Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray Disc Player

Just Announced
So, you think you want a Blu-ray player? Well your timing is dead on; this is the first Blu-ray player to use newer technologies many avid AV heads have been waiting for. The Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray disc player uses the ‘final’ standard profile (who knows if it’s really finalized, nonetheless) it is an impressive upgrade. Conversely, HD-DVD has had most of these enhancements from its inception. The upgrade, A.K.A. profile 1.1, gives this Blu-ray player some unique capabilities, among the Blu-ray playing sets. These enhancements include picture-in-picture mode upgrades, which are unusable until Blu-ray disc content catches up, and an internal decoder for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These additions compete more directly with HD-DVD.

The Panasonic DMP-BD30K is a quite the upscale piece of technology… literally. The video signal from content recorded in 480i/p, 720p, or 1080i is up-converted using high-speed image processing technology. Pixel Precision Progressive Processing (P4HD) generates each one of the resolution enhancing pixels using information drawn from up to 60 pixels surrounding the original image’s pixels. This debonair disc spinner than categorizes these generated pixels into 16 motion categories: stationary, slow moving, fast, and so on. This image processor effectively does away with those screwy pixels, rendered by older up-scaling technologies, which get stuck or make jagged or choppy images.

Panasonic took this up-converting a step further, they are very seldom out done, by utilizing deep color (12 bit) reproduction via HDMI and 3:2 pull down. CNET reviews were most impressed by these video rendering features. 3:2 pull down optimizes the image processing based on whether the source of the footage is video or film. Sticking with the “Panasonic Family Time” theme, if you own or are looking to own a Panasonic HD camcorder you can watch your cinematic musings with the onboard SD card slot present on the player at full 1920x1080. The price of this player is a bit of a sticking point and you can get a Playstation 3 that plays Blu-ray and does a lot more…for less, although AV purists should be quite content with this decked out disc player’s capabilities.
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Passwords be 'Damned', I Want to Draw

Tech News
Remembering all those passwords got you down? Do you use the same password for all your accounts? This practice can be a bit risky to say the least. What if someone found out that one password? The damage could be widespread. No worries mate the British are here to help. Newcastle University researches, Dr Jeff Yan, a computer science lecturer, and PhD student Paul Dunphy have developed emerging Draw a Secret(DAS)for drawing rather than typing your pass code. To even use DAS pass codes you would need something that allows you to interface using a stylus. Devices such as tabletsor Smartphoneswould allow for this type of interface. This DAS type of security measure would be difficult, if not impossible, to hack or reproduce.
DAS apparently has failed to take off due to the difficulty of remembering where you started your pass-drawing when you assigned it. So in the enduring spirit of trail and error, they’ve added a background image(BDAS). In hopes that this will enable you to remember where to start that scribble you foolishly made your pass code. This direction makes sense, drawings are potentially easier to memorize. However, making a drawing that is complicated enough to be effective and that you can consistently reproduce is a challenge in and of itself. Plus, how many more ways will we give ourselves to enable our memory to go soft? Although, if you’re an illustrator this is most likely right up your ally.
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Alpine iDA-X001 DMR Made for Apple iPod

These days, it seems as if the electronics market is slowly becoming overcrowded with iPod accessories. This trend is due to the pervasiveness of iPod ownership…many companies are happily making millions off iPod accessory development. Yet, leaders still emerge.
Alpine iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver designed for iPod
So it only makes sense that, to their mutual benefit, companies like Alpine would join forces and work cooperatively with Apple to develop integrative iPod technologies. Ultimately, with one common goal in mind…quenching that mobile music thirst. Now, the new kids on the block known as digital media car revivers (DMR for short) are redefining the way we look at are car audio systems. On the Alpine iDA-X001 there‘s no disc player and definitely no cassette player. Instead they’re a multitude of possible add ons, optional: CD changers, Blutooth technologies, satellite radio, and HD radio are available, but who needs ‘em. This jewel gives you jog wheel music library navigation and album artwork (with 5th generation iPods) displayed on it crisply render LCD display. The connection is all digital through high speed USB 2.0. Generic USB flash memory drives, with MP3s present, can also be play over the system. Most users rate this unit high and the only drawback is the jog wheel is a bit cumbersome. A touch wheel would be nice. Maybe next time guys try a touch wheel.
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Denon AH-D5000 Delivers Devastating Sound

