Warmer weather means it's time to pack up for vacations, and the one thing us tech-savvy vacationers need is something to pass the time on the way to our destination. I think I have found a gadget to do just that: the Philips DCP951 docking entertainment system.

Good news, movie buffs--now that the dust has settled on the high-def DVD format wars, the first wave of Blu-Ray Criterion Collection discs are finally coming. And in a surprising--if welcome--move, the higher-def versions of the discs won't cost anymore than their standard-definition counterparts.

According to Gizmodo, the following 13 titles are set to be issued first:

The Third Man, Bottle Rocket, Chungking Express, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Last Emperor, El Norte, The 400 Blows, Gimme Shelter, The Complete Monterey Pop, Contempt, Walkabout, For All Mankind, The Wages of Fear

Panasonic has introduced the latest version of its home theater in a box (HTiB) system, the first such unit to include an integrated Blu-ray player. The unit is set to be released in late spring, for around $999.95.

The new SC-BT100 is also iPod-friendly, boasting a charging dock and the ability to play both music and video from the device, displaying audio tracks and menus on a TV screen. iPods can also be controlled via the included remote. An included SD card slot also allows for digital image and video playback via memory cards.

A first-gen player
Blu-ray movies do look fine
Oh my, the waiting!

—Robert Heron

For the full-length, free-verse Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc player review check out PCMag.com.

HP today announced a partnership with YouTube that will make content from the Google-owned video site available through HP MediaSmart connected devices, including the forthcoming MediaSmart Connect digital media receiver and the MediaSmart TV.

Users with can watch and share full-screen videos and create YouTube playlists on their MediaSmart HDTVs by logging into the video sharing site using their remotes.

"With the addition of YouTube to the HP MediaSmart platform, consumers will have even more ways to enjoy the latest entertainment on the Internet," said HP's vice president of marketing and services, Connected Entertainment Business, Carlos Montalvo. "Bringing YouTube to HP MediaSmart products will let users browse and select a series of videos, then relax and enjoy the show on their big screens."

YouTube joins the exisiting services already available through MediaSmart, including CinemaNow, Snapfish, and Live365.

For more information on MediaSmart and the new YouTube partnership, check out HP's site.

Oh bright LCD
An eye-grabbing sign indeed--
Too blue, too noisy

—Robert Heron

For the full-length, free-verse ViewSonic N4785p review check out PCMag.com.

Oh clipped details
And sluggish disc handling
A 1st gen player

—Robert Heron

For the full-length, free-verse Sharp BD-HP20U AQUOS Blu-ray Disc player review check out PCMag.com.

Yesterday I took a trip to the Samsung showroom a few blocks away from PC Magazine's headquarters in midtown Manhattan. The company likes to put on a show, hauling out the latest and greatest in its ever-increasing number of consumer electronics lines. I'll spare you the washers, driers, and refrigerators, but check out some of my favorites of the company's newest digital audio players, camcorders, home theaters, and HDTVs after the jump.

Iogear is looking to reel in a slew of professional services and companies, with the release of a DVI Video/Audio Extender kit that can broadcast signals wirelessly from 100 feet away.

The setup is simple: just a transmitter, receiver and an Ethernet cable. The company confirmed that the extender kit supports both standard display and HDTV resolutions, as well as the Digital Display Working Group standard for DVI-compliant monitors. The product provides pure digital, DVI-D SL video support and is compliant with the DVI 1.0 specification.

"Ideal for audio / video set-ups in remote, insecure locations, the product can broadcast audio and video material for a variety of digital signage settings, including exhibits, trade shows, train stations and airports," said Iogear. Universities, museums and even Wall Street may love these because of the sheer convenience and relatively cheap ($499.95 retail) ability to transmit audio/video material over a great distance in high-traffic areas.

Post by Chris Gampat

Yep, we all know high-definition looks better than standard. But not all Blu-ray is created equal, so Premiere.com has reviewed the quality of some of the newer discs coming out.

As the story points out, we're starting to get some decent classics on Blu-ray now, in addition to new and flashy mainstream flicks: Included among the reviewed discs are "Bonnie and Clyde," and "A Passage to India," both of which earn high scores. But then, we also get "Coyote Ugly" and "Hitman," neither of which could be saved by the most excellently high definition in the universe--there's quality, and then there's quality.

Impressive contrast
Oh the slight green emphasis
Hide my credit card

—Robert Heron

For the full-length, free-verse Westinghouse TX-52F480S review check out PCMag.com.

Well, it's good to know where Blockbuster's priorities lie. Back in March, a month or so after Toshiba declared its next-generation HD DVD format completely, absolutely, and unequivocally dead as Betamaxed doornail, the retail video megachain announced that it would be rolling out the Blu-ray format in all of its U.S. and Canadian stores.

In the time since it made said proclamation, Blockbuster has been focusing on a number of other pet projects, including set-top box looking to compete with Netflix's LG partnership and its recently announced bid to buy electronics retailer, Circuit City.

Late last week, the company made the announcement official, expanding its current Blu-ray offering in 1,700 stores to a full 4,000 throughout Canada and the U.S.

Not really sure why Fujitsu decided to announce this today, some three months after the fact, but it's fairly interesting, none the less. The electronics company provided the technology for Bush's final State of the Union Address, back in January, making the broadcast first use of High Definition MPEG-4 AVC compression for a network broadcast, according to CBS.

He may not have history's highest approval rating, but thanks to Fujitsu, he will certainly be remembered as one of America's most hi-def leaders.

"HDTV image quality enhances the experience of the audience and leads to greater engagement in live events," said Fujitsu's senior director, video solutions group, Vic Herring. "Broadcasters need high-quality video technology to transmit live national news events such as the President's State of the Union Address, and the Fujitsu IP-9500 MPEG-4 AVC HD Encoder fulfills this need."

CBS has purchased more IP-9500 MPEG-4 AVC HD Encoders, in order to broadcast the Democratic and Republican conventions and presidential inaguration in hi-def. Afterwards, the technology will be utilized by CBS's news bureau for regular broadcast.

Make it a Circuit City night? Blockbuster on Monday announced that it offered to acquire Circuit City Stores for $6 per share in a February 17 letter, but Circuit City is giving Blockbuster the cold shoulder.

"Unfortunately, to date, Circuit City has failed to provide due diligence necessary to allow Blockbuster to make a definitive proposal," Blockbuster said in a statement. "Blockbuster is making its proposal public because it believes the shareholders of Circuit City should have the opportunity to participate in determining the destiny of the company."

Blockbuster also warned that it could yank its offer given that the video retailer "has other strategic opportunities." The letter asked for a response by February 21.

Circuit City confirmed Monday that it received the Blockbuster offer, and said that it "continue to carefully consider and evaluate Blockbuster's unsolicited proposal" but advised shareholders not to take any action.

I imagine most people who purchased their now useless HD DVD players will want to hold on to them for posterity or some alternative use, but for those without an affinity for obsolete electronics, several major retailers are now offering consumers partial refunds.

Amazon.com will offer a $50 credit to those who bought HD DVD players before February 23--several days after Toshiba officially pulled the plug on the DVD format.

"New technologies don't always work out as planned," Amazon said in an e-mail to customers.

For those who stocked up on their HD DVD players, Amazon will cover up to 10 players, for a maximum credit of $500. Customers just have to type in a promotional code provided by Amazon at checkout. Credits are good through April 9, 2009.