$150 Retro Tube Amplifier Kit
The kit includes a working tube amp using vintage tubes, two horn shaped stereo speakers, and a 3mm to stereo cable.

Gakken Japan has put together a pretty interesting portable media kit. The kit includes a working tube amp using vintage tubes, two horn shaped stereo speakers, and a 3mm to stereo cable. The kit is Do It Yourself but should only take 30 minutes and doesn't involve any soldering. Not sure how good the plastic horn speakers will sound but the idea is definitely cool.

Folks in the US: I hope you're ready for the digital conversion.

If not watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTSS8E7bKXg

dochira wrote:

Folks in the US: I hope you're ready for the digital conversion. If not watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTSS8E7bKXg

Haha, that's hilarious! Except it ain't hilarious when they're having those stupid warning things when I'm recording stuff on TV.
_________________

Japanese drama trades (on hiatus)

Currently watching: Netflix stuff

From Yahoo:

TV prices could plummet for holidays

Sun Oct 26, 2008

I'm getting mixed messages on the TV pricing issue.

First, it's pretty clear that prices will continue to slip as the holidays approach: You can thank the global economic crisis and slow demand for that. But the harsh realities of how the flat-panel business would seem to indicate that there's not much further for flat panel prices to fall. Why? Because in virtually all cases, LCD screens are already being sold to TV and computer companies at prices below cost, according to the latest research from DisplaySearch, which closely tracks this industry.

In some cases the discrepancy is extreme: Panel makers are selling bare 32-inch LCD TV panels for an estimated $223 to manufacturers, but those panels cost between $248 and $256 to build. In other words: For now, the panel makers are losing up to $33 on every panel they sell.

Prices for finished TVs vary widely of course, but name-brand 32-inch LCD TVs can be found at retail for under $600, with $599 being a pretty common price point. Add in labor and the additional materials that go into a finished TV, distribution costs, and markup from the retailer, and there really isn't a lot of fat left in television prices. (Very large TVs are the exception, so if you're looking for bargains, shop smaller.)

Now here's the curious flipside. According to a blog post on the very same topic at the New York Times, another researcher, also at DisplaySearch, says that prices are likely going to plummet in the next few weeks. According the post, this researchers says prices on 32-inch TVs could hit between $399 and $499.

That would be an enormous drop, and it almost sounds too good (for shoppers) to be true. Again, the reasons are all about trying to salvage sales in the fourth quarter... but the story also alludes to the fact that the biggest discounts will be in the bare-bones, off-brand, stripped-down TVs. You'll get good enough picture quality, but don't expect, say, 120Hz operation, multiple HDMI inputs, and so on.

The most likely outcome is that off-brand models will fall quite a bit, but name brand sets will have more modest price cuts. (I'm deeply skeptical that we'll see 32-inch LCDs hit $399 aside from the occasional Black Friday sale, but that's a gut reaction.) Is it worth it to wait a few weeks to save 50 bucks on the price of a TV? How willing you are to brave holiday crowds and fight over what could become hotly desired goodies may have to dictate your next move.

^ With the economy the way it is, this season's Black Friday should be very interesting....

bmwracer wrote:

^ With the economy the way it is, this season's Black Friday should be very interesting....

Should be Blacker than a Black Hole.

I think this is a pretty amazing deal...would be great to split it with a friend if you're only looking to buy one TV. The price below is for TWO tv's not one.

From Costco:

$1,999.99 after $600 OFF
Sharp LC-46D64U
AQUOS 46" 1080p
2 Pack Bundle
Slim-Line LCD
Savings Only Available on this
2 Pack Bundle Purchase

Tu_triky wrote:

I think this is a pretty amazing deal...would be great to split it with a friend if you're only looking to buy one TV. The price below is for TWO tv's not one. From Costco: $1,999.99 after $600 OFF Sharp LC-46D64U AQUOS 46" 1080p 2 Pack Bundle Slim-Line LCD Savings Only Available on this 2 Pack Bundle Purchase

Nice.

According to the AVS forum, there have been issues with "banding" in the AQUOS HDTVs....

I haven't seen that complaint with the other models...

bmwracer wrote:

Nice. According to the AVS forum, there have been issues with "banding" in the AQUOS HDTVs.... I haven't seen that complaint with the other models...

Yeah I feel ya, bro. It is a good deal and I read similar complaints regarding the possibility of banding...I think to some degree that's why I decided on a Bravia instead...having said that on AVS even with the Bravias on certain models ppl were complaining of "clouding" on some panels...but I haven't had any problems with my set. In any event...my friend has a 52" Aquos and hasn't had any problems...man to grab a slim line for a G (assuming you split the deal with a friend or what not) is a pretty dayem good bargain.

