The software on Motorola’s upcoming Atrix 4G has already been subject to some stern (and premature) scrutiny, but here’s some rather more concrete information about it, courtesy of the company’s own spec page for the device. As it turns out, Moto intends to launch the Atrix with some of its hardware capabilities clipped — specifically its Tegra 2-derived power to encode 1080p content — but will deliver them to users in an update (hopefully soon) thereafter. LG’s Optimus 2X, which is built around the same dual-core chip from NVIDIA, has been spending its time before launch showing off exactly what those 1080p encoding skills can deliver — both with video recording and through its HDMI connection — so it’ll be a downer for Moto fans to learn that their hallowed new superphone won’t be able to match up at launch. Then again, when we think about how often phone makers fail to tap the full potential of their hardware, maybe we should just be happy that 1080p abilities are coming to the Atrix at all, eh?
I’ll be the first to admit that when Blu-ray first launched, I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure if the new technology was a worthwhile investment for someone like me. Sure, it delivered more storage and higher-quality video and audio, but I simply saw it as another way to take my hard-earned cash for little benefit over DVD.
Over time, I realized that my perception was off. Blu-ray has not only become my go-to platform when I want to buy movies or television shows, but it has also helped me replace the need for DVD in my home. Practically my entire DVD collection has been wiped out in favor of Blu-ray. And as time has gone on, I haven’t missed my once-beloved DVD one bit.
But now my time is being split between watching Blu-ray content and streaming video via services like Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand. I’ve found that not having to get off the couch to watch something I’m interested in is far more preferable than finding the DVD copy and popping that into a player. Call me lazy, but that convenience is something that makes streaming a staple in my home.
However, when I pit streaming against Blu-ray, I can’t help but choose the latter option when I want to sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie. The streaming option is certainly much easier to get up and running, and if I went all-streaming, I could reduce all the clutter in my entertainment center, but then I would lose the higher-quality video and audio that comes with Blu-ray.
Streaming is great, but do me a favor and pop Avatar into your Blu-ray player, running on your 1080p set, and tell me that isn’t the best way to enjoy that film. Yes, most streaming services, like Apple’s iTunes content on the Apple TV, are available in 720p, rather than 1080p, which makes the comparison a bit unfair, but isn’t that central to this entire argument? Until streaming can match Blu-ray in terms of overall quality and sound, it’s simply not the best way to enjoy content.
Luckily, companies like Vudu realize that. The company offers a 1080p option to customers that actually looks quite nice. But even in those cases where folks get 1080p content from Vudu, it can’t quite live up to the audio-visual quality we enjoy on Blu-ray.
And as convenient as Netflix is, the company’s streaming option in no way comes close to matching the experience of watching the same film on Blu-ray.
As much as I enjoy the many streaming services I use, they have a long way to go to match Blu-ray. Yes, streaming is convenient, and yes, it’s getting better by the day. But to say that it can be a replacement for Blu-ray, at least right now, is simply outrageous.
OmniVision has outed its latest mobile CMOS imaging sensor, the OV10810, offering 10-megapixel resolution stills and 1080p Full HD video capture for smartphone-scale devices. The OV10810 can manage HDR photography, full-resolution 30fps image capture, and the ability to shoot photos while simultaneously recording video.
Of course, there’s more to high quality photos than a huge number of megapixels: you also need a decent lens in front of that, too, if you don’t want to end up with a murky shots that look like you tried to take them in a nightclub. Still, as long as manufacturers bear that in mind, we’re glad to see more pixels (and pixels being used cleverly) in mobile devices. OmniVision is sampling the OV10810 CMOS now.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Press Release:
OmniVision’s OV10810 — First Native 16:9 CMOS Image Sensor to Enable Simultaneous 1080p HD Video Recording and 10-Megapixel Image Capture
Native 16:9 Aspect Ratio Designed to Support Full Screen Photo and Video Sharing
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced the OV10810, a 10-megapixel CMOS image sensor built on OmniVision’s highly optimized 1.4-micron OmniBSI™ pixel architecture. The 1/2.5-inch OV10810 is designed to offer complete convergence between high-resolution still photography and full high-definition (HD) video by combining 10-megapixel burst photography at 30 frames per second (fps) with full 1080p HD video in a native 16:9 aspect ratio. This makes the OV10810 an ideal choice for digital still and video camera (DSC/DVC) hybrids and high-end smart phones.
