Harman Kardon has just unveiled their brand new Cinespecial 29, bringing the high end 29 DVD player and the uber powerful AVR 350 A/V receiver in a totally new industrial design. Let’s sit back and see what the AVR 350 has to offer for consumers. For starters, the 7.1 channel AVR 350 receiver comes with a couple of HDMI 1.2a inputs that offer the ability to send and receive video signals in full HD (1080p) - you really can’t get anything better than that these days in your home. Not only that, you also benefit from the processing of associated audio signals along with upscaling of analog S-video or composite video signals to 720p (HDTV) thanks to Faroudja technology.
Other features include the EzSet/EQ automatic-calibration system, A/V Sync Delay for synchronizing audio and video signals, as well as the integration of The Bridge interface with expanded iPod audio and video playback, docking station, and remote control capability - all possible through the system remote. You can even configure the AVR 350 for multiroom operation, with the ability to configure back surround output levels in order to pipe audio to other rooms without the help of additional amplifiers courtesy of the A-BUS Ready system.
Components used by the AVR 350 include a Cirrus Logic CS49510 DSP processor, a high-resolution 192kHz/24-bit digital audio analog converter, a comprehensive bass manager and proprietary Harman Kardon Logic 7 processing, ensure realistic, detailed and pristine sound. As for the 29 DVD player, the extremely flat form factor might not look like much, but it does house a bunch of functions. Features include DVD Audio playback, all current video and audio formats, an integrated scaler for video upscaling, pixel-by-pixel image processing in progressive scan mode, and DivX technology for compressed video file support and playback. If you are not one who settles for less, the Harman Kardon Cinespecial 29 system will retail for €1,299 when it is released in October.
Source: http://www.coolest-gadgets.com
Friday, August 31, 2007
BURMESTER INTRODUCES NEW CLASSIC LINE CD PLAYER
CEDIA EXPO, DENVER, Sept. 6, 2007 — Burmester US, a division of Burmester Audiosysteme, Germany’s leading manufacturer of high-performance electronics and speakers, introduces the 061 Classic Line CD Player, combining a warm, natural musicality with a classically elegant design, at CEDIA EXPO ‘07, beginning here today.
The newest member of Burmester’s Classic Line, the 061 CD Player is a dedicated top-loading CD Playback system, refined for demanding audiophiles who recognize sophisticated product design and demand uncompromised sound quality equally matched with superior build quality. Completing an overhaul of the Classic Line, the 061 CD player features a Phillips CD 2 Pro direct drive with a modified servo board that guarantees high-resolution audio as well as an intensely musical sound. Further contributing to its superb performance are advanced converter technology with switchable upsampling rates of 96 and 192 kHz, and top-of-the-line analog output stages.
The precision top loader is made of milled aluminum with a 10-millimeter thick tray that opens and closes as softly as butter on Teflon rails, making it a pleasure to insert a CD.
The 061 CD Player is also strongly protected against early obsolescence. Its built-in D/A converters are mounted on a separate D/A converter module that can be upgraded or retrofitted as needed for future developments. A multimedia Interface slot for future applications is also included, further enabling the 061 CD Player to accommodate new digital enhancements.
The 061 CD Player’s connection panel includes two digital RCA inputs and outputs, one Toslink optical digital input and output, a balanced XLR stereo output, and two unbalanced stereo RCA stereo outputs. All incoming digital signals are upsampled to the sample rate selected by the sample rate converter, and the D/A converter can also be used externally through the CD Player’s digital inputs. A remote control and Burmester Power 1.5 Cable are supplied as standard.
The 061 CD Player also features a unique security measure. Its serial number is indelibly stored in its control chips, and can be displayed by the user on the front-panel’s dot-matrix display. Any unauthorized change of the number will shut down the player, to be revived exclusively by Burmester.
The 061 CD Player can be optionally equipped with the newest version of Burmester’s BurLinkTM interface, which features RS-232 and USB2.0 ports. It’s ideal for integration with home automation systems, such as those from CrestronTM, AMXTM and other manufacturers.
Burmester’s new 061 Classic Line CD Player is available now in silver housing with a chrome front panel at a suggested price of $11,995. It can be seen with the company’s other outstanding products at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, 1400 Welton Street (2 blocks from the Colorado Convention Center), during CEDIA EXPO.
About Burmester US
Burmester US is a wholly owned operation of Burmester Audiosysteme GMBH, Germany’s leader in high-end audio and one of the most respected names among manufacturers of high-quality stereo systems worldwide. Burmester’s product line goes back 30 years. Today, product lines include the moderately priced Rondo Line, the ambitious Classic Line, the Top Line (suiting listeners’ highest needs), and the no-compromise Reference Line. These lines include pre amplifiers and power amplifiers, multichannel amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, CD and DVD players, surround sound processors, FM tuners, power conditioners, speakers, and accessories for both two-channel and multichannel systems. Burmester offerings vary in price but never in their dedication to quality and musical performance at the highest level. All Burmester components fulfill the most stringent demands with respect to sound quality, reliability and ease of use, and all are beautifully, elegantly finished.
Burmester is also the appointed, exclusive partner for Bugatti to supply the sound systems for the Veyron 16.4.
