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Music is a passion for us. We enjoy listening music anywhere and anytime. However, the problem of carrying high-digital bass headphones persists. The headphones may be good at their output but usually are too bulky to carry.

Elecom Japan has a solution to our problem. The new XCALGO EHP-OH900 series headphones are highly portable and reproduce superb digital audio with higher bass. The EHP-OH900 series features completely retractable headphones which employ a unique folding mechanism to maximize storage.

The Elecom XCALGO series includes four beautiful models. You may choose from black, white, pink or the skull versions.

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Texas Instruments has bared plans for next generation electronics platform for DLP Cinema projectors will be deployed by its three OEM licensees, Christie, Barco and NEC at commercial theatres around the world starting in 2010. DLP Cinema projectors are installed in nearly 10,000 screens with over 97 percent of the digital cinema market share worldwide.

DLP Cinema’s highly anticipated next generation electronics platform is compliant with a newly adopted set of Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards. The next generation electronics platform utilizes the same highly reliable DLP Cinema chipset but integrates high security requirements and specification architecture defined by the DCI while providing a cost reduction to OEM partners.

The next generation DLP Cinema electronics platform delivers value by combining the three boards needed to produce images into a single board while retaining the necessary functionary required for use. In addition, the next generation DLP Cinema electronics platform features increased bandwidth to integrate alternative content to incorporate live 3-D broadcasting.

(Source) Press

Samsung adds another home theater system option for home theater investing savvy consumers with the HT-AS730. An ideal companion to state-of-the-art Blu-ray players and other high definition gear, the HT-AS730 provides a new level of flexibility and expansion for movie enthusiasts, music lovers and console gamers, in a simple, yet comprehensive package.

Sleek and stylish, the HT-AS730 comes with a piano black design, and is equipped with a variety of audio and video connections, as well as a complete 5.1-channel speaker setup for robust surround sound. The system can also be easily upgraded to a potent 7.1-channel system with the addition of two more speakers (sold separately).

Full HD 1080p video pass through support keeps pictures crisp and detailed on the latest HDTVs, while HD audio pass through support and internal audio decoders ensure theater-like sound to match. Samsung’s Auto Sound Calibration allows consumers to optimize and balance surround sound settings regardless of the room, while the “Smart Volume” function adjusts volume to a desired level when switching channels or audio sources.

An iPod dock is also included, which is compatible with both conventional iPods, as well as newer iPhone communication devices.

Keeping both sound quality and the environment in mind, the HT-AS730 features speaker cones that are made from sustainable Bio kelp rather than more traditional paper pulp. The HT-AS730 also is Energy Star compliant to help consumers reduce their annual energy costs and minimize their overall carbon footprint.

• Price: HT-AS730: $499.99
• Availability: April 2009

(Source) Press

The bigger the visuals the better and Dolby just made another breakthrough as far as adhering towards the growing needs of premium viewing pleasure for larger spaces like auditoriums. By implementing Dolby 3D for large screens, exhibitors can project Dolby 3D onto screens ranging from 41 to 70 feet. The new Dolby 3D large-screen solution is compatible with all of Barco’s digital cinema twin-projector offerings, including the ultra-bright DP-3000 flagship projectors.

“This is a milestone for Dolby 3D projection capabilities, as screen size has to date been limited to accommodate a range of up to 40–42 feet,” stated Page Haun, Senior Director, Cinema Marketing, Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby realizes that exhibitors need the flexibility to provide 3D in their largest and smallest auditoriums, and with this announcement, Dolby is now able to support exhibitors’ various needs.”

Malco Theatres, the first to test Dolby 3D for large screens, recently used the solution to screen Walt Disney Pictures’ Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at its Malco Paradiso multiplex in Memphis, TN, and Malco Grandview in Madison, MS.

Dolby’s unique full-spectrum color-filter technology, enabled by the high-tech passive Dolby 3D Glasses, enhances the motion picture experience. The Dolby 3D system provides realistic color reproduction and extremely sharp images. The environmentally friendly and reusable glasses can be used repeatedly, significantly reducing the cost per viewing for exhibitors.

