HD
JL Audio Fathom f212 subwoofer
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Well known to car audio enthusiasts, JL Audio subwoofers set a high standard in clean, deep bass reproduction. So it’s not surprising that when they turn their attention to home audio the results are just as impressive. Enter the Fathom f212 dual 12-inch subwoofer. It employs JL Audio’s new 12W7 subwoofer drivers, boasting the most powerful and refined motor system JL Audio has ever used on a 12-inch woofer. The result is even greater output and accuracy than the single 12-inch Fathom subs in the range. Read More
Belkin's FlyWire provides wireless HD AV
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Available from January 2009, Belkin’s FlyWire wirelessly delivers uncompressed 1080p True Cinema HD content from Blu-ray players, receivers, video-game consoles, and set-top boxes to HDTVs and projectors. FlyWire operates in the open 5GHz band, and intelligently manages its own connection, adjusting frequency and power to avoid interference. Read More
Sharp AQUOS DX Series LCD TVs feature integrated Blu-ray recorders
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October 22, 2008 Sharp's new 16-model AQUOS line-up is the first series of LCD TV's in the world to be equipped with built-in Blu-ray Disc recorders. Ranging in size from 26-inch to 52-inch, the all-in-one DX Series design means there's no cords cluttering the back of your TV stand and viewing, disc-playing and recording can be simply controlled using one remote. Read More
Wireless HDMI solution from Gefen
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Cords and wires are the bane of any technophile’s existence. They are a pain to set up and inevitably form an unruly tangle that's just plain messy. The introduction of HDMI went a long way to reducing the unsightly clutter running from behind the lounge room AV set up by combining high definition sound and video in one convenient cable. But now connectivity solutions company Gefen has gone one step further with their Wireless for HDMI Extender, which comprises a local sender unit which is paired to a receiver unit at a remote location. Read More
Philips’ next generation Aurea LCDs
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Philips is rolling-out its 2008 Aurea LCD TV range with new 37” and 42” models boasting an improved in refresh rate of 2ms (compared with 3ms for previous models), a contrast ratio 30000:1, plus the latest versions of the company's Perfect Pixel HD Engine and Active Frame technology. Read More
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR shoots full HD video
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Only a few short weeks ago we heralded Nikon's HD video ready D90 as a landmark "first of many all-in-one imaging devices" that pack the combination of processing technology and quality lenses necessary for capturing BOTH still images and video of the highest standards... and we haven't needed to wait long for the next mouth-watering installment. Canon's EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera not only features a full frame (24 x 36mm), 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, low noise, extended sensitivity range, improved performance in tricky light conditions, two different file size options for shooting in RAW format and a host of other impressive specs, it also captures HD video at an unprecedented 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 fps. Read More
VUDU streaming movies for 99 cents
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VUDU enables users with high-speed broadband to get instant access via their TV to video entertainment including 1080p HD movies and television shows. Now the company is offering a summer special, which will see customers rent one of 99 films for just US$0.99. Read More
Sony's X4500 and W4500 HD TVs
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Sony has announced the BRAVIA X4500 and W4500 series wide screen LCD TVs with full HD 1080p resolution and DLNA connectivity. The X4500 is available in 40-inch, 46-inch, and and an 8-speaker 55-inch model, all of which feature the BRAVIA ENGINE 2 PRO for filtering, cleaning and optimizing image data before it’s displayed. Read More
CMI's SYVIO-200 HD Player
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After Popcorn Hour made their networked media tank (the A-100), a Chinese company named CMI produced what looks like their own copy of the product – the SYVIO-200 HD Player. In fact, the model number A-100 was accidentally left in the SYVIO-200 specifications on CMI's web site (which were clearly copy/pasted from Popcorn Hours website). Read More
Popcorn Hour's A-110 Networked Media Tank
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AV enthusiasts need never leave the couch again with the aid of the Popcorn Hour A-110 networked media tank. The A-110 is a combination of a digital media player, network attached storage and a media server. Supporting a mammoth list of all the latest video and audio formats, the A-110 includes HDMI v1.3a for playing full 1080p video, and S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio. Retailing at USD$215, the A-110 is within reach of most home entertainment budgets, and is leaving the Apple TV for dead.
