The LT-19D200 features two HDMI inputs, a component input, S-Video input, a PC input, SPDIF input, and an analog video output. The built-in DVD player is top loading on this model.

The LT-32D200 adds one additional HDMI input  and is also CEC compatible. The 32 inch system also includes a built-in ATSC/QAM tuner as well as an enhanced audio package consisting of a 10 watt per channel amp, and a five band equalizer. The built-in DVD player is side loading for this model.

No word on pricing.

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Technorati Tags: JVC, LT-19D200, LT-32D200, LCD TV/DVD combo, CES 2009

Here is the new LG DVS450H wall-mountable DVD player – the first DivX certified DVD player capable of playing back high definition DivX video. Users of the DVS450H can play back DivX videos burned onto DVDs or stored on USB flash drives. The DVS450H supports playback of DVDs and CDs, as well as MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX, and DivX HD file formats.

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Technorati Tags: LG Electronics, DVS450H, DivX, High Definition HD DivX,

Epson America announced today that the new Ensemble HD Home Cinema System was now shipping to dealers and installers nationwide. The Ensemble HD is a complete home theater solution that comes with all the component necessary to transform any room in your home into a full fledged home theater setup. Features of the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System include the following:

• Choice of Epson PowerLite 3LCD (three-chip) high definition multimedia projector with either true 1080p native resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or a more affordably priced 720p option
• Unique 100-inch motorized screen that quietly lowers and retracts within the unique front channel ceiling mounted speaker system
• Audio/video controller with integrated upconverting DVD player
• Newly engineered Atlantic Technology speaker system and a proprietary 150-watt subwoofer containing all 5.1 channels of amplification
• Universal remote that controls the entire system including the motorized screen
• Every audio, video and power cable needed to complete the installation while maximizing performance (including HDMI)
• Unique wire management track system that hides all of the included cables from the site of users
• All necessary mounting brackets

There are two packages available for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System – a 1080p system priced at $6999 and a 720p system priced at $4999.

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Technorati Tags: Epson America, Ensemble HD Home Cinema System

Kaleidescape is introducing two new 1080p upscaling Movie Players today appropriately called the 1080p Player and the 1080p Mini Player. These two devices allow users to enjoy current DVDs at 1080p resolutions. The 1080p Player is designed as a 1U rack mount device while the 1080p Mini Player is designed as a smaller package for hidden A/V installations.

Features of the new 1080p Players include:

• 1080p outputof course 
• Content-aware video processing – this feature adapts video processing to the type of content being displayed. Information from the Kaleidescape Movie Guide database is used to tailor the viewing experience
• Advanced DVD and CD playback features – users can insert discs and enjoy detailed information about the movie or album such as cover art, movie synopsis, album reviews, and track names from the Movie Guide. You can even skip past the trailers and other marketing content on DVDs
• Full Import Control – Import button on the front panel prevents accidental imports of content
• Motion adaptive deinterlacing and reverse 3:2/2:2 pulldown
• 10 bit 4:4:4 color processing
• Automatic video configuration
• Designed to import and play back content from a Kaleidescape system
• Sigma Designs (Gennum) VXP video processor chip
• Option to automatically detect and stretch 4:3 format movies
• HDMI v. 1.3
• Component and composite
• Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG Audio, and PCM support
• Ethernet support

The Kaleidescape 1080p Player is available now while the 1080p Mini Player will be available in the second half of July.

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Technorati Tags: Kaleidescape 1080p Player, 1080p Mini Player

Are you short on room and looking for an integrated HDTV set of some sort? Check out the Westinghouse Digital VK-40F580D 40 inch 1080p HDTV/DVD Combo. This display combines a 1080p capable LCD panel with a front slot loading DVD player. Features on the VK-40F580D include the following:

• 2 HDMI ports
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM tuner
• Preset and custom video modes
• Advanced Calibration Menu
• Integrated Front Load DVD player with PixelDirect technology which delivers DVD video to the screen using a direct path (shortest path possible) and the least amount of signal processing
• Side connectors

The VK-40F580D has an MSRP of $1149.

