Thomson Debuts HD DVD, Sirius, DirecTV2Go SKUs
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/16/2006
LAS VEGAS — Thomson's 2006 audio/video plans include a $499-suggested HD DVD player, its first portable media player with high-speed digital connection to transfer time-shifted TV programs from a DirecTV DVR, its first Sirius-ready home audio products, and an expanded selection of audio systems that rip CDs for transfer to MP3 portables.
The company also introduced during CES an expanded commitment to home systems based on Internet Protocol (IP) technologies through such products as a Wi-Fi-equipped universal remote and a co-branded RCA Akimbo IPTV set-top box that will deliver more than 8,000 video-on-demand titles from Akimbo.
In demonstrating HD DVD here, the company said it expects second-quarter shipments of the play-only HDV5000, which transfers video at resolutions up to 1,080p via an HDMI 1.3 output to high-definition displays. Many details were unavailable, including the types of audio connections available to transfer new high-bandwidth multichannel soundtrack formats to home theater systems. It also wasn't clear which high-bandwidth audio codecs it supports.
The company also revealed that its next-generation Lyra X3000 portable media player, due this month, will not only time-shift TV programs directly from a connected TV in real time but, with a second-half software upgrade, will get DIRECTV2Go capability. That will enable the X3000 to storeDirecTV content transferred at up to 10x speeds from select DirecTV DVRs due in the second half with support for DirecTV2Go portables.
The $399-suggested X3000 with 20GB HDD will also store protected Windows Media Video (WMV) files (purchased or rented) that are downloaded by PC from such sites as CinemaNow. Audio formats include MP3, protected WMA purchased and rented downloads and Audible.com spoken-word files. Macrovision prevents recording of prerecorded DVDs and VHS tapes. Stored video can be displayed on a connected TV.
In satellite radio, the company said it plans summertime deliveries of its first three Sirius-ready home audio products: a home theater in a box (HTiB) system, a stereo shelf system, and a GE-branded Spacemaker undercabinet CD/radio.
In expanding its selection of CD-ripping home audio systems from one, the company launched three Rip And Go stereo shelf systems and one Rip And Go HTiB, some with 2x ripping speed and all with included slide-out MP3 portable. Two other shelf systems also rip CDs to MP3 but aren't bundled with MP3 player. They connect via USB to any USB-equipped MP3 portable.
The company also showed its first flash-memory MP3 players with customizable covers and decals in 256MB and 512MB capacities starting at a suggested $59.99.
In IP technology, the company said it plans spring availability through retailers of a co-branded RCA Akimbo IPTV set-top box. It will deliver more than 8,000 video-on-demand titles over an Ethernet-connected broadband DSL modem from Akimbo's download site to a connected TV. The device will feature comp onent output, three USB 2.0 input slots, optional 802.11g adapter and 80GB drive that allows Akimbo subscribers to store up to 150 hours of movies and video for on-demand playback. It's also compatible with the MovieLink download service.
