just one HDMI cable.

The SC-HTB520 will be available in April 2011 with a suggested retail price of $399.99.

* An ARC-compatible TV is required.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Press Release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR NEW BLU-RAY 3D HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology, today announced pricing of its new Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc™ home theater systems which employ advanced technologies to reproduce immersive 3D with superb picture quality, cinema-like surround sound and boast 3D Effect Controller, Universal Dock for iPod®/iPhone® and Skype™1 compatibility. All models from entry-level up feature built-in WiFi connectivity.

The new models, SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 deliver advanced sound quality that complements the dynamic 3D images. Based on the concept of reproducing an ideal cinema- like surround sound environment, Panasonic’s proprietary technology, called Cinema Surround Plus, compensates for the lack of a surround effect to provide natural smooth surround sound and offers an enhanced surround effect from above and around.

Featuring Panasonic’s renowned Full HD 3D Playback, the new systems not only deliver powerful 3D images with dramatic effects, enhanced depth, luster and texture, but allow the user to tailor the image display as desired. The 3D Effect Controller adjusts the amount of the depth effect for more expansive images and enables the viewer to enjoy 3D movies with exactly the preferred level of 3D effects.

For space-saving elegance, the sleek, ultra-slim main component measures only a mere 1.5 inches high. The systems are designed to ideally match a flat panel display. The new table-top design of the SC-BTT370 offers easy set-up and will add style to any home setting.

The SC-BTT770 is equipped with rear wireless speakers and wireless kit so there is no need for unsightly wires across the room. The SC-BTT370 is wireless-ready and can be upgraded to provide wireless rear audio with the addition of the optional SH-FX71 wireless kit for rear speakers ($129.95).

The top two models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 feature VIERA CAST™ with Skype™ a new function which allows users to connect with friends and family around the world on any compatible TV. And when they are not home, a convenient Auto Answering Video Message feature answers incoming calls and records video voicemail messages.

Models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 include a down-firing subwoofer, which achieves powerful bass by releasing the sound downward from the speaker unit and port and utilizes the sound reflected from the floor. These models are equipped with one HDMI output and two HDMI inputs with Standby Pass through for HD and 3D gaming and set-top box connections. Since they feature a Standby Pass Through function, signals from the connected devices can pass through the unit even when the home theater system is turned off.

All of the home theater systems feature Audio Return Channel (ARC*), which makes it possible to receive audio signals from the TV, on top of the preexisting HDMI function of sending audio/video signals to the TV with just one cable. This feature simplifies connection by eliminating the audio cable connection between the TV audio output and the main unit’s audio input.

All of the new systems feature a Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone** which employs a digital connection to minimize sound degradation. This lets the user play music and video downloads and enjoy high quality sound from an iPod/iPhone.

The new models boast improved easy-to-use features, such as an internal wireless LAN system so IP content, such as VIERA CAST2 and BD-Live, can be enjoyed without having a LAN cable*** connection. VIERA CAST has been further enhanced with CinemaNow and Vudu, allowing viewers to stream movies. Other content can also be accessed from the special VIERA CAST screen to check weather, stocks and other information.

Panasonic’s Blu-ray 3D home theater systems bring a new dimension to home entertainment and will be available in April 2011. The SC-BTT770 will carry a suggested retail price (SRP) of $599.99. The SC-BTT370 will have an SRP of $499.99, and the SC-BTT270 will have an SRP of $399.99.

1 Skype video calling requires access to a broadband Internet connection as well as a Skype-compatible camera available from Panasonic, sold separately, to make video calls.

2 Not all VIERA CAST features are available on both VIERA Connect-enabled VIERA® HDTVs and VIERA CAST-enabled Blu-ray DiscTM players due to specific requirements necessary to activate certain applications. Specific app availabilities and compatibilities will be announced at a later date. Access to a broadband Internet connection is required to access VIERA CAST features. There is no fee to use the VIERA CAST functionality however some VIERA CAST services such as Netflix and Amazon VOD have a separate fee structure.

* An ARC compatible TV is required.

** “Made for iPod” and “Made for iPhone” mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

***A wireless LAN environment is required.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Sony can appeal to have the ban lifted, but LG can also apply to have the 10-day import ban extended. If the injunction is extended, it could mean that Sony’s PS3 games and consoles could start disappearing from retail shelves across Europe. And if Sony is found guilty for infringing on LG’s patents, they could be forced to compensate LG for each PS3 sold around the world.

The battle is fierce between the two Asian electronics giants involving seven different patent disputes, with Sony trying to block shipments of LG smartphones from entering the US. Neither company has made any official announcements or comments regarding the situation. If the ban is not lifted, Sony’s stockpiles in the UK and around Europe could run out within two to three weeks.

[via Guardian]

That allows you to use the all-in-one as a standalone display, useful if you want some downtime with your PS3. There’s up to 1TB of HDD storage, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory and four USB ports – two each of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 – along with WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0+HS.

The “edge access” offers a trigger to the Media Gallery if you tap the VAIO logo in the corner, while other areas allow for navigation and zooming of documents and webpages, switching between on-screen windows, pulling up the on-screen keyboard or opening the user guide. No word on pricing, but the Sony VAIO L Series will go on sale from the end of March 2011.

Press Release:

A touch of brilliance: new VAIO L Series by Sony

All-in-one multimedia PC with 24” Full HD touch screen and “Edge Access”,
Blu-Ray Disc and one-touch web

Slim, space-saving desktop PC with large multi-touch screen
Control functions easily with innovative touch sensor in screen bezel
24” (61cm) Full HD VAIO Display Plus with LED backlight
HD web camera powered by “Exmor” for clearer video chat
Blu-ray Disc (selected models) and S-Force Front Surround 3D for thrilling entertainment
Use as Full HD monitor to enjoy PlayStation®3 and other connected devices, even when PC is switched off
Surf the Internet in seconds with one-touch WEB access

Everyone in the family can enjoy a beautiful view of their favourite videos, photos, games and more with the stylish new VAIO L series multimedia PC from Sony.

