Flat Screen Tvs - Plasma Tvs - LCD Displays and HDTV

MSN Video Downloads Delivers Food Network, FOX Sports, Children's Programming, News and More for Portable Media Centers and Select Smartphones and Pocket PCs

Since the launch of the Microsoft® Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center last fall, more than 20 new content partners, including CinemaNow Inc., MLB.com, MSNBC.com, MSN Music, MTV Networks Music, Napster Inc., SnapStream Media Inc. and TiVo Inc., have agreed to make video available online specifically formatted for Windows Mobile-based multimedia devices.

"The launch of Portable Media Centers in 2004 began a new era of portable entertainment, and today's announcement solidifies the continued momentum we've seen for portable video," said John Pollard, director of Windows Mobile Applications and Services Marketing at Microsoft. "With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads helps bring this vision to life, allowing people to take their favorite television shows with them whether they are on the train, waiting for a doctor's appointment, or keeping the kids occupied in the back seat of the car."

"Readily available digital video content remains a key driver for the portable multimedia player market," said Josh Martin, associate research analyst at IDC. "The proliferation and growth of video service providers will serve to fill the existing video content void and increase adoption of portable multimedia players such as Windows Mobile-based devices."

MSN Video Downloads: Keeping People Informed and Entertained Anywhere

MSN Video Downloads is available in the United States today at http://www.msnvideodownloads.com. A one-year premium membership to the MSN Video Downloads service with access to all available videos is $19.95 (U.S.). In addition, people can access a limited amount of free content without a paid membership.

The MSN Video Downloads service is designed to keep people better entertained and informed, wherever and whenever they want. With great content provided daily, such as sports highlights, news headlines, children's programming, music videos, independent films and comedy shows, MSN Video Downloads is one of the first online video download services dedicated to portable entertainment. In its debut, the MSN Video Downloads service was previewed at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

People subscribing to the premium service will be able to select the content they want to receive from the Web site. Digital videos are downloaded daily to a Windows Media® Player 10 library, ready to be synchronized with Portable Media Centers and other devices. The video content is compliant with PlaysForSure (TM) devices that play video, and is optimized for Portable Media Centers and compatible with Smartphones and Pocket PCs that support Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.

New with the final launch of the service is the ability to select the specific content downloaded to the subscriber's Windows® XP-based PC each day. Subscribers can also activate a new automatic deleting feature that specifies how long video from the MSN Video Downloads directory will remain on their PC, thus avoiding a large backlog of clips.

The following programming will be available on MSN Video Downloads:

• MSNBC.com. News and business headlines updated throughout the day, as well as segments from "Today"
• BreakTV. Behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with television's hottest celebrities
• COOKIE JAR Entertainment Inc., a global producer and marketer of children's entertainment, offering children's programs such as "Paddington Bear," "Animal Crackers" and many other popular kids' television series
• DIY Network. Videos about home improvement, crafts, hobbies, indoor-outdoor living, and kitchen and bath remodeling
• FINE LIVING TV Network. Inspiring programs featuring travel destinations, mind and body enrichment, ideas for entertaining and home design as well as videos for automobile enthusiasts
• FOX Sports. In-depth news, analysis and unparalleled national and regional coverage of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, and select college basketball and football highlights, as well as FOX Sports Net original programming including "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and "Beyond the Glory"
• Food Network. Fun and interesting videos featuring grilling tips, ideas for entertaining, healthy eating, quick-and-easy recipes and pop-culture food specials
• Fun Little Movies. Specializing in original, live-action comedy content; new "Fun Funny Phone Films" including the following series: humorous headlines in "Comedy USA," sci-fi parody "Spacey Movie," and the "Mini-Bikers," where little people on little motorcycles fight crime, a little at a time
• Headliners Entertainment Group Inc. (OTCBB:HLEG), the operator of Rascals Comedy Clubs, presenting a selection of comedy clips from Rascals Comedy Classics, including performances from popular stars such as Tim Allen, Rosie O'Donnell, Drew Carey and Ray Romano; only Rascals can bring viewers comedy superstars, before they were stars, and the breaking stars of tomorrow, today
• Home & Garden Television (HGTV). Selected programs featuring remodeling, home-building, design and decorating, kitchen and bath to enhance a home's curb appeal
• IFILM. Movie trailers, viral videos, short films and other IFILM-exclusive content
• TotalVid. Deep selection of action sports clips including surfing, snowboarding, skiing, windsurfing, street racing, kiteboarding, skateboarding, climbing, kayaking, off-road, Moto X, mountain biking, inline skating, BMX and more
• Want Media. Music videos, live concerts, Broadway shows, extreme sports and motor sports programs, full-length films from independent filmmakers and underground cinema

The following are content partners for Windows Mobile-based devices:

• ATI Technologies
• BreakTV*
• CinemaNow Inc.
• COOKIE JAR*
• DIY Network
• FINE LIVING TV Network*
• Food Network*
• FOX Sports*
• Hauppauge Computer Works Inc.
• Headliner Entertainment Group*
• HGTV*
• IFILM*
• MediaPass Network LLC
• MLB.com
• MSN Music
• MSNBC.com*
• MTV Networks
• Napster
• NVIDIA
• Pinnacle Systems Inc.
• SnapStream Media Inc.
• TiVo Inc.
• TotalVid*
• Want Media*
• watchmusichere.com

About Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers reduces the complexity and constraints that hobble the flow of personal and business communications while also enabling people to enjoy rich media experiences. With Windows Mobile, individuals and organizations are empowered to achieve their productivity goals and also realize the excitement of the digital lifestyle -- from music and memories to television, movies, gaming and communication. More information can be found at http://www.windowsmobile.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, MSN, Windows Mobile, Windows Media, PlaysForSure and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Posted by Nana at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sony to Establish "ST Mobile Display Corporation" - Second Manufacturing Base for Low-Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD Panels for Mobile Products

Sony Corporation today announced the establishment of "ST Mobile Display Corporation"(hereafter STMD). This follows Sony's purchase of the LCD panel manufacturing business previously owned by International Display Technology (hereafter IDTech). The new company will produce low-temperature polysilicon thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (hereafter LTPS-TFT-LCD) panels for mobile products.

