Kaleidescape, News

Kaleidescape Granted Appeal Request

The California 6th District Court of Appeal has granted Kaleidescape’s petition for a stay of the injunction issued by the lower court in its legal proceedings with the DVD Copy Control Association. As a result, Kaleidescape will be able to continue manufacturing and selling Kaleidescape Systems with its current features while the appeal is pending.

Kaleidescape’s Disc Vault for Blu-ray discs 

The California 6th District Court of Appeal granted Kaleidescape’s petition for a writ of supersedeas on July 20, 2012. The writ stays the injunction that was issued by the Superior Court. 

Like all manufacturers of DVD players, Kaleidescape has a license to use the Content Scramble System (CSS) from the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA). CSS is the method used to scramble video and audio data on DVDs. In 2004, the DVD CCA sued Kaleidescape for breach of contract, claiming the Kaleidescape System violates the CSS license agreement because it copies DVDs to hard disks and enables playback without the DVD disc being present.

On March 29, 2007, Judge Leslie C. Nichols of the California Superior Court ruled that Kaleidescape was in full compliance with the CSS license agreement. As part of his statement of decision, Judge Nichols noted Kaleidescape’s good faith in its efforts to ensure that its products were fully compliant.

The DVD CCA appealed, and on August 12, 2009, the California 6th District Court of Appeal remanded the matter back to the trial court.

On March 8, 2012, Judge William J. Monahan of the California Superior Court ruled in favor of the DVD CCA and issued an injunction (that did not come into effect) that states that any Kaleidescape System sold after the effective date of the injunction should not play a DVD from a copy on hard disk.

Apple, News

Apple TV quietly gets Hulu Plus app

Apple’s streaming-video box gets one of the most requested streaming-video services.

The Apple TV is one of the best streaming boxes on the market and it just got a little better.

As of this morning, Hulu Plus is now available on the Apple TV. The app showed up without fanfare, with its icon popping up next to Netflix without an announcement from Apple or a required firmware update.

Hulu Plus was one of the major missing streaming-video services on the Apple TV, which has been available on competing devices like the Roku HD, PS3, and Xbox 360 for quite some time. As is often the case on the Apple TV, the user interface eschews the standard look available on other devices, instead featuring an Apple-customized look similar to the Netflix app. The Hulu Plus app also allows you to purchase a Hulu Plus subscription ($8 a month) right on the box using your iTunes account.

The Hulu Plus app has an Apple TV-customized look, rather than the standard interface available on other devices.

The new app comes on the heels of the new AirPlay Mirroring functionality, which enables users to watch Hulu (free) — or any Flash video — on their Apple TV, as long as they have a compatible Mac running the latest Mountain Lion software.

 

History

Flash-Matic: See The World’s First Wireless Remote Control

Before the Remote app for the iPhone and the many-buttoned universal remote, there was Eugene Polley’s Flash-Matic, the world’s very first wireless remote control.

An engineer for electronics company Zenith, Polley passed away on May 20 at the age of 96. His Flash-Matic invention dates all the way back to 1955.

Take a look at the revolutionary device:

1955 - Zenith's Flashmatic Remote Control

 

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Zenith had released the Lazy Bone remote control five years prior to the Flash-Matic in 1950. While the earlier remote could turn sets on or off and change channels, it was inconveniently connected to the TV with a cable. “It turned out that consumers did not like the cable because it caused frequent tripping,”

New Products, URC

URC’s Thermostat Offers ‘Comfort Recovery’

While the THZ-100 offers five thermostat buttons, users can also enjoy two-way control of the thermostat via URC Total Control remotes, keypads, touchscreens, and third-party controllers like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Among its features, the THZ-100 offers Intelligent Comfort Recovery, which monitors the current environment and then slowly heats or cools accordingly, with dollar-saving efficiency, until it reaches the preset. Additional features include password protection for homes or businesses where access must be limited, and optional wired remote sensors to increase efficiency and accuracy of programmed temperature adjustments.
 
“With the THZ-100, users can control the temperature of a home or business simply by picking up a remote control,” said Doug Cole, senior vice president and general manager of URC. “The automation possibilities are endless; for example, our dealers can have the drapes automatically close when the air conditioner kicks in, to help cool the building more quickly and save energy. For the ability to set the climate from anywhere, look no further than the THZ-100 coupled with the Total Control system. It does everything but control the weather.”
 
The THZ-100’s backlit two-inch color LCD is designed to be easy to read with background graphics and colors that automatically change to indicate visually whether the system is heating or cooling during transitions.
                                  
The THZ-100 is programmable via the internet via the MRX-10 Advanced Network System Controller. Like all Total Control products, the THZ-100 is programmed using URC’s Accelerator software. A mounting template, bracket and screws are included.

