Aug 29
Sony just dumped one of the most monstrously gorgeous sets we’ve seen in some time—an 84-inch Bravia LCD with four times the resolution of today’s top HDTV. It could be in your living room by the end of the year. More »
Aug 29
This is so awesome! When I was growing up, a hot Friday night was watching The Incredible Hulk followed by The Dukes of Hazzard. It’s been a long time since a decent superhero show has been on television, and it looks like ABC is out to remedy that. Reports are coming in that The Avengers/Buffy/Firefly/Dr. Horrible/Angel director Joss Whedon is co-writing a pilot for new superhero TV series.
The series is said to be based in The Avengers universe and called S.H.I.E.L.D. The series is said to follow the secret military law enforcement group with Nick Fury at the helm.
Reports indicate that Joss and his brother Jed are writing the pilot for the show along with help from spouse Maurissa Tancharoen. Whedon might even direct the pilot for the series if his schedule allows. Production for the pilot is set to get underway as soon as possible. ABC is also said to be getting a new TV series based on The Hulk ready as well.
[via Mercury News]
Aug 29
Haier celebrates IFA with ultra high def 3D, transparent and eye-controlled TVs
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Haier was a bit of a sleeper hit at last year’s IFA, and the company looks to be taking on 2012’s Berlin-based show in way. For 2011, TV maker showed off its futuristic transparent and brain-controlled TV technologies. This year’s selections are set to follow in that vein, beginning with the debut of a new 46-inch transparent TV built on last year’s technology, capable of detecting six points at the same time. As before, Haier’s seeing business potential in the device, and will be showing it off in the context of a window display at this year’s show. Also on the slate is the company’s first 3D LED Ultra High Definition set, a 55-incher that will be displaying Ultra High Def footage of booth visitors.
Haier will be showcasing even more 3D stuff at the show, including a 55-inch glasses-free LED set with 28 viewing angles and 3D Multi-View, “which allows two people to watch two different images at the same time, on the total surface area of the screen,” according to the company. Also on the docket is an eye-controlled set that lets viewers take charge of volume and channels with their peepers and a 3D gesture control system that has a camera built into the set’s frame. On a more old school tip is the “high performance sensitive” remote, which has a nine-axis gyroscope inside.
Haier celebrates IFA with ultra high def 3D, transparent and eye-controlled TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 28
While LG clearly thinks there’s still some life in the super-wide format, Philips isn’t so sure. In fact, the electronics stalwart has apparently just announced that it won’t be releasing any more 21:9 TVs, due to lack of interest. Despite having regularly released new extra-wide sets since 2009, including 3D models, according to FlatpanelsHD, a spokesperson confirmed that demand barely meets the firm’s requirements for mass production, and as such it’s no longer viable. That’s not to say that Philips is bowing out of big screens altogether though — on the contrary — it goes on to state that 50-inch screens, and above, are becoming increasingly important. For now, however, it looks like it’ll be back to good old 16:9.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Philips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Aug 27
The folks at Hillcrest Labs have revealed a brand new addition to their Freespace MotionEngine software family: MotionEngine Lite – made specifically for in-air cursor control with Smart TVs. Systems with this software will be able to bring on Smart TV motion control action with lower cost and simpler implementation than the larger cross-section of solutions on today’s market. This little magic wand-waving solution will be working with Texas Instruments ZigBee RF4CE and Bluetooth connected devices starting this week.
One of the most fabulous elements in this software solution is the lack of a need for the end-user to calibrate anything. It just works right out of the box. Stig Torud of Remote Control Strategic Marketing and Wireless Connectivity Solutions for Texas Instruments spoke on the product this week, noting how pleased TI is to have the Hillcrest crew bringing their tech together with the next generation of Smart TVs: “Hillcrest’s MotionEngine Lite software combined with TI’s ZigBee RF4CE and Bluetooth low energy solutions bring low-latency and high-performance cursor control to Smart TV, set-top box, and PC motion remote controls.”
The software being used here, Freespace MotionEngine Lite, works with both accelerometers and gyroscopes to bring on Smart TV navigation as well as web browsing and point-and-click gaming galore. Orientation (or roll) compensation is in place here, as is precise cursor control and no-effort real-time sensor calibration. MotionEngine Lite is able to function with Hillcrest’s host-based Gesture Recognition Engine for cursor gestures as well. This means that the controller is able to make more than 50 pre-defined gestures right out of the box and that it comes with an SDK for developers to be able to create more gestures in the future.
The device you’re seeing above and integrated into the MotionEngine Lite logo are the Hillcrest Scoop Pointer. This device is used to demonstrate the software and give a visual to the software before it’s implemented on a variety of hardware setups. Texas Instruments’ ZigBee RF4CE and Bluetooth low energy solutions will have the software pre-integrated while a collection of Hillcrest’s remote control OEM partners (including their preferred partners SMK and UEI) will have the next-generation solution in place soon as well.
MotionEngine Lite revealed with Smart TV intentions is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Aug 27
Don’t you just hate it when you purchase a brand new TV, only to realize that has become obsolete by the time you unpacked and mounted in on your living room wall? The great irony about the situation is this – you got this piece of news that a spanking new TV has just been released to replace your model, watching it all from the glory of your new purchase. Well, I am quite sure that if you are one of the first few people in Europe who drop serious money for the LG TM2792 Personal TV with CINEMA SCREEN Design when it is released this September, you will not be able to run into such a situation.