Deal of the Day: Denon AH-D5000 Headphones
Your discerning musical taste deserves the very best in audio output. An important component of any headphone system is blocking out the extraneous noise. This allows you to easily get lost in the music. Denon realizes these facts. Their acoustical engineers have spared no expense developing the Denon AH-D5000, the ‘Cadillac’ of over the ear headphones. They have those same ‘Cadillacesque’ wood accents around the outside of the phones. The big difference being these bits of refined timber serve as sound resonators so they actually do something, besides exude refinement. The cord itself lets you know the Denon AH-D5000 isn’t for the light hearted music listener. This cord is cloth covered, a bit of old school technology to provide that extra level of refinement, and very high grade. DJ’s, studio engineers, and serious audiophiles, you will thank yourself for this investment. Not to mention the impression they’ll leave on your eardrums. Denon delivers superb sound reproduction, as usual.
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Car Stereo Bluetooth From Sony

Have you been getting those annoying tickets for not using a hands free device with your mobile phone while driving? (I've gotten a couple.) Wired headsets get tangled and break and those Bluetooth headsets kinda turn everyone who wears them onto a Cyborg. If you have one and rock it more power to you. Bluetooth through the car stereo system seems promising yet has the possibility of being overpriced, but so does having a car. The safety of you and yours is the good reason for spending money on this technology. Plus, you may not have updated your car head unit in years so this is a perfect excuse to do so.

The Sony MEX-Bt5000 has just arrived. It's slick looking and inexpensive (if you buy smart)...it's definitely worth the bucks. Especially if you factor in those traffic ticket fines. This receivers' most stunning feature the Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities this allows you to connect your phone as the audio source. You can then play audio streams straight from your phone. This would be an upgrade for most high end car audio owners. iPods plug in along with CD changes. This unit is iPod friendly. Which brings me to this question. When the iPods going to get Bluetooth?
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Etronic's Catchy Phrase Contest

We know we’re a clever bunch over here at Etronics.com, but even great minds have brain farts every once in a while. So we’ve decided to shift the pleasure (or burden) of constructing a market appropriate catch phrase to you, our untapped resource…I mean valued customer. What will you win if your savvy word-smiting is chosen as the catchiest phrase? (in addition to the adoration of your friends and family) You’ll receive a sweet piece of engineering, an official 1988, made in Japan, Sony 20 inch Trinitron television. We were all pretty excited to find this gem in the warehouse. (Sort of a buried treasure) Maybe you’re thinking this is a relic, a dinosaur even. You couldn’t be more wrong. This television was manufactured at a time when quality control was high, defects were low, and Sony’s were really expensive. This vintage technology uses surround sound stereo speakers, has video component connections, and is cable ready. You can enjoy Pong or Playstation 3 on this Sony. It is completely unused, still in the box, has a manual, and comes with one of those huge remotes that could only be from the eighties. What other reasons do you need? It’s a Sony.
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Samsung's uses tiny technology to make high capacity flash memory

Samsung has implemented their tiny (.03µm/30nm) chip processing technology to make huge strides in flash memory storage capacity, up to 128 gigs. With this amount of flash memory you can store 40 individual DNA profiles, 80 DVD movies, or 32,000 MP3s just to give you an idea of its potential. These are going into production in the second half of 2009. This is going to have ramifications throughout the digital world. It will affect media players, cameras, USB flash drives, mobile phones, DRAM anything that uses NAND flash chip technology. The capacities of these devices will grow without the products themselves growing. Sweet work, Samsung, keep putting the worlds manufactures to shame with your developments and I’ll keep buying more of your stock.
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'TV' on the Flash Drive

Sandisk today has introduced Sansa TakeTV. Do you remember how to operate a DVD player? I'm talking about the bit that requires you actually to get up and insert a disc. Most likely this knowledge has not escaped you, right. Well, many bloggers have forgotten this ability and complain about the TakeTV's lack of wireless connection to the television. Cry me a river guys. Really though, have your rear ends grown into your computer chairs or what? The TakeTV has a remote, so once the trek from your desk to your entertainment center is made you can catch your breath. TakeTV is really just a glorified flash drive that comes with a docking station. The dock provides a connection from the USB flash drive to the TV's analog s-video or RCA inputs. This allows you to watch any DVIX, XVID, and MPEG-4, that you've uploaded to the flash drive, at 720x576 resolution on you TV screen. The price is set from Sandisk to be 99.95 and 149.95 for the 4 Gig(5hrs of video) and 8 gig(10 hrs) models respectively.