LTPS-TFT-LCD panels are used in various mobile products such as video cameras, digital still cameras and mobile telephones and Sony expects these markets to grow even further from now on. Following ST Liquid Crystal Display Corp (hereafter STLCD), a joint venture between Sony and Toyota Industries Corporation established in October 1997, Sony will position STMD as the second manufacturing base of LTPS-TFT-LCD panel for mobile products. It will address customer's various needs through the technological cooperation of STMD and STLCD.

The company will inherit production equipment, facilities, and personnel from IDTech's plant in Yasu-shi, Shiga prefecture in Japan. Sony will invest approx. 27 billion yen on equipment and facility modification and this will enable STMD to have a production capacity of 25,000 units/month (550x650mm circuit board base). The mass production of LTPS-TFT-LCD panels is scheduled to start from April 2006.

Furthermore, it has also been decided that Toyota Industries Corporation will be investing 20% of STMD's capital.

Executive Deputy President and COO of Sony Corporation, Dr. Ryoji Chubachi stated:
"I am delighted that we have completed the purchase agreement and the establishment of the LCD display panel plant previously owned by IDTech on schedule. Together with Toyota Industries Corporation, Sony will fully utilize both STLCD and STMD to create superb quality LTPS-TFT-LCD panels for mobile products that meet customers' needs."

Outline of ST Mobile Display Corporation (STMD)

Establishment : March 31st, 2005
Capitalization : 100 million yen
Investment Breakdown : Sony 80%, Toyota Industries Corporation 20% President and representative director : Tadaharu Tsuyuki
Vice-President and representative director : Hisao Hayashi
Location : 800 Ichimiyake, Yasu-shi, Shiga Prefecture
Surface Area : 20,021 m2
Main products : Low-Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD Panels
Floor Area of Facility : Office 3,269 m2(3 floors), Manufacturing 28,926 m2(2 floors)
Investment : 27 billion yen (planned)
Production Capacity : 25,000 panels/month (unit size: 550x650mm)
Production Start : April 2006 (planned)

About Sony

Sony Corporation which recently released the Sony PSP, is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading personal broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $72 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

Posted by Nana at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Canton, Germany's largest and best selling manufacturer of loudspeakers, has introduced a new family of six moderately priced speakers for music and home theater. While the new LE 100 Series speakers look similar to earlier LE models, the line has been given a significant performance boost thanks to refinements to the tweeters, midrange drivers, woofers, and crossover networks, and with some subtle, but important changes to the baffle and enclosure design.

"The remarkable new LE 100 Series is classic Canton," said Paul Madsen, President of Canton USA. "Take a great product and make it even better. This process of continuous improvement allows each line to steadily improve without losing its identity or shooting off in unproductive directions."

The Canton LE 100 Series consists of six models: the LE 190 and LE 170 full-range tower speakers; LE 150 CM center channel speaker; LE 130 and LE 120 compact two-way speakers; and LE 110 on-wall speakers.

Each of the LE 100 models incorporates a newly refined version of the company's silk dome tweeter, which has a completely redesigned geometry employing a finer silk material for improved distortion characteristics and bandwidth. The tweeter mounting plate was also redesigned with a slightly flared profile that provides a smoother frequency response, greater bandwidth, and a 3 dB increase in tweeter efficiency across the operating range.

Bass and midrange drivers across the line feature sophisticated polypropylene cones, injected rubber surrounds, and redesigned motor structures. The 6- and 7-inch drivers used as woofers in the two-way systems, and as midranges in the LE 170 and 190, feature unique concave dustcaps made of the same material as the cones themselves to provide multiple resonance paths and improved dispersion characteristics. The 8-inch versions used as woofers in the LE 190 employ a more conventional dome dustcap for increased linear excursion and power handling and efficiency.

Each of the speakers' front baffles have been also been redesigned, incorporating a gentle convex curve across the face, with stylish chamfering above and below the bass and midrange drivers. These improvements not only enhance the appearance of the series, they serve to dramatically reduce deleterious edge effects. This change also adds significant mass to the baffle helping to reduce cabinet resonances.

All of the LE 100 models are currently available in the line's signature bicolor finishes: Beech cabinet with a silver lacquer front baffle, or cherry cabinet with a graphite front panel. Each model is also available in single-color black ash, or silver lacquer finishes.

The LE 190 floorstanding speaker is the largest model in the series. It features a three-way bass reflex design, employing a pair of 8-inch woofers, a single 7-inch midrange, and 1-inch fabric dome tweeter. It has a suggested retail price of $1199 per pair.

The LE 170 floorstander employs a sophisticated 2-1/2 way design that uses a pair of 7-inch cones for deep bass reproduction, but routes midrange frequencies to only the top cone to provide improved off-axis dispersion. It has a suggested retail price of $899 per pair.

The magnetically shielded LE 150 CM can be used as either a horizontal center channel, or for front or rear channels in a home theater. It features two 6-inch polypropylene woofers flanking a single tweeter, and has a suggested retail price of $449 each.

