Netgear announced an ongoing collaboration and agreement with BitTorrent to promote video downloads streamed to high-definition televisions (HDTVs) through the new Netgear Digital Entertainer HD (EVA8000) media receiver. BitTorrent will work with Netgear on marketing and technology initiatives to deliver the highest quality and fastest distribution of media files over home networks.Debuting this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Digital Entertainer HD is a set-top media receiver that connects to a home-theater system to stream digital media from computers, network storage and USB media players. The receiver automatically discovers, organizes and plays high-definition movies, TV shows, music files and personal photos as well as Internet-based video, news feeds, weather reports and radio programs. The receiver's high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port displays video resolution up to 1080p on big-screen TVs and optical digital audio output (TOSLINK) transmits full digital surround sound to a digital audio receiver.This is the first product Netgear has made for use with BitTorrent technology.In other news, Netgear also announced the launch of the company's first dual-mode DECT cordless phone to support both landline phone calls and Skype Internet calls. The Netgear Dual-Mode Cordless Phone with Skype (SPH200D) includes a handset and a base station which simultaneously connects to a user's home network router and phone line wall jack enabling users to place and receive both traditional phone calls and Skype Internet calls from a single cordless handset without the need to be connected to a computer.The Skype Certified SPH200D incorporates DECT (digital enhanced cordless telephony) technology which utilizes the 1.9GHz band enabling the included cordless phone to avoid interference from WiFi networks to provide longer range and ensure clear voice quality. Using the SPH200D, Skype users no longer have to be in front of the computer to communicate for free with other Skype users around the world, according to Netgear. The SPH200D handset, which provides Skype users with an easy-to-use interface to manage contact lists and view the status of other Skype users, also enables users to make and receive calls from traditional phones worldwide through SkypeIn and SkypeOut.

ViewSonic is showcasing a full line of its latest displays at the ongoing 2007 International CES in Las Vegas (January 8-11), including a font projector with an integrated iPod dock, 24- and 28-inch widescreen LCD monitors, two1080p LCD TVs and a iPod 37-inch LCD TV, according to the company. Debuts 24-and 28-inch widescreen LCD monitors ViewSonic is adding two large-size LCD monitors to its widescreen display portfolio.The 24-inch VX2435wm and the 28-inch (27.5-inch viewable) VX2835wm are Microsoft Windows Vista premium logo certified. The two models have an HDMI with HDCP input to provide diverse digital entertainment including IPTV, movies and digital photos. The widescreen screens are able to view two 8.5 by 11-inch documents side-by-side. Other features of two new monitors include a response time of 8ms, a native resolution of 1,920×1,200, a brightness of 500 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. The models also feature multifunctional inputs to support a variety of digital content including VGA, DVI-D, composite, S-Video and component. Both displays can be wall mounted, and are environmentally friendly with standby power consumption below one watt.ViewSonic existing widescreen LCD monitor production lineups including 19-, 20-, 22-, and 23-inch segments. Unveils iPod front projector; adds five more business projectors ViewSonic unveils "the world's first" "made for iPod" DLP (digital light processing) front projector during the show. The PJ258D is built on Texas Instruments' (TI's) DLP platform, the PJ258D has resolution of 1,024×768, a brightness of 2,000 lumens and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The projector also supports other multiple connectivity options including S-Video and VGA, which enable users to connect to PCs, DVD players and video game consoles. During CES, ViewSonic is also displaying five new projectors –the PJ503D, PJ506D, PJ556D, PJ588D and PJ358. The PJ503D, PJ506D, PJ556D, and PJ588D are incorporating TI's DLP technology while PJ358 is featuring 3LCD technology. With plug-n-play designs that are easy to install and use, the 1,500 lumen PJ503D and the 2,000 lumen PJ506D feature an 800×600 SVGA native resolution, while the 2,000-lumen PJ556D offers a native resolution of 1,024×768. The PJ588D, delivers a brightness of 3,000 lumens, a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 and a native resolution of 1,024×768. The projector supports multiple inputs include RBG, composite and S-Video, and also can display video sources on a remote monitor. The PJ358 LCD projector, a portable projector, packs a brightness of 2,000 lumens and a resolution of 1,024×768 XGA. The model is weighing less than four pounds and has a USB port that allows users to present images including JPG and M-JPG directly from a USB flash drive. It can also project a 60-inch image from less than five feet away. Introduces two full HDTVs and a 37-inch iPod TV At the show, ViewSonic also providing a glimpse of future viewing technologies such as a 37-inch LCD TV with an integrated iPod dock. The model is designed with a wireless HDMI video capability. The company is also demonstrating a 42- and a 46-inch 1080p LCD TVs during CES. ViewSonic iPod front projector Photo: Company

