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Live at CEDIA 2008: bring on the pixels

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 5:10PM


Now that IFA is behind us, the consumer electronics world is turning its attention to Denver, Colorado to see what CEDIA has to offer. We're expecting hordes of new HDTVs, projectors, speakers, AV receivers and even THX-certified soundproof doors (yes, really), but it never fails that at least something on the show floor completely takes us by surprise. We've touched down here in the Mile High City to bring you up-to-the-minute updates, and for the most obsessive coverage, be sure to point your browsers to Engadget HD for the next few days.

It's time to speak up for automatic commercial skipping in Media Center

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 4:46PM

Windows Media Center TV Pack
Although the skeptic in us still kind of believes Microsoft may have intentionally broke automatic commercial skipping in Vista Media Center -- the developer (Andy) of DVRMSToolBox (the most popular commercial skipping software for Media Center) is no longer under NDA and has spoke out about how the TV Pack breaks his software. The long and the short of it is that the Media Center API that notifies the application that video is playing, no longer works. He sees this as a bug, and although Microsoft is aware of the issue, they have no intention of fixing it -- or even publicly admitting it. So according to Andy, our only hope is that enough people report the issue, it may just be enough to make Microsoft stand up and listen.

Panasonic launches PT-AE3000 1080p home cinema projector

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 4:00PM


It was this time last year when Panasonic shook up CEDIA with its 1080p PT-AE2000U. Fast forward twelve months, and here we are starting down the lens of the predictably named PT-AE3000. The latest in the company's line of 1080p LCD PJs, this one boasts 1,600 lumens, a 60,000:1 contrast ratio, Frame Creation Technology optimized for large screen viewing and a Lens Memory Load feature which is capable of "memorizing and restoring zoom / focus positions for multiple aspect ratio flexibility." You'll also find the Detail Clarity Processor V2.0 for sharpening up images, and the Split Adjust mode allows users to split the screen into two halves; one to make picture adjustments and one to see those adjustments as a baseline reference. As for ports, there are a trio of HDMI 1.3 sockets and two component terminals. Those anxious to get this one in their home cinema will be asked to hand over $3,499 this October. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic launches PT-AE3000 1080p home cinema projector

Dogs and cats living together: Sony and PNY set to re-release Ghostbusters on a flash drive

by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 1:48PM

It's not clear what format or resolution it's going to be in, but Sony and PNY have just announced that they're teaming up to release one of the best movies ever, 1984's Ghostbusters, on a flash drive. That's the first full-length studio movie to go out this way, but knowing Sony, we're expecting a crazy proprietary format that only plays in a heavily DRM'd player. Even still, it's definitely a start -- and coupled with the plan to stream Hancock exclusively to Bravia Internet Link owners, it certainly seems like the company is warming up to alternative forms of distribution. Now if we could just get some DRM-free HD content in a standardized format, we'd be all set, no?

[Warning: PDF read link]

Universal Remote reveals MX-6000 touchscreen remote with RF and WiFi

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 1:21PM


And you thought Universal Remote was done with just the MX-880 and the MX-450, didn't you? If so, you should really take a look at the MX-6000, a swank new touchscreen two-way remote that it's introducing at CEDIA. Designed for use in controlling one's home theater and home at large, the device puts the menu navigation on its own 4.3-inch (480 x 272 resolution) display rather than cluttering up your TV. You'll also find twin RF transmitters: 802.11b/g WiFi for network control, plus narrow-band RF for traditional control. Oh, and if you're looking to turn your iPod into your own personal AV service, the optional PSX-1 ($349) is just the ticket. Too bad the remote itself will set you back $1,499 when it ships this month.

Sanyo's Xacti 1010 gets the hands-on treatment

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 12:13PM


Sanyo's latest 1080i pocket camcorder (that'd be the Xacti 1010) was just sitting there all pretty like at IFA 2008, so our compadres over at Engadget Spanish took the liberty of posting up a gallery of hands-on shots. Not too many surprises in terms of design, but the demonstrative video of the super slow-mo mode is pretty trippy to say the least. Head on over and give it a look, won't you?

ELAC's MicroSUB 2010 BT: the most rumbling Rubik's Cube you ever did see

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 10:57AM


We've seen some pretty ingenious covers for earth-movers, but ELAC's Rubik's Cube-inspired MicroSUB 2010 BT is really something special. Sure to please both puzzle and bass lovers alike, the dual-driver subbie features built-in Bluetooth (A2DP), 100-watts of power and a pair of speaker outputs for satellites. For those looking for less vivid versions, it is available in black or white, but really, where's the fun in that?

[Via Unplggd]

Dolby Volume featured on H/K AVR 7550HD and Arcam FMJ AVR600

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 9:01AM

Dolby's homegrown volume controlling technology has wiggled into a few HDTVs here and there, but now the tech is finally maneuvering into devices that HT amateurs / professionals will end up seeing. At CEDIA, Dolby is announcing that it's Dolby Volume will be featured in the all new Harman Kardon AVR 7550HD and Arcam FMJ AVR600. For those that forgot, Dolby Volume is an approach to "delivering consistent volume levels across a wide variety of content, channel programming, or input sources," giving users fed up with those astonishingly loud MHD Palladia commercials a better, more lawful way to deal. Whole release is after the cut.

