Philips ultra-widescreen 21:9 TV unveiled

We already knew this was coming, but now we have actual pics that give a better sense of its scale.

Philips introduced its new Cinema 21:9 TV with a wider-than-widescreen display at a press event in London. Our favorite blokes at Crave UK were in attendance and snapped a few frames of the "mutant telly"

Head over to the photo gallery, as well as their take on the trouble of a new viewing format.

Via CNET.com

Sony OLED TV finally lands in Asia UK

It seems like the extremely pricey Sony XEL-1 is finally launching in the UK despite the current economic downturn. As if that's not peculiar enough, who would have expected the Japanese company to offer this two-year old OLED TV at a whopping US$4,950. For that price, you're obvious better off with an LED-backlit LCD TV or a Pioneer Kuro which are far more practical than the Sony's puny 11-inch screen with comparable contrast performance.

Having said that, there're the usual bragging rights for the XEL-1's dangerously thin 3mm-thick display panel and cutting-edge OLED technology. Well, at least the Britons have an option unlike we folks in Asia outside Japan. Hey Sony, we have many high-rollers and multimillionaires here, too.

Via Ubergizmo

Good sign for Blu? Blu-ray theft on the rise

It's never good news that your products are being stolen, except maybe if you're selling Blu-ray. Video Business has an excellent story on rising theft of Blu-ray Discs, and how retailers are taking action to stop it. According to the article, the percentage of stolen Blu-ray Discs compared to total sales could be in the double digits, where the same statistic for DVDs is around 1.5 percent. The article also mentions that retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart are storing the discs in special security cases to make them more difficult to steal.

It's not that surprising that Blu-ray discs are popular with thieves, given their small size and relatively high price. Of course, the reason it's good news for Blu-ray is that it means that people actually want Blu-ray Discs, regardless of whether the thieves are keeping the discs or selling them. The most persistent argument against Blu-ray is that consumers just don't care about the new technology, and this seems to be another data point indicating that's not the case.

Via CNET.com

Standalone sub going wireless, too

The wireless craze is spreading fast and furious with standalone subwoofers being the latest A/V product joining the foray. The new Polk Audio PSWi225 bucks the trend by featuring an external 2.4GHz radio frequency transmitter and integrated receiver to deliver a hassle-free bass boombox. To push the easy-to-set up proposition one step further, the PSWi225's transmitter has automatic input-sensing capability that seamlessly toggles between its analog stereo and sub (LFE) inputs.

The compact (316 x 330 x 317mm), but powerful 100W PSWi225 is priced at US$399 in the US. There were no details on Asia pricing and availability.

Via Widescreen review

Optoma shrinks its new projector

Imagine big-screen entertainment on the go with the size of a gadget that slides effortlessly into your pocket. The 50 x 103 x 15mm and 108g Optoma Pico delivers exactly that with a built-in battery, integrated loudspeaker and a rated 60-inch projection. The secret behind the Pico's compact design and extended 20,000-hour product life is a new LED-based light source.

A single battery charge on the Pico via AC or USB will last around 2 hours which is perfect for playing back a full-length movie through its composite A/V inputs. There're also optional kits for a convenient one-cable interface with an iPod, iPhone and Nokia handsets. The DLP-powered Optoma Pico is now available in Singapore for S$699 (US$502.84). We did not receive further information for its availability in other Asian markets.

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