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New Sony PS3 Videos: Playstation 3 Home and Life

This is all about the Playstation 3 Home and Life and below we have two videos for you to watch, the first video is about the “New Playstation Home Trailer” which shows new footage of what you can do within the game.

The Playstation 3 Home and Life video shows you spaces, few sports like bowling, golf and pool oh and some clothes, at the end of the video it says “Hope to see you here”. Now all the talk about “Home” is the delays this delays that and we say quit the moaning because look at it this way, if they keep on delaying it that means Sony are having problems and we do not want to be in the “Home” to have nothing but problems, to us delays after delays is a good thing because Sony want perfection, so all in all worth the wait. This is going to be great for meeting people, relaxing in a relaxed world.

Now moving onto the second video, Playstation Live is a brand new service where you see the earth like you have never seen before for news and how the weather is; it will be released at the end of the year. Many gamers are saying that it is a Google Earth rip-off which is pretty funny really considering it looks nothing like it, some are saying it is another feature of the Wii that they copied, not sure I understand what they are on about but hey I am only publishing what people are saying.

Please watch the videos below then come back and give us your personal views please.

No more headaches: Experimental Hand-held Magnetic Device Eases Migraines

Like myself I suffer from migraines and if you suffer the same you know that the pain is excruciating, leaving with you to put up with throbbing headaches, sickness and endless amounts of medication taking, the most practical thing to do nine times out of ten is to find a dark quite room and just wait it out till the pain goes. Migraine sufferers would love a drug-free solution to stop or ease the pain.

Well a new study claims that there may be at last a solution to the problem which may help some migraines, this solution is a brand new experimental hand-held transcranial magnetic stimulation device, apparently all you need to do is hold the device at the bottom of your head and it will ease symptoms, some volunteers have tested this device. The experimental treatment tool is found to alleviate symptoms of headache with aura, let me explain what a migraine is, migraines are basically cause by some abnormal brain activity which can be brought on by a number of things such as bad dieting, stress, these migraines are very painful indeed which leads to nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

The whole idea behind this brand new device is where patients will use it when they encounter the migraine’s aura phase, which is a visual disturbance that can occur before the headache begins. What is an Aura? Well in easy terms Auras include zigzag lines, flashing lights, experiencing temporary blind spots, visual hallucinations, blurred vision, and sensitivity to bright light or eye pain.

A little about the device itself: The new device is about the size of an average hairdryer and when put at the back of the head when you have migraine symptoms, the migraine sufferer will then push a button to administer the magnetic pulse, tests were carried out on volunteers and the study showed that the device eliminated the headache within two hours for 39 percent of volunteers, 22 percent in the placebo group said that they had no pain two hours later. The device was used by the participants twice per migraine episode within an hour of experiencing an aura.

Are you a migraine sufferer? If so please do tell us of your experiences.

Please read the full article here.

BRAVIA Internet LCD TVs get Hancock movie exclusively before DVD

When we go looking for a nice new television we buy for many different reasons and every brand has its advantages. Now if you bought a nice BRAVIA Internet connected LCD TV you may have bought it for the brand, features Internet abilities but whatever reason you will still get the chance to watch the Hancock movie exclusively before DVD.

This will be “exclusively to all internet connected BRAVIA LCD TVs in the U.S” and is just part of a much bigger plan by Sony to increase sales of their products. Remembering back ten years ago, when I bought my first home audio system it was Sony branded and the reason I did that was because everyone new Sony meant quality.

Today things are very different in the electronics business, you have many other brands that can equal the quality of Sony products and sometimes beat them. Sony now aim to take some of the market share back from brands like Samsung by using it’s muscle from other businesses it owns.

That’s why they also spoke about a video download service for the Sony PS3 today, (see this post). In Sony’s own words “increase network and wireless connectivity across its family of devices and build a service platform to provide a seamless user experience across our key hardware devices and content”. They will get all their products working together, and aim for the consumer to want as many Sony products as possible.

Do you own an Internet connected BRAVIA LCD TV and if so, would you like to download Hancock before its on DVD?

