According to some leaked info obtained by epiZENter, Creative is getting ready to release their first Wi-Fi enabled portable media player, the ZEN X-Fi.

In addition to some basic control buttons like play/pause, next, and previous on the face, the X-Fi will have a nine-point directional pad and using it’s built-in Wi-Fi users will be able to IM via Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo Messenger using the nine-point directional pad to enter text similar to how cellphones without a full QWERTY keyboard do it.

The Wi-Fi will also allow you to stream media from your home computer from a piece of software you’ll install there called Creative Centrale. Looks like you will NOT, however, be able to buy songs on the go via Wi-Fi hotspots.

There’s also something mentioned called a Public Media Server but it’s not 100% clear just what that is at the moment. Maybe it will give you limited access to media in your Creative Centrale over the Internet by setting up a mini web server? We’ll see when things are officially announced. Continue Reading…

In addition to Vizio’s new XVT line of LCD and plasma sets, they’ve also announced a couple of new plasma sets that bring the HDTV price barrier down to a new level.

The 42-inch VP422 and the 32-inch VP322 plasma TV’s will be sold at all 3400 US Wal-mart’s, part of Vizio’s strategy to penetrate the US HDTV market with low-price models. The two 720p displays offer 30000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, picture optimization controls, and a 60000 hour half-life. Despite being entry-level plasma’s, the VP422 and VP322 also have an impressive variety of inputs allowing virtually any high-def home theater device to be attached. On the back you’ll find a component video port, RGB PC connectivity and a couple of HDMI slots. Look on the side and you’ll find an additional HDMI input, part of the HD Game port, and easy access connection panel for gamers. The two Vizio sets are already available in US Wal-mart stores and online for $799 (VP422) and $599 (VP322). [Source: Vizio]

Panasonic will not bring a 37-inch OLED TV to market by 2011 as reported on Tuesday, according to the company. Panasonic executives are instead hinting its OLED TVs will be sold to consumers closer to 2015, although they are officially keeping tight-lipped about specific timelines, saying only that research and development is ongoing in Japan.

Recent reports have Panasonic mass-producing OLED panels at the Himeji production facility of its subsidiary IPS Alpha, which is slated to open at the beginning of 2010. The manufacturers’ latest response to the rumors has at least confirmed that the Himeji facility will eventually produce OLED panels. Another plant, based in Mobara, was also reported to get dedicated OLED production lines, though the company made no mention of that facility.

Matsushita will officially be called Panasonic this October, and the names have been used interchangeably to date. [source Tech-On]

Enclosed in a sleek, thin-bezel design, both the LCD TVs screens claim to minimize power consumption. These super-slim JVC LCD TVs feature a cabinet that measures 1.5 inches in width with a maximum depth of just 2.9-inches at the panel’s centre. Weighing 26.4 lbs, the latest JVC models are believed to consume a mere 145W.

Offering 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution, both TVs come in a newly developed backlight unit, which is around 40% slimmer than the traditional ones.

VESA compliant, the JVC LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 are equipped with three HDMI, a headphone jack, USB picture viewer, an illuminated universal remote control, two components, one S-Video in and a PC input along with next-generation touch sensor controls, leaving behind the conventional buttons system.

JVC has planned to reach US with the super-slim LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 TVs in July for an estimated price of $1,899.99 and $2,399.99, respectively.

Mitsubishi has announced additional details surrounding the performance and functionality of its LaserVue TV series, that was originally revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2008,

LaserVues will be available in 65-inch and 73-inch models with the 65-inch “Diamond” shipping to authorised retailers in the third quarter of this year and the 73-inch “Diamond” to follow.

Mitsubishi says the 10-inch deep LaserVue range will “raise the bar for large screen television by delivering twice the colour at half the power of today’s HDTVs while at the same time providing an unparalleled 3D viewing experience”.

As well as rich colours, the laser TVs boast clarity and depth of field while brightness comes in at about 500 nits. Additional features for LaserVue TV include smooth 120Hz and x.v.Color. No word on pricing or a UK launch. [Via Mitsubishi]

The BBC has unveiled a new-look BBC iPlayer which fully integrates radio and TV in one interface.

The new-look service, which launches in beta tomorrow (26 June), will “dual run” alongside the existing iPlayer for the next few weeks.

Erik Huggers, the BBC’s group controller for future media and technology, explains: “The next generation of BBC iPlayer allows UK licence fee payers to catch up on their favourite BBC TV and radio programmes in one place – a completely unique on-demand service”.

“Audiences are now able to experience the full range of BBC content – some 250 TV programmes currently available each week as well as all the BBC radio networks – in a new and more accessible way, and all for free.

“On-demand radio from the BBC has been a phenomenal success since it was first launched in 2002, with around 600 million hours listened to via streaming or the ‘listen again’ function.”

“The full integration with iPlayer is a natural evolution for the audio service and an exciting step for audiences.”

iPlayer users can now choose to either listen again to BBC Radio from the last 7 days or listen live – while the option of a pop-out player allows users to continue listening as they browse other web pages. Continue Reading…

Got £50,000 to spare on a personal entertainment experience? Then you’ll need the Ovei.

The pod offers you an enclosed space to watch, play and relax according to its makers.

Designed by Lee McCormack and engineered by McLaren Applied Technologies, those of F1 fame, each capsule is bespoke and hand crafted to client specifications. Continue Reading…

Sony has launched three new AV receivers in the UK this week, from the entry level STR-DG520 through to the midrange STR-DG720 and the high-end, high-performance STR-DG820.

All three of Sony’s new receivers support 1080p 24fps True Cinema, while the range-topping STR-DG820 brings full HD audio capability to even more users thanks to its onboard Dolby True HD/DTS Master Audio decoders, now available at a lower price than ever before ($400 US, with UK pricing still to be confirmed by Sony at time of going to press).

Sony’s just-in press release informs us that: “All three receivers also offer a host of features to make them easy to install and integrate into complete home entertainment systems, including Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration for simple, accurate automatic set-up, Digital Cinema EX processing for more immersive surround effects and Sony’s DM Port for fast hook-up of portable and personal music players, wi-fi networks and Bluetooth.”

The STR-DG820, STR-DG720 and STR-DG520 will shortly be made available from Sony Centre stores and online at the Sony Style shop.

Outdoor TV-viewing goes at large with Sanyo’s new 52″ LCD high-definition monitor that boasts marine grade construction.

Sanyo CE52SR1 model features sun-readable LCD panel with tamper-proof glass designed to take-on harsh weather with vengeance. The protection against water is so substantial that it can withstand low-pressure jets of water sprayed directly on the front glass. This new model is lightweight and uses less electrical power then similarly sized plasma monitors. The outdoor TV packs a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, a stunning 1500:1 contrast ratio and 1500 cd/m2 on-screen brightness.

The 52-inchie comes with a one-year warranty and will be available in October 2008 for approx. $14,000.