The all-in-one VAIO L Series makes an elegant focal point for your home multimedia collection. Ideal for any living space, the slim, space-saving design features a glossy black finish, with the tilt-adjustable ‘floating’ display resting on a sleek V-shape stand.

The stunning design of new VAIO L Series is accented by a 24” (61cm) Full HD VAIO Display Plus screen with LED backlight. This super-size display brings all your movies, photos, music and games vividly to life with superb clarity and contrast.

It’s beautifully easy to interact with your media collection using the full-frame multi-touch screen. Open and scroll through files, zoom and rotate images with intuitive fingertip gestures… and no mouse or menus needed.

In an exciting innovation by Sony, the LCD screen of VAIO L Series is surrounded by a touch sensitive new “Edge Access” that gives friendly ‘no mouse’ access to key functions.

Touching the VAIO logo in the top corner of the bezel launches Media Gallery – the intuitive way to browse and enjoy your collection of photos, videos and music. Other touch-sensitive regions of the bezel let you navigate or zoom documents and web pages, flick between on-screen windows, launch an on-screen ‘virtual’ keyboard or view a handy operation guide. There’s also an illuminated Sony logo on the bezel that dims at a touch for comfortable viewing in darkened rooms.

With the latest generation of speedy Intel® Core™ i7 or i5 processors inside, VAIO L Series provides all the power you need to manage today’s media collections. Latest NVIDIA® graphics with DX11 support assure an even more satisfying HD video experience with the new generation of PC games designed for multi-core processors.

Depending on configuration, a Blu-ray Disc™ writer lets you create, edit and store HD content with up to 50GB of storage on a single Blu-ray Disc. And whether you’re playing games or watching HD movies, S-Force Front Surround 3D complements your HD entertainment experience with powerful, ultra-realistic audio.

The integrated HD web camera powered by “Exmor” delivers a crisp, clear High Definition image. It’s ideal for more realistic, satisfying web chats and video calls.

With a touch of the handily-placed WEB button you’re powered up and online in seconds. There’s also an ASSIST button that launches VAIO Care software, troubleshooting problems and keeping your VAIO in top condition.

An HDMI output connects VAIO L Series to any HD Ready television to watch video, photos, graphics and games on your TV screen. There’s also an HDMI input that turns VAIO into a Full HD monitor, even when the PC’s not booted up. You’ll enjoy a superb view of PLAYSTATION®3 games and other connected HD sources, with incredible detail and contrast.

Wireless data transfers are accelerated by Bluetooth® 3.0, while SuperSpeed USB 3.0 boosts file transfer speeds by up to ten times compared with USB 2.0.

The all-in-one 24” VAIO L Series family multimedia PC by Sony is available from the end of March 2011.

There’s also a social feed and enhanced search functionality, and VUDU is using a cloud-based system that should make future updates to the interface more immediate. Those with VIZIO TVs and Samsung devices should eventually get the new 2.0 interface, with VUDU saying it expects the update to roll out to those TVs and devices soon.

Sony has not confirmed which HDTVs and Blu-ray decks will get the Opera browser, but it seems the company isn’t content to settle on Google TV for its smart TV line-up.

Press Release:

Opera chosen by Sony for LCD television and Blu-ray Disc players

Oslo, Norway, and Tokyo, Japan, January 19, 2011

Opera Software today announced to deliver its world-class browser on Sony BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray Disc (TM) players. Opera aims to deliver more “lean-forward”, interactive components to connected home users by offering Opera’s solution to Sony’s state-of-the-art devices.

The Opera Devices Software Developer Kit (SDK) is the cross-platform, standards-based backbone of Opera for connected TVs and Blu-ray Disc players. As a robust, open platform for creating web-standards-based solutions, Opera Devices SDK forms the ideal foundation for developing full web browsers and user interfaces. Opera brings customization and ease of content distribution to global markets by enabling the delivery of web applications, widgets, full web browsing and emerging standards such as HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.

Previously, consumers were required to have multiple devices to surf the Internet while watching television. As more connected home electronics devices arrive in living rooms, Internet use is changing. The Internet is becoming more closely connected with people’s everyday life, such as the ability to enjoy video on-demand services on television, exchange opinions with friends through social networks about the program they are watching, and buy online directly from their televisions the items seen on TV dramas.

“The Web as we know it is evolving, and we are committed to making it more accessible across diverse devices,” said Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera Software. “Our ability to address key hybrid broadcast-broadband initiatives in numerous markets makes us a natural fit with Sony. By delivering both a global viewpoint and the necessary technology, we are able to stay on the cutting edge of the industry.”
About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera’s cross-platform web-browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.

Over time, I realized that my perception was off. Blu-ray has not only become my go-to platform when I want to buy movies or television shows, but it has also helped me replace the need for DVD in my home. Practically my entire DVD collection has been wiped out in favor of Blu-ray. And as time has gone on, I haven’t missed my once-beloved DVD one bit.

But now my time is being split between watching Blu-ray content and streaming video via services like Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand. I’ve found that not having to get off the couch to watch something I’m interested in is far more preferable than finding the DVD copy and popping that into a player. Call me lazy, but that convenience is something that makes streaming a staple in my home.

However, when I pit streaming against Blu-ray, I can’t help but choose the latter option when I want to sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie. The streaming option is certainly much easier to get up and running, and if I went all-streaming, I could reduce all the clutter in my entertainment center, but then I would lose the higher-quality video and audio that comes with Blu-ray.