DAB to push out FM broadcasts by 2020: too expensive for both

If you thought that you were under enough stress over analogue TV being phased out over digital broadcasts, it seems as if we might have to go through yet another transition. This time it will be with our radios, in an interim report by The Digital Radio Working Group, DAB radio is the format choice and that means that FM broadcasts should be phased out by 2020. The report states that DAB should become the primary way of how we listen to our radios in the UK.

DAB is a service that is freely received, however you will have to purchase the more expensive DAB radio to receive the broadcasts. In the Digital Radio Working Group report is states that, it is too expensive for broadcasters to transmit their programmes in both FM analogue and Digital formats. The report goes on to say that a move to digital is a more viable option, as analogue radio “risks becoming increasingly irrelevant, particularly to young listeners, as consumers’ expectations for interactivity, quality and choice grow.”

According to Tech Digest, there is still a long way to go before the UK is ready for the change over. Currently only 90 percent of the UK can receive DAB and just one in five people actually listen to the DAB radio, one of these reasons is because there is a low take-up of people using them in their cars. If they could get more people to take up to using DAB radios in cars, then this would be part of the battle won. One of the ways where this could be done is for more new cars to come with DAB radios.

I have to say that I have tried a DAB radio and this business that it will not lose reception like FM does is rubbish. Whenever people walk near my DAB radio, the thing loses reception, now tell me how is that progress?

Hands-on with Ricoh GX200: imaging aspect a disappointment

This is the Ricoh GX200 and it’s the brands follow up to 2007’s GX100, this camera shows us Ricoh’s commitment to producing quality compact digital cameras that are great for portability and have manual control. You will not see many people carry a DSLR everywhere and that’s where the Ricoh GX200 comes in, it’s the ideal alternative for your pocket.

New features to the Ricoh GX200 model include a 1/1.7inch 12MP CCD sensor and the lens has been redesigned so that it matches the resolution of the sensor, although it does still feature the useful 24-72mm zoom range.

The Ricoh GX200 has been given a hands-on review by Trusted Reviews and they found that the imaging aspect is a disappointment; the features are similar to its predecessor with purist sensibility, a 3x zoom lens and Raw shooting. In their verdict they had this to say “Ricoh has tried to make a camera for the enthusiast photographer, a camera that the pro or enthusiast could slip into his pocket for a day and make sure he can still get a great shot. Design wise, the company has pulled it off.

The tough little camera is a beauty to hold and a joy to use, and I couldn’t wait to see the pictures. It’s the imaging aspect that’s a disappointment though, and really lets the camera and Ricoh’s ambitions down. The 12MP sensor and processing combination is frankly poor. In fact I question the wisdom of such densely populated sensors on compact cameras. The small pixels are bound to produce more noise and processing will only get you so far.

Ultimately, the camera works well at lower ISOs and does have some fantastic features, such as the best EVF and monitor yet in a compact, the b/w conversion and square format are fun and the accessories available add up to a nice little system. It’s just not as good as it should be”.

Read the 9-page review.

Samsung SP-A800B projector with 10,000:1 contrast ratio hits the US

If you are in the market for a high-end projector which offers you a contrast ratio of 10,000:1, then you should consider the Samsung SP-A800B. This projector which is now available in the US offers superb image quality thanks to 1080p HD resolution; this is a result of advanced optics as well as Texas Instruments 1080p DLP chip. There are a few great modes to increase viewing enjoyment, one of which is film mode which gives you 24 frames per second image quality; these are the same which are used in commercial theatres.

As you would expect the technology used in HD projectors is moving along at a fast rate, not only is the performance capabilities improved but also the styling as well. The design of the Samsung SP-A800B is unique, and the functionality of this HD projector puts it classes above the rest.

So what does this HD projector have to offer in the way of features? Well it has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, although the NHK’s Super Hi-Vision projectors are still in another class. The Samsung SP-A800B HD projector also has a 95% aperture ratio as well as a fast 16 microsecond (0.016 millisecond) response time. Keeping things cool is a low-noise cooling system of just 25db; this means that your movie will not be spoilt by the humming noise of your cooling fan.

