Samsung have announced the launch of the SP-F10M LED projector. Boasting an impressive 1,000 ANSI lumens, it's the first LED projector to hit the 1,000 milestone.

Recognising common office file types such as Microsoft Office and PDF file types in their native formats via USB storage, this one is more suited to business types than home cinema enthusiasts.

Still, with an LED light source that trounces other lamps with a 30,000 hour battery life, I'd quite happily use the SP-F10M to turn my living room into a cinema for the odd "Star Wars" day.

Between board meetings of course.

Samsung has been announced as the largest technology firm in the world, with sales of their devices hitting the $117.8 billion mark.

The figure sees them overtake HP, who managed an impressive $114.6 billion, making them the second largest tech company.

With a big push in TV, camera and memory chip developments at Samsung HQ (not to mention their sizeable showing at this year's CES) it's no surprise Samsung are doing so well. It's only in the mobile sector where they appear to have lost ground.

Jan Lee of Daiwa Securities told CNN that he saw the mobile market as a potential growth sector for Samsung. "Compare it with Apple" he said, "There is still a gap in profit margins of their phone businesses."

Keep an eye out on Monday for Tech Digest's review of the Samsung UE40B8000 LED TV. Quick teaser; it's wicked.

Samsung have today announced that they are the first company to begin mass production of panels for both LED and LCD 3D TV's.

40, 46, and 55 inch full HD 3D Tvs using "3D Active Glasses" and 240Hz technology were the first to hit the factory floor.

"Recently, 3D displays have captured the industry spotlight," said Wonkie Chang, president of the LCD Business at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung Electronics aims to lead the global 3D TV panel market in pioneering panel mass production for 3D LED and LCD TVs."

According to DisplaySearch, the 3D TV market is expected to grow from $902 million in 2008 to $22 billion in 2018, a pretty staggering figure. Specifically, the 3D TV market is expected to expand to a $17-billion market, with sales increasing from 200,000 units in 2009 to 64 million units in 2018.

Name: iViewer (Cello)

Type: 32" LCD TV

Specs:

• Contrast ratio: 3,000:1
• Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080p)
• Connectivity: 2x HDMI, Composite, VGA, PC Audio, S-Video, 2x Scart, RF, 2x USB, Ethernet
• Speakers: Nicam Stereo 2x 10 W
• Dimensions:22"H (including base) x 31"W x 4" D
• Features: BBC iPlayer, Web TV, DLNA home networking, news widgets
• Price: £499

Brit based TV manufacturers Cello have made a bold move with their iViewer range. By being one of the earliest web-connected TVs and the first to have BBC's iPlayer as a built-in widget, they are going where none of the big name brands have gone before. But has capitalising upon this brief window of opportunity left them flailing elsewhere with the set? Certainly, but the TV does still hold it's own.

Sensibly, Cello have kept the aesthetics here rather simple. A glossy black frame about two thirds of an inch thick surrounds the screen, while a speaker bar about an inch in height lies just underneath. The screen can be wall mounted, but at 22"H (including base) x 31"W x 4" D it's rather chunky. I'd recommend using the supplied base stand, which is again glossy, black and discrete. Also, while the main manual supplied is perfectly acceptable, the visual guide thrown in is an absolute joke. It verges on Engrish and looks as though it was put together on MS Paint.

Keeping in mind this is at the budget end of the market for a full HD set (£499), the iViewer's picture quality is reasonably good. 1080p playback of the "Che: Part One" Blu-ray over HDMI through a PS3 showed an acceptably sharp image with a good range of strong colours in brighter scenes, as you would expect with an LCD as opposed to a Plasma. Night scenes were less impressive: there was a fair amount of noise, black levels were respectable but hardly deep and response times suffered in fast moving shots. As a result of the noise and sluggish response times, it doesn't score highly as a set for gaming, as proven by a quick session with "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". For the money you're paying the image here holds up well, but don't expect it to go troubling the big guns.

Likewise, the speakers aren't the greatest. Hollow and echoey, it's a muddled sound that has little in the way of bass, and poor definition between the mids and treble. Higher volumes sometimes caused a slight rattling too.

But, if you've been following this set, you're likely already aware that this isn't exactly a technophiles television. No, the iViewer's trump card lies in its internet-connected capabilities, or more specifically its BBC iPlayer widget, where it does honestly shine.

Getting connected to the web is relatively simple, via either an optional USB Wi-Fi dongle or Ethernet cable. The input connections area on the back of the TV is far too cramped (especially as the USB Wi-Fi dongle is a bit of a sizey beast), but once you're plugged in it's just a matter of finding your network and entering your WEP key, text message style, with the remote control.