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Express Your Sophistication with Cuisinart Espresso Maker EM-200

Cuisinart EM-200 is a time saver. Picture yourself standing a in long line at that chain coffee place. You know the one. Impatiently waiting on that spacey seventeen year old behind the counter to look up from their text messages long enough to take the order of the person standing right in front them. Now you’re late and you still haven’t had you're morning latte. Now imagine being in the comfort of you own place relaxing with your freshly made home brew, possibly in your bath robe, and feeling more revitalized with every passing minute. Sure making your own espresso, latte or cappuccino can take a bit of time. Some would rather have someone else to do the dirty work for them, but not you. You enjoy the satisfaction of doing things the right way, your way. Cuisinart has brought the coffee house to your house with their espresso maker. Fully deck out with classic stainless steel that is a Cuisinart, a warming tray on top, a one or two cup option, programmed cup size, use either pods or grounds, and the 15 bars of pressure guarantee perfect professional results with each cup. Really the Cuisnart EM-200 could most likely pay for itself in like 40 or 50 cups(from those chain places), and no more dealing with long lines, slacker youths, or overpriced overly fancy espressos.
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Real Brick Oven for your Countertop

Cuisinart's new countertop brick oven is the perfect solution to not living in NYC…at least the part of living here that has to do with the availably of great tasting pizza 24/7. This oven really makes me wish Cuisinart had a representative that came to vendors and demonstrated their product's great capabilities first hand. How nice would that be? If the smell of baking pizza filled my cubical, and I didn’t have to lift a finger except to munch freshly baked goodness. Alas, this is not going to happen but one can’t help bit dream (especially so close to lunchtime). Cuisinart has scaled down the brick pizza oven to fit on your countertop. When I first glanced at the BRK-200 I thought great another toaster oven I have to some how make seem exciting. To my surprise, I learned that this was no ordinary toaster oven. This particular oven has the unique distinction of have actual bricks built into the side of the oven. Additionally, there’s a removable baking stone to help intensify brick oven cooking. Cusiniart BRK-200 has brush stainless steel industrial styling, 2 racks, 3 cooking settings (bake, broil, and toast), .90 cubic ft. and non stick coatings to make oven clean up a snap. You could even bring it to your office and make all your co-works drool with envy.

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Holiday Showdown: Touch Screen Phones Come Out Swinging

[Image courtesy of Sprint Nextel Corp.]

Yet another touch screen phone has been unveiled today. HTC, a Taiwanese company, is the proud recipient of a deal with Sprint Nextel to provide the new phone. If you're not a Sprint fan there is an unlocked HTC Touch. The phone is based on a modified version of Windows Mobile 6 software which usually requires a stylus for the touch screen interface. HTC’s software modifications allow for finger touch operation. Its origins are evident, the phone still comes with a stylus. Also, there's no physical keyboard on the HTC Touch(Out of the three major carries that have touch screen phones Verizon’s LG Voyager is the only one with the actual keyboard.) Sprint Nextel’s data network was the first to introduce wireless web and it is the fastest data network here in the states. The speed of the AT&T’s data network connection has been criticized by users. The iPhone WiFi connection supplements for the data network’s shortcomings to an existent. The HTC is a smaller and lighter unit mainly due to the 3.5 inch screen size. If you’ve read this much, you are most likely asking yourself why you never heard of HTC. HTC has been producing PDAs and Smart Phones under other manufactures names for a while. Now, HTC is trying to build there brand here in the states. Piggy backing on the Sprint Nextel brand. This seems like it's a pretty good means to that end. Kudos guys, you’ll have ‘caviar dreams and Champaign kisses’ in no time.

