I love it. At some point in the next few years the line between TV and Internet machine will be significantly blurred. Adding to the haziness today is Sony. They’ve announced that their Internet Video-capable BRAVIA TVs and those with the Internet Video Link module will be able to stream Netflix’s 12,000+ movies and TV shows. Like the current Xbox system as well as the Roku player, users will need to create their Instant Queue using a computer, but since the Xbox is set to release an update to their Netflix player that allows users to add movies on the fly, what’s to stop Sony from adding the very same feature in the future, aside from the lack of keyboard. Expect the Netflix feature to hit a Sony TV near you this fall and keep your fingers crossed for some PS3 integration.
It’s not secret that Vizio has become the 500 pound gorilla in the room. They went from being perceived as the Costco ‘cheapo brand’ to the best selling flat panel TV manufacturer in the last few years. And now they’re stepping up their game by integrating a number of Internet Apps into their soon to be released high performance XVT HDTV range. The WiFi enabled sets will be able to stream content from Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Showtime, Vudu, Netflix, Pandora and Rhapsody and access web content on sites such as eBay, Facebook, RadioTime, Revision3, Rallypoint Sports and Twitter. The sets will also support Adobe Flash and Yahoo’s Widget engine to access additional Internet related apps and more robust content.
Available in sizes ranging from 32 to 55-inches, the 2009 Vizio XVT TV line up will also include a robust Bluetooth remote control with a full slide out QWERTY keyboard that should make navigating the the wide array of Internet apps a breeze. Vizio has also managed to squeeze in 120hz and 240hz refresh technology as well as TruLED and Smart Dimming features (select models) to produce an even better picture.
Expect select sets to arrive this July with others rolling out in September, October and November. Pricing starts at $749 but check the press release after the ‘leap’ for the full price and release break down.
It’s probably fair to say that the LCD Photo Frame business has reached a laggard level of adoption – even my girlfriend’s 60 year old parents have one in their kitchen. Today, Kogan added to the clutter with the introduction of their 8-inch LCD photo frame. It sports a 8-inch 800×600 LCD and the always useful WiFi to display what is an endless array of photos via email, RSS feeds and the popular social networking sites. They’ve even got an iPhone app that allows easy uploading of photos and they’re reports that you can get the all encompassing Twitter on this thing. It includes a remote that stores neatly in the stand. Available July 10th for about $135 (listed at $169 AU).
Personally, I prefer Conan’s ‘Twitter Tracker‘ to stay abreast of celeb Twitter news.
Until now, all of the USB monitors we’ve laid our eyes on have been no larger than about 10-inches. Samsung’s latest, the LD220, which I assume is 22-inches in size, includes a D-Sub and USB video input making it ideal for laptops, which often have no more than one video port to spare. No word on a price or street date, but some of the other specs include a 5ms response, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 30,000:1 contrast ratio.
Update: Looks like LaptopMag played with these in January and says that the 22-inch sports a 1920×1080 resolution and thanks to Samsung’s Ubisync can daisy chain up to 6 monitors.
Based on the design prowess, or lack there of this LCD monitor from Samsung, I think it’s safe to say that the consumer electronics company is cutting back on R&D. Embedded at the top of the 24-inch VC240 monitor is a 5 megapixel webcam that can capture 720p video at 30fps. Great if you wanna snap some self portraits, but 720p streaming, I don’t think so, at least not yet. My VoIP jargon is a little rusty, but from the sounds of it this monitor has its very own built-in VoIP hardware, although its not clear if you can just plug in an Ethernet cord sans computer and dial out. The monitor specs include 1920×1080 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time and DVI input. Street date is pegged for this Fall for $1,999.
Toshiba officially unveiled two new LCD TVs today, the REGZA SV670 and ZV650. Both sets boast a the enhanced REGZA Engine with PixelPure 5G 14-bit video processing, Resolution+ super resolution technology, USB inputs, 4x HDMI ports and Toshiba’s 240hz technology, which combines 120 frames per second with advanced backlight scanning to produce what Toshiba says is an ‘amazing picture clarity with fast-motion video that is perfect for sports enthusiasts and action movie buffs’. Personally, I hate the look of the increased refresh rate; it’s like watching a cheap video. The SV670 is the superior of the two sets since it features LED backlighting and local dimming, that is said to produce ultra deep blacks and a 2m:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
The SV670 will be available in sizes 46-inch and 55-inch, while the ZV650 will come in 42-inch, 47-inch and 55-inch sizes. Both sets go on sale this month and start at $2,299.99 and $1,299.99 respectively.
LCD Photo frames have become pretty common place these days. So how do you mix it up? Simple, you grab a SilverFrame Advanced Digital Picture Frame from SilverPac. It does all the usual LCD Photo frame things, such as connect with websites over WiFi to display photos, plus it includes the standard connectivity options such as Bluetooth and USB inputs.
But what separates this handsome 10.1-inch touchscreen LCD photo frame from the pact is that it runs Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and has a Freescale processor with 512MB of RAM and 1GB of flash storage under the hood. So you can access email, IM applications and just about any website your heart desires. It sure is pretty, but unfortunately SilverPac is looking to license the design. So until then you’ll have to stick with your run of the mill LCD photo frame.
LG officially announced the retail availability of their LH55 series LCD TVs today. The 47-inch version has been available on Amazon since March, but you can now purchase the 37-inch, 42-inch and 55-inch for f $1,399.95, $1,799.95 and $3,899.95, respectively. This particular series boasts LG’s TruMotion 240Hz with unique scanning backlight technology that improves picture response time, which significantly reduces motion blur.
LG announced the world’s thinnest LCD displays today. Available in a 42-inch and 47-inch flavor, the sets are just 5.9mm thick, which to put it in perspective is about half, yes half the thickness of the current iPhone. The almost wafer thin build is accomplished using edge-lit LED backlights, which places the light source at the display’s edge as opposed to behind it. The pay off or sacrifice is perhaps a less brilliant image or shittier contrast ratio compared to traditional back lighting schemes. Weight for the 42-inch set is just 13.42lbs and for the 47-inch 16.06lbs – damn that is ultra light. Features include 120hz refresh rate, 450 cd/m2 brightness and a 10-bit LCD panel. Availability, official model name and price have yet to be announced.
Scott Walker clearly has a penchant for mixing the old with the new, and what better way to exemplify this than with a modded newspaper vending machine. He started by buying one of the coin operated machines off eBay for $100, spruced it up and then stuffed a 17-inch LCD monitor and Mac Mini inside. He then wrote an Applescript that is triggered by an iCal alarm, which grabs the newspaper and crops the images accordingly. Check the video below for a quick demo.
