Sky and Channel Five have today revealed that Five will be launching a HD service for Sky+HD subscribers in July of this Summer.
It means Five's many top-rated US dramas such as CSI and FlashFoward will get a HD makeover, as well as Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home & Away, Europa League Football, international cricket and movies.
Five becomes the 42nd channel to hit Sky's HD line-up, following news that ITV 1HD, Sky News HD, Sky Sports HD 4 and the Hallmark Channel HD are all set to launch in the coming months. Sky plan to have 50 HD channels by this Christmas.
Charles Constable, Five's Director of Strategy, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Five. Our programme schedule is more suited to HD than that any other major free-to-air commercial broadcaster given the wide range of high quality series we broadcast, such as our top-rated line-up of US dramas. We're delighted to begin our HD journey with Sky."
Looks set to be a great summer for pub owners. Just think how many of us fancy having a few beers down the local and watching the World Cup? Looks like BskyB have acquired another arrow for the pub quiver, having snapped up 15,000 3D TVs from LG to be installed in drinking holes this Spring.
The idea is to drum up interest in Sky's first 3D TV channel, set for launch sometime around April.
"These partnerships will help consumers become more familiar with 3D TVs and that can only be a positive for the industry and innovation", said?Havis Kwon, executive vice president and head of the LG's LCD division.
Though there is plenty of buzz surrounding 3D TVs at the moment, analysts have predicted a slow start to 3D TV sales. Perhaps this latest wave of televisions has come a little too soon after the HD revolution, with consumers comfortable sticking with their 2D1080p HD sets instead.
With the buzz surrounding 3D TV starting to really pick up, retailers Currys and Harrods have both today announced that they are now beginning to take pre-orders for 3D TV sets.
Both Harrods and Currys will be showcasing the new technology instore, using Sony's Bravia HX903.
As well as 3D compatibility, the HX903's feature list includes an integrated Freeview HD tuner and 200Hz Motionflow blur reduction technology, ranging in screen size from 46 inches up to 60 inches.
Curry's prices for Sony's 3D TV range start at £1,999, presumably for the 46 inch model, with the 52 inch screen coming in at £2,999.
While Harrods have yet to finalise their prices, they expect their 52 inch model to retail at around £2,500.
Click here to visit the Currys homepage, or here for Harrods for more details on their respective offers.
Migrating to new tech always tends to bring with it some compatibility issues between devices, but thankfully Sky seem to have ironed out any possible problems with their upcoming Sky 3D service.
The satellite TV giants sent out a message today, reiterating that "Sky 3D, its forthcoming 3D TV service and Europe's first 3D TV channel, will be compatible with all 3D TVs being introduced by Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG. Sky 3D will work with both 'active' and 'passive' 3D formats." That means that no matter what new 3D TV set you get, Sky have pretty much got you covered.
Dont fret if you're already a Sky+ HD subscriber but are not planning on upgrading your set just yet. Sky's HD content already available will not be affected by the additional 3D channels.
Look for Sky 3D to roll out sometime over the summer. For more info, click here.
Sharp's new range of Aquos LED LCD TVs have launched in the UK. While most of the industry's attention is now on the big 3D push, Sharp are looking to update current HD standards by pioneering a new Quad Pixel technology, which adds a forth colour sub-pixel, yellow, to the traditional red, green, blue format.
What this means for the layman is that billions upon billions of colours can now be displayed, making in theory for a far more realistic colour palette.
Three models are available; the LC-LE811E, LC-LE821E and LC-LE921E sets ranging in size from 40 to 46 inches, while the LC-LE920 model is 60 inches in size.
While each set features robust energy saving technology and built-in Freeview HD, the flagship LC-LE921E will also have E-motion 200 Hz tech built in too, retaining clarity in fast moving images.
No prices or availability details knocking around yet, but it's good to see innovative new 2D TV tech hasn't been swept away by the 3D wave.
