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April 19, 2006
With over 2 million pixels and a resolution of 1920 x 1080, Panasonic’s much anticipated 103 inch plasma display HDTV will likely debut around Christmastime. Most HDTV lovers would be pretty happy to have Santa leave this under their tree.
The screen size is so gigantic, it is basically the equivalent of four different 50inch panels. Panasonic offers a contrast ratio of 3000:1 and though the price has not yet been released, it is expected to top 30k.
April 10, 2006
Daktronics recently unveiled what is being billed as the world’s largest HDTV screen at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida.
The HDTV is 137 feet across and 50 feet high, boasting a screen that is 145.80 diagnoally.
Last weekend’s season ticket holders were the first to catch a glimpse of this gargantuan 720p HDTV.
For those who truly cannot bear to ever be without their HDTV’s, a nifty Television Mirror by Seura may be the answer to all of your prayers.
The Television Mirror provides you with an HDTV LCD display that “hides” behind a bathroom mirror, projecting its picture onto the mirror’s surface. The TV Mirror is available in a variety of varying screen sizes (from 26 to 45 inches) and can either be recessed or easily retrofit with a surface mount unit. It comes fully loaded with a CableCARD enabled HD tuner and 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Whenever the HDTV is off, the display is completely hidden. You are even able to choose from a number of optional fancy frames, that help to further disguise the HDTV’s LCD picture display.
The Seura Television Mirror is expected to hit the market in the next several months, though no pricing is available yet.
Akimbo, a VOD (video on demand) provider will begin offering select titles from HDNet’s extensive library for prices beginning at $9.95 per month.
In order to receive Akimbo’s service, you may either purchase their set-top box ($69.99) or subscribe through a PC running the Windows XP Media Center Edition. You can also use a peripheral “Media Center Extender” such as XBox. As long as you have one of the three afore mentioned receivers connected to a high speed network along with a display source, you’re ready to receive Akimbo’s HD content.
Currently there are well over 100 channels and 8000 programs available through Akimbo, covering every viewing category: full length features, sports programming, documentaries, music videos, travel videos and TV series. Much like basic cable TV, some of the programming included with Akimbo’s HD service is free.
Premium programming offers subscribers a number of options that can be easily tailored to their specific viewing needs. Users can subscribe to specific channels for between $6.99 and $9.99 per month, or only view specific programming on an as needed basis for $0.99 to $2.99 per viewing period. Viewing periods differ, but range anywhere from 7 to 30 days. Some programming is even available for an unlimited amount of time. After choosing your desired program, the material is downloaded to either your Akimbo player or the hard drive of your computer. Programming may be easily played, paused, fast forwarded or rewound during viewing.
Akimbo’s HDTV “custom programming” is a great option for HDTV lovers and, unlike typical cable programming, allows you to really personalize and customize your option according to your own viewing needs.