IRiver’s new and decidedly drool-worthy LPlayer Mini PMP, details of which were first released at this years CES, has at last been released, albeit only in Korea at this juncture, and, if ever evidence were needed to underpin why it is that we hold iRiver in such high esteem here at TFTS then their new and frankly luscious LPlayer portable media player, with its sleek, glossy, compact and decidedly minimalist design (thanks to the device utilising a D-Click UI) would undoubtedly serve as Exhibit-A.

Measuring in at a mere 60 x 43 x 13mm and weighing just 41.2g, iRiver’s LPlayer Mini PMP comes with a choice of 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities, sports a 2″QVGA 320 x 240 TFT LCD display, offers MP3, WMA, ASF, FLAC and OGG audio file format support (good to see iRiver still flying the flag for the much undervalued OGG format), MP4, WMV9 and XVID video, integrated text (TXT) and photo viewer (BMP,JPG, GIF, PNG) capabilities, a built-in FM tuner and, naturally, full SRS WOW HD support with 7 preset equaliser (normal/rock/jazz/pop/classic/live/ubass) and user-definable EQ settings. Continue Reading…

Sony announced it would translate one of its concept speaker designs into a production device. The Sountina promises a radical approach to sound by outputting the same sound at 360 degrees from the speaker itself: an upward-facing driver vibrates a glass tube that in turn pushes sound outwards in all directions rather than in a cone, as with traditional speakers. The change both leads to a new look as well as reducing the horizontal footprint of the Sountina.

The audio equipment also promises a unique visual effect through an amber, blue, and purple LED lighting system that can be remotely controlled to change the ambient effect for the room; the same controller can also fine-tune audio settings for the actual speaker.

Sony outfits the Sountina with inputs for conventional RCA audio, digital audio through co-ax or optical connections, and two-channel linear PCM; despite its narrow and unusual design, the 85-watt device supports a subwoofer and can still generate frequencies between 50Hz and 20KHz, according to the company.

The Japanese firm expects a quick turnaround for its new speaker and will begin selling it on June 20th for a premium price equivalent to $10,091; the Sountina is pitched at both private buyers as well as stores and other public places. A US launch isn’t mentioned with the announcement, though Sony has recently brought over unique designs such as the XEL-1 OLED TV and the Rolly music player. [Source: Impress]

Sony has unveiled its latest upscaling DVD player, which the electronics giant’s also touting as the perfect way to display still photos on your HD telly.

The DVP-NS708H upscales to 1080p HD quality on any HD Ready TV, although Sony would obviously prefer it if you used a Bravia LCD. The player can handle a selection of DVD formats, including DVD-R, and CDs, such as CD-RW.

The latter’s useful because it means you can burn JPEG snaps onto CD from your computer, and then display them through the DVP-NS708H on your HD Ready telly. This is done through Sony’s PhotoTV HD feature, which is already integrated into some E4000 Bravia LCDs, and helps to optimise the display quality of your treasured snaps.

Should you have splashed out on a Bravia set already, then you’ll also be glad to know that the player’s Bravia Sync feature allows you to control it through your telly’s remote control – so that’s one less remote to lose down the back of the sofa.

Sony hasn’t spun out a release date or UK price for the DVP-NS708H yet.

At Tuesday’s corporate strategy meeting, Hitachi announced it would continue to pursue with its money-losing HDTV panel manufacturing along with recovering HDD sales as core businesses. Company president Kazuo Furukawa maintains panel production will remain the company’s core business because demand is growing globally, as one of three reasons for the newfound focus.

Furukawa said there is great potential for flat-panel TV sales in Brazil, China, Russia, India and other emerging markets. Secondly, the electronics giant believes flat panels will merge broadcasts and communications.

Next month, Hitachi will launch its Wooonet networking service that will allow its TVs to communicate with computers. As customers demand thinner and more advanced HDTVs, Hitachi believes its products, including the recently introduced UltraThin line, will be highly coveted.

In the 2007 fiscal year, Hitachi lost about $1,062 million, the majority of which was attributed to poor HDTV sales. In related news, the company hopes to boost its overseas HDD sales from 42% last year to 50% in 2010.

During the speech, Furukawa also revealed Hitachi will focus on ‘green’ technology aimed at decreasing energy consumption and environmental friendliness. As part of this policy, the company will make 100,000 lithium-ion batteries annually for GM’s upcoming Volt starting in 2010. [Source: Techon]

First-tier LCD TV brand vendors such as Sony and Samsung Electronics have drastically reduced prices for some of their large-size LCD TVs, forcing other vendors to look at plasma display panel (PDP) TVs as a competitive solution.Sony, in order to retain its first place ranking and reach a goal of a 15-18% global market share in 2008, substantially reduced the price of its 40 and 32-inch LCD TVs in May, according to industry sources. In North America, the company’s 32-inch LCD TV is now selling for US$699, while its 40-inch LCD TV is selling for US$1,099.

As a way to combat the price cuts, US-based Vizio launched a 32-inch PDP TV in North America, which is now selling for US$547 at Wal-Mart.