Sony have unleashed two brand new Blu-ray players, both of which will be fully 3D compatible. The Sony BDP-S570 model will be 3D ready straight out of the box, while those opting for the cheaper BDP-S470 player will get 3D visuals through a software update.
With a "Monolithic" design style, both players will send 1080p 3D images to your eyes, providing you have a compatible 3D TV and Active Shutter glasses set up.
Hooking up to the internet via either built-in Wi-Fi on the BDP-S570 model or over an Ethernet cable with the BDP-S470 unit (an additional Sony Wi-Fi dongle can be bought for the S470), owners will be able to access Sony's new Bravia Internet Video Service. This new on demand platform will let you stream content from YouTube, LOVEFiLM and BBC's iPlayer without the need for any additional media boxes.
DLNA networking is also available across both Blu-ray players, which have also the nifty feature of being able to be controlled by an iPod Touch or iPhone.
Though prices are still to be confirmed, you'll be able to pick both 3D Blu-ray players up from shops by the end of the month.
Virgin Media have secured the rights to broadcast the new
Film4 HD channel, as well as E4 HD.
It's a big coup for Virgin Media subscribers, as Film4 HD offers one of probably the best catalogues of films outside of Sky Movies and Sky Movies Premier.
"Channel 4 has a great track record in delivering innovative and compelling content and we're delighted to bring some of their very best films and most popular programmes to our customers in stunning HD", said Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media.
"As more and more households become HD-ready, we're lining up content that makes the most of High Definition and are making HD available to all our of customers for no extra fee."
As well as Film4 HD and E4 HD, Virgin Media's HD line up also includes BBC HD, C4HD, ESPN HD, FX HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, LIVING HD and Eurosport HD, with Discovery HD also on its way.
3D TV was a huge part of LG's CES line-up this year. But though the Korean tech company promised an April launch in the UK for its flagship LG LD360 LED TV range, that has now apparently been cancelled.
A 47 inch beauty, the LD360 (picture for illustrative purposes only) was in the works to be compatible with Sky's forthcoming 3D TV channel.
In LG's own words, "One of the biggest trends in TV in the coming years is certainly set to be 3D and LG is making its first 3D TV (LD360) available to consumers in April 2010."
No news yet on what's caused the about turn from LG, or whether or not the LG LD360 LED TV will hit our shores at all. Still, it's sure to raise a smile at Samsung HQ, as their 9000 series of 3D TVs now has pretty much no competitors when it launches early this year.
Via: Tech Radar
InFocus have announced the launch of their ScreenPlay 8602 projector, a great looking bit of full HD Home Theatre kit that will throw 300 inch images around your living room at a native resolution of 1080p.
The ScreenPlay 8602 has a contrast ratio of 30,000:1 which should produce deep blacks, and 1300 lumens of brightness for comfortable day-light viewing.
120Hz support, a manual lens shift, two HDMI ports, image warping for uneven surfaces and automatic celling detection all feature. There will also be interchangeable decorative skins for the projector, to help it fit in alongside the rest of you home theatre kit.
No news on pricing yet, but for more info click here.
A new range of Sony Bravia HD TVs, the UK's first to feature an integrated Freeview HD tuner, will be hitting UK stores this week.
Rather than having to shell out for a HD compatible set-top box, these HX, NX and EX sets will let their owners watch Freeview HD channels straight out of the box.
They're pretty stylish too, with a minimalist design that should see them fit right in in almost any home.
Each set will include a range of IPTV features too. LoveFilm accounts can be accessed through the sets, along with Twitter feeds and the Demand Five VOD service.
To sweeten the deal even further, the HX models will be fully 3D compatible once Sony start rolling out firmware updates to their Blu-Ray players and PS3 consoles.
Click here for more details.
Samsung's first full HD 3D TV sets have finally gone on sale in the USA, meaning lucky US readers can start looking into the 3rd dimension right away.
