Utsav @ Tech-Zone

Just days after Sony vaulted to the top of North American LCD sales charts, DisplaySearch is now reporting that worldwide shipments of LCD TVs have overtaken CRT TVs for the first time in the history of the universe. More specifically, LCD TV sales rose some 56-percent year over year, and 47-percent of the world’s TV market is now held by said technology. Reportedly, the transition from CRT to LCD was seen as a logical one, considering that it could extend down to sizes smaller than 20-inches and satisfy desires for large-screen sets. We know you’re just itching to go diving head first into more numbers on the subject, so feel free to toss on those wire-rimmed glasses and hit the read link below.

Just days after Sony vaulted to the top of North American LCD sales charts, DisplaySearch is now reporting that worldwide shipments of LCD TVs have overtaken CRT TVs for the first time in the history of the universe. More specifically, LCD TV sales rose some 56-percent year over year, and 47-percent of the world’s TV market is now held by said technology. Reportedly, the transition from CRT to LCD was seen as a logical one, considering that it could extend down to sizes smaller than 20-inches and satisfy desires for large-screen sets. We know you’re just itching to go diving head first into more numbers on the subject, so feel free to toss on those wire-rimmed glasses and hit the link below.

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We can’t say we saw this one coming down the pike, but Microsoft has unveiled a new piece of software designed to “streamline development / testing for HD DVD content” as well as “accelerate the advancement” of next-generation interactivity (HDi, in particular). Simply put, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator allows studios the flexibility to “model the behavior of HD DVD disc content, including encoded video and HDi interactivity, in a virtual environment.” When put to use, companies can purportedly cut down on coasters and wasted time, but in order to do so, they’ll need an Xbox 360 + HD DVD peripheral, a connection to Xbox Live and $2,999. Thirsty for more?

Popularity: 10% [?]

After a slight delay and a false alarm, LG has finally announced that its “Super Blu” BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player is now available at retailers nationwide, for the not so low price of $999. In addition to playing both HD formats, the player also has the somewhat notable distinction of being the first player to support Blu-ray profile 1.1, although you’ll still have to wait a while to take advantage of that particular feature. Otherwise, you’ll get full 1080p support (including upscaling of DVDs), HDMI 1.3, component and composite video outputs, digital optical and analog audio outputs, and a LAN port, not to mention a USB port on the front for impromptu slide shows or music playback. Now, if only they’d work on getting the cost down to something less than the combined cost of an HD DVD and Blu-ray player, we’d be all set.

Popularity: 6% [?]

With prices on HD DVD players in a perpetual state of free fall, it was only a matter of time before the slashings bled over to the other camp. Sure enough, Samsung’s fairly well spec’d BD-P1400 — which was announced at $549 and sold at $499 in late August — has sunk to $298.76 at Amazon. In case you needed a refresher, this one’s packing 1080p24 support, Dolby Digital Plug / True HD, DTS HD, HDMI 1.3, 1080p DVD upconversion and a pretty snazzy design, too. And hey, if you need extra incentive, there’s always the five free flicks that come along with it.

Check it out here 

Popularity: 5% [?]