Sharp Japan today announced the HN-PP150 [JP], a combination of photo player and printer that will be released in Nippon under the Aquos brand January 28 next year (price: $250). It’s sized at 234.5×205×89mm.

The DLNA-compliant HN-PP150 can print pictures taken with mobile phones or digital cameras in JPEG format (thermal wax transfer, 300×300ppi). Users can choose between postcard-sized (101.6×152.4mm), index and L-size prints (89×127mm).

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If you scoff at Monster Cable’s prices, please don’t keep reading – you’ll have a stroke. This Ethereal HDMI cable has been submitted to DPL Labs with the hopes and dreams to be the longest Class C, Level 5 HDMI cable which means that it can handle the maximum throughput on the scale. This is similar to the testing that Monster Cable showed off at CEDIA ‘08. The product manager indicated that this cable was produced to see “just how good a cable could be.” 

Prepared for the onslaught of 1440p resolutions, the HDM2 has braided shield, double-sided copper foil/Mylar shield, and two single-sided shields. The thick cable measures a hefty 23 AWG.

Oh, and the conductors are made of pure silver rather than plating on top of copper. The 2-meter cable retails for an astounding $1,300 – it even comes with a nice carrying case.

Here’s an interesting little device out of Hong Kong. It’s basically a memory card reader that hooks up to your HDTV, allowing you to see your own pores in glorious 1080p. However, it’s also got a built-in HDMI switching function so you can place it in between, say, your Blu-ray player and your TV and still just only lose one HDMI input.

The HD-0310, as it’s called, handles most memory card formats and is capable of outputting not just photos, but music and video as well. The company that develops the device is an ODM (original design manufacturer) so although it’s not an actual product yet, it wouldn’t take much for a larger company to secure branding rights.

Panasonic has done something it rarely does to me and I’m now desperately wanting one of these ‘free angle’ HDMI cables ASAP. The v1.3a spec cables come in 1.5- and 3m lengths with 180 degrees of flexibility and the distance of the tip to the start of the cable has been reduced down to 1.2-inches. These ingenious HDMI cables will be available next month for $59.99 and $79.99, respectively.

DVDO has a rich heritage of fine upscalers and the companies latest is hopefully isn’t different. The EDGE takes video via six HDMI 1.3a ports, two component, one composite, or S-Vid inputs and does some internal scaling wizardry, only to send the now 1080p image over two of HDMI 1.3a outputs. If you have scoffed at scalers in the past, these are the real deal my friend. I have spent a good amount of time with DVDO’s previous generation and can tell you that they can make a huge difference in terms of picture quality. The MSRP for the latest is $799, which clocks in a lot cheaper than the current models. (iScan VP50 Pro MSRP is $3,499) We’ll spend sometime time with the EDGE next week at CEDIA and see if this inexpensive scaler will still make a difference or is just an over-priced HDMI switcher.

AnchorBay via CEPro

JVC just announced the companies latest D-ILA projectors slated for a European launch at IFA. These two new models will be added too, rather than, replace the current DLA-HD1 entry- and DLA-HD100 high-end models but still have the 15,000:1 contrast ratio found on the current models. Both of the new feature new motorized lens assemblies and keystone adjustments for greater control and picture clarity. Inside, the models receive Silicon Optix HQV REON VX image processing, and a fully adjustable color gamut only on the high-end HD750. Of course, there is the standard HDMI 1.3a support along with standard S Video, composite and RS-232C.  

From the sounds of it, the rest of the world, including the United States, are going to have these new models too, but no word on when. Pricing isn’t set in stone yet but expect the HD750 to retail around €8000 ($11,785) and the HD350 around €6000 ($8,838 US)

 via Impress

My TV has two HDMI inputs but I have four HDMI-based entertainment devices I’d like to hook up to it. What’s a girl to do? Boy! I meant to say “boy” instead.

Welcome to the exciting world of HDMI switchers! Today we’ll take a look at the HDS-41Rv13 HDMI switcher from RT COM.