“The OV10810 is a 10-megapixel image sensor that allows the simultaneous capture of full-frame, 10-megapixel still images and 1080p HD video at 30 frames per second, a unique feature that is exclusive to CMOS technology,” said Devang Patel, senior product marketing manager at OmniVision. “Allowing users to take pictures even while they are recording video is a key feature that bridges the gap between DSC and DVC, giving users the ultimate camera experience. Additionally, the sensor’s 16:9 aspect ratio reflects the increasing popularity of HDTV by capturing photos and video that align with the wide screen displays used in most of today’s TVs, notebooks and smart phones, further enhancing the user experience.”
Optimized to meet the performance specifications of next generation DSC/DVC applications, the OV10810 is outfitted with improved pixel and system architectures. The enhanced 1.4-micron OmniBSI pixel features significantly improved low-light sensitivity and full well capacity, as well as higher dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio, making it the highest performing pixel in its class.
As a RAW sensor, the OV10810′s integrated programmable scaler enables either 1080p or 720p HD video capture at 30 fps while maintaining full field of view (FOV). At 2.6-megapixel resolution, the sensor operates at 60 fps with pixel binning, maintaining full FOV while offering significantly improved low-light sensitivity. At 5.3-megapixel resolution with cropping, the OV10810 runs at 60 fps. High frame rates enable a number of key benefits, including: slow motion photography, no image lag for shutter-less designs, continuous shooting, minimized rolling shutter effect, and real-time still image and video capture without changing resolutions.
The OV10810 features a 2 x 2 binning functionality to improve low-light sensitivity, and a post-binning re-sampling filter that minimizes spatial artifacts and removes image artifacts around edges to deliver clean, crisp color images. The OV10810 supports up to 8-lane LVDS or MIPI interfaces for high data transfer rates, and is compatible with a wide range of custom and merchant ISPs. The OV10810 comes in a CSP3 or RW package and is currently available for sampling.
About OmniVision
OmniVision Technologies (Nasdaq: OVTI) is a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image quality in many of today’s consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones, notebooks and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at http://www.ovt.com.
The iXtreamer iPod/iPad dock has landed in the UK, and you’re getting plenty for your money. As well as an extra-wide docking slot suitable for Apple’s iOS tablet, there’s WiFi b/g/n, a 3.5-inch hard-drive bay, HDMI and network connectivity.
To be honest, iPad support is only one string to the iXtreamer’s bow; it’ll work as a DLNA/UPnP streamer, play back 1080p HD video with 7.1 surround sound, stream internet radio, work as a TwonkyMedia server and as a standalone NAS or FTP server. There’s also Blu-ray ISO support, the ability to use your iPhone as a remote control, and a full on-screen UI.
It’ll also play FLV streaming video from online, opening the door to accessing on-demand content as well. The iXtreamer is priced at £159 ($247) from Advanced MP3 Players and is shipping now.
JVC’s new Everio GS-TD1 camcorder isn’t the first 3D example we’ve seen, but it is the first to manage Full HD 3D recording. The new JVC Falconbird image processing engine is paired with two 3.32-megapixel CMOS sensors, each capable of 1920 x 1080i, while even the preview display is 3D-capable. Check out our hands-on impressions after the cut.
The Everio GS-TD1 looks bulky, but it’s actually relatively lightweight. Unlike Panasonic’s HDC-TC750 it’s not designed to lose the 3D lens section, but the weight has been well balanced along the length of the camcorder and it doesn’t feel front-heavy. Storage and connectivity are hidden behind the flip-out LCD display. That has a touchscreen layer for control over most of the settings, and it’s crystal clear and responsive. Most importantly, though, is that it uses glasses-free 3D so that you can see exactly what 3D effect you’re getting while recording, rather than – as with the TC750 – having to wait until reviewing footage later. The 3.5-inch panel uses a parallax barrier to split up the left and right images.
Falconbird is a JVC exclusive, and supposedly doubles the power from previous chips. It debuts in the GS-TD1, but will be spreading through the company’s 3D-capable line-up; the same sensor, Kari Bearnarth, senior VP of America JVC marketing told us, is powerful enough to handle 4k2k recording.
