Hasta La Gadget!

JVC showed off a prototype 8K Super Hi-Vision projector in 2008 at CEATEC, and now it’s ready to ship a real product later this month, dubbed the DLA-VS4800. JVC’s e-Shift pixel technology is at play here, which we first saw in consumer products with the ‘4K’ projectors it shipped in 2011, and updated in last year’s models. Basically the D-ILA display panel inside the device is half the resolution (in this one, 4,096 x 2,400) but projects two images alternated at 120Hz, one shifted slightly diagonally. This creates the impression of a higher res display, without actually upping the pixel count.

Based on our demos of the tech at CEDIA for the last two years, the effect is very convincing, however with AV Watch’s presumed price tag of 25 million yen ($261k US — and that’s without the 4 available lenses, which have no price), we might want a few more real pixels, if such a product were available for purchase. Still, if you want the first 8K display device on the block, this is your only choice, unless you can convince Sharp to part with one of its sweet 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD prototypes (we’ve asked, we’ve begged, we’ve planned Ocean’s 11-style heists — it’s not possible.) The other issue is that you’ll still need some content to view, and with the roadmap currently putting test broadcasts in 2016, leaving this one to the museums and planetariums it’s intended for may be the best course of action.

Filed under: Displays, HD

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Via: AV Watch

Source: JVC Kenwood Japan

Toshiba isn’t the first name you’d associate with exciting products, but recently we were invited to check out its 2013 selection of AV gear in the hope we’d be dazzled by pixel counts and the IQ of its revamped smart TV platform. We revisited a few products we had flings with at CES, were introduced to some new panels, and taken through the ins-and-outs of the company’s fresh Cloud TV interface. Was there anything to get excited about? Head past the break for the full tour.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, Internet, Software, HD

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Not all that long ago, we were staring at spreadsheets, table layouts and sketch-ups, squinting our eyes and attempting to wrap our brains around all of it. On Friday, we popped by Fort Mason in San Francisco, to test drive ZBoard’s latest and greatest electric skateboard, and things were already underway, the stage was being erected and banners with our familiar logo were draped everywhere. That moment, however, had nothing on the surreality of the following morning, when, bright and early, the companies began setting up tables.

Outside, a Tesla Model S was parked for test drives, and inside were a pair of electric Toyotas, one sporting a giant, decorative plug on its roof. There were big booths from Lenovo and Nokia, an Indie Corner jam-packed with and impressive displays like the the Ekso Bionics robot exoskeleton and Da Vinci’s truly awe-inspiring surgical robot. Next to that, was Insert Coin, a gathering of all the semi-finalists for our first-ever startup competition, who had flown from all over to show off a truly diverse and impressive selection of innovation.

On stage, an equally diverse array of panelists joined us, from reps for companies like Google, Microsoft, Toyota, and OUYA, to 3D printing companies, roboticists, futurists, sci-fi writers, space explorers, indie gamers and a multimedia DJ / philosopher. Frankly, we’re exhausted. And we can’t wait to do it again. See you in New York.

Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Cameras, Displays, Misc, Gaming, GPS, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Household, Laptops, Peripherals, Robots, Tablets, Transportation, Wearables, Wireless, Storage, Networking, Science, Internet, Software, HD, Mobile, Alt

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While we’ve heard rumors of the death of plasmas before, Japanese business paper The Nikkei is reporting that Panasonic may stop using the technology in fiscal 2014. Without citing sources, it claims Panasonic will shut down production at its main Amagasaki plant, reducing production gradually to avoid angering partners and retailers. A Panasonic spokesperson tells Reuters that the company has not made any decisions on the future of its TV business yet. The Nikkei’s info indicates it will downsize the entire TV business, including reductions in LCD manufacturing, over the next three years.

What’s next? OLED, as Sony and Panasonic are partnering on developing the technology and according to the report it plans to outsource manufacturing to keep costs down. We’ll find out how much of this turns out to be true in the coming months, but for now we’ll just appreciate the company’s latest round of Viera plasmas.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: Reuters

Source: Nikkei

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from Richard-Keith, who leapt before he looked and now needs our help. If you’re looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Sheepishly, I have to admit that I didn’t do my homework, but when the chance to get a Mac Pro came around, I didn’t stop to think about the consequences. Now I’ve got a lovely new desktop, but now I’m lamenting the lack of an SD-card reader, built-in speaker and a webcam. I’m sure there are other displays that do the latter three jobs, including the Apple Cinema Display, but is there something a little cheaper than its rather staggering $999 price-tag? Thank you from the bottom my heart.”

Let’s be fair and help out our friend, after all, we’ve all made that odd impulse purchase without doing our homework. There aren’t that many monitors that can do all of the jobs you need, but you can pick up a Cinemaview with extra USB ports, or perhaps ASUS’ VK248H (and related), which even have Displayport outputs and a Webcam, although it may be a bit weak in the speaker department. Still, it’s high time we passed this question over to the throng of Engadgeteers, to find out if they know of anything better.

Filed under: Desktops, Displays, Apple

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