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I don’t know why this isn’t a standard at this point. We’ve all got a ton of systems, inputs, outputs, displays, so we need a switcher, obviously. But we’ve also got a nice place to sit and maybe a romantic interlude happening so maybe we’d rather not get up to switch the switch from one’s Netflox 360 to one’s Al Green CD, or perhaps one’s Vudu porn box, depending on the circumstances. It’d be nice at those times to have this simple little IOGear A/V switcher remote setup with spots for four HDMI outputs.

Unfortunately for me, I’m kind of a last-generation guy, so I’d need spots for component, composite, and DVI, but for those of you with lots of HDMI-compatible devices, this seems like a no-brainer. It costs $90 and should be available now. Kind of expensive but honey, you deserve it. [via Blast]

Sony has announced three new AV receivers to be added to its ES line-up, but it’s not giving up any details. What we do know is the new receivers are going to offer lossless audio decoding for Blu-Ray, a real GUI, and Sirius/XM compatibility. Hit the link for more info on wattage, inputs, and so on.

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The difference between this Medusa HDMI three-port hub and others like it is primarily, if not entirely, size. The former makes due with a square-shaped body, while the latter—lots of them, at least—gimps along in the shape of a rectangle.

Spec-wise, nothing doin’. It supports HDMI 1.3 and 1080p. That’s all you need from a hub, right?

Apparently it’ll be available within the month from GeekStuff4U. Prices on Newegg for similar hubs and switches range from around $20 to more than $140. How much Medusa, goes for, I couldn’t tell you. I also couldn’t tell you why an HDMI hub has been named after the mythological Greek monster. Maybe when all four HDMI cables are plugged in it resembles her head of hair? How silly.

Sony loves the idea of watching your photos on your TV. Bravia-series HDTVs come with Memory Stick readers, so if you also have a Sony camera or camcorder you can do just that. And now its launched these cool little photo printers with HDMI-out so you can view the contents of any memory card on any HDMI TV. We call it magic, and we’re afraid, but respectful.

Two New Sony Compact Photo Printers with HDMI Support [Akihabara]

RTcom’s HDS-41Rv13 HDMI Switcher is now available and don’t worry, it’s 1.3 compliant. It’s chock full of features like the ability to support, 36-bit Deep Color, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Blu-ray compatible, backwards compatible with all DVI devices and a slew of others. You know the drill by now. Unfamiliar with HDMI? Then check this out. RTcom’s switcher retails for $200.
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Onkyo makes good home theater gear, and today we get word of two new affordable receivers. They’re coming out in April, and they seem pretty sweet, as far as how they spec out. The TX-SR576 and 506 both come in black or silver, feature daul audio zones, 5.1 Dolby and DTS, and multiple HDTV inputs, including 3 HDMI inputs and two component video inputs. For audio, the receivers have two optical and two coaxial, so those of you with multiple game systems are well served.

The main difference between the two is how they handle HDMI. The 506 basically acts as an HDMI switcher, where as the 576 has a decoder on the HDMI bus. If you’re planning on making HDMI your main interface, then the 576 is the one to look to at $479. If you have a healthy mix, you’re fine with the $379 506.

Onkyo Debuts Entry-Level A/V Receivers With Powered Zone 2, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and More [Press Release]

It’s been a while since my last Orientation, but we’ve all been traveling around for various events and such over the last month so it’s been a little hectic. To get things back on track, we’re going to talk about High-Definition Multimedia Interface, better known as HDMI. The Super Bowl is coming up as well as March Madness and some of you just got a brand new HDTV for the holidays so let’s try and get the best out of the whole deal. Sound good?
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Omigosh DVI, I can’t believe you’re leaving already. You JUST got here! Stick around for a bit, huh? I won’t miss your prohibitively expensive cables and the constant fear of pending your fragile pins every time I move my monitor around on my desk, but I’ll miss the feeling of knowing that you transmit a relatively clean, all-digital signal.

