CES 07: LCDs get bigger and HD goes hybrid
Having pounded the floors of CES here in Las Vegas over the past five days, it’s become clear that this year, big screen LCD TVs and the elimination of cables to transfer those high def signals wirelessly are hot.
While last year’s show was dominated by 80in or higher sized plasma TVs, this year it’s LCDs hitting that size. Many are not out yet, and the first wave will be 50in plus models, but supersize LCDs will not be far behind.
And to go with those TVs are more HD DVD and Blu-ray drives. LG’s hybrid Blu-ray player has grabbed loads of attention, but the company is also bringing out a hybrid PC drive too, although its high launch price will put off many.
In the PC space, Vista is the talk of the town. Manufacturers have been saying the past month has been very slow as people hang on for the new operating system. And they are lining up many machines – particularly laptops – to launch once Vista ships at the end of this month.
The most eye-catching products were, I think, display based. On Sony’s stand it is showing some stunning looking OLED TVs (pictured left). The TVs were only millimetres thick and although most were only 11inches in sreen size – clearly not big enough - you could see where the technology is heading. And Sony also had a working 27in model on the stand.
Sharp has an incredible looking 108in LCD HDTV (pictured right) on its stand. It’ll take up a whole wall and is going to cost $60,000 or more, but far from being a concept device, Sharp will start selling it from August. 
Philips had its one-off diamond flat TV – complete with 2,200 diamonds. And it also has a couple of three dimensional displays. Used for signage, the company said they will be commercially available TVs within a few years.
Having films or programmes with real depth and leaping out will get Hollywood’s creative juices flowing, and Philips also believes they’ll attract serious gamers as well.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 12, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Toshiba bringing out twin hard drive laptop
Toshiba is bringing out a laptop later this year with two hard disks inside.
The Satellite A135 will be out around Q3, coming in two versions - with a 15.4in or 17in screen. It will use Intel’s Santa Rosa Centrino mobile platform, run Microsoft’s Vista operating system and include a webcam (as will most of Toshiba's new laptops, many of which will be released soon after comes out).
Despite having two hard drives inside, it will not be Raid enabled, so wcan't be used for mirroring to back up all data simultaneously on both disks. Instead, Toshiba said it is aimed at people that want to use one for multimedia files while the other is used for general data.
No firm pricing was given, but the models are likely to cost between $899 and $1,299.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 12, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Wireless Port Replicator eliminates cables
Toshiba showed off its latest Portege R400 tablet notebook with its Wireless Port Replicator at CES.The Replicator uses the Ultra Wideband wireless frequency, and means you'll not longer need to connect your mouse, keyboard or TFT monitor into the notebook.
Instead, the devices are connected to the Replicator and when the notebook is within range it automatically detects and allows the devices to be used.
The UWB frequency has not yet been ratified in Europe, so the Replicator won't be available on the continent until it has been certified.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 12, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
3D TV around the corner
Philips believes it is only a few years away from releasing a high-end consumer facing TV that shows three dimensional images.
At CES it is showing its current 3D displays, used by businesses signage, but said it will have 3D TVs within two or three years.
It uses a Lenticular Lens System, like old postcards that appear to change when the viewing angle is moved. The 3D image is rendered in the TV, and projects pictures to the left and right eye at the same time.
Nine pictures, at differing angles, are projected and depending where you sit in front of the TV, your eyes see two of those images. It gets its depth from each pixel either appearing to be in or out of the TV.
TVs will be expensive – the 42in version costing about €10,000 and the 20in around €6,000.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 12, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Goaaaallll! Plen robot scores at CES
It costs $2,200 and can be controlled via software on your mobile phone.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 12, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: HP releasing external Blu-ray drive
Expect to see an external Blu-ray drive later this year, joining the already available HD DVD drive.
HP developed and released the $499 HD DVD first, partly because it was easier and would be cheaper for consumers.
The Blu-ray drive casing is the same as the HD DVD drive’s and will be out in the second quarter. HP said no price was available yet, but it is likely to cost more than the HD DVD drive.
The drive needs a PC with a minimum Pentium D 3.2GHz or equivalent processor, an HDCP compliant graphics card and a TV or monitor that is similarly HDCP compliant. It connects to a computer via USB.
HP will also be bringing out an external HD DVD writer during the summer, allowing consumers to burn HD DVD discs. No other details were available.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bluetooth media streamer
MSI has launched a Bluetooth video and audio streamer at CES called the Bluetooth VDP box.
After connecting it to a TV or video projector via the RCA connector you can stream 3GP and MP4 files wirelessly from your mobile phone, laptop or PDA.
It might seem like a useless item since you usually stream videos from one room to another and Bluetooth won't stretch further than 10m and rarely through a wall.
However, with mobile phones beginning to get outfitted with more memory (iPhone for example) this might be the perfect way to see those clips on a big screen.
