When it comes to high specs (and high prices) Onkyo always deliver with their home cinema kit. This new range of THX-certified gear looks should get cinephiles slaivating as much per usual.
First up is the BD-SP807 Blu-ray player. The player can render detailed, sharp high-def images thanks to 287Mhz/12-bit video DAC from Analog Devices and Noise Shaped Video processing. Your old DVDs will also polish up a treat thanks to 10-bit processing from the onboard Anchor Bay ABT1030 chip. Audio looks to be solid too, with all audio channels benefiting from 182kHz/24-bit DACs, with bit stream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential Soundtracks.
Next up is the PA-MC5500 THX Ultra 2-certified 9-channel amplifier. Designed with a focus on minimising interference, the 26 kg flagship model will deliver a massive 220w (into 6 ohms) and an SACD-friendly frequency response that hits 100kHz.
Last in the set of devices (optimised to together) is the PR-SC5507 THX Ultra 2-certified 9.2-channel A/V Network Controller. With seven HDMI, three component and six S-Video/composite inputs, it's a thorough networking solution, delivering studio-quality upscaled video streams and decoding and processing all major home cinema audio formats.
The PR-SC5507 A/V Network Controller is available now, priced £1800. The BD-SP807 and PA-MC5500 will be available in February and March respectively, with no pricing details available yet. But you can bet they'll be a pretty penny.
Sony don't like to feel the odd ones out of the tech-playground games, so, in an attempt to keep up with the pack here come's their first go at video streaming. You've had iTunes, you've had Netflix; the next contestant in the great "Battle of the Online Movie Services" is Sony's Qriocity.
Heading to anything with a Xross Media Bar on it (be it your PS3 or soon-to-be-released web-connected Sony sets) in February, you'll be able to stream video in standard-definition or 720p straight to your screen.
Theres already a load of film publishers backing the service, and Sony promise "hundreds" of films ready to go at launch.
Inspired use of the letter "Q" aside, it's a pretty dumb name for a rather important service. Here's hoping more thought went into the service than the moniker it wears heavily around its neck.
We knew it was going to be big, but THIS big? Avatar, the 3D epic from Terminator, Titanic and Aliens helmsman James Cameron, has already passed the $1 billion mark at box-office.
It's one of only five flicks ever to do so and, having reached the figure in just 17 days, it means Avatar has hit the billion-dollar mark in record time too.
Making $1.0188 billion, Avatar is the fourth-highest grossing movie of all time, sitting behind Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest at $1.0662 billion, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King at $1.1191 and Cameron's own Titanic with a ridiculous $1.8429 billion.
However there is still time for the sci-fi flick to overtake its seafaring rival. With the 3D tech used in the flick deterring piracy and the movie yet to reach the lucrative Chinese market, Avatar is well on track to become the biggest movie in cinema history.
A massive box office success can mean only one thing; the inevitable sequels. Speaking to the BBC, James Cameron stated that "I've got stories mapped out for two more films. But should we make some money...we will definitely make another movie".
Sony, Samsung, Panasonic can now sleep easy; the news completely justifies their major investment in 3D technology, which is set to feature heavily in this week's Consumer Electronics Show.
Via: BBC
3D TV will dominate technology headlines this year, but Sony executive Mike Fasulo has suggested that all the hype may yet be a little premature.
Whilst speaking to Business Week, the chief marketing officer said, "We don't expect to see an explosion of 3D in the home until the 2012 time frame."
Though the majority of us may have to wait a few years before we can bring 3D blockbusters such as Avatar into our living rooms, that wont stop Sony from showing off some brand new 3D home cinema kit at the Consumer Electronics Show convention in Las Vegas this week.
Sony will showcase both "3D-friendly TVs and DVD players" at CES, which opens its doors on January 7th.
Keep checking back to HDTVUK for all the latest Sony announcements from this year's CES.
