Just announced, the 80 watt-per-channel TX-SR576 and 75 watt-per-channel TX-SR506 are the company’s lowest priced offerings to include Powered Zone 2 capability and front channel bi-amplification features, as well as Audyssey’s new Dynamic EQ loudness correction technology.

Powered Zone 2 allows your rear surround amplifier channels to power stereo speakers in a second room while 5.1-channel sound in happening in the main zone. With Audyssey 2EQ, the receiver sends test signals to your speakers. An included calibration microphone accepts the signals, which the receiver uses to adjust channel levels and time delay settings for each speaker.

Each receiver also features three HDMI inputs, Audyssey 2EQ automatic room correction, and Onkyo’s own Music Optimizer software, which boasts improved MP3 and AAC performance.

Both receivers will be available next month. The TX-SR576 will run $479, with the TX-SR506 coming in at $379.

British manufacturer Meridian is popping its latest projector over the pond—and into your home theater.

The MF10 uses the latest in D-ILA (Digital Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier) light-engine technology, in a three-chip 1080p array. Aside from the 16-element glass lens, specs include a hearty 30,000:1 native contrast ratio, a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 700 lumens, DSP video processing, and HDMI 1.3 support.

Also the 2x zoom means that you can have a bigger picture, even if you don’t have the space to back it up; projection sizes range from 60 to 200 inches.

An optional 2.35:1 Cinemascop conversion kit is also available for those wanting to kick their entertainment up a notch. Speaking of add-ons, Meridian also just announced the DVP2351 ($3,995) digital video processor for an extra kick to your viewing pleasure.

The MF10 is available now for $14,995.

Tzero Technologies today announced that consumer technology giant, Hitachi Ltd. has selected its ultra wideband (UWB) technology to enable wireless HD video for its highly-touted and much anticipated Ultra Thin (UT) HDTV series. Tzero’s advanced entertainment networking technology will eliminate cables and dramatically simplify the connections between the sleek new Hitachi displays and other home audio/video components. The new display series, which debuted at CES 2008, is now available at leading Japanese retail outlets.

“Hitachi UT HDTVs are bringing together some of the most advanced technology in the industry, designed to improve the viewing experience from every angle and with market-leading image quality,” said Masanori Yoshino, General Manager Products Strategy Digital AV Products Division at Hitachi. “After carefully evaluating a number of wireless video technologies, only Tzero’s UWB implementation could provide the video quality and performance that is required for our demanding UT customer base.”

With Tzero technology, Hitachi UT HDTVs will be able to receive high-definition video wirelessly from any HDMI(TM) equipped audio/video component. The wireless connection can deliver transmission speeds of up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) to support even the most stringent demands of high-definition video and IPTV. Additionally, Tzero’s platform is based on standards from the WiMedia Alliance and is guaranteed to coexist and interact with other WiMedia-compliant devices.

BenQ has just launched the ultra-slim 24″ V2400W LCD monitor which is now the thinnest at 2.44 inches at it’s thickest point. To give you a perspective of how thin that is, the BenQ V2400W is a whopping 21% thinner than it’s nearest rival. This new monitor supports high definition at 1080pixels. This very chic monitor is a far cry from the ancient boxes we used to get for monitors and will certainly not be out of place in the very stylish, new age, ultra-sophisticated homes. The V2400W has an assymetric design with an offset stand which looks more Giorgio Armani design than a computer monitor. And the V2400W has an international award in its kitty after winning the iF design awards.

The technology goes even more further with touch controls for the monitor settings which make the V2400W a very cutting edge monitor. BenQ is getting future proof technology with HDMI, DVI-D, VGA connect and five preset modes for an awesome viewing experience. Big and Clear, that is what this latest LCD monitor from BenQ is, and from this month, consumers in Asia and China will be able to bring home the very high end LCD monitor. As for Europe and North America, BenQ will start shipping the LCD’s a month later, from April.

Samsung’s HPT5054 is the choice of value conscious plasma HDTV enthusiasts. Whether you’re in a dark room or in broad daylight, the picture remains amazingly crisp and vibrant, thanks to Samsung’s FilterBright anti-reflection technology.

Even in moonlit scenes, the HPT5054’s 15,000:1 contrast ratio and 18-bit technology let you see every shadowy detail and natural, rich color. Advanced Samsung plasma picture technology delivers sharper screen text, while eliminating noise.

Samsung also introduces an innovative auto-pixelshift technology that makes picture burn-in a thing of the past. Experience robust, 3-dimensional TruSurround XT sound. Connect all your digital devices and peripherals courtesy of 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of audio and video inputs. Control all your CEC-compliant digital devices through the one HPT5054 remote. And it’s ENERGY STAR Compliant, so you’ll use less energy.more

he BBC test-screened the RBS Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and England, in what is believed to be the first-ever live test screening of an international sports event in 3D HDTV via satellite.The screening, at Riverside Studios in London, was enabled by a joint venture between BBC Sport and The3DFirm, a consortium comprising media communications firm Can Communicate, 3D specialist company Inition and hire and post production house Axis Films.

