Thursday, March 12, 2009

Panasonic DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and VHS-packing DMP-BD70V

Panasonic, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format, recently introduced the successors to last year's award winning DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 players, as well as presenting the world's first Blu-ray-VHS dual player. All three of the new Blu-ray players -- DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80, DMP-BD70V -- combine high quality images with enhanced networking functions, including VIERA Cast's improved internet functionality that provides access to Amazon VOD's huge selection of titles. Continuing its commitment to producing products that stress ease of use, the 2009 line of Blu-ray Disc(TM) players continue to incorporate VIERA Link(TM), allowing the consumer to operate their audio/video components, via HDMI, with one remote. And, in keeping with Panasonic's pledge to reduce the planet's carbon footprint, the new Blu-ray players have been designed to reduce power consumption. The 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray line will be available in April. The DMP-BD60 will have a SRP of $299.95; the DMP-BD60 $399.95; the DMP-BD70V $399.95.

Each of the three models employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear, vivid colors that are faithful to the original film. Recognizing that audio is important to the overall entertainment experience, Panasonic's three 2009 Blu-ray Disc players feature a high definition audio decoder (Dolby(R) Digital Plus, Dolby(R) TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential) to take advantage of the exceptionally high quality 7.1 channel surround sound now integrated in Blu-ray Discs. The DMP-BD70V distinguishes itself as the world's first dual deck VHS-Blu-ray player, providing the consumer with a video product that features multi-format playback allowing the user to play VHS, CD, DVD and 1080p high definition Blu-ray Discs. The BD70V allows for premium 1080p up-conversion for all video formats.

VIERA CAST technology, introduced in Panasonic's PZ850 2008 VIERA Plasma, is now available in Panasonic's 2009 Blu-ray players. The internet enabled technology lets the consumer access the internet without the need of either an external box or a PC and enjoy the entertainment value provided by such targeted sites as Amazon VOD, with an extensive library of streamed titles, YouTube(TM), Google's Picasa(TM) Web Album, Bloomberg and a weather channel. The DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and DMP-BD70V include an SD Memory card slot and USB slot, making it easy for the consumer to view and share both digital still images and HD video recorded with an HD camcorder in the AVCHD format.


"With the expansion of the unique VIERA Cast functionality and the introduction of the industry's first dual VHS-Blu-ray deck, Panasonic's 2009 line cements our position as technology leaders and places Panasonic in the forefront of the Blu-ray arena," said Richard Simone, Director, Panasonic, the Entertainment Group. "Panasonic was the first company to produce a Blu-ray player with Bonus View and the first to incorporate BD Live functionality into a stand alone player. Now we are the first to bring to market a dual VHS-Blu ray player. When coupled with a Panasonic HDTV, Blu-ray gives the consumer the essential 1080p high definition experience."

In order to produce the ultimate picture quality, Panasonic's Blu-ray players employ high precision 4:4:4 signal technology, which working in tandem with PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus processes each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc video signal in the horizontal direction, to compliment vertical direction processing. P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD) is another technology that contributes to the superior picture quality of the Blu-ray players. P4HD processes more than 15 billion pixels per second and applies the optimal processing to every pixel. Panasonic's Blu-ray players further utilize 16-level motion detection to categorize the image motion of each pixel into one of 16 levels; diagonal processing to detect diagonals and correct the pixels accordingly; 1080p up-conversion to up-convert content recorded in the 480i/p or 720p format to 1080p. The Blu-ray players also provide 1080/24p output, thereby reproducing cinema images from a Blu-ray Disc and DVD in their original 24p form with no need for conversion. This allows the user to enjoy cinema images in the same format used in cinema with a 1080/24p compatible TV.

Complimenting the HD audio codecs the three Blu-ray players feature 96kHz surround re-master, a function that enhances the sound quality of CDs and other sources, and even improves the quality of the multi-channel audio data on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. The DMP-BD80 further enhances the audio experience with 7.1 channel analog out to produce true 7.1 surround sound, thereby affording the consumer a home theater environment that rivals the movie theater. The BD80 also includes a playback information window that can be used to display detailed image information while a movie is playing.

In order to obtain a reduction in power consumption the 2009 Blu-ray players use Auto Power Stand-By, a function that automatically turns off the player when you return to TV operation using the VIERA Link menu. In addition, the Stand-by Power Save automatically turns off the player's Quick Start function. When VIERA is turned on, Quick Start also turns on. In addition, the development of the UniPhier(R) single chip LSI makes it possible to pack an entire video signal processing circuit onto a single chip. This helps lower power consumption, reduces the number of parts needed and allows for a more compact design. The BD60 consumes 16% less power in standby mode than last year's model, the DMP-BD35.

