Panasonic released ultra thin Blue-ray drive

Panasonic now shipping ultra thin Blue-ray drive which can idle to fit in light weight notebook.

Along with the capability to read and write High definition video in Blue-ray format, this can also read and write standard CDs and DVDs. And can store 50 Gbytes of content.

Initially this drive has 2X writing speed.

Toshiba also said that it has plan to release an equally thin drive for reading and writing DVDs in the HD DVD format, which competes with Blu-ray.

HD features in Qosmio G40

Toshiba introducing first HD DVD-RW laptop Qosmio G40, initially they are selling this only in Japan.

This laptop comes with 17in notebook, 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, 2GB of memory, two 200GB hard drives and an Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics chip with 256MB of graphics memory attached.

The GPU drives the 1920 x 1200 display. G40 also provides HDMI port, this will give you option to hook the laptop up to an HD TV.

But the most significant feature in this laptop is the HD DVD-RW drive .It reaPublish Postds and writes both burn-once HD DVD-R media as well as the rewriteable version in both single- and dual-layer forms. It'll also handled DVD±R/RW discs, DVD-RAM and CD-R/RW.

Vizio VX32L 323 LCD HDTV Review

The Vizio 32″ LCD HDTV cost around $500 or so, depending on where you buy it. I bought mine from Sam's Club at around $520. I also purchased the wallmount for it. This is my first HDTV LCD TV that I have ever owned and I love it. It has dual HDMI output connections as well as VGA output connection to hook it to your PC or what not. I have hooked this up to my PC via DVI connection and the quality isn't as good as I thought it would be, but still very good. If you get the perfect resolution set for this TV it would look flawless, especially with HDMI. The max resolution for the Vizio 32″ is 1366 x 768 resolution. The HDMI cables run about $100, thats why I have not hooked this up via HDMI yet.

I currently have Dishnetwork (Non-HD) connected to my TV. If you are far away the TV looks EXCELLENT. When you get closer is when you start to see more of the pixels, but this is obviously caused by not having DishNetwork HD, and HDMI cables hooked up. My personal opinion on this TV is that for the price, you can not beat $500 for a 32″ Hi-Definition TV. The TV has the capability to remove the base to allow mounthing on the wall. There are about 10 screws or so to fully mounth this TV to the wall. It was not much of a task at all. Pretty simple.

Here is a bit more information about what Outputs/Inputs the TV provides as well as size information:

InputsRF (F Connector for internal tuner): 1

HDMI with HDCP: 2

Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1

Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 2

Composite Video: 2

S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 1

Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio: 1

Service Port: 1

Outputs

Analog Audio out (RCA): 1

5.1 SPDIF Digital Optical Audio: 1

Headphone (Stereo Mini-Jack): 0

DimensionsCarton: 35″ W x 28″ H x 14.2″ D

Net: 31.4″ W x 23.3″ H x 10.4″ D

Without Stand: 31.4″ W x 22.1″ H x 3.9″ D

Certifications: CSA, CSA-US FCC Class B, IC, BETS-7

I would HIGHLY recommend the Vizio 32″ VX32L HDTV to any one wanting to purchase a HD LCD TV.

Kyle Hahn
Kyle's Blog
http://www.kylehahn.net

HDMI: Guide to HDTV Connection of the Future

Background:

As the HDTV market continues to heat up, consumers are in need of being educated on the latest technology. One of the terms that you, the consumer, will surely run into while selecting a HDTV set is: HDMI. For most this is an unfamiliar term and we will explain the details of HDMI in this article so you, the consumer, is armed with the proper knowledge to make intelligent purchasing decisions.

What is HDMI: HDMI is an acronym for High Definition Multi-Media Interface. The HDMI specification (now at 1.2) was created by some of the largest consumer electronics manufacturers in the world: Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba. HDMI is the latest digital HDTV interconnection standard. The notable differences between HDMI and the earlier HDTV interconnects standards (component video, and DVI) are:

-HDMI is all digital unlike analog component video cables

-HDMI supports multi-channel audio in addition to digital video. (DVI only supports digital video)

- HDMI is more compact in size and carries both audio and video signals therefore eliminate cable clutter.

-HDMI incorporates content protection called HDCP ( high definition content protection)

What does a HDMI connector look like: HDMI looks similar to a USB cable. The compact size and high integration (carries both audio and video) makes the HDTV installation experience truly "plug and play."

Why should I use HDMI:

-HDMI is all digital, so picture quality is "perfect" from source to display

-HDMI is both a digital audio and video connection. This will minimize cabling in your system

-HDMI is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for HDTV connections.

How does HDMI transport the digital video: The video portion of HDMI is carried by 3 separate differential pairs. Each pair transports 1 of 3 uncompressed native digital R,G, B signals from source ( dvd player, set top box) to the sink ( HDTV display). A unique protocol, T.M.D.S.( transmission minimized differential signaling), is used to transport the digital data. Each pixel is represented by 24 bits ( 8 bits each for each of the primary colors). The T.M.D.S. protocol then "calculates" and stuffs 2 extra bits to the video data stream in order to create a digital stream with minimum transitions ( lower EMI, lower interference) and also minimize long strings of '1' and '0' which can cause detection errors.