It’s obviously tricky to judge image quality from a brief hands-on play, but what we saw in JVC’s booth impressed us. There’s no compromise to the 3D element – you still get HD, unlike other systems which split the resolution of a single sensor – and it looks crisp and bright when viewed full-screen. The JVC Everio GS-TD1 will go on sale in March 2011. For $2,000, it comes equipped with 64GB of internal flash storage space, image stabilizer, 3D sound and a pair of ultra fast, high res, extra-low-dispersion glasses, and a round-iris diaphragm HD GT F1.2 lens.
Verizon has demonstrated streaming Full HD 3D 1080p video over FiOS fiber-optic networks. The system promises double the quality of some rival systems, and uses a Panasonic Blu-ray player on the receiving end.
Video demo after the cut
Verizon claims it was able to stream at 18 Mbps, double what many cable systems can handle, and good enough for 1080p HD as you’d find on 3D Blu-ray discs. Unfortunately, there’s no firm date on when the service will actually be available to FiOS subscribers, but with Verizon switching its FiOS broadcast backbone to IP it’s possible this could be part of the company’s upgrade for later in the year.
Press Release:
Panasonic and Verizon Demonstrate an Industry-First at the International Consumer Electronics Show: Full HD 3D Video Over Verizon’s FiOS All-Fiber-Optic Network
NEW YORK – Full-resolution high-definition 3D transmission via a premium TV service provider became a reality at this year’s 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show. Verizon and Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology, are streaming Full HD 3D, currently the highest-possible resolution of 3D video, via Verizon’s 100 percent fiber-optic FiOS TV service.
The first-of-its-kind demonstration (in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center Room S228) was made possible through a technical collaboration between the two companies, with content streaming over Verizon’s future-proof network to a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D player. Engineers from both companies worked closely to co-develop the required network, software and user-interface enhancements that make Full HD 3D possible over the bandwidth-rich FiOS service.
“We’re proud of our work with Verizon to develop this Full HD 3D streaming capability,” said EisukeTsuyuzaki, chief technology officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Panasonic has always believed that the best way to view 3D is via a Full HD, 1080p resolution image, but until now the only option available has been on Blu-ray DiscTM media. Over Verizon’s high-bandwidth FiOS network, we’ve now shown that this kind of innovation can be accomplished by a premium television service like FiOS as well.”
Unlike some competing technologies, Full HD 3D transmissions preserve the complete 1080p picture resolution that consumers have come to expect from their HDTVs. Other solutions degrade the 3D image, typically reducing resolution by half. In a demonstration at the Verizon-sponsored Blogger Lounge, FiOS engineers showed a selection of 3D content streaming to a Panasonic Full HD Blu-ray 3D DiscTM player at a bit rate of up to 18 Mbps (megabits per second) — double the bit rate currently used by most cable providers.
Tony Melone, chief technology officer for Verizon, said, “Delivering full-resolution 3D content is a natural fit for Verizon’s FiOS network. Built with the future in mind, FiOS was designed with the bandwidth headroom to grow along with consumer demand for the latest technologies. Verizon continues to deliver the future of TV and is once again redefining the consumer’s at home-entertainment experience.”
Last year, Verizon televised the first National Football League game in 3D, the New York Giants versus the New England Patriots, as well as the first Major League Baseball games in 3D, between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners.
Verizon continues to drive the future of TV, with more than 140 HD channels and next-generation interactive services like social networking, DVR management via broadband or mobile phone, and an interactive media guide.
ViewSonic’s taking tablets to great new lows here at CES, calling its new 4.1-inch ViewPad 4 a “tablet device with smartphone functionality.” Whatever the description, though, this is a pretty handsome, angular Froyo handset with an 800 x 480 resolution, 5 megapixel camera that can record 1080p 720p video, a front-facing imager, 2GB of ROM, and either 512MB or 1GB of RAM. The spec sheet we found online says the former, but the chap at ViewSonic’s stand today told us the latter. Either way, we’re really liking the smoothness of the Android UI on this tabletphone, it was very pleasantly responsive. The most shocking thing about the ViewPad 4, however, might be its launch date, which we were told will be somewhere around mid-June. Froyo in mid-June … really? Get your video hands-on fix after the break.
Update: A second pass through the ViewSonic stand informed us that actually the ViewPad 4 is only capable of 720p video recording. Bogus, man.
