Sep 2 Podcast #494: Reflections, Streaming Movies and IFA
Podcast Tags: Amazon VOD, Netflix 
IFA is essentially the Consumer Electronics Show of Europe. It is held in Berlin, Germany and is attended by most of the same companies that attend CES. Although we couldn’t attend this year, we have been eagerly eyeing press releases coming over from Germany. Here are a few that caught our attention.
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
Blu-ray Reviews:
News:
- Starz Won't Renew Netflix Streaming Deal
- Sharp Vies for an Edge in TV Market
- Netflix by the Numbers
- LG cuts spending by 25% as iPad, smartphones lower TV demand
- Sony’s 3D HDTV Headset: Hey, This is 3D Even I Like!
Other:
- What is Cinavia technology and what does it do?
- New Whole-House DVR On Tap From DISH
- Blockbuster Canada going out of business
- How to rid your HDTV of reflections
- Streaming Services Compared: Amazon, Hulu Plus, iTunes, Netflix and VUDU
IFA 2011
IFA is essentially the Consumer Electronics Show of Europe. It is held in Berlin, Germany and is attended by most of the same companies that attend CES. Although we couldn’t attend this year, we have been eagerly eyeing press releases coming over from Germany. Here are a few that caught our attention.
Samsung First to Launch YouTube™ 3D content for Smart TV at IFA 2011
Samsung Smart TV Zone to exclusively exhibit newly updated YouTube on TV application featuring YouTube 3D content for Samsung booth attendees at IFA 2011.
Using an updated, intuitive user interface specifically optimized for large screen devices and Smart TVs, YouTube on TV has simplified login and search screen functionality-allowing consumers to more easily browse, view, save and rate their favorite content. The service now includes a "personalized profile" which provides users with tailored recommendations based on their individual interests and previous search terms. The YouTube on TV service for Smart TV provides consumers with an expanded home entertainment experience-one that is completely customizable, interactive, immersive and can be enjoyed from the comfort of the home.
The new YouTube on TV app with 3D will be available on 2011 Samsung Smart TV and BD Player globally in the 2nd half of 2011.
Rovi launches DivX Plus Streaming
Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) today unveiled DivX Plus® Streaming, a secure adaptive streaming solution for the delivery of a feature-rich, premium digital entertainment experience to connected devices including HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, smartphones, game consoles, PCs, Macs, and cable set-top boxes. DivX Plus Streaming not only delivers video content in high quality, but also supports advanced multimedia features that have historically only been associated with Blu-ray Discs. In order to enhance the digital entertainment experience, DivX Plus Streaming includes support for 1080p high definition, subtitles, multiple language tracks, and trick-play features such as smooth fast forward and rewind, quick-start playback, and the ability to resume playback across devices. The DivX Plus Streaming SDK is available today for retailer, CE, and IC manufacturer integration and is being demonstrated at the Rovi booth at IFA, September 2-7, (Hall 25, Stand 146).
“Designed for easy, lightweight implementation, DivX Plus Streaming is designed to help make it possible to bring a more advanced streaming experience to over-the-top services,” said Corey Ferengul, EVP Products at Rovi Corporation. “Utilizing proven technology, DivX Plus Streaming can reach a wider range of connected consumer electronics devices, help CE manufacturers drive device sales, and allow content owners and distributors to maintain security while delivering a dynamic entertainment experience.”
Panasonic HDC-Z10000 Shoots Professional-Quality 2D/3D Videos with a Twin-Lens Design that is Technically Advanced, and Also Features a 3D LCD – No Eyewear Needed
Panasonic today announces the HDC-Z10000, its first*1 integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard, which was also recently announced. The HDC-Z10000 builds on Panasonic’s 3D innovations, having the closest 3D video macro setting with a twin-lens 3D camcorder at approximately 17.8 inches. With this industry-best macro setting, the Panasonic HDC-Z10000, helps capture 3D video that is typically difficult to do, such as flowers, animals and jewelry.
New to Panasonic’s 3D-capable camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD that appears 3D to the naked eye – no 3D eyewear needed. By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes, thus creating a 3D effect. The user can check 3D images while shooting, without having to connect a monitor. Naturally, the display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.