A fourth differential pair, called the TMDS clock provides the pixel clock for timing the data stream. The maximum TMDS single link pixel clock rate is 165 MHz.

What is the data rate of a single link HDMI connection: The maximum pixel clock rate is 165MHz and each of the 3 TMDS video streams carries 10 bits. Therefore the aggregate data rate is 3 x 10 x 165MHz = 4.96Gbps.

How many pins are included in the HDMI connector: There are 19 individual pins in the HDMI connector. There are 3 pairs of TMDS signals which carry all the digital audio and video signals.

How is the digital Audio signal transported: The multi-channel audio is time multiplexed into the TMDS data streams. Audio is much lower data rate (192kbps) and the extra time is used to demux the audio signals.

What is HDCP: HDCP is an acronym for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection. HDCP is an encryption method developed by Intel in order to control unauthorized copying of digital media. The encryption is carried out in the HDMI transmitter found in the "source" ( dvd player, set top box) and decryption is carried out by the HDMI receiver ( the HDTV display). The secret keys for encryption are exchanged between the source and display over an I2C bus ( pins 15 and 16).

Is HDMI compatible with DVI: DVI is the predecessor to HDMI. HDMI and DVI are identical as far as video is concerned. Therefore, video backward compatibility exists. However, DVI will not support digital audio. For example, if you have an older DVI connection on your source and a HDMI connector on your display, a HDMI to DVI cable is all that is needed in order to view the video. A separate audio cable ( TOSLINK or SPDIF) will be needed to carry the digital audio.

What formats will HDMI support: HDMI is high speed digital connection and will support resolutions of 480i, 480P, 720i, 720 P, 1080i and in the future,1080P.

Conclusion:

HDTV technology is changing rapidly. HD connections such as HDMI will become the de facto standard in HDTV connections. We have outlined the important features of HDMI, so the consumer is well informed and ready to make intelligent purchasing decisions.

Jeff Su is product development manager at www.octavainc.com. Jeff is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (BSEE, MSEE) and has over 10 years of experience in CATV systems, RF, and microwave designs. He may be reached at info@octavainc.com

HDMI: Guide to HDTV Connection of the Future

Background:

As the HDTV market continues to heat up, consumers are in need of being educated on the latest technology. One of the terms that you, the consumer, will surely run into while selecting a HDTV set is: HDMI. For most this is an unfamiliar term and we will explain the details of HDMI in this article so you, the consumer, is armed with the proper knowledge to make intelligent purchasing decisions.

What is HDMI: HDMI is an acronym for High Definition Multi-Media Interface. The HDMI specification (now at 1.2) was created by some of the largest consumer electronics manufacturers in the world: Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba. HDMI is the latest digital HDTV interconnection standard. The notable differences between HDMI and the earlier HDTV interconnects standards (component video, and DVI) are:

-HDMI is all digital unlike analog component video cables

-HDMI supports multi-channel audio in addition to digital video. (DVI only supports digital video)

- HDMI is more compact in size and carries both audio and video signals therefore eliminate cable clutter.

-HDMI incorporates content protection called HDCP ( high definition content protection)

What does a HDMI connector look like: HDMI looks similar to a USB cable. The compact size and high integration (carries both audio and video) makes the HDTV installation experience truly "plug and play."

Why should I use HDMI:

-HDMI is all digital, so picture quality is "perfect" from source to display

-HDMI is both a digital audio and video connection. This will minimize cabling in your system

-HDMI is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for HDTV connections.

How does HDMI transport the digital video: The video portion of HDMI is carried by 3 separate differential pairs. Each pair transports 1 of 3 uncompressed native digital R,G, B signals from source ( dvd player, set top box) to the sink ( HDTV display). A unique protocol, T.M.D.S.( transmission minimized differential signaling), is used to transport the digital data. Each pixel is represented by 24 bits ( 8 bits each for each of the primary colors). The T.M.D.S. protocol then "calculates" and stuffs 2 extra bits to the video data stream in order to create a digital stream with minimum transitions ( lower EMI, lower interference) and also minimize long strings of '1' and '0' which can cause detection errors.

A fourth differential pair, called the TMDS clock provides the pixel clock for timing the data stream. The maximum TMDS single link pixel clock rate is 165 MHz.

What is the data rate of a single link HDMI connection: The maximum pixel clock rate is 165MHz and each of the 3 TMDS video streams carries 10 bits. Therefore the aggregate data rate is 3 x 10 x 165MHz = 4.96Gbps.

How many pins are included in the HDMI connector: There are 19 individual pins in the HDMI connector. There are 3 pairs of TMDS signals which carry all the digital audio and video signals.

How is the digital Audio signal transported: The multi-channel audio is time multiplexed into the TMDS data streams. Audio is much lower data rate (192kbps) and the extra time is used to demux the audio signals.

