Television: Blu-ray wins disc battle, but download war looms

Vince HoriuchiTribune columnist
Article Last Updated: 02/21/2008 07:05:30 PM MST

The biggest news so far this year in technology and TV is that the high-definition disc format war is finally over (cue "Taps," please). But just because Sony's Blu-ray high definition format prevailed over Toshiba-backed HD-DVD (the company conceded this week) doesn't mean it's going to win the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of home video viewers.

The next battle that will be waged, now that Blu-ray is the clear choice for high-definition discs, is between discs and digital downloads for movies. While Blu-ray and HD-DVD went toe-to-toe for more than a year, the likes of iTunes, Netflix and Microsoft have been working on getting movies to TVs by download services. iTunes just introduced video rentals. Netflix has a service that allows members to watch any of 7,000 movies for free by streaming them to computers and soon to TVs. Microsoft's Xbox Live, the network for its Xbox 360 gaming console, allows gamers to watch streaming movies, too. Then there are cable services like Comcast's Video On Demand and satellite providers that have similar pay-per-view services. The nexus of this new war is whether movie lovers want to own their movies on disc as they have with DVDs or if they just want to rent them by clicking through the remote and paying on credit. Yes, it's more convenient to just call up a movie and watch it whenever you want. But for watching high-definition movies, Blu-ray is by far the best choice. For one thing, only Blu-ray movies have true high-definition video that's crystal clear, full of color and detail. High-definition movies for download currently are available only through iTunes and Xbox Live, and I would barely call them HD. Because the providers have to stream the movies to your computer or TV, the files are much smaller than they would be on Blu-ray and therefore not as clear because the data has to be highly compressed. High-def movies on Comcast's On Demand service can be pretty blocky and pixelated, for example, when there's a lot of action on screen.

There also are no bonus features with streaming movies. Blu-ray has not only extras, but also the technology to include picture-in-picture commentary and interactive features through the Internet. The extras on the "3:10 to Yuma" disc are nearly as entertaining as the movie itself. Also, downloading movies through the Xbox or iTunes is expensive - $5.99 and $4.99 per high-def movie, respectively. Now that Blu-ray has won the format war, a few things need to happen by the end of the year for it to truly become the next-generation DVD technology that people will use: The price of players must go below $199. The price of movies must go below $20. And big catalog movies have to come out in the format sooner rather than later (are you listening, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spielberg?). If those things happen, and I think at least the first two will by Christmas, consumers will move to Blu-ray almost as quickly as they did to DVD. (Studies show more high-def players and discs sold in the first two years they were available than DVDs did.) Otherwise, this new technology could go the way of LaserDiscs and Betamax, and that would be heartbreaking.

Souce from http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_8328624

'Pocket Theaters' Emerge as New Trend

A new era is dawning for a "theater in your pocket," or the so-called "palm theater." Just the size of a cigarette pack, portable media players allow people to watch movies, TV shows and online lectures anytime and anywhere. Replacing televisions and computers, these fancy gadgets are attracting more and more viewers.

Portable media players are selling like hot cakes in Korea. Industry sources say over 2.3 million devices were sold last year, a 100 percent increase from 2006. Given that some 2.1 million TV sets were sold during the same period, it seems these new gadgets are not just for early adopters anymore.

Reigncom, the Korean multimedia device maker famous for the iRiver, said the rapid growth of the market has largely been fueled by American TV series and user-created content (UCC), which have enjoyed huge popularity in Korea since early last year. The device makers have also done their part by releasing enticing new products one after another.

From left, the LG Ann Shining Touch, Samsung YP-P2 and Apple iPod Touch

Reigncom introduced its Clix MP4 player last year, sporting an active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) screen that offers a clearer image than a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The device has achieved great success with sales of over 200,000 units, an unusually high figure for a single model.

Samsung Electronics launched its YP-P2 touch-screen media player in October last year. Since then it has sold an average of 30,000 units per month. LG Electronics also entered the market with its Ann Shining Touch player which can tune into DMB broadcasts. Meanwhile, Apple has achieved tremendous success with its iPod Touch and other media players.