For further technical information, visit www.burmester.de, or call Burmester US at 877-287-6310.
source: http://www.hometoys.com
The newest member of Burmester’s Classic Line, the 061 CD Player is a dedicated top-loading CD Playback system, refined for demanding audiophiles who recognize sophisticated product design and demand uncompromised sound quality equally matched with superior build quality. Completing an overhaul of the Classic Line, the 061 CD player features a Phillips CD 2 Pro direct drive with a modified servo board that guarantees high-resolution audio as well as an intensely musical sound. Further contributing to its superb performance are advanced converter technology with switchable upsampling rates of 96 and 192 kHz, and top-of-the-line analog output stages.
The precision top loader is made of milled aluminum with a 10-millimeter thick tray that opens and closes as softly as butter on Teflon rails, making it a pleasure to insert a CD.
The 061 CD Player is also strongly protected against early obsolescence. Its built-in D/A converters are mounted on a separate D/A converter module that can be upgraded or retrofitted as needed for future developments. A multimedia Interface slot for future applications is also included, further enabling the 061 CD Player to accommodate new digital enhancements.
The 061 CD Player’s connection panel includes two digital RCA inputs and outputs, one Toslink optical digital input and output, a balanced XLR stereo output, and two unbalanced stereo RCA stereo outputs. All incoming digital signals are upsampled to the sample rate selected by the sample rate converter, and the D/A converter can also be used externally through the CD Player’s digital inputs. A remote control and Burmester Power 1.5 Cable are supplied as standard.
The 061 CD Player also features a unique security measure. Its serial number is indelibly stored in its control chips, and can be displayed by the user on the front-panel’s dot-matrix display. Any unauthorized change of the number will shut down the player, to be revived exclusively by Burmester.
The 061 CD Player can be optionally equipped with the newest version of Burmester’s BurLinkTM interface, which features RS-232 and USB2.0 ports. It’s ideal for integration with home automation systems, such as those from CrestronTM, AMXTM and other manufacturers.
Burmester’s new 061 Classic Line CD Player is available now in silver housing with a chrome front panel at a suggested price of $11,995. It can be seen with the company’s other outstanding products at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, 1400 Welton Street (2 blocks from the Colorado Convention Center), during CEDIA EXPO.
About Burmester US
Burmester US is a wholly owned operation of Burmester Audiosysteme GMBH, Germany’s leader in high-end audio and one of the most respected names among manufacturers of high-quality stereo systems worldwide. Burmester’s product line goes back 30 years. Today, product lines include the moderately priced Rondo Line, the ambitious Classic Line, the Top Line (suiting listeners’ highest needs), and the no-compromise Reference Line. These lines include pre amplifiers and power amplifiers, multichannel amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, CD and DVD players, surround sound processors, FM tuners, power conditioners, speakers, and accessories for both two-channel and multichannel systems. Burmester offerings vary in price but never in their dedication to quality and musical performance at the highest level. All Burmester components fulfill the most stringent demands with respect to sound quality, reliability and ease of use, and all are beautifully, elegantly finished.
Burmester is also the appointed, exclusive partner for Bugatti to supply the sound systems for the Veyron 16.4.
For further technical information, visit www.burmester.de, or call Burmester US at 877-287-6310.
source: http://www.hometoys.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Toshiba GigaBeat U Review
Toshiba has continually improved its gigabeat line of MP3 players since the release of its F series, but apparently last year’s S series was the peak. The latest in the line is the gigabeat U, a tiny flash-based player with Toshiba’s signature crossbar controls. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have its big brother’s sweet Windows Mobile interface, making it feel pretty much like the rest of the also-ran flash players. For some reason, Toshiba is playing up the line-in MP3 recording feature, but we’re more impressed with the fact that you get a decent-sounding 2GB music player for under 100 bucks.
If cheaper is better, the gigabeat U ranks up near the top. But other than the aggressive price, there’s not a whole to differentiate it from the rest of the pack. The player is very compact at 3 by 1.4 by 0.5 inches, and it has a squint-worthy 1.1-inch OLED screen. The four-way cross-shaped controls surround a center select button, and just beneath the screen are Back and contextual menu buttons marked with an arrow and an odd-looking squiggle, respectively.
On top there’s a power/hold switch, and on the bottom there’s a standard mini-USB 2.0 connector and an eighth-inch headphone/line-in jack. The player’s metallic textured finish isn’t nearly as attractive as the glossy finish on the larger S series, but it still manages to look cute.
The gigabeat U is exclusively a Media Transfer Protocol device, meaning it only syncs with Windows-based music management software like Windows Media Player and Yahoo Music Jukebox. Once again, Mac users and Audible audiobook fans are left out in the cold. It supports WMA, protected WMA (download and subscription), WAV, and MP3 files, and it’s one of the only players out there to support WMA Lossless, though that’s not particularly useful on a 2GB player given the size of lossless files.
Navigating the gigabeat’s simple but unpolished interface isn’t difficult, but it’s definitely no Windows Mobile; I wouldn’t mind the boring menus if my expectations hadn’t been set by previous gigabeat models. There’s a slight lag when browsing your music, but it’s not frustratingly slow.
You can see six lines of text plus the header line, but scrolling through long lists (at least, as long as you’re going to get with only 2GB of storage) isn’t painful. It’s not very precise either; when you scroll extensively, lists keep scrolling for a couple lines after you release the up or down button. One thing I like is that when you get to the end of a list, you’re automatically brought back to the top of the list.
Every time you make a selection, there’s an audible high-pitched sound that’s not annoying enough to make me stop using the player, but one does wonder why Toshiba didn’t catch this before release.
You can create playlists on the fly via the misnamed bookmarking feature, but you can’t actually make bookmarks (automatic go-to spots within a file). Musicians and language learners will be glad to know there’s an A-B repeat feature for looping parts of a track.