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Technorati Tags: Westinghouse Digital, VK-40F580D

Marantz will soon be releasing a new standalone Blu-ray/DVD/CD player unit called the BD8002. Features of the BD8002 include:

• HDMI 1.3a Output supporting 36bit Deep Color
• 10bit Silicon Optix Realta HQV Video Processor inluding video scaling up to 1080p, IP converter and 24fps output 
• Bit Stream HD Audio Output from HDMI
• HD Audio Decorder for Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio
• Analog Devices 297Mhz/12bit Video DAC
• 7.1ch High Quality Analog Audio Output
• RS-232C Terminal for Custom Install Use

DivX also announced that the BD8002 will be DivX certified – great news for those of you with a lot of DivX content. The Marantz BD8002 will have a suggested price of $1999.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Marantz BD8002, Blu-ray, DVD player. CD player, DivX

While it’s certainly “cool” to have your video collection on an iPod touch or a Microsoft Zune, there’s still something cool about having a portable DVD player. Perhaps it’s because you get a larger display than watching a movie on an iPod.. or perhaps it’s simply because it’s easier to pop a DVD into a portable DVD player than it is to connect to the net and purchase a movie rental via iTunes (or ripping and converting a DVD into an MP4 file). With that said, it’s nice to see companies continue to develop and manufacture portable players such as the new Sony DVP-FX720. This clamshell system comes with a nice large 7 inch display featuring a true 16:9 aspect ratio. Features include:

• USB port for JPEG and MP3 file playback
• 5 hour rechargeable battery
• Supports audio CDs and CD-R/RW with audio, MP3, or JPEG files
• Supports DVD-R/-RW/-R DL/+R/+RW and CD-R/-RW with DivX
• 12 bit/108 MHz video and 96kHZ/24 bit audio DAC
• Dual headphone jacks with volume control
• Integrated speakers
• Remote control and car adapter
• Available in glamour pink, blazing red, indigo blue, and white finish

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Technorati Tags: Sony, DVP-FX720 Portable DVD player

The four new systems featuring S-AIR technology include the DAV-HDX576WF, DAV-HDX277WC, DAV-HDX279W and the DAV-HDX275. Common features of these four home theater solutions include:

• Five disc DVD/CD player
• Video upscaling to 1080p via HDMI
• Sony Digital Media Port
• Included cradle for iPod players (model TDM-iP10)
• Supports the Network Walkman player audio cradle, PC client device, and a Bluetooth adapter
• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC)
• Dialogue Audio Enhancer with night mode
• Updated Portable Audio Enhancer

DAV-HDX576WF

• Includes one S-AIR Air Station receiver/speaker
• Includes wireless rear speaker kit
• Height adjustable floor standing speakers designed to match BRAVIA television sets
• Available in March for $500 dollars

DAV-HDX277WC

• Includes one S-AIR Air Station receiver/speaker
• Option to add a rear wireless speaker kit
• Available in March for $400 dollars

DAV-HDX279W

• Includes the rear wireless speaker kit
• Option to add S-AIR AIr Station receiver/speaker
• Available in March for $400 dollars

DAV-HDX275

• S-AIR Ready
• Option to add rear wireless speaker kit
• Option to add S-AIR transmitter with S-AIR Air Stations
• Available in March for $300 dollars

The WAHT-SA10 wireless speaker kit will be available in March for around $149 dollars. The AIR-SA10 Air Station receiver/speaker featuring eight watts of power, and an alarm clock function will be available in March for around $120 dollars.

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Technorati Tags: DAV-HDX576WF, DAV-HDX277WC, DAV-HDX279W, DAV-HDX275

One of the cooler things about covering CES is the chance to see what smaller electronics companies/manufacturers are up to – especially the no-namers in Asia. Case in point- a company called Utmost Technology Group which was founded in 1987 in Taiwan. We took a couple of pictures of the products that were on display in their CES 2008 booth. Enjoy!

As you can see here, Utmost makes and distributes a number of portable DVD players ranging in sizes from 3.5 inch displays (mini-DVD players) to dual screen DVD players.

Above is the 7 inch portable DVD player (model DV-H105).It’s a slim design DVD player (30 mm thick) with an internal battery and a USB port.

Here’s Utmost’s digital frame collection.

Above we have the 7, 8.5 and 9 inch digital photo frame collection. The left frame uses an acrylic frame while the right frame comes has a rounded plastic frame. Features of these digital picture frames include:

• Plays photos, videos, and music
• Slide out control panel design
• Hot key design for easy access to each mode
• Reads MS, SD, MMC, XD, CF and USB mass storage device
• USB On-The-Go port
• Clock and calendar
• 7 inch comes with a 480 x 234 resolution display
• 8.5inch comes with a 480 x 234 resolution display
• 9 inch comes with a 640 x 220 resolution display
• Supports MP3, JPG, MPEG1, MPEG2, and MPEG4 (DivX)

The middle set of frames are also available in 7 inch, 8.5 inch and 9 inch designs but they are strictly for photo and music playback only. They are always similar to the first set of frames.

Finally, the lower frames are picture only frames which are also available in 7 inch, 8.5 inch and 9 inch models.

The above funky looking device is actually a Digital Photo Viewer/Card Reader device. you simply slide your media card into the device and then connect the viewer to your television set to watch the digital images. The unit supports CompactFlash, SecureDigital, MMC, and Memory Stick cards. It automatically plays slide shows and you can even create effects such as rotation, flips, and zooms. It comes with a credit card sized remote control.

