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No Copying From First Generation High-Def DVD Players

Here we go again...The very technology that was supposed to support media sharing between devices won't let us share! At least initially PC World is reporting. With the release looming for the first HD-DVD and Blu-ray disk movies, the first gen of HD DVD's will not be as consumer friendly as first thought and that just stinks. I'm already tired of this whole next-gen format war and it's barely begun. What good are all the cool gadgets if we can't utilize them to their fullest potential? Bring on the Ultra-Multi!

Besides the AACS copy protection issues, what this really all boils down to is we must have a new copyright protection act, one that's fair and balanced. Can't we all just get along?

Technorati Tags: hd-dvd, blu-ray disk, copy protection, dvd

MartinLogan Vista Floorstanding Loudspeaker Announced

A stellar performer at an exceptional price -- offering unparalleled sonic purity, precision, clarity, and openness

MartinLogan, the Loudspeaker Technology Company, announced today the introduction of the new Vista™ loudspeaker. The result of years of research, the new Vista™ hybrid electrostatic loudspeaker features advanced technological developments, dramatically reducing cabinet size and establishing new standards for efficiency, dynamics and precision in a floor-standing loudspeaker.

Vista's™ Features Include:

* XStat™ Electrostatic Transducer featuring:

* Ultra-Rigid AirFrame™ Technology

* Advanced Vacuum Bonding

* MicroPerf Stators

* ClearSpar™ technology

* CLS™ (Curvilinear Line Source)

* High-Resolution 8-inch Aluminum Cone Woofer

* Precision Performance Crossover Engineering

Incorporating ultra-high-resolution XStat™ and AirFrame™ technologies originally developed for the Summit speaker, Vista is capable of an exceptionally dynamic and realistic performance. An aluminum cone woofer, super-dense compact cabinet, Energy Transfer Coupler spikes, and bi-wirable toolless binding posts further reinforce Vista's high-end pedigree. The result? A stellar performer at an exceptional price.

[via eCoustics.com]

Technorati Tags: martinlogan, speakers, home audio, home theater

Review: One For All Kameleon Remote Control

Designtechnica has reviewed the One For All Kameleon Remote Control:

The Kameleon remote control, made by One For All, is one of the best remote controls out there. This is a dynamic controller with a changing overlay that displays controls for whatever device you’re using. You can switch among eight devices and control them individually. The Kameleon should be considered by anyone with a lot of home theater or home audio equipment; it will give you a more enjoyable movie watching experience. Besides, you’ll almost never have to leave the couch again.

Features and Design

When inactive, the Kameleon remote sits on your table as a mysterious blue device. When you pick it up, it automatically turns on. Immediately, bright, crisp controls pop up and the selected device will be animated. You’re then free to use the remote. When you’re done, just place it on a flat surface, wait a second, and the remote turns off. This feature is not only great for party tricks, but helps conserve the 4 AAA batteries needed to power it.

How long do the AAA batteries last? It depends on how you use the Kameleon remote. The above-mentioned feature can be turned off so that the remote doesn’t turn on until pressed, or it can be on all the time. If you decide to use the motion-sensing feature, take care of the remote by putting it on a side table. Putting the remote on your sofa, where it will turn on every time you plop down to watch TV, is a bad idea. However, if you use this remote carefully, you’ll find yourself getting over a month of use from the batteries.

Read full review

Technorati Tags: remote control, one for all, kameleon remote, universal remote control

Review: Onkyo TX-SR603X 7.1-channel Receiver

Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi has reviewed the Onkyo TX-SR603X...Here's an excerpt...

The budget home theater market is a crowded group, with a lot of decent choices for under $500 MSRP. So it is not surprising that manufactures are packing as much into each receiver as they can. Case in point, the new $499 TX-SR603X receiver from Onkyo. This receiver comes packed with a specified 90 watts per channel, automatic calibration with multi-band EQ, and multiple crossover points.

If those features were not enough to entice you, the fine folks at Onkyo also threw in a learning remote with macros, decoding for most surround formats, and for the technophiles among us, iPod and satellite radio control. It seems the only thing they missed was a full set of pre-outs for all channels.