Although this all sounds impressive, what we do not know is how much the thing will cost yet, do not understand why Samsung did not give us pricing details.

Source

Samsung Blu-ray Consumers Resource Center: Product Information & Tech Support

Samsung are all about keeping their consumers happy, which is why they have announced the launch of the Samsung Blu-ray Consumers Resource Center. This new service allows consumers to have easy access to all the latest product information, as well as online tech support and firmware upgrades. The support centre will be hosted on the Samsung website: www.samsung.com/bluraysupport.

The site is very easy to navigate and has an excellent FAQ section, perfect if you have a problem and have not been able to get the answer from another source. Samsung Blu-ray Consumers Resource Center, also offers you the opportunity to chat live with a Samsung Blu-ray support specialist. Samsung are offering a weekly topic section where Samsung will offer their perspective on any current Blu-ray issue that has come to light, this is also a great way to give consumer’s more information.

Reid Sullivan, Vice President of Audio/Video & Digital Imaging at Samsung Electronics America, has said “Now that Blu-ray is the future of HD, Samsung recognized the need to develop a single online location where current Blu-ray owners and those seeking out more information, can go to address their Blu-ray needs.” She also added “With answers to nearly every Blu-ray question and access to trained Samsung tech support, we believe the Blu-ray Resource Center will help consumers maximize the performance and potential of their Samsung Blu-ray player pre or post sale.”

If you are the owner of a Samsung Blu-ray player, then you are able to register your product online, this allows you to receive firmware update notifications via email.

Source – Press Release

Panasonic HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100, full-HD camcorders with 3MOS

Panasonic has now increased their High Definition range of products, there are now two new full-HD camcorders, both of which features a 3MOS system this gives you superb video image quality. The two-models are the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100; these are thought to be the first camcorders to use AVCHD and 3MOS.

The HDC-SD100 records movies onto an SD Memory Card; the standard cad is an 8GB. However; it is the HDC-HS100 which is the better of the two, this can record on both an SD Memory Card as well as its 60 GB hard drive, making this a hybrid camcorder. Both models have manual functions, this allows the user to feel more in control when filming, so you can control your focus, iris, shutter speed, white balance and zoom. Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode which has been used on a number of their digital camera, has now found its way on to these camcorder. This new technology automatically activates, so it makes the whole shooting a movie process a lot easier.

Zoe Susice, Group Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, she has said “The camcorder market is moving swiftly to High Definition and superior image quality is now a must-have feature. Moreover, many consumers are also demanding higher-level features, and the ability to be more creative.” She also added “For these users, we introduce two new full-HD 3MOS models – the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 – with manual functions that give users the power to create dramatic, artistic images. At the same time, we also have our Intelligent Auto mode, which activates several technologies automatically, so the user doesn’t need to make any adjustments, and shooting video is an easy and enjoyable experience.”

Source – Press Release

Rumour: Microsoft to pay Capcom for exclusive rights to Resident Evil 5

As with all rumours, some are just mere speculation and others turn out to be concrete information. The latest news regarding the hugely anticipated Resident Evil 5, is that Microsoft has reportedly offered a sum of money to Capcom for exclusive rights to the game.

It is unclear just what exclusively they intend to secure but this latest news is sure to ignite all the Resident Evil fans out there who are waiting on updates for this game. This could turn out to be of particular importance especially with E3 coming up and with Capcom sure to announce details of one of their best selling franchises. If the rumours appear to be true, then it seems as if Microsoft is following the same pattern they followed when they gained exclusive material for GTA IV in the form of episodes.

I can predict Capcom to make some interesting announcements following this latest rumour, so stay tuned to here more news, if these news do appear to be true, it will be interesting to find out how Sony respond to these rumours as they surely wouldn’t want to concede another defeat to Microsoft. What are your views on this matter?