Streaming is great, but do me a favor and pop Avatar into your Blu-ray player, running on your 1080p set, and tell me that isn’t the best way to enjoy that film. Yes, most streaming services, like Apple’s iTunes content on the Apple TV, are available in 720p, rather than 1080p, which makes the comparison a bit unfair, but isn’t that central to this entire argument? Until streaming can match Blu-ray in terms of overall quality and sound, it’s simply not the best way to enjoy content.

Luckily, companies like Vudu realize that. The company offers a 1080p option to customers that actually looks quite nice. But even in those cases where folks get 1080p content from Vudu, it can’t quite live up to the audio-visual quality we enjoy on Blu-ray.

And as convenient as Netflix is, the company’s streaming option in no way comes close to matching the experience of watching the same film on Blu-ray.

As much as I enjoy the many streaming services I use, they have a long way to go to match Blu-ray. Yes, streaming is convenient, and yes, it’s getting better by the day. But to say that it can be a replacement for Blu-ray, at least right now, is simply outrageous.

The device will not only be the thinnest player that pushes out 3D HD content, but it will also upscale Blu-ray discs to 3D in real time.

The device will also be highly connected to the internet. Samsung is pushing social media on their consumer TVs offering up the ability to connect to YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter among other services.

No pricing has been stated thus far, but we expect the player to shift in the first half of this year.

Once set up, you’ll be able to access streaming content from Hulu, HuluPlus, Comedy Central, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand at 720p or 1080p resolution. There’s also a global index of TV shows with comprehensive search functionality – allowing you to search for shows even if you don’t know the source – and you can stream content stored on your computer or network too. Orb BR should go on sale at the end of February 2011.

Press Release:

ORB NETWORKS ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNET TV SOFTWARE FOR BLU-RAY AND PS3 PLAYERS AT CES SHOW

-Orb BR Makes it Easy and Affordable to Watch Online TV Shows, YouTube, Home Videos, Photos, Movies and More on any TV with a Connected Blu-Ray or PS3 Player–

Las Vegas, Nev, , Jan. 7, 2010 – Orb Networks (www.orb.com) today announced new software for Blu-ray and PlayStation 3 players that allows consumers to watch thousands of online TV shows from Hulu, HuluPlus, Comedy Central and more on their home TV. The new Orb BR (Blu-ray) software works with an Internet- connected Blu-ray player, and is easily controlled through a smartphone app (iPhone, Android, iPad, iPod Touch).

Priced at only $19.99, Orb BR leverages the consumer’s investment in a Blu-ray player, and offers an easy and cost-effective way to enter the new world of connected TV without buying or installing any new hardware. In addition to an extensive array of online TV options, Orb BR provides consumers with access to thousands of movies on their TV, via Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand. Orb BR also makes it fun to watch YouTube, personal videos, and photos on a TV, connected to a Blu-ray player, as opposed to viewing on a PC or Mac screen.

“The combined cost of a Blu-ray player and Orb BR software is less expensive than most of the other Internet TV solutions, like Boxee and Google TV, while providing more capabilities,” said Joe Costello, CEO of Orb Networks. “With more than eight million connected Blu-ray players and 40 million PS3 players already in homes, the market opportunity for Orb BR is huge.”

At the same time, the number of consumers watching TV online is on the rise. A recently published Forrester Research study shows a significant increase in the number of people using the Internet to watch streaming video; 33 percent of adults surveyed in 2010 said they use the Internet to watch video, up from 18 percent in 2007.

Orb BR makes it easy to get started watching online video on a TV, because there is no hardware to install. To set up Orb BR, consumers simply insert the Orb BR software CD into their Blu-ray player, download the free Orb Caster software to their PC or Mac, and then download the free Orb controller app to their smartphone.

Orb BR works with a range of Blu-ray players and PS3 units that are connected to the Internet via a wired or wireless connection. And, Orb BR supports HD output at 720p and 1080p resolution. To help consumers easily find and watch their favorite shows, the Orb controller app features a powerful and easy-to-use global index of TV shows. Consumers can type in the name of the show they want and then Orb quickly finds the show, without requiring the user to specify its source (e.g. Hulu, ABC, CBS, etc).

Orb BR availability is planned for late February, and can be ordered online at orb.com for a price of $19.99.

About Orb Networks

Based in Oakland, California, Orb Networks, Inc. is the leader in digital media streaming solutions for the digital home and remote access applications. In addition to Orb BR, Orb Networks offers the Orb Music Player ($69) that streams iTunes and Pandora to any home stereo. And, Orb TV ($99) solution with a hockey puck-sized device that plugs into a TV, and enables consumer to stream online TV content to a TV. Focused on enabling the enjoyment of media anytime, anywhere, the company develops and markets PC (Windows, Mac, and Linux) software, smartphone applications and web application services. For more information about Orb products, please visit www.orb.com.

The Blu-ray player is designed to be installed under a seat or in the storage bin in a vehicle and can connect to any car monitor using HDMI, composite, or component inputs. The player has been road tested to work in horizontal or vertical orientations. Power for the player comes from a 2-pin 12V connector to the vehicles accessory power source and a full function IR remote is included.

The player also ships with an 18-foot IR extension to allow for operation of the device via remote control while the player is hidden. A firmware update will enable WiFi on the device this year. It will ship this spring for $349.99.

There’s also the 13.3-inch S761 and 14-inch S751 portables, along with a mainstream 14-inch LH531 notebook. Those looking to replace their desktop can pick from the LIFEBOOK E751, a 15.6-inch performance machine, or the 17.3-inch NH751, with Blu-ray and discrete graphics.