Toshiba is introducing its new HD-A20 HD DVD player at the 2007 International Consumer Electronic Show currently running in Las Vegas. The HD-A20, which features 1080p capabilities, is expected to retail at US$599.99, according to the company. The HD-A20 joins the existing Toshiba HD DVD line-up which includes the entry level HD-A2 and the top of the line model, HD-XA2."According to NPD Group data, the sales of HDTVs grew 52 percent between January and September of 2006. With the continued growth over this most recent holiday selling period and throughout 2007, we anticipate the demand for HD DVD to complement the demand and adoption of HDTVs," continued Sally. "There is no other high definition format in the market that can meet this demand with the same breadth of line and availability of players as Toshiba."Toshiba's HD DVD players connect to HDTV sets via High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), the multi-industry-supported, all digital A/V connection, capable of providing the transmission of uncompressed digital video and multi-channel audio on a single cable.Toshiba's HD DVD players output HD DVD content through the HDMI interface in 720p or 1080i for the HD-A2, and 720p, 1080i or 1080p for the HD-A20 and the HD-XA2. Through the HDMI interface, standard definition DVDs can also be upconverted to match the resolution of HD displays. The HD-A2, HD-A20, and HD-XA2 are all backward compatible, so users can continue to enjoy their libraries of current DVD and CD software.Both the HD-A20 and the high end HD-XA2 HD DVD player are designed to output 1920×1080p, the highest HD signal currently available, via HDMI. As the premium HD DVD player, the HD-XA2 also incorporates support for Deep Color output through HDMI, and a 297MHz/12 bit Video DAC with high-quality, 4x oversampling for increased bandwidth for true playback of an HD picture to a video source. Additionally, it comes with a picture setting function allowing customers to optimize picture quality with user adjustable settings for color, contrast, brightness, edge enhancement and block noise, among others.All of Toshiba's HD DVD players support a variety of HD audio options to complement its HD video offerings. This includes both lossy and lossless formats from Dolby Labs and DTS including the Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.With black high gloss finishes and slim chassis designs, the new HD DVD player line has a refined, sleek appearance that complements Toshiba's extensive TV line-up.The HD-A2 and HD-XA2 are both available now and have a suggested retail price of US$499.99 and US$999.99, respectively. The HD-A20 will be available in the spring of 2007 at a suggested retail price of US$599.99.

D-Link announced early this week that its latest wireless home network router – the Xtreme N Gigabit DIR-655 – has earned the right to display Microsoft's Works with Windows Vista logo, ensuring that customers have an optimal experience when using the router with computers running the Windows Vista operating system. The new Xtreme N Gigabit router will be available starting on January 30, according to the company. Display of the Works with Windows Vista logo on its packaging and promotional materials allows D-Link to assure potential buyers that the Xtreme N Gigabit DIR-655 router complies with the new features of Windows Vista, including increased stability and mobility, enhanced security, improved graphics, greater support for file sharing, data management, multimedia streaming in a home or small office environment, and gaming, the company said. The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit router and its accompanying Xtreme N desktop and notebook adapters are designed for consumers, small businesses and gamers who demand the highest performance possible from their wireless networks, especially in larger homes and offices with high-speed Internet access and multiple PCs, game consoles and media players.With faster speeds and farther coverage than standard 802.11g wireless technology products, the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit router is the industry's first Draft N router to incorporate intelligent wireless quality of service (QoS) technology that prioritizes wired and wireless data traffic, allowing users to stream HD video or multiple applications simultaneously and experience lag-free gaming and jitter-free voice over Internet (VoIP) calls, according to D-Link.The D-Link DIR-655 router also is the first to offer both 4-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) ports, an integrated wireless security wizard, Windows Connect Now (WCN) support, removable antennas for flexible installation and a wall-mount option, the company said.The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit DIR-655 wireless routerPhoto: Company