Source: Read

Three gameplay footage videos for Resistance 2 on PlayStation 3

Many Sony PlayStation 3 owners will be getting exited, as we are now entering the build-up for the release of Resistance 2. When games like this come about we all want to be kept informed of what is happening with the development of the game. The guys over at PS3 Daily will be keeping you informed of the games developments as they happen.

They have already started to look at Resistance 2, and they have already commented on how slick the game looks as having a smooth frame rate. There are now three videos of gameplay footage, which PS3 Daily looked closely at and they have given us their take on them.

The multiplayer video gives us a great glimpse of some of the action which looks very frantic; this is the kind of thing that will be key to the success of Resistance 2. Looking closely at the new game you have a number of objectives to complete, this task does not look that easy as the maps look huge, and do not forget there are a huge number of players running around as well.

In all three of these gameplay footage videos you will know that the main difference with the game is, the amount of people who can enter a game, this is going to be total carnage. The first Resistance game had a number of critics, but that is the norm with all games, but Resistance 2 looks to correct a number of problems that the first game had.

Check out the videos over at PS3 Daily

Sony S4000 series flagship TV: will it beat of LG

Sony has announced the launch of a new line of TV’s, the S4000 series will become their flagship model with four sizes in the range. The model sizes are 26-, 32-, 37- and 40-inch screens, the 40 inch model is a 1080p Full HD TV and comes with the Read more

108-Inch Sharp Aquos LB-1085 LCD HDTV: The Biggest

This is the 108-Inch Sharp Aquos LB-1085 LCD HDTV and its been claimed to be the worlds largest LCD TV, and as its one hundred and eight inches, I am sure they are right. The Aquos LB-1085 has some nice features including a good response time of 6ms, which is good for a television of this size.

This is what the blog on nexus404 had to say about the LB-1085, “Offering full HD definition (1920 x 1080 resolution) imagery with a palette of 7.6 million colors, Sharp’s Aquos LB-1085 widescreen LCD, which measures in at 2572 x 202 x 1550mm and weighs in at around a staggering 195kg, comes with integrated stereo sound rated at 15W per channel (apparently no sub-woofer, which is a curious omission), 400cd/m2 screen brightness, 1,200:1 contrast ratio and a viewing angle of 176º with connectivity being taken care of by standard audio and video and no less than three HDMI ports. Interestingly the Aquos LB-1085 also boasts a response time of a mere 6ms which, considering the size of this beast, is especially impressive”.

Japan will be getting the 108-inch LCD TV next week for 11,000,000 Yen and that’s around $97,475. Do you think this size television is a bit excessive or would you love to own one?

GPS Options: Magellan 3250, Garmin nuvi 350 and TomTom One XL S

When it comes to finding the perfect GPS device for you, today you have more options than ever before but what device should you buy? Lets take a look at three great sat-navs, each good for different reasons. In the photo above you can see the Magellan Maestro 3250, this device is great for people who want good points of interest options.

The Magellan 3250 features a massive 6 million points of interest; it accepts voice commands and provides voice directions. For real-time traffic information the device has a traffic receiver built in, you’re also able to access AAA TourBook information. The 3250 will cost you around $400.

If text-to-speech is your thing, then you will want a unit that that announces both distance and street names, the Garmin nuvi 350 does this and a lot more. This device also has a receiver for traffic information and can display two and three-dimensional maps. Expect to pay around $350 for the nuvi 350.

One of the biggest brands in the GPS world is TomTom and they are known for balance of simplicity and features. The TomTom One XL S gives you great screen clarity thanks to its large 4.3-inch touch screen, it also features a real-time traffic service and for those that love to share, you can share your maps with other people. The XL S will cost around $350.

It does not matter if you’re on a budget or have plenty of money to spend, always shop around to get the best deal.

Hands-on: Roku Netflix Player for Movies on Demand: It may be an Apple TV Rival

Could this Roku’s Netflix Player be an Apple TV rival? We will have to wait and see. The Roku Netflix Player has just had a hands on review by Engadget and they have said some interesting things like the question above for example plus the fact do we need another set top box in our homes?