Full specs are yet to be confirmed, as is pricing, but Fujitsu has said that the new LIFEBOOK models will get anti-bacterial keyboards, new AC adapters that have 0-watt draw when the notebook is turned off, and USB Charge mode, for recharging a PMP or phone when the LIFEBOOK is powered down. They’ll begin shipping in March 2011.

Press Release:

Fujitsu Revamps Entire ESPRIMO and LIFEBOOK Lines

New ESPRIMO PC and LIFEBOOK notebook families offer convenience and cost-savings with “true family” concept

Munich, January 05, 2011
Fujitsu today announces refreshed ESPRIMO PC and LIFEBOOK notebook families, including three new ESPRIMO models and nine new LIFEBOOK models. With the new generation, Fujitsu has rethought desktop and mobile computing design and focused on ways to provide cost and time savings throughout the entire product lifecycle. The new models immediately incorporate the 2nd generation of Intel® Core™ Processor Family with new 32nm Intel microarchitecture and an impressive leap in energy-efficient performance, announced today at CES.

The new ESPRIMO PCs and LIFEBOOK notebooks are the first to feature Fujitsu’s new “true family” concept, providing significant cost savings on maintenance, testing and evaluation: Typically, companies must evaluate every PC and notebook model to make sure the hardware and software is compatible with their business. The “true family” concept stands for the use of identical main components in Fujitsu systems, including motherboard, BIOS, front connector board, power supply and software images. For customers, this means they need only test one model to confirm that the entire product line is compatible with their environment. The first Fujitsu PC product lines to offer this concept are the new ESPRIMO P900 and ESPRIMO E900 series, while the LIFEBOOK E751 and LIFEBOOK S751 also share core notebook components.

The “true family” concept is a further enhancement and a consequent expansion of Fujitsu’s existing family philosophy which already makes sure that notebook modules such as the modular bay for DVD drives, the second hard disk drive, second battery and port replicator are interchangeable between LIFEBOOK E751 and LIFEBOOK S751. These components are compatible with the 2010 generation models, too.

New whisper-quiet ESPRIMO PCs
Having already eliminated power consumption in off mode in its 0-Watt PCs, Fujitsu has removed another environmental burden from the 0-Watt models in the ESPRIMO PC line-up: that of noise. The new 0-Watt ESPRIMO E900 and ESPRIMO P900 “Zero Noise” models offer totally silent running in idle and “normal office” modes. Their whisper quiet operation means that the new ESPRIMO PCs are office-friendly co-workers that fit into any team.

The third new ESPRIMO is the Q900 model, which features two USB 3.0 interfaces, enabling transfer rates that are 12 times faster than USB 2.0. Despite its high performance, the ESPRIMO Q900 is the most energy efficient model in the PC range.

New LIFEBOOK line-up
With the new line-up of LIFEBOOK notebooks, Fujitsu unveils new models that round-out the portfolio to meet a wider range of customer needs. For example, the new LIFEBOOK P701 offers a 12-inch display that fills the gap between the 14-inch LIFEBOOK S751 and the 10.1-inch LIFEBOOK T580.

The new LIFEBOOK line introduces several small design features that add value, such as the 0-Watt AC adapter that draws no power at all when the notebook is in off mode, and the anti-bacterial keyboard, which helps prevent the spread of germs between notebook users. Another new feature is the anytime USB Charge mode, included in most models, which allows LIFEBOOK to charge portable devices such as mobile phones, even when switched off.

Rajat Kakar, Vice President Workplace Systems at Fujitsu Technology Solutions says: “The new PC and notebook models from Fujitsu are more energy-efficient and more powerful than ever – and the desktop PCs run so silently that you’d hardly notice they are there. With the new family concept for both ESPRIMO desktop PCs and LIFEBOOK notebooks, we are helping organizations to fast-track the introduction of updated models to their fleet of notebooks and PCs, by concentrating on the same core components right across entire model ranges.”

New ESPRIMO and LIFEBOOK Models
The three new ESPRIMO models are:
· ESPRIMO Q900 mini PC
· ESPRIMO E900 E85+ / E90+ / 0-Watt small form factor PC
· ESPRIMO P900 E85+ / E90+ / 0-Watt microtower PC

There are nine new models in the LIFEBOOK family:
· LIFEBOOK T901, a 13.3-inch tablet PC
· LIFEBOOK P771, a lightweight 12.1-inch 1.4 kg notebook with Ultra Low Voltage processor for longer battery runtime
· LIFEBOOK S761, a 13.3-inch ultraportable notebook
· LIFEBOOK E751, a 15.6-inch desktop replacement with high-performance
· LIFEBOOK S751, a high-performance 14-inch portable
· LIFEBOOK P701, a lightweight 1.5 kg with a 12.1-inch display
· LIFEBOOK NH751, a 17.3-inch multimedia notebook with Blu-ray Disc™ drive and discrete graphics card
· LIFEBOOK AH531 and A531, 15.6-inch notebooks with a wide variety of options including Blu-ray Disc™ drive, discrete graphics and embedded 3G/UMTS connectivity
· LIFEBOOK LH531, a 14-inch all-rounder

Fujitsu’s new ESPRIMO and LIFEBOOK family models appear on the price list from January 03, 2011 and will start shipping from March 01, 2011 across the EMEA region.

The two home theater setups have USB inputs for creating MP3s from CDs (you’re bound to get a few in your Christmas stocking) along with dual HDMI inputs, WiFi, ethernet and an iPod/iPhone dock. The HX996TS packs 7.2-channel speakers and a 1280W amp, while the HB906SB makes do with 5.1-channel and 1100W.

As for the BD960, that has a 250GB hard-drive, 3D Blu-ray support and WiFi, and can act as both a DLNA client and server for wireless media streaming. Like the two home theater systems it supports LG’s Mobile Remote App, and all three units get access to the company’s LG App Store and streaming content. No word on pricing, but all three should go on sale in early 2011.