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (HGST) today announced the so-called industry's first terabyte (TB) hard drive, the Deskstar 7K1000. Along with the Deskstar 7K1000, Hitachi also announced its CinemaStar version 1TB hard drive, which was specifically designed for digital video recording (DVR) applications."The industry's first 1TB hard drive represents a milestone that is 50 years in the making," said Shinjiro Iwata, chief marketing officer of HGST. Hitachi said its 1TB products deliver the performance and reliability required for the digital lifestyle. The 3.5-inch, 7200 RPM Parallel-ATA/Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drives are built on perpendicular magnetic recording technology. Shipments to retail customers will begin in the first quarter of 2007 at a suggested retail price of US$399, or US$0.40 per gigabyte (GB).For the CinemaStar version 1TB hard drive, HGST said 1TB of storage will become a necessity. The company said high-definition video that requires four to five times more storage capacity than standard-definition video and a terabyte drive allows viewers to easily store and retrieve almost 250 hours of HD programming. CinemaStar version hard drives will be available in the second quarter of 2007 and related specifications will be available at the time of shipments.HGST introduces 1TB hard drivePhoto: HGSTReference:Detail specification of Deskstar 7K1000

Toshiba on January 4 announced a half-height HD DVD drive able to read and write to HD DVD and to standard DVD and CD discs, bringing the wide ranging capabilities of HD DVD to the desktop PC. Sample shipments of the new drive, the SD-H903A, are scheduled to start this month, according to the company. The new SD-H903A integrates a blue-violet laser diode that can read and write to HD DVD-R discs and that offers support for high-density HD DVD-ROM discs, including high definition movie and video images. The drive also offers all the functionality of a super multi-drive, with high performance, high-speed read and write to all types of standard DVD and CD discs, said Toshiba. The new drive takes full advantage of the shared physical structure of HD DVD discs and standard DVD discs, which allows it to read and write to HD DVD-R discs, to read the diverse line-up of discs in the HD DVD-ROM disc family, including twin format disc and combination discs, and to read and write to standard DVD and CD discs, using an optical pick-up head with only a single objective lens, according to Toshiba. The new drive is also fully compliant with the EU's RoHS directive, which went into effect in July 2006. Toshiba will feature the new drive at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2007, in Las Vegas from January 8 to 11, according to the company. Specifications of the Toshiba SD-H903A Item Details Model name SD-H903A Write speed HD DVD-R SL*: 1x; HD DVD-R DL*: 1x DVD-RAM: Max. 3x; DVD-R SL: Max. 8x DVD-R DL: Max. 2.4x; DVD-RW: Max. 4x DVD+R SL: Max. 8x; DVD+R DL: Max. 2.4x DVD+RW: Max. 4x; CD-R: Max. 16x CD-RW: 4x; High Speed CD-RW: Max. 10x Ultra Speed CD-RW: 10x Read Speed HD DVD-R SL, DL: 1x; HD DVD-ROM: 2.4x DVD: Max. 8x; CD: Max. 24x Interface SATA Buffer capacity 8MB Power source +5V, +12V Operating temperature 5-50ºC (excluding media) External dimensions (W×H×D, mm) 146×41.5×184 Weight (g) 830 typical *SL=single layer; DL=dual layerSource: Company, compiled by DigiTimes.com, January 2007The Toshiba SD-H903A half-height HD DVD drivePhoto: Company

