Apple TV Will Stream 99 Cents TV Shows
There are rumours that Apple TV will offer 99 cent TV episodes that can be streamed, not downloaded. Currently Apple TV charges $1.99 per TV episodes for download. The new streaming price will compete on par with Hulu+, Netflix and Amazon’s Video On Demand.
Apple Patents 3D Glasses – iSpecs
Apple has filed a patent for high definition 3D glasses, iSpecs. The 3D glasses was meant for iPhone and iPad. The device comes with an external camera and infrared sensor. Currently it is only a patent, time will tell if Apple is going to do anything with this.
Samsung, Sony Launching 3D TV Soon
Samsung will release their extensive 3D TV line this March and starting price is $1,700 for the 46-inch 240Hz CCFL backlit LN46C750. The 55-inch 240Hz LED backlit UN55C9000 will cost $6,999.
Sony plans to launch their new 3D television sets in Japan from 10 June. A 46-inch 3D Sony 3D TV will cost around $3,898. Sony’s TDG-BR100 and TDG-BR50 active shutter glasses will cost about $133
TiVo Premiere: Blockbuster, Netflix, Amazon and YouTube
TiVo has announced its next-generation Series 4 Premiere boxes which features an HD interface and includes integration with YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, and Blockbuster services. The Premiere with a 320 GB hard drive for $300, and the $500 Premiere XL with 1 TB, THX-certification and a backlit remote. But no Wi-Fi included in the two versions.
Panasonic, LG To Release Skype Ready HDTV
Skype is partnering with LG and Panasonic to release high-definition TV that is capable videoconferencing for home users by June. FaceVision and In Store Solutions SL will provide the high-definition Web camera for the service.
Skype on the Panasonic VIERA CAST-enabled HDTV delivers many familiar Skype features including:
- Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
- Calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype’s low rates
- The option to receive inbound calls via a user’s online Skype number
- Skype voicemail, if you have it set up
- Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties
Source: Skype and Panasonic Announce Collaboration to Add Skype Software to Viera HDTVs
3D TV Channel Coming Soon
Discovery, Sony, and Imax have announced plans to form a U.S. TV network entirely dedicated to 3D programming. To receive signals from the 3D channel you will need a new 3D-capable TV and glasses.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav says, We’ll be shooting some of our new (shows) in 3D and upconverting some of our existing content” from conventional 2D to 3D. And Sony’s movie group, TV group, and music group are all beginning to develop content in 3D.
HDMI 1.4 Adds 3D Support
HDMI Licensing group that licenses HDMI specs has announced 3D broadcast support will be added to HDMI v1.4. This could bring 3D gaming and movie (ie, Avatar 3D) watching to high-definition TVs.
The HDMI Consortium said it would meet in late January to add an additional 3D format to the HDMI 1.4 spec. Currently, HDMI 1.4 supports various 3D display structures like field, frame, line alternative methods etc. Amongst other things HDMI 1.4 supports increased maximum resolution to 4K and Ethernet connectivity.
Source: Latest HDMI 1.4 Specification to Add 3D Support
Intel Takes Atom Into The TV
At the Intel Developers Forum, Intel Corporation executives Eric Kim and Justin Rattner revealed the Intel Atom processor CE 4100 chip which will bring Internet content and services to digital TVs, DVD players, and advanced set-top boxes.
Kim said, At the center of the TV evolution is more processing power, which we deliver with the CE4100 media processor, built on the Intel Atom core and optimized for IPTV digital set-tops, connected media players and digital TVs. With its performance and high-resolution graphics capabilities, CE manufacturers and software developers now have a platform for real innovation.
Rattner said, By the year 2015, you can expect 15 billion consumer devices capable of delivering TV content with billions of hours of video available. We’ll need much more sophisticated ways to organize content and provide it on demand. Intel Labs researchers are working on evolving technology so people can get the TV content they want, when they want it and wherever they want it.
Apple TV Cuts Price, Kills 40GB Version
Apple has slashed $100 off the 160 GB model of the Apple TV and eliminated the 40 GB version of the home media player. Is Apple preparing to reveal a higher end model?
Apple is now selling the 160 GB model for $229 with no shipping fee.
LG Showing Off 15 Inch OLED TV
LG has revealed their intention to release OLED TV that uses using organic display technology. LG will release a 15 inch OLED TV and later a 40 inch version. LG would be announcing the 15 inch AM-OLED TV at the IFA 2009 consumer electric show in Berlin in September.
The TV set would be commercialized in Korea in November and offered overseas next year, it said. Currently OLED technology is still too pricey.
Source: LG to unveil 15-inch OLED TV