Press Release:

LG to unveil complete range of superior 3D AV devices at CES 2011

New 3D Home Theater Systems and Network Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Players Deliver Optimum Technology for Complete 3D Entertainment Experience

SEOUL, Dec. 23, 2010 –- LG Electronics (LG) is set to greatly expand the 3D home entertainment experience as it unveils a full range of 3D AV devices at CES 2011 in Las Vegas. The showpiece 3D devices include the HX996TS, a Real 3D Sound Home Theater System; the HB906SB, a premium Blu-ray 3D DiscTM Home Theater System; and the BD690, a Network Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Player that delivers the perfect 3D entertainment experience for every occasion and setting.

“3D entertainment is set to explode in the year ahead and LG is setting the pace with our new 3D AV line-up,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “From picture to connectivity to sound, we’ve tailored all our products to produce the best 3D home entertainment experience possible and we’re eager to show these off at the largest consumer electronics show in the world.”

The HX996TS, LG’s Real 3D Sound Home Theater System, complements 3D home entertainment with a sound as deep and lifelike as any 3D image. Its innovative new approach to audio includes the Vertical 3D Effect Channel, which works by emitting sound through the tops of the system’s four Tallboy Speakers. The resulting audio waves completely fill the space above viewers’ heads, creating the illusion that they’re right in the middle of the movie. The HX996TS was the recipient of a 2011 CES Innovations Honoree Awards.

The HB906SB, a premium Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Home Theater System, is the ideal platform for bringing 3D films to life. Boasting 1,100 watts of output, the HB906SB’s lush, powerful sound can be tailored to users’ needs with the seven different modes of LG’s signature Sound Gallery, which is further strengthened by LG’s new Digital
Signal Processing (DSP).

Both of LG’s new Home Theater Systems have superb connectivity with full support for USB recordings and HDMI. They also support built-in Wi-Fi applications, iPod/iPhone dock cradle, and a number of options for providing superior sound for 3D HDTVs and a other home entertainment devices.

Lastly, the BD690, a Network Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Player, provides the ultimate companion to HDTV with Blu-ray 2D and 3D Disc™ playback and an on-board digital media library. Additionally, the BP650 Network Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Player is a great portable option, with its compact design and internet and HDMI connectivity.

All of LG’s new 3D AV devices complement their first-class technology with slim and innovative designs. Audio files in most major markets will be able to experience LG’s new 3D AV devices starting in early 2011.

HX996TS Specifications:
· 7.2ch 1280W total output power with 3D sound
· LG Sound Gallery with parabolic speaker
· USB recording (MP3 file creation from music CD)
· 2 HDMI In (HDMI 1.4), ARC (Audio Return Channel)
· Firmware upgrade for advanced function and services
· External HDD playback (DivX HD, MKV)
· Music ID capture and streaming (Gracenote)
· iPod / iPhone cradle
· Wi-Fi direct, Ethernet, DLNA compliant
· Smart TV Technology: Premium Content and LG App. Store
· Mobile Remote App.

HB906SB Specifications:
· 5.1ch 1100W total output power
· LG Sound Gallery with parabolic speaker
· USB recording (MP3 file creation from music CD)
· 2 HDMI In (HDMI 1.4), ARC (Audio Return Channel)
· Firmware upgrade for advanced function and services
· External HDD playback (DivX HD, MKV)
· Music ID capture and streaming (Gracenote)
· iPod / iPhone cradle
· Wi-Fi direct, Ethernet, DLNA compliant
· Smart TV Technology: Premium Content and LG App. Store
· Mobile Remote App.

BD690 Specifications:
· Smart TV Technology: Premium Content and LG App. Store
· Store Digital Media in Built-in HDD (250GB)
- Audio CD Archiving
- Photo Download
- User Made Contents Copy to HDD
· Blu-ray 3D Playback
· Built-in Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) / Wi-Fi Direct
· Stored Contents Sharing
- Bi-Directional Content Sharing (DLNA Server and Client)
· Mobile Remote App.

Those shared features include faster load times than previous players, steaming capability, WiFi ready, and support for control via a new iPhone app. The players use the new HDMI 1.4a standard for 3D support and has Pioneer PureCinema tech for upconverting SD to 1080p.

The players come with integrated Ethernet ports and can be fitted with the optional WiFi adapter Pioneer offers for accessing steaming content like YouTube, Netflix, and more as well as getting updates for firmware and BD Live features. The iControlAV app is for the iPhone and iPod touch and lets the devices be full function remote controls for the players. The BDP-430 sells for $299, the Elite BDP-41FD sells for $399, and the BDP-43FD sells for $499.

Functionally, the service sounds a lot like Pandora: the basic plan allows for unlimited forward skipping of tracks and uses a thumbs up/down system to rate them and improve future suggestions. A premium subscription allows access to each of the tracks in the catalog, playlists and Top 100 channel access. Music Unlimited can also create custom playlists from your mood, using SensMe.

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” will initially be available in the UK and Ireland, with the Basic plan priced at £3.99/€3.99 and the Premium plan at £9.99/€9.99. The US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand launches will be announced in 2011.

Press Release:

Sony debuts “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™” digital music service

22nd December, 2011, Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced the launch of “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™,” a new, cloud-based, digital music service which gives music lovers access at anytime to millions of songs from major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Warner Music Group and EMI Music as well as leading independent labels and major publishers worldwide. The “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” catalogue will initially offer about six million songs and will continue to expand over time.

Through “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,” users can play music anytime onto a wide variety of Internet connected Sony devices including Sony’s 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA® TV, Blu-ray Disc™ player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system as well as VAIO and other personal computers. It will also become available on a wide range of Sony’s portable devices, as well as on Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” is initially available in the U.K. and Ireland with service availability in other markets including the US. Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand to be announced in due course during 2011.