(Source) Press

Netflix Has Increased the Blu-ray Access Price
Samsung 2009 Blu-ray Players Have Prices Now
TVBLOB Brings Social Media to Set Top Box
Onkyo BR-925 CD/HDD receiver system
Samsung P2070 20-Inch LCD Monitor
Onkyo GD-500HD PC Speaker

Yes, the email you have received from Netflix is real! And it looks like the screenshot above. And it bears bad news for you wallet too. Customers will have to pay $6 per month instead of the regular $1 for a 5DVDs at a time plan. The service is still affordable but considering the current economy state and the fact that Netflix was doing pretty well even before the price increase, we’re feeling uncomfortable with the whole situation. What do you think?

Samsung’s 2009 Blu-ray player lineup has been unveiled at CES this year but we were left wanting prices and arrival dates. Fortunately for Blu-ray player fans Samsung has released pricing details and availability dates at its Spring Fever event in New Your City.

The BD-P3600 and BD-P1600 area already available for $399.99 and $299.99 respectively, but the BD-P4600 which is an ultrathin player will be arriving around April 19 for $499.99. Which one are you getting this year?

via BusinessWire

BLOBBox

TVBLOB has announced that reeplay.it has integrated its social video bookmarking service with the BLOBbox which is a hybrid set-top box for analog and HD televisions. By using a BLOBbox and the reeplay.it service, new and existing users can easily bookmark “free-to-web” video content anywhere online, view it on big screen TVs, and even share links with friends and family. In merely two clicks, reeplay.it makes video from the web playable on an iPod, iPhone, portable media player, videogame console, mobile phone, or set-top box.

Best of all, users don’t need to worry about encoding, resolution differences, or bit rates because reeplay.it automatically displays the highest quality video imaginable on the receiving device. In addition to being an HD PVR and free Digital Terrestrial TV receiver, the flexible BLOBbox blends conventional broadcast TV with Web TV possibilities including the ability to browse sites like Wikipedia, YouTube, Picasa, check Gmail, watch online television, subscribe to audio and video podcasts through services like Miro and download video using BitTorrent to watch in 1080p HD.The BLOBbox is available for buy now from TecnologieCreative in Italy or directly from the BLOBbox website. The requirements are a standard television with analog or HDMI input and a broadband connection.

BR-925 CD/HDD receiver system

As a leader in audio/video components and home theater systems, Onkyo has designed its new BR-925 CD/HDD receiver system around the Blackfin® BF532 convergent processor from Analog Devices. Onkyo’s, stated philosophy is to “deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence,” opted for the Blackfin processor for its ability to meet specific design goals for the BR-925 digital audio system. These aims included a rich set of features, connectivity capabilities, and the type of incomparable sound quality usually affiliated with more expensive systems.

The BR-925 gives Onkyo’s customers a well priced, feature-rich compact digital audio system with amazing sound quality. It can store up to 20,000* tracks of high-quality digital music and users can rip audio files from CDs or a USB storage device directly to the system’s HDD. This receiver can also record directly from radio sources and transfer audio files from a PC via file transfer protocol (FTP). To access their music files, the user simply plugs the device into the receiver’s USB port to listen at home or to download and go.

Samsung Electronics, the maker of world-class electronic and digital products, has brought in a new Samsung P2070 20-Inch LCD Monitor. Sporting a beautiful ToC design, this new monitor delivers stunning images and crisp sound. Adding more to its sophisticated look and ultra slim dimensions are its latest and advanced features and functionalities.

The new Samsung P2070 20-Inch LCD Monitor delivers a perfect resolution of 1600 x 900 and a contrast ratio of 50,000:1. It provides a fast response time of just 2 ms on its 20” screen. This one is an ENERGY STAR compliant product that consumed 50% less energy than other similar devices available in the market.

Samsung’s P2070 20-Inch LCD Monitor features starlight touch controls and an eco-friendly design. MagicBright, MagicTune, MagicWizard and AssetManagement are some other interesting features of Samsung P2070 20-Inch LCD Monitor. It measures 19.7 x 15 x 7.5” in dimensions and weighs just 7.2 lbs.