The iPlayer interface (and the TV's web UI in general) was designed by Oregon Networks. They've done a great job. It's a good looking UI across all of the web menus, with big icons simple and well defined for the casual user. There's even a dedicated button on the remote for the iPlayer for easy-access to the service. Searching through the iPlayer catalogue will be easy for anyone remotely familiar with the web service. While playback controls can be a little clunky, visually the iPlayer footage scrubs up quite well on the larger screen, providing you don't expect HD levels of clarity.

Web TV channels didn't fair so well. There are 12 in all at present, including a fully-searchable YouTube, Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food and the Sesame Street podcast. Quality of content varies across each, both visually and in terms of entertainment value, and thanks to some unexplainable file error, I couldn't access the Sesame Street one at all. Which was obviously heartbreaking. Also, the news widgets could do with a little more interactivity, and more options in terms of feed providers.

However, the DLNA home network access is strong and very accessible. Providing your PC is on and sharing allowed, you can access pictures, MP3s and a wide range of the most popular video files including AVI and WMV stored on your computer, though I couldn't get high-def formats to work. In a nice touch, MP3s continue to play in the background whilst you browse other folders for content. It's also worth noting that playback is possible from USB memory sticks, providing you can squeeze it in next to the dongle.

As is now standard, there is also an integrated TV tuner in the iViewer. Visually, broadcasts are good. There was a little noise and a few artefacts, but on the whole very watchable. The 7 day EPG however looks horrendous; from a technical standpoint it's perfectly functional and easy to navigate, but fonts are jagged and the most lurid mix of sharp blues and yellows are used.

While it's far from perfect, it's nevertheless hard to dislike the iViewer. The picture and sound quality aren't the best we've ever seen by a long shot, but it's not epically bad. Just especially average. And while some aspects of the web service don't work too well, the home networking and iPlayer are great, especially as this represents the first roll of the dice for the BBC service on TVs. As you'd expect from a product that's currently a Marks and Spencer's exclusive, it keeps it head down and gets the job done. And if you aren't happy, that M&S guarantee will have you covered.

3/5

Pick up the IViewer here

The argument over whether or not top-end cabling makes a noticeable difference to your home-cinema gear will forever rage between technophiles. If you're on the side of the fence that believes more expensive cabling gets the job done better for your HD kit, have a look at IXOS's XEN XHT6688 HDMI cable.

The XEN XHT668 HDMI cable is designed to work with all HDMI v1.4 components including those with Ethernet capabilities, allowing an internet enabled HDMI device to share its connection across the cable.

24k gold plated conductors are used to prevent oxidisation in the cable and a nitrogen gas-injected polyethylene dielectric is used to ensure accurate impedance transfer of HDMI 1.4 Category 2 with Ethernet signals.

The cabling will also be 3D ready, and will support 4kx2k resolutions once they go commercial.

The XEN XHT668 HDMI cable doesn't come cheap though. You're looking at £129.99 for a 1.5m cable. I'd have wanted AT LEAST 1.6m for that price...

For more info, visit www.ixos.co.uk.

Onkyo are never ones to shy away from high specs (and high prices) when it comes to their home cinema kit. Their latest range of THX-certified gear looks sure to please even the most choosy of cinephiles.

First up is the BD-SP807 Blu-ray player. Featuring 287Mhz/12-bit video DAC from Analog Devices and Noise Shaped Video, the player can render incredible, detailed high-def images. Older DVD's will also scrub up nicely thanks to 10-bit processing from the onboard Anchor Bay ABT1030 chip. Sound is equally well looked after, with all audio channels benefiting from 182kHz/24-bit DACs, with bit stream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential Soundtracks.

Next up is the PA-MC5500 THX Ultra 2-certified 9-channel amplifier. Designed with a focus on minimising interference, the 26 kg flagship model will deliver a massive 220w (into 6 ohms) and an SACD-friendly frequency response that hits 100kHz.

Wrapping up the set (with each device optimised to work in tandem) is the PR-SC5507 THX Ultra 2-certified 9.2-channel A/V Network Controller. With seven HDMI, three component and six S-Video/composite inputs, it's a thorough networking solution, delivering studio-quality upscaled video streams and decoding and processing all major home cinema audio formats.

The PR-SC5507 A/V Network Controller is available now, priced £1800. The BD-SP807 and PA-MC5500 will be available in February and March respectively, with no pricing details yet confirmed.

