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DLP TVs

Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013
DLP TVs Gaming

Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013

Hauppauge unveiled two HD PVR 2 models at CES 2013, both featuring a built-in H.264 encoder capable of recording up to 1080p30 via HDMI and component video inputs. The HD PVR 2 model 1512 targets home media users with IR blaster-controlled set-top box recording and Windows Media Center compatibility, while the HD PVR 2 GE Plus adds SPDIF surround sound capture and pass-through for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC gaming setups. Both models also include StreamEez for live streaming to Twitch and Ustream, making them versatile tools for capture and broadcast workflows.

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Laser TVs Market Trends & Analysis Codecs & Compression

HDTV Expert - End of the Road for RPTV - by Pete Putman

Mitsubishi has ended all production of rear-projection DLP televisions effective November 30, 2012, discontinuing its 73-inch, 82-inch, and 92-inch models as part of an orderly exit from the consumer TV business. The collapse was driven by plummeting LCD prices, with Sharp's 70-inch Aquos undercutting the category at under $2,000, while global RPTV shipments fell nearly 75% from 32,000 units in Q4 2011 to just 9,000 in Q3 2012. For consumers, this marks the definitive end of large-screen rear-projection as a viable display option, leaving Mitsubishi to refocus on commercial AV, front projection, and laser and LED light engine development.

Pete Putman •
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HD DVD Home Theater Codecs & Compression

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #525: Acer H6500 DLP projector

The Acer H6500 is a native 1080p DLP projector rated at 2100 ANSI lumens (1680 in Eco mode) with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, priced at approximately $865. It supports 24 fps playback, dual HDMI inputs, and screen sizes up to 330 inches, though the absence of lens shift capability complicates some room installations. For buyers willing to trade deep blacks for affordability, the H6500 offers a practical entry point into front projection at roughly the same cost as a mid-size flat-panel TV.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
DLP TVs Gaming Projection HD

HDTV Almanac - Game Consoles: Not Just for Blowing Up Stuff

The Xbox 360 has evolved into a full entertainment hub, with Microsoft reporting that Xbox Live subscribers spend more than half their online time consuming video and music rather than playing games, across a service base exceeding 20 million paid subscribers. New additions including HBO Go, MLB, and Comcast on-demand join existing platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, expanding the console's role well beyond gaming. For consumers facing rising cable bills, this positions the Xbox 360 as a credible broadband-based alternative that could accelerate cord-cutting adoption in living rooms.

Alfred Poor •
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3DTV Codecs & Compression DLP TVs

HDTV Expert - Useful Gadgets: Mitsubishi HC7800 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - Pete Putman

The Mitsubishi HC7800 is a single-chip DLP home theater projector using a .65-inch 1920x1080 DMD with a 240-watt lamp, priced at $2,999 and supporting HDMI v1.4a frame-packed 3D. Post-calibration brightness measured 388 ANSI lumens in low lamp mode, with ANSI contrast at 477:1 and sequential contrast at 1048:1, making it a strong 2D performer but light-starved for 3D on low-gain screens. Buyers pairing it with a higher-gain screen will get solid value, though the bundled active-shutter glasses draw criticism for bulk and discomfort.

Pete Putman •
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Projection HD Streaming HD DLP TVs

HDTV Almanac - More TV for Wii

Hulu Plus is now available on the Nintendo Wii, bringing subscription-based streaming video to approximately 40 million U.S. Wii consoles for $7.99 per month. Unlike the free Hulu service, Hulu Plus removes the five-episode restriction on current TV shows and adds movie access, requiring only an existing broadband connection. For households already owning a Wii, this provides a practical low-cost path to streaming Smart TV functionality without purchasing new hardware, with Netflix streaming also available as an alternative on the same platform.

Alfred Poor •
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HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

Sharp® Unveils New 3D High Definition DLP® Home Theater Projector

Sharp's XV-Z30000 is a 1080p DLP home theater front projector delivering 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 ANSI lumens, with a 6-segment, 5x speed color wheel for accurate 3D and 2D imaging. The motorized lens shift, 2x optical zoom, and center lens design provide flexible installation options for dedicated home theater rooms. Priced at $4,999.99 and available March 2012, it includes two sets of 3D glasses and supports Crestron, Control4, AMX, and RS-232C control systems for custom integration.

