When you're an industrial giant like Mitsubishi, it pays to cover your bets. In addition to the recently-announced MZW-, MXW- and MX-series LCD TVs, it is also showing off an unnamed 40-mm thick LCD TV prototype. As we've seen in the war of supermodel svelte TVs, getting down to these levels requires that the tuner is moved to an external box (those chunky boxes in the pic). The elegance of the panel just can't be spoiled by ugly cables, so just like we've seen with the Hitachi Wooo LCD TVs, the signal will get the wireless treatment. A production model of this TV is slated for a fall release, in a size over 40-inches. That's right around the corner, so we've got a feeling more details will be flowing soon. Meanwhile, hit that link for more pics.

[Image courtesy TechOn]

We've heard for some time that Samsung planned to have two Blu-ray players in its lineup, but it's been well over a year since there's even been a peep about the BD-P2400, now out of nowhere the BD-P2550 shows up at Best Buy stores all over the country for the premium price of $499. According to Best Buy's website, the new model has many of the missing features from Sammy's latest BD-P1500, like 7.1 analog outputs and the sought after Silicon Optix HQV video processing. What does appear to be missing though, is the elusive BD-Live, but with the included network connection and USB port, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine that either Best Buy failed to mention it, or it's coming in a firmware update. Although $500 Blu-ray players aren't for everyone, it's good to see Blu-ray manufacturers offering multiple models for those in need of premium features.

[Via Format War Central]

Oh noes! Merely months after Freeview execs were celebrating the surprising uptick in Freeview HD users, in flies word that bandwidth is already becoming an issue. You see, Freeview was initially launched as a "satellite only service using MPEG-2 video compression software," while the HD terrestrial component uses MPEG-4. Transponder space on the Optus D1 satellite is "rapidly being used up, and any further expansion of data bandwidth would require Freeview broadcasters to purchase more space from Optus." If the old MPEG-2 system was suddenly canned and replaced with MPEG-4, every last satellite Freeview user would be forced to buy a new set-top-box. We shouldn't have to explain the glaringly obvious problem with that scenario. Thus, the only stop-gap solution is to simulcast the signals, which obviously requires oodles of bandwidth. Unfortunately, broadcasters are gun-shy about dropping even more cash to expand the available space without assurance of a good return on their original investment, so as of now, expansion plans wait while bigwigs figure out where to get more funding.

Planar has remained mostly quiet since CES, but given that CEDIA is within spittin' distance, it's no shock to see it making waves once more. Today, the outfit has revealed its first 3-chip HD projector, the DLP-based Viper. Other specs include a native 1,280 x 720 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 lumens and 10-bit independent dual image / motion adaptive processing. You'll also find an RS-232 port, twin HDMI 1.3 sockets and a jaw-dropping $15,495 price tag. It's shipping immediately for those with the requisite coin. Full release after the break.

For fans of the now-deceased Nickelodeon GUTS, we've excellent news. We've received word that Nickelodeon will soon be launching its first HD program to be produced entirely in high-def to subscribers of DirecTV and Cablevision. The show, dubbed My Family's Got Guts!, will be shot and edited in HD at Universal Studios Florida and will be hosted by E!'s Ben Lyons. Looking for a date to circle in your datebook? Try September 15th.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Next month's CEDIA show is interesting -- a lot of companies that cater to the custom install crowd introduce some interesting gear. Sure, a lot of it is pricey, but it's fun to look, right? Knoll is bringing a pair of products to the show; first up is the $8,500 HDP460 projector which we first heard about in March. The spec that gets our eye is the "D6500K color accuracy even with ambient light" -- this crowd definitely speaks our language. In another product category entirely, Knoll's GS8 (8-channels, $1,178) and GS12 (12-channels, $1,238) amplifiers with Eco-System circuits promise to keep your green lifestyle intact. The voltage rails only deliver current to channels actually in use; any of the channels that aren't delivering audio are actually turned "off," not simply muted or placed in a standby mode. When there's no audio flowing, the amplifier uses only 4-Watts. Sigh -- gone are the days of class A amplifiers that double as space heaters.

Typically speaking, we won't cover every single film that hits Blu-ray -- particularly since it's pretty much the only high-def format to choose from (CH-DVD notwithstanding) -- but the anime industry is still struggling to pump out a healthy amount of BD titles. That being the case, we're all the more elated to see that Aquarion Movie will be landing on the format on December 5th in Japan. Reportedly, the disc will feature a 16:9 version of the flick with the MPEG-4 AVC codec along with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 channel audio. Buyers will also get a 28-page booklet, HD remake of Episode 27 and audio commentary for the special features. As for a US release? We're still waiting in tense anticipation.

