Hasta La Gadget!

LG has announced a new Cinematic 100-inch Class Laser TV. This isn’t a huge screen behemoth with all the components inside as you envision a typical television. Rather, this television uses a special 100-inch screen and an external short throw projector.

The setup sounds like a throwback to the 80s when front projection screen TVs and rear projection screen TVs were the only way to get a large image in your home. LG promises the system will be demonstrated for the first time at CES 2013 kicking off next month. The 100-inch class LG Hecto Laser TV supports full HD resolution and promises incredible contrast.

The high contrast the TV promises comes courtesy of the LG advanced laser-based illumination system used in the external ultra short throw projector. LG promises that the system will offer a theater-like experience at home without the difficult installation required with most projector-based entertainment systems. The projector needs only 22-inches of space from the screen to throw the 100-inch image.

The dynamic contrast ratio for the television system is 1,000,000:1. The laser TV also has a digital tuner with a pair of 10 W speakers providing integrated sound. Connectivity options include three HDMI inputs, optical audio output, RS-232 interface, and more. The screen used in the television system has a thin bezel and the laser TV supports the LG Smart TV platform including integrated Wi-Fi for streaming content such as Netflix and YouTube. Pricing and availability on the Hecto Laser TV is unknown.

LG unveils Cinematic 100-inch “Hecto” laser TV is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

LG only experimented with a Google TV lineup in 2012; for 2013, it’s committing to the concept in earnest. The 47- and 55-inch sizes we know today should be joined by 42-, 50- and 60-inch models that cater both to frugal viewers and those who like to live large. We should also see the spruced-up designs that come with yearly updates, including newer zero-bezel frames and distinctive stands. We’re less surprised by input and software updates — all of the new screens will ship with voice-enabled Google TV and OnLive support from the get-go, and the company’s multi-talented Magic Remote is making its return. LG is remaining coy on further details beyond promising a release sometime in the first half of 2013, although there’s a good chance we’ll know more in Las Vegas.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google, LG

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Source: LG (translated)

Walking Dead fans have a lot to get excited about. With the series more popular than ever here in the middle of the third season, AMC will likely be renewing the series for another season, meaning more dramatic zombie action for addicted fans. It gets even better though, as AMC has announced that it will be re-airing every episode from the first and second seasons in black and white.

AMC already tried this with the pilot episode, and apparently the response was so great that the company decided to give the first two seasons the black and white treatment. This should also sit well with fans of the comic book, as that is produced in black and white too. This news come from Glen Mazzara, who works on the series and tweeted an image of the announcement.

AMC is set to begin airing these black and white episodes in February 2013, which just so happens to be the same month that season 3 is scheduled to resume. So, it would appear that Walking Dead fans have a lot to look forward to in February, but now the problem is actually waiting for February to arrive. If you need something Walking Dead-related to fill the space, you might to give the episodic Walking Dead video game a spin.

The Walking Dead game has received a lot of praise from critics ever since the first episode launched, and it recently won Game of the Year at the Spike Video Game Awards. The full series of five episodes is available on Steam for $24.99, so Walking Dead die-hards are encouraged to give it a look. Are you excited to hear that the first two seasons of The Walking Dead will be re-aired in black and white?

First two Walking Dead seasons to get black and white treatment is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Not getting your fill of connected TV action with contextual content and ads appearing alongside your soaps? Your hunger could be satisfied by picking up a Sony-made television in 2013, as Hirai and Co. have inked a multi-year deal with the folks at Ensequence to bake software for such experiences into all of their connected TVs starting next year. Ensequence leverages the automatic content recognition tech inside Sony’s sets and provides a platform for content producers and advertisers to sling up everything from relevant coupons to trivia games on displays. If you watched the 2012 Olympics through Verizon FiOS, chances are you’ve glimpsed the company’s technology in action. Proud owners of connected TVs made by Sony between 2011 and 2012 won’t be left out of the contextual content bonanza, however, as a software update packing Ensequence’s secret sauce will be available. For more details, and prognostications regarding the future of internet-savvy televisions, hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading All Sony connected TVs to get Ensequence tech in 2013 to serve up contextual content

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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Source: Ensequence

Despite its crucial role in the Android ecosystem, ASUS hasn’t taken the plunge on Google TV so far. An FCC approval for a new adapter, the Qube, suggests that reticence is coming to a quick halt — and in an uncommon way. Rather than build a full media hub, ASUS appears to be crafting a possibly Roku-like dongle that would graft Google TV on to a host device through USB. The Qube’s components aren’t outlined in earnest, but it would pair up with an RF-based keyboard and touchpad for its main input.

Some details may have been given away through Google Play listings for O!Mobile Control Center and Remote apps linked to the Qube — they hint that ASUS could use the same Marvell Armada processors that power modern Google TV boxes, as well as extend smartphone control beyond what Google’s official remote app can offer (we tried it with an existing Google TV unit and it wouldn’t connect.) At this moment, we’re less curious about when and where the Qube releases than how it will sell; its dependence could see it destined for an equipment bundle instead of sitting on shelves by its lonesome. We’re asking around for possible details and will let you know if we hear more.

Continue reading ASUS Qube with Google TV pops up at the FCC

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, ASUS, Google

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Source: FCC, Google Play (1), (2)