Panasonic, Sony Agree To Exclusive 3D Movie Deals

By Greg Tarr On Sep 13 2010 - 4:19am

NEW YORK – The box office movie deals have begun with Panasonic getting “Avatar” for its 3D TV line while Sony followed with a Disney deal for two hits – “Alice In Wonderland” and “Bolt.”

In Panasonic’s case the news centered on a deal with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to be the exclusive launch partner for the release on 3D Blu-ray of “Avatar” in early December.

 

Optoma Unveils 3D Adapter For 720p Projectors

By Greg Tarr On Oct 4 2010 - 11:11am

ATLANTA — As other home-theater projector manufacturers used CEDIA Expo to unveil new 3D-capable projectors of various stripes, Optoma Technology put a different spin on the concept by introducing what it called a breakthrough adapter that will turn many existing 720p projectors into 3D-capable solutions.

According to Jon Grodem, Optoma product marketing senior director, the adapter will enable legacy 720p DLP video projectors with HDMI 1.3 inputs to play 3D images from new 3D 1080p signal sources complying with the 3D Bluray spec.

Darbee, EE Demo Depth Cue Processing

By Greg Tarr On Oct 4 2010 - 11:13am

ATLANTA — Darbee Vision and Entertainment Experience (EE) used the recent CEDIA Expo to demonstrate new 3D processing systems that combine their individual technologies to produce 2D HD images with 3D-like depth cues and color enhancement.

The two sister companies have combined their respective set-top boxes — Darbee’s containing its Visual Presence IP core and EE’s offering its TruVue eeColor processor with added color enhancement — to create images with an enhanced look of depth without the need to wear 3D glasses of any kind.

TiVo Updates Season Pass Online Tool

By Greg Tarr On Oct 18 2010 - 4:01am

ALVISO, CALIF. — TiVo said that it has added a Season Pass manager on the Tivo.com website, enabling subscribers to the DVR service to manage and transfer Season Pass recordings online.

Uebo Device Adds BitTorrent

By Greg Tarr On Nov 8 2010 - 6:00am

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – Set-top box and storage solutions developer UITStor, based here, recently began selling its Uebo set-top box designed to present a plethora of home and Internet-based digital media content directly on TV screens.

Camcorders Embrace Flash Memory

By Greb Scoblete On Jan 6 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — At International CES, camcorder vendors will attempt to dazzle showgoers with a 2011 smorgasbord of largely flash-memory-based models with extensive 1080 HD image capture, new 3D recording and integrated projector capabilities.

While the overall camcorder market grew 36 percent in 2010, according to IDC, the growth was powered by pocket camcorders. Traditional camcorders unit shipments declined 14 percent vs. 2009 to 2.3 million units. The average selling price experienced a modest 2 percent decline to $440.

Camcorders Hop On The 3D Bandwagon

By Greg Scoblete On Jan 6 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — More camcorder vendors will hop on the 3D bandwagon at International CES. While the models vary widely by price and functionality, all will incorporate LCD displays that allow consumers to view their content in 3D on the display without glasses. Glasses are still required for viewing the content on 3D HDTVs.

Mitsubishi Rolls Out New LaserVue 3D Set

By Greg Tarr On Jul 6 2010 - 6:43pm

NEW YORK — Maintaining the bigscreen value message of its DLP TVs, Mitsubishi formally unveiled here last month the next iteration of its Laser- Vue line with a larger (now 75-inch) screen and a lower price.

The set is also the only rear-projection TV in the market to use a laserbased lighting source that is said to produce deeper colors, including one of the truest reproductions of reds available, the company said, and anchors a lineup of 3D-enabled DLP sets with screen sizes ranging from 60-82 inches.

Sony Unveils Interchangeable-Lens Camcorder

By Greg Tarr On Jul 19 2010 - 4:01am

SAN DIEGO — Sony formally introduced what it is calling the industry’s first consumer-focused interchangeable-lens camcorder.

The unit adds the flexibility of a d-SLR to a camera form factor that Sony believes to be more practical for shooting video.

LG Announces 3D Bundle Promotions

By Greg Tarr On Jul 19 2010 - 4:01am

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — LG formally introduced an arsenal of 3D products it is bringing to market to outfit its new 3D-ready Infinia LED HDTVs.

The products will be part of a 3D bundle promotion marketed under the callout phrase “1-2-3D,” and tied to the purchase of either an LX9500- series or LX6500-series 3D HD LED backlit LCD TV and a LG 3D-ready Blu-ray Disc player.