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Home entertainment trends for 2009

Just as CES Expo was getting underway, I go under the weather with a crippling cold. Now I get to reflect on the trends of the year.

CES opens the year with a good example of where the industry is going for the year, and actually the next few years as the newest technologies are usually in their infancy. This year was a bit less flashy (no “biggest screen competition”), but none the less interesting.

Blu-ray Disc has arrived

With every manufacturer not named Toshiba focusing on Blu-ray for optical media entertainment, the format has clearly settled in the market. It appears as if DVD players are on their way out in favor of the new disc format. Everyone from Vizio to Pioneer had Blu-ray players, and several companies had complete line-ups with varying features and price points.

Most notable with the Blu-ray players was the BD-Live prevalence. Only the cheapest players are not Profile 2.0. This is a good move. Now the players compete on quality and connectivity features instead on what codecs it uses, and how you must update firmware.

Also present were several Blu-ray complete home theater systems. Samsung and Sharp had two particularly nice systems.



Flat panel goes on Slimfast

This year it’s all about how small the TV could get. Many of these big flat panel displays were thinner than most picture frames. They’re so small you can’t plug a cable in them, so they use a wireless connection to an outboard media box.

I can’t imagine the problems we’d have with a wireless TV in every room. I also don’t know how you’d place the gear in a closet on the other side of a house.

But they sure are cool!

How small can you go? Panasonic had a 50″ plasma at 7mm deep. That’s about as deep as a CD jewel case. Some LCD panels were slightly thicker than a credit card. That’s thin!

Internet streaming is mainstream

One of the most impressive displays of the show was from Vizio. Don’t tell anybody, but I want to buy a Vizio now. I must be off my rocker, but this display is just too cool. It has built-in WiFi Draft-N to stream Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, Pandora, Rhapsody, Flickr, or any Yahoo! Widget. Presumably sites like CBS.com and hulu.com will be available in the future. And that’s not all, the remote slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard!

Everything is connected to the internet now. From AV receivers to Blu-ray players, televisions to clock radios, you can’t avoid it. Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, Sharp, LG and others also offer video streaming directly to the TV. The idea to have any content any time is finally arrived.

That’s the big trends for the year. Get with the program.

Blu-ray Recordable group buy at CDFreaks

Our friend Zevia over at CDFreaks has notified us that they have initiated a group buy for recordable Blu-ray Discs. So “what is a group buy?” you might ask. It’s an effort to get a large number of people to purchase a particular product or set of products in order to get a volume discount.

In this case, those products are recordable Blu-ray media (BD-R & BD-RE). Prices are significantly lower than retail, so if you are looking for some fuel for that shiny new Blu-ray burner, this might be just the ticket for you.

To participate, head on over to the CDFreaks thread and post your order. Below is a sample of the possible discounts (as long as enough people participate).

25GB BD-R (write once)
TDK 25GB 2x BD-R Printable 20 Spindle. Regular $95, @20% off $76 ($3.80 per disc)
TDK 25GB 4x BD-R Printable 20 Spindle. Regular $98, @20% off $78.40 ($3.92 per disc)
Sony 25GB 4x BD-R Printable 20 Pack. Regular $100, @20% off $80 ($4.00 per disc)

50GB BD-R DL (write once)
Sony 50GB 2x BD-R DL Printable 5 pack. Regular $62, 20% off $49.60 ($9.92 per disc)
TDK 50GB 4x BD-R DL Printable 10 pack. Regular $120, 20% off $96 ($9.60 per disc)

25GB BD-RE (rewriteable)
Sony 25GB 2x BD-RE Printable 20 Pack. Regular $118, 20% off $94.40 ($4.72 per disc)

50GB BD-RE DL (rewriteable)
Sony 50GB 2x BD-RE DL 3 Pack. Regular price $65, 20% off $52 ($17.33 per disc).