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5.1 Surround Sound from Headphones?

[Image courtesy Matsushita Electric industrial Co.and Ltd.]

Panasonic is a pioneer. (Is the word pioneer trademarked by the Pioneer Corporation?) In the pioneering spirit they’ve been busily perfecting that most elusive of beasts…getting five speakers and sub-woofer in a pair of headphones. Not just headphones, but wireless headphones to be exact. The Panasonic RP-WF5500 headphones really begin to impress once you discover their ability to work thorough walls and receive transmissions up to 30 meters from the base. The Panasonic RP-WF5500 phones are lightweights too, weighting in at measly 9oz with the battery attached. When you factor in their ability to reproduce a 5.1 channel system with a similar sense of directional sound, they really begin to out shine the competition. These marvels of modern technology are set to hit selves on November 20th. But don’t expect these to be listed on any holiday sale circulars stateside. They‘re only available in the consumer electronics ‘Mecca’ that only the U.S. could have spawned, Japan.

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JVC Revisits PND with the KV-PX701/KV-PX501

JVC was turned off to the whole portable GPS thing earlier this year, citing that the market was driven exclusively by price and was over saturated with new manufactures jumping on the GPS bandwagon. JVC, despite this earlier proclamation, is set to drop two new Personal Navigation Devices, the JVC KV-PX701/KV-PX501, in the UK by the end of the month. Apparently, the market stabilized a bit. Their plan back in May, stick with in-dash systems. Not a bad idea. Makes me wonder what market research changed their minds. Integrated in-dash multi-systems would seem to be the way the market is going. Read Death of PND. I mean, who really wants a bunch of wires going every which way, cluttering things, and suction cups that don’t hold well breaking their PND. Not to mention the attentiveness of thieves to cars with left behind units in them. JVC has demonstrated their change of heart by releasing the JVC KV-PX701/KV-PX501 the pricier model, the JVC KV-PX701 is tricked out with a 4.3in screen, 400Mhz Samsung processor, SiRF StarIII chipset (according to the chip maker this chip will “provide location awareness under dense foliage or urban canyons” and uses less power to do it), Traffic Message Channel (TMC), and will run you $565. The lower of the two boasts a 3.5in screen, a MediaTech Chip, same processor and the TMC is built into the car mount. This makes sense since you only need this info while driving; this unit will run you $495. No word on a U.S. release. Via.
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Motorola Hopes the RAZR2, Raises their Stock

posted by Andrew Harris

The once best selling RAZR, was badly in need of a makeover. Enter RAZR2. The RAZR slim phone's popularity seemed to coincide directly with the resurgence of skinny pants. I bet someone at Motorola overheard “With this bulky phone in my pocket...my silhouette will just be ruined”, or a comment similar to this. This in turn may have helped initiate the creation of the RAZR (it most likely was market research but this is more romantic). Cell phones are fashion accessories. It only makes sense that one inspired the other. This phone allows its users to make a unique fashion statement and download a ring tone that lets everyone know their musical taste. Thus, successfully appeasing ones desire to express individuality. Well, as much as one can with a phone. The RAZR2 has been upgraded not only in looks but in functionality as well with the larger external display, 2GB storage (1000 songs), 2.0-megapixal camera, Window Media Player 11(200 online music stores), along with an upgraded mobile browser. The RAZR2 styling is eye catching and elegant and feels great in you hand while talking on it. It is a slick piece, a little too slick. My only gripe is the grip, it's the diamond cut pattern sideband. I would like to have a rubber grip just for peace of mind. I can envision getting one of those stress inducing calls my palms start to sweat and the next thing I know I'm picking up my dented or scratched RAZR2 from the ground. Though, I've dropped every phone I have ever owed...so these fears stem from that more than the RAZR2's design.
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And in this Corner...Cuisinart Griddler Jr.