The two-way LE 130 employs a 7-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter in a front-ported cabinet suitable for mounting on a shelf, or on the optional LS 600 stand. It has a suggested retail price of $599 per pair.

The two-way LE 120 compact speaker features a 6-inch woofer and rear port, and can also be mounted on a shelf or on the LS 600 stand. It has a suggested retail price of $449 per pair.

The LE 110 loudspeaker features the same driver complement as the LE 120, but in a sealed box cabinet that is a mere 3.6-inches deep, making it ideal for on-wall mounting. It has a suggested retail price of $449 per pair.

Canton is the largest manufacturer and best-selling brand of loudspeakers in Germany. It was founded in 1973 by a group of audio enthusiasts who defined their mission "to always develop the finest loudspeakers in their class." For more information about this and other fine Canton products, visit http://www.cantonusa.com or call 612-706-9250

Posted by Nana at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are using optical disc technologies such as CDs and DVDs for storage, you should take a few moments to answer a quick 2 question survey being run by the Government Information Preservation Working Group (GIPWoG) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). You have until May 31st, to respond.

The DVD Association, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is sponsoring this survey conducted by one of its¹ technical working groups, the Government Information Preservation Working Group (GIPWoG). GIPWoG is working with NIST to establish a long-term, or archival, standard measurement for recordable CD and DVD media. This measurement will serve as a standard industry test to determine the archival quality of recordable optical media. The test will not measure how actual media longevity, but will determine if it lasts at least a minimum number of years. The number of years used in the test standard will be determined by your responses.

Posted by Nana at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Orb Drops Subscription Service Fee Allowing Consumers Free Mobile Access to Digital Home-Media Content Such as Live TV, Music, Videos, & Photos; Announces New Photo Sharing Service

Orb Networks, Inc., a developer of streaming media software and services, today announced the company's groundbreaking streaming media software, Orb Media, will now be FREE to all users. Orb's software and service gives consumers the ability to spontaneously access their live TV, music, photos, videos, and other digital content located on their home PC from virtually any Internet-enabled device, from anywhere in the world, and now provides that service without adding any new monthly fees for new and current customers. Additionally, Orb has added a new Photo Sharing service to its solution allowing customers to share all of their selected photos with friends and family at any time.

Orb's mission is to provide consumers with the easiest, most innovative way to access their digital home media files wherever they are. The Orb solution is available to the millions of Windows® XP operating system and Windows® XP Media Center Edition users in the United States and is now made even more convenient for users to access their digital worlds by providing Orb Media absolutely FREE.

Orb is aggressively forming strategic partnerships with content providers and consumer electronic companies. These partnerships will provide Orb with a sustained commerce stream through co-marketing relationships and transactions for music, video, audio and other services.

"By eliminating subscription fees, Orb eliminates the final barrier between consumers and their digital media," said Jim Behrens, CEO, Orb Networks. "The allure of 'anytime, anywhere' access to one's digital world has proven to be exceptionally compelling to Orb subscribers thus far. In our view, a free Orb service will exponentially increase our value proposition for those customers -- and millions of new customers as well."

The strategic partnerships Orb is forming not only will make this shift possible, but will drastically expand Orb's content offerings over time. As such, Orb continues its evolution into one of the most innovative and consumer-friendly digital media companies ever."

Orb's new Photo Sharing service offers customers a complete digital media portal where they can simply choose any of their favorite photos and send them to one or many of their friends and family for free viewing. The sharing feature is especially inviting for users to extend their digital world for others to see.

"Digital environment technology is a competitive field, and one that is ripe for growth," said Tim Bajarin, Principal Analyst, Creative Strategies. "That said, vendors need to focus not only on the viability and innovation of their technology, but on fostering a consumer-friendly business model, as well. Companies that can master both worlds stand the greatest chance for early customer growth and long-term success."

Orb Media is available to download now at www.orb.com. After downloading the application, customers only need to complete a five-minute installation procedure and they are ready to use any Internet-connected device to view live TV, digital photos, videos or listen to MP3 music files stored on their home PC.

Orb Media Overview

Orb Networks' software and service provides a simple way for consumers to spontaneously access their live TV, music, photos, videos and other digital content located on their home PC from virtually any Internet-enabled device, from anywhere in the world. Orb's intuitive solution simply streams a consumer's own content from their home PC to the Web browser and player on a cell phone, PDA, or notebook, creating their own "personal media portal." Consumers also have the capability to remotely record TV programs using Orb's Digital Video Recorder (DVR) function and then view those recorded programs at any time on any of their mobile devices. Orb Networks leverages the best features of today's popular standards while abiding by current digital rights management (DRM) platforms.

Orb Networks' technology is based upon its elegant, robust and scalable Orb Architecture. A user simply opens a Web browser on any device, logs-in and selects what they want to view or hear from their personal library. Orb takes care of the rest. Orb's technology determines the best format, codec, bit rate, display capabilities, and network bandwidth available for a particular cell phone, PDA or laptop to view or hear the content. The media is streamed securely and directly from the user's home PC to the user's device to provide fast mobile media access.

About Orb Networks, Inc.

Orb Networks is the first developer of streaming media software and services giving people free spontaneous access to digital home media -- any kind, at any time, from any location in the world. The groundbreaking Orb Architecture allows users to access music, live television, videos, photos and other digital content from any device that can connect to the Internet, such as a cell phone, PDA, or notebook. Orb Networks develops, licenses and markets its services in partnership with leading content providers/creators, wireless carriers, electronic distributors and consumer electronic companies. As an active participant in the issues affecting digital media, Orb Networks is a member of the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). Orb Networks is a privately held company located in Emeryville, Calif. For more information about Orb Networks, please visit http://www.orb.com .

