The TV scheduling interface on the FLO TV is very clean and well done. I was able to scroll through TV listings, iPhone App style. You can even set reminders when your favorite shows are on. However the device doesn’t have any DVR functionality, but FLO TV says that they plan to offer DVR functionality down the road. Currently the station selection with FLO TV isn’t limited to just a couple of channels including MSNBC, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, CBS, Comedy Central, Food Network, X Games, Discovery Channel, Fox News, NBC 2Go, ESPN Mobile TV, and CNBC. FLO TV says that they will be expanding with more stations as more networks get involved.

Video playback on the device was very smooth, I didn’t see any stuttering, or digital static. The capacitive touch-screen screen on the device is also bright and colorful. However, I was testing it in Manhattan where coverage is generally good for just about everything. Interestingly enough, FLO TV operates on its own wireless network, which can either be a very good or bad thing, since FLO TV doesn’t have coverage everywhere and you should check their coverage map before signing up. Battery Life on the FLO TV is also pretty good at up to 300 hours standby and 5 hours watching video.

FLO TV’s Portable Television retails for $250 with 6 months of free service. After 6 months, the service will cost $8.99 a month. On the cellular front, AT&T and Sprint will both be offering FLO TV on certain handsets for $15.00 a month. What is especially cool about using FLO TV on a phone is that unlike with 3G, you can make phone calls while watching TV. The FLO TV Personal Television PTV 350 is available for pre-order, and will be released today.

It’s hard to discern exactly which model of 46″ Samsung LCD this is from with the new coat of white paint ColorWare seems to have covered it over with. From the shape it looks like it could be from the Samsung with Red Touch of Color line. But I wouldn’t bet the house on it. Either way I’m not really digging this whole pale look….but I have a feeling this could be showing up in that elusive empty HDTV catergory that ColorWare keeps saying is coming soon.

Digital Life™ SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for HDMI (SRP) 4ft. $89.95, 8ft. $99.95 and 16ft $119.95

Digital Life SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for camcorder; Mini HDMI to HDMI 8ft (SRP) $99.95

Monster’s Core Line of SuperThin Powered Cables for HDMI 1m $79.95, 2m $89.95 4m $99.95, 5m $119.95.

Monster also showed released the MC AV50, an affordable Universal Home Theater Controller for $49.95. The MC AV50 is essentially a super sized universal remote with a tabletop structure and ergonomic design. The device has an assortment of large buttons with simple descriptions that can be operated with one hand. For example, there is “Play a DVD” and Listen to Satellite Radio”.

The AV50 shares many of the same unique operational qualities as other Monster advanced controllers, in that it makes individual home entertainment components work together rather than separately. They all share a host of powerful features, including advanced options for setup, customization and maintenance that elevate them far beyond ordinary remotes.

Activity-Based Control sends intelligent commands to all necessary components withthe touch of a single button. Users choose simple, plain-English Activities like “Play a DVD” and “Listen to Satellite Radio.” The remotes then automatically power the right components, set all the correct inputs, and adjust themselves to the user’s preferences – all from a one–button control!

Web-Based Setup and Configuration is user-friendly and available 24-7. Consumers access an online wizard at Monster Central® Control and enter the brand and model numbers of their equipment. Next, the wizard asks them a few simple questions. Based on the answers, the Monster Configurator downloads the proper control codes for all their gear into the MCC AV50 over a USB cable that comes with the product. No “teaching” or “learning” is involved and users can add or subtract components at their convenience. Likewise, they can create new Activities at any time.

Extensive Personalization and Customization enables users to create custom “palettes” for easy access to their favorite picture and sound functions. Users can also personalize their Monster Controller with custom graphics, photos and slide shows.

JVC LAUNCHES NEW FULL HD LCD MONITOR THAT TARGETS DIGITAL SLR USERS

With wider color space, 42-inch class super slim, lightweight Full HD monitor faithfully reproduces the colors, detail and texture of high resolution still photos made by digital SLR cameras.
WAYNE, NJ, May 26, 2009 – Establishing a new category in flat panel TV design, JVC today announced the availability of a super slim LCD TV monitor that features a color space that is wider than a typical HDTV’s.

The new JVC Xiview LT-42WX70 is a 42-inch class (42.02 inches diagonal) 120Hz 1080p LCD TV monitor that targets digital imaging professionals and enthusiasts using high-end digital SLR cameras, allowing them for the first time to see the subtle colors, details and textures of their images faithfully reproduced.

The monitor features expanded color space capacity encompassing 100 percent of HDTV broadcasting’s (sRGB.904) color space and a coverage rate of 96 percent for Adobe RGB — a color space for still photographs taken on high-definition digital SLR cameras — to provide accurate reproduction of both video and still photographs. The LT-42WX70 also features 52 picture-quality adjustment properties for tweaking both still and video images source-by-source to the exact colors and tones the user prefers. In addition, JVC’s GENESSA Picture Engine produces video images without blur, color bleed or noise for clear images with smooth movement.

In addition to its advanced display technology, the LT-42WX70 offers JVC’s groundbreaking design. The super slim monitor measures just 1-5/8 inches deep and is supported by an elegant, curved pedestal-style stand and the rear of the monitor is finished in metallic silver without any visible vents or assembly screws, making it ideal for settings where the rear of the set is visible.

