If you’re looking for a way to up-convert virtually any standard digital or analog source into HD quality video (720p, 1080i, and 1080p), then you might be interested in Key Digital Systems new KD-VPHD3 video/audio processor. The processor is the latest addition to Key Digital Systems’ popular Hot Rod Series of video and audio products.

Features of the KD-VPHD3 include:

• Acts as a universal distribution center for any HDMI or component video source
• Full HD 1080p output
• Supports HDMI 1.3
• Individual customization of the aspect ratio, brightness, contrast, hue, edge enhancement, and image position for every input source
• Up-scales and deinterlaces input video
• Supports VGA input as well

The Key Digital Systems KD-VPHD3 is available now for an MSRP of $2000.

Technorati Tags: Key Digital Systems, KD-VPHD3, Audio/Video Processor

The Xbox 360 Elite console is no longer the only Xbox 360 console with an HDMI connector. Microsoft has confirmed that newly manufactured Xbox 360 Premium systems will also have the HDMI connector built right in. This means that the primary differences between the Elite console and the Premium console will be the 120GB hard drive vs. the 20GB hard drive and the Elite’s black chassis vs. the Premium’s white chassis. There are still plenty of older Xbox 360 Premium consoles out there so make sure to look at the box before you purchase a new Premium system. Premium consoles with HDMI will have an HDMI logo right on the box.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360 Premium, HDMI

(republished from Krunker.com)

Fans of the high end Sony ES line of receivers will be happy to hear that they have introduced three new models to the ES line. The new receivers are the STR-DRA5300ES, the STR-DA4300ES, and the STR-DA3300ES. These new models are fully compatible with the latest audio formats such as Dolby Digital +, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio, and dts HD Master Audio. The high end 5300ES comes with a whopping six HDMI inputs!

Common features found on all three new ES models include:

• Digital Media Port which allows integration of other accessories
• Support for iPod integration via iPod audio dock (TDM-iP1) and the digital media port
• Support for PC WiFi client for streaming digital music (TDM-NC1) to the receiver via the digital media port
• Support for the new Sony Bluetooth receiver to connect to various Bluetooth enabled devices
• Support for the Sony audio docking station (TDM-NW1) which is compatible with select Sony Network Walkman products
• Comes with the Cortez Advanced controller featuring Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology - upscales all video sources to 1080p via HDMI
• Supports 1080/60p and 24p video formats
• Supports BRAVIA Theatre Sync technology
• Digital Cinema auto calibration with stereo microphone
• Portable Audio Enhancer
• Sirius and XM Connect-and-Play ready

The STR-DA5300ES features:

• 120 watt amp (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz frequency response,, 0.09 percent THD)
• Accepts eight channel linear PCM
• First receiver to distribute high definition content to a second room (zone)
• Picture in picture for monitoring multi-zone output or an external video source
• Six “Active Intelligence” HDMI inputs (one output) that support Deep Color and x.v.Color technology
• Available in Sept for $1700

The STR-DA4300ES features:

• 100 watt amp (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20kHz frequency response, 0.09 percent THD)
• Accepts eight channel linear PCM
• Three “Active Intelligence” HDMI inputs and one output - supports Deep Color and x.v.Color
• Available in October for $1300

The STR-DA3300ES features:

• 100 watt amp (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20kHz frequency response, 0.09 percent THD)
• Accepts eight channel linear PC
• Three “Active Intelligence” HDMI inputs (one output) that support x.v.Color technology
• Available in August for $1000

If I had the money, I’d consider the high end STR-DA5300ES model - if only because I could use those six HDMI inputs.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, Receivers, STR-DRA5300ES, STR-DA4300ES, STR-DA3300ES

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

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

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 Elite console will be launching in Japan starting on October 11th of this year - months after its debut in North America. The Xbox 360 Elite features an HDMI port, a new 120 GB hard drive, and a new black finish. The one difference between the Japanese version and the U.S. version is the sale price. While the U.S. version of the Elite goes for $479, the Japanese version will go for approximately $390 when it launches (47,800 yen).

[Check it out]

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Many have known since day one that the Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD drive was usable on the PC platform. Back in the early days of the product rollout, you needed to get hacked drivers to make the product work on the XP platform but the drive worked just fine on the Vista platform - albeit with some memory unit question marks in the device manager. However, it turns out that somewhere along the way, Microsoft released full driver support for the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive on the Vista platform. Couple this drive with some HDCP/HDMI capable graphics hardware, HD DVD playback software, and an HDCP capable monitor, and you’ve got yourself an HD DVD capable system - potentially on the cheap (depending on whether you already had the graphics hardware to begin with)! The folks at Legit Reviews experimented with this proposition and wrote a good article about it here. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of adding an HD DVD drive to my home theater PC but I really need a processor upgrade to my system as Vista really chokes on the system - especially when I’m recording HD content. Anyhow, check out the article over at Legit Reviews. You can also read my old review of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, HD DVD player, Desktop PC, Legit Review

HDMI cables are a great thing - video and audio combined into a single thin cable. How much better can it get for a home theater enthusiast? How about wireless HDMI connections? That’s the promise behind Gefen’s latest product, the Wireless for HDMI Extender which utilizes the WiMedia specification (WiMedia is an ultra wideband wireless specification). Gefen claims the device is able to wirelessly transmit 720p/1080i content over a range of 10 meters (or 33 feet). Now you can have your video source equipment in one location while setting up your flat panel display and receiver in a totally different location without worrying about cumbersome cables - even if they are just HDMI cables. Gefen’s extender has a throughput of 480Mbps and the package comes with a wireless HDMI extender, one 6 foot HDMI cable, two 5V Power supplies, and a user’s manual.

Here’s the feature list from Gefen’s website:

• Guaranteed bandwidth reservation: Full Quality of Service (QoS) based on WiMedia Alliance MAC specification
• Real-time, visually lossless HD compression
• Multiple video formats: 480p, 720p, and 1080i @ 24/30 resolution
• High error resiliency: Wavelet transform provides high-quality image under varying channel conditions
• Dynamic bit rate adjustment: Predictable, on-the-fly control of channel bandwidth consumption
• Fully compliant family of HDMI/HDCP products

Here are the specs:

• Data rates : 53.3 to 480
• Frequency band: : 3.1 - 4.8 GHz
• Resolution support : 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i
• HDMI v1.2a: Compliant and interoperable
• Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)
• Tzero RF Radio Chipset
• ADI JPEG 2000 visual lossless compression
• Power Supply: 5V DC
• Power Consumption: 20 watts (max)
• Dimensions: 8.75″W x 1.625″H x 5.875″D
• Shipping Weight: 6 lbs.

My only complaint - lack of 1080p support via wireless connectivity.

You can pre-order the Gefen Wireless for HDMI Extender right now for $699. Not exactly cheap is it?

[Check it out via CrunchGear]

Technorati Tags: Gefen, Wireless for HDMI extender