Posted by Nana at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you looking to move your TiVoToGo content to your shiny new Sony PSP? Check out Dave Zatz's handy tutorial over at: TiVo To Go Unleashed!

There's more info there as well, so if you have TiVo To Go it's worth checking out.

Posted by Nana at 05:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So the long awaited Sony P2P is finally out. Our main interests in the PSP is for its abilities as a portable media center or PMC for video, music, and a bit of gaming, as well as its place in home entertainment systems. Until we have more to report in this area, here's a collection of articles that will bring you up to speed on the PSP. More links coming soon. Also if you have a resource that needs to be added, let me know.

PSP 101: Everything you need to know about the PlayStation Portable

Sony PSP First Thoughts Review (pics)

Photo Essay: Fans Wait Out Sony's PSP

Sony gets it right with new PSP

PlayStation Portable Has Miles to Go

Sony's PSP: A Review

You’ll never look at handheld gaming the same: Sony PSP

Sony put 1 million PSPs on sale for the North American launch.

Posted by Nana at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Xtreme Line is up to 8 times faster than most competitors

Demonstrating its technology leadership in the display market, ViewSonic Corp., a worldwide leader in visual display products, today announced the world’s fastest LCD monitors. Featuring ultra-fast 4 millisecond (ms) average video response time across the entire color scale, the 19-inch VX924 and 17-inch VX724 deliver fluid, full-motion images and optimized video performance for a variety of applications.

With typical “fast-response” displays on the market today having an average gray-to-gray (or intermediate level) response time of 30 to 35ms, ViewSonic’s Xtreme LCD lineup provides response time performance up to 8 times faster. They are ideal for extreme gaming, viewing DVDs , watching television , and even traditional computer usage—such as rapidly scrolling content within a Web site or a document.

“Achieving the best results with gaming, streaming video and motion application usage has long been the domain of CRT technology,” said Jennifer Gallo, research analyst, IDC. “With manufacturers incorporating better technology, such as faster response times, we should see more of a shift toward LCD displays for these demanding applications.”

The VX924 and VX724 are the first desktop displays to combine ViewSonic’s proprietary Dynamic Structure and Amplified Impulse video response acceleration technologies to support rates of up to 250 frames per second across the entire color scale. This advancement produces superior front-of-screen performance for motion video, since the majority of video transitions on games and digital entertainment occur within these intermediate ranges.

“Breaking down barriers and setting new benchmarks for display technology demonstrates ViewSonic’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest-quality visual experience,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president, marketing, ViewSonic Americas. “Our Xtreme LCD offerings open up new opportunities for our customers and partners by providing exceptional performance for a variety of applications and markets.”

“These Xtreme displays mark a major milestone in LCD technology,” said Erik Willey, senior product manager, ViewSonic. “The 4ms response time across all color scales has allowed us to create the ultimate gaming monitors with motion video performance rivaling the best CRTs.”

The displays will be available in the second quarter of 2005 through traditional ViewSonic resellers, distributors and mail order.

For more information and images of the new displays, go to www.viewsonic.com/xtreme.

Posted by Nana at 08:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cnet has an article that highlights the fact that consumers need to aware that having HDTV doesn't really mean automatic HD quality for all the programming they view.

The sharp picture quality that wows you on that expensive HDTV in the electronics store isn't necessarily what you'll see once you get the set into your living room. Read more at cnet ...

Posted by Nana at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Multi-Year Agreement to Make the TiVo Service Available to Comcast Customers

Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, and TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced that the companies have reached an agreement to make the TiVo® service and advertising capability widely available to Comcast customers in the majority of its markets around the country.

Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast and TiVo will work together to develop a version of the TiVo service that will be made available on Comcast's current primary DVR platform. New software will be developed by TiVo and will be incorporated into Comcast's existing network platforms. The new service will be marketed with the TiVo brand, and is expected to be available on Comcast's DVR products in a majority of Comcast markets in mid-to-late 2006.

This long-term, non-exclusive partnership will provide millions of Comcast customers with the opportunity to choose the TiVo service, including TiVo's award-winning user interface and features like Season Pass(TM) and WishList(TM), as an additional option. In addition, the service will showcase TiVo's home networking, multimedia, and broadband capabilities.

"We are focused on providing our customers with a 21st Century television experience. TiVo has revolutionized the way consumers watch and access home entertainment. By partnering with TiVo, we are continuing to deliver technology that enables our customers to watch what they want when they want on TV. This agreement also reflects our commitment to work with leading technology providers to offer customers more value and choice in their home entertainment experience," said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Customers love the ease and convenience of our current DVR service, and we look forward to working with TiVo to enhance that service and offer customers the best-in-class DVR experience."

"We are very excited that we will be able to offer TiVo to our customers along with our Video On Demand, High Definition and other premium services that add such great entertainment value. The strong TiVo brand, the clear track record of customer loyalty it has and its cutting edge features make this a terrific partnership and exciting new product for Comcast," added Steve Burke, president of Comcast Cable and COO of Comcast.

"The chance to combine TiVo's unmatched DVR features and innovative advertising capabilities with the power of Comcast's advanced digital television services presents tremendous opportunities," said Mike Ramsay, Chairman and CEO of TiVo. "Broad deployment to millions of Comcast homes nationwide will enhance TiVo's recurring revenues. Together, both companies will work to offer customers the best and most convenient premium television service."

