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Smart TVs Streaming HD

Panasonic Announces Pricing & Availability For Its Inaugural Line Of Streaming Media Players

Panasonic's first streaming media player lineup includes two models: the DMP-MST60 ($99.99) with 3D capability, VIERA Connect smart TV platform, Miracast display mirroring (requiring Android 4.2 or higher), and 2D-to-3D conversion, and the DMP-MS10 ($79.99) with built-in Wi-Fi and IP VOD access to services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube. Both units support external HDD playback, giving users flexible local and cloud-based content options. Consumers seeking an affordable entry point into smart TV functionality without replacing their existing display have two distinct tiers to consider.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Home Theater Blu-ray

Panasonic Announces Pricing & Availability For Its 2013 Blu-ray Disc™ Player Lineup

Panasonic has unveiled pricing for its 2013 Blu-ray Disc player lineup, spanning six models from $79.99 to $349.99, with the flagship DMP-BDT330 at $199.99 offering built-in 4K upscaling and Miracast display mirroring for Android 4.2 or higher devices. Select 3D-capable models include a 192kHz/32-bit audio DAC, twin HDMI ports, and 2D-to-3D conversion, while all but the entry-level BD79 feature built-in Wi-Fi. Buyers can choose a player matched to their budget and feature needs, from basic IP VOD access on 2D models to the full VIERA Connect IPTV platform on 3D-capable units.

Shane Sturgeon •
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3DTV Cable HD Sports

Cox Communications brings Masters Golf Tournament to customers in 3D on ESPN 3D

Cox Communications launched ESPN 3D channel 896 for Cox Advanced TV Plus customers in Virginia, delivering stereoscopic Masters Golf Tournament coverage from April 11-14, 2013 using 6-9 dedicated cameras with 3D-specific graphics and commentary. Viewers require a 3D-compatible television manufactured March 2010 or later, Cox HD service, and an HD/DVR Trio receiver with HDMI output to access the channel. Customers without 3D hardware can still watch full Masters coverage on standard ESPN, making the 3D tier an optional upgrade rather than a replacement broadcast.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Sony Announces Price And Availability Of Its New XBR 4K Ultra HD LED TVs
Home Theater 4K Ultra HD

Sony Announces Price And Availability Of Its New XBR 4K Ultra HD LED TVs

Sony's XBR-55X900A and XBR-65X900A 4K Ultra HD LED TVs, priced at $4,999 and $6,999 respectively, deliver a native 3840x2160 resolution with a dual-chip 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling engine and a 65-watt front-facing magnetic fluid speaker system. The sets are paired with the FMP-X1 4K Media Player ($699), bundled with 10 true 4K feature films, and a forthcoming fee-based 4K video distribution service launching in fall 2013. Buyers also receive three 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-ray discs, making this a reasonably complete 4K ecosystem for early adopters willing to invest at launch pricing.

Shane Sturgeon •
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WD® Introduces Versatile Media Player For Streaming Fans
Streaming HD

WD® Introduces Versatile Media Player For Streaming Fans

WD TV Play is a $69.99 Wi-Fi-enabled media player that supports Full-HD 1080p video streaming via wireless or Ethernet connections, launching in February 2013. The device runs an app-based interface with one-touch remote access to services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, Spotify, and Pandora, while also supporting DLNA-based local media playback from networked storage and USB devices. Budget-conscious consumers gain smart-TV functionality without purchasing a new television, making it a practical entry point for home media streaming.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Sports Market Trends & Analysis

One in Five Owners Bought an HDTV to Watch the Super Bowl, According to CEA Study

A CEA Sports and Technology Study V found that 22 percent of U.S. HDTV owners purchased their sets specifically to watch the Super Bowl, making it the single biggest sporting event driver of TV sales. Of the 70 percent of online U.S. adults planning to follow the game, 53 percent intended to watch live in high-definition, while 10 percent planned to engage via social media. CEA projections for 2013 forecast 3D-capable TV sales rising 39 percent to 5.7 million units and internet-connected displays reaching 12.3 million units, signaling that sports viewership is a meaningful catalyst for consumer electronics adoption.

Shane Sturgeon •
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LED TVs

Sharp Introduces New Series of Ultra-Large LED Displays for the Large-Format Digital Signage Market

Sharp's new PN-R Series professional LED displays target indoor digital signage in 60", 70", and 90" class formats, with the flagship PN-R903 delivering a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio via full-array LED backlighting with Local Dimming Technology and 700 cd/m2 brightness across all models. The 90" PN-R903 stands 6'8" tall in portrait orientation, making it capable of replacing a 2x2 46" panel video wall with significantly reduced wiring and calibration demands. Connectivity includes DisplayPort and an interface expansion board, while edge-lit variants suit LEED-compliant installations requiring lower energy consumption.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Streaming HD Smart TVs

Samsung and Verizon Release Current FiOS TV App; Now featuring 75 Channels for a New Level of Entertainment Anywhere in the Home