The Consumer Electronics show, the behemoth of tech, the Valhalla of gadgetry, has come and gone for yet another year. But this time, rather than arriving with a bang, it slinked into sight with something more like a whimper.

CES 2010 had really had the wind knocked out of it before it had even got into the ring this year. All eyes were already on Apple and their rumoured Tablet in the run up to the event, despite the fact that Apple are traditionally a no-show at CES, instead planning their own top-secret unveiling at the end of January. Likewise, Google delivered a sucker-punch in the shape of the Nexus One, their flagship handset revealed at their own event on the eve of CES 2010's opening.

To make matter's worse, Microsoft's opening keynote speech (delivered by walking personality drain Steve Ballmer) was pretty darn dull. First a power cut, then a load of waffle on the 2 month old Windows 7, Ballmer hardly seemed to be trying to keep our attention. Though the Christmas release date for Project Natal was welcome news, it revealed nothing new about the device, whilst the partnership with Hewlett Packard for the new Slate device seemed merely like a case of keeping-up with the Joneses. Or should that be the Jobs-es?

But the Las Vegas event wasn't without its highlights. Far from it in fact. Maybe it's the recession, or the generally pocket-pinching mood in the air these days, but for once the most sought after tech wasn't in the realms of dreamy aspiration, but was actually fairly affordable.

Take for instance the brand new 3D TVs on show, of which the Sony BRAVIA XBR-52HX900 (video above, courtesy of Ashley) was the pick of the litter. Finally shaping up to the standards set by its cinema siblings, company reps promised that the average 3D TV will cost little more than a top-end Full HD set. Skype and video calling in many TV sets too will help turn your living room into somewhere the Jetsons could only dream of.

E-readers are also looking to be both big and affordable in 2010. As a comic book fanatic I'd have liked to have seen more attempts at a colour screened e-reader (I'm not including the MSI offering, which is really just a dual-touch screened PC, super-cool as it is). Plastic Logic's Que Pro e-reader looked great though, with a massive, durable screen, and was far lighter than the hundreds of books you'd be able to store on the tabloid-sized device.

There were, of course, tablets aplenty. The dual-booting Viliv P3 may be an underdog in the category, but seemed way more exciting than Microsoft's offering. The offer of both Windows and Android on the same device showed a respect for user choice not often seen in the back-slapping world of consumer tech.

There was still time for fun too. The Parrot AR Drone Quadricopter was fun and fresh, combining real-world toys with augmented reality controls. A little less high-tech but full of retro-chic was the Lasonic i931 iPhone dock/ghetto blaster mash-up. Odd's on its at the top of Flava Flav's Christmas list. And there was still some time for the weird and the plain old dumb, too.

Though less prevalent than other years, there were some great examples of brand new tech on show that were genuinely exciting. A real head-turner and my favourite item of the show was the Light Blue Optic Light Touch. Using a pico projection engine and a touch sensitive sensor, it'll turn any flat surface into a touchscreen. It works ridiculously well despite still being in the development stages, and has almost unlimited potential.

Some detractors say that, recession or not, CES looks to be on its last legs. It's sad, but not unlikely, when you consider the audiences that companies like Apple and Google can command for just a single product launch. However, for emerging companies like Light Blue Optics CES is still vital to gain some exposure, not to mention the fact that such a prominent date in the calendar forces the tech giants to have made some significant, competitive advances in their gear, year-on-year.

So here's hoping the old dog's got a bit of life left in it yet. Hopefully next year will kick off the recessionary cobwebs and kick the show back into high-tech gear. It wouldn't take much to tempt us back to the City of Sin once more.

Click here for full CES 2010 pre-show, day one, day two and day three round-ups.

You've had Netflix, you've had iTunes; the next contestant in the great "Battle of the Online Movie Services" is Sony's Qriocity.

Heading to anything with a Xross Media Bar on it (be it your PS3 or soon-to-be-released web-connected Sony sets) in February, you'll be able to stream video in standard-definition or 720p straight to your screen.

Theres already a load of film publishers backing the service, and Sony promise "hundreds" of films ready to go at launch.

Inspired use of the letter "Q" aside, it's a pretty dumb name for a rather important service. Here's hoping more thought went into the service than the moniker it wears heavily around its neck.

Via: Engadget

Another day, another Tech Digest CES 2010 round-up. Fancy Tweeting hands-free in your car or controlling your PC by breathing? Check today's top stories below and find out how.