The system noise is limited to button presses and isn’t present during playback, thankfully. The gigabeat’s overall sound quality when paired with decent headphones (like my Shure SE 420’s) is very good across the entire audible frequency range, and I didn’t hear any significant distortion at top volume. The headphone output is powerful enough to hit moderate volumes on full-size cans from the likes of Sennheiser and Grado, and it has no problem with any of the in-ear headphones I tried.
The included earbuds suck, and I’m not impressed by any of the sound-enhancement settings (a 5-band EQ and a handful of presets), but those are par for the course. At least you get a very respectable 30 hours of audio playback time on a single charge.
The combo headphone/input jack is for lining in audio and recording in MP3 format — in real time (45 minute CD takes 45 minutes to record). Although you can’t monitor your recordings via headphones, there are left and right level monitors on the screen. I could hear the compression on recordings, but the quality is certainly passable. If you’ve got a powered mic, the gigabeat could make a good recorder in a pinch, but I’d prefer something that records uncompressed audio, or at least higher bit rate MP3s.
The gigabeat lacks a voice recorder, but it’s got an FM tuner that can pick up stations reasonably well, though fringe stations (like 88.3FM in Newark, New Jersey) aren’t particularly clear. You can also record from the radio, which I find more useful than line-in recording.
Photos look pretty lame (blocky and low-res) on the OLED screen, and the colors are oversaturated. Then again, do you really want to look at pictures on a 1.1 inch screen? I’ll pass. The only other extra is a countdown/sleep timer.
The gigabeat U clearly isn’t out to impress anyone, but it could make a decent stocking stuffer by the time the holidays roll around — if other players like the iPod nano and iRiver Clix haven’t dropped in price by then, that is. At this price, the Creative Zen V Plus is the gigabeat’s main competitor; I prefer the Zen slightly for its better radio reception, voice recorder, video support, and bigger screen.
Source: http://crunchgear.com
If cheaper is better, the gigabeat U ranks up near the top. But other than the aggressive price, there’s not a whole to differentiate it from the rest of the pack. The player is very compact at 3 by 1.4 by 0.5 inches, and it has a squint-worthy 1.1-inch OLED screen. The four-way cross-shaped controls surround a center select button, and just beneath the screen are Back and contextual menu buttons marked with an arrow and an odd-looking squiggle, respectively.
On top there’s a power/hold switch, and on the bottom there’s a standard mini-USB 2.0 connector and an eighth-inch headphone/line-in jack. The player’s metallic textured finish isn’t nearly as attractive as the glossy finish on the larger S series, but it still manages to look cute.
The gigabeat U is exclusively a Media Transfer Protocol device, meaning it only syncs with Windows-based music management software like Windows Media Player and Yahoo Music Jukebox. Once again, Mac users and Audible audiobook fans are left out in the cold. It supports WMA, protected WMA (download and subscription), WAV, and MP3 files, and it’s one of the only players out there to support WMA Lossless, though that’s not particularly useful on a 2GB player given the size of lossless files.
Navigating the gigabeat’s simple but unpolished interface isn’t difficult, but it’s definitely no Windows Mobile; I wouldn’t mind the boring menus if my expectations hadn’t been set by previous gigabeat models. There’s a slight lag when browsing your music, but it’s not frustratingly slow.
You can see six lines of text plus the header line, but scrolling through long lists (at least, as long as you’re going to get with only 2GB of storage) isn’t painful. It’s not very precise either; when you scroll extensively, lists keep scrolling for a couple lines after you release the up or down button. One thing I like is that when you get to the end of a list, you’re automatically brought back to the top of the list.
Every time you make a selection, there’s an audible high-pitched sound that’s not annoying enough to make me stop using the player, but one does wonder why Toshiba didn’t catch this before release.
You can create playlists on the fly via the misnamed bookmarking feature, but you can’t actually make bookmarks (automatic go-to spots within a file). Musicians and language learners will be glad to know there’s an A-B repeat feature for looping parts of a track.
The system noise is limited to button presses and isn’t present during playback, thankfully. The gigabeat’s overall sound quality when paired with decent headphones (like my Shure SE 420’s) is very good across the entire audible frequency range, and I didn’t hear any significant distortion at top volume. The headphone output is powerful enough to hit moderate volumes on full-size cans from the likes of Sennheiser and Grado, and it has no problem with any of the in-ear headphones I tried.
The included earbuds suck, and I’m not impressed by any of the sound-enhancement settings (a 5-band EQ and a handful of presets), but those are par for the course. At least you get a very respectable 30 hours of audio playback time on a single charge.
The combo headphone/input jack is for lining in audio and recording in MP3 format — in real time (45 minute CD takes 45 minutes to record). Although you can’t monitor your recordings via headphones, there are left and right level monitors on the screen. I could hear the compression on recordings, but the quality is certainly passable. If you’ve got a powered mic, the gigabeat could make a good recorder in a pinch, but I’d prefer something that records uncompressed audio, or at least higher bit rate MP3s.
The gigabeat lacks a voice recorder, but it’s got an FM tuner that can pick up stations reasonably well, though fringe stations (like 88.3FM in Newark, New Jersey) aren’t particularly clear. You can also record from the radio, which I find more useful than line-in recording.
Photos look pretty lame (blocky and low-res) on the OLED screen, and the colors are oversaturated. Then again, do you really want to look at pictures on a 1.1 inch screen? I’ll pass. The only other extra is a countdown/sleep timer.
