Subscribe to Gizmag's RSS feed
Follow Gizmag on Twitter
DVD
World’s first portable Blu-ray player claims a second first
By Darren Quick
03:16 June 17, 2009 PDT
The Panasonic DMP-B15, the world’s first portable Blu-ray player that first caught our interest at CES 2009, can lay claim to another first. It is also the world’s first Blu-ray player with DivX Certification. DivX compression technology enables over six hours of high-quality DivX video to fit on just one DVD without sacrificing visual quality. So even if your Blu-ray library is a little undersized, you might have to go for the optional 6-hour battery over the standard issue 3-hour job to make the most of your programming options. Read More
Everything you ever wanted to watch … on one super-sized DVD
By Mick Webb
17:26 May 22, 2009 PDT
Until recently, the idea of holding your entire collection of movies on a single super-sized DVD was the stuff of science fiction. According to Australian researchers at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology, advances in their study of nanoparticles have raised the possibility of storing vast amounts of data on the one disc in the not-too-distant future. Read More
China launches rival to Blu-ray
By Paul Best
19:23 April 29, 2009 PDT
Chinese electronics manufacturers TCL and Shinco have launched the first generation of players for China’s own newly developed high-definition video format, China Blue High Definition (CBHD), which is set to rival the existing Blu-ray disc (BD) technology and galvanize the local market. While CBHD and BD have features in common – both use a blue-violet laser to read 12cm high-capacity optical discs – the main difference is centered on price. In China, CBHD players are expected to retail for up to 40 percent less than the cost of BD players. Read More
OWC updates Quad Interface external Blu-ray drive range to 8x
By Matt Kennedy
22:16 February 26, 2009 PST
Other World Computing (OWC), known to many of us as macsales.com, has added an 8x Blu-ray drive to the Mercury Pro external Blu-ray/SuperDrive line - currently the only “Quad Interface” (FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0, & eSATA) equipped Blu-ray drives on the market. Read More
Blu-ray licensing changes offer hope for cheaper players and discs
By Darren Quick
20:34 February 26, 2009 PST
Even though Blu-ray has claimed the honors in the format war with HD DVD, it has failed to set the world on fire in terms of widespread adoption. One of the major factors for this slow uptake can be attributed to the high prices of not only Blu-ray players and recorders, but also the discs themselves. But plans announced by Sony, Panasonic and Philips to create a simplified licensing process for Blu-ray discs could see this change. Read More
High Definition Audio explained
By Tim LeFevre
20:28 December 11, 2008 PST
High definition TV’s and displays offer obvious visual benefits over conventional standard definition sets, but what about the audio side of things? Along with the Blu-Ray and HD DVD formats have come new high definition sound formats to match their high quality picture. To understand what these new high definition audio formats have to offer, it’s important to know how that digital information is stored and transmitted in the audio visual world. Read More
Universal remote control with built-in WiFi, color screen
By Emily Clark
01:17 October 16, 2008 PDT
There’s no point hauling yourself off the couch to go outside only to find that the weather’s terrible, right? The Universal Smart Remote Control from Acoustic Research eliminates the guess work displaying up to date weather information, plus news, sports and TV listings using a built-in WiFi connection. Read More
Philips unveil CinemaOne home theater system
By Darren Quick
02:15 September 3, 2008 PDT
Philips' new all-in-one DVD Home Theater System packs a range of home entertainment features into a distinctive, compact design. The CinemaOne includes an integrated universal iPod dock, built-in subwoofer and DVD player with HDMI 1080p upscaling in a unit that resembles a compacted, upturned trash can – only a lot more stylish. Read More
Aquasolo self-watering system
By Emily Clark
22:48 July 12, 2008 PDT
While you’re on holidays your plants need not suffer with this self-watering system from Aquasolo. The patented device enables users to water plants for long periods, using just a bottle of water and the Aquasolo system. Read More
Sony’s DVDirect DVD Recorder
By Darren Quick
18:01 July 9, 2008 PDT
The Sony VRDMC3 DVDirect DVD Recorder does just what its name suggests – it records to DVDs directly from other sources, and it does so without the need for a PC. The VRDMC3 can record from just about any source such as camcorders, DVDs or VCRs, thanks to the provided USB, Firewire, S-Video and composite inputs. In addition to video, still images can be copied directly from memory card to DVD as a slideshow or for photo storage by using the built-in 5-in-1 card reader. PictBridge compatibility allows the unit to interface directly with a printer and images can be previewed using the 2.5-inch colour LCD that sits on top of the unit. Once selections have been made they can be copied to disc using the large "record" located just below the screen. Read More
LG Digital Photo Frame and DVD Player
By Emily Clark
03:03 July 9, 2008 PDT
LG Electronics has unveiled a new media device coupling a digital photo frame with portable DVD capabilities. The Digital Photo Frame and DVD Player (DP392G) is a single unit image and video display aimed at those seeking an easy way of loading their photos onto a digital photo display. Read More
Firebox VHS to digital video converter
By Darren Quick
22:27 July 7, 2008 PDT
When a new technology usurps a previous one there are often casualties. With the downfall of VHS the casualties were the stacks and stacks of VHS cassettes people had collected over the 30 year period when VHS ruled the Earth. Of course there’s no need to say goodbye to those precious magnetic memories with a range of digital converting options available - but possibly none as easy as that provided by the imaginatively titled USB VHS Converter. Just connect the machine to a PC, pop a tape in the machine, select your desired output format and press play. Read More
Panasonic launches new Blu-ray/DVD range
By Darren Quick
23:31 June 25, 2008 PDT
