Continuing its leadership in digital media with vast online content options, LG Electronics today introduced its 2011 line-up of Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

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Leading the line-up being unveiled this week is LG’s BD690 3D-capable Network Blu-ray Disc player with LG SmartTV and an integrated 250-gigabyte (GB) hard drive, allowing for easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and online movies from VUDU™.

Demonstrating its focus on providing consumers with convenient access to nearly endless content options, six of LG’s 2011 Network Blu-ray Players and home theater systems are 3D capable and incorporate LG SmartTV.  LG SmartTV provides consumers with a simple-to-use interface that allows access to thousands of movies, customizable apps and videos.  For convenient navigation consumers can download a free app for iPhone and Android-based smart phones to control the unit, including a full QWERTY keyboard.

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The most anticipated Blu-ray release ever -- the Star Wars Saga -- emerges from light speed this September 2011. For the first time, all six of George Lucas' epic films (Episodes I-VI) are united in one complete set. Fans worldwide are able to pre-order now with online retailers.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release Star Wars in three distinct sets to meet the needs of every Star Wars fan:

  • Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray (9-disc Set includes all six films)
  • Star Wars: Prequel Blu-ray Trilogy (3-disc set includes Episodes I-III)
  • Star Wars: Original Blu-ray Trilogy (3-disc set includes Episodes IV-VI)

Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation, along with three additional discs and more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray will be available for $139.99 US/$179.99 CAN and the Star Wars: Trilogy Sets for $69.99 US/89.99 CAN. Pricing for each set will vary by international territory.

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Sony today introduced its new Blu-ray Disc line featuring access to online entertainment, Wi-Fi® Internet connectivity, Blu-ray 3D playback, and compatibility with Sony’s new HomeShare Network speakers for wireless multi-room audio streaming throughout the home.

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The full HD 1080p new Blu-ray Disc line includes four stand alone models (BDP-S780, BDP-S580, BDP-S480, and BDP-S380) and three integrated home theater systems (BDV-E780W, BDV-E580, and BDV-E280), as well as a 5.1 channel home theater audio system (HT-SS380).  All of the models play back DVD, CD and SACD discs in addition to Blu-ray Discs.

The company also introduced its first portable Blu-ray Disc player, BDP-SX1000, which features a 10.1-inch WSVGA screen.

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Samsung Electronics today unveiled new innovative features in its 3D Blu-ray line that offer Samsung Smart Hub via integrated 802.11n wireless and Smart Blu-ray features. Three of the new models have Samsung’s innovative system-on-chip (SoC) for exceptional 3D up-conversion of movies, pictures and streaming video. Consumers can look forward to seven new products that offer a range of features to suit their lifestyle needs.

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As the world’s slimmest Blu-ray disc player, the space-saving, wall-mountable Samsung BD-D7500 packs industry-leading features into its 0.9-inch height without compromising picture quality. It has innovative 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities that enable customers to enjoy a 3D experience with pictures, movies and streaming video. Powered by Samsung’s innovative video processor, the BD-D7500 is loaded with cutting-edge video picture quality enhancement algorithms and various high definition codecs. The processor’s exclusive conversion engine can also up-convert content, including streaming content, to HD so customers get the best images and performance from their HDTVs. All these content sources, plus the unit’s built-in Wi-Fi and Smart Blu-ray features, make for virtually limitless playback options.

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Panasonic Corporation of North America, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format, today introduced an expanded Blu-ray Disc player lineup with three new Full HD 3D models – the DMP-BDT310, DMP-BDT210, DMP-BDT110 – and a new 2D model, the DMP-BD75. 

The BDT310, BDT210 and BDT110 are all high-quality Blu-ray Disc players with 2D-3D Conversion, which can convert 2D images from DVDs and Blu-ray discs into 3D with natural depth perception. With the 3D Effect Controller the user can control the leaping effects of 3D images, as well as allowing one to adjust the amount of depth. This permits the user to view expansive images and enjoy 3D content with exactly the kind of 3D effects they want. Also contributing to higher picture quality is the new UniPhier chip, which, simultaneously lowers power consumption. Vertical color reference process has also been increased by 1.5 times, to express fine details and nuances in movie scenes with the Adaptive Chroma Processing. The HDMI Pure Audio improves sound quality, delivering pure and robust bass sound reproduction with minimal noise compared to previous models.

The newest addition to VIERA CAST, Panasonic's proprietary internet solution, on the BDT310, BDT210 and BDT110 is the video/voice communication service, Skype. With this new application and optional camera, users can engage in long distance video/voice conversations with family and friends right from their TV. Panasonic has made it even easier to access this through the Blu-ray Disc player with a devoted Skype button on the remote control. Other features of Skype include Standby Mode, Auto Answering Video Message, which allows users to create a personalized message when away, and Video Voice Mail Recording which automatically records messages left onto an SD card. These three models are also DLNA-certified, allowing users to enjoy content with their Blu-ray Disc player, from a computer or other DLNA compatible device.

