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Sky will broadcast final preseason F1 tests in 3D to UK viewers
In a move it’s calling a world’s first, Sky Sports has announced that parts of Formula 1′s final preseason tests from Circuit de Catalunya will be broadcast on its 3D network. While F1 has tested the use of 3D before, it’s never been broadcast and chief Bernie Ecclestone — who you’ll remember fiddled for years as F1 stuck with widescreen standard definition video presentations before it made the jump in 2011 — has previously said 3D will never be used. Sky Sports referred to the event as a one-off, while commentator Martin Brundle is quoted in the press release calling it a “special moment for F1 fans…a new immersive experience for viewers.
While Ecclestone may not be willing to push the envelope in broadcast tech, having Sky as a broadcast partner could force the issue as it justifies its exclusive access and dedicated broadcast channel. Last season the network upgraded the audio to Dolby 5.1 and added features like the Race Control view in its iPad app. Sky has previously featured sporting events on its 3D channel like Ryder Cup golf, Premier League and of course the 2012 Olympics. It says F1 will be the 14th sport it’s delivered in 3D, although we’ll have to wait until after this maiden test from February 28th to March 3rd — it will also be available in 2D HD on the regular F1 channel — to see if it becomes a regular fixture. Now, about those HD on-board cameras….
Rapoo TV claims to make ‘any HDTV smart,’ is compatible with iOS and Android
Less than 24 hours after announcing the H9080 wireless headphones, Rapoo’s let it be known that its CES 2013 repertoire also includes a little something for the living room (or bedroom, depending on where you prefer to enjoy your downtime). With its Rapoo TV, the company’s touting the ability to turn any HDTV into one with intelligent features — essentially, though, it is a wireless receiver that allows iOS and Android devices to connect to it, allowing them to mirror mostly any content on the bigger screen. Of course, there might be some better options for iOS users (and Android soon, we imagine) in the market already, but the company’s still hoping some folks may have room for yet another set-top-like unit in their home. The company says the Rapoo TV will be available sometime in Q1 of this year, however there’s no word on pricing just yet.
Samsung anticipa immagine della sua TV dal design e forma ‘senza precedenti’
Manca poco più di una settimana all’inizio del CES 2013, l’evento forse più atteso di tutti che apre il nuovo anno con molte delle novità che affolleranno l’intero panorama tecnologico. Samsung sarà come di consueto tra le protagoniste, non soltanto grazie al segmento mobile, le sue TV continuano ad essere tra le più apprezzate e l’innovazione non si ferma mai nei laboratori coreani.
Pochi giorni fa abbiamo mostrato un primo video teaser che preannunciava il debutto di una nuova TV Samsung proprio durante la kermesse di Las Vegas, non certo una ‘semplice’ OLED o UHDTV viste le premesse. Tramite le pagine del blog samsungtomorrow arriva così questa immagine in apertura accompagnata da misteriose dichiarazioni:
Una vera innovazione nel design delle TV sta arrivando, con una forma senza precedenti della TV e design senza tempo.
Il mistero s’infittisce, difficile migliorare o addirittura stravolgere il design delle attuali Smart TV più all’avanguardia, ormai equipaggiate con pannelli sempre più sottili e risoluti, racchiusi in cornici ultra sottili. L’immagine rilasciata ci da comunque qualche spunto, la TV è posizionata in portrait, piuttosto insolito per il mercato consumer che è stato interamente dirottato negli ultimi anni sul formato 16:9, ma il particolare che forse interessa maggiormente è la trasparenza del pannello, che lascia intravedere limpidamente quello che sta dietro.
Prototipi di display semi trasparenti ne abbiamo visti moltissimi nell’ultimo anno, Samsung ha effettivamente mostrato particolare interesse in questo campo, con numerose soluzioni già portate lo scorso anno al CES 2012. Di certo assisteremo a qualcosa di più di un semplice prototipo la prossima settimana, non rimane che attendere e aspettare le prime indiscrezioni!