To make up for that, there is the ability to have a powered second zone by easily reconfiguring the rear surround channels. Three years ago, when I purchased my Marantz SR5300 at $499, most of those options were saved for the high end receivers. Now they are standard even on the low priced units. Isn't trickle down technology great! Read the full review

Technorati Tags: home theater, home audio, onkyo, a/v receiver

Cinema Blend Launches TV Blend

Cinema Blend, an outstanding movie review web site has launched TV Blend covering what else but just what the name says...television. Make sure to check out their weekly what to watch column, The Clicker.

Technorati Tags: cinema blend, tv blend, television, the clicker

I Want My HDTV For Free!

I would love to receive my local HD channels for free but, since I live in a rural high desert community of northern Los Angeles county, I'm too far away from the transmitter towers on Mt. Wilson to receive them. There's also no Cable TV service in my area. Heck, I'm lucky to be getting DSL! I've often thought about erecting a large tower with a TV antenna just to test the signal but I haven't so in the mean time, I continue to subscribe to DirecTV's HD package for about $10 a month even though they don't carry all of the Los Angeles local channels in HD, at least the 4 major networks are represented.

Do you want your HDTV for free? I bet you do! Did you know that in many areas, using an old TV antenna, which many of you may still have on your roof, is all you need to receive your local HD broadcast channels? It's true! The same technology thats been around since the early days of TV is still being use today. Not only that, the High Definition picture it can pull in will be better than any other you've seen on Cable or Satellite. The reason? Because the 8VSB signal doesn't need the high digital comression that Cable & Satellite use to squeeze more channels into the 6MHz of bandwidth normally used by one channel. You also won't have to worry about a cable outage or rain fade on your satellite dish.

A great place to find out what HD channels are broadcast in your local market is AntennaWeb.org. It will even give you advice on which type of antenna will work best for you based upon your address. It's a great resource.

If you're new to HDTV and you're wondering what all the buzz is about, check out "A Consumers Guide To The Wonderful World of HDTV" published by the Consumer Electronics Association. HDBeat also has a great article, on receiving HD over the air, "OTA HD demystified".

Technorati Tags: hdtv, hd, high definition, antenna, cable, satellite, ota

HOW TO: Build a Quiet Home Theater PC

Here's another DIY Home Theater PC project, this one is quiet!

[via MAKE]

Sneak Peak: New HD-DVD Cases

I'm sure you've just been going crazy wondering about the new HD-DVD packaging...Right?...No? Well I hadn't given it much thought either but here it is just in case you care.

It appears that Seastone Media Group from Provo, Utah won the bid last year to provide the red, tinted translucent cases for all new HD-DVD releases slated to launch March 28th. "The marketplace, and our customers specifically, wanted a unique-looking case that was highly differentiated from a traditional, typical black DVD case — a smaller profile and a high-tech look to match the high-tech image of high definition," said Seastone President and CEO Warren Osborn.

[via Deseretnews.com]

Sony Unveils New Grand WEGA 3LCD Micro-Display TV Line

The new line, which features 46, 50 and 55-inch models, is designed for those looking for a big-screen HDTV experience, along with exceptional value.

Sony's new 3LCD micro-display television line features the same exceptional picture quality and performance that has led to it being number one in the category, which, as of March 13 has reached close to 59 percent (dollars) and 55 percent (units) according to The NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market tracking firm.

The new models feature Sony's WEGA Engine(TM) video processing system, which reduces digital video artifacts and Cinema Black Pro for deep black image reproduction.  Additionally, the models offer two HDMI inputs and a high-definition front component input for HDV camcorders.  They are capable of receiving a WXGA PC signal via HDMI inputs with a DVI to HDMI adapter cable (sold separately).

The KDF-55E2000 and KDF-50E2000 units will ship early this summer for about $3,000 and $2,500, respectively, while the KDF-46E2000 model will be available in mid-summer for about $2,200.

[via PRNewswire]

Ars Technica: Introduction to IPTV

IP is where it's at and that's where I want to be...If only Verizon would offer FiOS to my little rural community...I can dream right? Just in time for some relief from reading the disappointing MovieBeam reviews, we can all learn about the future of Digital Television, IPTV. Read!

[via HD Beat]