What is HDCP: HDCP is an acronym for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection. HDCP is an encryption method developed by Intel in order to control unauthorized copying of digital media. The encryption is carried out in the HDMI transmitter found in the "source" ( dvd player, set top box) and decryption is carried out by the HDMI receiver ( the HDTV display). The secret keys for encryption are exchanged between the source and display over an I2C bus ( pins 15 and 16).

Is HDMI compatible with DVI: DVI is the predecessor to HDMI. HDMI and DVI are identical as far as video is concerned. Therefore, video backward compatibility exists. However, DVI will not support digital audio. For example, if you have an older DVI connection on your source and a HDMI connector on your display, a HDMI to DVI cable is all that is needed in order to view the video. A separate audio cable ( TOSLINK or SPDIF) will be needed to carry the digital audio.

What formats will HDMI support: HDMI is high speed digital connection and will support resolutions of 480i, 480P, 720i, 720 P, 1080i and in the future,1080P.

Conclusion:

HDTV technology is changing rapidly. HD connections such as HDMI will become the de facto standard in HDTV connections. We have outlined the important features of HDMI, so the consumer is well informed and ready to make intelligent purchasing decisions.

Jeff Su is product development manager at www.octavainc.com. Jeff is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (BSEE, MSEE) and has over 10 years of experience in CATV systems, RF, and microwave designs. He may be reached at info@octavainc.com

What's So Great About HDTV Ready LCD?

Really, hdtv ready lcd is almost becoming a complete essential nowadays according to many popular studies. You just cant get too good of a resolution, and hdtv ready lcd is the best on the market at the current time.

Of course, there is always a new thing. Before hdtv ready lcd, there was a time when flat panel itself was new and very chic. Before that, just having a high resolution CRT was enough and before that - well, no reason to keep going back ad infinitem. The important thing is, to keep up with the joneses, you must have a hdtv ready lcd, or else you cant even get high definition tv.

And whats so great about high definition tv? For one thing, many many channels - more than your basic cable deffinitely. But all in all, it's not that great. It really is hard to see which is better, high definition tv, or standard satellite tv, or even the new special cable with hundreds of channels. I mean, we keep having this push for bigger and better, but who has the time to watch hundreds of channels. You can only make so much use of your hdtv ready lcd. But then again, having an lcd television is useful in itself.

I mean, it will last longer than your crt system that you have now, and besides that, it will produce a better image. It also uses much less power than a standard cathode ray tube, and because of this, it is much nicer to use and preserve your electricity bill at some kind of a reasonable rate. Who wants to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars just to use their big screen tv. I know that I don't, and I'm sure that you don't too. And besides that, many scientists think that the flat panel of a hdtv ready lcd is easier on the eyes than the rounded panel popular on other kinds of tvs. Its really a good deal all around, so you can hardly go wrong if you think about it. I bought a hdtv ready lcd just the other week, and I'm sure happy that I did!

Author : Muna wa Wanjiru has been researching and reporting on Internet Marketing for years. For more information on HDTV Ready LCD, visit his site at HDTV Ready LCD

Important features of TH-42PZ700 and TH-50PZ700, Full HD Plasma TV released by Panasonic

V-real Pro II Technology : Panasonic came out with improved version of V-real collection of technologies into V-real Pro II systems exclusively and incorporated in both TH-42PZ700 and TH-50PZ700.

1080p Digital Processing Chip-Set : The 1080p signal format used by Blu-ray Discs offers the highest image quality among high-definition video sources. The VIERA processor which are used in TH-42PZ700 and TH-50PZ700 receives 1080p video signals in their original format and displaying the same image quality without any down-convertion .

1080p Digital Re-mastering Processor: The processor is used to convert signals of present TV broadcasts and DVD software to high-definition video quality. This up-converts of video quality without causing any loss of image detail. More over it applies progressive conversion to upgrade 1080i high-definition video signals to 1080p signals. This makes VIERA to render pictures that are more beautiful and sharp than the original.

Digital Optimizer : Digital Optimizer used to detect noise in digital video signals and remove them.

Motion Pattern Noise Reduction : This mechanism first detects the false contour noise that sometimes occurs in motion images on a plasma display panel to reproduce smooth, noiseless motion images then makes the necessary adjustments to maximize image quality. This results in sharp, clear reproduction of even high-speed motion images by maximizing the superb gradation capability of the plasma display panel.

Gradation: 4,096 Equivalent Steps of Gradation : To take maximum advantage of the full-HD panel's high resolution, VIERA uses up to 16-bit signal processing. This increases gradation to the equivalent of 4,096 steps, which minimizes noise and blackout. Both light and dark parts of an image are expressed clearly and beautifully.

HD Signal Quality Directly Reflected in Picture Quality : Full-HD Panel. With its 1920 x 1080 resolution, VIERA's full-HD panel displays beautiful images without needing to perform pixel conversion for the 1080p video signals processed by the video circuitry. Because the super-high resolution of the full-HD panel is best appreciated on a large screen, Panasonic offers the full-HD panel in 50-inch and larger models. You can enjoy images with stunning detail and beauty not only from HD broadcasts, but from Blu-ray sources as well.