It uses VDP, the video streaming profile and the A2DP audio streaming profile, which I've previously had problems with but it has now grown on me.
Posted by Emil Larsen on January 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Seagate aims to make backup chic
Seagate is aiming to give an air of sex to storage, with its sleekly designed FreeAgent external backup family of products.
The FreeAgent Pro comes in 320GB, 500GB and 750GB versions and is aimed
at being more of a lifestyle and backup device.
It includes 500MB of online storage that is free for six months, after which it is a paid for service (the capacity can be increased).
The idea, said Seagate, is to have a limited amount of data available from anywhere where there is internet access. Prices range from $200 to $400.
The base FreeAgent Desktop version, which comes with 250GB, 320GB and 500GB, is designed to be a pure back up device. Prices range from $149 to $249.
The FreeAgent Go is the portable version, coming with an 80GB, 120GB or 160GB hard disk drive, costing from $130.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
CES 07: 1.5TB hard disk drives in 2008
Hard disk capacities have shot up over the past couple of years, and speaking with Hitachi today – which launched it 1TB drive a few days back – the company predicted we could be seeing 1.5TB or 2TB 3.5in drives next year.
A spokeswoman said the company was waiting to see customer reaction first to the 1TB – if it is well received then a bigger capacity will be arriving quicker.
She didn’t know if the next drive would be a mere 500GB bigger or doubled to 2TB. But she said: “There will be another capacity jump in 2008."
Posted by Rob Jones on January 11, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: LG to launch hybrid Blu-ray and HD DVD PC drive
The dual standard high definition player announced by LG at CES has had a lot of attention, but it does have a smaller brother also due out soon – the Super Multi Blue internal Blu-ray Disc Rewriter and HD DVD Rom drive.
Like the BH100 Super Multi Blue Player, the GGW-H10N can also read both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, as well as standard DVDs and CDs. It also, as the name suggests, writes to Blu-ray discs, although not to HD DVD discs.
It can write to a disc up to 50GB in size – holding nine hours of HD content or 23 hours at standard definition. LG claims its 4x write speed for Blu-ray discs is the fastest around.
Due out around March in the US – and shortly after that in the UK, it will cost around $1,199.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 10, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
CES 07: Sling Media Catches home TV to TV streaming
Sling Media is adding to its range of products that access and play your home TV over the internet with the Sling Catcher. Initially available in the US mid year, but with a UK launch likely some time after that, the Sling Catcher enables TV to remote TV viewing of programmes, rather than TV to PC.
Owners will also need a Slingbox and fast upstream broadband speeds. This is because at 256kbits/sec for instance, artefacts will be obvious if a programme is streamed over the internet to a second TV. But if that TV is in another room in the home, the signal does not go over the internet, so lower upstream speeds are acceptable.
Sling Media said the ability to stream the home TV signal to another TV – say a hotel room - rather than a computer was the number one request from owners. The Catcher sits next to the receiving TV, but the process is essentially the same as when using a PC – so owners can change channels on the home TV, use time shifting functions or access pre-recorded programmes on a PVR hard disk.
In the US, Sling Media has three versions of its Slingbox – the Pro, Tuner and AV and these will also be released in the UK this year. Plus, the company said for those using the Slingbox on a PC, the software will use some of the capabilities wrapped into Vista, such as the sidebar (see video demo).
With the rival Sony LocationFree also streaming TV to the PSP, we asked if there were any similar plans. Sling said it was looking at alternative portable devices, such as the Nintendo DS and Microsoft Zune.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 9, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: What's hot on day 2
A round up of the latest stories coming from CES on out sister blogs:
Bill Gates envisions a server in your home (video)
Microsoft unveils even more Vista goodies (video)
Toshiba R400 with Wireless Port Replicator
An Asus Sideshow without Windows
Bill Gates shows off his home of the future (video)
Bill Gates: one more year at CES
Panasonic loves plasma to death
Blu-ray claims lead in HD standards war
Posted by Rob Jones on January 9, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Another 7in LCD photo frame launched
Parrot has unveiled a 7in digital photo frame at CES.
Designed to be put on any table as a stand alone device it can do slide shows of your favourite digital photos without a PC.
We reviewed a 3.5in digital photo frame from Parrot in June and were generally disappointed as it was outclassed by a similarly priced 7in model from Philips.
On paper this model looks much better value for money. As well as housing a 7in LCD that has a native resolution of 720x480 pixels LCD, it is Bluetooth enabled to transfer photos from Bluetooth enabled mobile phones and laptops.
The 128MB inbuilt memory should be enough to hold about 50 to 100 standard digital pictures or up to 180 photos with the minimum supported file size (700Kbytes). Like with the older Parrot model we reviewed, there appears to be no way of increasing the memory.
The 7in Parrot photo viewer will be available in Europe from February 2007 for £134 inc. VAT.