If you have ever thought (seriously) about getting a TV set for your bathroom, then you'll know all about Aquavision. The company has been working quietly for some while perfecting its range of TV sets that sit in your bathroom yet are immune to water, condensation and random squirts from awkward to use conditioner bottles.
Well the company has just unveiled its range for 2010 and once again are promising that no matter how heated it gets in your bathroom the screen will never go misty. The sets are designed to be installed by a member of the Aquavision team to ensure that they can be easily mounted into walls with trailing wires etc well out of the way.
On to the TVs. The new line-up comprises four models: 17", 24", 32 and 40" sets that are full HD and HD ready and feature digital tuners, a component video, S-Video and analogue PC input, HDMI inputs, full scart connection and built in games.
All four models are available in MirrorVision, a clever technology which means that when the television is switched off, the glass takes the form of a mirror that is suitable for shaving, make-up etc. When it is turned on, the mirror gives way to the television screen. The two smaller sets have a standard glass finish and are available in Polar White, black or MirrorVision while the 32" and 40" are only available in MirrorVision. The sets also come with two remote controls (one master and one waterproof) and in-ceiling loudspeakers.
For prices and details of installation, contact the maker.
![lg-26mm-thin-panel[1].jpg](http://www.hdtvuk.tv/lg-26mm-thin-panel%5B1%5D.jpg)
LG have revealed a few snippets of information on what they claim to be the world's thinnest 42 inch LCD panel. With CES just around the corner, they're looking to cause quite a stir with a panel this thin.
The waif-like panel measures in at 2.6mm thick,is LED-backlit, runs at a refresh rate of 120Hz and weighs less than 4 kilograms.
With full HD 1080p 1920x 1080 resolution, LG have halved the size of their next thinnest offering (measuring in at 5.9 mm) in less than a year.
Dr. In Jae Chung, LG Display's CTO and Executive Vice President noted, "With the development of the world's thinnest LED LCD TV panel that is only 2.6mm thick, LG Display has once again demonstrated its technical prowess to satisfy customer demand for high resolution and slim design products. We will continue to spur R&D activities in order to provide our customers and the market with the differentiated products that they desire."
We certainly do desire a TV that thin, Dr In Jae Chung! More news on this one following Tech Digest's CES coverage in the new year.
Via: Engadget
The message boards over here at HDTVUK have been alight with readers venting their spleens over the new-look Sky + HD guide, which completed its nationwide roll-out last week.
Many of you have been complaining that the new Sky Guide isn't up to scratch, either running too slowly, not being particularly intuitive or with text too small to read.
Alex Foligno posted on December 17th:
SERIOUSLY AWFUL the greatest injusticed (sic) is the fact that non-HD (lower paying customers) have the classic menu which we have all loved for the past decade. A CLASSIC option would be much appreciated.
James followed up with a similar sentiment:
I thought I would give it a go for a week before I complained as I thought it would grow on me. I was wrong. I still hate it. I want the old one back. The old one was straight forward and easy to use. This one is just a mess. It really puts me off watching TV.
Some readers have had such difficulty reading the new guide that they have contacted the Royal National Institute of Blind People, believing the new guide to be an affront to accessibility for the visually impaired.
Your complaints have not fallen upon death ears completely however! A Sky customer services representative today confirmed to HDTVUK that visually impaired Sky viewers will be able to revert back to the previous Sky + EPG. However Sky + HD subscribers will have to downgrade to a Sky + box in order to get the old guide back. This may be however just a temporary solution, as all Sky boxes, including earlier models, are expected to take on the new look guide sooner rather than later.
What do you think? Should all Sky +HD subscribers be given the option to revert back to the previous guide? Or are the complaints all smoke and no fire, with the guide being well suited to your needs?
Let us know!
(Thanks to HDTVUK reader Mark for the tip!)
When it comes to high specs (and high prices) Onkyo always deliver with their home cinema kit. This new range of THX-certified gear looks should get cinephiles slaivating as much per usual. 
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