Tag: High definition
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…
Higher definition YouTube collage: Rickrolling to new extremes
While YouTube might be taking its time upgrading the resolution of uploaded videos, one enterprising developer has coded up a web page to display a synchronised YouTube video wall, allowing four videos to be played almost seamlessly.
It all feels a bit hit and miss, and relies on someone creating four videos, one for each quarter of a much larger original video.
Given that the highest non-widescreen YouTube videos currently play at 480 x 360 resolution, creating a 2×2 wall offers up a 960 x 720 video. It’s not quite high definition, and there’s definitely some judder, not to mention the YouTube watermark plastered all over the screen, but it’s an interesting experiment…
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…
Canon releases five more digital cameras: two IXUS, three PowerShot
Canon keeps its foot on the gas with today’s launch of five new compact digital cameras, adding two to its IXUS range and three to its PowerShot range.
First up, the IXUS 980 IS features a whopping 14.7 megapixels coupled with 3.7x optical zoom. Full manual control is also offered.
The IXUS 870 IS offers a more modest 10 megapixels, with a 4x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens.
The 980 comes with a 2.5″ PureColor LCD, while the 870 has a three inch LCD.
Both feature image stabilisation, Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor that offers a range of features including face detection and image blur correction, and 30fps VGA movie mode…
Casio intros new ELIXIM EX-FH20 digital camera
Casio has announced the latest digital camera in its burgeoning EXILIM range. The EX-FH20 boasts some pretty impressive credentials, including 9.1 megapixel sensor, 26mm equivalent wide-angle lens with 20x optical zoom, CMOS shift anti-shake function, and some nifty burst shooting modes.
If you’re feeling the need to practice your paparazzi skills, the EX-FH20 could be for you. It can take seven megapixel still images at up to 40 frames per second, and can even capture the action before the shutter button is pressed. That means if you’re not completely on the ball, you can still capture that candid moment…
Sony announces latest high definition projector: BRAVIA VPL-VW80
Sony has announced its latest high definition projector, the BRAVIA VPL-VW80.
Just like the VPL-VW40 launched earlier this year, it uses Sony’s proprietary SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) technology — a variant of LCoS — to produce its full 1080p image.
Built-in Sony technologies include the BRAVIA ENGINE 2 (the previous model used version one) which handles colour reproduction, Motionflow which adds intermediate frames to the original video source, creating smoother movement, Dark Frame Insertion which optionally adds darkened frames to heighten contrast and remove judder, Real Colour Processing which allows precise tweaking of the colour space, and Iris 2 which dynamically adjusts the lens aperture based on the scene…
InFocus debuts affordable X9 720p DLP projector
InFocus has announced its latest projector, the X9, offering high definition projection at a distinctly budget price.
Thanks to the fact that it’s a 720p projector, rather than offering 1080p high definition, it comes in at a lower price point. There’s no skimping on quality, though, as it uses Texas Instruments’ DLP technology with BrilliantColor, and offers a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 1,800 lumens brightness, and HDMI with DeepColor support…
Sony launches HD-friendly Vaio range, including "super notebook" and all-in-ones
Sony has introduced its new range of Vaio hardware, with a focus on high definition and Blu-ray.
Vaio AW
Sony describes its Vaio AW as a “new class” of portable, because it boasts a range of advanced features including a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution 18.4-inch widescreen using 3LED backlighting similar to that found on Sony’s high-end BRAVIA TVs, integrated Blu-ray drive, Dolby Home Theatre audio signal processing and 2.1-channel speakers with integrated subwoofer.
It features an Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 processor, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, and 128GB solid state disk and 500GB hard drive working together in a RAID array. It also comes with Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom, which should appeal to photographers and artists using the Vaio AW for image processing…
