Recently Published AV News

In a surprising announcement, Walmart announced today a definitive agreement to acquire VUDU, Inc., a leading provider of streaming digital technologies and services to stream media to TVs.

AACS is going to royally screw up a lot of home theaters next year. After December 31, 2010, manufacturers will not be "allowed" introduce new hardware with high-definition component video outputs.

Once trumpeted as Sony's return to high technology leadership, the company has stopped production of OLED TV in Japan. With worldwide shipments of just 2000 units it's not entirely an unexpected move.

The Sony PlayStation 3 is being set up for another huge transformation, one that will further its reputation as the "buy it once, use it forever" Blu-ray player. A firmware update will make it 3D.

Vizio, the once budget TV maker has used the pricey Superbowl XLIV ad-space and Beyonce to rebuild its brand. The new Vizio wants to transform into a leading-edge, Internet connectivity.

A flurry of activity went on today as Cnet broke a story about Netflix adding 1080p and 5.1 audio to its entire streaming library later this year. Turns out it wasn't entirely accurate... we'll wait.

Super Bowl XLIV will be transmitted to CBS in pristine, compression free HDTV thanks to Level 3 Communications Inc. Unfortunately most Cable and Satellite TV won't see this year's Immaculate Reception

Apple's iPad announcement has been met with disappointment among tech-press. The biggest disappointment with iPad, besides its unfortunate name, is not about features... it's the interface.

The wizards at YMAX Corporation, the company that created MagicJack, have a new trick up their sleeve – they want to turn into Skype. Unfortunately, YMAX's sudden rise, is a case of growing too fast.

Nintendo Wii picks up a new feature, Netflix streaming. The biggest question here is... why? We hope Mario and company hasn't changed the gaming first philosophy. Still, Wii users get a nice bonus.

The AVR-3310CI and AVR-990 (both retailing for $1500) join the ranks of the AVR-4310CI and AVR-4810CI with Audyssey DSX. The upgrade will be available on Feburary 1st at a cost of $100.

When you are looking for audio quality control, who do you look to? Well, if you are NBC Universal and you are covering something as important as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, you look to Denon.

Chinese manufacturer Haier decided to steal the show at CES this week by showing off a 32-inch TV set at CES that is running completely wirelessly. And when we say completely... we mean COMPLETELY.

Monster is introducing the PowerNet 1G power line conditioning home theater plug that may actually make a little of its own digital noise as it sends high speed networking over your home's power lines

Audioholics is ready once again to accept entries for the 2009 Consumer Excellence Awards that it will deliver to manufacturers for products that push the limits of consumer excellence.

The union that represents NBC’s producers, writers and technicians today vowed to pull the plug on the network’s "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" telecast in response to a failed union negotiation.

Over 1 million Xbox Live players around the world lost their ability to access their online accounts when Microsoft dropped the bomb on suspected "pirates". The ban is linked to the console hard drive

Last month Apple released its new 21.5" and 27" iMacs. On their newest 27" iMac, Apple introduced the ability to use the included mini DisplayPort as a video INPUT for the iMac - perfect for Blu-ray.

Sony has decided to start offering game demos on Blu-ray movie releases playable only on the PS3. First first combo will be the sci-fi flick District 9 paired with the game demo for God of War III.

AV Rant co-host and Audioholics Associate Editor Tom Andry had the opportunity recently to pair up with Braden and Ara of the HT guys for a joint podcast. If you’re not already listening, you should.

eD takes two of their classic subs (the A2-250 and A3-250) and adds new construction materials and design, new amps, and new finish options.

The PS3 will get Netflix streaming service via a disc next month. The question for the PS3 version of Netflix is whether or not HD streaming will be offered and the user-friendliness the interface

Roku is releasing a new box soon dubbed the Roku XR. New features include 802.11n wireless support and a USB port plus streaming content from Revision3, Flickr, ROKU Channel Store, TWIT, and Pandora.

Halloween is just days away. Goblins, skeletons, and strange people in bright yellow Pikachu outfits will soon be the norm walking around your neighborhood begging for candy along the moonlit streets.

Thin is in. At a stunning 31mm (1.2 inches) thick, these speaker promise to maintain those clean lines with your new uber thin flat panel display. How do they sound? Who cares? They're THIN!

Blu-ray Disc Association gives BluFocus its blessing as a certfied standards testing center.

Logitech really seems to be stepping up with this newest Squeezebox update. Everything from the graphics and loading screens down to the wallpapers available are new. Not to mention the apps.

The best reason for going to a 3D trade show is finding a product that demonstrates why the third dimension is worth having. Which could be the tagline for Ubisoft's James Cameron's Avatar: The Game.