"It is very important that TiVo has found a way to work with the nation's largest cable operator on a cooperative basis to develop a state-of-the-art TiVo Service, fully integrated with a cable set-top box, that will make TiVo available to millions of cable viewers. By making TiVo available, Comcast once again shows that it is leading the way in providing advanced digital services, such as video-on-demand, to television viewers. This is a real milestone for TiVo and for the cable industry, but most importantly it is a milestone for television viewers," said Tom Rogers, vice chairman of TiVo.

As an extension of the relationship, TiVo and Comcast will make TiVo's interactive advertising platform available across Comcast's customer base without interrupting the award-winning TiVo subscriber experience.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content.

The Company's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4, International Channel Networks, TV One and four Comcast SportsNets. The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo, a pioneer in home entertainment, created a brand new category of products with the development of the first digital video recorder (DVR). Today, TiVo continues to revolutionize the way consumers watch and access home entertainment by making TiVo DVR the focal point of the digital living room, a center for sharing and experiencing television, music, photos and other content. TiVo connects consumers to the digital entertainment they want, where and when they want it. TiVo is based in Alviso, California.

Posted by Nana at 07:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. (CMO), Taiwan's second-largest maker of large-size TFT-LCD panels, announced recently that it favors a 7.5-generation factory for its next-generation expansion.

Taiwan's biggest manufacturer of TFT-LCD panels, AU Optronics Corp., is also planning its next-generation business and will make a final decision on it in the second quarter of this year.

Korean competitors are also vigorously installing new facilities. Samsung LCD recently announced its intention to invest in a second 7G line, and LG-Philips LCD Co. (LPL) will build a 7.5G plant. In Japan, Sharp has decided to build an 8G plant.

Industry sources here say that these aggressive moves by their South Korean and Japanese counterparts will have an impact on the future development of the panel industry in Taiwan, and force the island's manufacturers to respond at once in order to secure future market share.

Construction work on CMO's fifth panel plant in the Southern Taiwan Science Park was brought to a halt last year because of the industry's unclear prospects. Work has been started again, but the generation of technology the plant will use has not yet been decided.

CMO chairman Ho Chao-yang says that his company will not face a capacity shortage for at least the next year, thanks to added production from its new 5.5G plant and the expansion of a 5G facility. With LCD-TV panel demand growing rapidly, the chairman stresses, CMO will certainly become involved in the beyond-7G business.

One industry insider notes that the 7.5G substrate is currently the largest, most economical, and most readily available (based on technological maturity) size that can be economically cut into 42- and 47-inch LCD-TV panels. For 7G substrates, the most cost-beneficial sizes are 40 and 46 inches.

A senior CMO official says that the future market mainstream will be LCD-TVs over 40 inches in size, and that his own company will initially plan for a relatively low monthly production capacity of as little as 30,000 panels, compared with 60,000 or 90,000 with previous projects. The aim of this flexible strategy is to keep capital spending down and make ready for an expansion of capacity whenever market demand grows and panel prices rise to more reasonable levels.

In the fierce competition for new-generation production facilities, industry sources caution, Taiwan's panel makers will have to move quickly in mapping out their future development strategies to keep pace with their South Korean and Japanese rivals, who are targeting 40- to 50-inch-and-up LCD TV panels with 7G, 7.5G, and 8G plant projects. more...

Posted by Nana at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dozens of PC and video companies are being sued for patent infringement.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Two industrial manufacturers, Guardian Industries Corp. and Honeywell International Inc., have sued dozens of companies in the global PC and video display businesses in a U.S. federal court to try to recoup royalties on liquid-crystal technology.

Guardian Industries, a maker of industrial glass, and Honeywell, known for making weapons systems, assert in filings in the U.S. District Court in Delaware that their intellectual property for liquid crystal displays, used in notebook computers, TVs, and cellular phones, have been infringed.

Taiwan and South Korea are the two primary centers of LCD production, which is growing rapidly as demand for LCD-based televisions rises. The lawsuits target the LCD industry directly, but also assert claims against companies that incorporate LCDs into final electronic products. more...

Posted by Nana at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sony KDE-42XS955 42" Widescreen WEGA Plasma Flat-Panel TV with Integrated HDTV Tuner
Price: $4,499.99 Buy Now

Product Description
Sony's 42-inch KDE-42XS955 gas-plasma television boasts a bright, detailed, and perfectly flat screen, stylish construction, and abundant image enhancements. The screen features a wide, 16:9 aspect ratio to match the dimension of most movies and HDTV broadcasts, and the set is compatible with standard-definition 480i, enhanced-definition 480p, and high-definition 720p and 1080i signals, delivering full-fledged HDTV reception right out of the box via its integrated NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners. It also offers digital cable readiness with a CableCARD slot and the latest digital-video interface, HDMI.

With a plasma screen you get vivid colors like you've never seen before, extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile--the KDE-42XS955 is a mere 6.25 inches deep, perfect for desk or wall mounting (for wall positioning, use bracket SU-PW3M). Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems. You do, however, need to be wary of image burn-in (wherein long-held stationary images leave a permanent impression in the screen).

Sony's CineMotion 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal is a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

The set's WEGA Engine system maximizes picture performance from any video source by minimizing the number of digital-to-analog conversion processes. This full digital processing engine includes Sony's MID-X (Multi Image Driver), which maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process.

Digital Reality Creation (DRC) circuitry ensures high picture resolution, while proprietary Direct Digital II circuitry increases a video signal's signal-to-noise ratio before it reaches the DRC circuit, ensuring rich, natural-looking images from any source.