Amtran Technology, the major contract manufacturer of Vizio-branded TVs, stated that the company’s flat-panel TV shipments in the first quarter reached 760,000 units, with 10-15% being for PDP TVs. Vizio’s 32-inch HD PDP TV in North America uses panels from LG Electronics and the TV’s price and design are very competitive and should be able to handle the price pressure from first-tier brand vendors, according to Amtran.

Industry sources stated that the price for a 32-inch PDP panel is cheaper than a 32-inch LCD panel which is why brand vendors were willing to launch 32-inch PDP TVs in North America.

Industry players believe that if Vizio’s sale strategy for 32-inch PDP TVs works, other new or second-tier companies may follow suit and that total shipments of PDP TVs may increase this year.

Last year saw the introduction of the XF range, which wrapped decent size panels in cases with unbelievably slim bezels. The result was a 40in LCD TV with a physical size that was considerably smaller than many rival 37in models. On paper this was great, but the reality left a lot to be desired. You see inconsistency wasn’t the only problem with last year’s range, Toshiba’s sets also suffered from quite poor black level response. The disappointing black levels were something that I was willing to let slip slightly back in May 2007, when I reviewed the Regza 42X3030D, but by the end of last year Toshiba was still putting out sets with very disappointing black levels that simply couldn’t compete with rival models – the Regza 40XF355D highlighted this problem when I reviewed it.

Another problem with the XF range was that it injected a degree of schizophrenia into the Toshiba range – while the XF looked like it was the flagship model, with its slim bezel and catwalk looks, it lacked the features of the Z series, which sported 100Hz processing and 5:5 pulldown for 1080p 24Hz playback. The result was that many consumers wanted the features of the Z series, but in the chassis of the XF series; an option that simply wasn’t available to them. So, it was with some trepidation that I unboxed the new 40ZF355D, which is set to pick up where the 40XF355D left off. The good news is that before I’d even switched on the 40ZF355D, the specification sticker informed me that some of the problems with its predecessor had been addressed. Continue Reading…

LG Electronics has rolled out five new home theater systems, each tuned by audio expert Mark Levinson. The systems range from slim, elegant designs intended to complement an existing room’s decor to simple, functional, no-fuss designs that make no pretensions about being furniture or art objects.

“LG’s latest home theater and audio systems were designed to meet consumers’ desire for advanced technology that doesn’t compromise the stylish design of their homes,” said LG USA’s sales and marketing VP Allan Jason, in a statement. “Our new systems offer consumers the best of both worlds and truly complement the entire entertainment experience.”

The LG LHT888 DVD Home Theater system features satellite speakers in the shape of champagne flutes, while offering 1080p up-conversion via HDMI, USB connectivity, and wireless rear speakers-along with 700 watts of 5.1 audio. The LHT874 5-Disc Home Theater system offers wireless rear speakers and iPod and USB connectivity along with 1080p upscaling, plus 155 watts to satellites and 225 watts to the subwoofer. The LHT854 offers a similar feature set, but does away with tall loudspeaker towers in favor of discrete satellite speakers.

For folks looking to put an audio system on a table or in shelves, the LDF850 tabletop system and LFA840 shelf CD audio system offer iPod connectivity, a vacuum-loading vertical CD slot, an AM/FM tuner, and USB media capabilities.

All five units are available now, with the LHT888 carrying a suggested price of $649.95. The LHT 874 and LHT854 are priced at $479.95 and $299.95, respectively, while the LFD850 and LFA840 audio systems are priced at $299.95 and $229.95, respectively.

As far as mini, portable speakers go, from a technical standpoint alone this MyTunes MP3 Amp may not boast an especially impressive range of features but what it lacks in terms of specification it more than makes up for in terms of exquisite (some would say kitsch) styling.

Powered either by 3xAAA batteries or via a USB connection – the MP3 Amp can also be used as a computer speaker – this mono speaker, in sporting a standard audio in socket, can be hooked up to just about any device that comes with an earphone socket, from MP3 players to portable radios, cell phones to handheld consoles, though its hardly going to blow you away in offering a mere 5w output.

That said, the MP3 Amp does have working treble and bass dials which the product site rightly states is ‘an element lacking in a lot of mp3 speakers currently on the market’ and the detailing is exquisite with the front grill, corner protectors all present and correct.

At the time of writing the MP3 Amp, which will set you back a mere $20, is expected to become available mid June though pre-orders are already being accepted.

Sony has already confirmed a US launch and set pricing for the E020 series Walkman lineup, says the Asian branch of Crave. In announcing an Asian launch, Sony says the flash-based music player will sell for $69 in a 1GB edition and $79 for 2GB of storage. The E020’s signature swappable faceplates will make the overseas trip and should sell separately for $12. beyond those that come with a given device.

In the transition to the US, the new Walkmen are reportedly dropping the need for Sony’s Windows-only SonicStage software in favor of a drag-and-drop solution that lets anyone load unprotected AAC, ATRAC, MP3, or WMA tracks through their operating system. Sony also ships the E020 lineup with a built-in three-line color LCD with album art support and premium earbuds.