Western Digital HD Media Player: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=572

Combined with a My Passport portable drive (sold separately), this player is the most convenient way to play HD movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV. Also works with popular USB drives, and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Designed for My Passport, works with many other USB storage devices - Play content from most popular USB drives,and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.
Full HD video playback and navigation - up to 1080p - Experience the spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio. Use the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using our crisp, animated HD menus.
Collect without limits - There's no limit to the size of your media collection; just add more USB drives for more space.


Advanced navigation

* Thumbnail and list views – Browse your content by filename or by thumbnails of photos, album covers and movie cover art.
* Media Library – This unique feature lets you view all your media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. You can view your content by categories such as genre, album, artist and date.
* Search – Search by genre, title, artist, filename and partial filename.

Photo viewing

* Create custom slide shows with a variety of transitions and background music
* Zoom and pan
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Movie viewing

* Fast forward, rewind, pause, zoom, and pan
* View subtitles
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Music playback

* Fast forward, rewind, pause, shuffle, repeat
* Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Access two USB drives simultaneously - Two USB ports on the player let you connect two USB storage devices and access them simultaneously. Our Media Library feature aggregates the content on both drives into one list sorted by media type.
HDMI and composite video connections - The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port lets you connect to the highest quality HDTV or home theater. Additional composite (RCA) outputs ensure compatibility with virtually all television sets.
Includes free media conversion software - ArcSoft MediaConverter™ 2.5 -- a fast, easy-to-use application that converts photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.
Ultra-compact design - Fits easily into your entertainment center.
Ideal For
Hassle-free playback of HD movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your TV.

System Requirements

* My Passport portable hard drive or other USB storage device with supported video or audio content stored on it.
* Standard or high definition television with HDMI or composite video connections


Package Contents

* HD Media Player
* Stand for My Passport portable drive
* Compact remote with batteries
* Media converter software (Windows only)
* Composite AV cable
* AC adapter
* Quick Install Guide

MSRP: $129.99

Starting to contemplate buying a plasma over an LCD HDTV....

Cool site: http://www.tweaktv.com/

Anybody here using Nfusion Nuvenio HD receiver? I guess this receiver cracks TV satellite signals. My brother in the states wants to get one.

http://www.worldwidesatellites.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/271

bmwracer wrote:

Starting to contemplate buying a plasma over an LCD HDTV....

I've noticed that there seems to be more advertising for LCDs than there is for plasma TVs. Like in commercials and flyers, there are filled with LCDs, which lead me to think that companies are moving away from plasma.

Jav_sol wrote:

I've noticed that there seems to be more advertising for LCDs than there is for plasma TVs. Like in commercials and flyers, there are filled with LCDs

The word is that plasmas are old tech and have hit the wall technology-wise whereas, LCDs are still advancing...

The contrast ratio for plasmas is noticeably better than LCDs, but it's offset by the very reflective glass screens which are distracting.

^Ok, I see. I was hoping to get an HD tv during this holiday season, but I had to buy a new computer so now I'm out of money. I'm hoping a very good deal pops up somewhere.

Jav_sol wrote:

^Ok, I see. I was hoping to get an HD tv during this holiday season, but I had to buy a new computer so now I'm out of money. I'm hoping a very good deal pops up somewhere.

Check Costco.

They're selling several 40+" LCDs for under $1K.

And 32" TVs are hovering around $600 or so.

South Koreans Discover 'True Blue' Material for Better OLED Screens

By Jack Loftus, 7:00 PM on Sun Nov 23 2008


OLED screens are pretty awesome all around, but they have more than a few Achilles Heels to overcome before they're accepted into the mainstream. That said, one of the hurdles has allegedly fallen this weekend, thanks to new research out of South Korea. According to the AP, South Korean scientists have developed an efficient "true blue" material that, while sounding like a 1991 Madonna album, is actually a pretty important step forward for OLEDs.

You see, OLEDs, for all their potential greatness, have a heck of a time producing the blue light necessary to produce great images (red, green, blue light makes TVs happy!). Red and green light works fine, but blue remained elusive. That's where the South Koreans come in.

The discovery was the work of Pusan National University chemistry professor Jin Sung-Ho, who said the discovery was an important one for advancing the energy efficiency of OLEDs. For gadget lovers, it's yet another piece of the puzzle that, when completed, will mean powerful, beautiful OLED TVs are a mainstay in homes across the world. [AFP]

^ They don't say what this True Blue material is......?

I think it's extracted from Kim Jong-Il's hair.

bmwracer wrote:

^ They don't say what this True Blue material is......? I think it's extracted from Kim Jong-Il's hair.

Hilarious!