Tiny projector can fit in your pocket

It's not exactly Bat Cave material as far as home theater gear goes, but this tiny projector could do in a pinch if you need to make a presentation in a hurry.

Don't expect state-of-the-art quality--it's being sold on a site called Drinkstuff, after all--but this one has a few practical aspects worth noting. The "Micro Projector" is a pocket-size gadget that has an SD slot so you can view anything directly from a memory card used with a digital camera or other handheld device.

Best of all, it runs on four AA batteries so you don't even need to hunt around for an outlet. So fair warning: If you see a new proud parent pulling one of these out, it's time to run the other way.

Via CNET Crave | Photo credit: Drinkstuff

Apple iMac G4 resuscitated

The cute eggy Mac computers are back in production? Err? Not quite, actually. But the Touch Interactive hybrid DVD player and display unit is about the closest clone to the iconic iMac. An industrial design which is meant to "regenerate the look and feel of a home entertainment system through design of a new generation DVD system", this revised concoction offers a 19-inch screen and a cool disc slot-in drive.

Via bornrich.org | Photo credit: Touch Interactive

DTS-HD could blow your speakers!

Yes, literally, according to AVS forum members playing selected DTS-HD Master Audio (DTS-HD MA) Blu-rays. There have been user reports and even a video of the "nasty" bang. One case was encountered on a Panasonic DMP-BD30 and Onkyo TX-SR705 combination, while the titles involved ranged from Fantastic Four and Chronos to Golden Compass and 1408.

Personally, I have tried Fantastic Four numerous times, DTS-HD MA decoded on my home Onkyo TX-SR875, but have yet to see my Mission speakers up in smoke. Perhaps the infamous but harmless pops common among the Onkyos have made me prudent but it's nevertheless a good idea to be cautious, too.

So the next time you test drive a new DTS-HD MA disc, just remember to take it easy on the volume dial. This is especially for those reference-level mavericks who like their movies "loud and explosive". And yes, I'm one of them!

Via AVS forum | Photo credit: DTS

Asia to tentatively get Kuro LCDs in H2

Surprise! Instead of introducing only LCD TVs, Pioneer has set its sight on home theater projectors as well. These have been officially documented in its latest European press release. Now we're looking at a barrage of 1080p Kuro-branded displays ranging from four nine-gen plasma TVs to 32-, 37- and 46-inch LCDs and a LCoS-based home theater projector.

For those closely following its fortunes, the LCD panels are sourced from Sharp, while its new beamer bears cunning resemblance to a JVC DLA-HD100. According to its Asia office, the company "may" bring in the LCD TVs earliest in October, but have no concrete plans for the projector. It is still studying the market proposition for these new products and will be ready to share more details in the coming weeks.

Via hdtv origin

Can Sony get 50 percent market share for Blu-ray this year?

Maybe that price cut in Blu-ray players is coming sooner than we think because Digitimes is reporting that Sony has set some very ambitious goals for Blu-ray in 2008. And by ambitious I'm talking a 50-50 split with DVD.

The short article, which carries the headline, "Sony looks to 50 percent global market share for its Blu-ray products in 2008", says that "Sony will offer Blu-ray Disc (BD) devices in a wide range of product lines and prices and aims to increase the global market share of its BD products from 20 percent currently to 50 percent by the end of 2008".

It also summarizes some remarks that Sony president and electronics CEO Ryoji Chubachi made recently at a press conference in Taipei.

DVD and BD currently account for about 80 percent and 20 percent, respectively, of global demand for movie discs, Chubachi indicated. The new BD devices to be offered by Sony include models integrating an HD LCD TV with BD recording functionality, Chubachi pointed out.
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