entertainment

Leading pay TV provider Sky Deutschland has selected Broadcom SoC solution (BCM7325 and BCM7335) for its next generation HD Set-top Box and DVR (Digital Video Recorder) services.  Sky Deutschland provides satellite, cable and internet services to approximately 95 percent of Germany and 85 percent of Austria. The new energy-efficient single chip solution will help Sky to provide multi-channel high definition viewing and digital video recording functionality for subscribers.

Panasonic is releasing a new set of HD 3D VIERA plasma TV in response to consumer request for smaller models for video gaming. The new line of Full HD 3D Plasmas will come from Panasonic’s VIERA GT25 series which will offer a 42-inch (TC-P42G25) and 52-inch (TC-R52G25) screen sizes.

Onkyo has release two new HT-RC home theatre receivers (HT-RC260 and HT-RC270). Both models feature the latest in surround sound with a High Definition high performance 7.2-channel via Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. For inter components connectivity they both have a 3D-Ready HDMI-1.4a port, and are DLNA 1.5 and Windows7 compatible.  Both models have Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Onkyo's proprietary WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) amplifiers.  Onkyo HT-RC260 and HT-RC270 are available at retailers for $499 and $849 respectively.

Customers of Netflix on-demand services are in line to be able to download and watch  movies distributed by Lionsgate, Mero-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount Pictures as part of their subscription with Netflix. According the LAT Epix is in talks with Netflix to give them exclusive rights to films from its three partners  - Lionsgate, Mero-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount Pictures.  The cost of the deal to Netflix will be close to $1 billion in licensing fees, and will put Netflix in the same league as Time Warner which sources their movies from Universal Pictures and Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox.

Carphone Warehouse in collaboration with Catch Media has launched the UK’s first cloud music services.  For less than £30 subscribers will have access to a catalogue of music similar to what they have at home on the internet.  The service negates the need to copy and carry all your music files with you whenever you leave your home. All you will need is internet access and a compatible mobile device and you will be able to listen to any music track in your catalogue.

The release of Volkano is set to disrupt the current status quo with regards to DVR, mobile video recording and on-demand media streaming.  Released by Monsoon Multimedia, Vulkano is an integrated media platform that rolls the functions of the TiVo, Roku and Slingbox into one multimedia solution. Through Vulkano five key technologies Mansoon is providing one device that will substitute for many different devices we have to by to fit our digital lifestyle.

Synaptics has announced that they are working with Philips Home Control, the developers of Pronto Pronto Digital Home Solutions to implement an optimize hardware-level specification for touchpad technology.  The collaboration is also to simplify the growing complexity in system browsing as more and more devices are interconnected in the home.

The DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) and the DEG (Digital Entertainment Group) have reported growth in both the number of Blu-ray Players getting certified and the sale of Blu-ray Players in general.  The DLNA has reported that the number of DLNA certified Blu-ray Players has nearly doubled in 2010.  Based on current figures the general sale of Blu-ray Players will more than double in 2012*

UITStor the company that gave us the S400 Connected Storage has added a media streamer (UEBO M200 Media Player) to its range of connected home products. UITStor said the UEBO M200 Media Player will give users 360 degree technology experience. It supports most of the video and audio formats, and video and audio codecs. Also, it offers all the usual in connectivity and has the flexibility to act as a storage device.