Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Universal Studios is preparing for its entry to the Blu-ray market with a plan to release 40 movies during the second half of 2008. The first Blu-ray titles from Universal will be available on July 22 and include “The Mummy,” “The Mummy Returns” and “Scorpion King.” After which they plan to follow up with “The Incredible Hulk,” “Wanted,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army”; “Mamma Mia” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” during the summer.

Along with the current and new releases, Universal will also release some of their back catalog on Blu-ray, which will include such titles as “American Gangster,” “Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Miami Vice,” “End of Days,” “U571” and “Land of the Dead.” Prior to the demise, Universal had been the biggest backer of the HD DVD format, they will of course continue to release titles on standard DVD as well.

Read [Reuters]

Canon has announced the XL H1S and XL H1A shoulder mount camcorders designed for video professionals and documentary film makers. Boasting of a 20x HD video lens, both camcorders feature manual focus, zoom and iris adjustment rings.

The XL H1S and XL H1A camcorders also feature various controls for customizing images, displays and operations to match the users individual needs. The camcorders use HDV tapes for recording and can deliver HD image quality. Additionally, both camcorders have interchangeable lens systems, the camcorders also connects robustly to external hardware using a durable six-pin IEEE 1394 terminal. Bearing the XL branding, the H1S and H1A come equipped with Canon’s XL lens mount that allows multiple lens mounting. For instance, users can mount Canon’s optional 6x wide-angle lens, EF photographic lenses and many more.

MORE »

A while back, we showed you the Asus M70, a laptop with the ability to store up to 1 terabyte of data. Well, Asus has finally launched the M70 multimedia notebook.

The notebook features a 17-inch LCD display, which supports up to 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) resolution. Compounding this a ATI HD video card, which helps you view HD movies via the Blu-ray drive. Dolby Home Theater-powered audio is heard through the built-in Altec Lansing Speakers. When the touchpad is not being used as a default touchpad, it becomes a media button dock and has controls for volume, play, pause, stop, forward, back and more. A deft tap of your finger returns you to the normal touchpad functions of the special rectangular square.

The M70 also has two clever security technologies. First is the regular fingerprint scanner, which does just that; scans your fingerprints. However, the more innovative of the two is software that scans the face of the user, with the built in 1.3 megapixel webcam, to affirm identity. Nifty.

Via [PC Launches]

Toshiba has unveiled two new powerful gaming laptops, the Satellite X205-SLi5 and the X205-SLi6. Both laptops are powered by Intel’s 45nm processors and offer NVIDIA SLi technology that is sure to delight hardcore gamers.

Both models of the X205-SLi laptops feature HDMI ports to allow gamers to play games on their 1080i high-definition HDTV display. For added excitement, Toshiba has thrown in an S/P DIF output port that gives 5.1 stereo surround sound when combined with Dolby Sound Room technology. The two Toshiba laptops come with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 3GB RAM, 320GB-400GB hard drives that run at 7200 RPM, DVD multi-drives, wireless gaming features with Bluetooth V.20+EDR technology and a 1.3-megapixel webcam.

The X205-SLi5 and X205-SLi6 will sell for around $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. Ready to shell out that amount of money for your gaming pleasure?

Read [Toshiba Direct]

Sony may have scored a winner once again in the handycam department with their latest model – the HDR-TG3E.  The Sony HDR-TG3E has several features that are setting a record in the digital handycam history. For one, the HDR-TG3E is the world’s lightest and smallest full HD camcorder in the 1920x1080 handycam series. It also boasts of being the first handycam to utilize pure titanium for its body with scratch-resistant premium hard coating.

The HDR-TG3E is equipped with ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology and BIONZ image processor to produce high-definition picture quality. It also utilizes face detection technology which automatically adjusts focus, exposure, color balance and skin tone. For recording sound, the HDR-TG3E is packed with a built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital sound. And lastly, the HDR-TG3E synchronizes well with BRAVIA to control playback functions using TV remote.

MORE »

Sony has released its newest LCD TV series, the Bravia 4000 which according to Sony is “a new standard in picture excellence.” The Bravia 4000 features a picture frame mode that will let users display their photos when the television is not in use. While the HD photos are playing by way of a slideshow, the picture frame mode will reduce the LCD’s brightness. Users can also personalize their television with their own photos using the USB Photoviewer. Or if it is a hassle to you, you can just use the six pre-installed pictures of some pop and classical artists.

In addition, the Sony Bravia W4000-series LCD TV also features the BRAVIA sync technology which uses HDMI connection to transmit commands to the various components of a home theatre system. This enables users to watch Blue-ray disc at a press of one button.

MORE »

Buffalo has announced a new digital media player that links users digital content into their home entertainment center – the LinkTheater HD DMP (LT-H90LAN). The LinkTheater allows users to view videos, pictures and music stored in users computer, network-attached-storage (NAS), USB hard drive or DNLA media servers. Compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, the Buffalo LinkTheater HD has an auto-backup feature which automatically performs back ups of any content stored in either a flash memory based video camera or USB drive. 

MORE »

At first glance, you wouldn’t think that HP’s new Elite Autofocus Webcam is actually a webcam. It looks more like desk lamp minus the fluorescent lighting. But yes, the product spec sheet does say that the odd-looking device is really a webcam, and a powerful one at that.

In fact, the HP Autofocus Webcam touts of a 12-megapixel still image capturing feature using software interpolation. It’s got a 3-megapixel sensor with autofocus and will let users get high-definition video quality which are sharp and focused.

MORE »

Samsung has launched NV24HD, a new HD digital camera loaded with a 10.2-megapixel resolution and AM OLED display. AM OLED is an innovative display that emits light which prevents distortion of the screen when viewing angle varies from one shot to another. The AM OLED display also response 2,000 faster than most TFT LCD.

Being an HD digital camera, the Samsung NV24HD is equipped with upgraded HD technology that produces high quality, clear full HD images. And with full HD capabilities, the Samsung NV24HD features enhanced video viewing by employing the next generation H.264 video standard. It supports a video resolution of 1280X720 at a fast 30fps. This speed enables the camera to record HD quality videos with HD quality stereo sound.

MORE »

Just in time for the conclusion of the DVD format wars with Blu-ray disc finally emerging as the new standard disc format, Plextor has decided to finally release its two new Blu-ray drives – the PX-B920SA and PX-B300SA. But to give customers the freedom to choose which format they would want to use when viewing high-definition video, Plextor has kept the HD DVD support.

The PX-B920SA being the high-end model of the two drives support fast Blu-Ray recording with a speed of 4X BD-R. That is equivalent to 18 MB/sec transfer rate. For single layer and double-layer media, the PX-B920SA runs on 2X BD-RE or 9 MB/sec transfer rate.  For DVD purposes, the PX-B920SA runs at 16X on single-layer media and 4X on both double-layer and dual-layer media with 5X DVD-RAM. The PX-B920SA also support various models of DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW and even CD-ROM. This drive also comes with Lightscribe for direct disc laser printing and some other software.

MORE »