~Tech Angel~

Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2

Source: MobileTechReview

If Santa brings me a PSP for Christmas, I might consider purchasing this device (depending on how much of a hassle it is to get movies to the PSP via conventional methods).  The Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2 is a recorder that creates the appropriate video file straight from the content.  It's basically a VCR without the tape since it records to your memory card.  You can connect it to your cable box, DVR, VCR, DVD, camcorder, etc. and it will record to your memory card which can then immediately work with your PSP or any other device that is compatible with a memory stick or CF card (like my Dell Axim x50).

It can record in VGA, QVGA, and WQVGA.  You can purchase it for $149.99.

Technorati Tags: MPEG4, Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2, PSP, pdas

Logitech Harmony Universal Remote for Xbox 360

Logitech has announced their new universal remote control, the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote Control for Xbox 360.  This remote will allow gamers to control their Xbox 360 along with the other components of their entertainment system.

Pressing one button allows users to start up the Xbox 360 along with any other electronic component required for game play.  The remote features console-specific buttons that make it easy to navigate the Xbox 360 interface.  It will also control the 360 straight out of the box and can control as many as 12 individual devices.  Setup is completed via an intuitive setup wizard online.

The Harmony for Xbox 360 will be available in the U.S. later on this month for $129.99.  If you purchase it with a Xbox 360 before March 31, 2006, you'll be able to take advantage of a $30 mail-in rebate.

Technorati Tags: home theater, Logitech, Logitech Harmony, Logitech Harmony for Xbox 360, universal remote, Xbox, Xbox 360

Mustek releases 60GB Portable media player and recorder

Mustek is known for making "affordable" electronics and they've now announced another portable media player and recorder.  The PVR-H160 Portable Media Player and Recorder has a 3.6 inch TFT color screen, 60GB hard drive, supports MPEG-2, WMV, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid, MP3, WMA, and M-JPEG.  You can directly record television programs and movies to the device with the included software converter without having to use a PC.

It should be available this month and will retail for $499.

Found via| I4U News

Technorati Tags: Mustek, Mustek PVR-H160, portable media player, PVR, television

Grab'n'Go Media Players

Conceptronic is introducing a new media player called the Grab'n'Go Media player.  There are two versons, the first a 2.5 inch pocket version with a 40GB, 60GB, or 80GB hard drive and the second a 3.5 inch version with a 160GB, 200GB, or 250GB hard drive.  Both players support a wide range of formats including XVid, JPEG, MP3, CD, VCD, AVI, and MPEG 1,2,4.  Created specifically for those who are always on the go, it can be connected to any TV or computer for playback (no integrated LCD screen).

The Grab 'n' Go Player comes with composite, SCART, and S-Video cables.  There's SPDIF cable for 5.1 audio systems, but strangely enough a component cable wasn't included.  It's also equipped with USB on the Go technology making it possible to connect a USB memory drive or mp3 player directly to the player and copy data. You can store films, music, and photos on the drives.  The 40GB 2,5-inch version can store approximately 30,000 photos, 50 films and 20,000 songs. For those wanting yet more capacity the 160GB 3,5-inch version would be a better choice: it can store approximately 120,000 photos, 200 films and 80,000 songs.

via| MobileWhack

Technorati Tags: Conceptronic, Conceptronic TV Media Players, gadgets, Grab n Go Media Players, media storage

Customizable TV design

This TV would be perfect for those households that change their decor often.  Loewe TV has announced a TV that allows you to change its look. The housing color comes in a variety of colors and is customizable with over 400 combinations.  For those of you with pocket change to spare, you can order a model with Swarovski crystals or upholstered leather.

Tags: Loewe Tvs, televisions, home theater

First ever iPod-integrated Home Entertainment System

Denon announced the first two products in the world's first home entertainment system that integrates with Apple's iPod and other mp3 players.  The Denon S-301 ($1,599) and the Denon S-101 ($999) provide simple connectivity and control of today's portable mp3 players.  The S-301 has a front-panel USB port that allows owners to easily connect their players and USB flash devices. 

"Both the Denon S-301 and S-101 systems provide optimum audio performance from Apple iPod portable digital music/photo players, as well as the industry's most convenient and complete on-screen operations menu control. Using the specially designed front-panel connector and the supplied plug-and-play "Connect iPod" cable, users enjoy full access to all features and functions of 3rd and 4th generation iPods, including the familiar iPod navigational menu displayed on their main home theater screen. The onscreen display mimics the iPod's own menu display, offering easy and familiar control capabilities."