Sony's BN Smoother scans the frequency of a given image (such as those from DVD players, off-air HDTV programming, or even analog cable and broadcasts) to calculate the edges of each MPEG block. It applies an algorithm to each block edge, smoothing the transition from one block to another for a seamless picture.

The set includes numerous other features.

• Single-tuner PIP (picture-in-picture) lets you view 2 images simultaneously (such as 1 TV station and 1 video input).
• A Memory Stick media slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo media) grants convenient viewing of JPEG and MPEG-1 files. It can also display customized slide shows using MP3 files for background music.
• Authorized CableCARD ability means the set will receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.
• Sony's exclusive S-Master 1-bit digital amplifier produces a powerful 25 watts per channel (x 2), pumping an additional 50 watts into a built-in subwoofer for rich, full-bodied sound from movies and music.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link the set with any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver). HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multichannel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

What's in the Box
TV, removable stand, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, a quick-start guide, a cleaning cloth, and warranty/registration information.

Product Description
If you want a High-Definition plasma TV with state-of-the-art performance and styling, Sony's 42" KDE-42XS955 belongs at the top of your list! Its slender, sculpted shape compliments your room and decor in a way that tube TVs never could. The all-in-one design combines the TV tuners, inputs for all your video gear, and a high-powered 3-speaker system in one clean, uncluttered package. The KDE-42XS955 includes the latest in HDTV tuner technology: built-in no-hassle reception for all over-the-air and cable HDTV programming. If you rely on over-the-air broadcasts, this TV can tune in both digital and standard analog signals. Cable TV subscribers can get a CableCARD from their local service provider. A CableCARD lets you watch basic analog, digital, and even premium cable programming, including HD, without using a separate set-top box! You can change all channels using the TV's remote control, and you have one less component to connect. It's really cool!

Posted by Nana at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's the latest news on the TiVo, EchoStar Communications patent infringement lawsuit.

Jury selection in the TiVo, EchoStar Communications patent infringement lawsuit will begin on Oct. 4 giving observers some sense of the time frame for the case. TiVo brought the suit against EchoStar in January of last year. The digital video recording company said Wednesday the federal district court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, denied EchoStar's motion to transfer the case outside Texas. via cNet

Posted by Nana at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Brings live television broadcasts to mobile devices

Digita, Elisa, MTV, Nelonen, Nokia, Sonera and YLE (The Finnish Broadcasting Company) are starting an unique mobile TV pilot in Finland. The project tests mobile TV services and consumer experiences, as well as the underlying technology, with 500 users in the Helsinki capital region.

Selected from Sonera and Elisa mobile phone customers, the test users are able to view real-time TV and radio programs on a Nokia 7710 smartphone equipped with a special accessory to receive mobile TV broadcasts. The Nokia smartphone also enables direct links to the Internet for access to background information on TV programs or sports results. Test users have access to MTV, YLE and Nelonen programs as well as international theme channels such as CNN, BBC World, Euronews, Eurosport, ViVa Plus and Fashion TV. The pilot continues until 20 June 2005.

Elisa and Sonera are responsible for customer service, invoicing and connections to the new interactive supplementary services. Digita has designed and built the digital TV network needed for the distribution of mobile TV services and will manage the network, while Nokia will develop the mobile TV service management and smartphones that can receive mobile TV broadcasts.

The mobile TV test uses IP Datacasting (IPDC), which conforms with the DVB-H standard. At the end of 2004, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) adopted DVB-H as the standard for European mobile television services, enabling the simultaneous transmission of several television, radio and video channels to mobile devices.

First user tests promising
The first mobile TV service experiences in Finland happened via a friendly user test carried out in late 2004. The test showed that people like to watch mobile TV in cars and other means of transport and in public places such as cafes. Watching mobile TV at home and in the workplace was also common. The most usual time was in the mornings and afternoons and early evening.

The test users were interested in news, weather, sports, current issues, entertainment and drama and comedy series. Mobile TV was also considered as a complement to the traditional television. What appealed most to test users was the fact that you can watch mobile TV anywhere you like. According to the results, most of the test users would be prepared to continue using mobile TV services.

Additional information:
Finland’s mobile TV project: www.finnishmobiletv.com

Posted by Nana at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Mike Langberg
Mercury News

In every gold rush, a few lucky prospectors get rich and everyone else goes home broke.

There's a gold rush under way right now in the marketing of flat-panel television sets. Although flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs are still pricey, consumers are enthralled with the concept of big, wide-screen, high-definition sets that are thin enough and light enough to hang on a wall.

One hopeful entrant in the flat-panel sweepstakes is Encross Enterprise of San Jose, an ambitious start-up with just a dozen employees here and in South Korea, selling LCD TVs under the Kreisen brand name.

Encross is a perfect example of two big forces reshaping consumer electronics.

First is the unstoppable march of digital technology, which continuously makes everything from MP3 players to notebook computers to mobile phones both better and less expensive.

Second is the rise of Original Design Manufacturers, or ODMs -- companies in South Korea, Taiwan and China that design and manufacture sophisticated products for others to market in the United States.

Flat-panel TVs now sit squarely at the intersection of these two trends. more...

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Onkyo has introduced the CB-SP1200, a unique video display stand with integrated left, right, and center channel speakers for high quality audio, and no added clutter. The attractive gloss black stand is 17 inches tall, 47 inches wide and 17-3/4 inches deep, and it can be set up in under a minute. The Onkyo CB-SP1200 is compatible with LCD or Plasma flat panel displays, and tabletop rear projection or conventional CRT models weighing up to 250 pounds.