Apple, News

Apple’s ‘iPad mini’ rumored with 7.85″ IGZO display

The latest details claim Apple’s so-called iPad mini will be as thin as the iPad 2, according to anonymous sources who spoke with the Chinese-language site MyDrivers.com (translation, via Unwired View). The machine translation indicates that the “endurance has also been strengthened,” perhaps referring to the battery life of the rumored device.

The report also said that Apple’s smaller iPad will feature Sharp’s IGZO display technology, named for its use of indium, gallium and zinc. The new screen would be optimized to reach 330 pixels per inch, according to the latest rumor.

Finally, the new iPad is rumored to have a capacity of 8 gigabytes with a price between $249 and $299. It was said that Apple’s primary target with a smaller iPad is Google’s newly unveiled Nexus 7, as well as the Amazon Kindle Fire, both of which are available for $199.

But the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire feature 7-inch displays, while Apple’s rumored new iPad has been said in various reports to feature a slightly larger 7.85-inch display. Rumors of a smaller iPad have lingered since Apple launched its first model in 2010.

 

Directv, Media

DirecTV Cuts 3D Programming — What Content Creators Think of the Move

Last week, DirecTV announced it was reducing the amount of 3D content aired on its n3D 24/7 channel due to “lack of content.”  To see if this story held water, I turned to the Stereoscopic 3D Professionals Worldwide Linked-in group to see what they thought was the full story behind this move. The posted comments were very insightful.  Below is a synopsis of these comments. We invite you to continue the discussion in the comment field below.

Some of you may recall that two years ago DirecTV launched the n3D 24/7 3D linear channel, as well as pay-per-view and video-on-demand 3D content services with heavy support from Panasonic. But in the DirecTV announcement, the company said, “While 3D adoption continues to grow and more programming is being developed, DirecTV has decided to move n3D to a part-time channel.”

We asked DirecTV to comment, but they did not reply to our inquiries and there is no mention of the cut back on their web site. Apparently, Consumer Reports’ James Wilcox noticed there was no programming on the n3D channel – just a note saying it would be broadcasting the summer Olympics in 3D. n3D will continue to air some content, but only on a part-time basis. The company still airs the 3net 3D channel and has now moved ESPN 3D from part-time to full-time broadcasting.

New Products, Sharp

Sharp Intros 90″ Sharp AQUOS Full Array LED TV

This week Sharp announced a new 90″ AQUOS LED LCD TV (model LC-90LE745U), which is the world’s largest LED-based TV. Less than 5″ deep and weighing 141 pounds (without the stand), this 1080p TV offers a 240Hz refresh rate, active 3D capabilities and a full array LED backlight system. Because of the energy efficiency of LEDs, it costs only $28 per year to operate. Two sets of 3D glasses are included with the set.

It has Sharp’s SmartCentral, which offers access to services such as Netflix, YouTub, Hulu Plus and VUDU. It also has Skype, web browsing, and built-in Wi-Fi. It also features two USB inputs, four HDMI inputs and RS232 control.

Available immediately, the LC-90LE725U has a suggested retail price of $10,999.99.

New Products, News

Sony, Panasonic Officially Team on OLED TV

Sony and Panasonic officially have revealed plans to collaborate on the production of next-generation OLED HDTV technology, with mass production slated to begin in 2013.

The companies said the arrangement will allow them to share each other’s core and printing techniques for use in the mass production of HDTV-sized OLED panels, while each company develops and commercialize “its own competitive, high-performance, next-generation OLED televisions and large-sized displays.”

 The companies said they plan to jointly develop printing method-based OLED technology, which will be suitable for low-cost mass production of large, high-resolution OLED panels and modules.

Sony launched the first commercially distributed OLED TV in 2007 with an 11-inch model, and added a 25-inch professional OLED monitor in 2011, and continued to develop products and mass-produce OLED displays utilizing deposition technologies.

New Products, News

James Offers SA Series

James Loudspeaker has introduced its SA (Small-Aperture) series of in-ceiling and in-wall audio systems pack 38 Hz into a three-inch aperture. The system is a true full range, three-way design with a 0.75-inch titanium dome tweeter, 2-inch titanium midrange driver, and a 6.5-inch Mini PowerPipe subwoofer–all concentrically mounted.

 The grille configuration has industry-standard mounting and accepts high-end lighting trim kits to allow the speaker to match lighting fixtures in the same installation. The flagship 63SA-7 is ordered in two parts; the preconstruction kit is the PowerPipe subwoofer and is installed before drywall is installed. After the construction is completed, the tweeter/mid module is connected and installed into the three-inch opening and the selected grille/trim kit added to complete the installation.

Other models include the 63SA-4 for four-inch wall installations and an 81SA-4 10-inch subwoofer.