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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/395091136/

Although the iWear AV310 Widescreen from Vuzix isn't the first 3D HMD we've come across, or the largest virtual display (likened to a 52" screen viewed from 9-feet), it's the first 16:9 widescreen version to hit the market. Equipped for use with both NTSC and PAL, this unit will run you about $250 and has a mysterious "video" input for use with a wide range of devices, though there's currently nothing to say what style of connector can be used or what resolution it runs at. Oh well... we're still waiting on a headtracking version anyway.

Update: As a commenter pointed out, this likely isn't the first "widescreen" HMD, though the company is claiming it's the first 16:9 model.

[Thanks, Greg]

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Canon's 10 megapixel SX1 IS shoots Full HD too

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/395081955/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

No word on a US release but Canon announced its new SX1 IS for seemingly everyplace else. The camera carries over the looks of the SX10 IS while opting for a 10 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of shooting 4fps full resolution JPEG stills or Full HD, H.264 video at 30fps for up to 30 minutes at a time (SD for up to an hour). It packs a DIGIC 4 image processor, optical image stabilization, and same 20x wide-angle zoom like the SX10 but opts for HDMI output and a slightly larger, 2.8-inch LCD around back. Priced at £520 which will translate to a lot less than the US equivalent $927 should this camera ever ship Stateside.

[Thanks, Meema S.]

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Neuros ships HD-capable OSD 2.0 set-top-box

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/395153910/

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Was it really 2006 when Linux lovers were sinking their gums into Neuros Technology's OSD? Two years later, we're finally seeing shipment of the OSD 2.0, which diverts quite significantly from the original in terms of design and ups the ante by adding support for encoding high-definition video at 720p in MPEG-4 and D1 resolution in the H.264 format. It's built around a Texas Instruments Davinci-based CPU module and a mini-ITX motherboard / enclosure, but rather than just being a very hackable consumer product, this one is described as a "super-reference design" by CEO Joe Born. You'll likely remember the WhereverTV, which is of course based on the OSD 2.0, and the firm has already landed another partner for the box in Hupla. For the individuals who just want an undisturbed unit, you can latch on now for $250.

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NEC's biggest pro LCD yet: 82-inch LCD8205

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/395194124/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Adding to its line of professional displays, NEC is bringing the LCD8205 to 2008 Digital Signage Expo East. We've seen bigger in the consumer space, but when you've just got to have 4x4 tile support for a max 328-inch (diagonal) display, refreshingly realistic 5,000:1 claimed contrast ratio and 1920x1080 resolution, there's not much better. At $54,999 each, it's unlikely we'll find one under the tree when it releases in December but catching a peek (and fogging up a display window or two) is slightly more attainable goal.

[Via CE Pro]

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Mysterious new 4GB iPod nano 4Gs begin appearing on store shelves

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/395194123/

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Now this is an interesting development. According to two separate tipsters (with two sets of photos) Apple has released a third version of the new multi-hued iPod nano to the world -- a 4GB model. As there's been no announcement from the company, and there was certainly no mention of it at the 'Let's Rock' event, this is quite a head-scratcher. According to sources (and a Dutch retailer's site), the models are available in all nine colors and are priced at €119 (or about $168) -- though there seems to be some debate as to whether these lower capacity versions are limited editions or simply an incredible gaffe on Apple's part. Regardless, they appear to be the real thing, and they appear to be on store shelves right now (in some countries, at least). If you're looking for the ultimate Apple collector's item, this may be just the thing. Check out the gallery below for lots of looks at the mystery nano.

Update: The UK's Pocket-lint got hold of an Apple spokesperson who told them Apple "made a limited number of 4GB iPod nanos for some international markets, but this is not one of our main configurations." Mystery solved, we guess -- but that "limited number" bit has us thinking this was still some kind of mistake.

Gallery: Mysterious new 4GB iPod nano 4Gs begin appearing on store shelves