posted by Andrew Harris

Marketers are an insidious bunch. The persuader who was responsible for convincing folks to snap up cheaply made, hard to clean grills (with an ugly mug on the box) no doubt is sitting pretty these days. On the other hand, Cuisinart products have a reputation, and it's a good one. No celebrity is going to change that. This month the Cuisinart Griddler is birthing an offspring, the Griddler Jr. So, since you just moved into to that two million dollar condo overlooking the park. It's time to pick which appliances are going to match your stainless steel counter tops and Ikea shelves. Cuisinart's look is classic contemporary so it is up to your discerning aesthetic judgment. Cuisinart Griddler Jr. is sophisticated enough for the seasoned foodie with temperature control, removable grill plates, multiple configurations(grill, contact grill, panini press), also it's straightforward enough for the non-culinary types (raw food in cooked food out). So even if your real estate doesn't exude good taste and class your electric grill will.
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No, not the LCD...the Sound Projector

[image courtesy Yamaha]

posted by Andrew Harris

Now I preface this post by asking all audiophiles not to cringe in disgust. Its another all-in-one audio unit. Yamaha, with the YSP-3000, hopes to make some multi-speaker system shoppers convert and embrace their vision of surround sound. Which is a singular sound projection unit. It uses all the latest innovations from a variety of renowned sound labs. These technologies simulate a multi-speaker system's sound, without the wires or the installation contractor.

The beams of sound shooting out the thing effectively make it true multi-channeled. What can you listen to on it? The Yamaha YSP-3000 sound projector has more connections than a Columbian drug lord...mini-jack, HDMI, XMHD ready, FM tuner, and an iPod interface(w/YDS-10 dock)all presented in a deceptively simple package.

I don't think that sound system installers are going to lose sleep over this one. Although, if you're short on space(as many city dwellers are)than this sound system could be a valuable space saver. I mean really, if you're so short on space that you're TV is two feet away from you couch...than you mostly likly don't need powerful multi-speaker sound system. So this makes perfect sense.

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Cuisinart's Café Customization

image courtesy of Cuisinart]

posted by Andrew Harris

In the option filled world of today it can all be a little much…sometimes you just want to roll over and go to sleep. Well wake up! Your coffeemaker needs your direction. Due out mid month is the Cuisinart SS-1. Not only can this jazzy java maker, brew a perfect cup…it’s your customized cup of joe. Whether you‘re a heavily caffeinated connoisseur or content with a regular level of caffeine in your bloodstream, the Cuisinart single serve coffeemaker has you covered. This Cuisinart has taken single serve coffee brewing to an art form, 60oz reservoir, charcoal filtration, cup size selector (4-12oz), flavor selector (regular or bold), and the Cuisinart SS-1 uses coffee pods or grounds. Who says to many options is a bad thing.

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"Nobel" Physis...Affects Everyone

The technology in your iPod Classic just won the Nobel Prize for Physics this morning. Now, before you start calling the award, the “Novel” Prize for Physics because it’s associated with such a frivolous technology, the iPod just happens to be one of many beneficiaries of a phenomenon called giant magnetoresistance. Working independently two scientists, Albert Fert (French) and Peter Gruenberg (German), shared the honors of this prestigious prize, and split the 1.5 mil. Giant magnetoresistance’s effect basically amplifies minute changes in magnetism and generates larger changes in electrical resistance. You know that magic hard drives use to store data with, magnetically recorded electrical signals; well, giant magnetoresistance makes smaller drives with fainter magnetic signals (fainter because of there size) possible due to its amplification properties. The technology was first applied in 1997 and became standard shortly after. The ramifications of these discoveries are felt far and wide. Just think about the amount of tiny hard drives in use in the world…billions of bits of data whose storage is all dependent on the work of these two scientists. Now, if that’s not “Nobel” not much in this world is.
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Sony's Flash Recorder Surpasses DAT Quality

The Sony Professional Portable 24-bit Linear Audio Recorder is a great addition to you mobile multimedia recording studio, you know that one you carry around all day ready to fire up at the drop of a new gadget. Bloggers, podcasters, reporters, musicians, and maybe the occasional aural artist would seem to be the audience for the Sony PCM-D50.

High quality recording is no problem here; bit rates vary from 22 kHz/16 bits to 96 kHz/ 24 bits. The available recording time corresponds with the quality of the recording and the memory present. With the 4Gb that comes built in the recorder it is a formidable foe recording up to 13hrs, but add a memory stick and you're recording long after other recorders have retreated in defeat.

