JVC bailing from the Japanese home LCD TV market?

Apparently, this is the latest development from JVC, according to a Nikkei report based on insider information. Bruised but not completely beaten in the game, the LCD TV manufacturer has other plans for its ailing Japanese market share. Citing fierce competition, it has chosen to focus instead overseas on markets such as the US and Europe.

Once cash cows, prices of these LCD and plasma TVs have spiraled in recent years. This has forced many vendors to reconsolidate their business in a bid to remain competitive. To date, victims of the "flat-panel bubble" burst have included Fujitsu which recently withdrew from the plasma TV business.

Via Reuters | Photo credit: JVC

Samsung LCD technology, Armani design

The Giorgio Armani-Samsung phone was just the tip of the iceberg. Now, the tie-up is hawking a new Samsung-powered Armani-designed LCD TV. For self-conscious socialites, this means more opportunities to fling their fortunes beyond the Italian's latest summer collection right into their living room. That said, we're struggling to single out the Armani connection, save for the fashion house's tiny backlit logo on the panel.

What's apparent is that the Armani/Samsung LCD TVs will be available in both 46- and 52-inch sizes, shipped with motion-sensing lighted primary and secondary remotes. They will also have full-HD resolution, 100Hz picture refresh rate technology, as well as standard HDMI jacks.

According to Akihabara News, the 46-incher is slated for a mid-summer launch in Europe, Korea and Russia. Its 52-incher equivalent will follow in late summer. No info for the rest of Asia was available at press time.

Via Akihabara news | Photo credit: Akihabara news

DTS-HD for PS3 in three easy steps

If you have a Sony PlayStation 3 and an HDMI 1.1 (and above) A/V receiver, it's high time to tap the console's newfound DTS-HD support. It allows those highly sought-after soundtracks on Blu-ray to be played back in their full master-recording glory, in up to 7.1 channels of better-than CD-quality surround sound.

Here're three easy steps to prep your console:

1. Upgrade to the latest firmware 2.3 (if you haven't).
2. Set BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) to Linear PCM.
3. Set Sound output to HDMI/Linear PCM 5.1/7.1.

For an impromptu check on selected soundtracks, hit the Triangle button on the controller and fire up the onscreen info display. Verify that you're playing either "DTS-HD MA" or "DTS-HD HR". You could also perform a similar check from the receiver end, but do consult your user manual to pull up the received HDMI signal format.

Just a quick note: This setup will work equally well for both Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus, too.

Click for pictorial instructions:

Wii Fit craze set to launch May 19

Rumors have been circulating for several weeks that the upcoming Nintendo interactive fitness game, Wii Fit, which comes bundled with the Wii Balance Board peripheral (pictured), would be priced at US$89.99. Well, now that number has become official along with the not-so-secret May 19 launch date.

According to Nintendo's press release, Wii Fit boasts, "A dynamic mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balance activities, Wii Fit provides consumers with a fun, easy, and affordable way to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Using the included wireless Wii Balance Board accessory, every member of the household can step up and stay active, setting individual fitness goals and tracking their progress over time."

If you happen to live in or around New York, it's worth noting that from April 18 through 20, the "first 1,000 consumers who place a US$5 deposit for Wii Fit at the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Plaza will receive a limited edition Wii Fit T-shirt featuring the image and reproduced autograph of legendary Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto".

Nintendo says it's already sold 1.4 million Fit kits in Japan and chances are the bundle is going to do very well in North America. Will Fit match the success of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, which also carry somewhat hefty price tags? Hard to say. What do you guys think? Can casual gaming translate into buns of steel?

Via Crave CNET

A second life for your hi-fi speakers

Are you a hi-fi or home theater junkie? If you've mounts of equipment stashed in the cellar, that you're too nostalgic to throw away, here's an idea from Website Hack N Mod to give vintage tower speakers a second lease of life. What's more, it's straightforward and as easy as it can get for a D.I.Y. project. Simply rip out the interior of the speaker cabinet, throw in some shelving, bolt on a set of hinges, and you're done!

Perfect for Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs, the capacity will depend largely on the size of your boomboxes. That said, this is obviously not for magnetic media like your VHS and DV tapes, unless you want them wiped clean for new recordings. How's this for a weekend project? Hmm, maybe we should have posted this up on a Friday instead. DUH!

Via Bornrich.org | Photo credit: Hack N Mod

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