They say that the Roku’s Netflix Player seems understated like it coming in a plain purple box it shipped in right down to the fact of the nondescript black plastic case and even the stripped-bare user interface. Engadget have said that it is quite easy to fall in love with the Roku Netflix Player which costs $100. Netflix subscribers will get very cheap and easy avenue for additional content to their TV and could be a streaming video box nice enough to rival the Apple TV. The Roku’s Netflix Player is very light and with support for 802.11b/g with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 seems pretty good so far.

It includes composite, component, S-Video, HDMI, and TOSLINK, even activating the box is as simple as hitting netflix.com/activate and entering a short code, they say the remote looks cheap but does feel good, the interface is at its best and looks simple and does not have a lot of options which makes it straight-forward. Please visit the source link below for the full hands on review and see what you think, be sure to come back and comment as much as you like.

Answer this question “Could the Roku Netflix Player rival Apple TV?

Read the full hands on review and image gallery via Engadget

A close look at the Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

How many times have you picked your remote up to find that you have the wrong one in your hand, well the answer is an All-In-One Remote but boy some of them look ugly and do not offer the full controls needed for your many devices. Well that is until now as Logitech has the cool and slick looking Harmony One Universal Remote which can control many devices from DVD’s, TV’s, Blu-Ray Players as well as PC’s and games consoles, such as an Xbox 360 and a Sony PS3.

Tweaktown decide to test the Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote just to put the device through its paces, just to see how well it performs, here is their final thought on the product “We tested the defaulted macro settings next, and we found that they worked extremely well. They did exactly as expected; turning on the TV, changing channels, selecting different AV modes and working the Xbox 360. We even found we were able to control the Air Conditioning unit as well, so that if you wanted a single button to press in the morning to turn the TV on to CNN and the Air Conditioner to cool the room, you could (if we had some remote control blinds I’m sure it would have done them too).

After playing around with all the defaults and making sure the remote worked as it should with each piece of equipment, we started to mess around and create our own macros and start to use Windows MCE and the Xbox 360 interface.

Custom macros were no problem at all; it was fairly easy to set up the macros to do almost anything we could think of. The only problem we encountered was with our Air Conditioner unit which we are sure was due to the fact that the remote attempts to send all the signals, one after the other, and the air-con unit did not seem to recognise when it was receiving its command stringed with a bunch of others. You can offset this by adding delay to the commands to allow for a pause of up to a few seconds before the remote sends the command to the device. This still seemed not to work however, and we could not tell if it was our doing or a fault of the software in the remote control.

Working through Windows MCE on the other hand was an easy task as a lot of the hard buttons on the remote are setup for navigation, making it a complete doddle. Similarly for the Xbox 360 navigation; easy as pie! (Though I cannot see anyone playing any games with it any time soon.)

My last serious gripe about the remote is that there is a slight delay between pressing a button and the command registering on the piece of home theater equipment. Case in point: the volume control. Sometimes I wondered for a second if I had pressed the button, but then if I pressed it again the volume shot up louder than I was expecting. I’m not sure why it takes so long for a command to be sent/recognized, but it would be nice if Logitech could find a way to speed this up in their software (hint hint).”

Source

Socket Sense: surge protector strip expands to fit any power adapter

Socket Sense is the only surge protector strip that expands to fit any power adapter on the market. Ordinary surge strips can only handle a few bulky power adapters because they block adjacent sockets. Socket Sense simply expands to a perfect fit - Sockets are never blocked. Socket Sense was featured in the New Product World section of the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas last week and was awarded a Retailer’s Choice Award for one of the most innovative products at the show.

Wall Warts: #1 Problem for Surge Strips - Power adapters are a nuisance. When you plug these large black boxes into a surge strip they usually block one or two extra sockets. That’s why many people refer to power adapters as “wall warts.”

Expands to fit your needs - Imagine taking hold of your current surge strip and stretching it until every bulky power adapter fit perfectly.

Does the Job of Two Ordinary Surge Strips - Compare two ordinary surge strips to one Socket Sense. Simply expand as many or as few sockets as needed to create the perfect fit every time. Don’t waste money purchasing two surge strips when one can do the job.

