There’s a funny article over at ExtremeTech written by Loyd Case detailing his latest home theater endeavors. Loyd decided to try out a new HDTV set - the Sony KDS-55A2020 - and in doing so, fell into the upgrade nightmare that I ran into earlier this year. You get a 1080p capable display and you end up wanting to go 1080p throughout the system. So Case went from just upgrading his television set to getting a new HD DVD player.. and then a new Blu-ray player.. and then finally, a whole new receiver in the form of the Onkyo TX-SR875.

Earlier this year, I went through nearly the same type of upgrade nightmare. I decided to get a new 1080p Samsung LCD HDTV monitor.. but in doing so, I realized I really should upgrade my receiver to support HDMI connections. Of course, now that I have a 1080p display, I’m looking into getting a new Blu-ray player (since I already have am HD DVD player in the form of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player). One upgrade begets another doesn’t it? Well enjoy the read!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Home Theater Madness, Home Theater Systems, ExtremeTech

As was expected, TiVo launched their new DVR product today called the TiVO HD (and not the TiVo Lite that some people thought it was going to be).  The new TiVo HD is basically an HD capable DVR system for the masses - “combining the clarity of high definition with the smart, easy-to-use TiVo Service”.  TiVo HD has the following key features.

• Intelligent search features - allows you to find a specific director, actor, player, or team. Perform WishList searches and TiVo will automatically record the HD version and place it in your Now Playing list
• Record movies in HD
• Download movies from the Internet. Select a classic or new release from an online selection, order it from your remote control and have it directly downloaded to the box
• Access your music library with your remote control by connecting the TiVo HD box to your home network
• Schedule an HD premiere - perform your TV scheduling from any computer when you are away from home. Just log into TiVo.com, click on the show, and you’re all set.

Here are the key specifications to TiVo HD (taken from the TiVo website).

Product Overview:

• Controls cable TV with Record, Pause, Rewind, and Fast-Forward in HD
• Records two HD channels at once, while watching another recorded show
• Records up to 20 hours in HD (or 180 hours in Standard Definition)
• Designed specifically for cable customers
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i

Product Features:

• Download thousands of movies directly to your TV
• Share home movies with your friends and family on their TV
• Get broadband videos, music and photos on your TV
• Schedule shows online
• Discover broadcast and broadband shows with universal Swivel Search
• Easily pre-approve what your kids watch with TiVo KidZone

Product Dimensions:

• 16.5″ W x 12.625″ D x 3.375″ H
• Weight: 12 lbs.

Product Specifications:

• Signal sources: Digital cable, Analog cable, Digital antenna (ATSC) and Analog antenna channels (satellite not supported)
• Outputs: HDMI, Component video, S-video, Composite video, Optical audio, Analog audio
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
• Inputs: Dual CableCARD support (2 slots), Cable coax, Antenna coax
• Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 ports (2), phone line, E-SATA
• Works with the TiVo Wireless G Network Adapter
• TiVo Series3 architecture

Comes with:

• TiVo HD box
• TiVo remote control
• Manual
• Quick Start guide
• Composite, Component, Power cables

If you have additional questions about the new TiVo HD box, check out the FAQ here. Here are some of the major tidbits that you’ll be interesting in:

• TiVo HD comes with a 160GB Hard Drive (expect that to be modded right away!)
• The box will sell for $299.99 MSRP
• It’ll be available from TiVo.com, Best Buy, Circuit City,and Amazon.com
• You can choose from 1,2, or 3  yr TiVo monthly or prepaid service plan. One year minimum service plan required
• You’ll need at least one CableCard or 2 CableCards to receive HD digital channels from your cable company
• Does not support satellite programming
• The TiVo Series3 is still the premium HD DVR with the larger HD, THX certification, front panel display, and a programmable back-lit remote control
• No support for TiVoToGo and Multi-Room viewing
• No HDMI cable included so make sure to buy one yourself

You can purchase the TiVo HD box right now here on TiVo’s website. The box is expected to ship in 14 to 21 days.

Finally, PC Magazine has already published a review of the unit here on their website. Their verdict is definitely a good one for TiVo as they’ve given the TiVo HD box their “Editor’s Choice” award stating:

Combining the best of the legendary simple-to-use TiVo interface with dual CableCARD readers and an affordable price (finally!), the new TiVo HD delivers the promise that the TiVo Series 3 HD made.

Folks - Say hello to TiVo’s savior - the TiVo HD box.

[Check it out via Krunker]

[Check out the PC Mag Review]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD, HD DVR, CableCard

It appears that someone at Shuttle has finally decided to fulfill my deepest desires for a small form factor PC - namely to have a barebones XPC system feature an HDMI output and support for HDCP. That’s right - that’s exactly what you get with the Shuttle XPC barebones system SG33G5M. This G5M based SFF beauty supports the latest Intel dual core and quad core processors and comes with a beautiful VFD display in the front. It screams “HTPC” all over and most of all, it comes with HDCP support which means you’ll be able to playback your protected high definition content on an HDCP enabled display. Right now, it appears the barebones system is available in Europe but you can bet the system should make it to the US sometime this year. There is a non VFD display Shuttle XPC with HDMI support here in the US but it’s a bit boring looking and it’s not clear whether it supports HDCP. Check out Krunker for additional information on this.

