Hasta La Gadget!

When the Philips’ 56-inch 21:9 3D TV was released in Europe with no US ship date in sight, darkness fell over our home theater world. Then, Vizio announced its own 21:9 3D TV and we knew it was all going to be ok. They say when it rains it pours though, and now it’s looking like JVC will release its own 50-inch 21:9 full HD 3D TV in the US sometime in the third quarter of 2011. Other details are scarce, but JVC’s talkative CES booth attendant also mentioned the TV might be sold in varying sizes and might feature internet connectivity. The possibility of internet connectivity was also supported by a few screens teasing an integrated information bar, which appeared on the left-hand side of the screen without blocking HD content. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this TV as more news emerges, and in the meantime bide our time dreaming of the ultra-wide CinemaScope-style movies we could be viewing in late 2011. Oh and if you’re curious that’s JVC’s newly-announced TH-BC3 soundbar positioned right below it carrying a sweet paper iPhone 4.

JVC shows off prototype 50-inch 21:9 full HD 3D TV, says it could hit US later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say hello to the latest hardware news from Boxee, as Viewsonic was showing its new TV amongst its existing Android tablet lineup featuring the software and requisite Intel CE4100 processor built in. It didn’t appear to integrate live TV or other inputs into the Boxee software, instead of opting to run the software as its own app, offering a similar experience to the existing Boxee Box, minus the box of course. This TV should drop in “early Q2,” press release details are after the break.

Continue reading Viewsonic introduces the first TV with Boxee (& Intel) inside

Viewsonic introduces the first TV with Boxee (& Intel) inside originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Never heard of Ciil Technologies? Nah, you aren’t out of the loop — these guys were just founded last year, and now they’re hoping to make a literal splash in the desert with their first full range of weatherproof LCD TVs. Designed to be used primarily outdoors (or in homes with loads of Super Soaker fights), this new range of fully-sealed 1080p HDTVs is made up of sets from 32- to 55-inches. Each one has nary a vent nor filter, enabling it resist dust, debris and even water. In fact, each one sports the highest waterproof (IP) and dust proof (NEMA) rating available, enabling ’em to withstand a good pressure washing and the occasional dip in the pool. It seems as if you’ll have to inquire about pricing, but we’re going to guess those that have to ask… well, probably shouldn’t.

Continue reading Ciil Technologies weatherproof HDTVs work by the pool, in the pool

Ciil Technologies weatherproof HDTVs work by the pool, in the pool originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG’s CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we’ll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop.

• For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given — TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar — and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit’s 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model…
• Then there’s the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you’ll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it’s on you to source your own Magic Remote.
• If it’s an all-new TV you’re after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses — none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of ’em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG’s not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet.
• Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG’s rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you’d rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it — along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines — can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG’s also straying from providing pricing details on these.
• Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG’s line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG’s first portable BD deck.
• Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We’ve no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we’ll be scouring the show floor in search of just that.

For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don’t expect to find any pricing information, though.

Continue reading LG’s CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs

LG’s CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung and Sharp couldn’t help but tip their hands regarding CES announcements with some of the posters wrapped around the Las Vegas Convention Center. While Sharp is advertising its largest Quattron LCD ever at 70-inches (up from a mere 68-inch version before) Samsung is taking the opportunity to invite everyone to “join in” its Smart TV platform. No word on whether that encompasses its expected Google TV efforts or just existing Samsung Apps, but icons listed included the already available Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter and more, check out a few more pictures after the break.

Continue reading Sharp and Samsung’s CES posters preview Smart TV apps, 70-inch Quattron LCD

Sharp and Samsung’s CES posters preview Smart TV apps, 70-inch Quattron LCD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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