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Microsoft SIlverlight 3 now available, takes aim at Flash, HD streaming
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Internet, Microsoft, Software, Video Games,
Microsoft Silverlight 3 is live, and you can go ahead and update your browsers now over at Microsoft’s Silverlight page. Silverlight 3.0.40624.0 weighs in at 4.7MB, and works with Internet Explorer, Firefox 2 and 3, and Safari 3 and 4. Here’s a look at some of the major new features:
- Media: GPU hardware acceleration, new codec support (H.264, AAC, MPEG-4), raw bitstream Audio/Video API, and improved logging for media analytics
- Graphics: GPU Acceleration and hardware compositing, perspective 3D, bitmap and pixel API, pixel shader effects, and Deep Zoom improvements
- Application development: Deep linking, navigation and SEO, improved text quality, multi-touch support, 60+ controls available, and library caching support
- Data-binding improvements, validation error templates, server data push improvements, binary XML networking support, and multi-tier REST data support
Also, remember that Xbox 360 Instant-on 1080p stuff? That’s all powered by Silverlight 3 as well (yes, Silverlight is coming to your Xbox 360 dashboard.) It’s a solid upgrade, and the installation is pretty much immediate if you are on any sort of respectable broadband connection. Definitely worth a look, and you can bet that Microsoft will be pushing hard for a few big Silverlight exclusives, like they did with the Beijing Olympics.
Gallery: Microsoft SIlverlight 3 now available, takes aim at Flash, HD streaming
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Panasonic is giving away 30 products in 30 days on their Living in HD community site. You only have about a week left to win your choice of an MP-BD80 Blu-Ray Player, a 12.1 Megapixel LUMIX DMC-TS1 or a 16GB HDC-TM20 camcorder. Note that in order to enter the contest, you have to join the community with your email addy, a full profile and upload either a photo or video. This is a definite commitment.
Read More 
| Living in HD
Gallery: Panasonic Living in HD Giveaway
Winner of our Zune HD Giveaway
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, HDTV, Portable Audio / Video,
Just a quick note, since I know there was a lot of interest in finding out who won our Zune HD giveaway that we had a lot of participation in. We’ve eliminated any shenanigans, and chosen randomly, and our winner is a Gear Live member by the name of Crucible. He left a link to his entry tweet on our forums, which qualified him to win the Zune HD. As always, stay tuned, because we always have something to give away!
Gallery: Winner of our Zune HD Giveaway
90 Blu-ray movies with 7.1 surround sound
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, Movies,
For you extreme audiophile Blu-ray fans out there, we just came across a great list of movies that include a 7.1 surround sound audio track. If you’ve got a 7.1 speaker setup, you’ll likely find this list to be worth checking out. There are some gems on here (3:10 To Yuma, Pan’s Labyrinth, Weeds,) as well as a few horrible movies (Disaster Movie, Hannah Montana, Witless Protection,) but the common thread here is that all o the currently listed 90 movies hit you with a lossless 7.1 audio track.
[Thanks, Tyler]
Read More | Blu-ray Stats
Gallery: 90 Blu-ray movies with 7.1 surround sound
Read More | Make
Gallery: DIY DTV Antenna
Harris Poll Finds DTV Transition Mostly Positive Experience
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV,
It didn’t take long for Harris to take a poll to find out how many TV watchers will opt for free OTA today. Fifty five percent said they are likely to switch to antennas and drop their cable or satellite subscriptions, while those under 24 seem the most positive about the switch. Sixty nine percent found that the transition will be “good,” and the company’s Jay Adrick feels that “consumers are embracing the change.” We are not sure we agree with the survey completely as most viewers we know wouldn’t dream of giving up their gazillion+ channels.
Read More | PR Newswire
Gallery: Harris Poll Finds DTV Transition Mostly Positive Experience
European researchers are working on 3D technology that does not require a pair of those nerdy glasses and can be viewed from several angles. A project nicknamed HOLOVISION which ended in April of last year was replaced by OSIRIS, which will continue through the end of the year. The resolution is said to be about 10x HDTV with projection engines driven by 9 high-end PCs and holographic imaging film being used. Expect this to not be accessible to the masses for awhile as the first applications will probably be in industry and/or science.
Read More | Physorg
Gallery: 3D TV Without Glasses Closer
You know this is your final week before your TV turns into snow, right? If not, it is time to stop procrastinating with the excuse, “The dog ate my coupons.” DTV.gov says that about 42% of stations have already made the digital transition and that means that as of Friday, 58% of the channels you take for granted on your old analog set will cease to exist. Check out their site if you need physical or emotional support.
Read More | DTV.gov
Gallery: Digital Transition This Friday
The SATA HDD Multi-Media Player Adapter connects your 2.5 or 3.5-inch SATA hard disk to your PC via USB. It will transfer, backup and clone files. It also serves as a stand alone multi-media player via SATA HDD, SD(HC) card or external USB storage on TV. Don’t stop there as you can share videos and photos with HDMI output. Compatible with both Macs and PCs, you can get your own multi-use adapter for $69.00.
Read More | brando
Gallery: SATA HDD Multi-Media Player Adapter
Panasonic Portable DMP-B15K Blu-ray Player
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Portable Audio / Video,
Panasonic has released the supposedly first portable Blu-ray Disc Player. The DMP-B15K has an 8.9-inch WSVGA LCD Screen, a PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus, 2 1/2 hours battery life, a built-in LAN port and can playback photos. With its signature Viera Cast, it can handle Internet content such as Amazon VOD, YouTube and Google. Nice as the player looks, you might want to wait for the next generation, as the DMP-B15K will set you back $799.99.
Read More | Panasonic
