Zippity up: Leapfrog does kiddie version of Wii Fit

Leapfrog in New York is showing off a few new products, one of which is the Zippity--pretty much a takeoff on the Wii Fit, but for the under-5 crowd. The Zippity was actually co-developed by Leapfrog and Disney and builds on the two companies' existing relationship.

Leapfrog describes the Zippity as a "high-energy learning system" and calls it "the first interactive TV-based gaming system for preschoolers that combines full body movement, music, education, and fun." Leapfrog's trying to move beyond the handheld educational gaming/reading market and Disney is trying to expand its presence in preschool segment with tie-ins to its Playhouse Disney programming. As you might expect, youngsters will take their cues from characters like Mickey, Tigger, and Pooh, and the Little Einsteins.
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2,206 high-power LEDs at your service

Tired of hearing about unaffordable displays that are light years beyond what you have in front of you right now? Yeah, well so am I. Doesn't mean I'll stop reporting on them though, 'cause misery loves company.

At the 2009 Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam, SIM2 Multimedia and Dolby Laboratories unveiled what they refer to as "the latest in high-dynamic-range (HDR)-enabled LCD flat-screen display technology featuring Dolby Vision". Called the SIM2 Solar Series, the new displays will be available in the second quarter of this year.

SIM2's Solar Series is a 47-inch LCD display utilizing Dolby Vision technology. According to SIM2, Dolby Vision features a proprietary algorithm that manages LEDs behind the liquid crystal panel.
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Sony wireless HDMI system looks good, but less stable than Gefen

After years of fits and starts, the first wireless HDMI systems have finally hit the US market. Sony's DMX-WL1 is one of two such systems, along with the Gefen EXT-WHDMI, and after comparing them directly, we're giving the Gefen the higher score.

It comes down to the reliability of the transmissions. Both systems deliver great-looking video, and, in fact, the Gefen, with its minor problems with false contouring, looks slightly worse than the Sony. But we stress "slightly," and the occasional breakup and dropped signals we experienced with the Sony, compared with the rock-solid Gefen, were enough to seal the deal.

The Bravia Wireless HDMI Link still gets a lot of things right. First off, it actually works with all HDMI-equipped gear--not just Bravia TVs. Second, it implements an IR blaster system and a remote control to let you command your components, whether they are across the room or stashed in a tasteful cabinet, with relative ease.

Via CNET.com

VHS over and out in the US

While Panasonic recently announced a new Blu-ray/VHS combo player at CES 2009 last month, the antique tape media is definitely giving up the ghost in the US. The analog format is officially history as the major US VHS suppliers have thrown in the towel since December last year in a market dominated by DVD and Blu-ray discs.

Having said that, the situation is slightly different in Asia. VHS is still pretty much alive and kicking in many parts of our region. Although its popularity is overshadowed by the compact and rigid VCDs in the video rental market, it's widely favored by the locals for its recording capability and superb affordability, especially in the less developed countries.

Via Makezine.com

China's new home-brewed HD format

It seems China is branching into its own disc format yet again despite its earlier futile attempt with EVD or Enhanced Versatile Disc. As an alternative to Blu-ray, the Chinese Government and state-owned enterprises are proposing a proprietary red laser-based Next-generation Versatile Disc (NVD) standard. According to People's Daily Online, HD NVD can hold up to 12GB of data, which is equivalent to around 135 minutes of high-definition programs. For the record, the NVD's current capacity is less than two dual-layer DVDs combined and far from even coming close to a 50GB Blu-ray.

The push for NVD arises from the hefty royalty fee for manufacturing DVD and Blu-ray products. DVD alone has cost the Chinese vendors a staggering US$3 billion in royalties annually. While it makes perfect sense for the Chinese to maximize profit without such overheads, we reckon it will probably be a hardsell convincing overseas movie studios to embrace NVD wholeheartedly. For starters, we doubt Sony, which is behind Blu-ray, will be eager to release its feature films on a competing format. Let's not forget the rampaging piracy from bootleg DVDs to Nintendo Wii ripoffs.

A player from Jiuzhou High Definition is already available in China and is compatible with both NVDs and DVDs. We were unable to obtain information on overseas availability outside the country.

Via Engadget

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