smartech

Logitec Japan (not related to Logitech) unveils the LDE-SX010U, a new USB to DVI cable, allowing you to connect 2 monitors into one single PC, delivering multi-display environment to your desktop, simultaneously. The USB adapter enables displaying different applications on each of the screens, making your work more efficient, or showing the same content, on both screens, using the “Mirroring” technology. The dongle is compatible with wide-screen, Windows Vista Aero and high-definition technologies. It will be available in Japan around March but we have no details concerning the price.

[via akihabaranews]

Celrun TV HD multimedia player is an all-in-one box with outstanding capabilities. This top-notch device features Ethernet, WiFi 802.11 b/g, 2 USB ports, a USB host, digital and analog TV tuners, IPTV support, and a PVR function. The box houses HDMI, RGB, S-VIDEO, component and optical audio outputs, storage size climbs up to 320GB internal HDD. The Celrun TV premium HD player can handle almost any format on earth, including H.264, WMV, AVI, Xvid, MOV, VOB, MPEG1/2/4 and many more. No word on price or availability, but I’d like to have one without a question.

[via akihabaranews]

The likeable Filipino, Renaldo Lapuz, who bravely excited the judges on 7th season auditions for American Idol, hits iTunes store with his entertaining moments in the show. Thus, the most rejected contender fulfills Simon’s prediction, stating Renaldo’s song will be a hit. The 83MB video, titled “We’re Brothers Forever“, is available, free of charge. Enjoy the music !

[via pmptoday]

Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading »

Asus intros a new HDTV box, providing a TV tuner and some nifty inputs like s-video, component, and HDMI for your computer’s monitor. The Asus box is capable of upscaling any signal source up to 1080p, for maximum picture quality. It is also equipped with DVI or VGA outputs and sports PIP functionality. The device supports both NTSC and Pal tuner so you can use it around the globe. Price and availability details are missing.

[via slashgear]

It’s the END. “Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses”. Today’s press conference wasn’t surprising, we all knew it was just a matter of time, but Toshiba insisted postponing the official surrender. I guess the straw that broke the camel’s back was recent farewell statement from Wal-Mart, joining early declarations from Best Buy, Netflix and Warner. As for the rival, Toshiba has no plans to adopt the Blu-ray, nor developing any other next gen optical disc, for the time being. The cessation of HD DVD players and recorders is expected to come into force around march and Toshiba will be committed to supply recording media for early adopters who already purchased HD DVD devices. This announcement concludes the fierce formats war between Toshiba & Sony - and today, there is only one winner: The Blue-Ray. The death toll reports almost 1.3 million casualties around the world, who purchased HD DVD on early stages. Mind you, the competition for the most original HD DVD block usage has just started.

[via engadget]

Toshiba’s full announcement after the break.

Continue reading »

Remember the Mylo 2, unveiled by Sony at the last CES show in Vegas? Turns out the $299.99 device is here, live and kicking. To refresh your memory, we are talking about a mini portable PMP with wireless connectivity and instant messaging support. Main parameters include 1 GB storage capacity, USB2.0 interface, video playback MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, video encoding, audio player supports MP3, WMA, ACC, ATRAC, etc, photo supports JPEG, PNG, BMP, and more. Other parameters feature a 3.5-inch touchscreen with 800 x480 screen resolution and a 1.3MP camera. As i mentioned before, i really like this device, though it is a little bulky to carry on the go.

[via pmptoday]

Check out the video and the pictures after the break.

Continue reading »

If you own a wifi enabled device such as iphone, ipod touch Nokia N-Series, HTC smartphones or any other wifi media player, this is your moment to cheer up, as PacketVideo introduced its new mobile broadcasting receiver, enabling mobile TVs to be displayed wirelessed on any mobile set with wifi connectivity, so if you’re making your favorite dish in your kitchen and afraid of losing your favorite show, just connect your unit and stream the video all the way to the cooking area. The PV will support DVB-H/MediaFLO broadcasting and TDtv/WiMAX streaming. The 6.4 x 1.8 x 4-cm block is expected to go live at the end of the year and i have the feeling it might change some of our TV watching spots.

[via engadget]

Another picture after the break.

Continue reading »

Sumvision unveils the ICE1000, a mini PMP with a 2.8″ touchscreen. It seems everyone wants to have their own touch device and the iPod Touch is the one to set the rally. We’re not so sure this is the right killer but the market votes for the buttons-less players. With a clean design, the Ice1000 might be just the cheaper alternative. Check out the specs:

specifications:

• Display: 2.8″ TFT LCD (320 × 240).
• Storage Size: 4GB internal flash memory.
• Audio: MP3, WMA.
• Video: MP4, WMV, XviD, AVI.
• Pictures: JPEG, RSC, TXT.
• Features: microSD slot, FM radio tuner, a microphone, USB 2.0, external speaker, e-book reader, 7 EQ, multi-language interface.
• Battery Life: audio-10 hours, video-4 hours.
• Size: 90 × 55 x 12mm, 62 gm.
• Price: $88.00.