Beautiful Images from Any Angle:When you view an LCD from an angle, you'll notice that the skin tones appear whitish. But with VIERA plasma display panel, colours look virtually just as good from a sharp angle as they do from directly in front.

Superb Motion Image Display:Each pixel in a plasma display panel emits light. Compared to an LCD, which displays images by adjusting the backlighting, the plasma display panel maintains higher resolution in scenes with fast motion. You'll love the clear, super-sharp images you get from VIERA when viewing action movies or watching football or baseball games, tennis matches, and other sports events.

Faithful Colour Reproduction: VIERA reproduces 100% of the colour range specified in HDTV standard. This standard are based on a set of specifications which measures image quality it produces. VIERA reproduces images from digital HD broadcasts in their true original colour, with minimal colour shift.

Advanced 3D Colour Management :This feature controls multiple colours at the same time . It brings out the best quality of image by independently adjusting the colour hue, density and brightness.

Sub-Pixel Controller : This system helps to improve image quality by adjusting each R, G and B dot, so it delivers smooth contour lines even at diagonal sections.

BD-UP5000 : Duo Hd Player from Samsung that Supports Both HD and Blu-ray

Samsung Electronics going to introduce dual format High-Definition (HD) optical disc player in time for the holidays. This is always a vital decision whether to buy HD-DVD player or Blu-ray Disc player. This new device can help to have both facility in a single box.

Samsung’s Duo HD player (BD-UP5000) will fully support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats and their interactive technologies, HDi and BD-Java. With the Duo HD consumers can enjoy additional studio content such as trailers, director’s comments, more elaborate interactive menus and behind the scene footage. The new Duo HD joins Samsung’s next generation DVD line-up which includes Samsung’s second generation Blu-ray player available at retail this month. Together, these two models offer the consumer a strong line of High-Definition players to match Samsung’s award winning, and best selling, line of HDTVs.

"We welcome Samsung's Duo HD player as another solution in the marketplace that will help reduce consumer confusion and buyer hesitancy towards HD media," said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. "This is an innovative product that can move us closer to mainstream consumer adoption of HD technologies."

“We are very pleased to announce the upcoming release of our Duo HD player. Consumers are hungry for more HD content but are currently confused about competing formats. Samsung’s Duo HD player will allow consumers access to every HD movie title available regardless of the authoring format. Samsung is committed to making life simpler through technology and will market next generation DVD products which will satisfy the consumer and market requirement. This is a big win for the consumer.

As a member of the DVD Forum and contributor to the DVD Industry, we recognize that both HD-DVD and BD formats have merits. As such, we have decided to market a dual format player. Samsung is flexible to market a stand-alone HD-DVD player whenever consumers demand it. Our main concern is not technology but consumer choice” said Dongsoo Jun, Executive Vice President of the Digital AV Division at Samsung Electronics.

Plasma TV and LCD, which is better?

If you are planning to buy new TV, It is not easy to decide whether to buy a plasma TV or LCD. Here is a very short comparison of these two. Hope this can help you to decide which one you should go for.

Screen size: Screen size is the most important factor whether to choose Plasma or LCD. LCD can give you the best performance for small size screen. Normally LCD televisions are available with screen size in between 13 inch to 45 inches. If you are looking for bigger screen you can have more choice with Plasma TVs. Most of the plasma TV screen size in between 32 to 63 inches.

Power consumption:In normal operating condition there is not much difference in power consumption. However in plasma TV power consumption varies based on the brightness of a scene. If you like to view with bright screen in plasma TV power consumption will be more then the darker screen. But this is not the same for LCD. There power consumption not depending on brightness.

Life span:ife span of both plasma TV and LCD are almost same. Ideally their life span is around 60000 hours. Some LCD manufacturer claims their LCD TVs can last upto 80000 hours.

Refresh Rate: Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video, here the refresh rate is as good as CRT televisions. LCD TVs were originally designed for data display. Therefore refresh rates are not as good as Plasma TV. LCD TVs available with refresh rates below 16ms. Now-days they are available with refresh rates as low as 5ms.

Price : Perhaps the biggest advantage plasmas have now over their LCD cousins is price, particularly in the large screen end of the market. Plasmas typically come in larger sizes than LCDs at a cheaper price.

Compare Panasonic plasma TVs of 2007

Source : http://www2.panasonic.com

Hitachi going to bring HDTVs With Removable Drives

Hitachi announced they are going to bring in the market High-Definition TVs that come with removable hard drives that can record and store high-def programming. According to a news from Reuters, Users can expand high-definition recording capacity with the new hard drives . According to them Japan's biggest electronics conglomerate will equip plasma TVs and liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs with 250-gigabyte internal hard drives and removable 80-GB or 160-GB drives starting on April 20 in Japan. Hitachi is pricing the larger 160-GB removable drive at around 35,000 yen ($300) and the 80-GB hard drive at around 20,000 yen. The 160-GB drive can record 32 hours of programmes.