The Onkyo CB-SP1200 left and right channel speakers each include a single 3-1/8 inch OMF (Onkyo MicroFiber) woofer and a 3/4-inch balanced dome tweeter in an internally isolated chamber that includes a front port for improved bass response. The center channel model features a pair of the woofers flanking a single tweeter in a similarly ported chamber. Each speaker is magnetically shielded to prevent interference with video displays, and has a frequency response of 50 Hz – 100 kHz. High quality gold-plated speaker terminals are set into the rear of the stand for convenience and reduced clutter.

The entire CB-SP1200 unit features an attractive seven-coat black lacquer finish that is hand rubbed to a beautiful high gloss finish. An accessory shelf is included to hold a receiver, DVD player, or other electronic components, and an attractive full-width black grille is used to conceal the speakers.

The CB-SP1200 is entirely constructed of sturdy, low resonance MDF for exceptional strength and stability. Setup is incredibly fast and simple, involving no tools at all; the left and right legs simply fold down, and the lower shelf inserted to completely stabilize the unit.

The Onkyo CB-SP1200 display stand and speaker system is currently available at a suggested retail price of $600.

Onkyo, which means 'audio' or 'sound' in Japanese, has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

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EchoStar Communications Corporation announced today that its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service now offers local channels by satellite television to Billings, Mont., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 6 (KSVI), CBS Ch. 2 (KTVQ), NBC Ch. 8 (KULR) and FOX Ch. 4 (KHMT).

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Billings, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its Digital Home Advantage. Starting at $31.99 per month, this package offers new customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and USA Network, plus local Billings TV channels.

DISH Network, with the lowest all-digital price in the nation, also provides digital video recording technologies, international channels and high definition TV to the Billings area.

"The availability of local channels on DISH Network gives TV viewers in the Billings area an even more compelling reason to switch from cable," said Eric Sahl, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "Customers who are fed up with the cable companies' outrageous rate increases now have access to local news, weather and sports via all-digital satellite TV -- only on DISH Network -- at a competitive price."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to 16 counties in the Billings area: Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Garfield, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone.

With the addition of Billings, DISH Network offers local channels in 155 cities and their metro areas, in 50 states nationwide plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.buymydish.com, call 800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) serves more than 11 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last four years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates.

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Patents Demonstrate Breadth of TiVo's Patent Portfolio, Commitment to Developing & Protecting its Intellectual Property

TiVo Inc., the creator of and a leader in digital video recorder (DVR) technology and services, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued TiVo new patents covering important aspects of DVR software and hardware design. TiVo also announced that it has obtained an exclusive license to an early DVR-related patent and has been granted Japanese and Chinese patents. Today's announcement brings TiVo's patent portfolio to 70 granted patents (domestic and foreign). In addition, TiVo has 106 domestic and foreign patent applications pending.

TiVo® brand products and services incorporate significant inventions that were described in patent applications filed by TiVo long before consumers benefited from them. "From the inception of TiVo, we have placed great emphasis on developing, licensing, and protecting our intellectual property, including our patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets," said Jim Barton, co-founder and chief technology officer of TiVo. "As our patent portfolio continues to grow, it will continue to be a strategic asset for the Company."

Barton added, "We are pleased that TiVo continues to receive formal recognition both domestically and internationally for its invention of technologies that have made the TiVo service what it is today – the best, easiest-to-use digital video recording experience available."

DOMESTIC PATENTS ISSUED

The USPTO recently issued patent number 6,850,691 entitled Automatic Playback Overshoot Correction System to TiVo. Among other things, the patent describes a system that compensates for a user's reaction time when the user stops fast-forwarding or rewinding through program material.

The USPTO also issued patent number 6,847,778 entitled Multimedia Visual Progress Indication System to TiVo. This patent describes, among other things, methods for displaying a trick play bar to a user which visually indicates the amount of stored program material or the length of a recording session as well as the user's current position within the stored program material.

Additionally, the USPTO issued patent number 6,792,195 entitled Method and Apparatus Implementing Random Access and Time-Based Functions on a Continuous Stream of Formatted Digital Data, which is a continuation of an earlier TiVo patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,327,418). This patent describes methods of controlling streaming media in a digital device, including the functions that enable DVRs to pause live TV as well as rewind, fast-forward, play, play faster, play slower, and play in reverse television signals cached by the DVR.

The USPTO also recently issued patent number 6,757,906 entitled Television Viewer Interface System to TiVo that describes several aspects of the intuitive TiVo user interface.

TiVo has also acquired the exclusive right to license and enforce U.S. patent number 5,241,428 entitled Variable-Delay Video Recorder known in the industry as the Goldwasser Patent. Filed in March 1991, the Goldwasser Patent is one of the earliest patents regarding digital video recorders of which TiVo is aware. This patent covers devices that permit the simultaneous recording and playback of video material with a variable time delay between recording and playback of a given video program segment.

FOREIGN PATENTS GRANTED

TiVo also obtained new foreign patents. The Japanese patent office granted to TiVo patent number 3615486 entitled Multimedia Time Warping System describing many of the key inventions associated with DVR software and hardware design. Key inventions claimed in the patent include methods for: the efficient and low-cost processing and synchronizing of various multimedia streams in a television signal; a storage format that easily supports advanced TrickPlay capabilities (i.e., pausing live TV, fast-forwarding, rewinding, instant replays, and slow motion); automatically determining the start and end times of a program; creating custom video sequences; and transferring programs to a VCR or DVD recorder.