Flexible High Technology from JVC
Depending on the source signal – video or stills – the user selects a color mode from among Wide (the TV’s color space), Normal (ITU-R BT.709; HDTV standards), x.v.Color (xvYCC extended gamut), sRGB (same primaries as HDTV) and Adobe RGB. sRGB and Adobe RGB color spaces are exclusive for viewing digital still images. Digital photos taken using the Adobe RGB colors space and displayed on the LT-42WX70 in the Adobe RGB mode will be reproduced with colors faithful to the original.

The monitor encompasses 100 percent of the sRGB (which is equivalent to HDTV for video signals) color space and a coverage rate of 96 percent for Adobe RGB, allowing the LT-42WX70 to fully reproduce the deeper reds and bluish greens that are a characteristic of Adobe RGB color.

To fine-tune the color for different sources, the LT-42WX70 features 52 on-screen image-quality adjustment properties that allow fine-tuning of colors, tint, gamma, and more, which can be memorized per source for future use. For example, individual color management settings of red, yellow, green, cyan tints and colors, as well as skin tone tint can be adjusted on-screen using the supplied remote controller.

JVC’s Individual Gamma Adjust System calibrates each panel’s grayscale tones to gamma 2.2 to ensure displaying consistent and faithful colors regardless of the set or manufactured lot. This extra effort is put in because color consistency between the source and display are essential when reproducing photos that are taken on digital SLR cameras or video from different sources.

Breaking new ground in performance for both moving as well as still images
To further ensure the best possible video quality, the set uses JVC’s new high-quality GENESSA Picture Engine with 12-bit (x RGB = 36-bit) for truly accurate and natural colors. The Real Bit Driver processes in 12-bit, and so up-converts 8-bit HD broadcasting and DVD signals or 10-bit Blu-ray signals into 12-bit Deep Color signals, regardless of the quality of the source signal, to achieve videos with smoother gradation.

To compensate for color bleed and color drift caused by the gap in the source color format and the LCD’s color space, the Chromaticity Point Conversion Circuit in the engine matches the colors so they are deep, natural and accurate.

120HzClear Motion Drive III (100Hz for PAL video signals) in the engine reduces blurring on LCD TV, helping to make images with rapid movement clearer and smoother using a high-precision interpolation algorithm. The 3D real time, motion-estimated Hadamard noise reduction is applied to eliminate noise while suppressing blur. Picture signal frequencies are also divided into 16 sections and noise reduction performed per section to produce images without noise while maintaining the realism and sharpness of the original picture.

Slim and lightweight at just 1-5/8 inches deep, the LT-42WX70 features a stylish black leather-like texture on its slim bezel that also helps to reduce glare. The flat rear panel is completely finished in metallic silver without any visible assembly screws or vents, providing a clean, attractive design and allowing for greater placement flexibility. To support the monitor, the supplied stand has a center pillar that curves toward the front of the panel. The stand features a three-step height adjustment to further broaden installation possibilities and the TV can be easily removed from the stand for hanging from a ceiling or wall. In addition, the monitor comes equipped with a slim detachable stereo speaker module that runs along the bottom of the panel. If an external sound source is to be used, the speaker module can be removed, giving the monitor an even sleeker, cleaner appearance.

An intuitive graphical on-screen display is easy to use via the included remote, and touch-panel operation makes essential operations available at the front panel. The remote can control other devices connected to the display via HDMI CEC.

The ENERGY STAR 3.0 compliant LT-42WX70 features an array of connectors for video and still image viewing, including three HDMI CEC terminals, D-Sub 15pin with component video, and an audio input jack. This allows the user to easily perform various operations such as checking images by connecting directly to an SLR camera compatible with HDMI or component connector, editing stills on the large 42-inch screen by connecting it to a PC via a D-sub 15-pin, or even do a round of on-screen checks in accurate colors prior to outputting images to a high-resolution digital photo printer and thus save on expenses.

The monitor measures 39 x 28-1/4 x 1-5/8 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 26.4 pounds. Mounted on its stand, the total weight is 41.8 pounds and depth is 6-3/4 inches.

The JVC LT-42WX70 is available now and is priced at $2,399.95.

Till Rock Band Beatles makes its way into our home we need something else to do this summer, and both Rock Band, MTV and Pepsi are delivering it. “Drink up and Rock” a special promotion that will give away thousands of Rock Band DLC music and games. Gamers will be able to win prizes and the best band will actually win themselves a 2009 MTV Moonman.  “Entrants can choose a song from the official competition list – available at www.RockBand.com/Pepsi and start making their Rock Band music video right now. Music video submissions can be uploaded to www.PepsiRockBand.com where bands and fans will be able to enter, view, rate and vote on their favorite Rock Band music videos.  To jump start the promotion, MTV Games is giving hardcore fans, those that upload a music video on the first day of the promotion (June 2 before 6pm EDT), the opportunity to win a trip to Los Angles the very next day to be the house band at the Rock Band booth at E3. Fans must register separately on June 2 to be entered for the chance to win this prize at www.RockBand.com/Pepsi. ” This special promotion starts June 2nd through the MTV Music Awards. You can also go to PepsiRockBand.com and enter the code under the specially marked bottles of soda and you will automatically be entered to win. Both MTV and Pepsi will be giving away hourly Special Edition bundles and DLC content each day. Once the contest ends fans will be able to take to web and vote for their favorite video…whoever wins will get a chance to walk the red carpet and collect their Moonman. The best part is, you didn’t have to go to rehab or show the world your lack of wearing panties. Good Luck!