Acer‘s Aspire One 522 – which leaked back in December – has been made official, with the netbook packing AMD’s latest C-50 1GHz Fusion processor and Radeon HD 6250 256MB graphics. Fronted by a 10.1-inch 1280 x 720 display, the AO522 promises 1080p HD video output from an HDMI port, along with real time image processing with auto color and contrast adjustment.
There’s also a choice of WiFi b/g, WiFi b/g/n and optional 3G and Bluetooth 3.0, together with either 160GB or 250GB of storage. A webcam, mono speaker, up to 2GB of RAM and multi-function memory card reader round out the key specs, while ports include three USB 2.0, audio in/out, VGA and 10/100 ethernet, along with the HDMI.
Battery life is estimated at up to 3hrs with the 2200mAh 3-cell pack or 6hrs with the 4400mAh 6-cell pack. No word on pricing at this stage, but the Acer Aspire One 522 will launch in the UK come Q2 2011.
Press Release:
Acer Aspire One 522 Discover next generation HD experience
CES Las Vegas, January 7th 2011 – Acer multiplies its offer and enriches its best-selling family of netbooks, debuting the Aspire One 522 netbook designed to deliver a fresh and exciting user experience, by providing smoother HD multimedia enjoyment, creation and sharing, and greater multitasking performance.
The new Aspire One 522 skilfully combines a sleek and stylish look with outstanding performance to help users enjoy an all-round HD experience for enhanced content consumption anywhere. Equipped with an AMD Fusion Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), this netbook is ready for a next generation user experience and amazing HD Internet multimedia performance.
Users are increasingly focused on enjoying multimedia – movies, games, photos, videos – wherever they go. This is why Acer has equipped the Aspire One 522 with the new AMD C-50 APU, engineered to deliver rich, sharp and lifelike HD Internet entertainment and take advantage of today’s visual digital universe anytime, anywhere.
What’s more, the Aspire One 522 makes accomplishing any task, from HD movie playback to Internet HD video streaming to simply chilling out a delightful experience. You can go beyond simple internet browsing to experience full high-definition video over the web. But that’s not all. The new Aspire One 522 integrates AMD Radeon™ HD 6250 graphics to provide sharp HD video with support for the latest graphics standards including Microsoft® DirectX® 11, 1080p video output via HDMI®, real time image processing with auto color and contrast adjustment, and edge sharpening.
Everyday tasks, such as Internet browsing, streaming online HD video, emailing, chatting, photo viewing, document editing are efficiently performed by the Aspire One 522 that delivers multitasking capabilities, even with visually intense, high-definition applications. Support for fast DDR3 memory further helps tackling even more demanding tasks.
Thanks to HD playback capabilities, this netbook easily integrates into the home entertainment environment. And to provide a seamless experience, it is equipped with an HDMI port to easily connect to HDTV or video-projectors and share Hi-Def video content on a big screen at a larger 1080p resolution. Plus, you can take advantage of the 28 cm (10.1”) Acer CrystalBrite™ LED backlit high brightness display, flaunting 1280 x 720 (WXGA) resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, to make the most of web chatting, browsing and video streaming.
Multiple connection options, including Wi-Fi, LAN and optional 3G or Bluetooth®, maximise your mobile experience and keep you in touch with all you care about. And, to chat live, capture photos or video-conference there are the built-in Acer Crystal Eye webcam and digital microphone.
Just about the size of a magazine, the new Aspire One is available in two colour options – Diamond Black and Green – and offers all the power you need in a thin and light design. The big keyboard for fast-paced comfortable typing is complemented by the multi-gesture touchpad, perfect for scrolling documents, rotating images, zooming and browsing, all with fingertip convenience.
This highly efficient netbook complies with Energy Star® standards and with RoHS and WEEE EU directives, regulating the use and disposal of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Plus, it’s also mercury free and ensures 22.2% power savings compared with standard netbook displays, courtesy of the LED backlit panels.
The Acer Aspire One 522 is expected Q2 in the UK, pricing TBA.
Intel made its Sandy Bridge based 2011 Core i3, i5 and i7 processors official earlier this week, but it’s still making a song & dance about them at CES 2011 today. More than 500 desktop and laptop PCs using the chips are expected to debut in 2011, with features like Intel Quick Sync Video – for speedy transcoding – and WiDi 2.0. Meanwhile there’s also Intel Insider, a hardware feature of the chips for purchasing and renting 1080p HD movies on their PC.