Continue reading Dolby Volume featured on H/K AVR 7550HD and Arcam FMJ AVR600

Hell freezes over, new DirecTV HD TiVo on the way

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 8:56AM

HR10-250
We had to pinch ourselves and check to see if it was April 1st, because after three years of hearing TiVo fans complain that DirecTV killed off the HD DirecTV TiVo on its move to MPEG4, the satellite company has finally listened. TiVo and DirecTV announced today that sometime during the second half of 2009, a new HD DirecTV TiVo will be available and will include "the latest TiVo and DirecTV features and services" -- there is however no word if this will include favorites such as TiVoToGo or Multi-Room veiwing. Like the previous TiVo models made specifically to work with DirecTV, it will be sold and marketed through DirecTV -- at a yet to be announced price -- and as we've seen in other recent TiVo deals, DirecTV will continue to market and support its own DVR as a "primary offering" which is just fine with us, just so long as we have a choice in the matter, we're cool.

[Thanks, Brad]

Sony Japan unveils latest Blu-ray recorders with CREAS upscaling

by Richard Lawler, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 8:16AM


Japan has only a few weeks to prepare for the latest Sony 6X Blu-ray recorders, ready to hit the streets in a wide array of sizes and features. All pack BD-Live support as well as the company's latest "CREAS" upscaling technology -- Resolution+ vs. CREAS, fight! -- promising 14-bit "HD Reality enhancement" and "Super Bit Mapping for video" with only high end X series models seen fit to include DRC-MFv3 image processing already seen in the latest BRAVIA LCDs, plus the ability to transcode and transfer video to PSP / phone / walkman. From the high end BDZ-X100 (1 TB, ¥280,000, $2,574 U.S., September 27, pictured) to the bottom BDZ-T55 (320GB, ¥110,000, $1,011 U.S., October 10) there's a DVR to fit your 15 h.264 HD channels in here somewhere. wondering about a U.S. release? Don't hold your breath.

World's first THX-certified soundproof door debuts at CEDIA

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 3:50AM


Just when you thought nothing else on this planet could ever earn THX certification, here comes Serious Materials to prove you wrong. The image you are inevitably peering at above is the world's first THX-certified soundproof door, the QuietHome. Boasting an STC rating of 51 in a 2.25-inch thick door, it's said to be the only door in the world to stand up to those mighty THX standards. Just for reference, it's noted that typical hollow-core doors have an STC rating of only 15 (and solid-core doors around 27), and we're told that this one will reduce noise between 65% and 85% compared to traditional alternatives. Of course, such a marvelous addition to your home won't run you cheap -- the QuietHome family ranges from $1,495 to $2,495 per door, so you better have dead silence really high on your list of priorities before pulling the trigger (on a silenced Walther PPK, of course).

Sony rolls out SAS-HD1SET h.264 satellite / receiver combo

by Richard Lawler, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 11:46PM


Getting discerning Japanese viewers ready for the new SKY Perfect HDTV channels, Sony is launching an h.264 satellite dish / receiver combo, the SAS-HD1SET, due October 15. At ¥45,000 ($416 U.S.) or ¥37,000 ($342 U.S.) for the DST-HD1 tuner alone, it's a pretty expensive upgrade for 15 HDTV channels, with the promise of more than 70 by this time next year. Add-on the ¥3,500 monthly service charge and we're even more leery, but really, you'll need something to watch on that ultra thin LCD next month.

[Via AV Watch]

Read - SKY Perfect Communications to Launch HDTV Channels
Read - HDTV-enabled ska pa! CS digital broadcasting, set for release

Sunfire' TGM-100 goes after the well-heeled media server crowd

by Steven Kim, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 10:08PM

Sunfire TGM-100 media serverUpmarket custom-installs are where the comfy margins are, so it's no surprise to see high-end specialists like Sunfire heading in that direction as well. The company is marking its entry into the media server market at CEDIA with the $10,000 TGM-100; and if you think that's pricey, wait until you add some storage -- you know, to make it useful -- your options are a 1TB RAID 0 (TGM-HD1, $700), 3TB RAID 6 (TGM-HD3, $12,000) or 6TB RAID 6 (TGM-HD6, $14,000). At these prices, we'd demand some Blu-ray support, but the release only mentions upscaling to "near-HD 1080P" (sounds familiar) for your DVDs and Gracenote metadata for your music. Like we said, this part of the market is about the margins.

I Am Legend Ultimate Collectors Edition Blu-ray double-dips December 9

by Richard Lawler, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 7:13PM


Ready for even more double dipping? Warner is returning December 9 with the I Am Legend Ultimate collectors Edition in a 2-disc Blu-ray set with a $59.99 MSRP. Exclusive on Blu-ray are picture-in-picture Focus Points that let you watch the making of during the movie on a Bonus View-capable player. As pictured above, the box packs in a 44-page sketch book, art cards and more. That's quite a spread for one movie (and yes, the alternate ending is included in this release also), enough to make you go back for more?

Dreamer, L2Digital team up to bring interactive TV, VOD to BD-Live Blu-ray players

by Richard Lawler, posted Sep 2nd 2008 at 5:13PM


While we haven't seen many truly inspired uses for BD-Live yet, we'll see if Dreamer's partnership with disc authoring house L2Digital can turn that around. L2Digital plans to use the Biddle platform to deliver video on-demand, social networking and "interactive TV" to any BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player. We're not sure if the company's envisioned end-run around your cable or satellite provider will be realized but we'll be happy to see someone try.




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