Business News Holding

Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    Sony’s Play Station 3 outsold Microsoft’s XBox 360 in the US during the first quarter, the first time that has ever happened.
    The PS3 sold 806,000 units to the Xbox’s 746,000, according to the NPD Group, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
    The newspaper credits the rise in PS3 sales to a 20% decrease (it now starts at $399) and the end of the Blu-ray/HD DVD high-def disc format war.
    The PS3 has a Blu-ray player inside while the XBox offered an HD DVD player attachment. (Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD in the first quarter.)
    Despite PS3’s success, the video game console still trailed Nintendo’s Wii, which sold 1.4 million units in the US in the first quarter.

    However, a year ago, Wii was outselling PS3 by a 4-1 margin while the XBox was winning by a 2-1 margin.
    Thanks in part to the PS3, Sony yesterday reported a profit of $277 million in the last quarter.
    Perhaps not surprising then, the company also said yesterday that it won’t cut PS3 prices any further this year.
    Kazuo Hirai, president of Sony’s videogame division, told the WSJ: “We’re not looking to do that this year. It’s not in our plans right now.”
    While some reports this month have indicated that standalone Blu-ray players are struggling at retail, the rise in PS3 sales should help boost the Blu-ray industry. However, some analysts question whether PS3 buyers will use the console for movies as well as games.

  • Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    15 May 2008

    Play Station 3 outsells Xbox in the US for first time

    Sony’s Play Station 3 outsold Microsoft’s XBox 360 in the US during the first quarter, the first time that has ever happened.
    The PS3 sold 806,000 units to the Xbox’s 746,000, according to the NPD Group, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
    The newspaper credits the rise in PS3 sales to a 20% decrease (it now starts at $399) and the end of the Blu-ray/HD DVD high-def disc format war.
    The PS3 has a Blu-ray player inside while the XBox offered an HD DVD player attachment. (Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD in the first quarter.)

  • Blue Ray Technologies expansion includes Hollywood plant to serve new BD and HD demand

    Blue Ray Technologies expansion includes Hollywood plant to serve new BD and HD demand

    Blue Ray Technologies is planning to open multiple Blu-Ray disc production facilities across the U.S, starting with a facility near Hollywood to be close to the indie and major studios that have now all adopted Blu-ray.
    The new facilities are designed to be capable of handling the next generation of movie and game discs, Blue-ray 2.0, which gives an interactive web dimension to the consumer, and offer up to “five layers of entertainment”, according to BRT founder Erick Hansen.

    Hansen, whose Hollywood move puts him closer to the studios he has worked with for years, has also been in negotiations with the major studios through an affiliated company for downloadable high definition content over the Internet.
    While being a pioneer in DVD and now championing Blu-ray discs, Hansen also believes in delivering the best in movie and game content in whatever form the consumer wants it.
    With the end of the format war, and 70% of the US having bought or buying HD screens (according to Nielsen figures) there is an “overwhelming” demand now for instant products in Blu-ray. Hansen says this is the present and future in the arena.
    He said this means multiple production and shipping locations are needed to serve the demand, something never done before at this end of the industry.
    Especially for TV shows, ranging from major sports reality TV shows, audiences want the programmes quickly.
    The company is upgrading its Spokane, WA, plant and the new facilities will be closer to Hollywood studios and networks.
    “We are looking for additional facilities in Southern California for the overwhelming demand for Blu-ray,” said Hansen.
    He added: “We will be looking to add additional capacity in the Mid-West and East Coast.”
    BRT’s expansion plans extend beyond the US: “By the end of the year, we will be working with strategic partnerships in Europe to build a world-class global digital distribution system.”

  • Toshiba to use Cell processing in a new TV

    13 May 2008

    Toshiba to use Cell processing in a new TV

    Toshiba are to use Cell processing in a television expected to be released in 2009.
    The Cell processor is the powerful CPU used in the PS3, co-developed by Toshiba, Sony, and IBM in 2005.
    While few details are available, Toshiba says the Cell CPU will enable high-quality upscaling of standard-def content, playing and recording multiple TV programs at once, and HD decoding.

  • Sharp launches new line of professional LCD HD monitors

    13 May 2008

    Sharp launches new line of professional LCD HD monitors

    Sharp has broadened its line of professional LCD monitors with the announcement of its latest HD resolution display.
    The new TL Professional LCD Monitor line, a full 1920 x 1080 two-megapixel HD resolution, joins the high-end PN Monitor series.
    Sony says the new offering provides an affordable complement for display and presentation opportunities requiring accurate and precise image reproduction.
    The TL series, including the 52-inch class (52.03” diagonal) TL-M5200 and the 46-inch class (45.9” diagonal) TL-M4600, offers high image quality, features and performance.
    Sony says they are ideal for use in a wide range of settings including teleconferencing, CAD/simulation, digital signage, corporate, educational, training, hospitality, sports arenas, entertainment and house-of-worship.
    Dan Wynne, senior director of marketing, Professional Display Division, Sharp Information and Imaging Company of America, said: “The large-format display market continues to evolve, with increased needs for advanced functionality and connectivity in a reasonably priced package.
    “With the addition of this affordable monitor series, Sharp will reach a broader audience while offering superior image quality and improved compatibility, for reliability in a wider range of commercial applications.”
    The TL series features a new thin, lightweight cabinet design for easy installation as well as RJ-45 LAN Control for increased network connectivity.
    To ensure reliable operation and backlight life, Sharp has optimized the internal cooling with a unique fanless design and backlight system.