Samsung HT-BD2R Blu Ray 7.1 Home Cinema System

Samsung really is breaking down the barriers in creating short and catchy titles for their new products; it’s not even like there’s that many Blu-Ray players out there to compete. However, the high definition audio output 7.1 surround sound speakers, blu-ray player, and 1080p upscaling go some way to convince us that long and completely unmemorable names are actually a good thing.

Blu Ray is the format of the future, and the present, having knocked HD DVD firmly out of the competition. As such, it’s around to stay and with good reason. A 1080p resolution player like the Samsung HT-BD2R Blu Ray 7.1 Home Cinema System provides viewers with the greatest possible film format.

The Samsung HT-BD2R also integrates incredible 7.1 surround sound providing equally high definition sound. 1080P upscaling enables you to watch standard DVDs in high definition format, or at least a lot closer to high definition format.

Support for Blu Ray, DVD, CD, CD/DVD -R and -RW, as well as Jpeg and DivX mean that you can watch pretty much any recorded media through what is a good looking and well designed home Blu Ray cinema system.

• Blu Ray Player – Ultimate high def quality
• 7.1 Surround Sound – High def audio output
• 1080p Upscaling
• 1080p Upscaling – From standard DVDs
• Multi Format – CD/DVD -R & -RW, Jpeg & DivX
• FM Tuner – For radio channels
• Dolby DTS Sound Out – High quality sound
• HDMI Out – For high definition connections
• Colour – BLACK
• Weight – 49.8kg
• Remote Control – Included

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Sky HD – Is It Worth It?

The SKY HD Box is actually a combination of an HD subscription package and the Sky+ service that acts like PVR, or Personal Video Recorder. With a 160GB hard drive as standard it enables you to record up to 80 hours of standard definition programs or 30 hours of high definition entertainment.

Of course, another advantage of the Sky HD box is that it allows you to access an excellent range of HD channels. There are currently more than a dozen channels broadcasting HD programs, including movie and sports channels as well as general interest and documentaries. While some of these channels will only transmit the occasional HD program some are dedicated entirely to the provision of high definition.

The difference in picture quality, as well as sound clarity, is quite stunning and definitely noticeable. As well as a Sky HD box, with Sky HD subscription, you will also need an HD ready TV. Many new televisions are manufactured as HD ready but if you are looking for a new set and you want to take advantage of this emerging technology then you must ensure that your TV is HD capable. Fortunately, those that are boast about it so look for the big-headed sets with HD Ready emblazoned all over them.

Sky has long been a leading light in the provision of satellite and digital TV. While the HD subscription may seem pricey at first glance, the quality difference is truly astonishing and, in our opinion, worth every extra penny and more.

Itunes Offers Movies For Sale Or Rent

Apple has announced that it will now offer UK users the opportunity to rent or buy movies from the iTunes online service. The service will initially include 700 films, 100 of which will be in high definition, and many more will be added. Apple boasts that films from some of the major producers like 20th Century Fox, Disney, and Paramount will be made available.

Movie rental gives users 30 days to start viewing once a title has been downloaded and 48 hours from when they first view it. Over a broadband connection the download will take just a few minutes and can be downloaded either to iTunes or to Apple TV so it can be watched on your widescreen HDTV at home.

Pricing looks fairly reasonable with rentals costing £2.49 (£3.49 HD) for a library rental and £3.49 (£4.49 HD) for a new release. Buying an older movie will cost £6.99 with new releases weighing in at £10.99.

An Apple TV box connects directly to your TV and wirelessly to your computer or home network. You can then download music, TV shows, and movies so that you can watch them on your home TV.

The Archos Content Portal

The Archos Content Portal (ACP) is a content marketplace that enables Archos media player owners to download music, TV content, and video content directly to their portable devices. Partnerships with a number of content providers means that ACP users have quick and easy access to a varied range of media.

If you use a WiFi enabled Archos portable media player you can download content directly to your portable device without having to go through a PC or other device. The ACP website is designed especially for use by Archos WiFi owners and has been optimised to offer the best mobile experience.

New additions are being made to the service, which have recently included video games that can be downloaded and played either directly on the Archos portable device or on a Television using the PMP as a sort of mobile games console. According to one report, there are some huge names also being lined up to be a part of the Content Portal.

According to the Archosfans website several high profile names including Best Buy, Circuit City, Amazon, AOL, YouTube, and more are listed in a provider.xml file in the system folder of the Archos. These are obviously major content providers that would represent a huge amount of content to ACP users.

Pimp Your PMP

A PMP, or Portable Media Player, enables you to play all of your media while on the move. Video streaming, audio playback, and even TV recording offers portable media that is especially useful for those that lead hectic lives but still want to enjoy some of the finer things. The Archos line of PMPs represent some of the best that money can buy and now in their fifth generation, they are among the most advanced.

The 605 series features a 4.3” touch screen display offering 800 x 480 pixel definition. Depending on your own preference you can choose from a 4GB model with expandable SD memory slot, or a 30GB, 80GB, or 160GB model. By adding the DVR Station you can even record TV shows so that you can watch them back at a more convenient time.

The Archos 605 is also WiFi enabled so that you can connect directly to the Internet. As well as being able to stream content from your PC, using the ARCHOS Content Portal you can directly download music and video content or you can browse the Internet and share your content with friends and other devices.