[Check it out via Krunker]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle, SG33G5M, HDMI with HDCP

The folks at Akihabara News are reporting that Sharp will be the first company to market a THX certified television set in the form of the Sharp T-series. The new LCD lineup will feature a 65 inch model and a 52 inch LCD. Features of the new Sharp LCD HDTV sets include:

• 350 cd/m2 brightness
• 2500:1 contrast ratio
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 120Hz ASV panels
• 3 - 1080p HDMI ports
• 1 - DVI port
• 2 - Firewire ports
• IrSS and Ethernet ports

The 65 inch (LV-65TH1) is expected to go for $11,599 while the 52 inch (LV-52TH1) is expected to sell for $6873.

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Sharp LCD TVs, T-Series, THX certified LCD

Those of you who played arcade games in the early 80’s have to remember Dragon’s Lair. That was absolutely one of the coolest interactive arcade games ever made in those days. Now thanks to the folks at Digital Leisure, owners of HD DVD players will be able to enjoy Dragon’s Lair in it’s full high definition glory. Dirk the Daring will be making his HD DVD debut this August and the game will feature:

• Full 1080p HD video
• Interviews with creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, and Rick Dyer
• Full length visual commentary of the game
• 5.1 audio

Dragon’s Lair on HD DVD will be playable on both the Xbox 360 HD DVD player as well as standalone HD DVD players. The disc will be available starting on August 15th at many game and movie retailers as well as at www.digitalleasure.com. The game is already available on Blu-ray format (which introduced earlier this year). Digital Leisure plans on following up the release with the release of Space Ace and Dragon’s Lair II: Time Warp - both in HD DVD format.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dragon\'s Lair, HD DVD, August 15th

Engadget is reporting that Hitachi will be introducing their first Blu-ray supporting video camcorders later this year. The new Wooo-branded camcorders will feature a 5.3 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of recording at full 1080p (1920 x 1080) and come with an integrated BD/DVD drive supporting 8cm discs. With an 8cm BD-RE/R media in place, the camcorder will be capable of recording up to 7GB of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video - roughly five times the amount of an 8cm DVD-RAM/RW/R disc.

[Check it out via Engadget]

Technorati Tags: Video Camcorder, Blu-ray

CrunchGear also reported on a new LG plasma display which debuted last week called the 50PY3D. This 50 inch beauty features 1080p support, Simple Link connectivity, three HDMI inputs, a USB media hub, integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners, and the latest VSB circuitry. The display comes with side speakers with micro-perforated speaker grills. The LG 50PY3D will come out in September for $3499.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG, 50PY3D, HDTV, 1080p, Plasma

Warner Home Video is planning to release a “Best Of” box sets for both HD DVD and Blu-ray high definition media formats. Each box set will include four film titles ranging from new releases to old classics with three different volumes available in each high definition format. Film titles include “Lethal Weapon”, “Training Day”, “The Last Samurai”, “Blazing Saddles”, and “Goodfellas”. The box sets are expected to go on sale for approximately $85 dollars. The Warner Home Video “Best Of” box sets are slated for release on September 18th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Warner Home Video, Best Of, HD DVD, Blu-ray

LG has announced a new LCD HDTV series called the LG LBX. The LBX features:

• New stylish design
• Glossy black finish (reminds us of the finish on Samsung LCD HDTV sets)
• 1080p support and 120Hz LCD panel with TruMotion technology
• Entire line features the Super IPS panel, XD Engine, and TruColor with 92 percent of the NTSC color spectrum

CrunchGear is reporting that the new LG LBX will appear in September with the following sizes - a 42 inch, a 47 inch, and a 57 inch set. Prices are $2499, $3299, and $4499 respectively.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG, LBX, HDTV, LCD Television

Rumors about a new TiVo Series3 “Lite” DVR have heated up recently as images and detailed specs have begun to appear on various websites such as the TiVo Community Forum. According to CNET’s Crave, rumors got even more heated when a new product page appeared on Buy.com’s website. Here’s what we know thus far in terms of rumored specs for the “Lite” system.

• BCM740x DVR CPU w/ integrated MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoders
• 1x dual MPEG-2 encoder (BCM7041 or possibly an encoder from LSI)
• 2x Samsung S5H1411-based tuners (analog/QAM/8VSB)
• 128Mb DDR SDRAM
• 160Gb SATA HD
• Smaller, lower-cost PCB
• Cheaper power supply
• No THX certification
• No OLED display
• Standard TiVo remote
• MSRP of $299

Quite honestly, the “Lite” system isn’t dramatically different from the regular Series3 box. The major changes have to do with the smaller hard drive, the lack of THX certification, no OLED display, and the use of a standard TiVo remote control. Yet the price is $299 - $500 dollars less than the regular Series3 price of $799.

Given that price differential, I’d gladly buy a TiVo Series3 “Lite” over a standard Series3 box.

[Check it out via Crave]

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Series3 Lite