High Definition Hardware

Prison Break meets Saw in the Cell

Today see's the launch of the first episode of a new online drama, The Cell. Kind of Prison Break meets Saw, the series begins as a man wakes up in a cell with apparantly no recollection of how - or why - he got there. Ironically, strapped to the bottom of the toilet is a Cell phone which begins to ring...

Interesting that we are now seeing full series released entirely online, although not sure if the 20 lots of 2 minute episdoes will go down well - if its anything like any of the other "end on a cliffhanger" series still doing the rounds, many may wait and watch the whole lot at once.

See more at thecell.tv

Via Digital Spy

BBC HD to extend broadcast hours in September

The BBC has confirmed that, during September, the HD channel will begin programming at 7pm on weekday evenings, and earlier at weekends, with the view to expanding programming even further before the end of the year.

Coverage of the Beijing Paralympics is currently a highlight on the channel, but it's worth noting that extended viewing hours doesn't necessarily mean more current high definition programming. Having said that, the BBC has also confirmed that "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" is now airing in high definition, and the BBC in particular continues to invest into creating original drama in high definition (such as Mutual Friends) as well as a selection from other genres.

(Via HDTVUK)

Onkyo launches three new HD home cinema receivers

Onkyo has announced it is launching three new high definition capable home cinema receivers.

The TX-SR576 and TX-SR506 models, costing £300 and £250 respectively, are full 7.1-channel home cinema receivers both featuring seven channels of 130W power output, three HDMI ports (only v1.2a) and one output.

They also offer audio decoding of Dolby Digital Plus/DTS ES on the TX-SR576, plus Dolby Digital EX, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, and DTS Neo 6, MP3/AAC music optimiser, Audyssey Dynamic EQ loudness correction, and iPod compatibility.

The TX-SR606 home receiver succeeds Onkyo's popular TX-SR605 released last year, and offers seven channels of 140W power output, four HDMI v1.3a inputs and one output, 720p/1080i upscaling, onboard audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, bi-amping capability, music optimisation and Audyssey Dynamic EQ and will be available for £400 from May.

(via HDTV UK)

Humax to offer freesat HD digibox on launch

Humax is claiming it will be the only company to have a high definition freesat set-top box available when the service launches in the next month or so.

Manufacturers are prohibited from publishing details about their hardware offerings until freesat publicity ramps up however Humax's commercial director Graham North has said high definition will be the service's key selling point over Freeview.

Humax will not provide a standard definition receiver, which makes sense given their enthusiasm for HD. A PVR will follow a few months later.

(Via HDTV UK)

PS3 firmware v2.30 is now available

The frequent firmware updates for Sonys Playstation 3 are certainly a plus for all PS3 owners and have already proven that the PS3 can easily match its rivals as far as longevity is concerned in the fast moving world of consumer electronics. PS3 firmware 2.30 is released today and Sony have delivered us a new look PlayStation Store (definately required) and DTS-HD Master Audio sound reproduction sure to make audiophile-types lean in for a listen.

Reports suggest the Store is a bit sluggish at the moment, something that's likely to get sorted once the rolling update is completed. Nevertheless, users are claiming easier navigation and richer experience.

The addition of new features such as the DTS-HD decoding is a real plus point and puts the PS3 right back up there with the best dedicated Blu-Ray players.

(Via Engadget)

Bert and Ernie go HD

US children's programme Sesame Street is celebrating its 39th series by going high definition.

Airing in the US from 11th August, the Sesame Workshop's production has been helped in part by Sony, which has provided high definition cameras and switches.

"The decision to shoot in HD has been so exciting because it has brought 'the Street' to life, making our neighborhood of adults, children, monsters, grouches and 8-foot birds come alive," said Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street.

Whether we'll ever get to see Big Bird or Bert and Ernie in high-def in the UK we will have to wait and see, but there's no doubt that technological advances in childrens TV are being taken just as seriously as TV for us big kids.

(Via HDTV UK)

Denon launches AVC-A1HD high end integrated AV amp

Denon has launched a new flagship home cinema integrated AV amplifier, the AVC-A1HD based on their AVP/POA-A1HD separates.

The AVC-A1HD is feature packed offering THX Ultra2 certification, with 7 channels x 150 watts of full bandwidth high-current power.The AVC-A1HD has a HDMI 1.3a repeater with six inputs and two outputs, 1080/24p passthrough, REALTA sxT2 HQV processing, Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoders, Deep Colour and xvYCC support, auto lip sync, 12 channel preamp, fully networkable for media streaming, Internet radio, and auto set-up and room EQ.

As usual, there's a whole host of specifications related to the sound quality and futureproofing, further information can be found at Denon's web site.

Expect to pay around £3,799.99.

(Via HDTV UK)

PS3 finally gets DTS-HD Master Audio support for Blu-ray

Sony has announced the next firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3, due on the 15th April will finally add support for DTS-HD Master Audio on Blu-ray discs.

DTS-HD MA has long been favoured by Fox for its movie releases. With a bit-rate up to 24.5 Mbps, the system can deliver 7.1 channels of 96k/24-bit audio, equal to Studio masters.

This is particulary good news for those of us with an AV receiver that can accept PCM over HDMI but cannot decode new HD Surround sound formats itself - the PS3 will do the decoding and pass the PCM to the receiver.

Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the DTS Consumer Division, says: “We are extremely pleased that Sony Computer Entertainment is adding the full spectrum premium DTS-HD Master Audio codec into the PS3 so that more than 10 million owners of one of the best selling computer entertainment systems can have the best sounding, most efficient and flexible audio technology available as well.”

Teiji Yutaka, Senior Vice President for Sony Software Platform Development, adds: “PS3 was designed to enable delivery of new and improved technologies like DTS-HD Master Audio, so we are delighted to be able to offer this capability to PS3 users.”

AgfaPhoto DV-500Z - 720p capable camcorder

AgfaPhoto has released a camcorder, the DV-5000Z , capable of recording 720p high definition content onto SD/SDHC media.

The DV-500Z features a five megapixel Micron CMOS sensor, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD, and 3x optical zoom. Footage is captured in the H.264 format, with sound coming in a 16-bit stereo variety.

I n terms of size its pretty small at around 12 x 7 cms and weighs only 200g. Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery. The DV-500Z has both USB and video out connectors, and will cost consumers around €249 (about £200).

It will launch in Russia later this month, but no word of when or if it'll come to the UK.

(Via HDTV UK)

Hyundai launches first 3D HDTV in Japan

Electronics giant Hyundai has announced that it will begin selling a 3D-capable high definition TV in Japan today.

The 46-inch set will be able to pick up experimental 3D broadcasts from Japanese cable company BS11 Digital.

The set will only be availalbe in 23 shops likely due to its steep price and limited appeal. It will cost Japanese consumers around £2,500.

Other specs revealed include 1,920x1,080 resolution, 1,200:1 contrast ratio, and two HDMI inputs.

In order to get teh full 3D effect viewers will need to wear special glasses...

(Via HDTV UK)