Because Archos PMPs are now in their fifth generation of production, they do everything well. They support the greatest number of formats and include some unique features. As well as being able to view photographs and images you can edit them, add music, and create slideshows to share with others or transfer to another device. A huge collection of accessories and plug-ins can also be used to further extend the device’s functionality.

If you have particularly itchy feet and are constantly moving from one place to another then the Archos 605 GPS combines all of the above features with state of the art GPS software.

While the 4GB version does include SD memory, it also costs about £125. The 30GB model, which obviously offers a lot more on board storage, costs £160. You will need to fork out £200 or more for the 80GB and about £250 for the largest 160GB model. For the GPS model with 30GB of storage you should expect to pay £300.

Our advice if you want one of these is to really shop around because online prices can fluctuate ridiculously with a disparity of as much as £100 in the mid range categories, and more in the high end range.

The Ultimate Bang & Olufsen Beoliving Home Theatre System

Bang & Olufsen has long been a name synonymous with high end goods with equally high end price tags. The equipment is virtually unsurpassed but you do need a large bank balance in order to be able to afford even the cheaper end of the remote control spectrum. But, hey, we can dream – and, in this particular dream, we live in a house that has the most exquisite home theatre system.

Beoliving systems don’t have to stop at the TV and DVD player either. For a little extra you can also have them integrated fully and seamlessly into your automated home system. This means that with a single click of your reassuringly expensive remote control you can dim the lights, close the curtains, turn the kettle on, start playing a DVD, and have the volume adjusted to just the perfect setting.

Add to that, the fact that B&O still produces some of the finest sounding speakers and greatest looking visual equipment on the market, and you’ve got a recluse’s dream. If you are interested, then pop along to the Beoliving website and you can arrange for a group of technicians to come and assess your house – presumably they check whether it looks high quality enough to house the equipment before you buy anything.

Is Blu-Ray Really The Future?

With HD-DVD being the Betamax of the 21^st century, Blu-Ray players are, apparently, the future. Of course, the PS3 offers one of the most affordable all-round solutions to owning a Blu-Ray player, but we don’t all want to use a games console that bears a striking resemblance to a George Foreman grill to watch films.

Unfortunately, try though I might, it’s a real struggle to find any Blu-Ray players or recorders that stand out. News that Blu-Ray sales tumbled (from an already unimpressive figure) last month does little to make us believe that things are likely to improve in the near future.

Sony, presumably not wanting to compete with the PS3, are equally responsible (if not more so) than any other company. Their own efforts appear over-priced and under-featured compared to the PS3.

It is possible to get a Blu-Ray player for marginally less than the price of a PS3 but the hardware definitely seems to suffer as a result. Sharp have released a couple of decent efforts, in terms of price, but the sensible money still rests with the PS3 – for now, at least.

For those of us that are always on the look out for a new avenue of gadget dreams, the future does not look Blu. We are on the look out for Blu-Ray equipment to review, but if you see anything first, let us know.

9X Media Wins Multiple Monitor Peeing Contest

I didn’t really know one existed either but apparently so. The Masterplex started it all with a six screen multiple monitor rig. More entries subsequently joined the race, but all have been competely eclipsed by the 9X Media system. While it would work with as few as two monitors, it’s the bigger end of the boast that we’re particularly interested in.

The X-Top enables users to combine up to 64 screens in a multi tiled display spanning 1 to 3 rows. The screens on offer range in size from 19” to 40” and are high spec LCD monitors. 9X will completely customise your rig for you, and it’s a hardly surprise when you consider how much you would probably have to pay for this kind of set up.

I say “probably have to pay” because try as I might I can’t find any indication of a price, even for the “smaller” set ups. Again, though, if you have to ask… you know the rest. Incredible though it looks, I do tend to question the actual deployment of a 64 screen multi-tiled display using 40” monitors. I think you’d struggle to play GTA IV on a video wall that size. And another point, presuming you use 3 rows of monitors, that would require two rows of 21 monitors and a single row of 22 monitors. That’s just not symetrical.

All Go! For PSP Owners

Hot on the heels of the Go!Messenger service, Sony has announced that video download service Go!View will be released some time in summer. Sony is partnering with Sky to release the Go!View service.

Users will be able to download TV episodes, films, and other content to watch while on the go. In true Sky style, the service will be released with a subscription and a pay-per-view price package so users have the freedom of how they want to pay as well.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this release is that it’s the first official video download service available to European PSP owners. While no specific details have been leaked yet regarding the actual content that will be available, the listings should be pretty comprehensive and will almost definitely include the latest incarnation of Lost and 24.

While no firm release date has been announced, Sky and Sony have declared that it will be released some time in summer. Users will need to register first, then download content onto their PC, and then transfer it on to their PSP at a later time. It’s possible that a similar service may also be released for other handheld devices but, guess what? No official word on this has been released yet.

Portable Cinema Screen For Your Back Yard

Have you ever dreamed about having your own cinema in your house? Well it can now become a reality with this portable cinema screen.

This backyard cinema portable projection system and all of this can be yours for around £500.  The screen is easily constructed using an aluminium tubed frame so you can be watching your favourite movies on this large screen in no time at all.

The large screen measures 10.5 by 6 feet and there is also a massive screen that measures an amazing 13.5 by 9 feet. You can pick up one of these beauties from back yard drive ins website. Happy viewing.

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