Free over the air HD television broadcasts

Last week, I received a new Philips PHDTV1 Silver Sensor UHF/HDTV indoor TV antenna for receiving broadcast television. I purchased this antenna primarily so that I could test out the over the air HD broadcasts of the local television stations located here in Phoenix, Arizona.

Assembly of the Philips PHDTV1 antenna

The device comes packaged in a relatively flat box, requiring some assembly of the unit. Upon opening the box, I found 3 distinct pieces, which easily snapped together to form the final product. A coaxial cable is also included.

Installation of the Philips PHDTV1 antenna

Installation was also a piece of cake, I simply connected the coaxial cable to my Panasonic 42″ plasma HDTV and terminated the other end on the back of the Philips PHDTV1 antenna. I pointed the antenna south bound, as that is where all of the Phoenix metropolitan area broadcasts are located.

After using my televisions’ channel scan feature to program in channels that the antenna was picking up a signal for, I was up and running.

Results and Conclusion

I was pleased to find that the PHDTV1 was picking up a good amount of channels, over 14 digital channels in English, some digital channels in Spanish and many analog channels. The analog reception that I received was relatively poor, but that problem will be insignificant come February 17th as we transition through the digital switchover. At that point, I expect to be able to pick up even more digital channels.

The digital reception is fantastic for most channels. I recently watched an NFL football game and the Golden Globe Awards in High Definition using the PHDTV1. Picture quality is excellent. Both 720p and 1080i broadcasts were received well in my testing. Overall, I have no trouble recommending this Philips unit for others who are looking for a good indoor television antenna.

I picked up this bad-boy on Amazon for $25, but at the publication time for this article, it appears that Amazon has sold out. In place of their own warehouse offering this item, Amazon is now featuring the Philips PHDTV1 sold by Farm & Home Supply Center for $38.84 + shipping. Hopefully Amazon will get more of these in stock themselves in the near future at a lower price.

Pioneer shows new Blu-ray players

Pioneer chairs the Blu-ray Disc Association, yet they never had a consumer-level Blu-ray player … until now.

Showing at the CES expo in Las Vegas, NV are three new Pioneer branded Blu-ray players. The BDP-120 is the entry-level player with a price of $250, clearly priced competitively. A step-up player, the BDP-320, will sell for $400, and a new BDP-23FD Elite-branded player will sell at $600.

Each of the three new players will use HDMI 1.3 HDMI-CEC technology to detect what display it is connected to and make picture adjustments accordingly. This will initially work with ninth-generation Kuro plasma displays but should eventually work with other brands as well. They are all BD-Live players with no less than 1GB internal storage, and a USB port for memory expansion (including bus-powered hard drives).



The BDP-320 and BDP-23FD will offer Pioneer’s exclusive Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS) which works in conjunction with the newly-announced Pioneer A/V receivers, as well as the current Elite receivers. PQLS syncs the audio output of the player with the internal clock of the receiver via HDMI to reduce judder.

Absent these players in the ability to stream video from online services. This seems to be the show item at CES this year with LG, Samsung and Vizio all offering streaming of some sort to Blu-ray players, and several television manufacturers including this in the display itself. Gizmodo does report that Pioneer is aware of this shortcoming and will work to remedy the situation.

It’s good to see many more Blu-ray options are now available.

Toshiba introduces Media Extender HDTVs

This is one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen so far this year. Toshiba is introducing flat panel HDTVs and DVD players which have Microsoft’s Windows Extender for Media Center on board. This will allow you to have multiple TVs in your home connected via ethernet to a central Media Center PC to share content, including high-def cable or satellite, ripped DVDs, internet video, etc.

Press release follows:


TOSHIBA INTRODUCES NETWORK DEVICES DESIGNED TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF THE CONNECTED HOME

CES, LAS VEGAS – January 7, 2009 – Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. (“Toshiba”), announced its new audio/video (A/V) devices with Network Player capabilities, which deliver on the promise of digital convergence in the home. Toshiba is launching this initiative across three product categories – REGZA® LCD TVs, LCD TV/DVD Combos and standalone players – in an effort to meet individual consumer needs.

Toshiba’s new A/V devices offer consumers access to a diverse range of rich content over the Internet. With an extensive library of TV shows and movies, music, sports, and information services such as stock prices and weather forecasts at their fingertips, consumers will be provided with greater flexibility to easily customize and enhance their entertainment experience.

“Toshiba took the initiative to bridge the ways consumers normally access Internet content and entertainment media with the introduction of network devices that will bring the Internet experience to consumer electronic products in the home,” said Yoshi Uchiyama, Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning. “According to a recent study conducted by NPD for Toshiba, a large majority of consumers cite simplicity as the essential issue for adoption of Internet content. Therefore, key to Toshiba’s home network strategy is a focus on simplicity – making it simple to connect, simple to operate and simple to access content. The new line of Toshiba AV devices with Network Players will open up an entire new world of content delivery in a way that consumers will like.”

Getting Connected

Toshiba’s A/V devices with network player capabilities use a combination of two core components, including the Widget Channel, developed by Intel and Yahoo! and Microsoft’s Extender for Windows Media Center.

While consumers may be familiar with widgets from the PC world, TV Widgets, enabled by the Widget Channel framework, now take that simple to use “dashboard” experience and place it into the TV allowing consumers direct access to numerous sources of content simply via their remote control. While some TV Widgets may be pre-installed, consumers now also have the flexibility to customize their experience by adding widgets of their own selection based on their interests or needs. TV Widgets will feature a rich array of content and as more TV Widgets become available, consumers can add them to the Network Players to enhance their assortment.

By integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in Toshiba’s new A/V products with Network Player capabilities, the devices will act as “hubs” for delivery of content anywhere in the home. Using a home network, Extender for Windows Media Center technology allows users to access a wide range of digital content from Windows Media Center on the PC to their big screen TV. Windows Media Center also delivers an extensive amount of Internet TV and movie content, live and recorded TV with the addition of a TV tuner, plus photos, music, home videos and more.

The combination of the two software platforms in one hardware device will deliver on the promise of the new digital lifestyle.

Toshiba will approach the market by offering several choices from which consumers can select the product that best fits their particular needs.

The Network Player capabilities described above are scheduled to be built into certain models of Toshiba’s REGZA LCD TVs. This will provide consumers with easy access to the rich media experience without the need for an external set top box or device.

As the market leader in the LCD TV/DVD Combo category, Toshiba will also integrate the Network Player capability to offer flexibility and simplicity for consumers whether they choose to use it as a primary TV in the home or in the bedroom, kitchen or children’s room.

Toshiba will also develop a standalone player, which acts as a hub for content delivery into the entertainment space. The new player can deliver content directly from the Internet, content from the PC with Extenders for Windows Media Center or from its built in DVD player with 1080p upconversion. With an SD card slot and USB port for added flexibility, the device allows consumers to access their entertainment content in any room of the house and all at a value that consumers have come to expect.

Toshiba’s A/V devices with Network Player capabilities will feature picture quality enhancement technologies, allowing viewers to enjoy a wide range of content upconverted to near HD quality. The new models are planned to ship in the second half of 2009, and product pricing and availability will be announced later this year.

LG unveils new Blu-ray line

Today at CES, LG Electronics announced their 2009 line of Blu-ray products, all featuring Netflix streaming as well as YouTube and pay-per-view video through CinemaNow. I would expect LG to add more streams in the future, possibly from Amazon and others.

A couple of the players also now include wireless networking, a welcome feature for Blu-ray players.

Press release follows:

LG ELECTRONICS DEBUTS FULL LINE OF NETWORK BLU-RAY DISC PLAYERS AND HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

New Devices Deliver Superior Image Quality, Enhanced Entertainment Options through New Content Alliances

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2009 – Building on the success of its BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player – the world’s first Blu-ray player to instantly stream Netflix – LG Electronics introduced two new Network Blu-ray Disc Players (BD370, BD390) and three Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems (LHB954, LHB977, LHB979) with expanded content options and wireless connectivity. The company’s full line of digital audio-video products is on display this week at the 2009 International CES® – Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

Unparalleled Access to Streaming Entertainment

The 2009 Network Blu-ray Disc Players with LG’s “NetCast™ Entertainment Access” offer consumers a virtually endless array of content-on-demand options through new alliances with CinemaNow and YouTube, as well as access to the growing library of HD streaming titles from Netflix. Through its alliance with CinemaNow, the first Web site to offer Pay-Per-View movies from major studios and the first broadband distributor of high definition (HD) content, LG offers consumers access to more than 14,000 titles from the major movie studios, broadcast and cable television shows, more than 250 independent film titles and music videos from all major labels*.

Offering unlimited access to online content, LG’s alliance with YouTube will allow consumers to instantly stream millions of Web videos directly from the Internet to an LG Network Blu-ray Player for viewing on their television (without a personal computer)*. Easy searching, thumbnail previews and multiple screen size viewing options will allow consumers to enjoy endless video content from current events to viral videos at the touch of a button. (For more information on content alliances, see separate release.)

“With LG, consumers do not have to compromise flexible entertainment options for exceptional sound and picture quality,” said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing and strategy, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “Whether it’s through new content or a wireless connection, our new network Blu-ray disc players and home theater systems allow consumers to personalize their entertainment experience.”

Advanced Video-Audio Entertainment Experience

All of LG’s 2009 Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems incorporate advanced technologies and entertainment options that allow consumers to enjoy content on-demand instantly with exceptional sound and video quality. LG’s Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems are BD Live capable, giving consumers access to a wide variety of real-time content via a network connection, such as movie scene extras, new previews, games, chats and more. The line also includes BonusView technology for picture-in-picture access to special features, allowing users to simultaneously watch their favorite movie scenes and added bonus features on compatible discs. Highlights include:

LG BD370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player – The BD370 offers consumers broadband connectivity and advanced audio capabilities with audio format decoding such as Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD for a crisper, clearer auditory experience. Other features include:

• Full HD 1080p Blu-ray disc playback with BD-Live and BonusView
• NetCast™ Entertainment Access
• Netflix instant streaming ready
• Instant access to the latest movie titles from CinemaNow
• A world of entertainment options with YouTube access
• 1080p Upscaling for standard DVD
• Dolby® TrueHD
• DTS-HD Master Audio Essential
• USB Media Host
• Availability: Second quarter of 2009

LG BD390 Network Blu-ray Disc Player – The BD390 boasts all the same core functionalities of the BD370 model but takes performance and connectivity a step further featuring integrated wireless home networking for easy connection to the home network, and 1GB of built-in memory, offering consumers an easier option for enjoying BD-Live content from their favorite Blu-ray movies without the need for a flash drive and discrete 7.1 channel audio outputs for exceptional connectivity and performance. Availability slated for third quarter of 2009.

LG Network Blu-ray Home Theater System (LHB954) – The perfect complement to any movie enthusiast’s home entertainment system, the LHB954 is LG’s first home theater system to incorporate a new spherical speaker design that increases sound clarity and volume throughout the listening space. The high-style and high-performance speakers enhance the pure HD surround-sound experience available from the latest advanced audio formats available on Blu-ray discs. Other features include:

• Full HD 1080p Blu-ray disc playback with BD-Live and BonusView
• 1000W 5.1 channel spherical speaker system
• NetCast™ Entertainment Access
• Netflix instant streaming ready
• Dolby® TrueHD
• DTS-HD Master Audio Essential
• iPod Direct Docking
• Availability: Second quarter of 2009

Installation instructions for the DTV conversion

I found this helpful video which explains everything you need to know to convert to digital by the end of the month. Some of the information is out of date though, the funds for converter box refund checks has run out so you can’t get a free box anymore.