October 02, 2005 | Back

Logitech's Harmony 890 Pro and 895 Remotes

In the kitchen, with your arms elbow deep in meatloaf, but really want to change the channel in the living room? The Logitech Harmony 890 Pro advanced universal remote control is the first in Logitech's award-winning family of Harmony remotes to use both radio frequency and infrared wireless signals to deliver powerful and complete control of multi-zone home-entertainment systems and home-theater setups. With the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro remote, no line of sight is needed, which allows it to have control of systems in multiple rooms or hidden behind closed doors. For example, one can stand in the kitchen and turn off a TV in the den before switching on music from an audio receiver located in the living room.

The remotes work as part of a modular system that may include any number of Harmony RF base stations -- typically one for each room, or zone. With a wireless range of up to 100 feet, the Harmony 890 Pro and 895 remotes send RF commands to a base station, which then blasts infrared signals to any components in that zone. An installer can create a system that involves multiple remotes and/or base stations to deliver complete control of many entertainment zones throughout the home. A Harmony 890 Pro or 895 remote can also navigate photos, videos, and music on a PC by using the optional Harmony USB wireless PC transceiver, which plugs directly into a computer. It's about time, Logitech!

> Source: Logitech
> Estimated price: $449 RF Base Station - $99 USB Transceiver
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

September 21, 2005 | Back

Logitech Z-5450 with Dual Wireless Rear Speakers

Can you feel the beat? Logitech just launched a new cordless speaker system that ensures you do! The Logitech Z-5450 Digital speakers, ideal for use with the living room entertainment center or with the office PC, feature two independent wireless rear speakers. Each of the rear speakers can be placed anywhere within 8.5 meters (28 feet) of the speaker system control center. With THX-certification and 315 watts of power, these speakers help create a theater-quality movie watching experience and provide enough thump to help people feel like they're inside the game.

"Historically, delivering high-quality sound wirelessly has been a major challenge," said Ray Weikel, Logitech's director of product marketing for audio. "The Z-5450 speakers master this challenge, while they alleviate the age-old nuisance of pulling up carpet or crawling through a home's foundation just to hide speaker wire. These are powerful, high-performance speakers that deliver on the promise of the Z-series family name without compromise, yet add a whole new element of wireless flexibility to multimedia entertainment."

> Source: Logitech
> Estimated price: $499
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:31 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

September 09, 2005 | Back

Reversica Introduces Hardware With Innovative 'Rotaxial' Motion

Love your plasma but hate staring at it all damn day? (When it is off, of course - LOVE it when it is on!) Since new technology never does seem to fit into old furniture, Reversica has introduced a new kind of hardware system for the home theater market that rotates a 50" plasma or LCD TV along with 12 feet of full size bookshelves. As easily as opening a door, a Gyre-equipped cabinet twists completely around hiding the plasma or LCD and revealing shelves for whatever the homeowner wishes to display. Since the Gyre 6300 can hold up to 375 lbs. in a 17.5" depth, books, stemware, china, a wine rack or collectibles could be stored on the other side.

The Gyre Slim, a thinner, 7.5" version of the standard Gyre, allows the homeowner to display original artwork or a mirror on one side and a thin screen TV on the other. Both models can be mounted in walls, above fireplaces or built into entertainment furniture. The Gyre is a motion hardware kit that allows cabinets to rotate in a unique space-saving manner. Contractors, cabinetmakers or furniture makers take care of all woodwork. Design, trim, wood choices and finish are limited only by the homeowner's imagination. (Right now I am imagining I had a 50" plasma!)

> Source: Reversica
> Estimated price: $3,000
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 12, 2005 | Back

Optoma Ships Highly Anticipated MovieTime Digital DVD Projector

If tonight (every night?) is a Blockbuster night, Optoma Technology has a gadget for you. The company just began shipping its MovieTime digital DVD home theater projector. The projector features a built-in DVD player and integrated speakers in a stylish, compact design. With its ultra bright, theater-quality projection and easy-to-use features, movie enthusiasts can enjoy stunning and engaging video and sound for instant home entertainment.

For those of you who say, "Hey, what about my games?" Well, yes, it also works for games! Bigger than ever gaming with the new MovieTime projector.

> Source: Optoma
> Estimated price: $1,499
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 06:19 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 01, 2005 | Back

New Sony Grand WEGA High-Def TVs

Sports fans rejoice! Sony's new Grand WEGA 3LCD HDTV models are now shipping throughout the United States - just in time for summer sports. With broadcasters committed to delivering more HDTV sports action this summer, the season promises to be a benchmark for high-definition programming. Sony's new Grand WEGA HD models -- the KDF-E60A20 (60-inch), KDF-E55A20 (55-inch), and KDF-E50A10 (50-inch) -- begin shipping this week. Additionally, the KDF-E42A10 (42-inch) model will ship in late July.