According to David Wooster of The3DFirm, 3D creates an experience which is almost as good as being at the actual event.

The technique, which is still under development, involves bouncing dual HD signals around and re-encoding them as a 3D experience.

Taiwan display maker AU Optronics today revealed what it says is the world’s first truly wide-aspect, full HD 24-inch flat-panel display. The LCD adopts the same 16:9 ratio of many HDTVs and is capable of a native 1080p resolution. While shorter than the 1920×1200 resolution of existing 24-inch computer screens, the wider display makes it better-suited to widescreen movies with the image filling more of the available space. The new design is also half as thick as the taller displays: where a conventional display would measure 1.38 inches deep, the new implementation is just 0.55 inches. Combined with a narrow bezel, this allows a same-size display in a much smaller space.

The new 24-inch example continues to be lit by cold-cathode fluorescent light (CCFL) rather than the more efficient LED but consumes roughly half the power of other screens in the class without sacrificing its 1,000:1 contrast ratio or 300-nit brightness, both of which put it on par with other recent 24-inch LCDs.

Samsung Electronics launched its 3D Ready PDP TV ‘PAVV Cannes 450’ in Korea market, which features 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 3D content support.

Samsung boasts that it can support 1,000,000:1 mega-contrast ratio thanks to Cell Light Control and offer high quality picture, by equipped with 2008 Ultra Daylight technology and DNIe+(Digital Natural Image engine+) chipset.

Users can enjoy 3D games or movies with the Cannes 450, when they first connect the TV to high performance PC supporting 3D software and then wear 3D glasses. According to the company, Electronic Arts, the world’s biggest interactive entertainment software company, is going to provide a variety of 3D content for 3D Ready PDP TV.

The PAVV Cannes 450 enhanced low-sound performance and adopted slimline design with an upgraded black panel. In addition, the PAVV Cannes 450 incorporated three entertainment modes; sports, movie and game.

The PAVV Cannes 450 is expected to be available for around 1,750,000(KRW) for 42-inch model and 2,500,000(KRW) for 50-inch. Meanwhile, Samsung is going to roll out its 50-inch full HD PDP ‘PAVV Cannes 550’ with the price tag of around 3,900,000(KRW).

Samsung Electronics announced the launch of its full HD LCD TV ‘PAVV Bordeaux 650 Series’ in Korea market, which features TOC(Touch of Color) design with a hint of rose-red color blended into Samsung’s traditional piano black bezel frame.

Its full HD(1080p) panel uses a new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time, coupled with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz motion blur reduction technology dramatically reduces motion blur and judder—making the set ideal for playing video games and watching action sports.

Samsung has also incorporated sophisticated networking and easy connection capability in response to consumer interest. In particular, up-to-the-minute access to weather, news, sports and stock information is just a cable and a click away through the HDTV’s Ethernet port and new InfoLink RSS service.

Designed to be the entertainment hub in the home, the Bordeaux 650 enables consumers to access a wide range of digital and multimedia devices thanks to four HDMI ports and a down-firing speaker.

Coming in three different sizes including 40-, 46-, 52-inch models, the Bordeaux 650 Series is expected to be available for around 3,200,000(KRW), 4,700,000(KRW) and 5,800,000(KRW) respectively.

Panasonic just rolled out its new spring line-up of PDP and LCD TVs with twelve new models, and of course we were there! Before going into many details, let’s start by covering the basis. ALL twevle models are full HD and Viera Link (a universal remote which controls of ANY Panasonic AV product) compatible .

Viera PZ800 series.
Here’se the top of the range from Panasonic, the PZ800 series attempts to give you the best video experience and is close as possible to a cinema one. These PDP TVs are available in 42″, 46″ and 50” and have the newly developed Color Lima Star System technology (rough translation from Japanese to English) for its PDP Panels.

The contrast ratio on the PZ800 TVs is about 30000:1, and Panasonic also features x.v.Color as well the UniPhier (Universal Platform for High-quality Image Enhancing Revolution), and improved PEAKS architecture.

On a side note our PZ800 series TVs has SD and SDHC card readers allowing you to directly watch any video taken by a Panasonic Full HD SD camera like the SD3 or SD9, 4 1.3a HDMI input, and will be sold in Japan around the end of April.

Viera PZ85 Series
Here again full HD PDP TVs, available in 42″ and 46” with a newly designed slim body. Has a 30000:1 contrast ratio, and supports x.v.Colors.

Viera PZ80 Series
Three PDP TVs available in 42″, 46″, and 50” and three different colors (white, black, and silver) and has a 30000:1 contrast ratio, and supports x.v.Colors.

Viera LZ85 Series and LZ80 Series.
LCD TVs available in 32″ and 37”, full HD, featuring Full Hi-Vision IPSα LCD panels (better view angle), WSpeed Panel (120Hz), and a contrast ratio of 10000:1.  More here