Radiopaq Announces Rp5 Internet Radio

Topic: Home Entertainment

The gang at Radiopaq has announced the Rp5 Internet radio that features a radio, DAB, and FM radio in one package. One feature the manufacturer is really promoting is a search function that seeks to fix the navigation of Internet radio channels, which is typically a big problem.

The search function is predictive and you can search by name, genre, country, or language. There is also a large searchable database of podcasts. You can pause radio and resume listening using the Radiopaq portal on the computer. Read more

Posted on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:54:23 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony Announces Bravia X4500 and W4500 HDTVs

Topic: Home Entertainment

This week Sony announced two new BRAVIA HDTV lines -- including the X4500 series and W4500 series. The X4500 series will have full 1080p HD picture quality, floating frame designs, and what Sony claims to be the best ever clarity, color, and contrast thanks to the BRAVIA Engine 2 Pro. The series also features Motionflow Pro 100 Hz technology in 46 and 55-inch models.

The BRAVIA W4500 series also features full HD 1080p resolution and innovative styling Sony says inspired by the new draw the line concept. The series features the BRAVIA Engine 2 for superior clarity, color, and contrast. The series also features Motionflow 100 Hz technology with image blur reduction. Read more

Posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:42:43 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony PlayTV Launch Date and Pricing Confirmed

Topic: Home Entertainment

Owners of the Sony PS3 have been waiting for a while now for PlayTV -- the set-top box accessory for the PS3 to launch. Spong now says that the actual release date for the PlayTV set-top box will be September 19th in Europe.

Interestingly, that is nine days after the date given by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves previously. The PlayTV will allow PS3 owners to watch and record digital TV. Those who also own a PSP will be able to shift the digital recordings over to their PSP from PlayTV directly. Read more

Posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:14:32 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Freesat Gets More HD Channels

Topic: Home Entertainment

Freesat has announced that it has new channels that will be added to the free service. One of the new channels that will be added will be Black Entertainment Television (BET UK). The service is also adding five additional channels.

The five other channels are Zone Horror + 1, Information TV, Kix!, Celebrity Shop, and Simply Shopping. All of the new channels will launch on the same day. Read more

Posted on Thu, 7 Aug 2008 19:02:12 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sony RHT-G500 Theatre integrated TV Stand

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sony announces the new RHT-G500 integrated TV stand, which fits into the line-up below the existing RHT-G900 and G1500, is designed for use with 32 to 40-inch TVs.

The RHT-G500 uses a 3.1-channel sound system, with center, left and right speakers and subwoofer built into the TV stand. Using S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, the RHT-G500 creates a soundfield that not only fills the room, but also envelops listeners in breathtaking surround sound effects. This means you enjoy great surround sound without rear speakers or messy wires. Read more

Posted on Tue, 5 Aug 2008 08:33:35 GMT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony BRAVIA DAV-IS50, HTD-890IS and HT-IS100 announced

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sony announces new BRAVIA Home Theatre components including the new DAV-IS50 featuring these tiny speakers known from the DAV-IS10 introduced last year.

The DAV-IS50 is a sleek and compact home theatre system, yet capable of amazing levels of performance, with a total of 450Watts of power to fill even large rooms with breathtaking surround sound.
Its gloss-black control centre combines a slot-loading DVD/CD/MP3 player with surround-sound processing and an RDS FM/AM radio tuner, in a unit just 21cm wide and a little over 10 cm tall. Hidden touch-sensor controls spring to life on the top panel when your hand moves to operate them, enhancing the unit’s uncluttered and elegant design. Read more

Posted on Mon, 4 Aug 2008 08:22:53 GMT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Panasonic Says 40-inch OLED TVs by 2011

Topic: Home Entertainment

Fans of flat screen HDTVs let out a collective gasp when Sony pulled the wraps off its XEL-1 OLED TV. The gasps were because the ultra thin TV was so cool and because despite the tiny 11-inch screen it still cost a lot of money.

Panasonic says that it expects to have 40-inch OLED TVs on the market by 2011. Panasonic is planning to invest a huge sum of money in a production facility that currently churns out LCD panels to change it to OLED production. Read more

Posted on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:34:33 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Revo iBLIK RadioStation gets iPod Dock

Topic: Home Entertainment

REVO Technologies announced its latest RadioStation today called the iBLIK RadioStation. The iBLIK is being called the world’s first one-box DAB/DAB+ and Internet radio to include full iPod dock functionality.

The device offers full DAB and DAB+ digital audio reception, FM tuner with RDA, Wi-Fi Internet radio access to over 11,000 stations and MP3 streaming from Mac or PC. The iBLIK also has full iPod features and can act as an alarm clock. Read more

Posted on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:56:36 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Sky and Universal Music Team Up for Online Music in UK

Topic: Home Entertainment

Sky is the largest pay TV provider in the UK and it announced that it was teaming up with the largest music publisher in the world, Universal, for an online music store. Sky will now compete directly against iTunes for the music lover’s money.

The service will require a monthly subscription says Tech Watch and users will be able to download unlimited tracks. Read more

Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:20:18 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Virgin Media TV Streams over 10.5 Million BBC Shows

Topic: Home Entertainment

In June Virgin Media launched a service that allowed viewers using its TV service to stream BBC programmes via the BBC iPlayer. Virgin Media has now announced that since the service launched more than 10.5 million shows have be watched via the service.

The 3.5 million Virgin media subscribers were the first to get full screen quality from the BBC iPlayer. "Our customers are using BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media to watch the BBC programmes they want when they want," said Malcolm Wall, chief executive of content at Virgin Media. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:00 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

2/3 of TVs in UK are Digital

Topic: Home Entertainment

Ofcom published figures recently that say 60 million TVs in the UK are digital, which is about 2/3 of all TVs in the country. The report takes into account those connected to cable, satellite, or digital terrestrial signals. While the US is set to move to digital broadcasts in 1009, the UK won’t make the change until 2012.

The Ofcom report also says that over 7 million digital TVs were purchased this year. The report also gave an idea of what users are watching on their TVs. Sky has the most watchers with 8.3 million homes viewing. Read more

Posted on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:57:54 GMT | by Shane McGlaun