Intel Insider will see content from CinemaNow, Sonic Solutions, Dixons Retail, WBShop, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment and others, as well as Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Image Entertainment, Yash Raj Films and UTV Motion Pictures. It’s not a DRM system, but a copy-protected transfer system, Intel tells us.
The first 2nd-gen Intel Core 2011 quadcore based systems will go on sale from January 9 2011.
Press Release:
Intel Brings ‘Eye Candy’ to Masses with Newest Laptop, PC Chips
Intel® Core™ Processor Features Create New Visual Experience, Lifestyle
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
• Introduces much anticipated, game-changing 2nd Generation Intel Core processors. Adds a number of visually stunning features built right into the chips through processor graphics.
• Includes surprising and exciting new features such as, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® HD Graphics, Intel® Wireless Display 2.0, and Intel® Insider™ including collaborations with CinemaNow*, Dixons Retail plc*, Hungama* Digital Media Entertainment, Image Entertainment*, Sonic Solutions*, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution*.
• These processors offer amazing video technology. Intel® Quick Sync can convert a four- minute HD video file on a laptop to play on an iPod in only 16 secondsii, while Intel® Insider™ enables full HD movie downloading and viewing on a PC screen or beaming it from a notebook to an HDTV using Intel WiDi 2.0.
• 20 new processors, new chipsets and new wireless chips including new Intel® Core™ i7, i5 and i3 processors, Intel® 6 Series Chipsets, and Intel® Centrino® WiFi and WiMAX adapters will power more than 500 new PC systems.
INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, Las Vegas, Jan. 5, 2011 – With more than 1 million computers selling each day, Intel Corporation introduced its game-changing 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor family today at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show. Intel highlighted several surprising new features, services and partnerships that combine to deliver an entirely new visual experience with processor graphics built in. More than 500 desktop and laptop PCs are expected from all major OEMs worldwide throughout the next year.
New features include Intel® Insider™, Intel® Quick Sync Video, and a new version of the company’s award-winning Intel® Wireless Display (WiDi), which now adds 1080p HD and content protection for those wishing to beam premium HD content from their laptop screen to their TV. The company also revealed working with CinemaNow*, Dixons Retail plc*, Hungama* Digital Media Entertainment, Image Entertainment*, Sonic Solutions*, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment*, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution*.
“The new 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processors represent the biggest advance in computing performance and capabilities over any other previous generation,” said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. “The built-in visual capabilities enabled by these new processors are stunning. This, combined with improved adaptive performance, will revolutionize the PC experience in a way that is obvious for every user to see and appreciate – visibly smarter performance.”
New Visual Experience for Today’s Lifestyles
The 2nd Generation Intel Core processor family is the first “visibly smart” microarchitecture to combine visual and 3-D graphics technology with performance-leading microprocessors on a single chip. Incorporating the newly architected Intel® HD Graphics on each 32nm die enables significant graphics performance improvements over previous-generation graphics for both HD media processing and mainstream gaming. The chips improve performance and yet still offer great battery life and the ability to design thinner, lighter and more innovative laptops and all-in-one PCs.
New processor graphics technology will focus on the areas where most people are computing today: high-definition (HD) video, photos, mainstream gaming, multi-tasking and online socializing and multimedia. Enhanced visual technologies such as next-generation Intel® HD graphics are built into every 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor. For consumers, this means a dramatically improved PC experience, with better overall power management, greater efficiency and great battery life.
Additionally, a surprise new feature of the next-generation PC and laptop processors, Intel® Insider™, will give consumers access to movies on their PCs in full high-definition that were not available before. To explain the importance of this feature, Eden invited Kevin Tsujihara, Warner Home Entertainment Group president on stage.
Tsujihara explained, “Warner Bros. sees the PC as one of the most broadly available and versatile platforms for delivering premium digital entertainment, and now that Intel has made it more secure, we’re able to provide new releases and popular catalog titles in full HD to the PC through our WBShop* storefront and from partners like CinemaNow* on the same day as DVD and Blu-ray* releases.”
Eden used a clip from the feature film “Inception”* from Warner Bros.* and demonstrated how easy it would be to get the movie from CinemaNow* and watch it in full HD on a laptop.