Portable media players are especially popular among students who want to take advantage of the many educational video resources developed by local language schools and cram schools. This has prompted Sharp and several companies of different fields, among them electronic dictionary and navigation system makers, to rush to find their way into this lucrative market.

There are drawbacks, too. Although there are dozens of different video format types today, many devices support a limited range of formats such as MP4. That means consumers have to convert their movie files to a format that their device can read.
More fundamentally, the illegal download of movies, TV content and other copyrighted material should be strictly forbidden, said Park Young-ryeol, a professor at Yonsei University.
(englishnews@chosun.com )

The Myth of Plasma “Burn-In”

In the "early" days of plasma TV, image retention, or "burn in" was a real concern. Fortunately, modern sets are far less susceptible thanks to a few new safeguards.

February 22, 2008 by Dennis Barker
Plasma TVs have been around now for several years now. They were the original flat-panel display designed for hanging on the wall or over the fireplace. From the beginning, they were the darling television of interior designers. In fact, the plasma has always had a certain cache, mystery, myth about it. In some ways, they represented the future with their “floating” appearance, which culled up visions of H.G. Wells’ prophetic novel “Things to Come.” Or maybe, it simply conjured up thoughts of Capt. Kirk on the bridge of the StarShip Enterprise looking at that large wall-hanging display. Right or wrong, many consumers still believe that plasmas are superior to other types of TVs – possibly because they have a specialized gas encased inside the display and they still seem somewhat exotic. In any case, they are certainly a marvel of creativity and engineering.

The perceived problem with plasma, however, is something called “burn-in” or more technically called “image retention.” This means that if you keep an image “frozen” on the screen too long, a ghost of the image will stay with the display forever. A good example of things that could leave permanent images on the screen could be news or stock tickers, or station logos or icons – sometimes called “bugs.” In the beginning, this was certainly an issue. Now, several years later, all of the leading manufacturers of plasma TVs – Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Pioneer, and Hitachi – have all taken several steps to greatly reduce or eliminate completely any signs of image retention.

According to Jim Palumbo, President of the Plasma Display Coalition (PDC), “New plasma advancements in cell structure and phosphor formulations have virtually eliminated image retention, also known as ghosting. Tests verify that any residual ghosting generally disappeared with normal use after a relatively short time. If you haven’t burned images into your CRT television, there is little chance that you will with plasma. As with any electronic product, you should follow the usage guidelines in your owner’s manual.” Basically the PDC position is that image retention (burn-in) has been virtually eliminated and is no longer an issue.

Tim Alessi, Director of Product Development at LG Electronics, explains that “LG has gone to great lengths to eliminate uneven aging. As far as LG is concerned, it’s a non-issue today. All of our plasma sets offer an image sticking mode in case “paused” images were left on the screen for too long. As well, each set includes three other functions that further help reduce or eliminate “burn-in.” All sets include an orbiter feature that constantly shifts images by 1 to 2 pixels at a time. Secondly, there is an inversion mode; and lastly, there is a whitewash mode. Via the on-screen menus, the consumer can invoke the whitewash mode that completely turns the screen image white for between 5 -10 seconds to eliminate any images that have been retained.”

Samsung offers similar options to consumers with its Plasma HDTVs, which are available via the on-screen menu of their current 2007 models. These modes include: Pixel Shift - Adjustable image shift; slowly shifts the image up and down and/or side to side to keep the pixels from burning in. User can adjust the amount of shift, the direction and the timing, up to 4 pixels horizontally and/or vertically, taking up to 2 minutes to make a complete shift and back; White - displays a white screen to alleviate image retention and/or burn-in; Scrolling - displays a gray ramp (image that ramps from black on one side of the screen to white on the other), that then rolls across the screen, horizontally; and, Side bars- adds gray side bars to 4:3 images.

Additionally, according to Mike Wood, TV Test Manager for Samsung QA Labs America, “For reference, there is a difference between “image retention” and “burn-in.” When used correctly, the former term refers to an image that stays on screen long after the original image is gone, but that doesn’t mean the plasma or the phosphors are permanently “burned.” It just means the pixel is kind of stuck (though not usually stuck in the original state, nor in the generally considered usage of the term- it’s more of a lag) and will revert back to its “newish” state with a new signal (usually a white signal, or at least something brighter than the original signal that got it stuck in the first place), or time. One would really have to use them with a static image for a really long time (think: digital signage) to see any “burn-in” with current sets. Studies show the same is true of LCD.”

