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‘Home Entertainment’ Stories

Roku Streaming Stick due 2H 2012 for discrete IPTV access

Chris Davies, Jan 4th 2012 Discuss [7]

Roku has unveiled the Roku Streaming Stick, a compact WiFi-enabled dongle that plugs into the HDMI port of your HDTV and streams the usual array of Netflix, Pandora and other on-demand IPTV. Set to hit shelves in the second half of 2012, the Streaming Stick takes advantage of MHL-compliant HDMI ports that can supply power and control signals from the TV's remote. Read The Full Story

Samsung reveals wireless Home Theater kit

Chris Davies, Jan 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

Samsung's AirPlay-toting Audio Docks aren't the only home entertainment kit the company has for CES; there's also a three-strong line-up of home cinema speaker systems, ranging from 7.1-channel lounge-dominators to a slimline 2.1 speaker-bar setup. The Samsung HT-E6730W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System is the most complex, packing 1,330W, a couple of towering column speakers with tilting cones to "vertically cascade" audio down on the listener, and integrated WiFi. Read The Full Story

Samsung planning high-end LCD and OLED Japanese re-launch

Chris Davies, Jan 3rd 2012 Discuss [0]

Samsung is eyeing a return to the Japanese TV market, reports in the country have claimed, with a line-up of high-end LCD and OLED sets to grab marketshare as rivals like Sony flounder. The Korean company is considering launching a new Japanese range as early as 2013, the Nikkei [registration req] claims, seemingly targeting the top end of the market rather than getting mired in the over-competitive entry- and mid-level segments. Read The Full Story

Tranquil MMC-12 puts HTPC into 1.5-inch fan-free enclosure

Chris Davies, Jan 2nd 2012 Discuss [2]

PC manufacturer Tranquil has launched its latest HTPC, the super-skinny MMC-12, a mere 1.5-inches high so as to take up minimal space in your kit rack. Fashioned in satin finish aerospace-grade aluminum, the MMC-12 is fanless and packs an Intel Core i3-2100T processor, 4GB of RAM and an 80GB mSATA OS drive, as well as a spare bay for your primary data drive and a DVD burner. Read The Full Story

Columns

Why A 32- to 37-inch Apple TV Isn’t Worth Buying

Don Reisinger, Dec 29th 2011 Discuss [73]

If you’ve been following the latest rumors surrounding Apple’s television plans, you know that a new report claims the Cupertino, Calif.-based company is only planning to offer 32- and 37-inch options starting next summer.

Read The Full Story

Columns

Why Video Games Topped My Holiday Wish List

Don Reisinger, Dec 27th 2011 Discuss [6]

What did you get this holiday season? Was it a brand new iPad? How about a shiny new Android smartphone? Maybe you were really lucky and got your hands on a new HDTV.

As for me? Well, my holiday wish list was dominated by one entertainment option: video games.

Read The Full Story

LG 55-inch OLED HDTV promises cheaper LCD-beating at CES 2012

Chris Davies, Dec 26th 2011 Discuss [17]

LG has revealed plans to bring a huge 55-inch OLED HDTV to CES 2012 in January, with the super-slim panel using new OLED technology to deliver better color quality and response times. The new set, LG Display claims, demonstrates how AMOLED systems more commonly used in the smaller displays of smartphones can be extended to encompass far bigger panels for televisions. Read The Full Story

Columns

Why Netflix Is 2011′s Biggest Loser

Don Reisinger, Dec 22nd 2011 Discuss [11]

The year is just about over. And now, it’s time to take a step back to look at some of the winners and losers this year.

But rather than waste time thinking about some of the winners, why not just get right to the biggest loser of 2011: Netflix.

Read The Full Story

Onkyo announces world’s first A/V Receivers with InstaPrevue and MHL support

Cory Gunther, Dec 21st 2011 Discuss [1]

The highly popular Home Theater rocking company Onkyo today has just announces the worlds first A/V Receivers that will have full capability for both Silicon Image's new InstaPrevue feature, as well as MHL (mobile high definition) support. Model numbers and specifics were not mentioned although we'll be seeing plenty at their CES unveiling in January. Read The Full Story

Myriad Alien Vue puts Android apps on regular TVs

Chris Davies, Dec 20th 2011 Discuss [0]

Myriad, the company behind the Alien Dalvik runtime that allows native Android apps to run on iOS and other platforms, has launched Myriad Alien Vue, intended to put apps on TVs and set-top boxes. Compatible with existing sets and STBs, rather than demanding a new smart TV box, Alien Vue comes with an app store and support for features like multi-screen playback and cross-platform TV/smartphone/tablet viewing. Read The Full Story

Netflix inks BBC streaming deal for UK and Ireland

Chris Davies, Dec 20th 2011 Discuss [0]

Netflix has inked a deal with the BBC that will see the UK TV company's content available to streaming customers in the UK and Ireland come 2012. Both current and classic shows will be on offer, including Torchwood, Spooks and Fawlty Towers, mimicking the current deals Netflix has in the US and Canada. Read The Full Story

Apple talks TV and tablets with media execs

Chris Davies, Dec 19th 2011 Discuss [0]

Apple has reportedly ramped up its TV strategy, outlining a Siri and motion controlled television system in recent meetings with media executives and fleshing out its wirelessly-enabled smart TV set. The company has been courting several of the larger media companies, the WSJ‘s insiders tell them, selling the benefits of a cross-platform system that could recognize viewers whether they were using their TV, a tablet or a phone. However, the talks have fallen short of entering the negotiation phase for actual content licensing.