In collaboration with Hollywood and Bollywood studios along with leading content distributors such as CinemaNow*, Dixons Retail plc*, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment*, Image Entertainment*, Sonic Solutions*, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment*, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution* and others, Intel creates a protected environment for the distribution, storage and playback of premium content. This enables content owners and video services to release more movies in high definition. Commercial distribution of HD premium content using the Intel® Insider™ technology is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2011.
Building upon this Intel® Insider™ innovation, Eden then showed how consumers can now also use Intel® WiDi 2.0 to beam content such as the “Inception” film to their big- screen HDTVs. Additional Intel® WiDi 2.0 improvements include support for 1080pHD as well as protected content either streaming from the Internet or played locally from a Blu-ray or DVD playeriii.
Another unique element of the visual experience built into the 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor family is Intel® Quick Sync Video. This built-in hardware acceleration takes the wait out of editing and sharing videos with astonishing performance that completes in minutes what used to take hours. Now faster than ever, consumers can edit, convert and share videos with friends and family. Intel estimated that a 4-minute HD video that used to take 4 minutes to convert to play on an iPod* would now take just 16 secondsii.
The power of the 2nd Generation Intel Core processors for immersive mainstream gaming was demonstrated with a teaser from Valve’s* Portal 2*, one of the most anticipated game releases of 2011. Eden did the demonstration with precision Hydra motion controllers from Razer* using Sixense* MotionTouch* technology.
Smart Performance, Energy Efficiency and Intelligence Merge
The Intel® Core™ i3, i5 and i7 processors also include the enhanced Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. This feature automatically reallocates processor core and processor graphics resources to accelerate performance, giving users an immediate performance boost when and where it’s needed.
Other new chip features include Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), Intel® InTru™ 3-D, and Intel® Clear Video Technology HD. Intel InTru 3-D enables immersive stereoscopic 3-D to 3-D-capable HDTVs or monitors via HDMI 1.4, making movie excitement almost come out of the screen.
Intel® AVX increases performance for such demanding visual applications as audio processing and professional video image editing such as stitching together multiple photographs. Intel® Clear Video improves the visual quality and color fidelity during video playback for a spectacular screen experience.
To make it easy for users to find a 2nd Generation Intel® Core™-based system that is just right for their particular needs, Intel is also announcing a wide array of SKUs including Intel vPro™-enabled processors.
The chips are made on Intel’s 32nm manufacturing process on the company’s second-generation high-k metal gate transistors. These unique advantages further boost performance; reduce power consumption for better battery life and smaller designs, and lower overall manufacturing costs.
Intel announced more than 20 processors, wireless adapters and chipsets, including new Intel® Core™ i7, i5 and i3 processors, Intel® 6 Series Chipsets, and Intel® Centrino® WiFi and WiMAX adapters. More than 500 laptop and desktop PC platform designs are expected from all major computer makers worldwide based on these products.
The quad-core-based systems (four processors inside one chip) will be available on Jan. 9 with additional dual-core versions in February. Video, benchmarks, photos and more details are available at www.intel.com/newsroom/CES.
Press Release:
Intel® Insider™:
Opening Up a Whole New World of Premium Content
Intel® Insider™ is a new hardware feature of the 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processors that will allow consumers to purchase and rent the latest high-definition (HD) movies in 1080p on their PC. Until now, online movie services could only offer a subset of movies in HD for the PC due to security concerns. With Intel Insider’s hardware-based protection, consumers will have access to a larger and growing library of movie titles in 1080p HD. Additionally, Intel Insider technology offers a “proactive queue” capability that enables consumers to pre-download films in advance of the release date and the ability to purchase those films, securely, even if they are not connected to the Internet. This would allow consumers to start watching their movies immediately on the release date without waiting for the mail or needing to download during peak traffic times. Entertainment companies in the United States, Western Europe and India are expected to announce movie services for PCs with Intel® Insider™ throughout the year.