The above collection of digital photo frames include illuminated photo frames and “talking” photo frames. The talking photo frames allow users to record short audio clips which can then be played back by the photo frame.

Technorati Tags: Utmost Technology, CES 2008, Portable DVD players, Digital Picture Frames

Digital Trends has published a review of the Philips HTS8100 SoundBar DVD Home Theater here on their website. The HTS8100 is a full multi-channel surround sound system with an integrated 1080p video upscaling DVD player all combined into a single unit. Features of the HTS8100 include:

• Support for up to 1080p and Faroudja DCDi
• Support for Ambisound , Dolby Digital , DTS , Dolby Prologic II , Stereo
• Speaker Drivers: 2 x 1″ Soft Dome tweeters , 6 x 2.5″ Full Range woofers
• Subwoofer: 1 x 6.5″ Long Throw woofer
• Support for video compression formats: DivX 3.11 , DivX 4.x , DivX 5.x , DivX 6.0 , DivX Ultra , MPEG1 , MPEG2
• Plays back DVD-Video , DVD+R/+RW , DVD-R/-RW , Video CD/SVCD , CD-R/CD-RW

Here’s the verdict:

The HTS8100 is a solid performer and the surround technology does its job in a straightforward fashion that doesn’t require any learning curve in order to get it to work. This unit makes for a welcome addition where all the accouterments of a home theater are desired, but the room for including all the conventional components is not.

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Technorati Tags: Philips, HTS8100 SoundBar DVD Home Theater, Digital Trends, Review

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Technorati Tags: HANNSG, HP076VD, Portable DVD player,

KEF has launched two new products for their KEF Instant Theater (KIT) line called the KIT120 and the KIT140. The new KITs come in four components – two loudspeakers, a subwoofer with integrated power amplifier, and a matching CD/DVD player. The units are available in silver or black and feature:

• NXT panels
• KEF’s proprietary Uni-Q devices for wider dispersion
• HDMI port for single cable connectivity

The KIT140 will cost you £1,200 while the KIT120 will cost you £1,500.

[Check it out via Born Rich]

Technorati Tags: KEF, KIT120, KIT140

Looking for a solid up-converting DVD player? Check out this review of the OPPO DV-980H 1080p up-converting DVD player by the folks at ExtremeTech. Specs of the DV-980H include the following:

• Compatible with DVD-Audio, SACD, DVD-Video
• Compatible with Audio CD, HDCD, WMA, Kodak Picture CD, and other formats
• DivX certified product – with support up to Home Theater Profile
• Plays all versions of DivX
• Plays XviD and .SRT, .SMI, .IDX, and .SUB format
• Up-converts to 1080p
• Motion-adaptive, edge adaptive, and inverse telecine progressive scan technology to produce smooth and natural looking images
• HDMI interface
• PAL and NTSC compatible
• Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding
• Dual-laser optical pickup head
• MUCH MUCH MORE!!!

Yes – the feature list for the DV-980H is that large folks. It’s simply not just a regular DVD player and the company has indeed built a solid reputation over the years. Here’s the verdict from ExtremeTech on the DV-980H:

OPPO ships a nifty DVD player offering high end features at a not-so-high end price. Video playback isn’t perfect, but it’s still pretty darned good.

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Technorati Tags: OPPO DV-980H, ExtremeTech, Review

We’ve all seen portable DVD players and of course portable speaker systems for MP3 players, but I’ve never seen someone integrate a DVD player into a traditional boombox design quite like this Go Video system (though I could very well be wrong of course). The Go Video boombox features a 7 inch LCD display in the front, an integrated CD/DVD player, an AM/FM tuner, a remote control, and of course – stereo speakers. About the only thing missing is an iPod dock connector allowing you to watch videos stored on the iPod with this player. The Go Video system goes for $159.99.

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Technorati Tags: Go Video, Portable DVD boombox

Onkyo has announced the launch of their first HD DVD standalone player in the form of the DV-HD805. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall timeframe of this year and will support HDMI version1.3a.

Key features of the Onkyo DV-HD805 include:

• Supports Dolby TrueHD, dts HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
• Supports 24 frames per second playback
• Supports HDMI v.1.3a enabling Deep Color support
• Includes Ethernet port to for web-enabled content
• Includes on-board HQV Reon VX video processing chipset for video scaling to 720p, 1080i, 1080p

The DV-HD805 will be available at a price of $899 which seems a tad bit high for an HD DVD player considering third generation Toshibas are now under $500 dollars. Thanks to Gizmodo for the picture of the player.