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Onkyo Japan recently launched their new PC speaker, GX-500HD in the market. The speakers incorporate Onkyo’s VL Digital Technology to deliver unbelievable audio output.

The Onkyo GD-500HD is a pair of 2X40W speakers which work between the frequency of 50Hz and 100KHz. Other features include an Optical In, Analog In and a Subwoofer pre-out.

The Onkyo GD-500HD PC Speaker will be available from 10th April 2009 around the estimated price of 513 USD.

Fujitsu Releases Newest IP-9500 4.0 Encoding Solution
Epson Powerlite 410W Projector
Samsung LN19B361C5D LCD TV
Klipsch HD Theater 500 5.1 Channel Sound System
Panasonic PT-AX200E HD Home Cinema Projector
Viewsonic VX2433wm Full HD Widescreen LCD
DreamBee 2 HD Projector
Kayak Speaker from Sonance
Samsung 2009 HDTV Prices Got Leaked
Hulu to Bring Disney Content Soon
Asus 15.6-Inch Eee Top All-in-One Ready to Ship

The Koss PortaPro foldable stereophone blends high-quality sound reproduction with a unique design for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. The over-the-head headphones allow for deep bass performance and a frequency response of 15 to 25,000 Hz to guarantee the music comes through crisp and clear.

Designed with comfort in mind, these headphones have two adjustable temporal-comfort zone pads to transfer the pressure and balance the ear plates on your ear. The PortaPros come with a carrying case, so it’s easy to take them with you even if you’re not wearing them. A 0.25-inch adapter is included to see to it they will fit with any system. Retails for around $49.99

Neuros

The Neuros “Link” Open Source Media PC is entirely open source and not locked into a single provider. By running Ubuntu Linux, the Link connects to your HDTV thru HDMI and is ready to stream 1080p video at your control. The Link works well with shows from NBC, Hulu, and most other streaming video sources. You could plug in an external hard drive loaded with DVD VOB files, AVI movies etc. and will play those directly.

Since Link has an MPlayer, VLC, Xine it will play almost any video format you bring its way. The Neuros link can work with audio applications too like Pandora and Last.FM to play music and it can also use photo sharing sites such as Picasa and Flickr. Since the Link has a totally open architecture you can modify it as you see fit. Retails for $299.99

Monsters vs. Aliens is taking the world by storm these days and apparently to make the most out of this new film from DreamWorks, NEC has taken the initiative to install forty NEC digital cinema projectors in theaters across the US to support the 3D release of the said film.

“3D continues to be the leading impetus in the shift to digital cinema and NEC’s technology is making what could be a challenging scenario, easier and more manageable,” said Jim Reisteter, general manager, Digital Cinema Division, NEC Corporation of America. “Both our NC2500S and NC1600C projectors are being well received by a large cross section of the exhibitor population and with the installation and servicing support from our master reseller, Strong Technical Services, we are championing the movement toward digital cinema.”

The Digital Cinema Division of NEC Corporation of America leverages NEC’s world class expertise in visual display products, IT infrastructure and integration services to develop specialized solutions for the delivery and management of digital content.

By combining the expertise of movie-making professionals with the technological innovation of NEC, the Digital Cinema Division delivers all-encompassing digital cinema and in-theatre advertising solutions that meet the requirements of the entertainment industry.

(Source) EarthTimes

Fujitsu has announced the newest version of the company’s leading MPEG-4 AVC encoder for real-time broadcast quality contribution content. The Fujitsu IP-9500 4.0 is the industry’s first encoding solution to enable the simultaneous transmission of high-definition (HD) signals using 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 chroma subsampling, allowing broadcasters to efficiently and cost-effectively utilize either format based on their existing infrastructures.

