HP is rolling out a slew of new Media Center PCs and media extender devices. First up, HP is rolling out a couple of HDTVs with embedded media center extender capabilities. The
SL4282N & SL4782N TVs both work as V2 extenders, meaning you'll be able to stream content across your home network from your Windows Vista PC tucked away somewhere else in the house.
The 42" and 47" TVs feature 1080p displays plus other features as follows:
- Native 1080p panel (with HP's Visual Fidelity Engine)
- 500cd/m² brightness, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 176° viewing angle, 6ms response, 3:2 pulldown
- (3) HDMI, (2) component, (2) composite / S-Video, (1) VGA
- Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n, Ethernet
- Front speakers now NXT
- Functions as a MCE, playing back DivX, XviD, H.264, MPEG-2, and WMV (also has HP's media interface)
- Built-in ATSC and clear-QAM tuners
If you already have a MediaSmart HDTV, HP is offering a software update that will upgrade your device to function as a V2 extender. The update also supports additional media codecs.
For those just looking for an extender to stick next to your TV and don't need a whole new television set, HP has also got the
MediaSmart Receiver.
The MediaSmart Receiver does the usual MCE business (actually, it's an Extender for Windows Media Center, meaning it can do DivX and XviD), in addition to playing H.264, MPEG-2, AAC, having built-in 802.11a/b/g/n, a Pocket Media Drive bay, and all the outputs you'll need to get the thing up and running (component, HDMI with HDCP). And, of course, it'll stream you media via DLNA / UPnP servers, play it off the drive or USB ports, as well as switching modes o HP's own media interface, just in case you're not into the Extender experience (or don't rely on an XP or Vista box to deal with your media). No pricing intel just yet, but expect a spring release. Of course, if you wanted to get a small Media Center Extender with a hard drive, USB, and high def outputs, there are a few decent alternatives out there.
source:
www.engadget.com
Samsung play the game more than some. I haven't been to their site for a while, but the last time I did, they omitted static figures altogether, and only specified dynamic. That's not to say that their LCDs aren't any good though.
