Giant screens are in, not spending money on crazy stuff is out

With the U.S. economy in the toilet and the world facing increasingly uncertain times, it's good to know that you can still go out and buy an array of twelve 24-inch monitors for US$13,000.

On Wednesday, CineMassive announced the OmegaPlex an "Ultra High Resolution Multimonitor Desktop Display Wall." If you're into world domination, you're probably gonna want one of these. For everyone else, well, that will depend on your salary level and, possibly, your sanity.


For those of you that are interested--you rich, crazy, sociopaths you--CineMassive insists that viewing images on this thing can only be described as "having a personal Imax."


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Panasonic's Free Angle HDMI cables: Cool, but there are cheaper options available

At first glance, Panasonic's Free Angle HDMI cables look to be the perfect solution for HD connections in tight spaces. The cables--available in lengths of 1.5 and 3m--are so named because the HDMI plugs on each side can rotate up to 180 degrees. That means you can fold the plug down to a 90-degree angle with the cable (as shown), allowing it to fit into spaces as tight as 30mm--ideal for wall-mounted TVs, for instance.

The cables worked just as well as standard HDMI cables in a quick and impromptu test. The only problem, then, is the price: US$60 for the 1.5m, US$80 for the 3m. Since we at CNET always opt for the most affordable HDMI cables possible, we're more accustomed to paying US$10 or less. But we do like the flexibility offered by the Free Angle cables.

One possible solution: the HDMI Port Saver at monoprice.com. Available for less than US$5, these dongles add an L-shaped terminus to any standard HDMI plug. Pair two of those with a 2m HDMI cable (about US$13), and you'll be paying less than US$27 total--and that includes shipping and handling. That's a savings of more than US$50 versus the similarly sized Panasonic offering.

Just two things to keep in mind. First, we haven't personally tested the Port Savers; we're assuming they work well based on the simplicity of the design and the positive user reviews. Secondly, note that the Port Savers aren't flexible like the Panasonics. Instead, they're locked into 90-degree and 270-degree versions--basically, pointing "up" or "down." They're also available in "vertical" orientations as well (90-degree, 270-degree). In other words, pay careful attention to as to which direction your HDMI ports are configured, and purchase accordingly.

Via CNET Crave | Photo credit: Panasonic

HK is top Asia country in IPTV penetration

Business research & consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has just published a study on IPTV uptake in Asia Pacific. Based on the news release, Hong Kong and China are leading the pack from end 2007 with 1.02 and 0.93 million subscribers, respectively. Out of the 13 countries involved in the study, eight have already rolled out their commercial IPTV services with a combined subscriber base of 4.1 million in 2007. The growth for the region is projected at 22.4 million by end 2013.

According to its research analyst Adeel Najam, the telecom operators will need to penetrate the market with an offensive approach, complete with a content acquisition strategy to successfully attract the cable and satellite TV subscribers. Some of the differentiators of IPTV over other pay-TV platforms include Internet-based services such as online bookings, banking and network gaming.

It's expected that the increased competition in the overall pay-TV market will encourage new innovative value-added services and local content production.

Photo credit: Singtel

Economy down, TV sales up

US sales in a couple of key gadget categories will rise despite the economic downturn, the Consumer Electronics Association predicted Tuesday--and no, CEA wasn't talking about calculators and sawed-off shotguns.

During an industry Webcast titled "Economy in crisis: How we got here, where do we go from here and what does it mean for consumer electronics and your business", the CEA said flat-panel TVs and gaming hardware should do well during the upcoming US holiday season even as the local consumers rein in their dollars amid the current financial uncertainty.

Maybe a shiny new monitor could help take our worried minds off terms like "credit default swap". Or more possibly, the CEA suggested, many people will be waiting out the crisis at home rather than traveling or spending money on nights out.
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Xbox X08: Cool games, hot babes and head jamming

Remember X06? Well, the Xbox gaming event is back again from October 24 to 26 in Singapore. X08 is taking place at Marina Square shopping mall atrium, featuring a huge lineup of over 30 Xbox 360 current and upcoming games and hot bargains. There will also be special guest appearances and activities. Here's a quick rundown of the key highlights.

Preview and purchase some of the key Xbox 360 titles slated for the year-end holiday release: Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Fallout 3, Guitor Hero World Tour, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Tom Clancy's EndWar, Need For Speed Undercover, Midnight Clue Los Angeles, Saints Row 2 and Darksiders: Wrath of War.

For special guest appearances, get up close with Alison Carroll, the new Lara Croft for the action-adventure Tomb Raider game and movie franchise. For shutterbugs, get your photo taken with Miss Maxim 2007 when you flash your Xbox copy of Midnight Club LA to the IAHGame booth.

There's also an Xbox Live Fan Nite. You get to meet up with Xbox Xpert Sheylara and jam with the local Singapore pop-rock group Electrico at the exclusive Xbox fan party on October 24. Plus be the first in town to sample Guitar Hero World Tour and pit your skills against Electrico.

Click for larger images:



Photo credit: Microsoft

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