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” is the next extension of services ‘powered by Qriocity.’ Sony debuted “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity™,” a premium video streaming service in the U.S. in April 2010 and expanded the service to France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. in November 2010. Through “Video on Demand powered by Qriocity” customers can instantly rent from a growing library of hundreds of Hollywood blockbuster movies across Sony’s 2010 models of network-enabled Bravia TV, Blu-ray Disc player and Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system.

“As we start to expand Qriocity globally, these services ‘powered by Qriocity’ offer a single ID log-in and wallet solution, and empower users to easily consume content including music and video across a growing number of integrated devices,” said Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products & Services Group, Sony Corporation. “Seamless accessibility to content through these fresh user experiences will enrich Sony’s network service offerings and continually add value to the unique aspects of Sony’s network-enabled products.”

Sony has developed “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” in partnership with Omnifone, a leading provider of cloud-based unlimited music services, with Omnifone contracted by Sony to coordinate content licensing, development and delivery of the service; leveraging its existing expertise in the music industry.

“Omnifone is delighted to partner with Sony to bring “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” to hundreds of millions of Sony and other devices,” said Rob Lewis, Executive Chairman of Omnifone. “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” is designed to bring digital music into the homes and living rooms of consumers, as well as to PCs and portable devices, with every user’s music experience synchronized automatically across their devices without needing to manage media files,”

Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity”Features

With Basic (£3.99 in the U.K. and 3.99 Euros in Ireland) and Premium (£9.99 in the U.K. and 9.99 Euros in Ireland) monthly subscription plans, “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” offers the breadth of content and easy music discovery which are features cited as most important by music enthusiasts.

Unlike many other popular music services, the basic plan permits unlimited forward skipping of the songs to ensure users discover music they want to hear. With access to an expanding catalogue of about six million songs, the basic plan works as an infinite ad-free radio station and subscribers can listen to dozens of personalized channels – categorized by genre, era as well as mood through SensMe™
*1 – without the requirement to download or manage their music files.

Additionally, the premium subscription plan offers a onetime 30 day Premium free trial enabling users to listen in full to every song on demand, create personal playlists of favorites, and gain access to premium Top 100 channels which are regularly updated with the latest hits.

By studying users’ listening habits, incorporating their ‘like/dislike’ song ratings, analyzing their existing music collections and more, “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” adapts to users’ music preferences and constantly tailors music channels to offer the most compatible and enjoyable list of songs. Therefore, the more you listen, the more uniquely personalized your music channels become.

Furthermore, users can also synchronize their existing music files and playlists from other media players including iTunes® into “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,” and enjoy their existing music at any time across all compatible devices*2.

*1 SensMe™ is Sony’s proprietary 12 Tone Analysis technology to evaluate music tracks

*2 Applies to DRM-free music files and to music which has been licensed for playback on “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity”

“Qriocity” is a trademark of Sony Corporation

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.”

“iTunes® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.”

With a single, quad-layer 128GB BDXL disc, you could store the equivalent of 27 single-layer DVDs in fact, but you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege. Happily the BDR-206MBK can also read BD-ROM discs, read/write triple/dual/single layer BD-R and BD-RE discs, read DVD-ROM, and read/write most DVD and CD formats.

One for the early-adopters, then; everyone else might do well to wait a while until media prices trickle down to more affordable levels.

Press Release:

Pioneer Ships First BDXL Computer Drive to Read and Write New Blu-ray Disc Recording Format

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. continues its innovation in the optical disc drive category with today’s announcement of its new professional, high definition BDXL internal Blu-ray Disc drive. The Pioneer BDR-206MBK, BDXL writer for Windows based1 personal computers, is the first drive to read and write using the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc format. BDXL more than doubles the current maximum Blu-ray Disc storage capacity and is ideal for various commercial uses such as video and broadcast archiving and storage, capturing and playback of high definition programming or data archiving needs. The BDR-206MBK also enhances recording accuracy and further limits artificial noise for quality playback.

By integrating additional layers to traditional Blu-ray Discs, BDXL offers up to 128 GB of storage capacity on a quadruple layer disc. The BDR-206MBK drive allows users to read/write BD-R XL and BD-RE XL triple layer (100GB) and BD-R XL quadruple layer (128GB) discs. Additionally, the drive can play back and record on virtually all disc formats including CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc. The drive comes bundled with CyberLink software to support BDXL and is ready for use out of the box. For a limited time, Pioneer is including a piece of BD-R XL 100GB media for free with each drive.

Further enhancing the user experience, Pioneer has incorporated proprietary technologies to significantly improve recording and playback quality. Its Limit Equalizer technology improves RF signals generated when reading data from Blu-ray Discs and enables improved playback capability. Along with a new, airtight structure that helps keep the drive quiet and protects against contaminants and dust particles, the Disc Vibration Stabilizer feature helps protect the disc from warping during the writing process, resulting in a higher quality written disc.

The BDR-206MBK is currently available for a suggested retail price of $199. The BDXL drive can be purchased at Fry’s Electronics and at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

R3 Media Network

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iTunes 90-second song previews added to US iTunes store
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To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash] or here: [SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up]

[Image credit: Bill S]

A Blu-Ray player will make everyone happy. Everybody likes movies or TV shows, sold by the season. Personally, I think we’re in a golden age of television. Though there is plenty of garbage on the tube every night, the good shows are more thoughtful, complex and interesting than ever before. They have huge budgets behind them, talented actors, and clever writing. Of course, I’ll bet critics say this every few years about their current wave of programming, but then won’t it be fun to have something to look back on later? To pop in a copy of “Lost” and tell your kids how cool it was, even though it hardly stands up better than the old episodes of “The Prisoner” (which is pretty good, actually)?