Source from http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_myth_of_plasma_burn_in/D1/

IT News - Feb. 25, 2008

HDTV News:
· Electronic House – The myth of plasma “burn-in” - http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_myth_of_plasma_burn_in/D1/
· The Roanoke Times – U2 on the big screen: The real thing? - http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/151695
· TWICE – LCD, 1080p drive Super Bowl sales - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6534273.html
· E-Gear – With Wii in mind, Panasonic prepping “unbreakable” TV - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91418&var=story
· Content Agenda - Updated Apple TV makes it even more tempting; Silver box lets you download movie rentals and buy TV shows right from your TV - http://www.contentagenda.com/articleXml/LN748307981.html
· Engadget HD – SOYO announces 22 inch LCD HDTV, fails to name it - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/22/soyo-announces-22-inch-lcd-hdtv-fails-to-name-it/
· Engadget HD – Can your HDTV even properly display 1080p24? - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/21/can-your-hdtv-even-properly-display-1080p24/


Blu-ray / DVD / Home Theater News:
· CE Pro – 18 Blu-ray players for your next install - http://www.cepro.com/article/18_blu_ray_players_for_your_next_install/
o CE Pro – 18 Blu-ray players for your next install (BD-UP5000) - http://www.cepro.com/slideshow/image/2177/
· The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Consumer Tech: Try to wait to buy improved Blu-ray players (BD-UP5000) - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/352218_bluray22.html
· E-Gear – After the war, LG evaluating next step - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91751&var=story
· CRAVE – CNET – Blu-ray will not be the success other formats have been - http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9876100-1.html
· The Salt Lake Tribune – Television: Blu-ray wins disc battle, but download war looms - http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_8328624
· E-Gear – Should you buy a Blu-ray player? - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91820&var=story
· The Street – Blu-ray victory won’t budge Microsoft - http://www.thestreet.com/s/blu-ray-victory-wont-budge-microsoft/newsanalysis/techsoftware/10404412.html?puc=googlefi
· TWICE – Onkyo officially drops HD DVD - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6534576.html?desc=topstory
· CrunchGear – Sony inks deal with Ensequence for interactive Blu-ray content - http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/02/21/sony-inks-deal-with-ensequence-for-interactive-blu-ray-content/
· Yahoo! Tech – Blu-ray buying guide, Part I - http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/12983/blu-ray-buying-guide-part-i
· Gearlog – HD-DVD optical drives down but not out? - http://www.gearlog.com/2008/02/hddvd_optical_drives_down_but.php
· AV Guide – HD DVD players become just powerful DVD players - http://www.avguide.com/news/2008/02/21/hd-dvd-players-become-just-powerful-dvd-players/
· Engadget HD – How to future proof your HD DVD collection - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/22/how-to-future-proof-your-hd-dvd-collection/
· Gizmodo – Toshiba thinking about Blu-ray for laptops - http://gizmodo.com/359248/toshiba-thinking-about-blu+ray-for-laptops
· Gizmodo – X-Box 360 HD-DVD player to drop to $50 - http://gizmodo.com/359572/x+box-360-hd+dvd-player-to-drop-to-50
· Xbox Circle – 18 million Xbox 360’s sold, Blu-ray drive unlikely - http://www.xboxcircle.com/xbox360/2008/02/22/18-million-xbox-360s-sold-blu-ray-drive-unlikely/


MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder / Camera News:
· LAPTOP – Samsung P2 Review - http://www.laptopmag.com/Review/Samsung-P2.htm
· Fortune – Apple 2.0 analysts: Effect of iPod shuffle price cut is a wash - http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/02/20/analysts-effect-of-ipod-shuffle-price-cut-is-a-wash/
· Engadget – Ilife Technology’s S5 PMP can emulate everything…except true love - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/21/ilife-technologys-s5-pmp-can-emulate-everything-except-true/
· Gizmodo – iPod Video 5G hacked with Bluetooth module - http://gizmodo.com/359545/ipod-video-5g-hacked-with-bluetooth-module
· Gizmodo – Video tour and details of Zune games and SDK - http://gizmodo.com/359374/video-tour-and-details-of-zune-games-and-sdk
· I4U – DLO introduces videoshell for iPod Nano - http://www.i4u.com/article15011.html
· PC World – New iPod game: Pirates of the Caribbean - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142662-c,games/article.html


MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder / Camera FYI:
· Chosun Ilbo – ‘Pocket theaters’ emerge as new trend (P2) - http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802220015.html


General Industry / Trade / Competitor News:
· PC World – Microsoft plans significant announcement - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142696-c,techindustrytrends/article.html

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Samsung BD-UP5000 and Audioengine AW1 reviews

HDTV Magazine provided an excellent review of the Samsung BD-UP5000 combo Bl-ray and HD-DVD player, and Audioengine AW1.

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/podcast/2008/02/hdtv_and_home_theater_podcast_248_-_samsung_bd-up5000_and_audioengine_aw1_reviews.php

Overclockers Online covered Samsung YP-P2

Overclockers Online covered a story of Samsung YP-P2, one of the most advanced audio players in the world.

Here is the link for more information. http://www.overclockersonline.net/?page=samsung-p2

Straddle both sides in high definition DVD war

Here's a way to enjoy the best of both worlds. Refer to the following link or the infromaton posted below.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/columnists/story.html?id=8243de29-bac4-4dd5-99b7-f88e5e009c83&p=1

The Samsung BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player, centre, plays both competing full-featured HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs as well as DVD and audio CDs. HD-DVD movies, top, can show extra scene-related information like the makes and specs of cars or the geographic location in a chase scene, while the movie plays in the background, as shown in the Bourne Identity movie.Steve Makris, The Journal


EDMONTON - Confused about who will win the high definition movie disc format war? Here's a way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Samsung's new BD-UP5000 Duo HD player, $849 with $50 rebate, plays both Toshiba's HD-DVD and the much-favoured Sony Blu-ray discs.
Unlike other players, the Samsung Duo plays both formats in full 1080P resolution, supporting full features. This is good news to those wanting to play both formats, even though HD-DVD is clearly losing support from the movie industry.

What are full features?
HD-DVD, for example, lets you see and hear additional information on a smaller picture window, while the movie continues to play on the main screen. This varies with every movie release.
When watching the Bourne Identity, for example, I could simultaneously access cast interviews appropriately timed to each scene.
You might ask who needs all that extra stuff anyway, but after watching a great HD movie a few times -- in lifelike clarity -- it's nice to experience it again in different ways.
Like how about a Global Positioning Screen map that shows you where the car chase is happening or a brief description of the cars involved?
Some HD-DVD movies can connect you online via the player's Ethernet cable to your home Internet connection for more movie-related features.
In comparison, Blu-ray discs can hold more information for more content in future movie releases.
Most disc players today are upgraded by downloading a file on your computer, burning it on a CD and "playing" it on the player.
But the Samsung Duo can also update the player's firmware, by going directly online, with more features, fixes and player functionality.

Does Samsung Duo perform?
Without a doubt, it is an impressive player that also plays DVDs and audio CDs (including 99-song playlist capability) but not the many other niche movie formats that originate from today's computers and the Internet.
It uses pricey hardware HQV video processing from Silicon Optix, not found in most other players, that improves all video quality on your TV screen. This includes upscaling or bumping up a DVD movie closer to HD quality.
The HD-DVD in this player starts movies just as fast as the best dedicated HD-DVD-only models.
DVDs look far better on large flat panel TVs, so there's still some life left in your aging DVD collection. HD-DVD discs can hold a movie in traditional DVD format on one side and HD on the other, making it a future-proof buy.
The backlighted remote control is well laid out but narrow, so big fingers will have to adjust.
There's oodles of connections in the back including optical and coaxial for best sound, 7.1 speaker surround sound and more.
The onboard decoding for many high resolution audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is smart for older stereo systems that don't recognize newer sound formats.
Parental controls can be set based on the standardized movie rating.