Basically, the LG TM2792 Personal TV with CINEMA SCREEN Design is the company’s newest premier showcase that has made its debut at IFA 2012 in Berlin. It is said to be the “ultimate entertainment platform”, although I am not quite sure just how true that is. The LG TM2792 will allow you to enjoy a vast array of innovative features such as LG Smart TV functionality, CINEMA 3D and CINEMA SCREEN Design, ensuring your eyes will be able to dance all over the amazing picture quality delivered via IPS technology.
As for the hardware specifications (I leave the aesthetics to your judgment as you can see above), it will come with 27″ of viewing goodness at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, in addition to a LED IPS (In Plane Switching)/3D display with 250 nits of brightness, sporting a wide 178-degree viewing angle, 5ms response time, and a pair of 7W speakers. In terms of connectivity, you end up with DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct and WiDi, D-Sub, two HDMI ports, composite, component, SCART, three USB ports to get you started, LAN support as well as two battery-free glasses which unsurprisingly, are also flicker-free.
Unfortunately for the masses, there is still no word on pricing details. I suppose this is one of those moments where if you actually need to ask, chances are you are not able to afford it. What do you think – what is the next quantum leap in TV technology?
[ LG TM2792 Personal TV with CINEMA SCREEN Design makes IFA 2012 bow copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Aug 27
No room in your apartment for LG’s upcoming 84-inch monster? Don’t worry, the Korean outfit has something in your size, as well. The company’s TM2792 promises the same Cinema 3D passive glasses technology as its big brother in a more compact 27-inch frame. The tube also promises to play nice with your other devices, featuring a MHL and WiDi for screen and content sharing. No word on pricing yet, but LG says the Personal Smart TV should land in European markets this September. Hit the break for the official press release, or sit tight: LG is bound to reveal more at the TV’s official IFA debut.
Continue reading LG announces 27-inch Personal Smart TV ahead of IFA
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
LG announces 27-inch Personal Smart TV ahead of IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 05:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Aug 27
LG has revealed its latest smart TV, the LG TM2792 Personal TV, a kitchen and bedroom scale set that doesn’t stint on display performance or media streaming abilities. Measuring in at 27-inches, the Full HD TV uses an LED IPS panel for better quality video and 250 nits brightness, with 3D support and integrated WiFi Direct, WiDi and DLNA for streaming directly from notebooks or other devices.
There’s also an MHL HDMI connection, allowing a phone or tablet to be easily hooked up for showing off whatever photos or videos you might have shot. Other connections include VGA, composite and component, along with SCART, three USB ports – which will support a keyboard and mouse, allowing the TM2792 to be used as a web-surfing interface without your PC turned on – and wired ethernet.
The panel itself is clad in a narrow metal bezel, and LG throws in its Magic Remote for navigating through the on-screen dashboard. That supports video-on-demand, LG Smart World apps and more; the TM2792 can also convert 2D to 3D and includes twin 7W speakers.
No word on pricing for the TM2792, but it will go on sale in September and we’ll find out more at IFA 2012 this coming week.
LG TM2792 Personal TV packs WiDi, MHL and standalone web is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Aug 25
ITU approves NHK’s Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly
Posted in: Today's Chili 
We’d heard that the International Telecommunication Union was close to approving Super Hi-Vision as an Ultra High Definition TV standard, and the UN agency hasn’t waited long to confirm the rumors. The recommendation to use NHK’s 7,680 x 4,320 format has gone unopposed and should define the parameters for incredibly detailed 8K video worldwide. This shouldn’t lead anyone to return that 4K TV just yet — once again, it’s important to remember that NHK still won’t start any kind of wider testing until 2020. That’s also assuming that the first 8K sets are down to Earth instead of the incredibly expensive 145-inch variety.
Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD
ITU approves NHK’s Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 05:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 23
Verizon has come forth with a 4G LTE mobile data connected version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and today we’ve got our hands on it as it appears in stores across the USA. This device comes with a 30-pin USB data cable, the tablet itself, and a mobile data connection to the big red 4G LTE network here in the USA. Have a peek at a few tests we’ve run on the device and let us know if it all seems fabulous enough to pick up to you.
This device is essentially the same device as was released several months ago which you can see in our Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 full review. The big difference is, of course, in the mobile data connection Verizon gives this version of the tablet. Have a peek first at some Speed Tests conducted on the device in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The device also comes in black and has a texture backing so you can grip it quite nicely. There’s a front-facing VGA camera for video chat and the back-facing camera 3 megapixels strong. This device has a slightly different processor under the hood with a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S3, but works with the same 7-inch PLS 1024×600 display. Inside you’ll find 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. You also get a microSD card slot to expand your memory by 32GB if you wish.
Tab 2 7.0 is Samsung Approved for Enterprise with 256-bit AES encryption and support for Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync as well as support for VPNs and MDM solutions. Below you’ll find a couple benchmark examples so you’ll be able to compare to other devices in this same category. Another device you’ll want to check out that’s got slightly higher-grade specifications and a bit higher price is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE – it’s thinner, has a higher-definition display, and is slightly more powerful too.
Both devices have an IR-Blaster so you can change channels on your television from your tablet, this possible basically regardless of the brand of your set. Have a peek back at our review of the Galaxy Note 10.1 as well to see another example of a Samsung tablet that’s got an IR-Blaster.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 will cost you $350 off-contract and is almost certainly already in your local Verizon outlet right this minute. Let us know if you’ve got any questions about this device as it exists here on Verizon’s high speed network, otherwise feel free to head back to our original Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 full review!
Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Hands-on with LTE is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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