Sony thinks its latest TVs are masterpieces

Ever since flat-panel TVs began adorning walls, manufacturers have assumed that they should be treated like fine art--even to the point of disguising the sets as paintings or antique mirrors. We tend to think that even the most doltish burglar would see through this subterfuge, but maybe we're just optimists.

Sony apparently disagrees, or perhaps it truly thinks that some of its latest LCD TVs deserve to mingle permanently with museum-quality oils. Available on the UK market in screen sizes of 26, 32, and 40 inches, the Bravia E4000 includes a Picture Frame Mode that will automatically display one of six "artistic masterpieces" when the TV is turned off. Or you can load your own photos through its USB connection, though please refrain from displaying gigantic wedding photos for the sake of all involved.

Via CNET Crave

Rumored Xbox 360 dashboard update to use motion control

With Sony releasing version 2.40 of the PlayStation 3 firmware today, it's no surprise that talk about a new Xbox 360 dashboard update has surfaced.

Aside from the normal list of technical updates, this rumored dashboard update will supposedly incorporate an entire new graphical user interface as well. Right now, reports point toward a sort of 3D experience, deviating from the current "blade" system. There's also talk that this alternative GUI will take advantage of some sort of motion-control device yet-to-be-announced by Microsoft.

Kotaku describes the new interface as a nod to the control scheme in the film Minority Report--and now it seems that they were really on to something. They're reporting that the company responsible for the new dashboard design involves the man who actually helped create the motion-controlled effects in the 2002 film. Small world.

We'll get you the latest details on the rumored new Xbox 360 interface as they come. While you're waiting for that, why not tell us what you'd like to see in it?

Via CNET Crave

HD-DVD resuscitated?

Just when you thought there was finally a closure to the bitter-sweet HD format war, we've received more news on the Chinese HD-DVD specifications. These have been updated and officially blessed by the DVD steering committee. With the world's largest population backing, there's a very good chance the defunct Toshiba-led format will make a comeback. CH-DVD uses a combination of HD-DVD as well as Chinese proprietary video encoding, copy protection and technologies.

On a separate note, Toshiba is betting its chips on a new DVD Download/DL standard that promises better picture quality and possible Web content access. The former is widely believed to be based on the Japanese company's SpursEngine 1000 processor, capable of delivering an enhanced video-upscaling performance than existing DVD players. The download element, on the other hand, will bridge Blu-ray's value-added interactivity features with its supposed live Internet connectivity.

Via tgdaily | Photo credit: DVD forum

Asetek offers a new liquid solution to cool those hot video cards

If you think the new generation of video cards, the Radeon HD 4800 series and the GeForce GTX 200 series, from ATI and Nvidia, respectively, are hot (as they actually are, literally and figuratively), then just know that they can be cool, too. Liquid-cooled, that is.

Asetek just announced its first liquid cooling solution, called LCLC, for the latest video cards from the two leading GPU companies. Asetek's new liquid cooling solution is compact yet powerful enough to bring the temperature of the card down to less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit during peak performance. This allows users to run their high-end 3D games or graphics-intensive applications without being bothered by the fan noise or heating up the office, especially during hot weather. This also opens up the GPU overclocking business to a new potential.

Asetek claims its liquid-cooling solution has gone through rigorous environmental testing assurance and can withstand shock, vibration, and thermal stress continuously during up to 50,000 hours (about six years) of operation with absolutely no end-user maintenance required. Furthermore, the new new cooling method is compact enough to make the card take up only one slot instead of two like other bulky alternatives, leaving end-users more slots for other hardware upgrades. This is especially significant in ATI CrossFire or nVIDIA SLI configurations, where multiple cards are used in a single machine.

Now the question is: What's your game?

Via CNET Crave

Mitsubishi's sound projector-integrated HDTV

Why settle for a two-box sound projector and flat-panel HDTV solution when you can have an all-in-one alternative? The new Mitsubishi ultrathin frame series fulfills exactly this proposition, plus a few other icings, including 120Hz anti-judder processing and digital cable TV capability. Going back to the sound projector, it does seem promising with 16 integrated speakers, though the system could have been even better if it's loaded with an automated audio calibration system.

The LT-46149 and LT-52149 ships in July for the US market at US$3,299 and US$3,699, respectively.

Via Akihabara News | Photo credit: Akihabara News

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