With the International Consumer Electronics Show 2012 just around the corner (Jan. 10 to Jan. 13), we here at J&R are like kids waiting for the candy store to open. This year’s show promises to be the biggest one yet.

CES has always been about looking forward. It has been about introducing us to the next great bit of technology that can enrich our lives and alter the way we experience the world. Like the Kindle Fire, which along with its siblings Kindle Touch and the basic Kindle, sold a million units a week during the month of December. This CES should be no different.

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LG Electronics is attempting to dominate the HDTV market in the United States with a rather exciting line of televisions in 2010. Apart from an extensive menu of Network Ready features (for those with WiFi networks at home, using a router), LG Electronics is launching 3D HDTV ready models. This manufacturer isn’t sitting very idle.

LG INFINIA HDTVs (the LE9500, LE8500 and LE7500 series) combine a slim design and thin bezel with enhanced connectivity and abundant content options. Leading the way to the ultimate home entertainment experience, the 55- and 47-inch class LE9500 sets will be LG’s first 3D-ready models available in the United States.

INFINIA is the flagship of LG’s 41-model LED LCD HDTV line - six new series of LED LCD HDTVs and five new series of LCD HDTVs. Leading these introductions are two new LED technologies - Full LED Slim and LED Plus - that provide cutting-edge picture quality. The unique backlight structure on its Full LED Slim models (LE9500 and LE8500) allows for the INFINIA line’s ultra-slim depth without sacrificing picture quality. Together, these features provide consumers with infinite possibilities in home entertainment.
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A press release from Sony Electronics (SEL) and CBS had news for those of us waiting impatiently for 3D movies and TV in our homes.

The two companies today unveiled “The Sony 3D Experience,” a new research center and screening facility focused on 3D programming and content delivery. Its research mission is to gain insights into consumer preferences and perceptions towards 3D programming as well as how broadcasters and studios can best deliver 3D content for viewing both in and out of the home.

Located within the expanded CBS Television City research facility at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the center is also being supported by RealD, a global leader in 3D filmmaking.
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At CES 2010, the big promotion was the release of 3D TV. While HDTV is jumping to 3D HDTV by the end of 2010, customers appear to be lagging behind the complementary sound systems. HDTV carries 5.1 channels of surround sound while Blu-ray is capable of delivering up to 7.1 channels. Sony, one of the few remaining TV manufacturers that still offers an audio component line, plans to introduce a new audio receiver with 3D pass-through technology during the middle of 2010, as 3D TV models are being introduced. All models plan to be available at J&R Music World www.jr.com.

Featuring HDMI 1.4 3D pass-through technology, ample high definition connectivity and compatibility with all of the latest Blu-ray Disc audio formats, the new STR-DN1010 A/V receiver is designed to create a simple solution for controlling any high definition or 3D capable home theater.
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HD video, photos and music — they’re on your computer, your USB drives, and the Internet. Now it’s easy to play a whole world of Full-HD, 1080p media on your TV with the WD TV Live HD network-ready media player. Western Digital HD TV Live Media Player is a converter lets you attach a hard drive, a camera, or practically any video output device and view images and movies directly on your HDTV via HDMI connectivity. If you download movies from the Internet to your computer’s external hard drive, simply attach the drive to the Western Digital HD TV Live Media Player and view them directly on your large screen HDTV. This is simply one of those devices every home should have. It is currently on sale at J&R.
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Beyond HDTV, sound is an absolute partner to your TV screen. In order to complete a powerful home theater system, deep, driving bass is necessary. The entire concept of of emulating the sound of a large theater in the home is to produce the realistic effects when viewing video. Those sounds are found at frequencies that usually extend below what other speakers or speaker-systems deliver. Home Theater receivers and sound systems use 5.1 and 7.1 to refer to surround modes. That “.1” refers to the channel dedicated to super low bass frequencies and a subwoofer speaker is designed to deliver those super lows.

The Klipsch KSW-10 is one of many subwoofers designed for home theater use. The really cool thing is that many theaters use Klipsch speakers in their sound systems. So, if you’re seeking theater sound at home, a Klipsch subwoofer is worth consideration.
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Theodore Roosevelt is attributed to saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” At CES 2010, Panasonic boasts mildly but demonstrates the world’s largest 3D HDTV.

Panasonic Corporation, a world leader in the HDTV technology, has developed the world’s largest 152-inch 4,000 x 2,000 definition Full HD 3D plasma display. The display features a revolutionary new plasma display panel (PDP) Panasonic developed with its new super-efficient quadruple luminous efficiency technology. The technology enhances the unique advantages of the PDP as a self-illuminating device, contributing to delivering an overwhelming immersive experience to viewers. The Panasonic 152-inch Full HD 3D PDP creates a true Full HD 3D world by faithfully reproducing 3D content such as Hollywood 3D movie titles.

Panasonic is one of a few HDTV manufacturers that still support PDP screen technologies. PDP doesn’t require the backlighting that LCD and LED requires. Continue Reading »

There were rumors that Sony was retreating from producing TV models in 2009 but those rumors were false. Sony is introducing 38 new TV models including a new top-end series that includes 3D HDTV technology. Sony is adding WiFi features with wide ranging Internet embedded features for loads of entertainment streams. TV models are thinner and stylish with the new Monolith design. Sony even contributes to energy conservation with a Presence-Sensor Face Detection TV feature that senses when you move away from the TV and automatically turns off. Sony’s new Make Believe slogan makes sense because, in 2010, Sony plans to make your dreams come true.
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At CES 2010, Toshiba announced its unique HDTV line that is based on CELL technology. Using a superfast processor, these TV models are capable of delivering advanced imaging including real-time 3D.

The CELL is a processor developed by IBM. It is used in the Sony Playstation 3 for highly advanced gaming graphics. When it comes to video processing, the CELL operates as if it was one of the highest performing Intel processors in a computer. Dedicated to video, CELL processing is set to deliver TV and video imaging at a totally new standard in 2D and 3D.

The heart of CELL TV is the powerful CELL Engine that has 143 times the processing power available in current TV models. This massive power manifests itself in incredibly enhanced picture quality that is certainly the new state-of-the-art. Continue Reading »

The transition to digital TV opens so many new possibilities that were once only figments of imaginations. The HDTV revolution seems to be maturing at an alarmingly fast rate. As all networks clamor to meet current widescreen standards, 3D HDTV isn’t merely gestating. It’s being born.

Panasonic and Sony have been demonstrating 3D HDTV screens in other electronics shows for the past year. It appears that 3D TV models may start becoming available within 2010. Many production studios are releasing movies in 3D. The success of the recent release, Avatar, demonstrates an enthusiastic appeal. Now it appears that speculation may become relaity as content and distribution networks partner to create 3D television within 2010.

Sony, the Discovery Channel and IMAX Tuesday announced plans to launch the first-ever dedicated 3D television network, which will debut in 2011. In a separate announcement, ESPN said it will launch a 3D channel of its own later this summer, in time to broadcast the World Cup soccer tournament in June.
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