Twitter coming to Ford cars
The digital equivalent of drink-driving?

Motorola announce Backflip Android Phone
Hinged smartphone is Motorola's big CES 2010 offering

Ion launch the iType full QWERTY keyboard add-on for the iPhone
Making the portable unwieldy

Vuzix demo Wrap 920AR Augmented Reality visor
Turning your trip to the shops into a scene out of Robocop

Zyxio's new breathing-based PC controller, the Sensawaft
Affordable accessibility gadget, perfect for disabled PC users

3D gaming headed to the Palm family
Apple isn't the only mobile now capable of some hardcore gaming action

Is the Viliv P3 the underdog tablet to look out?
Dual-booting tablet is looking very tasty indeed

Razer and Sixense bring motion gaming to the PC
But will it catch on within the incredibly competitive PC gaming peripheral market?

UK getting the Dell Mini 3i
Android phone hitting UK shores in the not-so-distant-future

Video- Armour Home Q2 Tilt Internet radio
Innovative and simple radio from Brit-based Armour

Video - "World's smallest Windows PC" the UMID M Book 1
It makes a gnat's bum look big. Well...not quite. But you get the idea

Video- Casio's Digital Art Frame
Making all those dodgy Facebook snaps look good

Video - The coolest retro iPhone hi-fi ever, Lasonic's i931
Bring 80's boom box street-chic bang up to date

Video - Toshiba's Cell TV that is controlled by hand gestures
Innovative tech, but it makes you look a bit of an idiot; not sure I want a work out in front of the telly

Video - Sony's BRAVIA XBR-52HX900 3D TV
Their flagship 3D set is a stunner

Video - Panasonic's 3D camera
Bet the adult-entertainment industry cant wait to get its mitts on this one

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

Tech Digest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and videos go here

It may have gotten off to a dull start thanks to the lacklustre showing from Microsoft, but CES 2010 today threw up some really nice surprises. Keep an eye out for the Light Blue Optic's Light Touch here in today's round-up, and be prepared to be blown away.

HTC unveils the Smart, their first budget smartphone
You might recognise this one from last years leaked HTC product roadmap

Dell tease mini Android based tablet, the Streak
It's like an Archos internet tablet. But red.

Sony Z series laptops hands-on video
Ashley gets a quick demo of the new range of Sony laptops

EarVibe vibrating earphones on the way from Tehcnocell
Somehow improves sound quality. Yeah right....

Lady Gaga new creative director for Polaroid
No, it's not a wind-up, she's got herself a real job

Light Blue Optic's Light Touch turns any surface into a touchscreen
Amazing emergent tech, and the most exciting spot of the day so far in my opinion

Samsung's animated OLED identity card is equal parts cool and creepy
Your ID is about to go crazy cool, Bladerunner style

Microsoft's Ballmer announces the HP Slate
The iSlate...Oh? The HP Slate, right...

Project Natal Xbox 360 motion control coming Christmas
You hear that Santa!?

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer opens CES, but does anyone care anymore?
It's a pretty boring display from the PC giants

Sony's new products
In a quick, handy gallery!

Sony Dash personal internet viewer video
Sony do a Chumby

The five hottest e-readers
Another gallery rundown, this time of the best e-readers so far seen at CES 2010

Is this the hottest TV of the year? Samsung's 3D LED 9000
Real-time 2D to 3D conversion on its way

Five things to watch for
Ashley gives his run down on the best things to keep a look out for at this year's convention

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

Tech Digest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here

With CES 2010 now well under way, it can be pretty tough keeping track of all the latest announcements. Here's Tech Digest's round-up of the of best Day 1 at CES 2010 so far, including all the news from the LG and Toshiba press conferences.

Toshiba Press Conference
Amazing new Cell Tvs promise to deliver real-time 2D to 3D conversion

Samsung ready N-range netbooks
Massive battery life makes this Samsung range stand out from the pack

LG Press Conference
3D tech is as big on LG's agenda as expected

Immerz KOR-FX acousto-haptic gear lets you "feel" your gaming experience
Slightly creepy, sort of cool new tech promises to fully immerse you in games and movies

Sony NW-A845 Walkman finally gets European release
Super-slim MP3 player hitting stores in February

Microsoft to unveil new HP built tablet?
Rumour has it Microsoft may be preparing to square up against the Apple iSlate

Brits get the Amazon Kindle DX from January 19th
Too little too late from Amazon?