The gigabeat U clearly isn’t out to impress anyone, but it could make a decent stocking stuffer by the time the holidays roll around — if other players like the iPod nano and iRiver Clix haven’t dropped in price by then, that is. At this price, the Creative Zen V Plus is the gigabeat’s main competitor; I prefer the Zen slightly for its better radio reception, voice recorder, video support, and bigger screen.
Source: http://crunchgear.com
NordicTrack(R) Kicks Off Its Official Football Season Treadmill
LOGAN, UT -- 08/29/07 -- NordicTrack's Official Football Season Treadmill combines sports entertainment and exercise with a personal flat screen TV built into the console of the NordicTrack ViewPoint 3000. Now you don't have to sacrifice your workout to watch your favorite team, and you can transform "couch potato" time by walking and watching simultaneously.
The treadmill's cable and DVD-ready TV with built-in speakers also includes a multicolor display that shows your speed, time, distance and calories burned, so you don't have to miss a minute of the game to track your workout progress. And the progress will be phenomenal... if you walk at just 3 mph the entire game, you could burn more than 1,000 calories -- enough to balance out a plateful of chips and salsa! And with the extra wide treadbelt, there's no need to worry about losing your footing due to the excitement of the game.
For stadium-like sound experience, this NordicTrack treadmill boasts high-end surround-sound speakers that amplify the excitement of the game. Two 3-inch high-fidelity equalized speakers provide an optimum range of frequencies. There is also a built-in port to allow a full-range bass speaker, as well as an audio amplifier to maximize sound. And to keep everyone in the room happy, there's a built-in headphone jack so you can enjoy the game without disturbing others in the room... you'll just have to try to keep the cheers down!
With an integrated MP3 port, you can play football audio or video podcasts. Integrated speakers and a secure shelf mean you don't have to worry about losing your headphones or dropping your MP3 player while running.
For a pro-level workout, the NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 treadmill also offers users the voice and intelligence of a personal trainer using iFit® technology. Each iFit® workout card contains 24 different workouts in an eight-week program that builds toward a specific goal, such as weight loss or endurance. iFit® plans a new treadmill routine three times a week, each routine more challenging than the last. iFit® also coaches the user through the workout, providing tips for breathing correctly, reminding you to maintain good posture and automatically adjusting the treadmill's incline and speed.
The NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 treadmill has many other innovative features including:
-- QuickSpeed(TM) Control--instantly changes the speed from 0-12 MPH with
the touch of a button.
-- QuickIncline(TM) Control--instantly changes the incline from 0-12%
with the touch of a button.
-- Carb Counter(TM)--tracks the carbohydrates burned during a workout.
-- 14 Preset Workouts--allows you to choose everything from a low-
intensity walk to a high-intensity run, while the treadmill automatically
adjusts the speed and incline for goal-specific results.
-- 2 Learn Workouts--allows you to create and save up to two customized
workouts to be used over and over again for personalized results.
-- AutoBreeze(TM) Workout Fan--cools you down with four settings: low,
medium, high or AutoBreeze(TM), which matches the fan's airflow to your
speed.
-- EKG(TM) Heart Rate Monitor--provides a quick, accurate heart rate
reading with easy-grip sensors in the handlebars.
-- 350-lb. User Capacity
-- Warranty--lifetime motor warranty
-- Space Saver--folds for easy storage
The NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 is available exclusively at www.nordictrack.com for $1,199.
About NordicTrack
NordicTrack has a complete line of exercise equipment for the home: treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, strength training, yoga, and Pilates products, as well as fitness apparel for men and women which can be found at www.nordictrack.com.
NordicTrack is a brand owned by ICON Health and Fitness. ICON is one of the world's largest manufacturers of fitness equipment.
Source: http://www.earthtimes.org
The treadmill's cable and DVD-ready TV with built-in speakers also includes a multicolor display that shows your speed, time, distance and calories burned, so you don't have to miss a minute of the game to track your workout progress. And the progress will be phenomenal... if you walk at just 3 mph the entire game, you could burn more than 1,000 calories -- enough to balance out a plateful of chips and salsa! And with the extra wide treadbelt, there's no need to worry about losing your footing due to the excitement of the game.
For stadium-like sound experience, this NordicTrack treadmill boasts high-end surround-sound speakers that amplify the excitement of the game. Two 3-inch high-fidelity equalized speakers provide an optimum range of frequencies. There is also a built-in port to allow a full-range bass speaker, as well as an audio amplifier to maximize sound. And to keep everyone in the room happy, there's a built-in headphone jack so you can enjoy the game without disturbing others in the room... you'll just have to try to keep the cheers down!
With an integrated MP3 port, you can play football audio or video podcasts. Integrated speakers and a secure shelf mean you don't have to worry about losing your headphones or dropping your MP3 player while running.
For a pro-level workout, the NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 treadmill also offers users the voice and intelligence of a personal trainer using iFit® technology. Each iFit® workout card contains 24 different workouts in an eight-week program that builds toward a specific goal, such as weight loss or endurance. iFit® plans a new treadmill routine three times a week, each routine more challenging than the last. iFit® also coaches the user through the workout, providing tips for breathing correctly, reminding you to maintain good posture and automatically adjusting the treadmill's incline and speed.
The NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 treadmill has many other innovative features including:
-- QuickSpeed(TM) Control--instantly changes the speed from 0-12 MPH with
the touch of a button.
-- QuickIncline(TM) Control--instantly changes the incline from 0-12%
with the touch of a button.