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Iomega, an EMC company and a leading innovator in digital storage and content management solutions, today announced the new Iomega TV with Boxee, a line of easy-to-use multimedia network devices utilizing Boxee’s innovative software to bring the web to your TV, including thousands of your favorite television shows, movies and other digital entertainment. Iomega TV with Boxee is also a powerful network device that transforms your TV into a media center for all of the video, pictures and music stored anywhere on your home network. The new Iomega TV with Boxee means you never have to leave your TV to enjoy the Internet and your home network.

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Two versions of the new Iomega TV with Boxee will be available worldwide in February: one that includes 1TB or 2TB of onboard storage, and another model without an integrated hard drive. Either way, the new Iomega TV with Boxee makes your laptop or desktop a thing of the past for enjoying the web as well as your own videos, photos and music.

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AC Ryan has revolutionised the media player world with its market leading, multi award winning Playon! series of Full HD Media Players and Recorders. The ‘out of the box’ thinking Dutch company is now set to expand its product range with technology that will certainly make Consumer Electronics market-watchers take notice and get media player users excited. The AC Ryan FLUXX Full HD Media Player delivers the most connected media player with the fastest consumer electronics media processor available - the Intel Atom CE4150 processor, from the CE4100 series.

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The digital world in which we live demands an increasingly higher class of home entertainment. Consumers want to be connected with social media, the internet and all of their favourite content at the touch of a button. AC Ryan, powered by Intel, is delighted to merge its innovative expertise and deliver. The AC Ryan FLUXX is the first and most connected Full HD Media Player to ship with the Intel Atom CE4150 processor. Bursting with features that allow consumers to engage with social media, online streaming, movies and music on a whole new level. Cutting edge hardware with 1.2GHz processing power, 400MHz Extreme graphics, 1GB DDR3 Memory, and 2 GB extreme on-board NAND-flash memory. Ultimate feature offering with Gigabit Wired Network, optional wireless-N via USB and built-in HDD up to 2TB. Connecting people with widgets for endless use of social media applications, connected media library which scans and automatically updates movie information from internet sources, web browser with Flash support and online streaming content, and support for DRM content.

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Sonic Solutions today announced that RoxioNow platform licensee, Sears, has officially launched its online movie download service, Alphaline Entertainment. The new service enables Sears and Kmart customers to download entertainment online, including new movies on the same day they are released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Sonic is working with Sears on a multi-phase rollout that includes making the service available from a broad range of connected devices and ensuring compatibility with studio-supported digital programs.

Sonic's multi-year agreement with Sears extends the reach of the RoxioNow platform which powers a range of digital services for leading brick and mortar retailers, cable operators, PC manufacturers, game system vendors, consumer electronics makers, and Hollywood studios' direct-to-consumer initiatives. Sonic and Sears are teaming to embed the services at a chip level on a growing network of devices including portable media players, Blu-ray Disc players, mobile phones, and high-definition television sets from leading manufacturers.

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To the delight of avid movie lovers, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today begins shipping its first line of Blu-ray 3D players for those who want to recreate a state-of-the-art theatrical experience in the comfort of their own homes. Unveiled at the 2010 CEDIA Expo, the line includes the Pioneer BDP-430 and two Elite models, BDP-41FD and BDP-43FD, which provide unrivaled picture and audio quality consumers expect from the Pioneer brand in addition to faster load times, streaming compatibility, WiFi ready, a BD-J resume feature and the iControlAV App.

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Built with a focus on high quality audio and video reproduction, with a compatible TV, the new line offers pristine 3D video via the latest HDMI standard, 1.4a, allowing for passage of the high data transfer rate required by the Blu-ray 3D format. Additionally, Pioneer’s PureCinema technology upconverts standard definition video sources to 1080p for optimum image processing and delivering clear, sharp images with reduced image noise. Additionally, 36-Bit Deep Color support with compatible content and displays features smooth gradation steps with more accurate color precision and adds to overall high quality color reproduction.

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DivX, a division of Sonic Solutions, today announced the launch of DivX TV, the company's comprehensive entertainment service that enables retailers and consumer electronics manufacturers to bring a broad range of web-based content to home and mobile electronics. DivX TV offers a rapidly growing library of more than 10,000 high-quality videos and is capable of powering the distribution of any video content, including premium services. A one-stop shop for consumer electronics companies and retailers that want to provide on-demand access to popular Internet videos, original web programming, and customized content, DivX TV is easy to integrate into virtually any connected device at the chip level. The service can also be used to complement and enhance existing over-the-top content or application platforms.

Launched in October 2010, DivX TV is currently available on LG Electronics' BD550, BD570 and BD590 Blu-ray Disc players and LHB335, LHB535 and LHB975 home theater systems for sale in the United States through leading retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon. As part of this launch, DivX has also updated its content line up, spanning multiple genres such as automotive, business, how-to, humor, music and more. These new shows join a large and diverse roster of existing online content such as Associated Press, CNET, and Revision3.

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