Panasonic today announces the HDC-Z10000, its first*1 integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard, which was also recently announced. The HDC-Z10000 builds on Panasonic’s 3D innovations, having the closest 3D video macro setting with a twin-lens 3D camcorder at approximately 17.8 inches. With this industry-best macro setting, the Panasonic HDC-Z10000, helps capture 3D video that is typically difficult to do, such as flowers, animals and jewelry.
New to Panasonic’s 3D-capable camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD that appears 3D to the naked eye – no 3D eyewear needed. By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes, thus creating a 3D effect. The user can check 3D images while shooting, without having to connect a monitor. Naturally, the display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.
The Panasonic HDC-Z10000 will be available in black and the pricing and availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping.
LG Electronics presented the LW980S LED -LCD
The LW980S is a topof-the-class TV that combines LG’s advanced CINEMA 3D technology, Smart TV functions and NANO FULL LED all in one sleek package.
“The LW980S is the crown jewel of TVs as it includes the most advanced technologies and features we’ve developed at LG over the years,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “We’ve set a new benchmark in connectivity, picture quality and sheer viewing enjoyment.”
Addressing one of the big sticking points of conventional 3D TVs, the LW980S comes with comfortable, lightweight glasses that don’t need to be recharged and are easily replaceable. The LW980S tackles the thorny issue of not enough content with a proprietary 2D to 3D conversion technology that guarantees a ready supply of shows and movies in high quality 3D.
CINEMA 3D, the world’s first 3D display technology to receive “Flicker-Free” certification from TÜV and Intertek, two of Europe’s most reputable testing agencies, means that viewers no longer have to worry about the dizziness or disorientation they might experience watching other 3D TVs. Also, Wide Viewing Angle ensures they can watch the TV from practically any position in front of the TV, whether sitting, leaning back or lying down. Together with the affordable glasses, this makes the LW980S perfect for watching in larger groups.
And with 3D Video-on-Demand – available through LG Apps – viewers will never be short of exciting, top-quality content to watch at home. Using the Magic Motion Remote Control, LW980S users get access to all the Premium Content they could want with just a couple of clicks on the mouse-like control. Moreover, Smart Share makes it a cinch to share content between the user’s TV, mobile phone and other digital devices.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, World’s First Mobile Tablet Featuring Super AMOLED Plus Display Unveiled at IFA 2011
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading provider and innovator of award-winning consumer electronics, today announced the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, the world’s first tablet to feature the brilliant Super AMOLED Plus display. The powerful Galaxy Tab 7.7 with a 1.4GHz dual core processor measures just 7.89 millimeters thin and weighs only 335 grams (12 ounces), making this tablet one of the most portable devices in the market.
“The new Galaxy Tab 7.7 demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to offering consumers the most choice in the mobile tablet market,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “The Galaxy Tab 7.7′s ultra-thin design and WXGA Super AMOLED Plus display are impressive differentiators in the tablet marketplace and pillars of our ultimate goal of meeting a wide variety of consumer needs.”
Brilliant Super AMOLED Plus display
The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the first tablet that incorporates Samsung’s Super AMOLED Plus display technology, delivering brilliant, high-contrast colors and a beautiful, crisp viewing experience. The Super AMOLED Plus display allows for a wider range of colors with greater separation between lights and darks, making images incredibly vivid.
The Galaxy Tab 7.7 features HSPA+ 21 Mbps network for faster uploads and downloads. It also supports Wi-Fi Channel Bonding, bonding two channels into one for improved network connection and data transfer at up to twice the speed. The device is powered by a 1.4 GHz dual core application processor for fast web-loading, seamless multitasking and superior multimedia performance. Thanks to a 5,100 mAh battery providing up to 10 hours of video playback time[1], the Galaxy Tab 7.7 does not sacrifice battery life for its ultra-thin design.
Latest 3.2 Honeycomb OS with “Samsung TouchWiz UX”
The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is powered by Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb, Android 3.2 has been optimized for a 7-inch tablet with a new compatibility zoom mode. This optimizes applications that are not designed to run on larger screen sizes, so they fit on the entire screen without distortion. In addition, the tablet supports MicroSD cards of up to 32 GB for direct media files transfer.
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