The IP-9500 4.0 also integrates a cutting-edge process for maintaining non-degraded 4:2:0 chroma resolution to preserve picture quality throughout the entire communications link. Fujitsu will demonstrate these and other new features of the IP-9500 4.0 during the 2009 NAB Show (booth SU10921), April 20-23, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“The Fujitsu technology innovation and ability to bring cutting-edge solutions to market is one of our key competitive advantages, and it is one reason why broadcasting organizations across the world continue to implement the IP-9500,” said Vic Herring, senior director, video solutions group, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. “The IP-9500’s ability to transmit 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 signals simultaneously yields measureable benefits to our customers by reducing cost and bolstering efficiency while maintaining superior picture quality and low latencies.”

(Source) Press

Epson unveils a new potential projector solutions for people who need large-scale projection in small places in the Epson Powerlite 410W projector. An upgrade to the incredibly popular PowerLite 400W - the industry’s first short throw, widescreen 3LCD projector - the PowerLite 410W offers native WXGA resolution (1280×800) for use with widescreen computers and 16:10 interactive whiteboards, and additional enhancements including a shorter throw lens, increased brightness and an optional wall mount for added flexibility.

Featuring a shorter throw lens than the previous model, the PowerLite 410W projects a 60-inch 16:10 image from two feet away, making it ideal for wall mounting. This improved design gives more space to students and teachers in smaller classrooms, while drastically reducing shadows from presenters.

The new projector also features 2,000 lumens white light output and 2,000 lumens color light output(2) for brilliant and vibrant image quality without excessive glare. In addition, the PowerLite 410W offers an adjustable optional wall mount to suit a wide variety of screen sizes. This wall mount option allows for quick installation with increased flexibility at a low cost.

The new PowerLite 410W offers several classroom-centric features, including:

• Extended Lamp Life: Epson’s exclusive E-TORL(R) lamp technology offers more lumens (brightness) per watt than lamps used with competitive projection technology offering similar lumens specification, leading to increased energy efficiency and cost savings over time; using E-TORL, lamp life can last up to 4,000 hours in economy mode(3), and replacement E-TORL lamps cost up to $200 less than competing replacement lamps
• Flexible Communication: Powerful internal 10-watt speaker and built-in closed captioning decoder make presentations accessible to viewers with hearing impairments with no added cost, and help meet section 508 compliance
• Epson 3LCD Technology: Features Epson’s latest, 3-chip 3LCD optical engine to deliver amazing color and detail for powerful presentations
• Network Monitoring and Control: RJ-45 wired LAN connectivity for remote monitoring and control via a school’s IT network helps saves time and money, regardless of the projector’s physical location
• Easy Operation: Direct power on/off for remote-free power control on installed units
• Setup Flexibility: 1.35x digital zoom and +/-15 degree vertical keystone correction allow for immediate set-up when sharing a projector among multiple classrooms
• Versatile Presentation Modes: Eight special color modes, including blackboard and whiteboard modes, allow for presenting in a variety of environments

The Epson PowerLite 410W projector will be available in late April 2009 for an estimated street price of $1,299 through national resellers, pro audio/visual dealers, mail order, and distribution. Epson’s PowerLite projectors come with a two-year limited warranty that includes two elite technical support services - two-year Epson PrivateLine phone support to directly access an expedited support telephone line by using a phone card that is included with the product, and a two-year Road Service projector replacement program that includes projector exchange in one business day.

(Source) Press

In case you are looking for a new LCD TV, then do consider buying the latest model launched by Samsung called Samsung LN19B361C5D LCD TV. Sporting a 18.5” screen, this new LCD TV from the house of Samsung lets you watch all your favorite shows and movies with stunning high definition and clear sound.

The new Samsung LN19B361C5D delivers a perfect resolution of 1366 x 768 and a dynamic contrast ratio of 15000:1. Providing you with a 8ms response time, this LCD TV comes with an in-built digital tuner and wide color enhancer. It measures 18.8 x 14.7” in dimensions.

Samsung’s LN19B361C5D LCD TV is an ENERGY STAR compliant product that consumes less power. It features SRS TruSurroundXT HD to deliver an enhanced and virtual surround-sound listening experience. You can grab Samsung LN19B361C5D LCD TV in just $299.99.