Studio Support for Intel Insider
Intel has been working with movie studios in Hollywood and Bollywood including Warner Bros. Digital Distribution*, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment*, Image Entertainment*, Yash Raj Films* and UTV Motion Pictures* to offer an expanded library of movies and entertainment. Here’s what some of those companies say in support of Intel Insider:
“Warner Bros. sees the PC as a broadly available and versatile platform for delivering premium digital entertainment, and now that Intel has made it more secure, we’re able to provide new releases and popular catalog titles in full HD to the PC through our WBShop* storefront and from partners like CinemaNow* the same day that the DVD is available.” — Kevin Tsujihara, Warner Home Entertainment group president.
“Our partnership with Intel creates a game changing opportunity to provide consumers around the globe our highest value content in a secure environment. The innovations that Intel has developed will give consumers maximum flexibility to enjoy a premium viewing experience.” — Mike Dunn, president worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
“With the introduction of Intel® Insider™, DreamWorks Animation sees a bright future for premium, online entertainment that families can enjoy at home or wherever their imaginations take them.” – Ed Leonard, chief technology officer, DreamWorks Animation.
“Intel Insider allows us the ability to reach the vast user base that is willing to pay for quality Indian content legitimately, whom we aren’t currently able to reach through the traditional modes of distribution.” – Avtar Panesar, head of operations, Yash Raj Films.
“The new-age film consumer wants the flexibility to be able to access high-quality content and pay a premium to access content as early as possible, on his or her preferred mode of viewing at that time. Intel Insider gives us the ability to reach out online to the audience of Indian films spread worldwide. This is in line with our objective to provide ease of access to our content on multiple platforms.” – Amrita Pandey, senior vice president, UTV Motion Pictures.
Premium Content Distributor Support for Intel Insider
Intel is also working with CinemaNow*, Sonic Solutions*, Dixons Retail*, WBShop*, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment* and other video distribution partners by enabling their existing video services so customers can access the latest movies in true HD from PCs with Intel Insider.
“The online video market is the fastest-growing segment for premium digital media. At CinemaNow*, we see the PC playing a key role in driving this growth, bolstered by our collaboration with Intel to make the PC more secure for premium content delivery. We look forward to enhancing our customer experience by offering select new releases and popular catalog movies in 1080p HD on PCs with Intel Insider.” – Matt Norman, senior manager, CinemaNow
“The large and growing PC-installed base is an opportunity for us to look at new models for delivering premium entertainment to our customers and help us fulfill our promise to bring life to technology. We plan to offer our customers a broad selection of exclusive and early-release HD movies that they can download to watch at home or take with them on the go.” – Jeremy Fennell, category director, Dixons Retail.
“Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry by number, as well as the world of digital media would be well served by the flexible business models, HD and secure online film distribution options under Intel Insider. Hungama aims to have new releases and also convert existing catalogs over time, to be available on this technology platform.” – Neeraj Roy, M.D. and CEO, Hungama Digital.
Computer Manufacturer Support for Intel Insider
Intel Insider is available on PCs with 2nd Generation Intel Core processors with built-in visuals. Computer manufacturers are supporting this new technology with more than 500 design wins in place already.
“With the introduction of our new 2nd Generation Intel Core processor-powered systems and Dell video stage service, we see the PC becoming a mainstream platform for premium entertainment. Intel Insider will play a key role in ensuring that customers have access to the latest new releases and popular catalog movies in full HD on Dell PCs and Dell video stage.” – Michael Tatelman, vice president, Global Consumer Channel (Sales & Marketing), Dell Inc.
“Toshiba* is increasingly committed to providing access to premium HD content for our customers. Intel Insider will help us enable the best customer experience for browsing, renting or purchasing true HD content from your laptop or watching movies on a laptop or HDTV.” – Ron Smith, vice president of marketing, Toshiba* America, Inc.
To learn which movies are now available in full HD for PCs with 2nd Generation Intel Core processors, please contact an Intel Insider-enabled online video service.
Logitech has added Mac support to its HD Pro C910 webcam, bringing full HD 1080p video recording and plug-and-play support for iChat, Photo Booth and FaceTime for Mac. Alternatively, Logitech’s Vid HD app is also available for Macs, offering 720p HD video calls to other Vid HD users as well as those who have picked up the Google TV based Logitech Revue.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t make the C910 any cheaper, and its $99.99 price tag is still pretty hefty for a webcam. It’s also worth noting that some of Logitech’s bundled apps, such as the face-recognition auto login and the Video Effects app will only work on Windows machines, though of course Photo Booth offers similar functionality to the latter.