Sony Cybershot capable to generate HD image

Sony Sybershot capable to generate HD image quality.
Most current digital cameras support the ability to view pictures on a television set, but this is almost always at standard definition, which is close to VGA resolution of 640 pixels by 480 pixels. More often than not, the original image is much higher quality, so a better image could be displayed on an HDTV if the camera were capable of generating such a video image. That's what Sony has enabled its new Cybershot cameras to do.
An additional cable will be required for the high-definition connection. The VMC-MHC1 cable will go on sale on March 9 in Japan for ¥4,935 ($41) and will connect a Cybershot to a component level input on a television. It can also connect the CSS-HD1 docking unit to a television set. While in the dock the battery in the camera can also be recharged.
The HDTV output is available on the DSC-T100, T20, W200, W90, W80, H7 and H9 models.

Source: www.itworld.com

HDTV Photo Player DMW-SDP1 from panasonic

When I was looking for the accessories of DMC-FX30, digital camera from Panasonic. I got to know about DMW-SDP1 HDTV photo player. With this photo player we can see the captured photos in 1080i high definition quality screen.

This photo player not only works with DMC-FX30. but any SD-enabled digital camera, addition to that the DMC-FX30 photo player also can read from MMC media cards and new SDHC high capacity cards. This device comes with a remote control, also have control buttons on top of the device. Other then viewing the photos, DMW-SDP1 can also be connected to PictBridge compatible printers to allow for printing without using PC while you can enjoy the slideshow at the same time.

DMW-SDP1 supports motion JPEG playback, regardless of TV system. It can play normal VGA (640 x 480), wide aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images, which can be recorded with LUMIX, the SDP1 offers dynamic motion image playback which especially benefits viewing on wide aspect HDTVs. The player also capable to play high definition motion image (1280 x 720, at 15 fps). Among the other features offered on the DMW-SDP1 are a wide variety of playback options including three special transition effects to lend greater creativity to on-screen slideshows. Furthermore, in preview mode, the DMW-SDP1 provides for rapid image search, displaying up to 25 thumbnails on an index screen or calendar time-series screen. Images taken vertically are automatically rotated.

It is really cool, right? Connection is also very easy. First of all take out the SD card from your camera and insert it in the SD card slot of DMW-SDP1. Connect your photo player with the HDTV using the component table. That’s it, you are done. Enjoy your photos.

HDMI 1.3 Specificaion for Deep Color

Deep Color™ lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors allowing consumers to enjoy unprecedented vividness and accuracy of color on their displays. Deep Color™ eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors. It enables increased contrast ratio, and can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.

HDMI 1.3 supports 30-bit, 36-bit and 48-bit (RGB or YCbCr) color depths, up from
the 24-bit depths in previous versions of the HDMI specification.

• Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
• Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors.
• Enables increased contrast ratio
• Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white. At 30-bit pixel depth, four times more shades of gray would be the minimum, and the
  typical improvement would be eight times or more.
  

Good Source for Deep color: www.hdmi.org

Improved Heat Dissipation in LCD TVs by Samsung

Samsung Press release :

Seoul, Korea – February 1 , 200 7: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the leader in advanced semiconductor technology , announced that it has developed the industry's first thermally-enhanced chip-on-film (TECOF) package for the display driver IC (DDI) used in large-screen, high-resolution LCD TVs. The new DDI package improves thermal heat dissipation by 20 percent over a conventional COF package, allowing the DDI to last longer and operate with greater reliability.

Demand for LCD TVs is surging with increased accessibility to digital broadcasting. At the same time, rapidly improving LCD TV performance has sparked explosive demand for full-high-definition models with a screen size of forty inches or larger.

A typical DDI requires at least 15 volts of power to drive these larger, higher-resolution LCD TV panels that operate on broader frequency spectrums to reproduce high-speed video images. As a result, the DDI generates greater heat, which can create reliability problems.

Samsung has developed a new material for the thin metal tape component that has the optimal properties for effectively maximizing heat dissipation. The company has also developed a new automated process for attaching the metal tape to the COF package. By applying Samsung's new TECOF package, the thermal emissions from the DDI are quickly released via the metal tape, minimizing heat buildup.

In addition, heat build-up limits the number of channels a single DDI chip can cover, creating an obstacle to reducing the total number of DDI per panel. With the new TECOF package, the number of source DDIs for a full-HD LCD TV is reduced from fourteen 414 channel-DDIs to eight 720 channel-DDIs.

“ Package technology has become an important element, along with circuit design, in the development of DDIs for large-screen LCD TVs.” Said Sa yoon Kang, vice president for Samsung's System LSI Division. “With the development of TECOF package, we propose the new standard for DDI product and solidify our global leadership position in developing display driver ICs for the LCD market .”

