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Laura June

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Netgear's EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live gets reviewed: decent, but lacking

by Laura June posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 10:17AM

Netgear's EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live came packin' a lot of promise for just $150, but according to a critique over at TrustedReviews, those into a thing dubbed "high-definition" may want to keep on saving and pass over this one. You see, the only 720p content it's capable of playing back is MPEG-2; other than that, you're stuck watching SD material or upscaled-to-720p SD material. To the box's credit, it did manage to play back content satisfactorily, and the built-in PlayOn software was indeed a boon to the device's overall utility. In the world of media streamers, though, you've got oodles of options, and it seems as if one from WD or ASUS just might be a better overall value. Tap the read link to decide for yourself.

Panasonic's 1-inch thick Z1 plasma reviewed: playing with perfection

by Laura June posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 9:56AM

The plasma may be a dying breed, but the ones that are left are undoubtedly some of the best the world has ever seen. Take Panasonic's 54-inch TC-P54Z1 for example, which wowed audiences (us included) when it was first unveiled way back at CES. The HD Guru recently had an opportunity to take this very screen into his abode for review, and after a labor-intensive (around "one hour") setup process, the gazing was officially on. Panny's engineers were able to slim the set down to an inch by requiring that a dedicated (wireless) set-top-box be used for tuning OTA channels and managing connections, and the result was nothing less than elegant. If you're wondering what north of five large really buys in an HDTV these days, wonder no more -- the set was deemed darn near perfect, with "outstanding" color, contrast and deep black levels. Potentially best of all, there were no motion artifacts to speak of, and anyone with a 120Hz / 240Hz set can testify to just how annoying those things are. Hit the read link for a detailed unboxing, setup and review, but don't even bother if you're looking for someone to talk you out of what you're about to do.

Artcoustic vomits bling allover its Crystal line of wall-mounted speakers

by Laura June posted Sep 25th 2009 at 1:33PM

It's a bit hard to tell if Artcoustic's latest wall-mounted, ultrathin loudspeakers, the Crystal line, are incredibly horrid or insanely awesome. There's no denying that high-end loving audiophiles are enticed by the brand -- but the Crystal line? Well, let's just say that adding a bunch of Swarovskis to any product won't necessarily make it better. Regardless, these bad boys are customizable and if you're into ostentation, they probably belong in your apartment. There's also a matching iPod dock available, and it'll run you about $3700 to get one, speaker included.

Sanyo releases LP-XU106, the brightest projector under 4 kilograms

by Laura June posted Aug 26th 2009 at 4:35PM


Sanyo's just announced a new projector, the LP-XU106. The projector weighs in at 3.4 kilograms, making it what the company calls the brightest projector in its weight class. And it is pretty bright -- at 4,500 lumens and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. It also boasts Sanyo's "Easy Setup Function" to help out the projecting novices. The LP-XU106 will be available on November 20th, but there's no word on pricing as of yet. We'll keep you posted on that one.

[Via Akihabara News]

Redbox debuts $2 video game rentals, pretty lean on titles thus far

by Laura June posted Aug 16th 2009 at 3:02PM


If you've been waiting expectantly for Redbox to launch its much dreamed-of video game rentals kiosks -- well, dream no more. Word has come down from on high that it's happened, and we'll tell you: we couldn't be more pleased. For $2 a night (which isn't really a great premium compared to Blockbuster's $9 for five nights), you can hit up the kiosk and grab games for Nintendo DS, Wii, PS2 and 3, and Xbox 360. Now -- the game selections are really slim so far, but we're pretty sure that situation will improve quickly, and the launch has only been rolled on in the Reno, Nevada area as of now. We'll keep our fingers crossed for Redbox to make its way eastward soon.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

ASUS unleashes USB 2.0 Blu-ray drive -- government denies knowledge

by Laura June posted Jun 29th 2009 at 3:55PM


ASUS has taken a pretty basic USB Blu-ray drive and given it a fine veneer of high-gloss looks. The SBC-04B1S-U isn't fancy stuff -- 4.8x maximum Blu-ray disc reading, 8x DVD burning, a USB 2.0 connection, and Windows (but not OS X) compatibility. The bright blue 'X' on the side also flashes and has a dedicated app just to control its brightness. None of this will help, of course, when the strobing 'X' attracts the attention of the entire underground world of paranormal conspiracy theorists to your bedroom as if you threw up the alien Bat-Signal -- but, you know, whatever. There's no word yet on pricing or availability for this attractive, skinny dude.

[Via SlashGear]

AT&T's U-Verse iPhone / iPod touch app launched

by Laura June posted Jun 26th 2009 at 10:03AM

We're pretty big fans of AT&T's U-verse (though, alas, we're not lucky enough to live in an area where we can have it!), and we sort of figured a few days back when the company rolled out some new tweaks to its Total Home DVR that something like this might be on the horizon, and here it is. AT&T's rolled out a free app for the iPhone app store that allows users to access the entire program guide, search for specific shows, and schedule, manage and delete programs and settings. The Mobile Remote Access App -- as it's not-so-creatively called -- sounds like a real winner for those with both U-Verse service and an iPhone... but then, we still communicate primarily with quills and parchment, so what would we know? One more screenshot of the app (plus a video!) after the break.