That’s exactly how Socket Sense works. The surge strip expands from 13 to 18 inches in length. Sockets will never be blocked by power adapters again - we guarantee it.
View prices and more information on socketsense.com

Atari Family Trainer for Nintendo Wii: get fit with outside games

No one can deny the success of the Nintendo Wii Fit and how great it is to keep you fit as well as perfecting your balance, but one thing that I have noticed, it does not work your legs as much as it could do. Well Atari have been working on a solution to this and have come up with Family Trainer, which is a new physical game that is aimed at for the whole family and also comes with its very own mat controller. Atari have said that Family Trainer will allow “all the family and friends get physical by engaging the whole body in a variety of easy-to-understand, fast-paced and wildly entertaining activities.”

This new game will come with more than twelve different challenges all of which incorporate outside activities, these include rope skipping, mine karting, log jumping, river rafting and many more. So if you get a little bored with your Wii Fit then why not make working out fun for you and the whole family with Family Trainer. All of these games are made for fun which is why Atari have made these multiplayer outdoor challenges.

The new mat controller works in conjunction with the Wii Remote so that players can get physical with all the challengers that the new game has to offer. I hope that the image of the mat above is not the finished product as it reminds me of the cheap plastic dance mat. I have had many incidents where I have been dancing on the mat and it keeps slipping, it is an accident waiting to happen. Controls for the game have been kept simple and very easy to pick up, this allows for maximum fun for you and your family. What better way to bring a family together than to get fit as well as have fun at the same time. The Nintendo Wii has done more for family life than any counselor could ever hope to achieve.

Expect to see the Atari Family Trainer for the Wii in stores this September.

Source

Gears of War 2 gameplay and new trailer for Xbox 360

Today the gaming world gets to see a closer look at Gears of War 2 with some gameplay and other trailer features, when I owned an Xbox 360, the best game I found was Gears of Wars and after watching the video (see below this post) for the sequel, this looks to be the best game of 2008 for the Xbox 360. Its a shame this game will never be on the Sony PS3, the fast paced action and the way you move is fantastic and just what makes Gears of War 2 special.

In the GoW2 gameplay below you can see that the Locust’s are back and they are meaner than ever, they brought with them a force that can sink entire cities. Humanity has its back against the wall, in this debut gameplay trailer you get to see action from the level “The Salt”. I love the way you can grab a body for protection and then snap their neck, very cool if you like that sort of thing. Gears of War 2 will be released on November 30, 2008 and below we have three game trailers for you, the first shows brand new features abound as the Cogs take up the battle with the Locust once again.

The second trailer gives you every dirty detail revealed, it shows that the new lightning technique in Gears of War 2 is really paying off. The game features more details and clarity thanks to more contrast; the Marcus’s player model has also been improved with much better details on the face.

The third trailer shows a graphics comparison of the first Gears of War game, compared to the second. I will let you decide here, the graphics have improved a little and it’s very impressive that the game runs smooth with so much going on.

Panasonic DMP-BD50 3rd-Gen Blu-ray disc player with BD-Live Function

Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal U.S. subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., announces the introduction of the anticipated DMP-BD50, Panasonic’s third generation Blu-ray disc player - the ultimate playback source for high definition 1080p content. Blu-ray media offers a wide range of functions that foster the transition to HD - including 1080p image quality, lossless Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ and versatile Picture-in-Picture applications. The BD50 adds the new BD-Live function, which uses the internet to further enhance the consumer’s entertainment experience and employs VIERA Link,™ a technology that allows the consumer to operate VIERA Link equipped home theater components with a single remote. The DMP-BD50 will be available this spring and will have an SRP of $699.95.

BD-Live opens up a myriad of interactive possibilities for the consumer. In the future BD-Live will allow users to connect the DMP-BD50 to the internet to download such data as images and subtitles, and to join in multi-player interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content contained on Blu-ray discs.

