Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

We’ve heard for some time that Samsung planned to have two Blu-ray players in its lineup, but it’s been well over a year since there’s even been a peep about the BD-P2400, now out of nowhere the BD-P2550 shows up at Best Buy stores all over the country for the premium price of $499. According to Best Buy’s website, the new model has many of the missing features from Sammy’s latest BD-P1500, like 7.1 analog outputs and the sought after Silicon Optix HQV video processing. What does appear to be missing though, is the elusive BD-Live, but with the included network connection and USB port, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to imagine that either Best Buy failed to mention it, or it’s coming in a firmware update. Although $500 Blu-ray players aren’t for everyone, it’s good to see Blu-ray manufacturers offering multiple models for those in need of premium features.

[Via Format War Central]

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Well, what have we here? A trio of newcomers from “North America’s fastest growing brand of flat-panel HDTVs,” that’s what. Kicking things off in the all new XVT Series is the 42-inch SV420XVT and 47-inch SV47XVT LCD HDTVs, both of which feature 1080p panels, VIZIO’s Smooth Motion technology (120Hz), a 6,500:1 contrast ratio and the usual complement of ports including four HDMI 1.3 sockets. Next up we’ve got the 50-inch VP505XVT, a 1080p plasma with Silicon Optix’s famed REON HQV processing engine. Furthermore, this one packs an integrated digital TV tuner (with ClearQAM support), a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and SRS Labs’ TruSurround XT audio processing technology. The new trio is all set to ship next month for $1,499.99, $1,899.99 and $1,699.99, and of course, you’ll find ‘em perched at Circuit City, Sears and your favorite Club retailer. [Warning: PDF read link]

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With InfoComm just around the bend, NEC is making sure its two newest projectors don’t get (too) lost in the shuffle. Up first is the NP905, which offers up 3,000 lumens, an XGA (1,024 x 768) native resolution, 500:1 contrast ratio, built-in speaker and HDMI 1.3 socket. The 2,000 lumen NP901W comes in with a WXGA (1,280 x 800) resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio and most of the same specs as its sibling. Both units include Windows Network Projector functionality within Windows Vista (wired or wireless access), a geometric correction tool and the highly-regarded Silicon Optix HQV processor. Catch ‘em this July for $1,999.99 and $1,299.99, respectively.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

NEC’s got yet another new projector rolling in for under a grand ($899, to be exact), and it’s going by the name VT800. Beyond the stark white finish, you’ll find a native XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution, an Ethernet port for remote management / control, built-in closed caption decoding, a USB port, an HDCP-compliant HDMI input, 2,700 lumens, 500:1 contrast ratio and a lamp good for around 3,000 hours. Furthermore, the unit boasts a five-watt internal speaker, PIP / ESS functionality, wall color correction presets and 3D Reform, which “squares the image by adjusting horizontally, vertically or diagonally when the projector cannot be placed parallel or perpendicular to the screen.” It’s all yours this April.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Filed under: Peripherals

Skype users, rejoice: eBay’s VoIP giant has just given video calling a major kick in the pants by teaming up with Logitech to create a platform capable of displaying your ugly mug in full VGA glory at 30fps without the inelegant hack. With the release of version 3.6 for Windows (sorry Mac users, but you have your Leopards to play with), Skype now supports High Quality Video when employing one of three Logitech webcams already on the market — the QuickCams Pro 9000, Pro for Notebooks, and Orbit AF — along with a dual core-powered machine. Of course, performance is highly dependent on your internet connection as well; the HQV spec calls for a minimum of 384kbps, and both parties will probably require more than that if they want to avoid throttled frame rates. Updated software (v. 11.5) already being rolled out will teach supported QuickCams their new trick, bringing with it the all the facial imperfections and embarrassing quirks that are likely to remind us why video calling has never really caught on in the first place.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Following in the footsteps of so many others that have come before it, Gateway is finally introducing a 30-inch display of its own, and it’s tooting its own horn all the while. Notably, the firm claims that its XHD3000 is the “world’s first Quad-HD display” — which we’re sure more than a few outfits would dispute — and the 2,560 x 1,600 resolution mimics that found on monitors offered up by Apple, Dell, Samsung and HP. The screen does utilize the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processor, and it also offers up a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness, a six-millisecond refresh rate and 178-degree viewing angles. Moreover, buyers will find a plethora of ports on the rear including HDMI, VGA, DVI, two component inputs, composite, S-Video, six USB 2.0 sockets and a variety of audio connections. It’s up for grabs right now for $1,699.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!