-- Carb Counter(TM)--tracks the carbohydrates burned during a workout.
-- 14 Preset Workouts--allows you to choose everything from a low-
intensity walk to a high-intensity run, while the treadmill automatically
adjusts the speed and incline for goal-specific results.
-- 2 Learn Workouts--allows you to create and save up to two customized
workouts to be used over and over again for personalized results.
-- AutoBreeze(TM) Workout Fan--cools you down with four settings: low,
medium, high or AutoBreeze(TM), which matches the fan's airflow to your
speed.
-- EKG(TM) Heart Rate Monitor--provides a quick, accurate heart rate
reading with easy-grip sensors in the handlebars.
-- 350-lb. User Capacity
-- Warranty--lifetime motor warranty
-- Space Saver--folds for easy storage
The NordicTrack® ViewPoint 3000 is available exclusively at www.nordictrack.com for $1,199.
About NordicTrack
NordicTrack has a complete line of exercise equipment for the home: treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, strength training, yoga, and Pilates products, as well as fitness apparel for men and women which can be found at www.nordictrack.com.
NordicTrack is a brand owned by ICON Health and Fitness. ICON is one of the world's largest manufacturers of fitness equipment.
Source: http://www.earthtimes.org
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
TVs, PCs fight for living room space at tech fair
Internet TV, mobile TV and video on demand may be the talk of the technology sector. But when it comes to buying decisions at this week's IFA electronics fair, television sets are set to be bigger business than ever.
Exhibitors from around the world will descend on Berlin hoping to tempt almost a quarter of a million visitors expected at the show to upgrade to slimmer, sleeker TV sets promising sharper pictures and helped by rapidly falling prices.
"Glass, in the form of TVs, is going to be huge again," Gartner analyst Mike McGuire said. "I don't see the TV losing the space in the living room just yet."
Globally, more than 200 million TV sets are expected to be sold this year, worth about $115 billion, or more than a third of total consumer electronics sales. Of those, most will still be traditional curved-screen cathode-ray tube TVs.
Electronics manufacturers are hoping a looming cut-off of analog TV signals in the United States, Europe and parts of Japan together with slowly starting high-definition TV (HDTV) broadcasts will persuade consumers to exchange their old sets.
Thin-screen LCD or plasma versions are on average five times more expensive.
A TV from Grundig that can be watched outdoors and a Loewe HDTV that can communicate with digital cameras, MP3 players and PC networks will be among the thousands of models on display at Europe's biggest consumer electronics fair.
In time, though, televisions and other analog equipment are expected to be replaced by PC-based systems. Gartner estimates this will take another three to four years. By that time, most market researchers expect TV set sales to begin falling.
That development is being pushed not only by PC makers such as Hewlett-Packard or Fujitsu-Siemens who have been offering complete home-entertainment systems for years, but also telecom operators keen to enter a new market.
This year's IFA will include a daylong conference on IPTV, which is still being held back by limited broadband delivery capacity and content rights issues. Deutsche Telekom's stand display will focus on IPTV.
While frenzied demand for hot consumer electronics products such as MP3 portable music players has slowed this year, PC sales are reviving.
Makers of video games consoles are also vying for their devices to take a central place in the living room while the portable versions are gaining new features.
Sony, for example, is expanding a planned video download service for its PlayStation Portable and aims to start selling an accessory next year that will turn it into a satellite navigation device.
Navigation devices themselves, meantime, are becoming much more than route finders: iPublish will be showing off its Merian Scout Navigator that comes complete with audio guides that automatically play when you pass a place of interest.
Gartner's McGuire says the new generation of young adults will drive a move away from TV-centered homes.
"If you're a young adult who grew up playing on a PlayStation 3 it's easier conceptually to add on features, it's a kind of logical extension if those subsystems perform well," he says. "They're a kind of Trojan horse into the living room."
The IFA opens to the public on Friday and runs until Sept 5.
Source: http://news.com.com
Exhibitors from around the world will descend on Berlin hoping to tempt almost a quarter of a million visitors expected at the show to upgrade to slimmer, sleeker TV sets promising sharper pictures and helped by rapidly falling prices.
"Glass, in the form of TVs, is going to be huge again," Gartner analyst Mike McGuire said. "I don't see the TV losing the space in the living room just yet."
Globally, more than 200 million TV sets are expected to be sold this year, worth about $115 billion, or more than a third of total consumer electronics sales. Of those, most will still be traditional curved-screen cathode-ray tube TVs.
Electronics manufacturers are hoping a looming cut-off of analog TV signals in the United States, Europe and parts of Japan together with slowly starting high-definition TV (HDTV) broadcasts will persuade consumers to exchange their old sets.
Thin-screen LCD or plasma versions are on average five times more expensive.
A TV from Grundig that can be watched outdoors and a Loewe HDTV that can communicate with digital cameras, MP3 players and PC networks will be among the thousands of models on display at Europe's biggest consumer electronics fair.
In time, though, televisions and other analog equipment are expected to be replaced by PC-based systems. Gartner estimates this will take another three to four years. By that time, most market researchers expect TV set sales to begin falling.
That development is being pushed not only by PC makers such as Hewlett-Packard or Fujitsu-Siemens who have been offering complete home-entertainment systems for years, but also telecom operators keen to enter a new market.
This year's IFA will include a daylong conference on IPTV, which is still being held back by limited broadband delivery capacity and content rights issues. Deutsche Telekom's stand display will focus on IPTV.
