Schneider-Kreuznach has expanded its range of anamorphic lenses for home cinema. With the new CDA 1.33x MF Première lens, the increasingly popular Cinemascope image format (2.35:1) can now be displayed with reportedly no distortion using any high-end 16:9 home cinema projector. The Première anamorphic lens enables full HD resolution, even in Cinemascope format, and eliminates letterboxing. The MF Première lens has a multilayer antireflection... 

Bloomberg.com reports that Amazon.com has approached several media companies in hopes to launch an online video subscription service in order to compete with online rental service, Netflix. The service would consist of older films and television shows and would be made available for a monthly fee. Reportedly, Amazon has approached Time Warner, Viacom Inc. owner of MTV, and General Electric, which is the parent company of NBC Universal. The goal... 

With the recent launch of its AVENTAGE Series, Yamaha claims that its entire line-up of current AV receivers, including the RX-V67 Series, support the newest HDMI 1.4a specification, making them compatible with all mandated 3D formats. The Yamaha lines conform to the HDMI spec’s newest requirement released last March. It mandates that AV receivers must support the frame packing 3D format at either 720p50 and 1080p24 or 720p60 and 1080p24,... 

In November 2009, Sony said that it was developing a network service platform called Sony Online Services (SOLS), which is now called Qriocity. Qriocity is a network service platform that connects many of Sony’s network-enabled devices and allows consumers to enjoy entertainment across multiple devices. Via Qriocity, Sony will deliver a variety of digital entertainment content and services, including video, music, game applications, and... 

Apple announced a new version of the Apple TV during their press conference today. The new Apple TV is a black box that is 1/4 the size of the old model. The new model comes with a built in power supply, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and 802.11n Wi-Fi as well. Also packaged with the product is an aluminum remote. All content available is now in High Definition. There is no longer any purchases available – everything is a rental. This... 

Onkyo is now expanding its product line to include separate components. With its recent announcement of three new THX Certified components, Onkyo is now offering the levels of performance, quality, and capabilities typical of separates. These new products include Onkyo’s first A/V preamplifier/processor that is both 3D-Ready and THX-Certified, a 150-watt nine-channel amplifier, and a Blu-ray Disc Player. Onkyo’s flagship PR-SC5508... 

Of the four series in Sony’s 3D television lineup, the HX800 is the least expensive (behind the LX900, HX909 and new NX810 Series), but it still sports an excellent array of features. The HX800 Series includes screen sizes of 55, 46 and 40 inches. We have not performed a hands-on review of the KDL-55HX800, but here is an overview of the TV’s features. This 55-inch, 1080p LCD is technically 3D…  Read More →

The new Cinema 11v is a versatile high definition video scaler/switcher/processor designed to deliver image quality with powerful digital video processing. The Cinema 11v is based on the Genesis FLI30436 video processing chip. The FLI30436 chip offers advanced, dual-channel applications of Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and Picture-by-Picture (PBP). Two video decoders with 3D comb filters and two channels of DCDi processing provide the picture for... 

Announced at last year’s CEDIA, Optoma’s HD8600 is currently the top-shelf model in the company’s custom-installation line. It’s loaded with Optoma’s most advanced imaging technologies and recently earned the CEA’s Mark of Excellence Gold Award for Video Product of the Year. We have not performed a hands-on review of the HD8600, but here is an overview of its features. This 1080p, single-chip DLP projector... 

Having your DVDs and Blu-ray discs shipped directly to your door, a.k.a. mailbox, was little more than a pipe dream a few years ago; however today it has become the go-to solution for many home theater enthusiasts. Netflix, arguably the largest provider of direct mail DVD and Blu-ray rentals has garnered much of the space’s attention as well as its revenue. However times are changing and where there’s money to be made, expect competition.... 

Phase Technology has announced the new products they will be showcasing at the CEDIA 2010 Expo. Phase Technology will introduce new models of surface-mount, ceiling-mount, and in-wall 3-inch speakers: the SPF-15, the CI-1.5, the CI-15, and the CI-MM3 II. All the new models include a 3-inch polypropylene full-range driver. The surface-mount speaker is the SPF-15. This speaker requires no tools to lock its positioning. The mounting system rotates... 

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) just announced that Panasonic has become an official sponsor of the US Open in a new three-year agreement. Working with CBS Sports, the USTA and Panasonic will spearhead the first-ever 3D broadcasts of the tournament. CBS Sports will produce 3D versions of all the Arthur Ashe Stadium matches that it broadcasts in high definition on Labor Day weekend and on finals weekend, September 10-12. These matches... 

Tech blog, engadet.com, is reporting that before the year’s end, Toshiba plans to launch three new 3D HDTVs. These new televisions are reported to be glasses-free, meaning that it is not necessary to wear glasses to experience 3D viewing. The technology is called autostereoscopic and the idea behind it is that the screen will emit light rays at different angles. This method of projecting light will supposedly create a 3D image that can... 

Salamander Designs, Ltd. introduces two new lines of rack mounts that are compatible with both its Synergy System and Chameleon Collection of A/V cabinets. The new designs allow customers to add rack mount capability to the modular Synergy System and increase the number of product configurations to further meet their audio/video requirements. The Chameleon Collection mounts allow consumers to incorporate any of 9 decorator styles into a rack... 

According to the New York Times, Apple is close to closing deals with the News Corporation, Fox’s parent company, and the Walt Disney Company, the parent of ABC, for rentals of television episodes. Episodes would cost 99 cents per rental and would be available through the iTunes store. NBC Universal, CBS Corporation, and Time Warner are reportedly skeptical of the idea but have not ruled out the possibility. This news comes amid wide speculation...