Online Retailers Hammacher Schlemmer, have available for preorder a R2-D2 robot unlike any other. He is a home theater system with many features. …Continue reading … »

In an interview the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, David Reeves,
stated that he felt that for the European PAL market it made more sense to do a more significant upgrade in hard-drive capacity than a mere 20 gigabyte increase(such as from 60GB to 80Gb). He stated that he felt that a doubling of the capacity would be more appropriate for the market. This is interesting because in light of recent price reductions for the 60GB PS3 it seemed as if Sony had taken to the idea that making the PS3 as inexpensive as possible was the best way to get it into the hands of the consumer. Also if the 120GB version is produced it will most likely make its way to the US in one form or another. More info on this possible 120GB PS3 as it comes in.

[source:CVG]

In Korea Bang and Olufsen introduced the 40 inch BeoVision 7 LCD. The BeoVision 7 with a unique feature. This LCD sits on a motorized stand which can tilt various degrees allowing for the screen to be more easily from various angles. The rotating stand is controlled by the BeoVision 7’s remote. Another interesting feature of this LCD is its built-in DVD player. No information on price or availability was given.

[source:Aving]

Samsung will be adding a 70 inch model to its line of 81 series LED LCD displays. The model will be called the LN-T7081F, and will feature the LED backlighting “local dimming” technology which controls the brightness for 64 areas of the screen. This will allow the display to have a contrast ratio of 100,000:1. Another special feature of this set will be its 178 degree viewing angle. This is the first LED LCD of this size to come to the market. No price has yet been announced. This display as well as the rest of the 81 series will ship in August of 2007.

[source:E-gear]

Rumours have been circulating that the 60 GB playstation would be sold at $499 only until its until current stock on hand was sold out and then discontinued. Current stock was assumed to be deplete at the end of july. However, Dave Karraker of Sony Computer Entertainment of America stated that they have enough current stock for several months. So it seems for now that consumers will have plenty of time to take advantage of the price reduction.

[source:Joystiq]

Samsung released information on their 71 and 81 series LCDs. The 71 series LCD has the following features:

• 1080 progressive display
• 25,000: 1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 3 HDMI 1.3 ports
• CCFL backlight
• 120Hz “Auto Motion Plus”
• built-in speakers and subwoofer

Prices for the 71 series sets are as follows: 40-inch ($2,699), 46-inch ($3,399) and 52-inch ($4,399) .

The 81 series has all the features of the 71 series and the following additional features:

• 100,0000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• LED backlighting in place of the CCFL backlight
• 120Hz “Auto Motion PlusLED” in place of “Auto Motion Plus”

Prices for the 81 series sets are as follows:40-inch ($2,999), 46-inch ($3,999), 52-inch ($4,999) and 57 inch($6,999).

[source:Twice]

Sony has reduced the price of the playstation 30 with the 60 gigabyte harddrive to $499 from $599. As well they are bringing a 80gigabyte version at $599 which will be coming to the market in August. This is really good for consumers and I predict there will be another price reduction during the holiday shopping season also. Now if only the PS3 can get some really good games.

Samsung has unveiled a 82 inch LCD called the 820DXn in Korea. This massive LCD displays the the Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and has a contrast ratio of 1200:1. It will be released to the Korean market in November.
More pics at Samsung to unveil its 82-inch Full HD LCD monitor ‘820DXn’

I’m not sure who is going to win the high definition DVD format war but Blu-Ray is the superior format. The Blu-Ray disc holds 25GB on a single sided disc and 50GB on a dual layered disc. In comparison the HD-DVD holds 15GB on a single sided disc and 30GB on a dual layered disc. More storage space means more data more software, mp3s, standard definition video, and documents. As well in terms of high definition video theoretically more storage space means better picture quality. …Continue reading … »

I am considering purchasing a 57 - 65 inch high definition crt rptv. There are some that are still being sold from hitachi and philips. I am not satisfied with the picture quality with flat panel displays right now. There most significant problem is there ability to reproduce the color black.

Frankly they can’t reproduce black well. Black ends up being gray. To my eyes its like trying to admire a picture like the the mona lisa and everything that should be black is …Continue reading … »