- 17 June 2006
- 3,031
It's inevitable that every device in the home will someday be connected -- whether it's the home theater components and the PC, the refrigerator and the Internet, or the toilet and your cell phone (OK, who knows about that one). But with the way that technology is progressing, it certainly seems that a truly connected home is in the near future.
That's why it shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise that TV manufacturers Sony, Matsushita, Sharp, Toshiba and Hitachi are joining forces to develop a standard for displaying Internet video on their televisions (via Home Theater Blog).
As TVs become more integrated into the home, it's also no surprise that consumers are interested in good-looking, flat-panel sets. Thus, we have the impending death of the CRT television.
On Friday, we reported on criticism of CinemaNow's Burn-to-DVD service, which said that it was "irresponsibly defective." Now, CinemaNow is disputing those reports, saying that the service is "well received" (via Engadget).
Finally today, Apple fanboys have reason to cheer -- the company's Worldwide Developer's Conference is taking place in San Francisco. While rumors abound about possible iPhones and new iPods, I'm interested to hear any news about an Apple Media Center. We'll find out!
That's why it shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise that TV manufacturers Sony, Matsushita, Sharp, Toshiba and Hitachi are joining forces to develop a standard for displaying Internet video on their televisions (via Home Theater Blog).
The five rivals set up a joint company last month called TV Portal Service Corp. to develop a common standard for connecting the Web, Naito said. Sony and Matsushita are the lead shareholders, each with 35 percent stake. The others have 10 percent shares.
The Internet TVs will features a remote control that allows online access with the touch of a button and will also eliminate the need for a personal computer keyboard to make the gadget more user-friendly, the Nihon Keizai said.
The new televisions will use Linux operating systems instead of Microsoft Windows, it added. That feature is aimed at cutting the time needed to boot up and reducing the risk of virus infection.
According to the report, some of these TVs could be available by next year, with expectations of 10 million to 20 million units sold by 2011.
As TVs become more integrated into the home, it's also no surprise that consumers are interested in good-looking, flat-panel sets. Thus, we have the impending death of the CRT television.
One reason is that flat-panel TV's make a strong design statement, prompting women to want to swap their old sets for sleeker ones, said Mike Vitelli, a senior vice president at Best Buy.
"For the first time in history, women care about the TV that comes in the house," Mr. Vitelli said. "Men are not just getting permission to buy a flat-screen TV -- they're getting directed to do so." Soon, he said, Best Buy will sell picture-tube TV's only under its Insignia house label.
Consumer electronics companies also want out of the tube TV business, in part because profit margins have become so thin. The government has mandated that all TV's eventually include a built-in digital tuner to receive over-the-air digital broadcasts, and while even picture-tube sets are being made compliant, manufacturers would rather switch to selling thin-panel TV's, which can generate bigger profits.
So while CRTs are getting tossed out to the curb, and Sony focuses on LCD sets, Pioneer has plans to build a new plasma plant in Japan. Not many details beyond the company attempting to purchase 24.7 acres of land were announced.
On Friday, we reported on criticism of CinemaNow's Burn-to-DVD service, which said that it was "irresponsibly defective." Now, CinemaNow is disputing those reports, saying that the service is "well received" (via Engadget).
"The system has been extensively tested for compatibility on standalone players and works on most players that can play a recordable DVD," the company said. "We cannot address vague assertions of flaws in the system except to say that if there are individuals for whom the solution is not working effectively, we encourage them to contact our customer support team so that we may help them resolve the issue."
A company spokesman said tests showed the DVDs worked on "94 percent of DVD players," and CinemaNow had not received complaints from customers or movie studios since launching the service.
I think I'll wait until the next generation to hop on the train.
Finally today, Apple fanboys have reason to cheer -- the company's Worldwide Developer's Conference is taking place in San Francisco. While rumors abound about possible iPhones and new iPods, I'm interested to hear any news about an Apple Media Center. We'll find out!
