Those of you considering getting the Plextor Mini Digital HDTV Receiver might want to read the review published by LaptopMag. The Mini Digital HDTV Receiver (model PX-HDTV500U) connects to your PC’s available USB port and allows you to tune into over-the-air HDTV signals. Features include:

• Supports US DTV ATSC protocol
• Free Air-to-Air Digital Terrestrial TV and Audio Program Playing
• Automatic Channel Scanning
• Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
• Supports 4:3 and 16:9 ratios
• Measures 71.2 x 13.8 x 28.1 mm and weighs 19.8 grams

At $99 dollars, the Plextor HDTV tuner looks like a good deal but here’s the verdict from LaptopMag:

The Plextor Mini Digital HDTV Receiver delivers high-def goodness on the cheap, but you’d be better served with the $150 Hauppauge WinTV-PVR USB2. It costs more, but you get better software in more portable package.

Hmm you might want to check out the Pinnacle Systems HDTV tuners which are also available for USB 2.0.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Plextor Mini Digital HDTV Receiver, PX-HDTV500U

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

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

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

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

It’s been a few days since I last posted here on KrunkerHD - I’m going to try and catch up a bit here. According to Akihabara News, Toshiba introduced four new Regza HDTV sets in France. They are as follows:

Model 26A3030DG (26 inch display):

• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Brightness of 500 cd/m2
• 700:1 contrast ratio

Model 32A3030DG (32 inch display):

• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Brightness of 500 cd/m2
• 950:1 contrast ratio

Model 37A3030DG (37 inch display):

• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Brightness of 500 cd/m2
• 1000:1 contrast ratio

Model (42A3030DG (42 inch display):

• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Brightness of 500 cd/m2
• 1000:1 contrast ratio

Other common features include:

• RGB, S-Video, HDMI, YUV, PC D-Sub 15 pin, Component, and Composite inputs
• Digital audio output, RCA audio output

These displays should be available in France in July and August.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Regza, France, LCD TV

If you happen to live in Taiwan, you’ll be happy to hear that Sony has released up to 9 new LCD television sets for that country. The LCD’s range in size from 20 inches to 46 inches with most due out in August. Here’s the information from DigiTimes thus far:

Sony G3000 20 inch model:

• 20 inch display
• 170 degree viewing angle
• Sells for 19,900 yen
• Available August 3rd

Sony U3000 26 inch model:

• 170 degree viewing angle
• Sells for 24,900 yen
• Available August 3rd

Sony U3000 32 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Sells for 29,900 yen
• Available August 3rd

Sony U3000 37 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Sells for 49,900 yen
• Available August 17th

Sony D3000 32 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Live Color Creation
• 10 bit panel
• Bravia engine
• Motion Flow
• Sells for 49,900 yen
• Available August 3rd

Sony D3000 40 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Live Color Creation
• 10 bit panel
• Bravia engine
• Motion Flow
• Sells for 69,900 yen
• Available August 3rd

Sony V3000 32 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Live Color Creation
• Bravia engine
• Sells for 39,900 yen
• Available July 23rd

Sony V3000 40 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Live Color Creation
• Bravia engine
• 10 bit panel
• Sells for 59,900 yen
• Available July 23rd

Sony V3000 46 inch model:

• 178 degree viewing angle
• Live Color Creation
• Bravia engine
• 10 bit panel
• Sells for 89,900 yen
• Available July 23rd

[Check it out]

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Thinking about buying a new HDTV set? You might want to briefly check out this list of top rated HDTVs over at SFGate.com (the list is actually provided by CNET.com). This isn’t necessarily the definitive list of displays of course but it does serve as a nice guide to displays that are undoubtedly top notch. When purchasing an HDTV, always do your research. When I purchased my Samsung LN-S4695D 46 inch 1080p LCD display, I spent months looking into user reviews, product reviews, and specifications. I looked at prices.. I looked at what people were saying about the display months into owning the display.. and I looked at connectivity options. Remember - always cross check reviews with other reviews. Don’t just solely rely on a single persons’ statements.

Here’s the list of displays that CNET thought were “top-rated”:

• Pioneer PRO-FHD1 (8.7 out of 10)
• Mitsubishi WD-65831 (8.6 out of 10)
• Pioneer PDP-5070HD (8.4 out of 10)
• Samsung LN-T4665F (8.3 out of 10)

[Check it out via EngadgetHD]

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Ever wish you had a real home theater setup at home? Is your home theater simply a 15 inch black and white TV coupled with some rabbit ears? Then you need to enter “the MakeShifters Ultimate Home Theater Makeover” contest sponsored by Denon, Boston Acoustic, La-Z-Boy, and Circuit City. To enter, simply take a picture or make a video of your home theater city and submit it to the website here. You need to convince the world why you ‘re the best candidate for a home theater makeover. Make sure your entry is “creative, funny, and original to increase your chances of winning.” You can submit up to five videos and five photo essays.  The contest actually began on May 25th but will continue until July 20th so get your pictures and videos together. Voting began on June 8th so you can view the entries thus far here.

So you might be wondering what kind of “Ultimate Home Theater Makeover” you will be getting if you win? Well here’s the component breakdown:

• Boston Acoustics P430 Left, Center, Right Channel speakers
• Boston Acoustics XB6 Subwoofer
• Two Boston Acoustics Bravo II Rear Surround Speakers
• Denon DVD757 Disc Player
• Denon AVR987 Receiver
• Denon D-Dock for iPod
• Denon AH-D2000 Headphones
• La-Z-Boy Matinee seating for 4-6 people (subject to winner’s home space limitation)
• Rug
• Tables
• Circuit City firedog service, Circuit City Content (DVDs, CDs) - up to $500 dollar value
• Video display and remote control (up to 3000 dollars)

The second place winner gets the following:

• La-Z-Boy recliner (est. value: 1,000.00)
• Circuit City CD and DVD shopping spree ($500 gift card)
• Boston Acoustics/Denon DHT687 Home Theater System

The third place winner gets:

• Boston Acoustics MicroSystem CD
• Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio
• Denon AH-D2000 Headphones
• Denon AH-C700 In-ear headphones

[Check it out via Home Theater Blog]

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