Toshiba Reveals Details About Their 3D HDTV

On Wednesday morning, Toshiba held a press conference to introduce their new HDTV’s and Blu-Ray players, but most of their attention was given to the Toshiba KIRA2. The KIRA2 is the latest development from Toshiba. This LED HDTV has new features like video conferencing, 3D video, media sharing via a home network, and access to sites like Vudu, CinemaNow, Netflix, and Facebook.

The thing that makes the KIRA2 have these amazing abilities is the box that will be sold with it. The CELL Set-Top Box is a computer that utilizes the CELL microprocessor that Toshiba assisted in the development of. The KIRA2 and the CELL Set-Top Box will be sold together in a new line from Toshiba called the CELL TV Series.

Toshiba went all out to make this new product something that people haven’t ever experienced before. The Cell Set-Top Box that makes everything possible for the KIRA2 is powered by the CELL Broadband Engine. Toshiba says that this engine is 10 times faster than most desktop computers. It includes 8 processors, each having 3.2 GHz. This means that it outputs a mind blowing 200 GFLOPS (floating point operations per second). Inside the Box is a 1 TB hard drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Wireless HD to connect the Box to the KIRA2 without any cables.

With all the amazing power within the Cell Set-Top Box, the KIRA2 will be able to offer:

Conversion of 2D video to 3D video: You will be able to watch anything in 3D.

Assist standard-definition video: The KIRA2 will be able to take non-high-definition content and easily convert it to high-definition for improved viewing.

Convert video to 480-Hz: This will make all video smoother by displaying it at 480 scenes per second.

Calibrate HDTV image: The color sensors on the KIRA2 will be able to detect the amount of light and the temperature of the light in the room and automatically adjust the brightness, contrast, gamma, sharpness, and color saturation of the TV to provide the best possible image based on the room its in.

Video Conferencing: A video camera, microphone, and video chat software will be included with the KIRA2 so that you can video chat over the Internet with compatible video conferencing platforms.

Access to Cell TV: You will have access to Internet content such as Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, and CinemaNow.

Accessible through your home network: You will have to ability to copy or retrieve any media that you store on the CELL Set-Top Box from your computer.

Toshiba has not provided a release date or price point yet, but hopefully soon we’ll have even more information about the fascinating KIRA2.

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Dell 27-inch UltraSharp U2711

Just like tv's, computer monitors are progressing to the LCD format to offer consumers the very best in picture quality. Ever since computer manufacturers have been making the transition over to bigger and better looking monitors, a few companies have really made an impression. Dell, one of the leaders in computers, mainly in the desktop and laptop format, has proven that there range of LCDs have been serious contenders in the market and today announced their first-ever WQHD monitor.

The UltraSharp U2711 is a 27-inch LCD monitor that is said to have a native resolution of 2,560x1,440. In the 27-inch LCD monitor market, no product other than Apple's 27-inch iMac had the proper resolution and specs to be worth it. Most had native resolutions more like a 23 or 24-inch monitor and to get a bigger screen worth while you would have done well to step up to the 30-inch market. It seems that because of Apple other companies, like Dell, are stepping up their products to contend in the 27-inch market.

The UltraSharp U2711 has a pretty solid spec sheet. The screen size comes in at 27 inches diagonally with a native resolution of 2,560x1,440 pixels. The monitor looks great with a 16:9 aspect ratio, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 and a 6ms response time (gray to gray). Connectivity wise, the U2711 has basically every connection port you could want. The monitor comes with 2 DVI connectors, 1 D-Sub/VGA connector, 1 HDMI connector, 1 composite connector, 1 Component connector, 1 DisplayPort connector and 4 USB 2.0 ports. In addition to this plethora of ports there is also audio jacks and an 8-format flash card reader.

Performance wise the U2711 succeeds. A lot of budget monitors out there tend to have problems with the high and low ends of the gray scale. The U2711 has no problem distinguishing light shades of gray from white and also was able to distinguish the darkest shades of gray from black. The U2711 uses a cold cathode backlight as opposed to the typically more energy efficient LED backlight. On the good side though, the sever backlight bleed issues that you typically find on low-priced LCDs was not seen.

The stand of the monitor is metal and slightly slimmer than most, especially considering that the monitor is a little hefty on the back side. But these traits do not take away the monitor's easy ability to tilt, swivel and adjust the height. The Dell UltraSharp U2711 is an excellent choice for any desktop computer, especially if you are a content creation specialist who needs good screen real estate or even if you are a hard core PC gamer who demands a high-res monitor for your latest game. The one problem with this monitor is that it will run you around $1,049. For around that same price you can get a 30-inch monitor with a slightly higher resolution and a bit more screen space. But overall this is one heck of a monitor and definitely one you should check out.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

The Basics to Buying a Blu-Ray Player

If you see a Blu-Ray player being utilized on an HDTV, you can easily see how it makes all the difference. With a traditional DVD, the picture quality is made up of less than 350,000 pixels, but with 1080p HD video there are more than two million pixels in use. If you enjoy high-resolution details, Blu-Ray is the way to go.