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HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector
HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector

The Optoma HD33 is a 1080p DLP projector priced at $1500, featuring a Texas Instruments DLP chipset, 1800 ANSI lumens (closer to 1200 in practical use), a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and dual HDMI v1.4a inputs with support for Blu-ray 3D and gaming consoles. The RF-based 3D sync system requires no line of sight, and a separate 3D calibration mode lets users optimize brightness independently from 2D settings. Buyers should note the absence of lens shift, the need for careful mounting alignment, and the additional $200 cost for two pairs of 3D glasses.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

3D All the Rage as Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions Debuts 3D DLP Home Theater Front Projector

Mitsubishi Electric's HC7800D is a 1080p DLP front projector built around Texas Instruments' .065-inch DMD chip, delivering 1600 lumens and a contrast ratio of up to 30,000:1 full on/full off. The projector supports dual HDMI 1.4 inputs for 3D signal passthrough, operates at a near-silent 25 dBa in low mode, and offers a lamp life of up to 5000 hours. Priced at $3,495, it targets home theater enthusiasts seeking large-screen 3D performance with proprietary 2D-to-3D frame conversion and minimal crosstalk using active shutter glasses.

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Projection HD Streaming HD DLP TVs

HDTV Almanac - NFL on PS3: It's More than Just Madden

DirecTV and the NFL are offering live NFL Sunday Ticket streaming directly on the PS3, giving non-DirecTV subscribers access to up to 14 out-of-market games per week for $340 for the 17-week season, roughly $20 per week. Existing DirecTV Sunday Ticket subscribers can add PS3 streaming access for an additional $50. This experiment could set a precedent for broader live sports and premium content distribution through online streaming platforms, potentially reshaping how rights holders approach digital delivery.

Alfred Poor •
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Codecs & Compression DLP TVs Programming

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Chooses the Big Picture

Mitsubishi is exiting the small-screen consumer TV market, refocusing its rear-projection DLP lineup exclusively on displays 65 inches and larger, including a 3D-capable 95-inch diagonal model. The company has formed a new subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America Inc. (MEVSA), to manage both large-format consumer sets and commercial display applications. For buyers seeking a compact LCD for secondary rooms, Mitsubishi is no longer an option, but the brand remains relevant for large-screen and projector installations.

Alfred Poor •
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Codecs & Compression DLP TVs Laser TVs

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Abandons LCD HDTVs

Mitsubishi is exiting the LCD HDTV market to concentrate on DLP rear projection displays sized 73 inches and larger, including a 92-inch model demonstrated at CES 2011. A 73-inch Mitsubishi rear projection set retails on Amazon for $1,200, roughly 60 percent of the lowest price for a 65-inch plasma HDTV, underscoring a significant cost-per-inch advantage. For consumers prioritizing screen size over slim form factor, this repositioning signals that large-format rear projection may remain a viable, budget-friendly option despite declining mainstream appeal.

Alfred Poor •
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Projection HD Streaming HD DLP TVs

HDTV Almanac - Disc-Free Online Netflix for Wii and PS3

Netflix has pushed software updates to the Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 that enable disc-free access to its streaming video service, matching functionality already available on the Microsoft Xbox 360. The update eliminates the previously required physical disc, and streaming remains free for subscribers on any plan that includes at least one rental disc per month. This expanded console support significantly broadens Netflix's installed base reach, accelerating consumer adoption of Internet-delivered movies and television programming.

Alfred Poor •
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HD DVD Home Theater Codecs & Compression

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Debuts HC4000 HD Home Theater Projector at CEDIA 2010 in Atlanta

Mitsubishi's HC4000 home theater projector, debuted at CEDIA 2010, uses Texas Instruments' DarkChip 3 DLP chip with BrilliantColor technology, delivering 1300 lumens and a 750:1 ANSI contrast ratio at a $1,495 entry-level price point. The projector supports anamorphic lens modes for 2.35:1 widescreen viewing, offers a 5,000-hour lamp life in low conservation mode, and operates at a quiet 25dBA. DIY home theater buyers get a filter-free, semi-sealed design with HDMI input and 1.5x optical zoom, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

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Vivitek Debuts Its Line of Home Theater Projectors
Codecs & Compression DLP TVs HD DVD

Vivitek Debuts Its Line of Home Theater Projectors

Vivitek made its CEDIA 2010 debut showcasing a full lineup of 1080p home theater and large-venue projectors, highlighted by two new models: the H9030FD LED short-throw projector with 20,000-hour lamp life and 50,000:1 contrast ratio, and the D8300 large-venue unit delivering 6500 lumens with advanced image processing from Gennum. Both models leverage Texas Instruments DLP and BrilliantColor technologies and support HDMI v1.3 connectivity. Custom installers gain a scalable range from entry-level to high-end LED options, covering diverse screen sizes and installation environments.

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