PassivSystems heating control
Economise with this hot Brit-built energy management system

ZOMM Bluetooth leash for your mobile
Never lose your mobile again thanks to this Bluetooth alert system

Saygus VPHONE
New Android handset enters the smartphone fray

Parrot's AR Drone Quadricpoter
Augmented reality app controls this fun gadget copter

Iriver Story e-reader goes wireless and gets a proper launch
A long time coming, but finally the Story gets a happy ending

Six of this year's hottest products
Featuring such gadgetry delights as the Skiff e-reader

Why Apple is the real star of the show
Have Apple stolen the lime-light yet again, without even appearing in Vegas?

Will it be any good this year?
In a recessionary year, Ashley Norris gives his views on what to expect from this year's show.

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

Tech Digest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here

Toshiba have been giving all the details for their 2010 plans today at their CES 2010 press conference. President and CEO Atsushi Murasawa admitted 2009 was a tough year for his company and the industry alike, but that didn't stop Toshiba showing off some impressive new home cinema kit.

The most glitzy gear on show was Toshiba's new line of Cell Tvs. Not only will the sets be 3D-ready, but Toshiba representatives also discussed real-time 2D to 3D conversion of video signals using the new Cell TV technology, though there was no demonstration on show.

Though it sounds incredibly exciting, if the Cowboy's Stadium demo was anything to go by Toshiba have their work cut out delivering on that promise.

Toshiba hope that the cell processor powered Tvs will become the ultimate solution for a unified home cinema kit, incorporating 3D tech with internet connectivity and upscaled web TV at 480Hz using the screen's 8 core processors.

A built in Blu-ray player, 1 TB HDD and colour and light sensitive local dimming round out what Toshiba are cringingly dubbing as "Cell-F realisation".

Toshiba also announced a new 3D Blu-ray player, winging its way to shops later in the year. BDX3000 Blu-ray player will be Toshiba's first player to dabble in the third dimension.

To round things up, Toshiba promised to deliver a screen with a 4k x 2x resolution by 2012. Tech Digest waits with baited breath!

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

Tech Digest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here.

LG's CES 2010 press conference has revealed a whole host of new gear coming soon from the Korean electronic giants.

As expected, 3D tech is big on the LG agenda. The new Infinia TV range has been announced, including the LE7500, LE8500 and the "3D ready" LE9500 model, happy to play nice with Sky 3D as the broadcasting firm suggested earlier. The flagship Infinia LE9500 features an 8.5 millimeter-wide frame and a "TruMotion" refresh rate of 480Hz. The set also features broadband TV functionality, giving users access to Skype, VUDU, YouTube, Netflix and Google's Picasa service.

LG are also planning to release a 3D Blu-ray player too later on in the year, but you'd better start saving as it's likely to have a massive price tag. A more affordable Blu-ray player, the BD 590 was also announced, rocking a 250GB hard drive to store flicks on.

LG also showed off a stunning, as-yet-unnamed 3D projector, pushing out a blinding 2500 lumens of brightness.

The LG Magic Motion remote was also back on show, much the same as its first appearance in Berlin last year. Looking a lot like a Wii remote, it's a slick new home cinema controller.

Though only touched upon whilst showing a new Snapdragon powered projector phone, LG will be displaying a whole load of new smartphones tomorrow morning. Keep checking back to Tech Digest for more LG news from CES 2010.

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

TechDigest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here.

Ever felt bad watching all those little digital comrades taking hits in Gears of War or Modern Warfare? Ever wanted to know what it feels like to take one for the team? Me neither, it sounds painful. But peripheral makers Immerz are putting together a bit of kit set to immerse you completely in the worlds of your games and movies.

Dubbed "full sensory immersion gear", the Immerz KOR-FX uses "acousto-haptic" technology to relay physical vibrations to select areas of your chest, activating "neural pathways that subconsciously monitor the vibrations of the chest cavity that naturally occur when speaking, laughing or crying."

It all sounds a bit creepy, but when synced up with a frenetic gaming session it could prove a really immersive addition to your gaming gear. Or really annoying.

Click above for a (frankly hilarious) demonstration video.

You can pre-order the kit here, priced at $189.99 (roughly £120).

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

TechDigest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here.

Have you got money to burn and a hankering for a cinematic 3D experience in your home? Then you'll be very excited by this mind-numbingly big 72 inch XVT Pro 3D LCD by VIZIO.

This monster XVT Pro set has a 480Hz refresh rate for smooth 3D playback, SENSIO technology and Bluetooth-synchronized active shutter LCD glasses from XpanD.

