Many of us are anxiously anticipating the first HD console for the masses.
Now we know what we’ll get in the box, and for what we’ll have to scrounge to complete our rig.

Included accessories:
One Wireless Controller
Xbox Live Headset
Ethernet Cable - gee thanks!
Hard Drive (20 gig)

Optional accessories:
Additional controllers/headsets
AV Cables - svideo, VGA or component. No DVI?!?
Console Faceplates
USB Wireless adapter
Additional harddrive
Wired controllers
Various charging systems for wireless controllers:
- rechargeable batt pack
- play & charge kit
- quick charge kit
Memory unit with case
Remote control for multimedia functions

I like the fact you have options for wireless or wired for both Live connectivity and controllers. Choosey HTDudes choose choice. Sometimes we like wires, sometimes we don’t.

Accessories Article

Also noticed this lucky dog got to play with the new console first hand. I would have gone to test the system myself, but I was busy running my world.

Anyways, he has lots to say about it, one thing I noted: Jaw-dropping Ghost Recon 3 graphics. There just is nothing quite like being in the bush, hunting down terrorists and commanding your troops. Yes, I love my alternate reality.

Sony Electronics today announced that new 32- and 26-inch flat panel LCD HDTVs are now shipping. The KLV-S32A10 and KLV-S26A10 models round out Sony’s “S” series, which also includes models ranging in size from 15 to 23 inches already on the market.

“Our new models provide outstanding picture quality and are a great value for those consumers yet to embrace HDTV,” said Greg Gudorf, vice president of television marketing for Sony Electronics.

Cool, these products may be a good way to entice new people to jump on the HDTV train. But at 32 inches, I can’t help but think BIGGER is better.

Press Release

I came across this Do-It-Yourself Projector Mount quick tutorial with photos today. It looks like a nice clean install, using a DIY mount plate and standard pipe.

The author describes two ways to make the mount, adjustable or fixed. I’m a little worried about the adjustable design, having a setscrew may not be enough to hold the smaller pipe with pj weight. I might be a bit upset to come home to my projector hanging by its umbilical co…I mean cables. (”My BABY!!”)

This design is easily modified, however. For example, one solution would be to drill another small hole through both pipes to make a more solid mount, once the height is properly set.

Still, a great way to make a mount.

The Screen Innovations Mirage Screen features a patented high-contrast filter that covers 60% of the screen surface. This filter allows the projected image to be reflected by the screen and effectively absorbs incidental light from other angles from such sources as windows and room lighting. As a result, the screen is virtually unaffected by ambient light.

Wow, just when I got used to sitting in my cave to watch the big screen every night! At least the product won’t be available until later this year, so I’ll have time to adjust my pupil training.

This should extinguish many arguments with wife-units, and allow for front projector home theater systems to peacefully co-exist in the domesticated home. Schwing! One for the boys.

Article

While anecdotal evidence suggests that men are more likely to monopolize the remote, a new study suggests that women are in the driver’s seat when it comes to using a digital video recorder.

In a national survey of 1,000 DVR users divided equally by sex, 48 percent of married women say the decision to purchase a DVR was their own, while 55 percent of the wives claim they understood how to interface with their unit’s myriad features better than their husbands.

Interesting article, but all I can say is, “Not in MY house!”

Source

Flat-Panel Screen Market Set to Double by 2008

“The global LCD market is expected to grow from US$48 billion last year to US$70 billion in 2008,” said Souk Jun-hyung, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics, during the IMID event in Seoul yesterday.

I really don’t think it will take that long, unless the economy really nosedives. I think we are experiencing the snowball effect, and pretty soon everyone will be asking, “Have you hugged your flatscreen today?”

Rear Projection TV Sales Poised to Take Off in Japan
In Japan, where things are small, Sony hopes to bump sales to 10k RP units, up from a staggering 2,000 units sold last year.

Methinks Sony is being rather optimistic, I don’t think the Japanese like their HT big and hulking as their western counterparts do.

Sony officials said the company expects strong demand in Japan ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament in Germany next year. Video equipment manufacturers usually take advantage of major international sports events as opportunities to spur demand for new products. Victor Co. of Japan , which entered the domestic rear projection TV market in May, is planning to release a new large-screen model ahead of the year-end shopping season.

Next up, the Panasonic PT-AE700U Home Theater Front Projector.

This LCD unit is a true widescreen projector with a native resolution of 1280 x 720, giving you HD in a native format. This projector came out last October, and has made a roaring success.

This machine has all the standard connections, and includes HDCP enabled HDMI input for your digital connection.
8 - 40 ‘ throw distance
40- 400 ” image size
With lens shift !

If I were going for an entry level LCD unit, this is what I would be looking for. It can had as low as 1800 big ones.

This is the current entry level HT front projector from InFocus. HTDude likes InFocus products, he was first attracted to DIY home theater by the ease of use and installation of the InFocus X1 projector.

The Screenplay 4805 has been around for over a year, and can be had for about 800 bucks refurbished, or a grand brand new. (Don’t be cheap - get a new one.)

This DLP machine is based on the X1 chassis, and sports some similar components. However, this model has a widescreen aspect ratio and includes a 4x 6 segment color wheel.

Some of the vitals:
Native resolution: 854×480 Pixels
HD Compatibility: 1035i, 1080i, 720p
Image size: 32 to 256 inches
Throw distance of 5 to 33 feet

Inputs - Component, straight rca video (don’t waste yer time), and DVI

Lamp is rated at 3k hours

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There are some reported odd quirks that could be fixed on the next firmware upgrade, if InFocus gets their act together on this. In all, a great PJ for the money.

Front projectors are the heart of any real home theater. Sure, you can get a great picture with plasma and lcd screens, and relatively big screen with a rear projection model. But you can’t go no big mamma mondo screen, as big as yer wall, unless you go with a big daddy front projector.

Sure, there is great tech out there, and just about any grandma will love it when you let her in to visit. But if you really wanna beat the Jones’, having the boys over for the football party where nobody can stop looking at the players bigger than themselves, you will be Da Man.

This is the HTDude Display Type of choice, so let’s take some time away from watching the bigscreen and look over the major front projector players currently on the market.