Actually, that 3rd dimension may still be a little out of reach, as though Amazon are now selling Samsung's UN55C7000 3D TV sets, it's still going to be a while before anyone gets true 3D content delivered to their living rooms.
There is still plenty to be excited about with the TVs however: the C700 series features access to Samsung Apps & Internet@TV, Skype, AllShare DLNA media streaming as well as modes that intelligently adjust screen settings depending on what content and source you are viewing.
The 55 inch Samsung UN55C7000 set can be picked up here from Amazon for US readers, and costs $3,299.99.
Via: Engadget
Half the world still needs convincing of the merits of both 3D TV and superwidescreen. But that hasn't stopped Philips from slamming the two together in their latest Cinema 21:9 3D TV.
FlatPanelsHD have got a tentative release window of sometime late this Summer for the superwidescreen 3D set. An official announcement is expected later on in the week.
Philips have a few other 3D screens in the pipeline too. There will be new 32', 40' and 46' 9000 series models as well as 37', 40', 46' and 53' 8000 series LED 3D sets.
Philips aren't planning on bundling their 3D tech together with the sets however. While this is good news for those who haven't yet committed to making the jump to 3D, the price of separate glasses and wireless transmitters may push the cost up a little higher than expected for some.
While you're waiting for the third dimension to hit Philips' Cinema screens, why not check out Tech Digest's review of the Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD superwidescreen set?
Via: FlatPanelsHD
Mitsubishi have been working away at a new piece of upscaling technology. The recently demoed kit can take a 1080p image and catapult it right up into the 4k x 2k stratosphere.
But, there's a rather weighty catch to all this. Mitsubishi have yet to make the technology compatible with Blu-ray content, which for the time being makes it more than a little worthless.
Still, the average Joe is miles away from being able to afford a 4k TV or projector anyway, so at least we can sit back smugly as the rich kids are left waiting to get their rocks off.
Via: Akihabara News
Panasonic's 3D TV range was initially unveiled at this year's CES, but the company's Munich convention has revealed more details on the VT20 3D plasma screens.
Top of the line is the TX-P65VT20E, a 3D-enabled 65 inch beast of a screen that features a 600Hz frequency range and a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
To view 3D content you'll need to be wearing Active Shutter glasses, which receive infra-red signals from the TV to time shutter speed depending on what's going on on-screen. Panasonic claim to have sorted out the cross-talk issue which causes one frame to outstay its welcome and overlap into the next by placing blank frames into problem areas, invisible to the naked eye.
If the 3D elements aren't selling it to you yet there's a whole host of other features thrown in. You have Panasonic's Vieralink web-content widgets, the "Infinite Black Pro" contrast tech seen in other Panasonic screens, Wi-Fi and DLNA support, USB ports and support for recording to an external hard-drive.
The set will also be available in a 50 inch model, the TX-P50VT20E. So far only the 50 inch model has been given a confirmed release date of sometime in April. We'll have to wait a little longer for news on the 65 inch model, as well as pricing information on both.
Production has halted on Sony's XEL-1 OLED TVs in Japan, with the company citing "sluggish demand" as the reason.
Despite wowing tech-fans with its 3mm display and excellent picture, a combination of ridiculously high prices and the advent of 3D TV have meant that OLED's star has fallen of late.
"As flat panel TVs are getting bigger and cheaper, hurdles for OLED models have become higher, at least in the short term," said Hisakazu Torii, vice president of DisplaySearch.
"We will continue to consider new products and applications including OLED TVs," said Sony's spokesman Shigenori Yoshida,
Sony have meanwhile confirmed that it would continue to work with OLED TVs in Europe and North America. Paired with the recent OLED offerings from LG and Samsung, there may still be time yet for OLED to have its day.
Looking for an all-in-one HD TV solution? Toshiba have just launched the Regza WL series of LED backlit HD TVs, boasting built-in Freeview HD.