Samsung has completed reliability testing of the new TECOF package and expects to ship its DDI product with the new TECOF package technology in the 2 nd quarter of 2007. Samsung has maintained the top share of the global DDI market for the past five years.

HV20 HD CAMCORDER from Canon

• Canon is going to release HV20 HD Camcorder a feature rich, high-quality, High Definition (HD) camcorder.
• HV20 includes 10x HD video zoom lens.
• Super Range Optical Image Stabilization to protect your video from shaking.
  
• Most noticable feature is True HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor, the HV20 HD Camcorder records true 1080 high definition video, making it an ideal companion to today's HD televisions.
• Both aspiring filmmakers and home movie shooters can give their video a truly cinematic look and feel with the addition of a 24p Cinema Mode.
• This HV20 HD Camcorder dramatically raises the bar for consumer camcorder capabilities, and will no doubt be the model of choice for discerning video enthusiasts who accept nothing less than premium quality equipment to capture and preserve their memories.
• Among the new features within the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder is an Advanced Accessory Shoe capable of accommodating such additional components as select external video lights or directional microphones.
• The HV20 HD Camcorder also features microphone and headphone input terminals with manual level control for professional quality audio recording and a 24p Cinema Mode - found previously only on professional video equipment.
• The HV20 HD Camcorder also features an HDMI terminal for quick and easy one-cable transport of the High Definition video signal to a HDTV.

MyTellyHD Media Server from Interact-TV

• Interact-TV, a leading developer of Linux-based media servers, today unveils MyTellyHD(TM) a quiet, compact Linux Media Center that includes high-definiton 720p Component video output, Gigabit Ethernet and upscaling of all video and DVDs to full HD.

• Starting from $899, MyTellyHD delivers all the features and functionality consumers have come to expect from a media server including a subscription-free PVR, Video Library with save DVD capabilities as well as Music and Photo Libraries. MyTellyHD incorporates many new features that are critical to the expanding home theater market including 720p Component video output, Gigabit Ethernet, a high performance processor, and all new MPEG2 video encoding.
• Now consumers can truly take advantage of their new HD monitors with a system designed to handle HD. And upscaling recorded TV and regular DVDs from 480i to 720p lets consumers that don't have access to HD programming get a complete HD experience at an unbeatable price point.

HP Pavilion dv9000t

• HP Pavilion dv9000t is idle if you want to experince HD DVD in your Note book.
• This comes with HD DVD drive and the HD playback software developed for the included HD DVD-ROM drive.
• HP Pavilion dv9000t has a 17-inch 1,440 x 900 resolution LCD, to experience the real HDTV in your notebook.
• The dv9000t offers 7.1 surround sound. For perfect match with High Definition display.
• This dv9000t also includes a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port for playing video on an external HDTV monitor or TV.

New HD photo format in Vista

• Microsoft is looking to supplant the ubiquitous JPEG with an image format of its own--and it's hoping the debut of Windows Vista will help do the job.
• In 2006, Microsoft began promoting its own image standard, formerly called Windows Media Photo but renamed HD Photo in November.
• "HD" doesn't actually stand for "high definition," but it's supposed to connote the better image quality that comes with HD TV.
• Compared with JPEG, HD Photo preserves more subtle details, offers richer colors and takes up half the storage space at the same image quality.
• Microsoft built HD Photo support into Windows Vista, consumer versions of which go on sale Tuesday. That means camera manufacturers increasingly will be able to count on HD Photo support when customers upload their images to a computer, and software such as Web browsers will be able to display and save HD Photo images.

Source : http://news.com.com

World's Densest Memory Chip

• In a breakthrough that suggests the continuing validity of Moore's Law, researchers have developed a memory chip as small as a human blood cell that sets a record for integration density in a man-made object. The memory circuit is a "milestone in manufacturing," the scientists
• Researchers say they've created the world's densest memory circuit, about 100 times denser than today's standard memory unit and as small as a human white blood cell.
• Although mass production could still be a decade away and the chip contains only a modest capacity of 160,000 bits of information, the achievement points to the possible exponential growth of computing power.
• The memory circuit is a "milestone in manufacturing," said the team led by chemistry professor James Heath of the California Institute of Technology and J. Fraser Stoddart, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, in announcing their achievement in the journal Nature.
• "It's the sort of device that Intel would contemplate making in the year 2020," said Heath, who is the Gilloon Professor at Caltech. "But at the moment it furthers our goal of learning how to manufacture functional electronic circuitry at molecular dimensions."

Source : http://www.technewsworld.com

AT&T to boost IPTV service

• AT&T's IPTV service is working better than the company expected--and AT&T plans to ramp up deployments in the coming year
• So far, AT&T's IPTV service is available in only 11 markets. And in those markets, it's available only to a handful of subscribers.
• Microsoft developed the IPTV software that AT&T is using. Microsoft is also supplying other major carriers around the world with its IPTV Edition software including Deutsche Telekom, Telecom Italia, T-Online France, British Telecommunications and Swisscom.