Verizon's FiOS TV app on Samsung's Smart Hub platform has expanded to 75 live channels and over 25,000 FlexView on-demand titles, accessible on compatible 2011 and 2012 Samsung Smart TVs and Smart Blu-ray players. The app requires no set-top box and supports parental PIN controls, closed captioning, and purchase authorization for on-demand rentals. FiOS TV subscribers who also hold a FiOS Internet subscription can stream channels including HBO, CNN, and Disney directly on their Samsung devices, eliminating the need for additional hardware in secondary rooms.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Streaming HD Smart TVs

Consumer Reports: Latest TV Sets Are Bigger, Better, Smarter, And Cheaper

Consumer Reports' ratings of 140-plus LCD and plasma TVs highlight strong performers from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony, while flagging below-average picture and sound quality in budget sets from brands like Coby, Haier, and TCL. Key buying considerations include screen size relative to viewing distance (at least 40 inches for 6-to-8-foot seating), 1080p versus 720p resolution trade-offs, and plasma versus LED-backlit LCD performance. Smart TV features such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, built-in Wi-Fi, and app markets are now mainstream, making February and March the optimal window to buy top-rated 2012 models at reduced prices.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Toshiba Unveils Second Generation UltraHD TV Series
Home Theater 4K Ultra HD

Toshiba Unveils Second Generation UltraHD TV Series

Toshiba's L9300 Series 4K Ultra HD TVs, powered by the proprietary CEVO 4K Quad+Dual Core Processor, deliver four times the resolution of 1080p full HD and include Resolution Restoration technology to upscale sub-4K content to near-UltraHD quality. The lineup spans 58-, 65-, and 84-inch class screens with ClearScan 240Hz refresh rate and advanced Cloud TV features including DLNA, Miracast, and WiDi connectivity. Buyers considering a premium home theater upgrade in 2013 will find this second-generation platform a technically substantive step beyond standard 1080p displays.

Shane Sturgeon •
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LG Shows Its First OLED TV With Curved Screen
OLED TVs

LG Shows Its First OLED TV With Curved Screen

LG unveiled the EA9800, the industry's first curved-screen OLED TV, at CES 2013, featuring a 55-inch panel with proprietary WRGB Four-Color Pixel technology that adds a white sub-pixel to the conventional RGB setup for enhanced color output. The curved design keeps the entire screen surface equidistant from the viewer's eyes, reducing edge distortion, while the self-emissive OLED panel delivers an infinite contrast ratio augmented by an HDR algorithm for maximum color separation. Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic construction reduces weight further, making this a notable benchmark for display design and picture performance in premium home theater.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013
Gaming

Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013

Hauppauge unveiled two HD PVR 2 models at CES 2013, both featuring a built-in H.264 encoder capable of recording up to 1080p30 via HDMI and component video inputs. The HD PVR 2 model 1512 targets home media users with IR blaster-controlled set-top box recording and Windows Media Center compatibility, while the HD PVR 2 GE Plus adds SPDIF surround sound capture and pass-through for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC gaming setups. Both models also include StreamEez for live streaming to Twitch and Ustream, making them versatile tools for capture and broadcast workflows.

Shane Sturgeon •
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LCoS TVs Projection HD

OmniVision Launches Cost-Effective, High-Performance HD LCOS Solution for Pico Projection Systems

OmniVision's OVP7200 and OVP921 form a complete LCOS chipset targeting pico projection systems, with the OVP7200 delivering native 1280x720 resolution on a compact 0.37-inch panel using all-digital liquid crystal drive technology. The OVP921 companion chip integrates keystone correction, frame rate conversion, and support for 24-bit RGB, MIPI, and USB inputs without requiring external memory or an image processor. Together, the chipset simplifies system design for engineers building HD projection into mobile devices and automotive head-up displays.

Shane Sturgeon •
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3DTV Blu-ray

LIONSGATE AND SAMSUNG PARTNER TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF HIGH-QUALITY 3D CONTENT IN THE HOME ENTERTAINMENT MARKETPLACE

Lionsgate and Samsung announced a partnership at CES 2013 to convert and distribute popular theatrical titles in 3D for home entertainment, using Samsung's proprietary 3D image processing technology, with GAMER, CRANK, BANGKOK DANGEROUS, and THE DESCENT as the initial releases. The initiative coincides with a tripling of 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc releases in 2012 versus 2011, and a near-doubling of 3D television households from 3.5 million to an estimated 6.4 million. Owners of Samsung Smart TVs stand to benefit from an expanding library of premium 3D content converted from existing 2D catalog titles.

Shane Sturgeon •
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Home Theater Standards 4K Ultra HD

THX Unveils New 4K Certification Program for Ultra High-Definition Displays

THX launched its 4K Certification program at CES 2013, requiring displays to pass up to 600 rigorous tests covering color precision, clarity, uniformity, and detail to ensure accurate Ultra HD image reproduction. The Sharp LC-60HQ10, a 60-inch LCD, became the world's first THX 4K Certified display, using Integrated Cognitive Creation (ICC) technology to reconstruct 4K2K images by analyzing light reflections in source content. Certified displays include a pre-calibrated THX 4K Movie Mode, meaning buyers get optimized out-of-the-box settings without manual calibration.

Shane Sturgeon •
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