Movies look better than ever, and the best way to watch movies is Blu-Ray. Hands-down. You get the fantastic picture, the surround sound, the interesting extras, all in one convenient package. Plus, if you’re like many people I know, you’ve already taken advantage of the huge glut of large screen TVs that are so inexpensive right now. I bought my first HDTV, a 36-inch Panasonic plasma, for nearly twice the cost of today’s 55-inchers. Instead of searching through your cable lineup for HD content, or trying to grab some HD channels over the air, go buy some movies that will look great on your set and make you truly happy with your purchase. Or, better yet, in addition to channel surfing, make your Blu-Ray library a part of your entertainment lineup.

Does it sound like I’m shilling for the Blu-Ray industry? I swear I’m not. Like I said, I don’t even have a Blu-Ray player myself, but I’m going to get one soon, for good reason.

You might have heard that Blu-Ray is already a dying technology. After all, you can watch streaming movies, in HD, from Netflix. You can download HD movies from iTunes or other online services. You can rent movies on your Xbox console. So why on earth should you buy a Blu-Ray player?

Because the technology behind digital media is not there yet. It’s getting close, but there is still a long way to go. First of all, storage has never been cheaper, and storage capacities for digital players is rising exponentially, even as costs are dropping. But there still isn’t enough storage to hold all of your movies.

A downloadable HD movie will take up about 4-5 GB of storage space. But that’s usually a 720p movie. That should look great on your 30-inch desktop monitor, but on your 55-inch HDTV? It won’t deliver the quality you’re aspiring to. Larger movies will consume more space, but many download stores aren’t even offering full, 1080p movies yet. Plus, if you have a more advanced sound system, current downloads won’t take advantage of your system’s capabilities. It isn’t hard to find a solid 7.1-channel surround setup for under $300, so I’d bet these advanced home theater systems are going to become more prevalent in homes. But with current downloadable content, you won’t hear everything to its full potential.

A Blu-Ray movie, which is to say a high-definition, 1080p movie with 5.1-channel (or better) surround sound and all the bells and whistles, takes up between 10GB and 15GB of space, approximately. I have a laptop computer with a 320GB hard disk drive. Many laptops are crammed with 500GB or more, and it isn’t unusual to find a desktop in the 2TB range. So, that should be enough storage space, right?

Not really, especially not if you’re a movie collector. Even if you could download movies at this quality level, you would quickly fill up a hard drive. Throw in the photos, the music, the home movies, the applications and documents that we all keep on our computers, and you aren’t left with enough space to hold more than a handful of high quality films. Want to keep an entire TV series at hand? Think again.

You could always buy an external drive, but those can be a hassle, especially if you want to watch movies while traveling. Portable drives spin at a lower RPM, and they usually aren’t meant to handle the heavy load of constant media streaming. In fact, the biggest problem with all hard disk drives is that they are almost guaranteed to go down at some point. Hard drives are like tires. They wear out over time. If you’ve ever had a drive crash irreparably, and I’m assuming most of you have, you know what I mean. So, are you going to keep a backup of all your saved digital movies? You’ll need another external drive just to make sure your films are safe for as long as you want them. And even then, drives always die, eventually.

Netflix and other streaming services are great, and great value, but even with today’s faster networks, the streaming services are too heavy for the bandwidth load. Some cable and Internet providers are starting to push back, and there’s no telling which way the net neutrality wind will blow. It could shift with every incoming administration. Even at today’s data rates, you can’t be sure you’ll get the best, HD quality content, and even if you do, it won’t live up to the quality of a Blu-Ray disc. It won’t even come close.

I still have the first DVD I ever purchased. It was The Matrix. I watch it from time to time. Sure, physical media can get scratched or cracked, but with just a modicum of care, they can last for decades. My copy of The Matrix has outlasted 4 different hard disk drives. I used to have a backup of the movie on my computer, but the hard drive went down, and when I went to restore the drive from a backup, that backup was corrupted (damn you, Time Machine!). Now I use 3 separate drives to backup my work computer, but I don’t bother keeping my digital media files stored on all three. They would simply take up too much space.

A good Blu-Ray collection can grow to massive levels, and still be enjoyable years down the road. There is also something so much more pleasant about physical media. Would you rather have shelves on a bookcase devoted to Blu-Ray discs, with their cover artwork and glossy cases, or would you rather flip quickly through a list of titles on a machine? Even with all other considerations being equal, which they are not, I would rather be able to stand in front of my titles and have the sensory thrill of pulling each off the shelf, checking out the cover and the details on the back, and replacing it. It’s extra work and some organization, but that’s a trip down memory road. Organization on a computer? A few clicks and a bunch of typing. Blech.

The real reason I’m pushing Blu-Ray so hard is because I worry about the technology. Blu-Ray players are cheap, but they obviously aren’t catching fire like the industry hoped. That’s why so many players are filled to the brim with extra, unnecessary features, especially connected Internet features. Skip those, if you like. The real benefit is in the movies themselves. Blu-Ray players can be found easily for under $100, and Blu-Ray discs cost about the same as early DVD movies. As they become more popular, and as they have more competition in digital HD downloads, those prices could come down.

One strange phenomenon of digital media? Nobody wants to sell it cheap, at least not yet. Books, music, movies, these all cost about the same for digital versions as they do for a real physical copy. The most you’ll pay for a physical copy of Iron Man 2 on Blu-Ray is about $20, for an edition without all the collectible tchotchkes. That’s the same price you’ll pay to download an HD copy from iTunes, except that the Blu-Ray is higher quality picture and sound. Like I said, on your laptop screen, or on your iPad, you won’t notice the difference. But if you care about quality and you own some nice home theater equipment, you’ll see a difference.