Source : http://news.com.com

After HD DVD, Blu-ray Encryption also Cracked

• Late last year, a crafty individual who goes by the name “Muslix64” circumvented the copy protection scheme used to protect HD DVD. Given the similarities between the copy protection methods used in the high-definition optical formats, it was only a matter of time before Blu-ray Disc’s protections would be bypassed.
• However, Muslix64 has no access to Blu-ray hardware, limiting his exploit methods to HD DVD. That is, until Muslix64 came across some specific data for Blu-ray Disc, allowing him to apply his methods to the yet-uncracked format.
• Another individual interested in Blu-ray’s protection scheme, “Janvitos,” who also participates in the same online forum where Muslix64 revealed his HD DVD work, posted a message showing the directory structure from a Lord of War Blu-ray Disc movie.

Spurce : http://www.dailytech.com

Samsung LN-S4696D

Screen Size: 46 inches

Type: LCD TV, HDTV

Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Supported EDTV and HDTV Resolutions (HD Ready): 480p, 720p, 1080i, 480i, 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 16: 9.

Video Inputs: Component, Composite, HDMI

PC Interfaces: Analog VGA, HDMI

Built-in TV Tuner: ATSC, CableCard.

Rated Maximum Viewing Angle: Horizontal: 178 degrees

Rated Maximum Viewing Angle: Vertical : 178 degrees

Brightness (Max): 333.3 cd/m^2

Max PC Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels x pixels

USB Ports: 1.

Pros
HDMI, VGA, and component video inputs

compatible with 1080p signals.Cons :

Cons:
Poor deinterlacing performance

Weak video-noise reduction.

HD DVD encryption overcomed by hackers

• Last weekend, a loose-knit coalition of hackers around the world defeated the antipiracy software protecting several high-resolution movies in the HD DVD format.
• The move could send the technology companies behind the new wave of advanced DVDs scrambling back to the drawing board to improve their copy protection, and prompt Hollywood studios to rethink their alliances in the war between the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats.
• The new intrusions came less than a month after a programmer calling himself Muslix64 announced in a Web forum that he had unraveled at least part of the HD DVD protection system.
• Muslix64 released free software that allows users to insert HD DVDs into their computers and make copies of those films without the original encryption.

Source : http://www.nytimes.com

WUSC transmitting in high definition

• WUSC, USC's radio station, is now transmitting in high definition.
• A new solid-state transmitter was installed in late June, allowing WUSC to broadcast in analog as well as digital HD radio, said the station's engineer John George.'
• The brand-new HD2 channel began broadcasting January 11. There is no live DJ, but it runs automated from the WUSC transmitter inside the Russell House.

SOURCE: http://media.www.dailygamecock.com

XV-Z3100 : High Definition DLP Home Theater Front Projector from sharp

• The SharpVision XV-Z3100, is a 720p high-definition home entertainment solution that instantly transforms any room into a high-tech home theater.
  
• The XV-Z3100 features brightness (1000 ANSI Lumens) and a contrast level of 6500:1,
  
• The low fan noise of 29dB (in economy mode) ensures that the viewer won’t miss a minute of the film’s dialogue and special effects.
  
• Other features include I/P conversion, 3-2 pull down, Color Management System (C.M.S.), 3-step Bright Boost, a 12-volt trigger and an HDMI™ interface.
  
• The XV-Z3100 will be available in February for an MSRP of $2,699.99.

Direct TV planning for 100 HD channels

• At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show here last week, DirecTV boasted that it planned to launch 100 national HDTV channels this year.
• Direct TV prisdent Chase Carey mentioned “There is probably nothing more important in the next year than the high-definition agenda we have”.
• DirecTV already had signed deals, or agreements in principle, with more than 70 major networks.

Source : http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6407416.html

Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick for HD broadcast in your Laptop

Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick can be used to watch HDTV in your laptop.

• Watch live high quality digital HD and SD TV without service fees from anywhere on your laptop
  
• Break free and PlaceShift with the sleek USB 2.0 powered portable PCTV device
  
• Sit back and relax from afar with full remote control access
  
• The options are unlimited with full support for both analog (NTSC) and digital (ATSC) reception*
  
• Instantly transform your PC into a personal digital video recorder (DVR)
  
• Never miss a critical part of your favorite show again with pause, rewind and replay
  
• TimeShifting and automated digital recording of TV shows in SD and HD with Pinnacle MediaCenter and integrated Electronic Program Guide.
  
• Full support for Microsoft Media Center Edition environment
  
• Eliminate the guess work by automatically recording shows direct-to-DVD and/or in the destination file format of choice (i.e. iPod, PSP, DivX, etc.)
  
• Capture from most consumer devices with analog outputs (e.g. VCRs, camcorders, DVD players, etc.) and then edit and enhance with the included Pinnacle Studio QuickStart software

• Sony would enable most of its new televisions, including high-definition flat screens, to play video from the Internet.
• Sony unveiled the plan at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, said the drive to marry Internet and other digital video with traditional devices was part of a bid to showcase its four strategic growth areas: video gaming, digital imaging, high definition and mobile products.
• Starting early this year, Sony will equip its TVs with an attachable module that can stream broadband high-definition and other Internet video content such as programs from Time Warner Inc.'s AOL and Yahoo with the push of a remote control button.

Source : http://www.ciol.com

Dual format High def disc from Warner

• Warner Home Video introduced Total High-Def disc, a disc that will put an HD DVD-formatted movie on one side and a Blu-ray version on the other.
• Both formats use blue-laser diode technology to deliver greater capacity than standard-definition DVD, enabling the discs to store high-definition content.
• The disc includes the same specs offered by each format separately--for example, either a 25GB or 50GB Blu-ray movie on one side, and a 15GB or 30GB HD DVD movie on the other. The intention, according to Warner, is to keep the feature sets of both versions intact so that the viewer will get the same experience whether they watch the Blu-ray version or the HD DVD version.

Source : http://www.pcworld.com/

Combo Drive With 5X Bluray Reading introdued by Pioneer

• Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. announced the new BDC-202 combination Blu-ray Disc® BD-ROM computer drive with enhanced DVD and CD writing and reading capabilities.
• The newly designed Pioneer drive offers playback of BD-ROM discs allowing users to view Blu-ray Disc high definition programs directly on a properly configured computer. The Pioneer BDC-202 can play multiple Blu-ray Disc formats, as well as provide high-speed reading and writing of DVD and CD formats.
• With a focus on BD-ROM playback, the new Pioneer combination computer drive will be a significant contributor in the emergence of the Blu-ray Disc format for both professional and consumer use on computers. In addition to BD-ROM playback, the BDC-202 allows users to access and transfer A/V and data files rapidly to DVD and CD.

Source: http://www.dvd-recordable.org

broadband video module from Sony

• Sony has announced that the majority of its new flat-panel LCD TVs in 2007 will be able to accept an attachable module that can stream broadband video from partners including AOL Video in high-definition to TV screens.
• Unveiling Sony's first broadband video system, Sony Electronics president Stan Glasgow told the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: "While other companies struggle with standard definition, Sony has developed a scalable internet HDTV solution with some notable partners providing content."
• The attachable module—pricing will be announced in coming months—links the TV directly to a subscriber's broadband internet service provider, allowing broadband video to be accessed on the TV without a computer.

Source : http://www.dtg.org.uk

50GB HD DVD from Toshiba

• Toshiba has reportedly developed a new 50GB HD DVD disc format -- the world's first.
• A 50GB HD DVD would up the format's maximum dual-layer storage capacity by a cool 20GB, but more importantly, it would close the gap between HD DVD and Blu-ray.
• Blu-ray currently supports 50GB discs, which so far has been one of the primary tech advantages it holds over its rival.

Source : http://www.highdefdigest.com

HD Everio GZ-HD7 : World's First Full HD 1920x1080i Consumer Camcorder from JVC

• JVC expands its award-winning Everio hard drive camcorder family with the addition of the HD Everio GZ-HD7, a new high definition camcorder that provides full HD 1920x1080i video quality combined with the convenience of hard drive recording.
• Designed to enable consumers to conveniently capture and share their memories in full high definition without the need for removable tapes or discs, the HD Everio offers consumers the simplicity of a point-and-shoot camcorder combined with the features, technology and manual controls that appeal to the serious videographer.
• With a 60GB built-in hard drive the JVC HD Everio provides up to five hours of full HD 1920x1080i recording at a high 30Mbps(MAX) Mbps.
• To ensure the best possible image quality, it features three CCDs and a Fujinon lens.
• Also include optical image stabilization, a full array of manual controls, multiple digital connections, bundled editing and archiving software, and availability of an optional HD Everio SHARE STATION for easily transferring footage to disc.

You may want to visit http://biz.yahoo.com for complete news

SD-H903A: First Desktop HD DVD Writer from Toshiba

• Toshiba storage device division Division (SDD) today announced the world's first half-height HD DVD writer for desktop.
• Like Toshiba's slim-line HD DVD writer launched in 2006, the new SD-H903A provides read and write support for legacy formats, enabling users to enjoy existing CD and DVD material along with high-definition DVD content.
• In addition, consumers can capture content, edit home videos and create vast digital content repositories for movies, music and photos.

You may want to visit complete news in : http://www.hdtvmagazine.com

Plasma TV outnumbered by LCD

• Plasma TV suppliers outnumbered by the rival LCD camp, are expected to lose further ground as LCD TVs encroach on the 40-inch-class market, a plasma stronghold.
• It is technologically difficult and often costly for plasma makers to give a full high-definition function to models with a screen size of less than 50 inches, while LCD TV makers are aggressively promoting full HD models in that segment although prices are generally higher.
• In 42 inch segment, LCD TVs price coming down. By next year end, probably there will be no price difference between plasma and LCD TVs.
• It is expected LCD TV prices to fall 30 percent or more in 2007, compared with a decline of 15 to 20 percent for plasma TVs.

Link for full news : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15916808/