More updates on Samsung's HD players

If you haven't heard, Samsung has axed the BD-P2400 and is delaying the worldwide launch for its dual-format BD-UP5000. The good news for HD wannabes in Asia, however, is the BD-P1400 which is slated for release in Q4 2007. Though we were warned that these launch dates are tentative, the Korean company has lined up the BD-P1400 and BD-UP5000 for November and December, respectively. There are currently no pricing details, but you can expect an emerging price war with another upcoming universal HD player that we have on our radar.

What's cool about Samsung's new HD entries are their unique capabilities. The third-generation BD-P1400 will join the Pioneer BDP-LX70A as one of the rare Blu-ray players to support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio bitstream outputs. The highly anticipated BD-UP5000 does one better by delivering a player that supports both HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs. It's also outfitted with a videophile-grade HDV processor which pretty much guarantees better quality DVD video upscaling. Both sets are loaded with Ethernet ports which make them potential players for interactive content (HDi and BD-J) downloading.

Do note that the actual shipping units of the new Samsung players may be differ slightly as some of the features mentioned above are based on preliminary specifications we received at the IFA tradeshow earlier this year.

LG gives its HTIBs a champagne glass facelift

When it comes to aesthetics, you can trust the Koreans to go over the edge with fancy designs. It started off with the Samsung Bordeaux-series LCD TVs with their wine glass-inspired flat panels and now we have LG following suit. As part of its Design Art home theater systems, the electronics giant is launching two models featuring speakers modeled after a champagne glass. Each of these sleek tall-boy speakers is dressed in stylish piano black and has a two-way design with dedicated tweeter and woofer for better sound reproduction.

Though we believe LG could have done a little better than naming them HTZ62TZ and HTZ762PZ, these sexy home-theater-in-a-box sets are, nevertheless, equipped with all the latest technological bells and whistles. Both pack powerful 700W digital audio amplification, offer 1080p DVD upscaling and ship with Simplink-ready (HDMI-CEC) HDMI terminals. Onboard USB playback has not been forgotten, too, though we are still awaiting confirmation on its capabilities.

The S$799 (US$587.50) HTZ62TZ and S$699 (US$513.97) HTZ62PZ are perfect complements for its LB9R-series LCD TVs from the same product line and are now available in Singapore. There was no further information on launch details for the rest of Asia.

The high and low of Halo 3 Legendary Edition

Yes, we know this highly anticipated Xbox 360 game was launched recently in Asia, but how about the Halo 3 Legendary Edition? This US$129.99 package has the software bundled with an authentic replica of a Halo Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI helmet, storyboard art from artist Lee Wilson and a pair of supplementary DVDs. So far so good? We are sure Halo fans would love to lay their hands on a set, but according to the Singapore Microsoft office, it will not be heading our way anytime soon due to limited worldwide supply.

All is not lost, though. You will still have a chance to bag one either by participating in the company's events (read: Lucky dip) or pay good money through parallel importers. We narrowed down a couple of Singapore online dealers offering it for a cool S$359 (US$263.97). That's more than twice the original US price after factoring in currency conversion, but hey, remember the Visa advertisement slogan? We are talking about a priceless experience for your Halo 3-crazed partner this Christmas. Or, even for yourself.

Answer the phone with a universal remote

We've long had a love-hate relationship with universal remotes (mostly hate), so we're conflicted over how to view this model being developed in Australia. On one hand, we hold the general view that most universal remotes are evil, as they rarely work as promised; on the other, a version like the "Telemax III" would come in mighty handy because it has a built-in handsfree phone--which, in fact, might be the only way we'd ever answer a call while watching TV.

The Telemax is still only in prototype stage, though designer Tiller + Tiller hopes to have it in production worldwide by 2009 or so. The only thing that seems a little weird is its form, which Gizmag describes as "shaped like a small tray". Then again, it could be a good way to hold a bowl of chips.

Via Crave CNET

LG refines plasma's contrast via "G" platform

Getting tired of reading news on LCD TVs? Here's an interesting piece from LG for you plasma advocates. The Korean company has a new "G" platform plasma TV now on display at FPD International 2007, Japan. What is interesting here is the set's over-the-top 30,000:1 contrast ratio. It's unclear whether this is tied to its dynamic or native performance, though it is definitely ahead of the 20,000:1 rating promised by the latest Pioneer Kuros. If that's not enough, there is also 100Hz frame rate-doubling technology which should further reinforce plasma's already strong motion reproduction.

Available in various sizes from 32- to 60-inches and resolutions up to full-HD, these new-gen plasma TVs are slated for release from Q4 2007.

Via Fareastgizmos.com

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