Hitachi announces updated Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder
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Hitachi's new has Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder can record onto either Blu-ray Disc, Hard Drive or SDHC format and promises a number of notable improvements from its predecessor such as a seven megapixel CMOS image sensor, face detection, image stabilization and longer recording time. Read More
Canon's new VIXIA camcorders record at AVCHD's maximum 24Mbps
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August 8, 2008 Canon today introduced three new camcorders in their VIXIA range, each capable of recording Full HD (1920 x 1080) to internal storage or an SDHC card at 24Mbps - the highest possible quality that the AVCHD format allows. The VIXIA HF11 features an internal 32GB flash drive, while the HG20 and HG21 pack 60GB and 120GB hard drives respectively - at the cost of a larger frame. Read More
How to choose the right speakers for your amplifier or AV receiver
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August 4, 2008 Of all the equipment we use in our hi-fi and home theater systems, the thing that’s changed the least over the past 20 years is the speaker. After all, there’s only so many ways you can move air to produce sound. With that in mind, matching speakers to an amplifier should be easy, right? Well...it’s not rocket science, but there are a few key specifications that affect their overall performance. Our AV expert Tim LeFevre explains. Read More
Dell shipping their 24-inch, HDMI-equipped S2409W LCD monitor
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July 30, 2008 Dell's new 24-inch LCD monitor has an HDMI input and a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, making it a perfect fit for Blu-ray and video game consoles. Read More
Industry leaders back AMIMON's Wireless Home Digital Interface technology
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July 25, 2008 AMIMON, Hitachi, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony have formed an interest group to develop a standard for multi-room connectivity using AMIMON's Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) technology. Read More
Batman Begins now available on Blu-ray
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Directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento) with Christian Bale as Batman, Batman Begins saw a much needed return to the darker feel of the comics and Tim Burton's 1989 film. This week sees the release of the film on Blu-ray, in standard and limited editions. Read More
What's new in high-definition content? (July 1, 2008)
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Hard up for high-definition content? July 1 sees the release of 10 movies (and a TV series) on Blu-ray, and those of you with HD DVD players could try this list of 20 HD DVDs available for under $12 each including Aeon Flux and Tomb Raider. Read More
What's new in high-definition content?
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Hard up for high-definition content? Amazon has opened pre-orders for Transformers on Blu-ray, and knocked at least 30% off the price of the eight Blu-ray movies released this week - including Persepolis, The Spiderwick Chronicles and 10,000 B.C. Read More
Sony HDR-CX12 Camcorder automatically snaps smiling faces
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Billed as the world's first high-definition camcorder with both "Smile Shutter" and face detection technologies, Sony's HDR-CX12 Memory Stick Handycam camcorder automatically takes a 10 megapixel still photo when it encounters a smiling face - even when in standby mode. Due for release in August at an estimated price point of USD$900, the compact 2.8" x 5.3" x 2.8" camera records full 1920 x 1080 HD video onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) media cards and boasts a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens, a built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround and image stabilization. Read More
Panasonic launches new Blu-ray/DVD range
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The DMR-BW500i can record up to 72 hours of Full High Definition 1080p recording onto the built in 500GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or 6 hours 40 min on a 50GB double layer Blu-ray Disc. In addition to video, it can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound broadcasts and Blu-ray movies are played in studio-master quality at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Read More
JVC announces three new Everio camcorders
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JVC has announced three new models for their Everio range of HD camcorders - the entry-level GZ-HD10, the GZ-HD30 and the GZ-HD40. All three models feature a newly-developed CMOS sensor, JVC's first departure from the CCD array. Read More
What's new in high-definition content?
