Category: HDTV
Ofcom hands out terrestrial high definition licences to Channel 4 and ITV broadcasters
Though we’ve been pretty sure that all the major terrestrial broadcasters would have a place on the new high definition Freeview, Ofcom today brought that a step closer to reality by awarding licences to Channel 4/S4C and the ITV channels across England, Scotland, Ulster, and the Channel Islands.
Channel 4 and S4C (the Welsh language version, with a wide selection of its own programming) put in a joint bid, promising a wide variety of films (over 150 hours worth on peak-time 4HD in the first year), a range of drama, comedy, science programmes and documentaries, plus popular US imports like Desperate Housewives, and specific sports and kids programmes on S4C…
Sharp claims world first: HDTVs with integrated Blu-ray recorders
Sharp will launch a range of high definition LCD TVs with integrated Blu-ray recorders in the Japanese market next month, claiming a world first.
While it’s not uncommon to see flat panel TVs with built in DVD and Blu-ray players, this is the first time a Blu-ray recorder has been added to a production TV.
The AQUOS DX range will come in a range of screen sizes from 26- right up to 52-inch, all full 1080p high definition, and ranging in price from around £1,100 to £2,900 (at current Yen to UK pound exchange rate). Though the integrated drive will allow playback of Blu-ray, and recording TV programmes directly to disc, there won’t be a built-in hard drive — so no DVR functionality…
RUMOUR: Apple to launch networked HDTV
As is always the way before any Apple announcement day, you can’t move for rumours at the moment. The latest one comes from founder of Mahalo, Jason Calcanis. He reckons that Apple is going to launch a networked HDTV, much like a normal TV with an AppleTV box, but without the need for the box…
LG announces new Scarlet LG80 TV, may come to UK eventually
LG has announced the latest in its line of Scarlet high definition LCD TVs, so named because the sets feature a deep red back and surround.
The LG80 features carefully tuned speakers that automatically slide out from the side of the set when it’s turned on. Apparently this “adds a bit more excitement”, but more importantly it improves sound quality. LG has created a 3.1-channel virtual surround sound system, meaning that those without the space or cash for external speakers can still enjoy decent sound. The speakers push out 50 watts each…
HANNspree HT09: 28-inch full high definition LCD TV
HANNspree is pretty pleased with itself as it boasts one of the few 28 inch widescreen LCD TVs on the market.
Though the TV boasts full HD credentials, both analogue and digital tuners, two HDMI and two SCART inputs, and teletext, there’s still something a bit “computer monitor” about this silver-edged screen.
Full HD it may be, but it has a 16:10 aspect ratio (1,920 x 1,200 resolution) rather than the standard 16:9 of most branded HDTVs. That means black bars at the top and bottom of standard widescreen material, or picture stretching. The additional vertical resolution makes it great for hooking up to a PC via VGA or DVI, though…
Sony working on "Annihilation Assisted Upconversion" – bendable OLED screens
OLED development race winner Sony has announced its plans to start making OLEDs less than 1mm thick – that are flexible enough to be bent and wrapped around angles.
This’ll come in handy for when you need to… bend a screen. Or, these thin, semi-transparent OLEDs could be piled on top of each other to make 3D displays, used as HUDs in the windscreens of expensive cars, or even used as a way for Sony to carry on charging us lots of money for new TVs that aren’t particularly different from our existing TVs…
Sky offer 50% off HD box for new and existing customers
If you’ve got a massive 42″ plasma, but you’re still watching standard definition TV and DVD on it, then I’m sure you know you’re not getting the most out of your technology. What you need is some kind of HD provider, but so far they’ve been rather prohibitively expensive. That’s why I wanted to point out to you that Sky are extending their 50% off HD box offer. They haven’t been shouting about enough – it’s a good deal…
MTV launching HD music channel across Europe, from September
Staring from September 15 you’ll be able to scrutinise the skin of your favourite pop star in more detail than ever before, as MTV and its parent company Viacom launch an HD music channel for quite a chunk of Europe.
Initially shaming Britney Spears in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden, the channel will feature “new music” and “programming for kids,” all in English…
IFA 2008: Philips gets in on the thin scene with its 42" Essence LCD – only 38mm thick
This year’s “thing” at IFA 2008 is definitely thin TVs. Everyone’s at it. Spec sheets now list LCD thickness in millimetres, as companies fight – like children over a dropped sweet – to see who’s got the thinnest TV.
That award has already been won by Sony’s BRAVIA ZX1, to be honest – but the new Philips Essence LCD isn’t far behind. Peaking at a max width of 38mm, the 42″ screen has been designed to sit flush against a wall…
IFA 2008: Philips shows off 42PFL9803 42" Flat TV
Get ready for this, specification fans – the Philips Flat TV features a 2ms response time and a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. It does this by a very technically complex fashion to do with an LED LUX system the stops light leaking. I’ll let Andy from HDTV explain. He’s better at understanding stuff to do with pixels and ratios:
“The LED LUX system comprises of 128 segments of LEDs in 8 rows containing 16 segments. Nine LEDs are assigned to each individual segment, and these can be individually dimmed to precisely control the output of each pixel.”
And that’s how it works. It also…
