vnunet: Toshiba is working on an extension to the DVD format which will offer video quality comparable to that produced by Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, according to Japanese media reports.

The company plans to begin selling a DVD player based on the new technology within six months, Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported yesterday citing unnamed sources at Toshiba.

The new enhanced DVD players will be sold at lower prices than Blu-ray players, according to the sources.

Toshiba ceded to the rival Blu-ray format in February 2008 after spending years developing its own HD-DVD next-generation video disc standard.

HD-DVD was backed by a consortium of companies including Microsoft and Intel, while Sony is the lead developer of Blu-ray.

The new DVD player will be backwards-compatible with standard DVD discs, according to the sources.

Blu ray HD DVD Toshiba

Crave: The HD Guru has had a long career in the consumer electronics business, including 30 years as VP for a chain of consumer electronics stores. The good news for you is that he’s willing to share some of the knowledge he’s picked up over the years, and his latest blog includes some sage advice on scoring the lowest price when buying a new HDTV.

The HD Guru recommends basically a four-step method:
1) Research TVs online.
2) Go to a major retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City and look at your choices in person.
3) Go back online and find the absolute lowest price on your favorite HDTV.
4) Find a commission-based electronics store, and ask them to beat that price.

hdtv

Brandweek: The collateral damage from Apple’s iPod and iPhone has extended into the car audio aftermarket category. Sales for in-dash units are down 21% for the first four months of the year, per the NPD Group, Port Washington, New York.

To try and tempt consumers to upgrade their car audio units, both Pioneer and JVC Mobile are launching new campaigns.

Pioneer will stray from car audio’s traditional 16-24 male target and attempt to lure older men and women into the fold with four print ads breaking in June.

Apple iPod jvc pioneer

NaviGadget: Garmin yesterday announced Mercedes-Benz Accessories will continue its relationship with Garmin by selecting the nüvi 760 as their latest portable after market navigation solution. The nüvi 760 named the ‘StreetPilot III’ by Mercedes-Benz, is customized with a specially designed mount for the new generation A-Class, B-Class and C-Class cars will be available at dealers across Europe May 2008 for about 550 Euros.

The Mercedes-Benz StreetPilot III (nüvi 760) has been designed with a special dashboard mount integrated into the vehicles electronics allowing for easy access to the touch screen controls and a clear view of the maps and navigational instructions. The design of the in-car mount wires it directly into the car’s electronics meaning there are no visible power cables.

garmin Mercedes Benz Nuvi 760

The Register: Apple is rumoured to be on the cusp of launching a movie downloads service through iTunes right here in the UK.

According to a report by The Times newspaper, “studio sources” have said that Apple will start selling films from four major Hollywood studios: Disney, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox and Time Warner. Some smaller studios, including Lions Gate and MGM, are also thought to be behind Apple.

A specific online launch date isn’t yet known, but the sources apparently revealed that Apple’s not looking to undercut current physical DVD prices. It’s also rumoured that films will be available for both permanent download or rental.

Apple’s been testing the water for online movie downloads since 2006, when it posted a Disney TV movie, High School Musical, on the iTunes Music Store. The 487.1MB film was available to download for £5/€7.

Apple DVD itunes

CNN: JBL Audio has been churning out iPod speakers since the first ones hit the market years ago, and this experience shows.

he company’s latest offering, the JBL On Stage 200iD iPod speaker, features solid sound quality and a funky, futuristic design with a relatively small footprint.

JBL succeeds in improving the On Stage line without making drastic changes, which no doubt helps to keep the price at a reasonable €96.

The style may not appeal to everyone and there’s no FM radio or portable option, but iPod owners after a basic speaker that satisfies the ears should give it a look.

The JBL On Stage 200iD doesn’t strike us as quite as stagelike as its predecessors.

iPod jbl