[Via ActiveAnime]

Though probably not as niche as Rural Free Delivery (RFD HD), World Fishing Network HD still has a pretty narrow audience. That being the case, there's still some logic to pushing the channel in rural parts of America or in regions with nearby fishing outlets. Call us crazy, but New York City is not the first place that comes to find when someone mentions deep sea fishin'. Nevertheless, Verizon has just announced that WFN HD has arrived in the Big Apple on FiOS TV, giving transplants an easy way to get back in touch with their small town roots. There's no word on when the station will hit other FiOS TV areas, but we'd bet it'll be making the rounds soon enough.

Now that AMIMON is being taken seriously in the high-def arena, we're hoping to see a number of these releases in the not-too-distant future. Merely months after Sharp announced that its X-Series LCD HDTVs would arrive with wireless HD technology built right in, Mitsubishi has declared that it too will offer sets in Japan that can communicate with WHDI-enabled equipment sans cabling. The TV itself will have an AMIMON chip embedded within, though it will arrive with a separate HDTV receiver unit that connects to the LCD in wireless fashion. Model numbers, prices and all that jazz has yet to be divulged, though the Japanese will evidently be able to buy one of the elusive packages as early as "this fall." Full release after the jump.

Add two more to the growing list of news stations in America that have made the switch to high-def. Word from respective locals informs us that WHNT (the local CBS affiliate) in Huntsville, Alabama is now broadcasting news in HD, while KMGH (the local ABC affiliate) in Denver, Colorado has done the same. Any others out there needing recognition while we're on a roll?

[Thanks, Mike and Steven]

In today's rush to crank out new models, it's refreshing to see some steady benchmark pieces of gear. The speaker world has its share of stalwarts -- in no small part due to its high-end audio roots -- and Acoustic Energy's AE1 qualifies as one of those long-time references. We remember reading about the AE1 back in the late 80's, and the model is still in existence today (albeit in a Mk III iteration). To celebrate this continued success, Acoustic Energy has made up a special edition batch of 100 pairs of the speaker, appropriately dubbed the AE1 Mk III SE. It features a laundry list of audiophile features, like a steel-lined 18-mm thick cabinet, 110-mm aluminum mid-woofer, 38-mm ring-radiator tweeter and a crossover constructed with top-shelf parts. Available in a variety of finishes for a no-kidding, audiophiles-only price of $5,000 per pair.

Simmer down, UKers -- it's not nearly as good as it sounds. Sure, seven HD channels is seven HD channels, but aside from Real Lives HD, you'll be getting six channels of (mostly) the same stuff. Reportedly, the half dozen other high-def additions will simply "bolster Sky Movies," offering viewers the ability to watch horror, sci-fi, action, family, comedy and other genres by simply flipping the station. We suppose it's a good sign to see Sky ramping up its Sky+ HD lineup, but can we get a little more variety the next time you folks get the itch to expand?

[Thanks, Adam]

What we're watching tonight:

• NBC (1080i) has Olympics coverage with gymnastics, men's 200m and live BMX racing and women's beach voleyball final at 8 p.m.
• Sci Fi (1080i) has the season finale of Ghost Hunters International at 9 p.m.
• History (1080i) brings MonsterQuest at 9 p.m. and Jurassic Fight Club at 10 p.m.
• A&E (720p) has Dog the Bounty Hunter at 9:30 p.m.
• Bravo (1080i) drops in Shear Genius at 10 p.m.
• ESPN HD (720p) has Little League World Series at 8 p.m.
• ESPN2 HD (720p) presents Angels/Rays at 7 p.m.

Ooh, goodie! A full five months after Corel released its WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray application, the first major update pack has arrived. The unimaginatively named WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray Update Pack checks in at just under 50MB and size and promises to resolve the "Enable S/PDIF Out" / "HDMI output to speaker" issues while expanding the list of compatible commercial titles and enhancing compatibility for a slew of VGA chipsets within Windows Vista / XP. There's no direct mention of BD-Live support, but for those who purchased the original, why not give the update a go and report back?

[Thanks, Tyler]

We're not sure who let Yahoo! into Intel's party in San Francisco, but the two sure are getting along great. Much to the chagrin of Mark Cuban, these two actually believe that there's a future in internet TV, particularly if you force it down people's throats. Intel spent the bulk of its time talking up the Media Processor CE 3100 (formerly known as Canmore), which would theoretically be installed within HDTVs and enable users to access internet-based content without the need for an additional set-top-box ('course, the STB is still optional). That's where Yahoo! comes in -- it's hoping that its Widget Channel will encourage users to utilize its services when watching re-runs or other lackluster material in order to get news, weather and other related information right on the living room set. Not that this is a totally new concept, but these two surely have the power to push it one step further. Lots more information and pictures in the links below.

Update: It's official... surprise!

Read - Intel / Yahoo preview plans for Widget Channel
Read - Images of the tech in action
Read - Gigabyte Intel box (first product to use the CE 3100)