Sharp announces first TVs with Moth-Eye technology: the AQUOS XL series
Sharp may look like it’s in trouble, but that’s not stopping it bringing new displays to the market, including today’s announcement of the AQUOS Quattron 3D XL TV line. Behind the mouthful of acronyms, these LED-backlit LCD panels are the first to feature Sharp’s Moth-Eye technology, designed to reduce glare and pump out bright colors, as well as a deep black. The company’s ‘four primary color’ tech is partly responsible for the rich output, which squeezes a yellow sub-pixel in with the standard R, G and B. All the panels run at 1,920 x 1,080, as you’d expect, sport a 10 million to 1 contrast ratio and use five speakers to deliver audio. Prices aren’t fixed, but the 46-, 52- and 80-inch models will be released in Japan on December 15th, while the 60- and 70-inch variants will come slightly earlier, on November 30th. You’re going to have to be quick on launch day, though — only 10,000 units are expected to be available in the first month.
Toshiba si aggiudica il premio EISA per la TV 55ZL2 3D glasses-free
Toshiba si rivela ancora una volta come una delle case produttrici più innovative grazie al riconoscimento ricevuto pochi giorni fa dall’EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association), associazione composta da 50 riviste specializzate di 19 paesi europei che ha incoronato la TV 55ZL2 3D glasses-free del produttore nipponico come primo pannello grazie al quale fruire veramente del 3D senza l’ausilio degli occhialini. La giuria ha sentenziato:
La TV 55ZL2 di Toshiba rappresenta una nuova era nella tecnologia televisiva perché, per la prima volta, gli spettatori possono vivere l’esperienza del 3D a casa senza indossare gli occhiali. La TV utilizza una tecnologia d’avanguardia che lascia l’utente senza parole.
Il premio EISA va a ripagare Toshiba dopo 10 anni di lavoro e sperimentazione della tecnologia 3D, con la TV 55ZL2 che va seriamente ad insidiare tutti i concorrenti vista anche la risoluzione 4K UHDTV pari a 3840 x 2160 pixel oltre, ovviamente, ad una visualizzazione stereoscopica dei contenuti incomparabile.
A disposizione abbiamo anche la potente piattaforma di elaborazione Cevo Engine è anche possibile convertire agevolmente i contenuti 2D in 3D. La soddisfazione dei vertici di Toshiba per il premio appena ricevuta la si legge tra le parole del Marketing Director Central Europe di Toshiba Europe Sascha Lange:
Toshiba è sinonimo di qualità e innovazione da più di 135 anni. Il nostro impegno costante ci porta a sviluppare prodotti eccellenti e la TV 55ZL2 è l’esempio perfetto. Il premio EISA è un’ulteriore prova dell’innovazione del nostro prodotto e ne siamo estremamente soddisfatti.
New DirecTV Genie DVR Streams To 4 TVs Simultaneously
DirecTV has today unveiled a new addition to their range of products with the launch of the DirecTV Genie DVR, which is capable of streaming TV footage to four TV sets at the same time. Allowing different members of your household to watch their favourite programmes at any time.
The DirecTV Genie DVR, accomplishes this using RVU technology in a similar way to the original HR34 device did. However the new DirecTV Genie DVR increases the number of TVs you can simultaneously stream to.
So if you have any devices equipped with RVU support such as Blu-ray players, HDTVs or other devices, you too will be able to take advantage of the Genie DVR simultaneous streaming features.
The Genie DVR is equipped with a 1TB HHD for media storage, and is now available. For more information and pricing options jump over to the DirecTV website.
Source: Verge
Sony’s 84-inch 4K Bravia KD-84X9005 hits the IFA show floor, we go eyes-on
As ever, Sony’s IFA press conference was a veritable storm of products, but CEO Kaz Hirai was clearly the most excited about the company’s new 84-inch 4K TV, the Bravia KD-84X9005, and after beholding the thing for a bit alongside a scrum of fellow tech journalists in Sony’s booth at IFA, it’s pretty clear why. The thing is beautiful — and yeah, we can confirm, as Kaz suggested, that you really do want to stick out your hand and touch the picture when you’re standing in front of it, particularly, when the video cycles through images of the ocean, with water droplets hitting the screen.
At 84 inches, this thing is a beast, with at least a dozen or so folks standing comfortably around it to catch a glimpse of the display. The Bravia is surprisingly thin for such a beast. There are speaker bars attached to either side of the display, with a control panel along the bottom. The stand consists of two metal bars holding up what’s surely a weighty set. Check out our eyes-on video after the break.
