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.

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.

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)

Just what the world needs -- another pair of perfectly average projectors to choose from. Vivitek has boldly gone where so many others have gone before by introducing the D326MX (XGA) and D326WX (WXGA) projectors, both of which rely on Texas Instruments' DLP engine and boast rapid start-up / instant shutdown features, HDMI / component connectors, 2,600 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 5-segment color wheel and a 1-watt speaker for mind-blowing monaural sound. The units weigh in at just 3.2-pounds apiece, and both should be available now for $999 / $1,199 should you remember to look within the next 15 seconds. Full release after the break.

We've seriously stopped trying to understand what differentiates one DXG camcorder from the next. Every release reads something like "blah, blah, 1080p," followed by a price that's simply too good to be true. The DXG-595V claims to capture 1080p (imagine that!) video onto your SDHC card for a mere $200, and the ability to snag stills / connect to your SDTV via composite or S-Video is thrown in for free. Thanks, DXG -- can't wait for you to slap a new model number on some leftover inventory and treat us again next month.

[Via Gearlog]

It only takes a glance to realize that Boston Acoustics' Horizon i-DS2 iPod boombox is merely a cleaned up version of the knobby Duo-i, but we must say, the new look is pretty sleek. Built to function with any dock-connecting iPod, this 60-watt speaker system includes twin 3.5-inch full-range drivers, a composite video output, USB connector and an auxiliary input for plugging in other DAPs / PMPs. The unit itself arrives in glossy white or glossy black, though users with an itch to customize can select from a variety of P.O.P. metal grilles. On paper, the unit isn't too shabby, but the $179.99 price tag is somewhat of a drag.

"Entry-level" and "1080p projector" don't often go hand-in-hand, but Sanyo's mashing the two terms together with its PLV-Z700. The Full HD beamer provides a 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution, 1,200 ANSI lumens, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, twin HDMI 1.3b ports (along with an array of others) and a variable iris that can "control lens iris adjustment every 1/60th of a second." Unfortunately, the most tantalizing tidbit has been omitted for now (yes, the price), but word on the street has it shipping to the UK in October.

[Via AboutProjectors]

If you've been putting off that purchase of Popcorn Hour's evolutionary A-110 HD media streamer or all new B-110 motherboard, here's a decent compilation of facts and opinions to help you make up your mind once and for all. The cats over at DigitalReviews took the time to not only detail, test out and report back on the newest duo from the company, but it also revisited the original (and heralded) A-100 in order to give a better comparison. Overall, critics did tend to prefer the A-110 over its predecessor, but the minor list of changes made it a hard sell for folks teetering on upgrading. The B-110 was seen as an even tougher sell, with only the hardcore DIY crowd likely to even find it worth investigating. Nevertheless, we won't spoil the rest for you -- head on down to have a look for yourself.

[Thanks, Anton]

For all of HDMI's promises of "one cable to rule them all," there sure seem to be large number of accessories to go along with the format, many of them for supporting longer runs. Tributaries Cable has added its HX101 to the growing number of repeaters/extenders that will stretch the not-so-long arm of HDMI to 40-meters (130-feet). The HX101 will pass all kinds of good bits you might be using, like HDMI 1.3 with HDCP, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA; and you can rest easy knowing features you're probably not making any use of -- 1440p resolution, Deep Color and xvYCC -- are just fine, too. Sure, the device is a little more portly than some we've seen recently, but this kind of thing isn't really system showoff material anyways, and the $150 price will save you a little money.

Just because you need a PC that can withstand an impromptu war doesn't mean that you aren't interested in watching a Blu-ray flick once the fighting has subsided. NextComputing, best known for its, um, uniquely rugged machines, has just announced that a Panasonic recordable Blu-ray drive is now available on its entire line of mobile workstations. Just for clarification, that includes the NextDimension Pro and Pro HD, NextDimension Evo and Evo HD, Vigor Pro SD, and the Vigor Evo HD. Meanwhile, we think Rock is still trying to unload all that excess HD DVD inventory...

It's been a tick since we've seen any new component controllers from Universal Remote, but with CEDIA 2008 just over the horizon, the outfit is pumping out a new entry-level unit aimed at the custom install channel. The Complete Control MX-450 boasts a rather stylish, slender design that includes a built-in color LCD (220 x 176 resolution), MacroEdit firmware for on-remote editing (huzzah!), LED backlit screen and buttons and a respectable $249 price tag. Eager consumers can reportedly snap this one up right now. Full release after the break.

Ah, ha! There you are, Mr. B-110. When your partner in crime, the simultaneously announced A-110 HD media streamer, was spotted over at CNET UK, we knew you wouldn't be too far behind. Sure enough, the DIY motherboard -- which was designed for individuals looking to concoct their own HTPC -- has been unboxed and handled over at the aforementioned site. There is one part in particular that caught our eye in reading through the preview; the 7.1-channel analog outputs that are on the mobo will not be activated on this model, with CNETers suggesting that another, more robust version could be on the horizon. Yeah, HDMI 1.3a is still there for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD pass-through, but we are somewhat dismayed by the analog news. Anywho, check the read link for a few more snapshots and a read of what it's packing.

[Thanks, John]

Looking for a video scaler? No, we mean a real video scaler? Enter Atlona Technologies' AT-LINE-EX, a 10-input scaler that's compatible with any input resolution including PC, SDTV, and HDTV. Essentially, it enables users to connect practically any device -- be a legacy unit or otherwise -- and have that content upscaled to 1080p via the integrated Analog Devices scaling chip. Granted, we're not so certain you'd even want that 1983 Independence Day bash blown up to 1,920 x 1,080, but at least the option is there, right? Expect it to begin shipping on August 28th for $429.

It's nearly that time of year again folks -- the hunt for the playoffs begins, school gets back in session and Gefen goes absolutely berserk. It's already gearing up for this year's CEDIA Expo in Denver by revealing details about an 8x4 HDMI Matrix -- which "allows up to eight high-definition video sources to be accessed at any time from any one of four HDMI displays" -- and a self-explanatory 4x4 Component Audio over CAT5 Matrix. Furthermore, the outfit is introducing the 1:2 and 1:4 Component Audio over CAT-5 Distribution Amplifiers, which "enable audio / video systems using the component format to split and deliver two or four identical signals." Pricing remains up in the air, but all that should be cleared up here in just a few weeks.

Read - HDMI Matrixes, etc.
Read - Distribution amplifiers

Niveus' Movie Gallery is pretty nifty, but if you thought Inteset would allow its own movie management software to sit idly and collect dust, you've got another thing coming. The firm's proprietary Movie Collection, which enables users to sift through ripped DVDs and see metadata, now supports the one remaining next-gen high-def format. Reportedly, the newly revised application will scan the inserted DVD or Blu-ray Disc and then "retrieve full profile information from Inteset's updated movie database." Users can also complete look-ups with UPC code and movie title information, and best of all, the upgrade is free for all existing Inteset Media Center PCs.