Sony STR-DG820 AV Receiver announced in UK

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sony announces the top of the line Sony STR-DG820 AV Receiver.

Features of the Sony STR-DG820 include High Definition Audio decoding: Dolby True HD, dts Master Audio and eight-channel Linear PCM, HDMI v1.3 capability: four inputs, one output, with support for 1080p 24fps, Deep Colour/x.v. Colour, Complete system control via BRAVIA Sync HDMI connection, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for fast, simple and accurate automatic set-up, Digital Media Port connection for portable devices, plus Portable Audio Enhancer, Enhanced surround modes: Digital Cinema EX, plus Neural-THX® Surround, and 7x 100W amplification. Read more

Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:27:10 GMT | by Luigi Lugmayr

iTunes Movie Downloads Hit UK

Topic: Home Entertainment

Fans of downloading movies and TV shows in the U.S. have been able to get their fix directly from iTunes for a while now. Apple today launched film downloads in the UK. UK customers can now download films for £10.99 and rent them for £3.49.

The catch for many potential users of the service is that they can get the DVD hard copy version typically for about £1 less than the iTunes purchase price. At launch the service offers 700 movies for rent from many of the largest Hollywood studios. Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Jun 2008 13:39:08 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Says 27-inch OLED Coming

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sony was the first TV maker to get an OLED set to market. The problem was twofold though, the set was small at only 11-inches and it cost a fortune at about $2500. Sony CEO Howard Stringer broke the news of the 27-inch panel at a conference.

Stringer didn’t go into great detail only saying that Sony would have a 27-inch OLED TV on the market by May 2009. The rub is that Stringer is already preparing consumers for sticker shock by calling it expensive. Sony didn’t even call the XEL-1 expensive and it was by all accounts. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 May 2008 13:42:03 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

BT Vision Offers New Set Top Boxes

Topic: Home Entertainment

According to Pocket-lint BT Vision has ordered next generation set-top boxes and hopes that the new technology will add 2 or 3 million new subscribers to its service. The new box is a design from the Pace Group and can hold 80 hours of content.

The box also uses Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV middleware and features Nagravision conditional access technology. That last bit sounds like a way to keep kids from watching programs they aren’t supposed to. Read more

Posted on Wed, 14 May 2008 14:02:29 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft Announces Messenger TV

Topic: Home Entertainment

Microsoft has unveiled a new service for its MSN instant messaging service in Europe called Messenger TV. Content deals for the service are in place with multiple content partners including UK Channel 4.

Channel 4 will provide a range of clips up to 4 minutes long from over 20 of its most popular shows. Other content partners for the service include ITN, Reuters, National Geographic and record label EMI. Read more

Posted on Mon, 12 May 2008 14:55:06 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony PlayTV Reviewed

Topic: Home Entertainment

After some bandying about by Sony and Amazon on the release date, the Sony PlayTV is here to turn the PS3 into a DVR. Pocket-lint has reviewed the device and say that with its brief look PlayTV looks to be competitive with set top PVRs currently in use.

The good points were easy installation and an easy to use interface. Bad points are no series link support, no HD support and can’t record 2 programs at once. That last bit is a deal breaker for me; I routinely record 2 shows at once with my satellite DVR. Read more

Posted on Fri, 9 May 2008 14:32:12 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Apple Patents Wii Controller-like Remote for AppleTV

Topic: Home Entertainment

Apple is fond of filing patents on things that tend to get geeks all hot and bothered. Last time I saw an Apple patent it had something to do with a mobile game console. Today another patent application turned up for a Wii style remote for the AppleTV.

I have an AppleTV and that would make for a cool addition to a product just now becoming useful with the first day the DVD is out movie rentals. The filing is from way back in November of 2006 so we could be seeing it relatively soon. Read more

Posted on Thu, 8 May 2008 17:15:51 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Free Satellite TV Service Starts Across the UK

Topic: Home Entertainment

A new free satellite TV service has launched across the UK available to 98% of the home that can’t get programming via Freeview with a TV aerial. Freesat will carry 80 digital TV and radio channels with some free HD programmes with that number to increase by the end of 2008.

Among the programming offerings will be HD version of Planet Earth. To take advantage of the service users will need to buy a dish and set-top box plus cover installation. No monthly subscription fees will be charged. Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 May 2008 14:20:02 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

HANNSpree Starlight TV

Topic: Home Entertainment

HANNSpree has a new TV that fits well with its other out of the ordinary TV offerings. The small 15-inch LCD TV is called the Starlight Blue. The name for the TV comes from the diamond polycarbonate material that sparkles like stars.

The curved contours of the TV surround are to mimic the crescent moon and the crescent moon shapes on the TV are randomly lit to continue the theme of night sky. Spec wise the TV is not that great. Read more

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2008 14:32:49 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony to Double Production Capacity for BRAVIA LCD TVs to Meet European Demand

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sony announced that it was gearing up to double its production capacity for BRAVIA LCD HDTV sets to meet the high demand in Europe. The Sony Slovakia factory will see production rise from 2 million units at the end of fiscal 2007 to 4 million units by the end of 2008.

"Sales of BRAVIA(TM) are continuing to grow in double-digits in many countries across Europe. It is crucial to strengthen our supply chain from engineering and production to distribution within Europe in order to meet growing demand," says Fujio Nishida, President of Sony Europe. "The expansion in Nitra clearly demonstrates our determination to ensure that BRAVIA's excellent viewing experience is available to all our customers across Europe - East and West," he added. Read more

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:15:01 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

BenQ Adds W20000 and W5000 Projectors

Topic: Home Entertainment

BenQ announced a pair of new projectors today that both feature the exclusive BenQ Senseye technology and TI 1080p DLP DMD chipsets along with a HQV video processor. The BenQ W20000 retails for £2,499 inc. VAT and boasts a 20000:1 contrast ratio.

The W5000 has a 10000:1 contrast ratio and will retail for £1,399 inc. VAT. Both projectors have a brightness of 1200 lumens and have two HDMI slots ISFccc calibration controls and Panamorph lenses for full screen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:51:52 GMT | by Shane McGlaun