Haier celebrates IFA with ultra high def 3D, transparent and eye-controlled TVs
Haier was a bit of a sleeper hit at last year’s IFA, and the company looks to be taking on 2012′s Berlin-based show in way. For 2011, TV maker showed off its futuristic transparent and brain-controlled TV technologies. This year’s selections are set to follow in that vein, beginning with the debut of a new 46-inch transparent TV built on last year’s technology, capable of detecting six points at the same time. As before, Haier’s seeing business potential in the device, and will be showing it off in the context of a window display at this year’s show. Also on the slate is the company’s first 3D LED Ultra High Definition set, a 55-incher that will be displaying Ultra High Def footage of booth visitors.
Haier will be showcasing even more 3D stuff at the show, including a 55-inch glasses-free LED set with 28 viewing angles and 3D Multi-View, “which allows two people to watch two different images at the same time, on the total surface area of the screen,” according to the company. Also on the docket is an eye-controlled set that lets viewers take charge of volume and channels with their peepers and a 3D gesture control system that has a camera built into the set’s frame. On a more old school tip is the “high performance sensitive” remote, which has a nine-axis gyroscope inside.
Nuovo LG TM2792, il TV Smart 3D annunciato per l’ IFA 2012
LG ha annunciato il suo nuovo TV da 27 pollici, il TM2792 Personal Smart TV che verrà mostrato tra pochi giorni all’ IFA di Berlino.
Il nuovo TM2792 consente agli utenti di godere di un’ampia vasta di caratteristiche tra cui la funzionalità LG Smart TV, Cinema 3D con schermo a tecnologia IPS. Il 27 pollici Full HD permetterà di sfogliare e condividere files con il computer, smartphone e dischi rigidi esterni tramite la porta MHL o la connessione Intel Wireless Display (WiDi). Non mancano le connessioni DLNA e HDMI.
Per il 3D vengono utilizzati occhiali passivi che si trovano a prezzi molto bassi. Il TM2792 sarà sul mercato a Settembre con i prezzi che verranno comunicati la prossima settimana ad IFA, la fiera Berlinese da cui vi racconteremo ogni dettaglio.
Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV
Chinese web titan Tencent and TCL Multimedia have torn the wraps off the Ice Screen, a jointly developed 26-inch smart TV with a 1,366 x 768 display that allows users to browse the web, access videos, music and games through QQ services. Under the hood, the Android-powered television houses a dual-core Cortex A9 1GHz processor, a Mali 400 GPU, 4GB of RAM and support for a memory card of up to 32GB in size. An IR remote and an app for devices sporting version 2.2 or higher of Google’s OS can be used to control the tube, which can sit horizontally or vertically in its stand. On the connectivity front, the panel packs Wi-Fi, a pair of USB ports, HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can plunk down ¥1,999 (roughly $315) for an online pre-order before its September 3rd launch. More details await in the press release after the jump.
4K, 84-inch ‘ultra’ HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month
Just in time to completely blow away that puny flat screen you nabbed for your dorm room, LG has announced its 84-inch ultra high definition LCD TV is ready to ship in South Korea. The company put its first UHDTV up for pre-ordering last month, at a price of 25 million won, which currently converts to about $22,105 US. The 84LM9600 does 3D with LG’s Cinema 3D passive glasses technology, however its ultra high pixel count means you’re still watching in 1080p even with the resolution loss since it starts at 3,840 x 2,160, and also features “3D sound” with integrated 2.2 channel speakers.
The bad news of course is that finding actual 4K res content is practically impossible, despite recent work on standards and even some testing by broadcasters. Still, plug this into a BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, certain PS3 apps or just output the latest video you’ve shot and it should be worth the price of admission, assuming you’re one of the (presumably) well-heeled Korean VIP customers that managed to snag one so far. If you’re not then don’t worry — the press release (included after the break) reveals you’ll have your chance once they start shipping worldwide in September, we plan to get our eyes on a production model at IFA 2012 in Germany.
NPG presenta un decoder DVB-T con sistema operativo Android
I dispositivi “smart” stanno ormai moltiplicandosi a dismisura, nell’ambito audio-video; dopo le TV, le prime a subire questo tipo di evoluzione, e dopo i set top box od i lettori multimediali, ecco che anche i decoder per il digitale terrestre acquisiscono funzionalità evolute, capaci di renderli dei veri e propri centri multi-funzione polivalenti.