Posted by Emil Larsen on January 8, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: What's hot on day 1
A round up of stories on PCW and our sister blogs from CES:
Microsoft unveils Windows Home Server
Meet LG's dual mode DVD player
Philips bringing out Wireless HDMI device - high def without cables
SanDisk V-Mate pals up to DVDs
Youtube comes to a TV near you (Video demo)
Wireless USB certified in Q1
People buying more technology than ever before
Posted by Rob Jones on January 8, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Samsung brings out its Vista monitors
Back in the depths of summer we exclusively revealed that Samsung was working closely with Microsoft to produce a Vista monitor. Today Samsung unveiled its new range of Vista monitors, branded by Microsoft, as we said at the time.
The SyncMaster 906BW, 206BW and 226BW (pictured) are widescreen LCD monitors designed to show Vista in its best light. They have 2ms grey to grey response times, a 3000:1 contrast ratio and come with dual inputs (DVI-D & analogue) as well as being HDCP capable. All have Windows Vista Premium certification.
Vista gets its big launch at the end of January, although Microsoft is pushing the operating system heavily here at CES.
What we don’t know yet is the cost or release dates for the monitors, but we’ll update this post when we find out.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 7, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
CES 07: Philips launches Ambx sensory gaming kit
In December we were given a demo of Philips new gaming technology, Ambx and told it would launch at CES.
Philips showed off a whole range of up and coming technologies or products today, from its latest Ambilight LCD TVs to a Stremium Wireless Music System and a Wireless HDMI. And of course Ambx.
The idea is sensory gaming and it uses lights, fans and a wrist rumbler to “transform the entire gaming experience” said Philips. A wall washer beams up to 16 million different colours behind the computer screen combined with two light fans, two satellite speakers with integrated lights a sub woofer and a wrist rumbler.
Only a handful of games support the system at the moment, including Toca 3 and the soon-to-be-released Supreme Commander. The lights respond to what’s happening in the game – so for instance if there’s fast action and flashing lights on your computer screen, this will be recreated in your room’s walls.
The fans are designed to provide a similar experience, simulating wind, a collision, or a drop in temperature – as it happens in the game. The wrist rumbler vibrates depending on the action.
Philips’ amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range will launch as four kits: a $199 starter kit which contains a directional wall washer light, controller unit and satellite lights; a $299 Pro-Gamer Kit which includes a directional wall washer light, a controller unit, satellite 2.1 speaker lights and subwoofer; a $99 Extension Kit featuring a set of desk fans and wrist rumbler.
To get the complete kit, you’ll need to shell out $399.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 7, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Asus launches external notebook grahics
Asus is launching an external graphics card unit for gamers that want the convenience of a laptop.
The XG Station launches with an Nvidia 7900GS graphics card within its chassis and has 5.1 virtual surround sound. It connects via a PCI Express card and gamers can overclock the graphics card while playing. Asus claims with the 7900GS, it is nine times faster than when using a laptop with Intel 945GM integrated graphics.
It comes out early Q2 and costs $300. The card can be upgraded and Asus plans to bring out a version without card, giving buyers the choice of which card they use (no news on the price in this configuration though). It’s not locked to Nvidia either, so ATI fans can also get their fill.
Marketing manager David Ray said: “The whole concept is to make it upgradeable….so that a year later you can still have the best card.”
It attracted a lot of interest at CES Unveiled, where it got an airing, but Asus missed a trick by not loading a game in the laptop it was attached too – so we haven’t seen it in action yet. We’ll swing by its stand in the coming days and if it’s with game, video a demo of it working.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 7, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: Microsoft to push 'breakthrough' mobile PC
Toshiba and Microsoft claim they will be unveiling the ‘ultimate breakthrough’ mobile PC next week at CES, and with an announcement like that, I just hope I’m not going to be disappointed.
From the few details out, it sounds like the latest ultra mobile – or Origami – PC to hit the streets, and if that’s the case, I hope the two have solved some of the early issues these devices had.
Battery life to date has been the big issue, because it’s simply not long enough for a device designed to be an all-day, lightweight machine. Interestingly, Intel’s name was not on the invite – does this mean the device is using an alternative CPU, we ask.
Microsoft has a busy week ahead of it at CES, because apart from its Toshiba announcement, it is also pushing Vista and Office 2007 at the event and developments with MSN. We’ll be reporting on them all during the week.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 3, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CES 07: TDK to release 200GB Blu-ray disc
TDK is showing off its 200GB Blu-ray disc at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next week.
There are few details as yet (as it wants journos to turn up to its press briefing), but most likely you can expect the disc to be available in the US first before making its way to the UK. But at 200GB, it's going to be a mass storage device for those with heavy backup needs. It could also herald a new type of movie box set - as a single disc.
Being a new year, the Blu-ray camp must be hoping for a better 2007, as 2006 was fraught with set backs for their high definition standard, while HD-DVD managed to get products out on time, and with slashed prices, at a cost that attracted consumers.
Posted by Rob Jones on January 2, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