[via gmp3]

Wal-Mart has decided to join Best Buy. The company officially confirmed it will promote the Blue-Ray format, exclusively. The biggest retailer, has started phasing out HD-DVD products and expects to finish the rearrangements by June. This move is probably the straw that broke the camel’s back and we’re expecting Toshiba to announce the death of the HD-DVD format in the upcoming weeks. Wal-Mart’s decision is second to Netflix and Best Buy, that already announced the preferment of Blue-Ray products, believing they are the real winners. I guess we shall see more retailers joining this act, making it unanimously.

Update: Sooner than we’ve expected, Toshiba is officially shutting down its HD-DVD production and closing the Aomori Prefecture perimeter in Japan. A statement is expected to be given soon.

[via slashgear]

This mysterious teaser snappily appeared on PS3 official site for a very short time, alluding messaging capabilities support for the game console. If this info is real, and we assume it is, PS3 users finally get voice and video chat services, allowing them to connect with their friends whenever they pop up online or during a game. The sneaky image reads “Talk to others during game play, say hello anytime you’re online, or have a video chat with an Eye camera; USB Camera or headset.” Hopefully, Sony is going to embed the messaging services in the next firmware update, so here’s a very good reason to anticipate the next version.

[via slashgear]

Coby aims the touch market, as the company unveils the new MP-835 PMP with a slick design and a 3-inch touchscreen. The new player already received FCC certifications, so you might find it on US retailers very soon. With a smooth look and the right features, it might be a cheaper alternative to other touchscreen players available on the market. Check out the specs:

specifications:

• Display: 3″ TFT LCD (480 × 272).
• Storage Size: 2GB or 4GB.
• Audio: MP3, WMA, OGG.
• Video: WMV, AVI.
• Pictures: JJPG, BMP, GIF and TXT.
• Features: microSD slot, FM radio tuner, USB 2.0, multi-lingual interface.
• Size: 52 × 97 x 10mm.
• Price: Not Available

[via gmp3]

Nvidia, a strong graphic cards manufacturer, wants to get a foothold in the mobile processors market with their new APX 2500 series, presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The company created the AMD11 750MHz chip with ultra-low power GeForce core, providing advanced graphic capabilities and 3D GUI rendering support. This top-notch features enabling to display up to SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024) and to embed 12MP camera sensors in cellphones, which means there’s aplenty to aspire for. The APX 2500 will be able to pack 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, quad-band GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth, composite/S-Video outputs and even HDMI. The chip is capable of running 720p HD video, smoothly, even when playing on a 60-inch LCD TV. To demonstrate this impressive capableness, Nvidia has created a reference design prototype, running a Windows CE OS and equipped with an accelerometer. The device can play more than 10 hours of HD video and a GUI coded in OpenGL ES 2.0. The chip is expected to go on full production between Q2 - Q3, and we say - WOW !!

 [via phonemag]

Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading »

Apple TV Take II gets new features, as Cupertino announces the release of a new freebie update, including the following specs:

• A built-in music store.
• Access to Flickr photostreams and Mac Web Galleries.
• Movie rentals service with HD support.
• Podcasts downloading.
• Automatic software update.

Additionally, Apple uploaded to their website a guided tour of the Apple TV Take II , including the latest updates. Enjoy the tour with Hannah.

[via apple]

Motorola wants to go all the way with the new DH01n portable 4.3-inch DVB-H TV, sporting GPS navigation system and Tele Atlas maps. The new DH01n is a personal DVR device, including pausing and playing back live TV signals, automatic channel scan, High-quality widescreen LCD display with stereo sound, SD/MMC slot and more. No details concerning price and availability.

[motorola via engadget]

Toshiba announces an update release for its Gigabeat lineup, including the Gigabeat V81, T802, U407 and U408 players.

Gigabeat V81 (Replacing the V41 model)

• Display: 3.5″ LCD TFT screen (320×240).
• TV Tuner: 1Seg (Japanese digital signal).
• Storage: 8GB.
• Audio: WMA , Lossless, MP3, WAV.
• Video: AVI, WMV.
• Pictures: JPEG.
• Features: portable digital TV, USB 2.0, SD slot.
• Battery: audio - 40 hours, video - 13 hours, broadcasting - 10 hours.
• Size: 115 x 75 x 14.2 mm 168gm
• Price: $330. Available in Japan from this month.

Continue reading »