The Chinese patent office also granted to TiVo patent number ZL 99804757.0 entitled Method and Apparatus Implementing Random Access and Time-Based Functions on a Continuous Stream of Formatted Digital Data, which corresponds to U.S. Patent No. 6,327,418, as well as patent number ZL 00805987.X entitled Data Storage Management and Scheduling System, which describes methods for scheduling and determining conflicts for the recording of programming.

About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), a pioneer in home entertainment, created a brand new category of products with the development of the first digital video recorder (DVR). Today, TiVo continues to revolutionize the way consumers watch and access home entertainment by making TiVo DVR the focal point of the digital living room, a center for sharing and experiencing television, music, photos and other content. TiVo connects consumers to the digital entertainment they want, where and when they want it. TiVo is based in Alviso, California.

Posted by Nana at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With executive leaders from the cable, Internet and satellite markets, Brightcove, Inc., was today unveiled as a new online television and video distribution company where mainstream and emerging video content publishers and programmers can offer their products directly to consumers over the Internet.

Brightcove was established to take advantage of the convergence of the Internet and television, a trend that is spawning the birth of hundreds of thousands of individual programs and channels online. The company will provide an online service that offers video publishers and programmers an Internet distribution channel for their products and will offer consumers a rich set of services for accessing and using this programming. Brightcove executives bring more than 40 years of successful experience from companies such as Allaire, ATG, British Sky Broadcasting (BskyB), Comcast, Macromedia and News Corporation.

"From production and distribution to marketing and viewing, television's business model is undergoing a significant transformation," said Jeremy Allaire, founder and CEO of Brightcove. "We are working towards a world where television and video production and distribution are much more democratized and where a creative spark, a camera, and a computer are all it takes to put television programming before the eyes of the consumer. Hundreds of mainstream video providers will make this transition, and thousands more will be born."

Brightcove also announced today that it has closed $5.5 million in Series A funding from General Catalyst Partners and Accel Partners. The funding will be used for product and service development, business development, recruiting and general operations.

Television and the Internet Converge

The market for Internet television and online video is growing significantly, as demonstrated by trends such as:

• Global adoption of broadband Internet connectivity, creating an unencumbered distribution pipe for high-quality media;
• The proliferation of home networking, connecting multiple PCs, TVs, and other devices to the network;
• The development of rich media formats that provide a quality and secure viewing experience for video across any number of devices;
• The growth of portable devices capable of carrying Internet-based video programming;
• The rapid growth in streaming video and online video and rich media advertising;
• The diminishing cost of producing quality commercial video products using inexpensive PC workstations and software

The landscape emerging from these trends is one that looks very much like the Web and Internet consumers use today; a world of open file formats and platforms available to anyone, unencumbered by physical, geographic or monopolistic constraints. Many of the thousands of companies involved in the production, packaging and distribution of television will make this shift, and many more will emerge, creating an explosion in original video programming.

Brightcove is being launched to capitalize on these converging trends and provide a service that will offer television and video publishers and programmers an Internet distribution channel for their products; and will offer consumers a rich set of services for accessing and using this programming. The Brightcove service will integrate into the broad Internet content ecosystem, and enable and service publishers of all sizes - from video bloggers, to broadcast and VOD startups, to established cable programmers.

"I haven't yet seen any of these startups straddle the whole value chain, and Brightcove might be among the first," said Rafat Ali, Publisher and Editor of Paidcontent.org. "A consumer video service, a back end service, and other allied services needed for everyone from small publishers, like bloggers, to small-to-mid sized media companies and on line VOD startups, to develop and distribute video easily and cost-effectively. In essence, an open-publishing model."

The Brightcove Team

Led by Allaire, the former chief technology officer of Macromedia and co-founder of Allaire Corp, the Brightcove founding team has more than 40 years of combined experience and successful leadership in:

• E-commerce, content management and personalization
• Rich media platforms
• Broadband consumer services
• Cable and Satellite video distribution

As part of the Series A financing, Jim Breyer of Accel Partners and David Orfao of General Catalyst Partners will be joining Brightcove's board of directors. Breyer and Orfao bring more than 20 years of experience building and supporting successful, industry leading entities including Lotus, Apple, Macromedia, Real Networks, Wal-Mart and Allaire Corp.

About Brightcove

Located in Cambridge, Mass., Brightcove (www.brightcove.com) develops services that offer television and video publishers and programmers an Internet-based distribution channel for their television products, as well as a consumer facing service for accessing and using this programming.

Posted by Nana at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Syntax Groups Corporation(TM), manufacturer of the high-quality, affordable Olevia(TM) brand of widescreen HDTV-ready LCD TVs, today announced the launch of its newest 26-inch Olevia model, highlighting Syntax's proprietary "iDEA" digital video processing technology for enhancing consumers' control over picture performance and quality. Syntax will showcase its new "iDEA" technology at DisplaySearch's US FPD 2005 conference.

Syntax's iDEA (Innovative Digitally Enhanced Architecture), a highly integrated System-On-a-Chip, delivers an exceptional solution to digital display complexities commonly associated with color, contrast, sharpness, motion and noise. Through a suite of iDEA's built-in and user-selectable features, the new 26-inch Olevia LCD TV, as well as Syntax's future models, achieves crisp, clear pictures with precise colors and sharp resolution.

"The introduction of our iDEA technology for Olevia LCD TVs further underscores Syntax's commitment to provide consumers with the best possible cinema-like experience at very affordable pricing," said James Li, Chief Executive Officer of Syntax Groups.

Syntax's iDEA technology includes four pre-configured image quality features for a premium HDTV cinematic video experience: