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I'll be the first to admit that working out indoors sucks. Compared to the distractions of the outdoors, being stuck in front of a television set while exercising can be dreadful.
However, Panasonic is showing off a new "Family Wellness Solution" that looks like fun. Well, as fun as exercising inside can be.
Sure, some HDTVs are boasting dynamic contrast ratios of 500,000:1. Be prepared to be humbled. Lens giant Carl Zeiss has developed a projector that blasts that number into the stratosphere.
The new powerdomeVELVET Planetarium Projector has a contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1. Yup — that's the right number of zeros. It uses BrilliantColor DLP technology from Texas Instruments to provide a stellar black backdrop.
Want one for your home theater?
Before they've even hit the market, Panasonic seems to have doubts about the viability of OLED TVs. They don't have an OLED on the market, but they were working on one.
CNET is reporting from Ceatec 2008 in Japan that Panasonic's AVC Networks President said currently OLED TVs will not be made greater than 30-inches in size, and the technology is still not suitable for mass manufacturing. He has stated previously that mass production of OLED could be as far off as 2015, and could be even further from becoming a reality.
Why the delay?
It kind of makes sense. If a rear projection TV works by reflecting an image onto a fixed screen, why can't you put any size screen in front of it?
It happened to one man. He had a 50" Sony rear projection set. Shortly after buying it, it just didn't seem big enough. So, this enterprising do-it-yourself-er took it upon himself to create a huge home theater, right in his basement. For the cost of a rear projection screen ($350 from HTDepot) and some basic wood, hardware, and velvet (come on, what theater is complete without velvet curtains?) he had a stunning theater, that he could probably have made as big as possible.
How did he do it?
LG has an interesting view of the future of mobile phones. According to a report on Gizmodo, LG voiced their opinion on convergence at a meeting in London.
While showing off their new KC-910 phone, they're implying that there's nothing stopping mobile phones from taking over the digital camera industry. This new phone, dubbed Renoir, has an 8MP camera, xenon flash, with VGA/30fps video.
Why else does LG think that mobile phones will absorb other markets?
TiVo is looking at improving their user interface. Lord knows that with so many new features, they have to develop an easier way to let you find everything.
The new interface, that's in focus-group testing, has features such as ads on top of the main menu screen, perhaps a way to appease advertisers who feel TiVo lets users skip their high-dollar advertisements.
What else is in the sneak peek?
Nothing like beating a dead horse, but Toshiba has just released version 4.0 software updates for their HD DVD players. Umm . . . Does someone want to tell them the format isn't really around anymore?
Granted, there are a lot of players out there, and folks who bought them bought movies, and sure, they should be able to play them forever.
What's this update fix, and which players does it address?
Continue reading "Toshiba's HD DVD Updates: Too Little Too Late?" »
There are so many ways to interface between your home entertainment system and your home computer. The lines between the two are disappearing, but one product seemed to be stuck firmly on the entertainment side. The DVR seemed to only exist in the entertainment console, unless you could work things out with MythTV, Beyond TV, or Windows Media Center.
Until now.
Nero has a new system that will turn a Windows PC into a TiVo. Not just a DVR, TiVo-esque product, but full-on, licensed by TiVo, complete with the curvy remote you know and love. Called LiquidTV, it has the same program guide and interface, but it can also record to DVD or export to portable video devices.
There are two versions of Liquid TV. What's the difference?
Those "For Your Consideration" movie screeners are turning Blu. You know, the movies sent to members of the Academy so they can view them before voting for the Oscar winners? You didn't really think they expected voting members to see every single movie in the theater, did you?
In the past, Academy members received DVDs of movies to consider for awards. Warner Bros. is doing something a bit different this season. They've sent letters to all members of the Academy giving them the option of a Blu-ray of the Batman sequel, The Dark Knight. They can also receive the usual watermarked DVD of the title.
What are other studios doing?
No one can deny that earbuds are everywhere. You can't see a walker or kid on the train without the ubiquitous white cords going up to their ears. Ever try to pass a jogger, announcing your presence behind them, only to realize they have no clue you're there, no matter how loud you shout?
Two new devices were recently reviewed in The New York Times that battle the noise-blocking problem, plus the problem that many people have with earbuds — they just don't fit in some folks' ears.
The first product is rather interesting. Audio Bones look like traditional headphones with small earbuds. They have a wrap-around band that goes around the back of your head. But, instead of the attached earpieces fitting in your ears, they go against the bones in front of your ears, transducing the sound through the bones instead directly to the eardrum. Like we said . . . interesting.
How do they sound?
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