That means that rather than having to dish out for a separate HD source to make the most of all that LED 1080p goodness, a built in DVB-T2 tuner will deliver crystal clear images straight out of the box, without the need for a satellite dish.
The 200Hz sets will be available in 40, 46, and 55 inch sizes. Toshiba's Resolution + tech will upscale standard definition sources, while DLNA wireless streaming is also supported.
Toshiba also launched the SL series, packing similar specs apart from 100Hz refresh rates and 32, 40 and 46 inch screen sizes.
The WL series will be available from May, but the impatient among you can snap up an SL model from April.
Making sure Avatar looks as good at home as it did on the big screen, Acer ready their new S5200 3D ready video projector.
The projector is able to produce 3D imagery by using DLP 3D Ready technology. Using 120 Hz refresh rates, it can transform a flat surface into a 3D screen thanks to a combination of a PC with a compatible graphics card and special 3D glasses, producing two images on the screen at once which your mind processes as one.
A short-throw projector, the S5200 can deliver an 81 inch screen from as little as a metre away. Acer's ColourBoost II + tech should also ensure colour performance remains solid, no matter what the ambient lighting conditions.
The lamp is said to have a respectable 4,000 hour life, with a contrast ratio of 2,500:1. Brightness levels max out at 3,000 ANSI Lumens, which should make daytime viewing comfortable.
Connections include 2x component video, 1x HDMI, S-Video and composite.
The Acer S5200 3D projector costs £649. That includes a 5 year warranty on the DLP chip and 1 year warranty on the lamp, regardless of hours used.
Perhaps it's a knock on effect of the global rescession, but the latest report by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising has found that TV viewing is at the highest it has been in 18 years.
Viewers watched an average of 3.75 hours of TV a day last year, the highest figure since 1992, according to IPA research.
As one would expect to find, the first and last quarters of the year, with less daylight and fewer people away on holiday, tended to show the highest television viewing figures.
Interestingly, the IPA revealed that only 8.2 % of UK households relied on an analogue signal to catch their favourite shows, showing that the digital switch-over is almost complete.
While ITV and GMTV gathered 19% of the total television audience in the last three months of 2009, likely thanks to the popularity of the X-Factor, BBC1 continued to achieve the highest share of all the terrestrial channels, at 21%. All five analogue channels continue to lose ground however, as multi-channel satellite options grow in prominence.
All the scrum crunching, drop kicking action of the 2010 6 Nations Rugby tournament will be broadcast in high-def, free of charge, thanks to Freesat HD and the BBC HD channel.
This year's 6 Nations rugby tournament will be broadcast on BBC HD from February 6th until the 20th of March, with Ireland and Italy squaring up in the first match.
It's a good year for Freesat HD-owning sports fans. They can also look forward to The World Cup on the BBC HD channel and ITV1 HD, as well as Winter Olympics, Golf Masters, Wimbledon, FA Cup and UEFA Champions league matches.
For more info, check out www.freesat.co.uk.
Samsung have just announced thier latest projector, the SP-F10M LED. Boasting an impressive 1,000 ANSI lumens, it's the first LED projector to hit the 1,000 milestone.
Recognising common office file types such as Microsoft Office and PDF file types in their native formats via USB storage, this one is more suited to business types than home cinema enthusiasts.
Still, with an LED light source that trounces other lamps with a 30,000 hour battery life, I'd quite happily use the SP-F10M to turn my living room into a cinema for the odd "Star Wars" day.
Between board meetings of course.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=7d4b1f0a-76e2-4302-b272-d2080d31c44f)
digg this |
del.icio.us this
| 
Stumble It!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=6ab646a9-2bc1-42c4-838a-6f8c5e2f8019)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=ebe55d37-df05-4ecb-8d7d-95134b20822f)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=10e478ea-c903-4014-b3a2-635b80e244c2)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=9b534249-c955-478e-b74b-871d4f8d48a5)