While frenzied demand for hot consumer electronics products such as MP3 portable music players has slowed this year, PC sales are reviving.
Makers of video games consoles are also vying for their devices to take a central place in the living room while the portable versions are gaining new features.
Sony, for example, is expanding a planned video download service for its PlayStation Portable and aims to start selling an accessory next year that will turn it into a satellite navigation device.
Navigation devices themselves, meantime, are becoming much more than route finders: iPublish will be showing off its Merian Scout Navigator that comes complete with audio guides that automatically play when you pass a place of interest.
Gartner's McGuire says the new generation of young adults will drive a move away from TV-centered homes.
"If you're a young adult who grew up playing on a PlayStation 3 it's easier conceptually to add on features, it's a kind of logical extension if those subsystems perform well," he says. "They're a kind of Trojan horse into the living room."
The IFA opens to the public on Friday and runs until Sept 5.
Source: http://news.com.com
Akamai Brings High Definition to the Internet
Company defines key technology criteria for delivering high-definition (HD) Internet video
* Akamai's unique edge distribution architecture enables a quality HD experience by reducing latency and increasing capacity
CAMBRIDGE, MA, August 27, 2007 -- Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the leading global service provider for accelerating content and applications online, today announced that a consistent, high-definition video experience is now possible online via its global content distribution network. Akamai’s customers are now delivering HD quality content on Akamai’s uniquely distributed edge delivery network that is specifically tuned for optimal delivery of HD files online.
"As broadband connectivity becomes more ubiquitous, users are demanding – and frankly should expect – a high-quality, high-definition video experience on the Internet," said Mike Afergan, chief technology officer, Akamai. "Delivering premium HD content is a critical way for our customers to attract and delight their audiences in today's highly competitive media environment. We are just at the beginning of a very exciting market opportunity for delivering premium HD content. Consumer demand exists, broadband is ready, and businesses are looking for ways to maximize the value of their high-production HD content."
Technical Criteria for delivering HD
HDTV is defined by the industry to be video with significantly high pixel resolution of 1080i, 1080p or 720p. In the broadcast world, the industry is undergoing a series of transformations that are standardizing the delivery of high-definition video to the home. For the Internet, Akamai is making the HD web possible by continuing to refine the infrastructure required to bring the HDTV experience to online audiences. Additionally, Akamai will continue to lead this effort with new service launches, device integration, and partnerships with technology vendors, expected in the coming months.
Akamai has architected its platform to comply with the following technical criteria that content owners must leverage to successfully enable an HD web. Akamai believes that it is the first and only platform to meet these technical requirements which include offering:
* Technology and an operational model to operate serving devices in the largest high-throughput networks around the world (servers need to be physically in the networks, as that is where the capacity lies)
* Established relationships with the largest high throughput networks
* Support for delivery, storage, and management of files greater than 2 Gigabytes
* Support of VC-1 and MPEG-4 video standards, achieving visual parity with other broadcast video networks
* Support for files with resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p
* Client-side technology that is deeply integrated into its delivery system to be deployed as appropriate
Industry studies have proven that without meeting these criteria, online audiences will become impatient, tune out, and find premium HD content that works elsewhere. By ensuring these requirements are met, content providers are able to avoid slow or delayed downloads, the inability to serve HD content in its entirety, download interruptions, limited audience reach, and overall poor end-user satisfaction, which often accompany the download of large files. In addition, multi-player compatibility is crucial to meet the needs of a diverse end user community.
The Market is Ready
"As broadband video viewership has escalated, consumers have raised the stakes by demanding better and better content experiences," said Will Richmond, president and founder of Broadband Directions LLC, a market intelligence and consulting firm specializing in broadband-delivered video. "To deliver against these requirements, media and entertainment companies need to offer higher bit rate files with enhanced online fidelity of video and audio files. Doing so in a scalable and cost-effective manner requires that the necessary infrastructure to support high definition content must be deployed."
"The capacity to deliver high throughput files already exists at the 'edge' – leveraging the massive build-outs occurring in hundreds of individual networks. The challenge comes from how you tap into that capacity. The only way to solve this problem is to deliver from within these networks," continued Akamai's Afergan. "For example, on our distributed platform, we serve more than half of all the files, 500 MB or greater, at more than 1.4 Mbps, and this is only increasing. This demonstrates that, by leveraging the right architecture, there are already a large number of end-users capable of downloading higher quality content. This technical capability coupled with the market demand is exciting for the industry."
Akamai's Unique Architecture for High Throughput Media
To realize this same vision and fidelity in the online world, a 2-hour feature-length movie would need to be encoded at a bit rate of at least 6-8 Mbps, which would result in the file being a size of 5-8 GB. This presents numerous technical challenges to deliver such a high-quality, large file. For instance, delivering a file encoded at 6 Mbps to an audience of one Nielsen ratings point (1,102,000 households) would require 6.6 Terabits of sustained bandwidth, and that doesn’t even take into account latency and network congestion.
The availability of very large, last-mile bandwidth connections does not always mean that an end user will be able to completely leverage that access. A critical factor to enable high bit rate delivery of very large HD files is the proximity of the end-user to the server sending the file. As the distance from the server becomes greater, throughput dramatically decreases. Even a seemingly small distance can result in lost throughput due to lower throughput, higher packet loss, and increased latency.
As an example, the only way to achieve 10 to 20 Mbps throughput for typical PC end-users is if the server is less than 20 milliseconds away. The more latency, the longer it takes to download the file, which interrupts the viewing experience and results in a poor end-user experience. Compared with other centralized models, the results that Akamai's network offers high quality content are unmatched on a global scale.
Broadband subscribers are guaranteed to have a faster download, and enjoy a quality HD experience, when downloading content from servers nearby the request. With servers distributed in over 750 cities, Akamai addresses these technology requirements with its unique edge delivery model that reduces latency to levels necessary for a quality HD experience. Because distance matters for high-quality large files, all content, whether it is frequently or rarely requested, must be served closest to the end user. Akamai's unique technology automatically and instantly spreads popular content on-demand for better scalability.
In addition, many large HD videos are not always watched in their entirety. It is therefore optimal to locally cache only the portion of a file that is most requested by end users, which on average is the beginning of the file or movie. This partial caching of HD video enables both popular and less popular, long-tail content to be served from the edge to guarantee optimal performance.
"Akamai's goal is to be able to support 100 Terabits per second of traffic. Our flexible and distributed architecture uniquely positions us to realize that vision and we are aggressively progressing toward that goal," said Afergan. "We are also committed to the long-term objective of building an ecosystem linking content owners, network providers and video platform players to ensure a superior HD web experience wherever last-mile infrastructure permits."
About Akamai
Akamai® is the leading global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online. Thousands of organizations have formed trusted relationships with Akamai, improving their revenue and reducing costs by maximizing the performance of their online businesses. Leveraging the Akamai EdgePlatform, these organizations gain business advantage today, and have the foundation for the emerging Web solutions of tomorrow. Akamai is "The Trusted Choice for Online Business." For more information, visit www.akamai.com.
Source: http://www.allamericanpatriots.com
* Akamai's unique edge distribution architecture enables a quality HD experience by reducing latency and increasing capacity
CAMBRIDGE, MA, August 27, 2007 -- Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the leading global service provider for accelerating content and applications online, today announced that a consistent, high-definition video experience is now possible online via its global content distribution network. Akamai’s customers are now delivering HD quality content on Akamai’s uniquely distributed edge delivery network that is specifically tuned for optimal delivery of HD files online.
"As broadband connectivity becomes more ubiquitous, users are demanding – and frankly should expect – a high-quality, high-definition video experience on the Internet," said Mike Afergan, chief technology officer, Akamai. "Delivering premium HD content is a critical way for our customers to attract and delight their audiences in today's highly competitive media environment. We are just at the beginning of a very exciting market opportunity for delivering premium HD content. Consumer demand exists, broadband is ready, and businesses are looking for ways to maximize the value of their high-production HD content."
Technical Criteria for delivering HD
HDTV is defined by the industry to be video with significantly high pixel resolution of 1080i, 1080p or 720p. In the broadcast world, the industry is undergoing a series of transformations that are standardizing the delivery of high-definition video to the home. For the Internet, Akamai is making the HD web possible by continuing to refine the infrastructure required to bring the HDTV experience to online audiences. Additionally, Akamai will continue to lead this effort with new service launches, device integration, and partnerships with technology vendors, expected in the coming months.
Akamai has architected its platform to comply with the following technical criteria that content owners must leverage to successfully enable an HD web. Akamai believes that it is the first and only platform to meet these technical requirements which include offering:
* Technology and an operational model to operate serving devices in the largest high-throughput networks around the world (servers need to be physically in the networks, as that is where the capacity lies)
* Established relationships with the largest high throughput networks
* Support for delivery, storage, and management of files greater than 2 Gigabytes
* Support of VC-1 and MPEG-4 video standards, achieving visual parity with other broadcast video networks
* Support for files with resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p
* Client-side technology that is deeply integrated into its delivery system to be deployed as appropriate
Industry studies have proven that without meeting these criteria, online audiences will become impatient, tune out, and find premium HD content that works elsewhere. By ensuring these requirements are met, content providers are able to avoid slow or delayed downloads, the inability to serve HD content in its entirety, download interruptions, limited audience reach, and overall poor end-user satisfaction, which often accompany the download of large files. In addition, multi-player compatibility is crucial to meet the needs of a diverse end user community.
The Market is Ready
"As broadband video viewership has escalated, consumers have raised the stakes by demanding better and better content experiences," said Will Richmond, president and founder of Broadband Directions LLC, a market intelligence and consulting firm specializing in broadband-delivered video. "To deliver against these requirements, media and entertainment companies need to offer higher bit rate files with enhanced online fidelity of video and audio files. Doing so in a scalable and cost-effective manner requires that the necessary infrastructure to support high definition content must be deployed."
"The capacity to deliver high throughput files already exists at the 'edge' – leveraging the massive build-outs occurring in hundreds of individual networks. The challenge comes from how you tap into that capacity. The only way to solve this problem is to deliver from within these networks," continued Akamai's Afergan. "For example, on our distributed platform, we serve more than half of all the files, 500 MB or greater, at more than 1.4 Mbps, and this is only increasing. This demonstrates that, by leveraging the right architecture, there are already a large number of end-users capable of downloading higher quality content. This technical capability coupled with the market demand is exciting for the industry."
Akamai's Unique Architecture for High Throughput Media
To realize this same vision and fidelity in the online world, a 2-hour feature-length movie would need to be encoded at a bit rate of at least 6-8 Mbps, which would result in the file being a size of 5-8 GB. This presents numerous technical challenges to deliver such a high-quality, large file. For instance, delivering a file encoded at 6 Mbps to an audience of one Nielsen ratings point (1,102,000 households) would require 6.6 Terabits of sustained bandwidth, and that doesn’t even take into account latency and network congestion.