Il nuovo decoder di NPG, il DHT-S866A, offre non solo le tradizionali funzioni garantite dal tuner DVB-T integrato, ma amplia le possibilità offerte grazie all’integrazione del sistema operativo Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3.
E’ quindi possibile installare un web browser sul decoder, e poter quindi navigare liberamente in rete; il controllo può essere reso più agevole collegando una tastiera od un mouse tramite la porta USB 2.0. Ovviamente sono compatibili tutte le applicazioni disponibili per Android 4.0.3 su Google Play, e si può quindi installarle e renderle utilizzabili tramite il DHT-S866A.
Il cuore del sistema è costituito da un processore ARM Cortex A9 dual core, con frequenza di 1.5 GHz, 1 gigabyte di RAM e un processore grafico capace di gestire applicazioni 3D.
La dotazione del decoder include un’uscita HDMI, una porta USB 2.0, una porta Ethernet, il supporto al Client DLNA (che permette lo streaming di contenuti audio-video dalla rete locale) e lo spazio, all’interno, per installare un hard disk da 3.5″.
Il prezzo di vendita non è ancora stato comunicato.
Samsung Visual Display: le ultime tecnologie Samsung integrate nelle nuove Smart TV
Samsung ha presentato alcune novità davvero entusiasmanti. Le nuove Smart TV, infatti, diventeranno una sorta di centro digitale nel quale far confluire smartphone e tablet di ultima generazione. Tra le tante tecnologie presenti, spicca Mobile High-Definition Link, che permette di vedere sullo schermo TV ciò che vediamo anche sui nostri device.
La nuova gamma Visual Display è davvero ricca di novità interessanti. Oltre alla già citata MHL, troviamo anche la funzionalità Mobile Control e la compatibilità WiDi. Il tutto per consentire all’utente di godere a pieno della mobilità senza rinunciare alla comodità del grande schermo.
Si va dall’HDTV monitor Serie 7 (TB750) ai monitor PC e TV Serie 5 (S/TB550), fino alla Smart Station Serie 7 (CB750). Tanti modelli pronti per comunicare con l’utente al fine di migliorare l’esperienza d’uso. Grazie alla tecnologia MHL, tutti questi prodotti permettono di guardare in maniera fluida e veloce foto e video in TV.
Il monitor HDTV Samsung Serie 7 (TB750) da 27” è probabilmente il pezzo forte. Si differenzia per il design asimmetrico e per i colori eleganti in pieno stile Samsung. Grazie alla retroilluminazione LED, alla tecnologia MHL e all’innovativa funzione Wireless Display (WiDi) sviluppata da Intel, che permette di collegare lo schermo in modalità wireless agli altri dispositivi predisposti nelle vicinanze, senza il fastidioso ingombro di fili o la necessità di spostarsi dalla propria postazione.
Vizio XVT CinemaWide TV goes on sale, 21:9 movie purists celebrate the end of black bars
It’s been a long, long wait for Vizio’s ultrawidescreen LCD TV to show its face: the company was promising such sets starting around this time last year that ultimately missed the October and subsequent March targets. Vizio is one to eventually make good on a promise, though, and has just started shipping the first XVT series CinemaWide set. The lone 58-inch model’s focus remains on that 2560 x 1080p screen, whose stretchy 21:9 aspect ratio fits what you often see at the movie theater without having to crop or adjust like you would with a typical 16:9 set. Whether or not you have a chronic aversion to black bars, the CinemaWide is still a respectable set in its own right, with edge-based LED backlighting, a 120Hz refresh rate, a Bluetooth remote and the common host of Vizio internet apps. The TV maker must be doing a form of penance for taking its time on the 21:9 display: the $2,800 regular price is a lot lower than the originally quoted $3,500, and you can pick up the CinemaWide TV for $2,500 if you act quickly.
Sharp Launches Massive 90 Inch 1080p HDTV For $11,000
Sharp has this week added a huge HDTV measuring 90 inches to their range of high definition televisions, in the form of the new AQUOS LED TV model number LC-90LE745U. Sharp’s latest AQUOS LED TV is equipped with Sharp’s proprietary SmartCentral, which offers you direct access to popular applications.
As well as video on demand services such as VUDU, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus and Netflix to name a few. Together with features for browsing the web and using Skype communications, via your Wi-Fi network.