For optimum image quality the DMP-BD50 features the PHL Reference Chroma processor and P4HD i/p conversion processor, which combine to create Uniphier®, a precise digital video processor that produces sharp, crisp, natural colors that are extremely faithful to the original movie. Uniphier reflects the advance encoding and authoring technologies developed by Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory.

The true to the original source images are complimented by an exceptionally pure, accurate sound achieved through Audio Re-master and integrated decoders for the lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Furthermore, the DMP-BD50 can be combined with a 7.1 channel amplifier and speakers for full 7.1 channel surround sound.

Networking is an essential product of the DMP-BD50. The included SD Memory Card slot allows for easy transferring of images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera via an SD Memory card. The consumer simply inserts the SD card into the BD50 and then can view the images on a large screen HD flat panel television with AVCHD format video images or JPEG stills in full 1920 x 1080 resolution. In addition the DMP-BD50 has been awarded the Energy Star certification.

“Panasonic was the first to bring a Blu-ray player with Bonus View (Final Standard Profile 1.1) to market and now with the DMP-BD50 we are again leading the industry with the inclusion of BD-Live,” said Paul Sabo, Panasonic, National Marketing Manager Entertainment Group. “The beauty of the Blu-ray player is that we can now see movies the way the film maker intended, in glorious HD video and audio. The consumer can now combine the new generation DMP-BD50 with a VIERA flat screen televison to create a true living in high definition experience.”

Panasonic HTiB Boasts Blu-ray, SD Memory Card Slot and iPod Dock

We all love things much more simple in our busy lives these days, so that’s why many of us eat fast food, microwave food or just prefer to eat out. When it comes to electronics, it’s also nice to get a device that’s got-it-all and that’s just what Panasonics new gadget has. This is Panasonic’s first home theater in a box (HTiB) and it sports Blu-ray, an SD Memory Card Slot and iPod Dock. See the press release below for more information.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company has announced that its first home theater in a box (HTiB) system with an integrated Blu-ray Disc player will be available for purchase in late Spring, with a suggested retail price of $999.95. The new model, SC-BT100, is the perfect complement to a high definition, flat panel large screen TV.

The new model epitomizes Panasonic’s emphasis on media friendly capabilities. It is made for iPod* and features an advanced integrated dock which not only recharges an iPod but plays music or video through the home theater system, displays audio tracks and menus on the TV screen and operates with the supplied remote control. Its SD Memory Card slot offers simple playback of digital images or original video footage in either standard or High Definition AVCHD format. The optical input offers simple digital 5.1channel audio connection for a set-top box, digital video recorder and game system.

“The Panasonic SC-BT100 home theater system is the best of both worlds,” says Paul Sabo, national marketing manager for Panasonic Home Audio. “It combines the installation ease and user-friendly operation of an HTiB plus the features and performance of high-end audio/video components, including full High Definition 1080p resolution Blu-ray video, wireless rear speakers and 7.1channel upgradeability. This is the simple, ideal solution for those embarking on the high definition home theater experience.”

The SC-BT100 can be upgraded to wireless full 7.1 channel sound with the optional purchase of two side speakers and a transceiver. It is equipped with Viera Link™ HDAVI control, HDMI digital A/V connectivity for one-touch operation of all the components including a Panasonic High Definition TV.

The Blu-ray Disc player boasts the Final Standard Profile for advanced functions such as Bonus View and audio mixing, which allows the consumer to switch the sound between the main and sub windows.

In addition to superb video, this system delivers advanced state-of-the-art audio. Its built-in receiver is compatible with the state-of-the-art audio codecs, including: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Linear PCM.

The Kelton-design subwoofer features a driver anchored to the cabinet and a passive radiator to reduce vibration and noise while delivering more dynamic bass. The front and center channel speakers are made with a bamboo diaphragm which provides a tightly intertwined fiber to deliver greater rigidly and accuracy. To allow viewers to enjoy surround sound effects without disturbing others, the system even has Whisper-mode Surround™, which dynamically boosts bass and surround-channel levels as the volume is turned down to provide a full surround effect even at low volume.