The availability of very large, last-mile bandwidth connections does not always mean that an end user will be able to completely leverage that access. A critical factor to enable high bit rate delivery of very large HD files is the proximity of the end-user to the server sending the file. As the distance from the server becomes greater, throughput dramatically decreases. Even a seemingly small distance can result in lost throughput due to lower throughput, higher packet loss, and increased latency.
As an example, the only way to achieve 10 to 20 Mbps throughput for typical PC end-users is if the server is less than 20 milliseconds away. The more latency, the longer it takes to download the file, which interrupts the viewing experience and results in a poor end-user experience. Compared with other centralized models, the results that Akamai's network offers high quality content are unmatched on a global scale.
Broadband subscribers are guaranteed to have a faster download, and enjoy a quality HD experience, when downloading content from servers nearby the request. With servers distributed in over 750 cities, Akamai addresses these technology requirements with its unique edge delivery model that reduces latency to levels necessary for a quality HD experience. Because distance matters for high-quality large files, all content, whether it is frequently or rarely requested, must be served closest to the end user. Akamai's unique technology automatically and instantly spreads popular content on-demand for better scalability.
In addition, many large HD videos are not always watched in their entirety. It is therefore optimal to locally cache only the portion of a file that is most requested by end users, which on average is the beginning of the file or movie. This partial caching of HD video enables both popular and less popular, long-tail content to be served from the edge to guarantee optimal performance.
"Akamai's goal is to be able to support 100 Terabits per second of traffic. Our flexible and distributed architecture uniquely positions us to realize that vision and we are aggressively progressing toward that goal," said Afergan. "We are also committed to the long-term objective of building an ecosystem linking content owners, network providers and video platform players to ensure a superior HD web experience wherever last-mile infrastructure permits."
About Akamai
Akamai® is the leading global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online. Thousands of organizations have formed trusted relationships with Akamai, improving their revenue and reducing costs by maximizing the performance of their online businesses. Leveraging the Akamai EdgePlatform, these organizations gain business advantage today, and have the foundation for the emerging Web solutions of tomorrow. Akamai is "The Trusted Choice for Online Business." For more information, visit www.akamai.com.
Source: http://www.allamericanpatriots.com
Powerhouse notebook acts as HD theatre
Toshiba laptop is an all in one entertainment and productivity centre
8/28/2007 8:58:00 AM
by Lee Rickwood
Today's PC aficionado is always on the lookout for ‘something more' from their computer systems, whether the hardcore gaming computer type or the established extreme professional user.
Toshiba is producing a notebook that acts as a television, digital music player, computer, HD DVD burner and HD DVD player all in one.
Toshiba's Qosmio G40, built around Intel's mobile Santa Rosa chipset - with the T7300P Core 2 Duo processor - features built-in dual 200GB hard drives, and 2GB RAM standard. Toshiba's Qosmio is built with a surplus of power, memory and storage to handle demanding HD video requirements.
Flip open the lid, and you're looking at a gorgeous 17-inch screen, delivering resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. The screen's powered by the GeForce 8600 GT graphics controller from NVIDIA, for excellent gaming and video playback performance.
The Qosmio G40 is the first notebook I have seen with a built-in HD-DVD-R drive, for recording and playback of the highest quality videos and movies. Output from the notebook to an HDTV or widescreen flat panel is easy - the latest HDMI 1.3 connection is built in, eliminating the need for multiple audio and video hook-up cables.
Control over this ultra-capable computer is just as feature-packed. It does have a remote controller, so you could just sit on your comfy couch and watch HD movies all day without getting up! Or, you could use its cool built-in joywheel, located just above the keyboard, and with one finger, spin through your DVDs or music library.
The Qosmio is available in a black and grey colour combination, so it looks as cool as it is capable. As you might expect, it is no lightweight - either in heft, over nine pounds, or in price - it starts at $2,799.
Source: http://www.itbusiness.ca
8/28/2007 8:58:00 AM
by Lee Rickwood
Today's PC aficionado is always on the lookout for ‘something more' from their computer systems, whether the hardcore gaming computer type or the established extreme professional user.
Toshiba is producing a notebook that acts as a television, digital music player, computer, HD DVD burner and HD DVD player all in one.
Toshiba's Qosmio G40, built around Intel's mobile Santa Rosa chipset - with the T7300P Core 2 Duo processor - features built-in dual 200GB hard drives, and 2GB RAM standard. Toshiba's Qosmio is built with a surplus of power, memory and storage to handle demanding HD video requirements.
Flip open the lid, and you're looking at a gorgeous 17-inch screen, delivering resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. The screen's powered by the GeForce 8600 GT graphics controller from NVIDIA, for excellent gaming and video playback performance.
The Qosmio G40 is the first notebook I have seen with a built-in HD-DVD-R drive, for recording and playback of the highest quality videos and movies. Output from the notebook to an HDTV or widescreen flat panel is easy - the latest HDMI 1.3 connection is built in, eliminating the need for multiple audio and video hook-up cables.
Control over this ultra-capable computer is just as feature-packed. It does have a remote controller, so you could just sit on your comfy couch and watch HD movies all day without getting up! Or, you could use its cool built-in joywheel, located just above the keyboard, and with one finger, spin through your DVDs or music library.
The Qosmio is available in a black and grey colour combination, so it looks as cool as it is capable. As you might expect, it is no lightweight - either in heft, over nine pounds, or in price - it starts at $2,799.
Source: http://www.itbusiness.ca
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