Gadgets and Gizmos

XM’s Satellite Video Player
So now this gets interesting. An anonymous reader sent in this photo of an upcoming portable video device by XM Satellite Radio. I can’t attest to the validity of the photo - in a land of fancy Photochop work - who can say for sure. But I now know the device is real.

First there was this post by On2 Technologies President and CEO, Doug McIntyre, describing a truly portable video device using On2 VP7 video technology. This drew a lot of speculation, because I couldn’t get a straight answer as to whether this was the Helix/Inno or something new.

But now there’s a lot more information courtesy of Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck. In last week’s Bear Stearns report, Peck shed some light on this device and what it’s capable of.

XM demonstated this “wearable video device” to analysts recently. It has the ablity to receive live video signal in portable mode. In live mode, each channel uses 256kb of capacity using On2’s video compression. Should the XM/WCS deal go through, XM will have the bandwidth capabilities to broadcast at least 20 video channels in live mode.

Even without the extra WCS bandwidth, XM could still just send the content to be cached or XM could limit the number of video channels broadcast..

Looking at the photo, this seems to have the same style form-factor as the upcoming Helix/Inno - with similar controls and interface features as the two. The size looks somewhat more like the PSP than a 5G Video iPod. At this angle though, we can’t tell the thickness of it.

What’s the timeline on this? Not sure, but if a few priviledged people are getting the chance to play with this thing, one can only assume it may hit the streets this year. Before the Holiday Season maybe? Who knows.

UK to switch to Digital TV Transmission by 2012

The UK government has confirmed that by 2012 owners of analogue television set won’t be able to get a signal to watch television.

The news will mean that some could incur costs of up to £250 as television viewers pay for hardware to enable them to watch television and aerial upgrades to receive signals.

However over 75s, the blind and disabled will receive a free upgrade for one television set. The cost for this is yet to be decided but it is thought that it will run into hundreds of millions of pounds. Free upgrades will be paid for out of the BBC license fee. Other people receiving benefits will be able to upgrade at a reduced cost.

The first region affected will be the English-Scottish border area, covered by the Border television franchise.

The Granada region, which covers Liverpool and Manchester, will switch over in 2009. London will change to digital in 2012 in time for the London Olympics.

DVD recorder from JVC that can record up to 16 hours of video on one double-sided 9.4GB DVD. It incorporates JVC’s proprietary DVD multi-drive technology to support all three DVD formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD-R.

The recorder also features Super MPEG-2 processor and Motion Active Noise Reduction technologies for high-quality DVD recording. The 4kg recorder measures 435x70x350mm, and is open-priced.

Sony unveils RDR-HX1010

Sony has announced a new flagship DVD/PVR called the RDR-HX1010. The new model will feature a massive 400Gb HDD as well as offering a host of features including IQ Recording, HQ+ recording mode, Intelligent Chaptering and One Touch Dubbing.

The new model will also feature a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output offering full digital output with one single cable, for easier connection to a TV or AV receiver.
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LG announce new 42in plasma - the 42PX4RV

LG has launched a new 42in Plasma television that will offer 10,000:1 contrast and 1,500cd brightness.

The 42PX4RV will also feature a film filter, which eliminates glare and double images, and the new XD engine, which converts analog signals to HD grade picture quality.

The 42PX4RV is expected to follow on of the highly successful 42PX11, which is currently the no.1 Plasma TV model in Europe.

Other functions such as SRS Trusurround, Picture In Picture and Picture Out Picture, as well as the new loss free HDMI connection for easy and effective connectivity with various AV equipments.
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