The DMR-BW500i can record up to 72 hours of Full High Definition 1080p recording onto the built in 500GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or 6 hours 40 min on a 50GB double layer Blu-ray Disc. In addition to video, it can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound broadcasts and Blu-ray movies are played in studio-master quality at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Read More
CD player design straight out of Johnny Mnemonic
By Darren Quick
21:49 June 24, 2008 PDT
While the Compact Disc may be on its last legs, usurped by Flash based personal media players, DVDs and now Blu-Ray Discs, that hasn't stopped South Korean designer Kim Yong Seong turning out an interesting design for a portable music player that supports CDs and MP3 files. Kim has dubbed his proposed design the DMP, short for Dual Music Player, which plays MP3 files in the compact closed position and then flips open to form two arms that support a CD. MP3 files and charging would come courtesy of a USB connection and the device would also do away with messy headphone cables through Bluetooth support. Read More
LaCie updates d2 Blu-ray drive
By Darren Quick
21:46 May 28, 2008 PDT
May 29, 2008 LaCie has doubled burn speeds to 4x for its d2 Blu-ray Drive and has updated the aluminum alloy case and software suite. The multi-format drive records, rewrites and reads 25GB or 50GB BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable), as well as DVD±RW DL and CD±RW and comes fully equipped with Roxio burning software, including Easy Media Creator for Windows, and Toast Titanium for Mac, and dual FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 interfaces. Read More
Pioneer releases BonusView Blu-Ray Disc Player and Elite A/V receiver
By Darren Quick
00:10 May 8, 2008 PDT
May 8, 2008 Pioneer has announced the Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray Disc players and Elite SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH A/V receivers designed to give users that true theater experience in their own homes. The Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc players support next generation high resolution audio and video formats, feature picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform. The new players work in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and new Elite A/V receivers. Read More
World’s first 2.5'' half-terabyte mobile hard drive and 22X DVD burner from Samsung
By Darren Quick
15:26 March 7, 2008 PST
March 8, 2008 March 8, 2008 Samsung has announced that it is shipping the world’s first half-terabyte (500GB) 2.5” mobile hard drive and the industry’s fastest DVD burner. Read More
DYMO DiscPainter CD/DVD printer
By Darren Quick
22:38 March 2, 2008 PST
March 3, 2008 The DYMO DiscPainter CD/DVD printer is a compact dedicated disc printer, optimized for producing high-quality, full-color graphics on inkjet printable discs in about one minute. Discpainter uses DYMO’s patented RadialPrint (or ‘spin’) technology that prints directly onto the CD while it is spinning, creating professional quality graphics quickly from outer edge to inner hub. DiscPainter features three print quality modes that lets users print up to 600 DPI graphics in a minute, and 1200 DPI images in three minutes, while ink density can also be adjusted with nine ink density settings for precise ink control to optimize the quality for the specific disc surface be it matte, glossy or color. One ink cartridge is able to print around 100 discs in a matte or glossy format. Read More
Meridian/Ferrari collaboration yields versatile, all-in-one home entertainment system
By Darren Quick
15:26 December 13, 2007 PST
December 14, 2007 Combining the acoustic and electrical engineering smarts of Meridian Audio with the materials and composites technology expertise of Ferrari, the Meridian F80 is an eye-catching, all-in-one portable home entertainment system that delivers high-end sound and exceptional versatility. Its sculptured, high-tech enclosure design with a deep gloss lacquered finish house an FM/AM and DAB radio, CD player, DVD player and 80 watt, 2.1 digital loudspeaker system and yes - it's available in Ferrari's signature red. Read More
Samsung’s new TruDirect optical disc drive create DVDs without the need for a hard disk
By Darren Quick
15:40 November 20, 2007 PST
November 21, 2007 Korean Electronics giant Samsung has introduced a new optical disc drive - the TruDirect SE-S204S - which allows users to “directly” create DVDs and burn digital content through a PC without the need for a hard drive, providing easy and fast real-time recording from nearly any digital device. Read More
Discovery 3 gets integrated rear-entertainment
20:52 November 5, 2007 PST
November 6, 2007 Land Rover has announced that a fully integrated rear seat entertainment system option is available for Discovery 3. The Alpine system features a six disc DVD player that independently serves twin 6.5inch screens giving each passenger their own viewing or listening choice. Read More
BlueTinum all-in-one “Internet Home Entertainment System”
By Darren Quick
22:55 September 24, 2007 PDT
September 25, 2007 European electronics company BlueTinum has announced the imminent release of what it labels “Internet Home Entertainment System”. Aiming to give consumers a complete solution that covers all the digital audio and video bases, the system combines the features of Internet Radio, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) Radio, MP3, DVD, an iPod cradle, direct PC streaming and good old FM Radio in one package. Read More
Individual Sound Projector from Loewe
22:49 September 10, 2007 PDT
September 11, 2007 Consumer electronics manufacturer Loewe showcased its recently released Individual Sound Projector at this year’s IFA in Berlin. The sound projector is a genuine 5.1 surround sound system that operates from a single device, allowing TV, DVD and other digital sources to be operated from one remote control. The multi-channel surround sound system features integrated cinema settings and over-head effects without the need for any additional speakers or cables and after encountering the system at the IFA, Gizmag can attest that it sounds amazing. Read More
Centurion DiskHub storage device with DVD-RW drive
22:44 August 22, 2007 PDT
August 23, 2007 Digistore Solutions is set to release a new carousel-like optical data storage hub called the Centurion DiskHub. Capable of holding up to 100 disks and including a built in dual layer DVD/CD rewritable drive (DVD-RW) for read/write functionality, the Centurion DiscHub offers a complete backup, archiving, storage and indexing solution. Read More
Robert Ferry
- July 3, 2009 @ 15:42 UTC
