CES 2008

SDI Technologies, the company behind the iHome series of affordable iPod audio systems, is not surprisingly embracing both iPods and iPhones in 2008, as well as Microsoft's Zune line of portable media devices. SDI is showing off several new products at CES, including an L-shaped alarm clock for the iPod and iTouch (as well as other iPod models) that allow you to change the orientation of the unit so you can watch videos, "while the clock display rotates accordingly to complement the position of the unit." We also liked the looks of the iP51 2.1 Micro System with Sub (see below), which has an integrated clock radio and video output for streaming video to TVs.

The iP14 standing vertically...

(Credit: SDI Technologies)

...and lying horizontally.

(Credit: SDI Technologies)

Here's a further rundown of the new products with release dates and pricing:

iP14 Alarm Clock with Remote Control: The aforementioned L-shaped alarm clock that's designed particularly for the iPhone and iTouch, but is compatible with most docking iPod models.

Scheduled release: April ($99)

iP9 Clock Radio & Audio System: Based on the current $99 iH9 clock radio, the iP9 adds iPhone compatibility and a couple of extra features. A new 7-5-2 feature and programmable snooze settings allows you to wake to your own playlist at different times on different days.

Scheduled release: Feb/March ($119)

ZN9 Dual Alarm, Stereo Clock Radio: First clock radio for the Zune, the ZN9 is also based on the iH9 and will offer similar features to the iP9.

Scheduled release: March ($99)

ZN10 AM/FM Table Radio: Based on the iH10, the ZN10 has a retro-classic design with rotary dials. No clock, but the ZN10 allows you to listen to the radio or Zune, which charges when docked.

Scheduled release: Available now ($49)

iP47 Bluetooth Clock Radio & Speakerphone: Geared toward cell phones, the iP47 incorporates Bluetooth technology that allows you to dial and receive calls through the unit's speakerphone, as well as wirelessly stream music from your A2DP stereo-enabled MP3 cell phones.

Scheduled release: June ($149)

iP51 2.1 Micro System with Sub: This fuller-sounding micro system has a built-in clock radio and video output that allows you to stream videos to your TV.

Scheduled release: June ($169)

The iP51 will be available in June and comes with a subwoofer for $169.

(Credit: SDI Technologies)

All in wonder: Bluetooth, CD player, and iPod dock.

(Credit: Philips)

Philips' Bluetooth Wireless Entertainment System, the BTM630, may not be among the "future" products Philips announced at CES, but it's making its official debut at the show, so we're going to write it up.

Along with Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music from Bluetooth-equipped cell phones and PCs, the BTM630 features an iPod dock, a slim-slot CD loading system, a USB port, and the ability to playback MP3 or WMA music from a SD or MMC card. With a built-in mic, the system also doubles as speakerphone for cell phone calls (you can switch between calls and music). Lastly, the spec sheet says the BTM630 offers "one-touch MP3 digital recording in 2x speed without the need for a PC." Sweet.

Philips says the BTM630 is currently available and carries a MSRP of $199.99.

Photo album: the 2008 models.

(Credit: Philips)

In recent years Philips has produced some of the better--and most popular--digital photo frames, and the company has announced it's expanding its line of frames to include 6-, 7- and 8-inch models that incorporate technologies "that enhance screen color and contrast for an unparalleled showcase of priceless images."

The press release notes that, "New models leverage RadiantColor, Philips' innovation that extends the color on the edges of a less-than-full-screen photo to the sides of the screen. This alleviates black bars as well as aspect ratio distortion to ensure the best viewing experience, adding new glow to your memories."

Philips has decided to keep things relatively simple and won't be adding Wi-Fi to its frames like many manufacturers are this year. According to Philips, "two memory card slots are built in, as well as a USB connector," and the new frames also offer an enhanced "collage effect," which was introduced in Philips' 2007 Digital PhotoFrame product line.

Here's a chart of the full lineup, complete with Philips ridiculous model numbers.

(Credit: Philips)

The Victoria EVO will retail for $5,400.

(Credit: Waterfall Audio)

If you're not supposed to cast stones at glass houses, it's probably not a good idea to throw them at glass speakers--especially when they cost $5,400 a pair. No word on whether these superslick towers are shatterproof, but we're glad to hear that the French company Waterfall Audio is introducing its line of glass loudspeakers to the American market at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show this week.

According to the press release, Waterfall will showcase its two flagship models, the Victoria EVO and Iguascu EVO, which are named for the "famous waterfalls in Africa and South America, respectively."