Shuttle recently announced its Shuttle XPC mini X 200 series small form factor (SFF) PC computers. Similar to models of the X 100 series, the computers measure only 55-mm in height and barely takes up the size of an A4 sheet of paper, according to the company. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 is equipped with a hybrid TV tuner and dual monitor support, noted Shuttle."With the introduction of the compact X-design we have found the ideal platform for varied applications," explains Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing, Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 is built around mobile technologies and operates nearly noiselessly while providing high performance, said Shuttle.The XPC mini X 200 series features Intel's Core2 Duo processors, fast DDR2 memory and a 3.5 inch standard hard disk packed in a volume of 3.42 liters. The integrated hybrid TV tuner and the instant on/off mode make the Shuttle XPC mini X 200 ready to serve as a Media Center platform, said the company. Being ready to connect two displays and the extremely low noise level even turn it into a reliable solution for use in offices, said Shuttle.The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 comes in two base configurations: the Shuttle XPC mini X 200MA, targeting Media Center users, and the Shuttle XPC mini X 200BA for use in offices. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200MA has a recommended retail price of 948 euros, while the Shuttle XPC mini X 200BA has a recommended price of 743 euros.The Shuttle mini X 200MA small form factor PCPhoto: Shuttle

LG Electronics (LGE) will launch its first publicly-introduced dual-format DVD player, which will support Blu-ray and HD DVD content, at the upcoming 2007 International CES in Las Vegas (January 8-11), the company announcedThe product is expected to hit the North America market in the first quarter of 2007.LGE will also highlight a full line-up of full high-definition TVs (HDTVs) at CES, including 37-, 42-, 47- and 55-inch models, and it will work with major game software provider SEGA to display game videos on the TVs using a super-detailed image technology, the company said.

Thermaltake Technology announced the launched of its new line of Purepower RX series ultra-low noise power supplies incorporating the ultra-silent 140mm fan found on Thermaltake's high-end Toughpower Series power supplies.The 140mm fan helps reduce the high noise level that is typically associated with high-wattage power supply. The greater wing span of the fan blades results in a greater surface area which allows the fan to spin much slower while still pushing large amounts of cool air to dissipate heat. The Purepower RX series with 140mm fan will be available with Cable Management option in 450W, 500W, 550W, 600W as well as with standard cable output in 400W, 450W and 500W, according to the company. To support all of today's PC requirements, the Purepower RX series power supplies complies with the latest Intel ATX12V V2.2 specification along with Active PFC (power factor correction) technology to ensure system stability and reliability. Over voltage protection (OVP), over current protection (OCP), short circuit protection (SCP) and no load operation protection are all standard safety protection features found on each and every one of Thermaltake power supplies.The Purepower RX series power supplies comes standard with four SATA connectors to power the latest hard drives, a maximum of seven Molex connectors for optical drives or fans and a maximum of two PCIe connectors for powering multiple GFX cards setup from ATI or Nvidia. Multiple dedicated 12V rails found on Purepower RX series power supplies not only allows for higher wattage but also guarantees the CPU and GFX card(s) can operate at their optimal setting for ultimate gaming performance, according to Thermaltake.Thermaltake's Purepower RX 400W power supplyPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer will showcase its XG Station, an audio-visual workstation for notebooks at the upcoming 2007 International CES in Las Vegas, according to the company.The XG Station, equipped with discrete graphics chips, Dolby output and USB 2.0, give users better graphics and audio-visual effects when connected to their notebooks, the company said.During CES, Asustek will also display its 12-inch W5Fe, a Vista SideShow-supporting notebook, and the G1 and G2 gaming notebooks, both equipped with discrete graphics chips.The XG StationPhoto: CompanyThe W5Fe notebookPhotos: Company