Possible Buy Once, Play Anywhere Common Video File Format – The Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) has been working for six years to make it possible for users to play digital content they have purchased on any device they own – whether HD, standard-def or portable. Three versions of a movie would be included in one common file format, along with the digital rights management. It would work with a cloud-based account hub called a Digital Rights Locker, that could be accessed from anywhere in the world via broadband. 49 companies are involved in DECE – both studios and manufacturers (but not Apple). The hope is to bolster flagging software sales by breaking down borders that trap software purchases onto specific devices.
XpanD Promoting Its 24-hour 3D Channel Service – The world’s leading developer of active 3D technology systems has partnered with Discovery Communications to showcase their 3D Visions To Life to advertisers in major cities. More than 1300 active glasses have been supplied for the sneak look at the first 24/7 3D network, which is coming in 2011, in partnership with Sony and IMAX.
Snell Acoustics Speakers Are Forever Muted – The Massachusetts-based high end speaker company was founded by Peter Snell in 1976. Peter died in 1984 but the company continued to produce excellent hand-calibrated speakers until this year. They are now part of D&M Holdings (Marantz, McIntosh, Denon, etc.) and have been closed. Snell worked with Lucasfilm on the first line of THX speakers, and recently the company’s chief engineer had been Joe D’Appolito, known for his special driver array design.
iPhones to Control All Home Electronics – Apple has a new patent involving the use of the iPhone to control every single electronic device in your home – including TVs, home security, water sprinklers, house lights, audio systems, you name it. It uses Near Field Communications technology for control of the different devices. The possibilities seem nearly endless.
Sony Hopes to Achieve Zero Environmental Load by 2050 in Home Electronics – Sony aims to zero the environmental load from the viewpoints of climate change, resources recycling, management of chemical materials and biological diversity. In the area of climate change, Sony plans to eliminate its emissions of greenhouse gases by development of home electric appliances that generate electricity. Products will be equipped with dye-sensitized solar cells to generate their own electricity. A medium-term goal was set for fiscal 2015, calculated from the 2050 goal.
Mitsubishi Offers the Most 3D TVs Thus Far – Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America has announced its 2010 series of large screen 3D DLP Home Cinema TVs, which integrate built-in 16-speaker 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround and Internet media streaming capability. The sets come in 60, 65, 73 and 82-inch screen sizes, and are the fourth generation of 3D-ready TVs from Mitsubishi. They employ the same core DLP technology used in the vast majority of 3D theatrical outlets. DLP technology is up to 1000 times faster than LCD technology, to give a more realistic 2D or 3D viewing experience. Most of the new models also boast 3 HDMI ports, HDMI-PC compatibility, StreamTV Internet Media, USB Wireless N Network Adapter compatibility, a 12-bit video processor, Smooth120, EdgeEnhance, DeepField Imager, and a six-color processor which provides more color reproduction that typical flat panel TVs. SRP range is from $1199 to $4499.