I would still hold off on the 3D movie purchases, I think that glasses-free 3D technology is just around the corner, so I wouldn’t spring for the current line of 3D sets just yet. Personally, I’m planning on buying a PlayStation 3. I’ll probably watch more movies on it than I will play games. It’s network connected, and it can receive firmware updates easily, so I think it’s one of the more future-proof players around. Case in point, the PS3 got an update in September to handle 3D Blu-Ray movies, if you decide to spring for a more advanced TV set.

But, by all means, go buy a Blu-Ray player. Remember what it was like when you have a treasure trove of high quality films and TV shows at your disposal. Future proof your collection against dying hard drives, and save some money on cheaper films while you’re at it. Now is the best time to buy, and the future is still a long ways off.

R3 Media Network

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Sewell unveils cool HDdeck to convert USB to HDMI
Lite-On eNAU608 8x external DVD burner gets interchangeable designs for lid
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Halo JC 3 Phono preamp is now shipping
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Epson and Thinxtream offer free app for PrintJinni printing from iOS4.2 devices
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AMD Radeon HD 6970/6950 due third week of Dec, undercutting GeForce GTX 580?
Sony Ericsson PlayStation Phone on sale March 2011 tips insider
BlackBerry PlayBook poses for lengthy video demo
VGA dead by 2015 say Intel, AMD & PC/display makers
iTunes 90-second song previews added to US iTunes store
iPhone gaming evangelist Graeme Devine leaves Apple
Google accuse US Government of Microsoft favoritism
Prima plan release-day digital movies for $500 a pop on $20k system
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Google Cr-48 Chrome OS notebooks being delivered today
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Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Unveiled
Lenovo IdeaPad Y460p/Y560p notebooks & IdeaCentre K330 desktop outed

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

But over the past year, my buying decisions have changed, and I’ve officially ditched DVD in favor of Blu-ray or streaming services.

[Image credit: John Ward]

Now, I know that some are probably wondering why it took so long. After all, Blu-ray has been around for quite some time, and the technology is being embraced in a big way to the detriment of DVD. But as I mentioned, I’m an entertainment addict. And far too many of my favorite films or television shows were still only available on DVD through 2009.

But this year, due mainly to my entertainment preferences, all that changed. Everything I wanted to buy was available on Blu-ray, which of course, prompted me to choose that copy. Moreover, much of the older content that I enjoy could be readily streamed through Netflix or other streaming services.

That resulted in a conscious decision on my part to stop buying DVDs. And at least for now, I just don’t see myself buying a DVD version of a film or television show at any point in the future.

To some extent, that’s a good feeling. DVD was ideal for me as I emerged from the darkness of the VHS days. But after I bought my first HDTV, became inundated with HD channels that made me cringe when I went back to SD content, and Blu-ray launched, it was becoming clear to me that DVD just couldn’t do the job anymore. I needed to go with the new technologies. And I needed to do it quickly.

Although I’ve mostly accomplished that goal, I should note that DVDs aren’t entirely gone from my life. Just last week I watched a few episodes from my series collection of The Sopranos, which I have on DVD. It was disappointing.

That said, I’ve spent the past year replacing much of my DVD content with Blu-ray versions of the titles. I already have a copy of The Godfather Trilogy on DVD, but I bought the Blu-ray version to round out my collection. I did the same with several other favorites, including Saving Private Ryan.

And all that fails to mention the times when I just don’t feel like going to the collection of discs to find a particular film, so I simply stream it from Netflix.

Simply put, DVDs just aren’t that big a part of my life any longer. They once ruled my entertainment experience. But like many others, I’m sure, they’ve quickly lost ground to the newer options that provide more quality and convenience.

And at least so far, I couldn’t be happier about it.

As for the HDTVs, the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 is down $100 to $899.99, while the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 is down $200 to $1,199.99. Best of all, you’ve got until November 29 to make your mind up, since Sony isn’t stopping the deals at the end of Black Friday.

We weren’t 100-percent convinced by Google TV and how street-ready the smart TV platform is when we reviewed Logitech’s Revue yesterday, but a couple hundred dollars off the sticker price of a new Sony HDTV might leave us a little more willing to accommodate the teething pains. As for the Blu-ray player, considering the NSZ-GT1 is now the same price as the Revue itself, it seems crazy not to opt for that over the Logitech.

The Mac, after noticing that the PC wants to watch the film AVATAR, politely asks what that is. The PC tells the Mac that it’s a Blu-ray, and that “it’s built in.” Obviously, the advertisement is meant to point out the fact that the Mac does not support reading high-definition Blu-ray discs, and that it is not “built in.”

But, that’s not the only dig Microsoft takes at Apple. Remembering back to those “I’m a PC” campaign, it was rumored that Microsoft had been using Apple manufactured hardware to create the videos. Just to make sure that rumor didn’t pop up again, at the end of the ad, it says that “no Macs were used in the making of this video.” Ouch. It looks like Microsoft is bringing the marketing fight to Apple again, and considering the holiday season is right around the corner, it’s probably only going to get more interesting. Check out the video below.

[via AppleInsider]

This home theater system, again, is called “Mvix HDHome,” and and it’s made to be all-encompassing. It has an embedded BluRay player with PowerDVD, lowering your usual stack of players by one. It runs on a Windows 7 Media Center® platform that allows you to watch, pause, record, and watch Live TV, run Netflix, and share media across your home’s network.

The HDHome has the capability of storing up to four hot-swappable Hard Drives (S4 model), making it an ideal situation for you downloaders and savers of media. Then the really important part: speakers. This setup shoots out HD video as well as allowing HD 3D digital music over HDMI and Optical Digital Audio Outs. Find all the product specs you could ask for by checking out their official Specs (PDF)

[Via Mvix USA]