Onkyo have announced a pair of new 7.1-channel home theater systems, offering a relatively straightforward way to add surround sound – including Dolby ProLogic IIz – and 1080p HD switching to a media setup. The Onkyo HT-S7200 (shown here) and HT-S6200 have five and four HDMI 1.3a inputs, respectively, as well as the company’s U-Port iPod charging/dock connector, and offer 130W per channel.
Neuros Technology have been spilling the beans about their next-gen open-source mediaplayer, the OSD3, and while it’s not set to hit shelves for at least another 18 months it’s shaping up to be impressive. The company is working with Texas Instruments regarding the OSD3’s ARM-based processor, and have official support for 1080p/60 encoding and decoding.
Verismo Networks have added Roxio CinemaNow streaming media purchases to the list of talents their VuNow IPTV box can boast. The video-on-demand box can already show streaming content from local network storage or YouTube, and now adds Sonic Solutions’ 250 content providers to its line-up.
With Toshiba slipping out of their mourning clothes and readying a Blu-ray player, it seemed as good a time as any to check whether their erstwhile HD-DVD partner Microsoft had reconsidered their “no Blu-ray for Xbox 360!” attitude. Unfortunately, when TeamXBox asked them if such a peripheral might be in the works, the response was a definite no; according to Microsoft, instant downloads and streaming content are far preferable to a physical disc.
Full Microsoft Blu-ray statement after the cut
Wireless video is one of those things that you really wouldn’t think would be all that hard, but high-profile retreats such as Belkin’s FlyWire are showing it isn’t necessarily as easy as squirting HDTV across the open air of your living room. Everything USB have been testing out IOGear’s Wireless USB AV Kit, and finding that you’re not so much cutting cables as rearranging them.
Universal Remote Control (URC) have announced their latest mode, the MX-5000, offering a haptic feedback touchscreen. Based around the same technology as the URC MX-6000, only with a more traditional form-factor, the MX-5000 supports two-way communication via WiFi b/g and RF.
How long is an appropriate period of mourning before you move on? If you’re Toshiba, and you’ve been mourning the failure of HD-DVD, the answer is apparently seventeen months: according to Japanese paper Yomiuri Shimbun the company is planning its first Blu-ray player for release by the end of 2009.
Lifestyle audio firm Bose have announced a wireless music system, the SoundLink, which promises to free your audio from its PC or Mac prison. The setup consists of a battery-powered speaker, complete with remote control, and a USB transmitter dongle that plugs into your computer.
You’re spoiled for choice at the moment if you’re shopping for an internet radio, and if you’ve found the current designs on offer too staid then perhaps Satechi will grab your attention. Their INSP3 WiFi radio has a distinctive barrel design, but more importantly can stream music from both internet stations and from any UPnP network device.
SlashGear Japan
