Sony has confirmed that it is junking its original Applicast TV internet portal in favour of a new system based on open standards. Introduced on TVs just one year ago, the AppliCast service suffered in comparison to rival content portals from Panasonic and Samsung. Only a limited number of Apps have been Cast.
Speaking at an exclusive briefing of the brand's 2010 Monolith TV range, Sony executive Ed Uzzell told HCC: ‘The problem with  read more »

From tomorrow, you’ll be able to experience first-hand Sky’s upcoming 3D TV service. The satcaster’s new 3D TV Experience opens at the giant Westfield mall in West London (you’ll find it at the Sky Retail Store on level 2).
It’s the first in what will be 100 shopping mall demonstration 'Experiences' rolled-out to support Sky 3D this year.  read more »

LG today confirmed it will release its active shutter Full HD 3DTV and 3D Blu-ray player in May to meet what it describes as 'increasing interest in 3D across the nation.'  read more »

Samsung yesterday unveiled two Blu-ray-player-cum-Freeview HD PVRs that should be onsale within the near future.

The BD-C8200M features a Profile 2.0 BD-spinner, complete with Samsung's Internet@TV functionality, built-in Wi-Fi, and 1GB of local storage for BD-Live applications. Built into the same sexy-looking black/chrome chassis is a Freeview HD tuner and 250GB HDD.  read more »

You couldn't make it up - as Richard Littlejohn is fond of saying. 3DTV isn't even in the shops yet, but already doom-merchants are claiming that it could be hazardous to your health.
Internet pundits such as BoingBoing.net and ABC.net.au are sounding Daily Mail-style warnings that prolonged exposure to 3DTV could  read more »

Original PVR pioneer TiVo has unveiled a new generation of set top boxes at a press event Stateside which it claims represents the next evolution in personal video recording.  read more »

TechRadar's 2010 Awards are here! Vote for your top tech - and you could win a share of £25K worth of prizes.
The TechRadar Awards 2010 have gone live today at www.techradar.com/awards and we want you to vote for the tech you've loved the most over the last 12 months.  read more »

Onkyo is famed for being first out of the traps with desirable new features, and the TX-NR807 is certainly no exception. This is the first receiver under £1,000 to feature Dolby ProLogic IIz and Audyssey DSX processing.

Opinions on the merits of both formats and the need to move rear-back speakers to front-height or front-wide position are divided (largely between me and the HCC editor) but I am right and anyone who disagrees is wrong. Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz are a revelation in home cinema sound and a must-have for any modern set up. And now Onkyo has made this available in a stunningly specified THX Select2 receiver all for £800. Thank you Team Onk!

It’s not my perfect solution though. The TX-NR807 is still a seven-channel amp, meaning you will have to dispense with rear-back channels to choose between either height channels or DSX width speakers...

First published in Home Cinema Choice 176

You can also download a pdf of this review here