The AQUOS LED TV stands an impressive 4′ tall and measures 6’8″ wide, weighing in at 141lbs, and is now available to purchase for around $11,000. Which is fairly reasonable for such a large HDTV when you consider HDTV sets that measure over 100 inches in size are available for nearer $20,000.
Source: Hot Hardware
MK802 Android 4.0 Mini PC hands-on impressions
There must be something in the water in in hardware-designer land. Small is en vogue, it seems, and to say we’ve been intrigued about this latest twist on diminutive form factors would be an understatement. So far, Android has largely (though not exclusively) kept itself firmly in the palms of our hands. But, increasingly it is popping up in places we never even thought about. For the uninitiated, that thing above — the Chinese-made MK802 — is a complete “mini PC” that’s about the size of a USB flash drive or card reader. It has a 1.5GHz Allwinner processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard flash storage. You can get at these internals via two USB ports (which can also power the device,) and pump the result out to a display via HDMI. If that 4GB of memory isn’t enough, you can expand it via a microSD slot. All good and well, but what would you do with such a thing? Plenty is the answer. This not only makes any HDMI display a PC, it also ushers in a new type of portability. Bring your Netflix over to a friend’s house without needing your phone, or never worry about using public PCs again. All of these niche uses give the MK802, and its kind, lots of potential. But what is it like in real life? Shimmy past the break to find out.
Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)
Motorola is demonstrating how it expects TVs of the future will work with its DreamGallery concept. Powered by the company’s Medios cloud-service, the display is designed to let you browse content as if it was the internet — with bookmarks, personalized recommendations and interactive search tools. Its designed to work across your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone, aggregating Cable, Internet TV and VOD under a single interface that sits behind pull-tabs around the picture. If you’re curious to see if this is easier to use than TiVo, head on past the break to catch your first glimpse.
Toshiba’s 55XS5 brings quad HD without the glasses-free 3D tech to Japan in June
While we’re still waiting for Toshiba to deliver its top of the line 55X3 HDTV with 4K resolution and glasses-free 3D technology here in the US, it just announced a step-down model in Japan. The Regza 55XS5 keeps the 3840 x 2160 LCD panel, but switches to edge LED lighting instead of local dimming and drops 3D altogether, autostereoscopic or otherwise. There’s a CEVO Duo image processing engine inside the slimmed-down frame upconverting your standard HDTV res inputs to QFHD, as well as support for apps and USB hard drive for recording broadcasts. This model should ship in June on the other side of the Pacific for an “open price” expected to be around 750,000 yen ($9,410 US), slightly lower than the X3′s 900,00 yen launch price last December.
AUO prevede di lanciare pannelli 3D da 65″ senza occhiali nel 2012
AU Optronics, gigante dell’elettronica noto soprattutto per la massiccia produzione di pannelli per display di varia tipologia, ha annunciato di avere in programma il lancio di pannelli 3D auto-stereoscopici (che non prevedono quindi l’utilizzo di occhiali), nel taglio da 65″, nella seconda metà dell’anno corrente. Le previsioni di vendita, riportate dal vice presidente del gruppo, dovrebbero ammontare a circa 700.000 prezzi entro la fine dell’anno.
La soluzione tecnologica scelta da AUO è duplice: una è indirizzata ai display di piccolo taglio, l’altra a quelli di taglio maggiore.
La prima soluzione prevede una barriera di parallasse (ovvero una sorta di filtro, posto davanti al pannello, che ha la funzione di filtrare, per l’appunto, i pixel visibili dall’occhio destro e sinistro, ricreando un effetto di tridimensionalità), necessaria per generare l’effetto stereoscopico senza l’ausilio di occhiali.
Epson Unveils New PowerLite Home Cinema 710HD Projector
If you’re a big fan of movies and TV and want a big viewable image, you need to go with a projector. If your room is dark enough any you get an image of 100 inches or greater for the price of a much smaller standard TV.
Epson has new projector specifically for home theater fans called the 710HD that has launched. The projector uses 3 LCD technology and has 2800 lumens of color and white light output. The lamp inside is good for up to 5000 hours and the projector supports 720P resolution.
The projector has numerous inputs including HDMI, and component along with others. The projector will ship late this month for $649 making it priced right for those looking to enter the projector market.