Now is the time to grab your Blu-Ray player because they are offering the best possible new features for the lowest price tags we’ve seen yet. Features like Web connectivity, fast disc-handling, and video and audio streaming can be found on players that are under $200. Now there are definitely some things to consider when looking for your new Blu-Ray player:

Basics
Now those who have a 1080p HDTV have full HD and are equipped to show every one of those pixels, therefore they will gain the most noticeable improvements from a Blu-Ray player. 1080p is becoming standard on most TV’s which is a fantastic development allowing for Blu-Ray to shine its brightest. It is very obvious that Blu-Ray is going to be replacing DVDs. The difference is incredible and soon everyone will have Blu-Ray players and DVDs will no longer be released. The good thing about all this is that Blu-Ray players are able to play DVDs as well, so you don’t have to worry about trashing your whole DVD collection.

The two newest features that are becoming more common on newly released Blu-Ray discs are Bonus View and Blu-Ray Live. The Bonus View is essentially a picture-in-picture view, while the Blu-Ray Live offers a multitude of additional downloadable steaming multimedia or interactive content. Blu-Ray Live does require an Internet connection to reach all of this extra content. There are some Blu-Ray models that will state that they are “Blu-Ray Live ready.” What this means is that these players lack the internal storage to support Blu-Ray Live, but if you add more memory to the player, you will be able to utilize this feature.

Most Blu-Ray players are fairly energy efficient. The majority of the newest players consume an average of less than 25 watts during playback. A few of the players provide the option of a QuickStart feature that greatly decreases the wake time from standby. The issue with this feature is that it increases the standby power consumption and therefore causes much more energy to be used.

Connections
Every single Blu-Ray player includes an HDMI port that gives you the ability to stream audio and video with one single cable. HDMI is the best way to hook up your player to your TV because it supports maximum video resolution and all audio formats. Some manufactures will include an HDMI cable, but with most it is something extra that you will have to purchase. The newer Blu-Ray players feature Ethernet ports and integrated Wi-Fi that allows you to connect your player to the Web to access Blu-Ray Live features.

Extras
Players with Wi-Fi capabilities are able to stream different video and audio content from places such as Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora. A few manufacturers also include widgets that will allow you to display customized information like news and weather right up on your TV screen.

Like I said, this is a great time to buy a Blu-Ray player. There are some new great features available on players, and the price tags are finally something you won’t wince at. If your looking to stay current with your media technology, Blu-Ray is where you need to look next.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Connecting Your PC to Your TV Wirelessly

Have you been searching for a way to connect your PC or laptop to your HDTV? Well search no longer because Warpia has created a USB audio/video adapter that can effortlessly connect your computer and your TV without all the long cables.

With the new adapter, you are given the ability to connect your computer to your TV by simply plugging in the USB PC adapter and then using a display base station that will allow you to connect to your computer via VGA or HDMI. There are two pieces that come in this adapter kit, a wireless PC adapter that connects to your desktop or laptop through a USB 2.0 and a display adapter that receives audio and video signals from your computer and transmits them to the TV.

This fascinating adapter will work at a range of up to 30 feet and supports a maximum resolution of 1400 x 1050. This means that it will work for HD videos in 720p but not 1080p. This new wireless solution from Warpia is a rebranded product that was first developed by one of their partner companies, Wiseair. Along with the audio/video adapter, Warpia also offers just a video adapter. Depending on what you will be utilizing the adapter for, it could be smarter and cheaper to simply get the video adapter.

The audio/video adapter will cost you $179.99, while just the video adapter costs $119.99. This could be the perfect solution for your computer/TV connection problems. They are now available in retail stores and online.

Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ

The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ is one of only two 120Hz LCD monitors to support Nvidia's 3D Vision Kit and probably the better of the two. The 2233RZ has a ton of cool features and a good spec sheet to go along with it.

The screen is limited on height adjustment and rotation having only a 25 degree backward tilt. The monitor itself sits about 3.75 inches off of your desk and the glossy bezel 0.75 inches on the sides and 0.8 inches on the top. The oval base of the 2233RZ measures about 10 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep and is all around pretty stable. The 2233RZ's panel measures roughly 1 inch deep with an added 1.5 inches behind that to house the ventilation system, backlight and connection options. Width wise the 2233RZ measures 20.3 inches and is 22 inches diagonal.

Onscreen display buttons are located in the bottom right side of the monitor and includes five different buttons positioned vertically. The five buttons mentioned are composed of Menu, Up, Down, Enter and Back with the power button located below. The Up and Down buttons double as contrast and brightness tweakers when needed. The Menu button brings up the OSD menu with controls for brightness, contrast and OSD menu options. The menu comes with many presets including Text, Game, Movies, Internet, Sports and Dynamic Contrast. One negative aspect about the 2233RZ is that it does not have in built-in speakers so any sound output will have to be through attached speakers.

