Panasonic has added two new plasma HDTV’s to their VIERA PZ850 lineup — a 58-inch and a 65-inch. Both new models are internet-enabled so you can web streams as well as online photo albums in full 1080p glory. The two new displays will have 30,000:1 contrast ratios, 24p reproduction, game mode, an SD card slot, a RS-232C port, and four HDMI ports. These displays are quite drool-worthy.

Shop for Panasonic VIERA HDTVs:
Panasonic VIERA PZ850 at Amazon.com

Have you heard about the Sony XEL-1 11-inch OLED HDTV? This 1080p display is only 3mm thick and uses 40 percent less energy than a comparable LED display. Also of note, OLED displays can prevent light emission when reproducing shades of black, resulting in very deep blacks and a contrast ratio of over 1,000,000:1. The lack of a backlight gives this type of display a range of brightness all the way from zero (pitch black) to its brightest setting.

The XEL-1 features the connectivity options including two HDMI inputs, a digital tuner, and a Memory Stick media slot for viewing high-resolution photos. The XEL-1’s built-in tuner handles NTSC, CATV, ATSC, and Clear QAM signals.

The “cool” factor on this TV ranks pretty high.

11-inch Sony XEL-1 OLED HDTV at Amazon.com
11-inch Sony XEL-1 OLED HDTV at Amazon.co.uk
11-inch Sony XEL-1 OLED HDTV at SonyStyle

A couple weeks ago, I came across a small set-top dipole television antenna that wasn’t being used, and decided I ought to give that to my parents who recently bought a 42-inch LCD HDTV. Their television programming comes mainly from a DISH satellite which is only standard definition, so I figured that if they could get some “free” high-definition programming, they would make better use of their new television.

As I expected, the small dipole was able to pickup a few of the closest stations, and all were standard definition digital signal except for one which was in HD (the local ABC affiliate). Seeing this HD picture was enough to prompt my dad to buy a larger external antenna and rotor and mount it in an open space in the attic. Unfortunately, it turns out that he is only able to pickup a couple more channels and still none of the major networks broadcasting out of Birmingham (the ABC affiliate broadcasts from a different location). I was disappointed to find this out. My parents’ home is approx. 25-30 miles from the broadcasters, and there is a hill in the way. I feel like the hill is the main problem. I told my dad that I felt that many broadcasters weren’t transmitting at full power until after the February 2009 transition. Whether that is true or not, I don’t know, but I feel like I read that somewhere. Hopefully it will be enough to get my parents a couple more stations that broadcast in HD.

By the way, you don’t need a special antenna for digital/HD programming. The same antenna you have used all these years with your standard-definition tv will also receive digital broadcasts.

Keep reading for the bestselling television antennas.
Read the rest of this entry »

I just noticed that there is an EyeTV update (v3.0.2) available. The big feature of this update is full support for H.264 broadcasts. Other features include Closed Captions Support in QuickTime Format Exports, Separate Deinterlacing Options for Standard TV and HDTV, Improved On Screen Menus, Unplayed Recordings Badge, and added hardware support and bug fixes.

If you are in the market for a new Samsung HD TV, then check out Amazon’s latest offering. Buy any one of the qualifying Samsung TVs and you will be eligible for a free 1080p upscaling DVD player (DVD-1080P8).

Click the link below for offer details and qualifying Samsung TVs:
Free 1080p DVD Player with Select Samsung HDTVs

Note: this offer has expired

Tivo announced today that they will offer for a limited time, Lifetime Service for the life of the Tivo HD DVR if you buy a Tivo HD DVR between now and June 16, 2008. What does Lifetime Service mean to you? No monthly bills. With Lifetime Service on your Tivo HD DVR, you will receive Tivo service at no charge for the life of your DVR.

Tivo HD DVR features include:

• Works with your cable service even if you don’t yet have an HDTV. Replaces your cablebox, using CableCARD technology.
• Records 2 HD channels at once, while watching another recorded show.
• Includes an eSATA port so you can instantly add more recording space with the DVR expander hard drive.

In addition to the Lifetime Service, TiVo will also include a free TiVo Wireless Adapter so that the DVR can connect to your wireless network.

To take advantage of this limited time offer, click the link below.
Exclusive offer! Buy a TiVo HD DVR with Product Lifetime Service for $698.99!

Canon will begin shipping their new XL H1A HD camcorder in July. This new camera is aimed squarely new entrants to HD video with a price tag of $6,000.

With the XL H1A this remarkable capability is available at a lower price than ever before, offering users who have come to rely on their XL1, XL1s or XL2 camcorders the opportunity to make the move up to HD video.

The XL H1A has a wider range of image control settings and options, combined with the new Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III with Professional L Series Fluorite. To back up that superb lens are three 1/3″ Native 16:9 CCDs with 1.67M Pixels (delivering a full 1440 x 1080) and Canon’s exclusive DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor.

Amazon is currently taking pre-orders for the XL-H1A and is scheduled to ship the orders on July 20, 2008.
Canon XL-H1A 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III at Amazon.com

I went to my mom and dad’s today and was surprised by what I saw as I walked into their den. Lo and behold, a 42″ 1080p Insignia LCD TV and a Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player. My parents are not, by any means, ones to jump on the latest technology trends. To me, this is a big deal — non-techie folks, shopping for an HDTV and an HD player, and choosing the higher priced of the two options.

As I did a bit of research, the 42″ Insignia seems like a great deal. It is a full-HD 1080p 42″ LCD for under a grand. It has a plethora of inputs on the back, as well as a few on the side.

You can only buy Insignia branded electronics at Best Buy, but the Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player can be found at a lot of different retailers. Check the following links for the best deals on the Sony BDP-S300:

• Sony
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Buy.com
• Shop.com

Below are the top 5 best selling Blu-ray players on Amazon:

#1: Samsung BD-P1500 1080p Blu-ray Player — 1 min ago

Samsung BD-P1500 1080p Blu-ray Player
by Samsung
Average Customer Review:

Buy new: Click to see price
37 used & new from $215.00

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in DVD Players & Recorders > Blu-ray Disc Players list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

#2: Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player — 1 min ago

Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
by Sony
Average Customer Review:

Buy new: Click to see price
19 used & new from $259.00

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in DVD Players & Recorders > Blu-ray Disc Players list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

#3: Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player — 1 min ago

Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
by Panasonic
Average Customer Review:

Buy new: $399.99 $259.99
75 used & new from $205.99

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in DVD Players & Recorders > Blu-ray Disc Players list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

#4: Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-Ray Player — 1 min ago

Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-Ray Player
by Panasonic

Buy new: $299.95
2 used & new from $299.95

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in DVD Players & Recorders > Blu-ray Disc Players list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

#5: Panasonic DMP-BD55K 1080p Blu-Ray Player — 1 min ago

Panasonic DMP-BD55K 1080p Blu-Ray Player
by Panasonic

Buy new: $399.95
2 used & new from $399.95

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in DVD Players & Recorders > Blu-ray Disc Players list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)