Continue reading AT&T's U-Verse iPhone / iPod touch app launched

Harman Kardon intros its first Blu-ray player, the BDP 10

by Laura June posted May 8th 2009 at 8:11PM


Harmon Kardon has decided to jump into the Blu-ray pushing business with its first player, the BDP 10. This slick number's got all the features you've come to know and love in Blu-ray -- BD-Live and Bonus View capabilities for online content, advanced audio codec support, 1080 / 24p playback, plus USB ports for DiVX and JPEG display. It'll also boast HDMI 1.3a, Ethernet, coaxial and optical audio outputs plus good old two-channel analog audio outputs. The BDP 10 has only been formally announced for Europe so far, though it's expected elsewhere (including the US) in the coming months. The player has a price tag of about €700 (around $940). Hit the read link for full spec sheet -- but fair warning: it's a PDF.

[Via Electronista]

Ultmost Technology's 42-inch oval LCD on display

by Laura June posted Apr 17th 2009 at 3:19AM


There's perilously scant detail to be had here, but this puppy -- a 42-inch LCD by Ultmost Technology --was on display at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair. Called the Fuss LC-4212B, we don't know anything about its specs, pricing, or availability... but we do know that it's pretty crazy looking, and we'd like to see a little more of it.One more shot after the break.

Continue reading Ultmost Technology's 42-inch oval LCD on display

Public rage stalls Time Warner trials of consumption-based internet

by Laura June posted Apr 16th 2009 at 11:22AM

Time Warner's new data capping broadband scheme was never expected to win any popularity contests, and the details of its plans are so frustrating, that this probably should not come as a surprise. Regardless, it looks like the company's plan to further roll out testing of the consumption-based billing method has been foiled, or at least stalled, because it couldn't find enough customers to participate in the testing. TWC had planned to test in several locations, including San Antonio and Austin, Texas, but the response has apparently been so negative, and there were so many complaints, that the company has "delayed" the trials until October. So... maybe if we keep moaning about it the plan will be abandoned altogether? Here's to hoping, anyway.

[Via The Register]

Netflix streaming-only subscriptions coming 'in the future'

by Laura June posted Feb 25th 2009 at 8:38PM

This news may not be a surprise, given the huge success of Netflix's Watch Instantly streaming service, which had been activated over 1 million times on Xbox Live the last time we checked -- accounting for about 10 percent of its subscriptions. Regardless, word has come from Netflix's CFO Barry McCarthy that the company plans to offer a streaming-only service "in the near future." The Watch Instantly service currently offers about 12,000 movies (around 100,000 titles are available if you order the physical discs), on a variety of devices, including Xbox Live and Roku boxes, so it seems like a smart move, though we don't know the timeline or pricing of the stream-only service. Here's to hoping they expand their offering a little before then... maybe Final Destination? Just a suggestion.

[Via Joystiq]

LG unveils 42- and 47-inch Bluetooth LH70 HDTVs in Korea

by Laura June posted Feb 23rd 2009 at 1:21PM


Watch out, world -- LG's got two new Scarlet sets comin' atcha, and both of them sport integrated Bluetooth. The LH70 line will (at least initially) consist of two models, a 42- (39.7mm thin) and a 47-incher (40.9mm thin). Each set will feature a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz technology, 2 millisecond response time, a USB port for connecting external media, a touch sensitive power button, DivX compatibility and an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness in order to best fit the room and conserve energy. Per usual, there's nary a mention of price, availability or percentage chance that these make it out of South Korea, but we'll be keeping an eye out.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading LG unveils 42- and 47-inch Bluetooth LH70 HDTVs in Korea

Pioneer finally kills production of its remaining laserdisc players

by Laura June posted Jan 14th 2009 at 12:22PM


Yes, we're just as shocked and horrified to hear the news as you are, but it seems to be true. Pioneer, the last major electronics manufacturer to continue production of laserdisc players, has announced they'll discontinue all three of the models they currently offer, leaving dozens of hardcore fans in the dust. But cheer up: we'll always have the memories, and this poster.

Sling Media loses most of its top brass

by Laura June posted Jan 13th 2009 at 4:07AM

Sling Media announced today that they've lost their top executives, including co-founders (and brothers) Blake and Jason Krikorian, CEO and SVP of business development respectively. Also on the way out is Jason Hirschhorn and Ben White, President and Chief Creative Officer of Sling Media Entertainment Group, and Greg Wilkes the VP of sales. paidContent spoke with the effervescent Blake Krikorian, who said, "I'm out of there now. I want to just cut it ... it's best just to get it done because it's not easy." So much for being stoked about that EchoStar acquisition, huh?

Samsung prepping 6.5mm LCD for CES?

by Laura June posted Jan 5th 2009 at 1:32AM

Rumor has it that Samsung is set to reveal an ever-so-thin HDTV prototype at CES this week -- a clear trend going into the show. There's a paucity of info about it as of now, but we hear it's going to be anywhere from 6.5 to 7mm thick, and it doesn't appear to be part of the possible lineup we saw leaked a while back. "Thinnest HDTV" ever, huh? We'll see about that soon enough: Samsung's Vegas press conference is scheduled for Wednesday.




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