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Hard up for high-definition content? HD Cheaply brings news of 10 HD DVDs available for under $10, the Blu-ray Starter Set and all three seasons of Weeds available on Blu-ray starting at $20. Read More
Sony announce Qore - an interactive HD gaming program for the PS3
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Sony has announced Qore, a monthly, interactive gaming program shot in HD and distributed via the PlayStation Network. Qore will feature exclusive news, interviews and previews along with bonuses like exclusive access to beta tests, demos, and downloadable content. Read More
82-inch, ultra-HD display heads Samsung's SID line-up
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May 20, 2008 Samsung has showcased an ultra-high definition, (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), 82-inch LCD panel for 120Hz television sets at the Society for Information Display (SID) 2008 International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition which is running from May 18 to 23 in Las Vegas. The world’s largest LCD panel supplier said the panel uses a red/green/blue LED backlight, which has been added to raise true color saturation to 150 percent, based on the NISC standard of 100 percent. It displays ultra-definition (UD) resolution at 120 frames per second, minimizing the blurring that is sometimes experienced at 60Hz. Read More
Each frame a 35-megapixel photo: JVC develops next-gen Super Hi-Vision
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May 9, 2008 1080p high definition might be well and good for your average lounge room TV screen, but cinema projectors need to offer something vastly more impressive if the movies are going to continue to offer a bigger, clearer and more impressive viewing experience than your average cashed-up punter can now get at home. The new ultra-high res standard would now appear to be set with Super Hi-Vision: 7,680 pixels across by 4,320 pixels high (approximately 32-megapixel images) - and JVC have now released a display device capable of showing 35 megapixels at once. The 8K4K JVC D-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier) has a resolution more than 17 times the level of standard HDTV, and is now the highest-resolution projection display device on the planet. Read More
Pioneer releases BonusView Blu-Ray Disc Player and Elite A/V receiver
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May 8, 2008 Pioneer has announced the Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray Disc players and Elite SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH A/V receivers designed to give users that true theater experience in their own homes. The Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc players support next generation high resolution audio and video formats, feature picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform. The new players work in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and new Elite A/V receivers. Read More
New low cost HD camcorder from DXG USA
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April 29, 2008 Joining DXG USA’s previously reviewed DXG-566V low cost HD camcorder is the new, almost equally low priced DXG-569V HD. Like its stable mate the DXG-569V HD sports a 5 Megapixel CMOS sensor with still images interpolated up to 8 Megapixel resolution, records HD video up to 1280 x 720 in H.264, MOV file format at 30fps but changes the form factor to an slim, vertical design. In addition, the DXG-569V HD also features a digital voice recorder and it can also can be used as a mass storage device by connecting it to a PC via USB2.0 to copy and back-up files from the computer to the camcorder’s SD Card. Read More
New high performance laptop line from 1 Beyond
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April 22, 2008 Digital video editing and compositing systems provider 1 Beyond has introduced the industry’s first laptop featuring Intel quad-core desktop processors with RAID 5 protection, optimized for HD video and graphics production, as well as two new rugged laptops designed to meet the extreme demands of in-field military personnel, public safety personnel and traveling professionals. Read More
Meridian releases MF10 High-Def Projector
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March 17 , 2008 High-end projector specialists Meridian has released its latest high-definition video projector, the MF10, which offers extraordinary black reproduction capability, with 30,000:1 native contrast ratio achieved without the use of a dynamic iris, thus ensuring true black reproduction without loss of brightness. Read More
Sony’s TP2 - the living room PC
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March 6, 2008 The Sony VAIO is a fully functioning PC that integrates HDMI connectivity, a bundled HD TV tuner and Blu-ray playback capability to turn a HD TV into a high definition PC monitor and form the hub of digital entertainment in the home. Read More
It's official: HD DVD is dead
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Toshiba has officially announced what was only a matter of time - the discontinuation of their HD DVD businesses. They have already begun reducing shipments of HD DVD players and recorders, and expect the phase out to be complete by March. Read More
HD DVD vs Blu-ray: The Endgame
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The last week has seen multiple nails added to the HD DVD coffin, with official price drops, extended Amazon clearance sales, and both Netflix and Best Buy announcing they have made the decision to back Blu-ray as the HD format of choice. Read on for a brief history of the HD format war, recent developments, our advice to consumers, and more bargains. Read More
HD DVD, Blu-ray bargains at Amazon
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Amazon has launched a massive HD DVD sale
Solar powered TrailerCam monitors construction site progress in HD quality
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January 17, 2008 EarthCam's solar-powered TrailerCam is designed as an an eco-friendly solution for monitoring construction sites. Together with Control Center 7 software, the appliance provides HD images that allow project managers to monitor site progress live from a remote location, archive footage for dispute resolution and online promotion, as well as proving a viable telecommuting option for professionals working on the jobsite. Read More
SanDisk launches high-definition video card line for digital camcorders
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January 14, 2008 SanDisk were busy at CES 2008 and among the announcements was the release of a line of Flash memory based high performance video cards for use in digital camcorders. The SanDisk Video HD cards will be available in SDHC (high capacity) and Memory Stick PRO Duo formats, and will be identified not only by capacity, but also by minutes of recording time. Designed to overcome the problems consumers face in estimating just how much recording time is available from various resolution settings, the SanDisk Video HD card packaging offers a chart that shows the approximate number of minutes for HD High, HD Standard and HD Extended settings. Read More
