Haier Picks Sonic Solutions For Digital Movie Delivery

By Editors of TWICE On Jul 19 2010 - 4:01am

NOVATO, CALIF. — Sonic Solutions announced that Haier has chosen the RoxioNow platform to provide digital movies and TV shows via the web to its new line of Blu-ray Disc players and HDTVs.

“Digital movie services powered by the RoxioNow platform will play an important role in our next-generation connected devices and help make it easy for consumers to browse, purchase and enjoy the best in digital entertainment from the comfort of their living rooms,” said Doug Lane, president of Haier digital products group for the Americas, in a Sonic statement.

 

 

Canon Adds M-Series Flash-Memory Vixia Camcorder

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

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. - Canon introduced last week a new HD camcorder offering dual flash-memory storage sources and built-in HD-to-SD downconversion.

The Vixia HF M32 dual flash-memory camcorder, which is scheduled to ship in September at a $1,000 suggested retail, is billed as an easy-touse model with the ability to record many hours of high-quality HD video on the go.

Canon sees this capability as ideally suited to family documentarians and social-networking fanatics.

XStreamHD To Carry VOD Lionsgate Content

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

MCLEAN, VA. - XStreamHD said last week that it has entered a longterm electronic sell-thru and video-ondemand home entertainment-distribution agreement with Lionsgate, to provide the studio’s movies through its new satellite-TV entertainment-on-demand platform.

Under the agreement, subscribers to the XStreamHD home entertainment service will be able to digitally purchase or rent Lionsgate HD video releases, as well as provide access to Lionsgate’s content library of more than 12,000 titles, XStreamHD said.

Panasonic HD Camcorders Target The Pocket

By Greg Tarr On Aug 2 2010 - 4:01am

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Panasonic introduced last week a pair of FullHD camcorders including a pocket cam with built-in Skype video conferencing capability that is tailored to Apple computer users.

The new models are part of Panasonic’s latest compact camcorder offerings, providing easy uploading of stills and videos to YouTube and social-networking sites.

Flip Introduces Slide HD

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

NEW YORK — Recognizing the need for a new version of its camcorder that can be optimized for playback or stored video files on the go, Cisco’s Flip Video company introduced last week the Flip Slide HD — a Flip-style camcorder with a touchscreen monitor that slides into a horizontal, tabletop-viewing position for playback.

Flip executives said the company developed the camcorder after hearing feedback from users saying many of them carry recordings around with them on the camera to show friends and family when traveling.

LED Highlights

By TWICE Staff On Apr 19 2010 - 4:01am

IRVINE, CALIF. — Mitsubishi’s Unisen LED edge-lit LCD lineup includes the 154, 164 and Diamond 265 series, all of which feature Unisen Immersive Sound and LED edge lighting. The Immersive Sound technology offers variable subwoofer output and center channel mode.

‘Avatar’ Release Sparks Home Video Sales, CE Promo Opportunities

By Greg Tarr On May 3 2010 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — The Earth Day home video debut of the blockbuster Sci-fi hit “Avatar” proved to be a consumer electronics promos bonanza, even though the film that was famous for its stunning 3D production was released initially only as a 2D stand-alone feature.

In the first four days of the home video release, “Avatar” sold 6.7 million DVD and Blu-ray Disc units, for sales revenue exceeding $2.7 billion globally.

VIDEO BRIEFS

By TWICE Staff On May 3 2010 - 4:01am

Sharp Ramps Up LCD Production

OSAKA, JAPAN — Sharp said unexpectedly high global demand for LCD TVs has prompted it to double current production capacity at its 10G LCD panel plant in Sakai City, here, to 72,000 substrates per month. The 10th-generation plant, which came online last year, uses proprietary UV2A photo-alignment technology and produces high-contrast panels that are said to be higher in energy efficiency in screen sizes of 40 inches and larger, the company said. It also produces panels for Sharp’s new Quad Color Technology TVs.

Sony To Bow Multi-Lens Camcorder

By Greg Tarr On May 17 2010 - 4:01am

SAN DIEGO — Sony said it is working on one of the industry’s first camcorders to feature interchangeable lenses, like a d-SLR camera.

The camcorder, which will be available this fall, will be compatible with E Mount interchangeable lenses developed for Sony’s newest digital still cameras (models NEX-5, NEX-3), as well as many A Mount interchangeable lenses used by the existing “a” d-SLR camera lineup via a mount adapter.

Cox, NDS Unveil Trio IPG

By Greg Tarr On May 17 2010 - 4:01am

LOS ANGELES — NDS, developer of advanced program guides and conditional access security systems for cable and satellite-TV services, said Tuesday it has developed with cable multi-system operator Cox Communications the first Tru2way-enabled advanced user interface and interactive program guide.

At the same time, the company said it has extended its contract to continue professional services with Cox as the MSO launched its Plus Package with Cox Advanced TV, featuring the Trio interactive program guide developed with NDS.