If only there were a suitable replacement that transmitted audio as well. I’d call it “HDMI” or something similar and I’d try to make the plug the size of a FireWire plug. Seriously though, it’s thought that DVI-equipped devices will drop from 112 million in 2007 to just 3 million in 2011 thanks to increased support for HDMI.

Analyst: The DVI Interface is Dying [ExtremeTech]

Granted, Apple may have dropped the price of its Apple TV while simultaneously adding much needed features (like HD support), but I have a less expensive alternative you might enjoy.

Head over to Monoprice, and buy a cable that’s compatible with your computer’s video out port. Connect that cable from your computer to your TV and you’ll be watching movies, HD or otherwise, on your big screen, all for the fraction of the cost of an Apple TV. (I have an iMac, which uses a mini-DVI port, so I needed this mini-DVI to DVI adapter before getting an cheap DVI-to-HDMI cable.)

Total cost: around $15 (I was able to buy the adapter for my iMac using a Best Buy gift card). $15 vs. $230?

Combine your setup with a little BitTorrent action and every night can be movie night, or The Office night or Lost night or…

Shocking low cable prices [Monoprice]

Product Name: Philips HTS6100 and 6515D
Description: These two new home theater systems try to help you minimize clutter in your living room. The HTS6100 is a soundbar-style speaker with a built-in DVD player, iPod dock, and USB input as well as a separate subwoofer. (It’s a cheaper and smaller version of the company’s HTS8100.) The HTS6515D is a home theater in a box, with a central receiver/DVD player plus two speakers and a subwoofer. Both systems use Philips’ Ambisound virtual surround technology to give you 5.1-channel audio from only three speakers. Both units look pretty hot and both have HDMI connectivity and HD video upconversion built in.

Price: HTS6100, $599; HTS6515D, $499
In-store date: May 2008
Site: www.philips.com
Why it’s cool: All-in-one home theater systems that use virtual surround can be hit or miss. These certainly look pretty cool, though we’ll have to test them out to see if they live up to the overblown descriptions in the press release.

Product Name:Pioneer VSX-518-K, VSX-818V-K, VSX-918V-K and VSX-1018TXH-K
Description: Pioneer just updated its AV receiver line with the VSX-518-K, VSX-818V-K, VSX-918V-K and VSX-1018TXH-K, all of which sport plenty of high-def goodness. The high-end VSX-1018-K supports HDMI 1.3 and does on-board decoding of HD audio formats like Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. It also pumps out 130 watts on 7 channels, so everyone in your neighborhood can enjoy The Bourne Ultimatum along with you, thanks to Pioneer’s Direct Energy Amplifier technology and improved heat compensation.

The other three receivers use Pioneer’s P.H.A.T. seriously? (Pioneer Hybrid Amplifier Technology) to crank out 120 watts over 5 channels with improved sonic accuracy. All but the VSX-518-K have iPod, XM, and Sirius inputs.

Price:$199, $249, $349, and $599
In-store date:April, except the VSX-1018TXH-K, which will drop in June.
Site:www.pioneerelectronics.com
Why it’s cool: The high-end model has just about everything you’d need for a high-def setup, plus plenty of power. The other ones? Not bad for the price, but nothing to crap your pants about.

Regular readers will know how much we loathe the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD wars and wish that they, like the War on Terror or the War on Drugs or the War on Baby Seals, would end soon, as there can be no clear victor. That’s why we give a sideways glance at the new format war brewing that could see CES 2008 as the first battlefield — the format for wireless HD content.

Not wireless as in mobile, but as in HDMI-sucks. There are three emerging, rival consortiums aimed at creating a standard to deliver the content over “last foot”, from the receiver or player to the HDTV itself. As we buy our fancy flat-panel TVs, we want to hang them on the walls, as some sort of “window to entertainment”. That cable snaking down the wall ruins the effect.

So bring on the first salvos, e-warriors. Fight and scrap till the last group can be a victor. Cry Havoc! And let slip the, uh, chips of war.

Rivalry over wireless high-def TVs [Yahoo! news/AP]

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