Apricorn Mini 240GB 1.8-inch hard drive

Apricorn, the leader in personal storage, announced today the 240GB capacity enhancement for the Aegis Mini, making it the largest capacity 1.8” external drive available on the market. Small enough to slip in a shirt pocket, Aegis Mini is an ultra-portable 1.8-inch external drive with USB 2.0 or FireWire connection. With added capacity, users can now hold up to 60,000 songs, 50,000 photos or 300 hours of video, a 50 percent increase in capacity from its 160GB predecessor.

Smaller than a deck of cards and weighing in at a mere 3.7oz, Apricorn’s tiny portable drive offers simplicity and convenience. Its compact design centers around a 16-point omni-directional shock-mounted 1.8” hard drive, protecting the drive from the rigors of travel. With extremely low power demands the Aegis Mini is able to power on a single USB connection, helping to conserve notebook battery life and ensuring that the drive powers on all notebooks, including newer more power efficient models.



Available in 80GB, 120GB and now 240GB capacities, the Aegis Mini is ideal for storing, sharing and backing up valuable information for everyday consumers, business professionals or power users looking for extra storage on the go. Pair this with your choice of a convenient integrated USB 2.0 or FireWire cable, which wraps neatly around the Mini when not in use, and you have the perfect notebook storage companion.

The Aegis Mini is compatible with both PC and Apple systems and comes bundled with Apricorn’s Data Protection Suite, a complete software package offering system level backup and synchronization.

Package Contents

  • Aegis Mini with integrated USB 2.0 or FireWire cable .
  • 1-meter extension cable.
  • Neoprene travel pouch.
  • Data Protection Suite software CD.
  • Quick Start Guide.

Apricorn’s Aegis Mini is currently available in the US, Canada USB 2.0 interface: $149 (80GB), $189 (120GB), $269 (240GB. FireWire interface: $159 (80GB), $199 (120GB), $279 (240GB).

Dell announced multi-touch Studio One 19

Dell today announced the Studio One 19, a beautiful all-in-one computer that looks just as good in the living room as it does the kitchen. The optional touch capability provides the optimal experience for moms and their kids as they peruse photos from Spring Break and other family events. The Studio One 19 is ideal for the shared computing experience, especially in family areas where people can effortlessly view and move photos, manage music and review home work.

“The new Studio One 19 is as nice to look at as it is functional,” said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president of Dell’s Consumer products. “More and more people are making the kitchen the center of their entertainment and computing experience and the Studio One 19 is the ideal system for that need. The Studio One 19 is about lifestyle and design and is very affordable for the family.”

The Studio One 19 is made with beautiful aluminum, glass and fabric that make a style statement that people will want on display in their home rather than hidden. A single power cord means a much neater computing environment and experience. The Studio One 19 comes in several colors, including Solid Pure White, Tuscan Red, Navy Blue, Powder Pink and Charcoal.

The Studio One 19 will be available on March 19 in select Japan retail outlets including Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera and on dell.com in Japan on March 23. The system will launch in many other countries later this spring. Starting price for the Studio One 19 is $699.

PeoplePond Launches WordPress Plugin That Creates Live “About Me” Pages

WordPress users can now leverage their PeoplePond profiles to create richer and more easily maintained ‘About Me’ pages, complete with current biographies and links to social media and personal online content.

PeoplePond, a unique, new Internet service providing search engine optimized (SEO) profiles and online identity verification services for individuals, announced today that a PeoplePond WordPress plugin is now available.

The new PeoplePond WordPress Plugin delivers the full ‘About Me’ biography, image and links to the individual’s social media Web sites from their PeoplePond account and uses this information to build an always up-to-date ‘About’ page. Once installed, the plugin will always reflect the latest information from the assigned PeoplePond profile. This allows users to keep several Web sites current while only making the change once on their PeoplePond profile.

“Bloggers are always setting up new online identities on social media sites,” points out David McInnis, the innovative mind behind PeoplePond. “By using this plugin, any change to the PeoplePond profile is automatically and immediately reflected in the ‘About’ pages across all their WordPress sites.”

The PeoplePond WordPress Plugin can be downloaded for free from http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/peoplepond/. Additional plugins providing support for other popular online publishing platforms will be released in the near future.

PeoplePond’s ‘About Me’ biographies are also accessible through third party social media and content platforms through the open ADAM API. ADAM-enabled Web sites free their users from tedious account setup and management chores. The ADAM API is currently open and free for anyone to develop with.

Besides providing SEO boosts and identity verification, PeoplePond combines the portable address book functionality of WeaveMet.com with the social media content tracking of DandyID.com, creating the first online service to harmonize these distinct capabilities within a single platform.

PeoplePond, which will launch at South by Southwest 2009 (SXSW), is currently in controlled beta. A multi-use invitation code can be found on the plugin download page. This code enables a limited number of people to open accounts at PeoplePond during the controlled beta period.