This monitor includes a DVI connection but is without both HDMI and VGA connections. The 2233RZ is HDCP compatible allowing HD content though the DVI port is tucked away on the monitor which makes it a little tricky to access sometimes. The monitor has a resolution of 1,680x1,050 pixels as well as a 3ms pixel response rate. The contrast ratio comes in at 1,000:1 and brightness is 300cd/m2 with a 6:10 aspect ratio.

Overall, the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ is better than the other Nvidia 3D Vision Kit compliant ViewSonic FuHzion vx2265wm. The specs are better and performance seems to better all around. The 2233RZ, depending on where you buy it from, will run you anywhere from $270.75 to $399.99. One thing to keep in mind though is that the SyncMaster 2233RZ is only available right now bundled with the Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision Kit. If you are interested in buying this without the 3D Vision Kit then you are going to have to wait until late April.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Promising New TV Features in 2010

There are going to be a multitude of new features found in TVs that will be released in 2010. TV’s are promised to be bigger, better, and more reasonably priced this coming year. New features are said to include more LED backlighting, faster refresh rates, 3D features, and built-in Internet connectivity.

The vast majority of the TV market that accounts for the sales in the U.S. are flat-panel, LCD TVs. This means that most of the TVs released in 2010 will possess these qualities. Bigger TVs are constantly being pushed by providers, but this year will also show other features that will differentiate one TV from the next. LED backlighting and higher refresh rates are something that will show great improvement in the coming TVs. Many will use backlighting in either an “edgelit” configuration or a full backlit design with local dimming to provide better blacks. Faster refresh rates are a guarantee as manufacturers are wishing to drastically reduce motion blur in TV sets.

Another very interesting development that is going to be pushed this year is TVs with 3D capabilities. Sony and Panasonic are the companies that have been talking the most about their 3DTVs. This feature could branch out into more than just 3D movies but also television broadcast in 3D. How cool would it be to watch a football game with the players jumping right off the screen?

The last of the most interesting developments of 2010 is the Internet capabilities that will be included within the set. With all the advances that are being made, soon enough Internet features will be found standard on TVs. This should be one of the things that manufactures are sure to push hard for.

Thin is in, so most of the newly released TVs should be even thinner than what’s already on the market. The LED backlighting technology takes up a lot less room allowing for the thinner screen. Manufacturers are also pushing more energy efficient TVs, so expect to find more environment-friendly TVs at a much more reasonable price.

OLED TVs are beginning to get plenty of attention these days, but they are not going to be mainstream any time soon. This coming year, it is expected that there should be a couple sets that are 15 inches or larger, but they will cost you more than a 32-inch LCD TV.

We can definitely look forward to these fantastic developments in 2010. Manufactures will be offering their best in the coming year.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

LG Full HD 3D LCD Monitors

Everything just has to be in 3D nowadays doesn't it? It started off with every animated movie and it's mother coming out in 3D and now the 3D hand is slowly clutching around our computer monitors. In a recent press release, LG announced the world's first mass produced Full HD 3D-capable monitor.

This new monitor is a 23-inch thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The monitor itself delivers full HD resolution and offers a picture almost two times as crisp as currently available HD 3D displays. Being as this monitor is apart of LG, it adopts the company's proprietary technologies like "high performance 3D exclusive controller" which can process over twice as much image data as some of the other HD 3D LCDs and copper bus line. This helps to improve the resolution of the monitor as well as the picture quality. The LG monitor is also a "double threat" as it can not only produce 3D images but also reproduce 2D images which allows the user to switch back and forth between 2D and 3D.

3D images isn't something new. The technology has been around on video games, movies and different animations. However, this is the first time that it has full HD resolution. LG hopes that this panel will help boost the development of high resolution 3D contents all the while letting consumers view true-to-life 3D images. In a statement from LG Display's Vice President and head of IT marketing Davis Lee, "LG Display has made a major breakthrough in the display industry race to deliver the depth and dynamic nature of 3D images. LG Display will continue with efforts to keep pace with the fast growing 3D market with leading 3D technology and products in order to create new value for customers."

More and more industry partners are beginning to shift their focus of product away from 2D technologies and towards 3D technologies. This shift in product is expected to to make the 3D display market grow at a very fast pace. Plans have recently been brought to light by the Korea Communications Commission to start a trial service for the world's first full HD 3D terrestrial broadcasting from the second half of 2010. Also announced in Japan and the UK is a launch of trial services for 3D satellite broadcasts.

The 3D revolution is coming, whether you asked for it to or not and with products like mass produced HD 3D monitors, it looks like there is no getting around the fact that 3D is taking over. I guess we better start getting used to it.