Visiting CES and saw something really neat? Heard about something being demonstrated at the show? Post about it here!

Also, if you hear about any nifty remote controls that I should check out while there be sure to please let me know here!

Everyone who goes, please update this thread often! Unfortunately I won't be at CES and I'm really anxious to see what's new this year!

Finally: Dual-Tuner CableCard Receiver (OCUR) for Vista

One year after Cable Labs OK'd CableCards for Media Center PCs, we're starting to see a little action. Finally, at CES 2007, Niveus Media, purveyor of high-end Media Center PCs, will show an external CableCard receiver that accommodates two CableCards for use with Vista Media Center. The Niveus Digital Cable Receiver has two CableCard slots, allowing users to tune into and/or record two channels simultaneously--including HD premium content from cable providers. Sounds silly to get so worked up about such a thing, but it is indeed a milestone in the tedious battle to get cable to participate in the modern digital era.

[Link: cepro.com]

LG will annouce the first stand alone HD DVD/ BLU RAY player. Could this mean the end of the format war and consumer confusion? Also warners bros has filed a patent for a disc that can have an HD DVD and BRU RAY format movie recorded on the same disc.

Who knows we may start to get some traction on sales of HD type players by the end of this year. Hopefully prices don't take too long to drop so that most consumers and dealers are willing to purchase the products.

Wil
Home Theater Tech

Russound has gone and done it. They're coming out with a Viiv Media Center PC. It's the first media-server maker out of the big 4 (escient, request, elan) to go to the dark side. The products, called Smart Media Consoles, will ship with versions of Lifeware software sometime this spring.

Russound isn't dropping the SMS3 server, though.

[Link: cepro.com]

Russound MCE w/dual cable card + Updated 1080P Russound VM1 Video Matrix could be sweet.

Good news: Sony's new 70" direct view LCD, KDL-70XBR3.
Bad news: $33,000.
Worse news: Wonder what the prototype 82" model will cost?

I hope they sell at least one. I'll buy one when they come down to $6000. I'll buy an 82" model when it's price hits $8,000. Oh wait... nevermind. I don't have a room big enough to put a TV that large in. Oh well. ;-)

I'd personally like to see satellite dishes that don't need cables, but instead send their signal wirelessly down to your DirecTV or DISH or whatever receiver. It could even be something very short range that would send the signal just through the attic roof where it could be received, then be cable routed to your receivers.

So, CESers, if you see something like that let me know.

Wow...CES hasn't even started, and I'm already fkkin blown away - not sure how I feel about this yet - gotta digest. Thanks for the head's up, J!

[Link: blogs.zdnet.com]

Microsoft "Home Server" looks like MS is trying to roll out a server platform that is not aimed at corporate markets. Could provide the typical home user with some of the benefits of a managed environment, without the complexity or administration of tyipcal server environments. I'm an Apple Developer myself, so am skeptical that this will enjoy the same level of hardware / software integration that the Apple camp has / will enjoy, but it seems like a step in the right direction.

Hopefully they don't dumb down the server implementation too much. I would think that a poorly deployed server is worse than no server at all.

Mac loves those "it just works" add campaigns, but the reality is that a network, even Mac, is still better deployed by the knowledgeable and competent. Network users, LDAP directory, centralized access policies, managed backup strategy, etc...

Comcast/TiVo partner device shown on the floor (& other TIVO news)
[Link: pvrblog.com]

On the TiVo/Comcast front, I'm intrigued and can't wait to see what the device looks like and can do. These days, Comcast subscribers face the question of their $5/month buggy HD DVR versus an extraordinarily expensive Series 3 TiVo box. If Comcast releases some form of the TiVo OS to their DVR lineup, I can't imagine too many Series 3 TiVos will be sold. Of course, having TiVo shift to being a software company that relies on licensing deals is the way to go, especially since the many millions of Comcast customers would dwarf the current TiVo subscriber numbers. Making software for cable companies has to be a lot easier than building hardware and having to support millions of boxes in people's homes.

DLO Homedock Deluxe
[Link: engadget.com]

"...the refreshed HomeDock Deluxe ($149.99) didn't change much in the design department, but did add on-screen album art on a dedicated "Now Playing" screen, a dozen new color themes and screen savers, and a feature that enables "on the fly" playlist creation. The iBoom Travel and HomeDock Deluxe are currently for sale directly through DLO, while the updated TransDock is still waiting for its own release date."

Would have to see this to believe it - can anyone @ CES verify this?

SANYO to Demonstrate Wireless HD Projector (WHDI Technology)
[Link: audioholics.com]

Sanyo not being on my "must see" list, I walked right by their space.

I'll go back tomorrow and check that out.....

The thing I've noticed so far:

LG dual format HD-DVD.

Teac has a neat unit that will burn CD's from vinyl (why you might ask?).

Contol 4 has a big presence, and is beating the drum like usual.

Yahoo had a nice tent in the main parking lot and were giving away some REALLY good ice cream.

Lifeware has a house in the same parking lot, but the line was a tad too long, so I need to go back and check it out. I understand that Russound is heavily involved in this promotion...

Met Brent. Missed meeting Daniel Tonks.

oops