Sony's KDF-E42A10 (42-inch) and KDF-E50A10 (50-inch) models feature a new design with a thin dark black bezel, a compact body (approximately 14 -16 inches deep) and, for the first time, invisible speakers located at the bottom of the set. As a result, these new sets now fit into space that previously may have been too small. Compared to enhanced definition televisions and other technologies, the Grand WEGA TVs deliver natural color reproduction and exceptional brightness levels due to 3LCD technology with 1280 x 720 native 720p resolution. All four new models also provide access to Sony's WEGA GATE on-screen guide, which with a push of a button enables you to perform a variety of tasks intuitively on a simple control panel.

NPD Techworld's latest update from June 4 shows Sony's Grand WEGA dominating the high-definition micro-display product category with nearly 40 percent dollar share and almost 35 percent unit share. If the new sets deliver half as well as the former models, they will likely retain that position.

> Source: Sony
> Estimated price: $2,300 - $3,500
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 23, 2005 | Back

Hannspree to Launch Radical New Line of Design-Driven "Lifestyle" TVs in US

Furniture? Appliance? Artwork? Hannspree California Inc. is redefining television with a bold new breed of visually inspiring sets in the U.S. this summer. Hannspree draws upon contemporary interior design trends and individual passions to create televisions that accent any room and give expression to any taste or lifestyle. The company's diverse range of more than 100 products allows consumers to find a TV that exactly embodies their personality and interests. One TV echoes the classic, sophisticated wooden lines of a cello, while others use hand-stitched leather to replicate the look and feel of a baseball, or incorporate child-friendly fabrics to make animal-shaped TVs that are as tactile as they are endearing. Hannspree has signed licensing and marketing deals with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB), and is exploring opportunities to extend its Asia licensing relationship with Disney into the U.S.

Hannspree's televisions come in three themed product lines: Style, Fantasy and Sports. Every Hannspree TV employs a flat-screen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and all widescreen TVs (screens of 23" and larger) are HDTV-compatible.

> Source: Hannspree
> Estimated price: $449 to $1,399
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 31, 2005 | Back

Atdec Wall Mounts Designed to Complement New Generation Plasmas and LCDs

Aesthetics, strength and safety were key criteria for Australian designer and manufacturer Atdec Pty Limited when developing three new additions to its Telehook and Visidec range of visual display mounting systems. Atdec's Telehook 12-30 Multi is three products in one. It can mount LCD and plasma flat panel displays from 12" to 30" in size flat against the wall, or on a single swing arm, or on an articulated swing arm. (How many arms does one product need anyway?)

In all seriousness, the versatile Telehook Multi works in the home, office, (home office?) boat or mobile home. It suits all VESA-compliant flat panel displays with 3" x 3", 4" x 4" and 4" x 8" hole patterns and supports up to 39 lbs in weight. The units include hardware, cable management, a five-year warranty and are quick and easy to install.

> Source: Atdec
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 27, 2005 | Back

Pepper Computer Launches The Pepper Pad

Toss those remote controls! Pepper Computer's wireless Pepper Pad went on sale today and your home will never be the same. The Pepper Pad is the first portable wireless device that gives consumers instant Internet and digital media while also controlling other in-home devices. It provides, in a lightweight, ruggedized package: Mozilla-based Web browsing, AOL instant messaging, and e-mail; collecting, organizing and sharing videos, music and photos; and TV and stereo remote control. Now you can finally surf the web, listen to music, watch tv, and play games - all through the same device!

Hey Pepper, what took you so long? The Pepper Pad is available now exclusively through Amazon.com and will be available through big box retailers later this year.

> Source: Pepper Computer
> Estimated price: $799
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

Wirelessly Connect Your iPod to Your Home Entertainment System with the Belkin TuneStage

Sure, you can hook your iPod to your home entertainment system, but can you do it sans the wire? Now you can! Belkin Corporation has just announced the TuneStage for iPod, a device that allows you to play the songs from your iPod through your home theater wirelessly via Bluetooth technology. With a transmitter connected to your iPod and a receiver hooked up via RCA or 3.5mm to your system, TuneStage offers reliable, high-quality sound without the clutter of cables. The TuneStage fits all-size iPod devices with a dock connector. Can you feel the music?

> Source: Belkin
> Estimated price: $179
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 25, 2005 | Back

GE Expands Illuminex Diffuser Film Portfolio for LCD TVs, Notebook PCs, Auto GPSs and Monitors

Just when you thought TV Time couldn't possibly get any better, GE Advanced Materials has announced the expansion of its Illuminex diffuser film family of optical films for liquid crystal display (LCD) back-lighting into applications such as televisions, notebook PCs, computer monitors, and automotive global positioning system (GPS) displays. These materials help enhance performance under demanding environmental reliability conditions for the global electronics industry.

GE's Illuminex diffuser films offer key advantages over traditional coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films by eliminating the coating, which can experience failures from flaking, voids, and scratching of light guides. Coming Soon to a home theater near you!

> Source: GE Advanced Materials
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments