New LG monitor connects via USB

Forget HDMI, VGA or component inputs. The latest LG L206WU display deserves a double take as it allows video streaming via the USB port.

With the help of a USB hub, up to six of these 20-inch LCDs can be linked to a single output source. Though the USB standard has a higher bandwidth than the monitor-out port, it is not really designed as a video connector and as such we have some doubts about the refresh rates via USB.

Fortunately, the monitor includes more conventional jacks like the DVI-D and D-Sub formats. We've put in a request for a test unit to determine if video via USB is a true innovation or just a one-trick pony.

Samsung has launched a similar product--the SyncMaster 940UX--which also allows video connection via USB. It differs from the LG in that multiple displays are daisy-chained for up to a total of six displays.

Other notable features of the LG L206WU include a fast 2ms response rate, 1,680 x 1,050-pixel resolution and high 5000:1 contrast ratio. It is now available in Singapore for S$529 (US$348.03), with other Asia-Pacific markets pending confirmation.

LG's Time Machine TVs take two

LG is taking its second shot at its digital video recorder-equipped flat panels, a.k.a. Time Machine TVs. Available in both LCD and plasma flavors from 42 to 50 inches, these offer 33-hour-long video-recording and time-shift capabilities. The latter allows users to pause and replay live programs just like any regular TV recording.

To address its previous shortfall, the new-gens now ship with a USB Backup function. Implemented via a high-speed USB 2.0 port, this allows recorded clips to be archived onto external hard drives. While this frees up onboard storage space, the exported footage is unfortunately incompatible with computers.

On the brighter side, the above jack supports a variety of multimedia formats. Hook it up with an inexpensive thumbdrive and you could enjoy instant playback of MP3, JPEG and DivX files. The 42LBRT, 42PB4RT and 50PB4RT will be available in Singapore from September. Details for the rest of Asia were pending confirmation at press time.

Say hello to CH-DVD and a 51GB HD-DVD

It's all go in the HD-DVD camp at the moment. Still on a high from the Paramount/Dreamworks deal, we're now hearing that HD-DVD will soon have a 51GB, triple-layer disc on the way. The significance of a 51GB capacity is that it exceeds the current Blu-ray maximum by 1GB.

Obviously, 1GB is nothing more than a token increase, but it's an amusing nose-thumbing by Sony's opposition. Of course, the smile might be wiped from HD-DVD's face if Sony announces a 100GB disc in the near future. There's also a DVD/HD-DVD hybrid disc that has a 4.7GB DVD layer, and two 15GB HD DVD layers, something that could encourage DVD player owners to buy a hybrid disc for future upgrade purposes.

The good news is that the 51GB discs should play in all HD DVD players currently on the market. CNET discussed this with James Armour from Toshiba's optical storage division at CeBIT this year, and were told that although the third layer would be harder to read and generate more data errors, the player's error correction should be able to fix these problems without picture and sound problems.
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StarHub partners ShoZu get chummy with Web 2.0

Alarm bells ring and our inhouse Nabaztag's ears swirl whenever we come across words like "free" and "unlimited". That's the good thing about having a tech pet in the office. It prevents us from succumbing to the treachery of the pay-without-knowing syndrome.

And it seems like one Singapore telco, StarHub, is making a beeline for media-sharing enthusiasts' wallets with its new unlimited uploading service. The catch is you have to be a postpaid customer with the operator and there's a flat S$5.35 monthly fee. Dubbed ShoZu Access, the client-based application allows the user to upload content to popular Web 2.0 sites from their mobile phones without incurring extra charges, other than the monthly fee, of course. And it will run on most Symbian S60, Nokia Series 40, Windows Mobile 5 and 6 handhelds and those which support Java MIDP-2.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to upload content to the Web from a mobile phone. For example, Nokia has added Flickr support to its Nseries handhelds since April 2006, while Sony Ericsson has a blogging option that allows users to post content directly onto their sites. But to be able to upload unlimited content over the air for a low fixed monthly cost, StarHub claims this to be a first in Asia and Singapore.

You'll probably go "whatever" if you've secured a permanent seat in a free Wi-Fi zone or on an unlimited data plan, but this is something worth looking at if you have neither.

Click on the thumbnails for larger screenshots:

New Treo, still no Wi-Fi

We don't want to keep dwelling on it, but Palm won't let us stop. Sure, it's a completely new approach to the Treo, with a screen that isn't touch-sensitive and all, but seriously, Palm, why can't you just give us the connectivity option no other smart phone maker dares to miss out?

Like the Treo 750v, the new Wi-Fi-less Treo 500v is exclusive to Vodafone. It runs on Windows Mobile 6 Standard, similar to what you will find on smart phones like the Asus M530w and Dopod C730. Its features include 3G data connectivity, Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera and the inability to connect to 802.11b/g networks at hotspots.

Admittedly, the Treo 750v had one of the best implementation of Windows Mobile with the user-friendly modifications and addons Palm made. It'll be best if that will apply for the 500v as well. Hopefully, it will also dull the pain of having to incur data charges everytime you need the Internet or emails on your 500v.

So, Palm wasn't lying when it said today's launch is not the Centro. It is actually the Gandolf as leaked in an earlier rumor. The 500v will first be available in Europe from October, and will come in white or gray. There is still no news yet on its Asia availability and pricing.

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