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Gizmodo: Last week, Warner Home Video released several titles on both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, allowing a direct comparison of the quality of each. According to High Def Digest Review, there were noticeable differences. And HD DVD got the definitive nod.
“In our first head-to-head comparison, we found the HD DVD to be superior. The unfortunate cropping of the Blu-ray image, coupled with more noticeable compression artifacts and an overall darker cast, can’t compete with the more consistently pleasing presentation of the HD DVD … I must say, our first Blu-ray versus HD DVD comparisons continue to yield surprises. I wasn’t expecting to see much difference in video quality between the two formats with ‘Rumor Has It…’, yet the two discs did bear noticeable differences, with the HD DVD boasting better detail and a more film-like look.”
So, round 1 goes to HD DVD.

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Engadget:  Sony is finally getting serious about quitting the low-profit (for them, at least) world of plasma — and it would appear they’ve finally done it.

Sony has been seeing a sharp decline in shipments, from 300,000 in 2004 to 100,000 in 2005, and profits have been slim due to the lack of their own plasma display factories.  They plan to increase LCD shipments to pick up the slack, and hope to increase their shipment ratio of 40-inch plus LCDs by 50% before year’s end.

They’ve also contracted construction on an eighth-generation LCD plant, which should start production in fall 2007, and handle 50,000 glass substrates a month. Sony hopes to boost LCD sales 33% in 2007 to a whopping eight million units, and if it means bigger displays and lower prices we sure won’t be complaining.

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AV Zombie: The first simultaneous release on HD DVD and Blu-ray will be of the live jazz concert recording Pat Metheny Group-The Way Up Live, from indie software vendor, Eagle Vision.  The discs will debut on 2 October.

Eagle Vision has been filming all its concerts in HD for several years. As well as enhanced picture quality, the company says it intends to feature DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus and PCM Stereo audio on new releases.

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Gentlemen, you’re saved: rocks are out, girls prefer plasma TVs! An American study found out women love technology devices as much as men.
And here’s the ultimate proof: “The study found 86 percent would prefer a new digital video camera to a pair of designer shoes.”
Read the full article at CNN.com.

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Polaroid is bringing out a camera? Been there, done that. Polaroid is binging out a portable DVD player? Now, that is news. Especially since its swivel screen looks so slick. And as Gizmodo put it so nicely: “no shaking required“. We’d like to tell you if the PDJ-0793 is available in Europe too, but our Japanese has gotten worse. Meanwhile, we’ll check these pages from time to time…
(source: Gizmodo)

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Yawn. We’ve seen more speakers for the iPod than Dennis Rodman has tattoos. Only this time Gizmodo points out a truly marvellous set: the Gyanze Kata Mali 01.

“More than just a pretty design with 15 watts per channel emanating from its built-in digital amplifier and auto-on when it detects input from an audio source. It’s built like a truck, too, weighing in at a hefty 12.5 pounds. (…) Don’t worry about it getting too scuffed up either, because it has a special wax coating to keep it scratch-free. The only bad news is its price: $1300″ (€ 1020)

(source: Gizmodo.com)

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It won’t turn you into the next Tiger Woods. But the special edition of the Nokia N93 can improve your golfing skills dramatically. It sports a unique golfing application that allows you to capture your swing. Pro Session Golf has a viewfinder that knows the exact angles and distances from which to video your swing, then allows you to analyse the results and thus improve your game. The Nokia N93 features a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, DVD-quality video capture and 3x optical zoom. The Golf Edition also includes a 1GB miniSD card and a golf instruction DVD. For more info visit the official website. If you buy online it will cost you around 920 EURO. Nokia Nseries is an official sponsor of the European PGA Tour for 2006 and 2007. At some the tour events, visitors will be able to experience the latest Nokia Nseries multimedia computers first hand. (source: T3.co.uk & Nokia.com)

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“Please switch off all electronic equipment such as your mobile phone”. It’s a warning that may well become obsolete very soon.

It is known that OnAir, a joint-venture between Airbus and Sita, has developed an in-flight mobile technology.

The European Union is expected to give go-ahead to airline companies before the end of 2006 for the use of mobile phones on short flights. Air France could be the first to do so in February 2007.

This is your cap’tain calling…

(source: Mobile cowboys)

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Toddler of 5 explaining mummy how the new DVD player works. We’re all familiar with the problem. Get a grip on the situation and study the manual. And in case you’ve lost it, have a peak at this handy site.

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AV Zombie: After a period of restructuring and re-focussing, Pioneer posted a dramatic 20.4 percent gain in revenue and an operating income of 191,676 million yen for its first financial quarter, ended June 30.

The improvement was down to growing interest in its European and North American plasma business as well as accelerating car audio and sat nav revenues.

Sales in its Home Electronics division increased 32 percent year-on-year to 83,451 million yen, with plasma displays accounting for 47 per cent of the revenue.

Pioneer’s operating loss in this segment was 397 million yen, which is a significant improvement compared with its operating loss of 12,358 million yen in the corresponding period last year.

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In most of Europe, the Philips HTS6500 home cinema system is already out since June 2006. But recently the renowned people of Cnet wrote a favourable review. Time to have a closer look.

Bottom line: the unremarkable sound quality of the Philips HTS6500 is outweighed by its winning combination of slick aesthetics, impressive features, and affordable pricing.

Read the full review at Cnet.com
For pricing and availability, please contact your local distributor.

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The Electronic Entertainment Expo. For gamefans it’s Christmas and the World Cup all in one. The world’s largest videogames event is where companies like Sony and Nintendo make key announcements about their latest hardware and games.

Uptil now it was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event will now be evolving into a more “intimate” event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities, the organization announced.

Are we spotting dark clouds above Gameland?

(source: Gamasutra.com)

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