The 72 inch XVT Pro will not only have built in web apps, but also an integrated Wireless HDMI receiver, allowing HD content to be wireless streamed on the 60Ghz band from your Blu-ray player, PC or other HDMI source.

A TV that big is sure to have a gargantuan price tag, and this one isn't any exception; it'll set you back $3,499, or roughly £2,200. If either the screen size or price tag is a bit too intimidating for you, VIZIO will be offering the exact same features in 55 and 47 inch models too, costing $2,499 (£1,550) and $1,999 (£1,250) respectively.

The XVT Pro series will be available from August of this year.

Click here for more CES 2010 coverage from Tech Digest

Tech Digest at CES is sponsored by Best Buy. For more CES stories and
videos go here.

Avatar, the 3D epic from Terminator and Aliens helmsman James Cameron, has passed the $1 billion mark at box-office.

It's one of only five flicks ever to do so and, having reached the figure in just 17 days, it means Avatar has hit the billion-dollar mark in record time too.

So far, Avatar is the fourth highest grossing film of all time, making $1.0188 billion and sitting behind Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest at $1.0662 billion, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King at $1.1191 and Cameron's own Titanic with a ridiculous $1.8429 billion.

However, it's still very early in Avatar's release window. With the 3D tech used in the flick deterring piracy and the movie yet to reach the lucrative Chinese market, Avatar is well on track to become the biggest movie in cinema history.

The news all but cements the likelihood of more movies set in the world of Pandora. Speaking to the BBC, James Cameron stated that "I've got stories mapped out for two more films. But should we make some money...we will definitely make another movie".

Sony, Samsung, Panasonic et al must be breathing a sigh of relief about now; the news completely justifies the major electronic manufacturers commitment to 3D technology, which is set to feature heavily in this week's Consumer Electronics show.

Via: BBC

Though this week's Consumer Electronics Show and the rest of 2010 alike will bring with them tons of 3D TV tech headlines, Sony executive Mike Fasulo has suggested that all the hype may yet be a little premature.

Whilst speaking to Business Week, the chief marketing officer said, "We don't expect to see an explosion of 3D in the home until the 2012 time frame."

Though the majority of us may have to wait a few years before we can bring 3D blockbusters such as Avatar into our living rooms, that wont stop Sony from showing off some brand new 3D home cinema kit at the Las Vegas convention.

Sony have already announced their plans to showcase both "3D-friendly TVs and DVD players" at CES, which opens its doors on January 7th.

Keep checking back to Tech Digest for all the latest Sony announcements from this year's CES.

With CES 2010 just around the corner, LG have revealed a few snippets of information on what they claim to be the world's thinnest 42 inch LCD panel.

Measuring in at 2.6mm thick, the prototype panel is LED-backlit, runs at a refresh rate of 120Hz and weighs less than 4 kilograms.

With full HD 1080p 1920x 1080 resolution, LG have halved the size of their next thinnest offering (measuring in at 5.9 mm) in less than a year.

Dr. In Jae Chung, LG Display's CTO and Executive Vice President noted, "With the development of the world's thinnest LED LCD TV panel that is only 2.6mm thick, LG Display has once again demonstrated its technical prowess to satisfy customer demand for high resolution and slim design products. We will continue to spur R&D activities in order to provide our customers and the market with the differentiated products that they desire."

We certainly do desire a TV that thin, Dr In Jae Chung! More news on this one following Tech Digest's CES coverage in the new year.

Via: Engadget

Parisian audio specialists YBA are set to launch a new digital-to-analogue convertor for home audio set ups. The WD202 USB DAC is their latest bit of AV kit, and was apparently inspired by the architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe.

With a full aluminium construction, the WD202 features 24/192 up-sampling with re-clocking, which should produce clear and stutter free audio. It also features extensive connectivity options, making the WD202 a good option for most home cinema enthusiasts.

The DAC will cost around £590 and is available now.

Here is a full list of specs:

• Competitive pricing and stunning performance.


• Full aluminum construction (no plastic parts)


• 24/192 up-sampling with re-clocking, virtually jitter-free high performance conversion


• Full symmetrical design


• Measured performances (THD+N<0.001%, SNR>110 dB, dynamic range > 120dB)


• Extensive input connectivity: USB, Optical & Coaxial, AES/EBU with input transformers


• Extensive output connectivity with variable output


• Headphone with active detection


• RCA


• Balanced XLR


• Coaxial


• High-end full function remote control


• High-capacity R-core transformer


• Plug and play integration with any PC or MAC


• Compact (only 6,2 cm height)