Hasta La Gadget!

Compared to technologies such as Wireless USB, DisplayLink has actually done fairly well for itself. Nah, it’s no worldwide phenomenon, but it definitely has enough traction to really shine once USB 3.0‘s bandwidth arrives. That said, the tech is making the most of its current situation with the introduction of the DL-1×5 Series processors, two of which actually support Full HD. The DL-125, DL-165 and DL-195 will all slide into USB-enabled LCD monitors here shortly, with the middle guy supporting resolutions as high as 1,920 x 1,080 and the DL-195 cranking things to 2,048 x 1,152 before crying “Uncle!” In theory, at least, this enables laptop users to connect high-res screens when their desktop replacement needs a helping hand, and it can be enjoyed now by consumers in Asia, the Middle East, Russia and Europe who can snag themselves a new SyncMaster LapFit LD190G or LD220G monitor.

[Via EverythingUSB, thanks Ian]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Peripherals

DisplayLink boldly enters HD realm on new Samsung LapFit displays originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Okay, so there’s good news and bad news. Given that we just love to tease, we’ll start you off with the positives. HDMI 1.4 was just revealed, bringing with it an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) that enables data transfers of up to 100 Mbps between supported connected devices. Put simply, this could allow a “broadband-connected television using its HEC-enabled HDMI port to provide internet connection sharing with another HEC-enabled device such as a game console or DVR.” Furthermore, the spec’s Audio Return Channel (ARC) enables broadcast audio to be easily streamed back to an external amplifier, and the Automatic Content Enhancement (ACE) provides support for “future 3D video standards, increased resolution support (up to 4,096 x 2,160 pixels at up to 30Hz), and content recognition that promises to automatically optimize the TV’s picture settings based on content type.”

The bad news? HEC will only work with new HDMI 1.4 spec cables, and those will be graded into two separate levels of performance: low- and high-data rate. We needn’t describe to you what kind of ball Monster Cable is going to have with that one, but even outside of that, we’re baffled by the decision to add one more complexity to a cable that should seriously be doing everything in its power to not be overshadowed by DisplayPort. At any rate, we’re told that Silicon Image is hoping to ship chip samples to manufacturers in Q2 2009, while HDMI 1.4-enabled products could arrive as early as next year. We aren’t holding our breath, but we’ll gladly eat crow if need be.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

HDMI 1.4 brings internet sharing, dreadful tiers of quality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The big Computex show in Taipei is just a few weeks away and that means laptops, tons and tons of laptops. Specifically, CULV thin-and-light laptops that Intel’s hoard of dutiful manufacturers have positioned between netbooks and super-expensive, ultra-portables like the MacBook Air or ThinkPad X301. Engadget Chinese is at the unveiling of MSI’s full range of X-Slim laptops. We’ve already seen the X320/X340 up close, but this is the first time we’ve received official specs on the 14-inch (1366 x 768) X400 and 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) X600. Both feature Core 2 Solo CULV processors, an HDMI jack, hard disks up to 500GB in capacity, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, and a 2-in-1 card memory reader. The X600 adds eSATA, options for 6 or 9-cell batteries (compared to the X400’s 4 or 8-cells), and bumps the graphics from integrated GMA 4500MHD to ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330. Now we’re just waiting for the ship dates and prices which should start at $699 to about $1,100.

Update: Official press release says to expect these before June is through.

Filed under: Laptops

MSI’s X-Slim X340 vs. X400 vs. X600 CULV laptops… Fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips may be dodging the North American sector with its flashiest of products, but it’s still showing the Yanks in attendance a little love on the home entertainment front. Today in a meeting in NYC, the outfit revealed US pricing and availability for its entire 2009 family, most of which was quietly introduced in January. Starting things off are the 6000 and 7000 Series of HDTVs, which just so happen to pick right up where the previous models left off in 2008. The 6000 Series will arrive in 32-, 42- and 47-inch flavors for $799, $1,399 and $1,699, respectively, while the 7000 Series goes 42-, 47- and 52-inch for $1,499, $1,799 and $2,299, also respectively.

While checking these very sets out, we noticed that the factory settings left the colors a bit blown out and overly sharp — though, this practice is far too common in HDTV companies anyway. Nothing like wowing those Best Buy shoppers at first, only to sear their retinas at home, right? All kidding aside, the panels looked superb, and the A-B comparison mode made tweaking the settings a breeze. Hop on past the break for the rest of the details, and give our gallery a glance for a closer look at the whole lot.

Continue reading Philips announces US availability for 2009 home entertainment line (with hands-on!)

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Philips announces US availability for 2009 home entertainment line (with hands-on!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What better way to give you a look at Flip Video’s new Ultra HD camcorder than by reviewing it on video… shot with the Ultra HD. The specs are simple: 720p / 30 FPS, 8GB of storage on-board, HDMI out, and pretty much nothing else. Still, a camera this cheap ($199.99) and this small definitely has its uses. Of course, you’ll probably be distracted (like we were) by the bad, bad image stabilization issues. But don’t just read about it — take a look at the gallery below to scope out what the thing looks like, then watch the videos after the break to hear (and see) our thoughts, and catch the cam in some heavier — shakier — action. Needless to say, both videos are available in HD.

Continue reading Flip Video Ultra HD video review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Flip Video Ultra HD video review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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