The release goes on to say that the "Victoria EVO and Iguascu EVO are slim, pure-glass towers standing 40 inches high but just 10 inches wide. The Victoria EVO, a three-way/four-driver design, includes Waterfall's proprietary, downfiring, 8.5-inch passive woofer, the Iguascu (34 inches tall by 10 inches wide) employs identical drivers (including the passive woofer) in a two-way/three-driver arrangement. Both models use a key Waterfall technology: the Acoustic Damping Tube (ADT), which performs near-total damping of mid- and low-frequency 'back-wave' artifacts, and precise damping control of midrange reflections, allowing the speakers to produce superbly accurate, high-end performance within their effectively undamped glass enclosures."

"The Waterfall designs also feature drivers designed and manufactured by French partner Atohm--the 6-inch bass/midrange unit in both the woofer and midrange (Victoria) positions. This custom-alloy-diaphragm driver achieves superbly low-distortion output with impressive dynamic range. The Atohm tweeter is a 3/4-inch silk-coated dome design capable of smooth, unobtrusive, yet remarkably extended treble. Ultra-linear crossover topologies grace both models, with best-grade components such as polypropylene capacitors employed throughout. The use of 'doubled' low-frequency drivers delivers enhanced power-handling, while the exclusive downfiring passive woofer, an exceptionally low-profile design effectively disguised within each speaker's base, extends useful low-bass output to well below 38 Hz (Victoria) and 48 Hz (Iguasçu)."

Waterfall says the speakers will be available by March 2008, with the Victoria Evo retailing for $5,400/pair and the Iguascu Evo $3,900/pair. Unfortunately, there's no mention of a center-channel speaker or I'd be all over this for my new surround sound setup.

The Baseball ScoreCast will be available in April for $125.

(Credit: Ambient Devices)

Like with its Weather Forecaster, you don't have to log onto the Internet or connect to Wi-Fi network in order to get information streamed to the Baseball Scorecast. The wireless transceiver is built into the unit and the device automatically receives information (after a short startup process) once you drop in 4 "AA" batteries.

According the Ambient, "Baseball ScoreCast eliminates the wait for updates on TV or radio, or with Internet-based options that suffer from subscription fees, slow connections, or repetitive navigation. For added utility, ScoreCast also features a clock with always-accurate network time."

The only major downside to the ScoreCast is that it's somewhat expensive at $125. Also, while Ambient's InfoCast Network covers over 90% of US households, if you live in the boonies, you probably won't be covered. (You can check to see if your location is covered by visiting map.myambient.com).

The press release notes that the "ScoreCast data updates every half-inning, and includes extra innings. The device also provides current standings for every team, including wins, losses, and home and away records. Schedule information also indicates starting pitchers. Users can independently select team and division information to anticipate daily matchups. The ScoreCast is 8.15 x 4.9 x 1.1 and includes a kickstand for table or desktop use."

The Ambient Baseball ScoreCast has a SRP of $124.99 and will be available from national retailers in April 2008.

Warner to HD DVD: That's all, folks.

(Credit: www.referenceforbusiness.com)

The big buzz today around CNET offices in New York is the news that Warner Bros. Entertainment has decided to stop making HD DVD discs and will become a Blu-ray-only studio at the end of May. Needless to say, this is a major blow to the HD DVD camp, which earlier this year struck a deal with Paramount to go HD DVD exclusive. You could say this is a tit-for-tat move by Sony and the Blu-ray camp, but it's actually more of a clubbing because Warner has a much bigger library of movies than Paramount.

While rumors of Warner potentially dumping HD DVD have been circulating for the past few months, the timing of the announcement right before the start of the Consumer Electronics Show seems designed to inflict maximum damage to Toshiba's planned HD DVD push at the show. With lower prices on its standalone players and the Paramount deal, Toshiba and HD DVD backers such as Microsoft appeared to be gaining some momentum in the format war. But now the company is faced with a PR nightmare. (An HD DVD event is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas; it should be interesting). No one knows at this point what it took for Warner to say sayonara to HD DVD, but you can bet it involved a truckload of something.

Does this spell the end for HD DVD? If I had to give a yes or no answer, I'd have to say yeah, it's probably curtains. The fact is, with the lack of studio support, it's very hard to recommend to readers to buy an HD DVD player, even if it is half the price of a Blu-ray machine. All that said, things have looked bleak for Toshiba and HD DVD before and they've managed to scrap their way back into contention, so you never know. Feel free to weigh in after you read the full press release from Warner, which I've posted below via The Digital Bits:

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE ITS HIGH-DEFINITION DVD TITLES EXCLUSIVELY IN THE BLU-RAY DISC FORMAT BEGINNING LATER THIS YEAR

Decision made in response to strong consumer preference for format

(January 4, 2008 - Burbank, CA) - In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.

"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."

Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.

"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."

"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," said Tsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future."

What do you think? Is there any hope for HD DVD? Should Toshiba and Microsoft continue fighting or make a deal?