[Check it out viz Gizmodo]

Technorati Tags: Onkyo DV-HD805, HD DVD player

So you’re looking for a quality DVD player capable of outputting 1080p but you’re not looking to purchase an HD DVD or Blu-ray standalone player quite yet. Might we interest you in looking at the new OPPO DV-980H 10080p Up-Converting Universal DVD player? This inexpensive player upconverts your current crop of DVDs into 720p/1080i/1080p resolutions and even supports 7.1 channel playback!

The OPPO DV-980H calls itself a universal player simply because it supports nearly all the media formats out there minus Blu-ray and HD DVD. You get support for SACD, DVD-Audio/DVD-Video, DivX, and XviD media formats. Other key features include Dolby Digital Surround EX supports, HDMI v. 1.2a output, Kodak Picture CD support, and a USB 2.0 interface for connecting external USB devices.

Here’s the key features and specs from the OPPO website.

Universal DVD Player Features:

• DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Video universal playback
• Compatible with Audio CD, HDCD, WMA, Kodak Picture CD, and other digital audio/video/picture media and formats
• Official DivX® Certified product, certified to the Home Theater Profile
• Plays all versions of DivX® video (including DivX® 6) with standard playback of DivX® media files
• High resolution picture slide show
• Plays XviD and .SRT, .SMI, .IDX and .SUB format
• Compatible with CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW and DVD+R DL

Video Up-Conversion Features:

• Up-converts standard definition video on DVD discs to 480p/720p/1080i and 1080p Full HD resolutions.
• Motion-adaptive, edge-adaptive and inverse telecine progressive scan technology to produce a smooth and natural looking image.
• Multiple high definition output formats – NTSC: 1080p/1080i/720p/480p/480i, PAL: 1080p/1080i/720p/576p/576i
• Compatible with HDTV, HD-Ready TV, HDTV monitors and projectors with an HDMI or DVI input (HDCP support is required)
• PAL and NTSC compatible with system conversion
• Supports screen aspect ratio 4:3 (standard) and 16:9 (wide-screen)
• User adjustable video controls: Sharpness, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Gamma
• Component video output with progressive scan (Up-converting over component output is only available for unencrypted DVD discs such as home video and consumer-created contents.  Most commercially pressed DVD discs are CSS-encrypted and will be limited to 480i/480p output over component.  HDMI output is protected with HDCP and has no such restriction.)
• Composite video and S-Video outputs (standard-definition output only)

Convenience Features:

• USB 2.0 interface for video, picture and music playback
• Selectable subtitle and audio tracks
• Discrete ON/OFF remote control IR code for programmable universal remote controls
• 10-disc memory resume

Optimized Audio Features:

• High-resolution multi-channel digital audio output through HDMI supporting CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, Dolby Digital and DTS sound tracks.
• Direct Stream Digital (DSD) over HDMI (Requires compatible A/V receiver)
• Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs, compatible with 5.1-channel and down-mixed stereo.
• Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding
• 24-bit, 192kHz high resolution audio D/A converters
• Optical and coaxial digital audio outputs with DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II and Linear PCM support
• Built-in equalizer, channel trim, channel delay and lip-sync (audio delay) functions

Connectors:

• HDMI – High Definition Multimedia Interface: 1
• Component Video (YPbPr/YCbCr): 1 group (3 RCA connectors)
• Analog 7.1-Channel Audio: 1 group (8 RCA connectors, may be configured as 5.1-channel or stereo)
• S/PDIF (IEC-958) Coaxial Digital Audio: 1 (RCA connector)
• S/PDIF (IEC-958) Optical Digital Audio: 1 (TOSLINK connector)
• Composite Video: 1 (RCA connector)
• S-Video: 1 (S-Video connector)

Compatibility Features:

• Dual-laser optical pickup head with excellent error correction
• Enhanced dual-layer disc support with fast layer change
• Wide range universal power supply (~100V-240V, 50/60Hz AC)

Package Contents:

• DV-980H DVD player
• Remote control with glow in the dark keypad (batteries included)
• High-quality certified HDMI cable with gold-plated HDMI connectors
• A/V cable
• User manual and warranty information

The OPPO DV-980H has an MSRP of $169 which is pretty darn good when you consider how in features you’re getting with this player. I’m even impressed that OPPO is packaging an HDMI cable with the player.

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Technorati Tags: OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-converting Universal DVD player, OPPO, DV-980H

In an attempt to win back customers, Netflix earlier in the week announced price drops in two of their subscription services. Their $9.99 monthly plan will drop to $8.99 while their $17.99 monthly plan also drops a dollar to $16.99.

The one saving grace for Netflix at this time? Blockbuster is losing money while it tries to grab market share in the online video rental business. How long Blockbuster will continue to spend in a money losing endeavor is anyone’s guess right now. One key fact from all of this – Netflix appears to be vulnerable.

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Technorati Tags: Netflix, Blockbuster

[Check it out via KrunkerHD]

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, 24p playback

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