Should you buy it?
If you have not invested in the HD movie disc scene and want to take advantage of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats and have a few bucks to spare, yes. You can buy separate dedicated players, with fewer features and lower chip power for less money, but the overall value of one expensive player running on steroids looks attractive.

IT News - Feb 19, 2008

HDTV News:
· Newsday – Big-screen TVs work into home-decorating plans (ToC) - http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/partii/ny-k5582505feb19,0,7550502.story
· PC World – Top 50-/52-inch HDTVs: Samsung FP-T5084 a “Best Buy” - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142540-page,1-c,televisions/article.html
Overall Top 5 Chart - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142535/article.html
· HDTV Expert – One year left to “Hey, Where’d all my channels go?” - http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/AnalogTVgoesDark.html
· Display Daily – One year to “D-Day!” (LN-T4681F) - http://displaydaily.com/2008/02/18/one-year-to-%E2%80%9Cd-day%E2%80%9D/
· Engadget – Sony looks to grow OLED biz and display sizes - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/sony-looks-to-grow-oled-biz-and-display-sizes/
· I4U – Sony to spend $200 mln on advanced Panel Technology - http://www.i4u.com/article14883.html
· Engadget HD – T-minus one year till the US analog shutoff: are you ready? - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/17/t-minus-one-year-till-the-us-analog-shutoff-are-you-ready/
· Engadget HD – Westinghouse boasts of easy LCD upgrades via online firmware updates - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/18/westinghouse-boasts-of-easy-lcd-upgrades-via-online-firmware-upd/
· TG Daily – LCD panel prices may not rebound in March - http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36109/122/

Blu-ray / DVD / Home Theater News:
· The Associated Press – Toshiba quits HD DVD business - http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTHHXJdHiSuq8n1753HbYdPYHbKwD8UTFTQ83
· Bloomberg – Toshiba scraps HD DVD, gives it to Sony in format war (Update4) - http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBgBfVVdAHAM&refer=home
· Engadget – Samsung expected to focus efforts on Blu-ray (BD-UP5500) - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/samsung-expected-to-focus-efforts-on-blu-ray/
· Gizmodo – Samsung makes a bold choice, decides to focus on Blu-ray over HD DVD - http://gizmodo.com/357745/samsung-makes-a-bold-choice-decides-to-focus-on-blu+ray-over-hd-dvd
· TWICE – Study says salespeopke like Blu-ray - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6532944.html
· The Washington Post – Microsoft stays mum on Blu-ray disc support - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021901161.html
· Joystiq – Rumor: Xbox 360 Blu-ray player could be out by May - http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/rumor-xbox-360-blu-ray-player-could-be-out-by-may/
· WHP-CBS 21 – Consumers are asking: “What’s a Blu-ray?” - http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4eaef81e-9a06-444a-a66f-df297cd94120
· Engadget – Toshiba: “no plans” to adopt Blu-ray - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/toshiba-no-plans-to-adopt-blu-ray/
· Engadget HD – Blu-ray discs reach 1.5 million sold, HDM still trails DVD’s first two years - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/16/blu-ray-discs-reach-1-5-million-sold-hdm-still-trails-dvds-fir/
· Engadget – Paramount and Universal to publish films on Blu-ray - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/paramount-and-universal-to-publish-films-on-blu-ray/
· Engadget HD – Retailers already forgetting HD DVD - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/17/retailers-already-fogetting-hd-dvd/
· Engadget – HD DVD casualty report: over 1m players, recorders, and drives lost to the format war - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/hd-dvd-casualty-report-730-000-players-recorders-and-drives-l/
· CrunchGear – HD DVD in trouble??? Onkyo stops HD DVD production - http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/02/19/hd-dvd-in-trouble-onkyo-stops-hd-dvd-production/

MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder / Camera News:
· FYI – Engadget – Samsung’s New TouchWiz UI Gets Previewed on Video - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/15/samsungs-new-touchwiz-ui-gets-previewed-on-video/
· TWICE – MP3-player speaker docks surge: CEA - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6532944.html
· Gizmodo – iPod Shuffle 2GB for $69 - http://gizmodo.com/358007/ipod-shuffle-2gb-for-69
· Gizmodo – iPod Shuffle drops to $49 - http://gizmodo.com/357972/ipod-shuffle-drops-to-49
· Engadget – Sony’s NWZ-A820 Bluetooth Walkmans heading to Europe - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/sonys-nwz-a820-bluetooth-walkmans-heading-to-europe/
· Gizmodo – Panasonic AG-HMC150 shoots on SDHC - http://gizmodo.com/357336/panasonic-ag+hmc150-shoots-on-sdhc
· Gizmodo – Waterproof MP3 player is iRiver, dives to 200 feet under the sea - http://gizmodo.com/357623/waterproof-mp3-player-is-iriver-dives-to-200-feet-under-the-sea


FYI:
· Engadget – Samsung’s See’N’Search set-top TV/Internet box demo video - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/16/samsungs-seensearch-set-top-tv-internet-box-demo-video/
· Engadget HD – Samsung’s See’N’Search set-top TV/Internet box demo video - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/16/samsungs-seensearch-set-top-tv-internet-box-demo-video/
· The Consumerist – Monster responds to “Monster Cables, Monster Ripoff” - http://consumerist.com/358006/monster-responds-to-monster-cables-monster-ripoff-story


General Industry / Trade / Competitor News:
· Gizmodo – Apple patents show the advanced future of multitouch - http://gizmodo.com/357953/apple-patents-show-the-advanced-future-of-multitouch
· Engadget HD – Matsushita gears up to build $2.8 billion LCD factory in Japan - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/19/matsushita-gears-up-to-build-2-8-billion-lcd-factory-in-japan/

IT News - Feb. 14, 2008

HDTV News:
· PC Magazine’s DigitalLife – 2008 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Home Entertainment (LN-T4665F) - http://digitallife.pnmi.com/newyork/shopping_guide_page.cfm?0801J4465A5E84441
· TG Daily – Sony leads North America LCD TV shipments for the first time – DisplaySearch - http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36024/122/
· Engadget HD – Digital cliff could drop more antenna TV viewers than anticipated - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/digital-cliff-could-drop-more-antenna-tv-viewers-than-anticipate/
· The Star-Ledger – Imagine this, TV watchers glued to computer screens - http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/12027963829540.xml&coll=1
· TG Daily – Big screen 1080p LCD TVs were the big story in 2007 - http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36026/117/
· TWICE – Q4 plasma unit sales up, revenue down - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6531530.html
· PC World – Motorola sees boost from high-def TV - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142403-c,hdtv/article.html
· Engadget HD – Gefen TV Scaler Pro: Realta HQV 1080p upconversion for $699 - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/gefen-tv-scaler-pro-realta-hqv-1080p-upconversion-for-699/


Blu-ray / DVD / Home Theater News:
· AV Guide – Playback: Three affordable Blu-ray players (BD-P1400) - http://www.avguide.com/news/2008/02/11/playback-three-affordable-blu-ray-players/
o Playback - Three affordable Blu-ray players (BD-P1400) - http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200801web/?folio=147
· The New York Times – Two retailers favor Blu-ray DVDs - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/technology/12bluray.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Two+Retailers+Favor+Blu-Ray+DVDs&st=nyt&oref=slogin
· CNET – All-star LED team quietly working on Blu-ray successors - http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9869719-54.html
· Engadget HD – Leaked NPD numbers show HD DVD hardware sales still trailing Blu-ray - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/leaked-npd-numbers-show-hd-dvd-hardware-sales-still-trailing-blu/
· AV Guide – Marantz’s super high-end Blu-ray player may be released by April - http://www.avguide.com/news/2008/02/11/marantzs-super-high-end-blu-ray-player-may-be-released-by-april/
· Engadget – Netflix coming to Xbox 360 and PS3? - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/netflix-coming-to-xbox-360-and-ps3/
· Engadget – HD DVD camp issues sad little response to Netflix, Best Buy snubs - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/hd-dvd-camp-issues-sad-little-response-to-netflix-best-buy-snub/
· Newsday – Which will win – Blu-ray or HD DVD? - http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzleft0212,0,701103.story


MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder News:
· CRAVE – CNET – Coby tries to think out of a familiar box (P2) - http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9869870-1.html
· Engadget – Cowon A3 review - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/cowon-a3-review/
· Switched – iPod and iPhone price cuts on the horizon? - http://www.switched.com/2008/02/11/ipod-and-iphone-price-cuts-on-the-horizon/
· CRAVE – CNET – Turn your Zune into a home-theater hub for $19.99 - http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9870060-1.html


Corporate News:
· BusinessWeek – Samsung’s new marketing push - http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/blog/europeinsight/archives/2008/02/samsungs_new_ma.html
General Industry / Trade / Competitor News:
· The Record – Tech spending slowdown seen - http://www.northjersey.com/business/Tech_spending_slowdown_seen.html
· Engadget – Apple store down – that time of the month again? - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/apple-store-down-again-that-time-of-the-month/
· Engadget – Microsoft to Yahoo: come back, this isn’t over! - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/microsoft-to-yahoo-come-back-this-isnt-over/

YP-S5 in Here's How Magazine

Samsung YP-S5 was covered at The Here’s how Magazine, Section: Personal Technology, issued in February, 2008.

You may refer to the site: http://hereshow.ca/latestissue.asp?navbar

Samsung YP-P2's new firmware changes

P2's new firmware changes

Date: Feb. 2008 by goitworld

Samsung has released the 2nd firmware version 3.07 for YP-P2, Bluewave (Samsung's MP3 music/video player). From the P2's firmware changes, you would realize how powerful the firmware change is.

Followings are three video clips for the review of the 2nd f/w changes of YP-P2.

Enjoy the reveiw!!!

Video Clips

Review 1

Review 2

You may get the 2nd firwmare of P2 from the following link:

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/download/supportDown.do?group=&type=&subtype=&model_nm=YP-P2JAB&language=&cate_type=all&dType=D&mType=FM&vType=R&prd_ia_cd=03040200&disp_nm=YP-P2JAB

Comparison review clip of version 1 and 2:

Comparison review for 1st and 2nd firmwrare

Major Changes:

3D Icon
1. Changed icon of MySkin

Video
2. Changeable resolution of movie clip

Music
3. Added recorded files folder - for FM record
4. Added Album Coverflow
5. Added section repeat button
6. Added playspeed menu (0.7x ~ 1.3x)
7. Added 'Select All' button on User EQ Pciture
8. Enlarge using 'double tap' emoture
9. Turn 90 degrees using 'gesture' emoture
10. Added fine tuning

FM Radio
11. Added FM record

Prime Pack
12. Added 3 games (Bubble Smile, PowWow,Runaway)
13. Changed time setting UI
14. Changed text viewer - Changeable font size using 'double tap' emoture

15. Horizontal screen using 'gesture' emoture

3rd Annual Bluetooth SIG Best of CES Winners

January 11, 2008
3rd Annual Bluetooth SIG Best of CES Winners

Tuesday night we not only celebrated a significant milestone – 10 years of Bluetooth technology! – but unveiled the winners of our 3rd annual CES contest. The competition was steep as each year manufacturers come up with new and interesting ways to bring Bluetooth technology to the consumer. The overall winner of the contest was the innovative P2 Widescreen Music Player from Samsung. This slim, lightweight device has great video and sound quality and easily connects to stereo headphones and cars alike (we showed it to several reporters while connected to another finalist, the Ford SYNC system). And this music player is soon to not be just for music – I understand a firmware update will make this handy product a phone as well. Congratulations to Samsung and all of our winners!

Winners of the Bluetooth SIG Best of CES contest (finalists indicated in parentheses):
* Overall – Samsung P2 Widescreen Music Player
* Headset – Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Stereo Headset [finalist: Motorola MotoPURE H12]
* Input – Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5500 Revolution Keyboard [finalist: Newton Peripherals MoGo Mouse X54 Pro]
* Music – Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth Speakers [finalist: Samsung P2 Widescreen Music Player; honorable mention Motorola RAZR2 V9]
* Transfer – Motorola T815 [finalist: Samsung SGH-i617 Blackjack II]
* Vertical – Ford SYNC, powered by Microsoft Auto [finalist: Baracoda ScanWear; honorable

https://www.bluetooth.org/mikesblog/