Both units will be available in August.

Full Press Release.

Tags: Denon, Apple, iPod, mp3 players, mp3, home theater, home entertainment, entertainment, music, technology, gadgets, Denon S-301, Denon S-101

New way to watch TV - Slingbox

I first saw the Slingbox when I was checking out CNet footage of the Consumer Electronics Show this year.  What is a Sling box? It's an electronic device that "placeshifts" the signal from your TV, satellite or your DVR to any computer or laptop...at home, work, wherever, as long as you have a high-speed Internet connection.  Basically, streaming real-time TV to another computer.

CNet has done a review, along with the Wall Street Journal and PC Mag.  The reviews are very promising for this new product.

Sling Media has promised that in a couple of months it will be compatible with select PDAs, smartphones, and Macs.

Tags: Slingbox, placeshifting, DVR, television, satellite, streaming, reviews, pdas, smartphones, Apple, Macs, computers, PC, home theater, technology, entertainment, TV

Sin City fans...prepare to pay up

Were you a fan of Robert Rodriguez's Sin City? Can't wait for the DVD release?  Well, I have good news and bad news for you:

GOOD NEWS:  the DVD release date is August 16th.  This is sure to be a DVD with tons of extras (behind the scenes footage, making-of featurettes, all that good stuff). Or will it?  Apparently not.

BAD NEWS: Once again, movie fans will be have to face the decision to pay up twice for the same movie just so they can view the many extras associated with the movie.  A bare bones release of Sin City will be released on August 16th and the "deluxe" DVD promised by Robert Rodriguez won't be released until late sometime in 2005 or even in 2006.  The deluxe version is to "include the next installment of Rodriguez's 10 Minute Film School series and a programming option that will allow viewers to separate and restore each story to its original length", along with a number of other features.

via| ign.com

~Of course, consumers are not "forced" to purchase both DVDs, but for true fans of a particular movie, it does create a dilemma.  I own about 25,345 different versions of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, because of these "deluxe and extended" editions, so I'm a little bitter right now.  But even though I enjoyed Sin City and will purchase it, I'll be doing one of two things:

1.  Renting the bare bones release from Netflix.com and maybe purchasing the deluxe later.
2.  Just purchasing the bare bones release in August.

Either way, I'm not buying two DVDs!!~

Tags: Sin City, Robert Rodriguez, Lord of the Rings, movies, film, home theater, DVD, entertainment, Netflix, rental, personal

3-D TV in your living room

Whenever I want to view a movie in 3-D, I have to go to an IMAX theater.  That may change in the near future and consumers will be able to watch 3-D movies in the comfort of their own homes sans those tacky 3-D glasses. Deep Lights, a company currently working on the technology, plans to introduce a HD3D screen at next year's Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas.

"Ordinary TV sets deliver 500 lines of resolution. Most high-definition screens reach 1,050. The HD3D hits 1,280 lines and counting - which means better picture quality than that of any TV available today, all in a convincing impression of the third dimension. And here's the seriously trippy part about the new screen, which Deep Light plans to introduce at next winter's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: multiple "blades" of video enable one screen to show different programs to different viewers, at the same time."

1080p HDTVs unveiled for consumers

Today, Mitsubishi unveils the first consumer HDTVs that are capable of displaying 1080p (progressive).  Up until this point, consumer have only been able to purchase HDTVs that dispayed 1080i (interlaced). 

 

"The first model available, a 52-inch wide-screen rear projection set at $3,699, will arrive in stores nationally in the next two weeks. A few specialty 1080p products have already hit the market, but this new set and Mitsubishi's other 62-inch and 73-inch models due in the coming weeks — starting at $4,200 and $5,500, respectively — are aimed at the mass market." source: USAToday

 

The DLP HDTVs provide twice the resolution of current TVs that will allow even "super-sized 73- inch TVs" to deliver sharp pictures.  The sets will convert DVD video and all current TV and HDTV signals as well. Those lucky enough to attend the retailer's unveiling event will be able to watch 1080p footage of such films as Star Wars Episode III:Revenge of the Sith, Kill Bill, and Madagascar.

Tags: Mitsubishi, HDTV, high-definition, television, HD, 1080p, 1080i, home theater, technology, films, movies, Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars, Kill Bill, Madagascar, DVD, DLP, entertainment