Signal to noise ratio is rather low producing what Sony classifies as "noise-free" recording. Due to this low signal to noise ratio first time testers have found the handling noise was greatly reduced, if not eliminated, which is not the case with some other recorder in the same price range.

The recording format is your standard .WMA with playback in the same format or .MP3. The recorder connects via high speed USB, drag and drop on Mac/Windows. The real gems of the system are the built in condenser microphones these are prefect for the on the street interview and relatively any other application, but if these don’t do it for you, you can plug an external microphone. Be forewarned, if your external microphone requires power, the Sony PCM-D50 doesn’t provide any additional power so unless you what to drop some extra cash on an adapter...stick with the built-in jump offs. The list price is $599.

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LG Voyager set to Stun Mode

[image courtesy of Verizon Wireless]

posted by Andrew Harris

Even if you’re suffering option overload when it comes to wireless handsets, read on; one seems to float to the top. Now you may ask yourself what does this new touch screen wonder device have that the iPhone doesn’t have? LG’s Voyager has physical keyboard, for one…well a QWERTY keypad, removable SD memory expandable to 8 GB, and Bluetooth connectivity. Needless to say, LG’s latest handset, Voyager, is much more than an iPhone wantabe. Verizon Wireless is hoping that the stocking will be stuffed in their favor this holiday season, promising Voyagers to be in stores by Thanksgiving. Mobile media addicts will get their fix in the usually sundry ways, including Verizon’s high speed wireless broadband with HTML browsing capabilities. Seems as if you can only watch V-Cast videos, but really they have most anything you want to watch on v-cast. As for the music playback it’s much more versatile supporting .mp3, .wma, & .acc, and music downloading is “quick and easy”. LG is banking, not on hype and aesthetics; they’re more about form following function. So satisfy you left brain and be sensible, buy for features not for hype.

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Panasonic puts Plasma in its Place

[image courtesy of Panasonic]

posted by Andrew Harris

Bigger displays, better picture resolutions, cheaper prices…there‘s something to be said for sitting on an large electronics purchase decision, until conditions are just right. If you know your purchase isn’t going to be the first on the block, but it will be the best value or the best tested; than you’re the type of shopper that likes waiting for that quintessential moment when…better and cheaper is a reality. Bigger only comes into play where desired as in HDTV’s and computer displays. How does 50inches sound? Consumer Reports announced yesterday the independent lab’s test results for flat screen plasmas and LCD’s. The Panasonic sets faired quite well overall and the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U flew off with “Best Flat Screen Ever”, never has Consumer Reports bestowed this honor to a flat screen, the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U scored big on the “full HD” 1920x1080/1080p resolution capabilities. This drove the high rating from testers. They noted the color clarity and the richness of the immersion experience with the Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PZ700U. It scored high even when displaying in broadcast or DVD picture quality. So, flat panel shoppers measure up that wall above your old CRT TV and call the city to schedule your recycling date, because the time has come my frugal friend. Can’t you almost hear you’re friends whining when you hit the power switch and have to kick them out?

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Kenwood’s Foray into PMPs

posted by Andrew Harris D55

[images courtesy of Kenwood]

Kenwood’s leap into the competitive market of portable media players (PMPs) is a slim, minimally design, and visually attractive offering. The Kenwood “Media Keg’s” claim to fame is the high attention to sound quality that is synonymous with Kenwood, plus they don’t skimp on the output end. The headset is an ear canal type, not cinchy “earbuds” so once the unit is paid for you don’t have to replace the supplied equipment in order to get the full enjoyment of the player. Music/Data transfer is drag and drop or uses Windows Media Player. Supported file formats are MP3 & WMA with DRM compliancy. The “Kegs” will come in 1&2 Gigs capacities (M1G/M2G)and two design configurations (D55/D50). The D55’s seem to be a more seamless in their look and come in sliver, black, and red…D50's D50

are a bit bubblier and are available in red, white, and blue. The new PMPs’ prices are listed as “open” by Kenwood. Contrary to what the color line up would suggest the U.S. market availability has not been announced, but Kenwood’s new PMPs are being rolled out in Japan this month. Looks like you’ll have to get on Facebook and hit up your Japanese friends if you want to be an early catcher of one of these.

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