KDL-52XBR4 or KDL-52XBR5

I was asked what I thought of the Sony KDL-52XBR4 or KDL-52XBR5. The only difference I see is that the XBR5 has a RS-232C port. What do you use the RS-232C port for ? Looks like you can connect your computer to the TV and send commands to it, to perform some functions. Also some devices these days contain RS-232 ports to connect to the TV for communicating from device to TV either for data to what is displayed on the screen or again for controls.

There is a $400 difference between the TVs just for the RS-232 port. Not sure if this is worth it. It looks like the same TV besides that feature.

Wii Fit

Still trying to get a hold of a Wii Fit. They seem to go like hot cakes. I've searched every where. Cant even get one online.

Netflix

Netflix is now offering a set top box to stream DVDs to your TV or PC for $99.00 with a subscription fee of $8.99 per month. Not sure if I will be a fan of this or not. You dont get the latest and greatest DVDs, you get what is in their collection. The jury is still out on this. It will also only be in DVD quality of 480p.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6562920.html?rssid=193

DivX Media Players or HDD Media Players

Stumbled upon these on Ebay the other day. DivX Media Player aka HDD Media Players. It consists of a sound card, video card, and a large capacity hard drive. It allows you to store music, videos, and DVDs onto hard drive. You can then connect this box to a PC or television and watch and listen to your collection. Might be using some kind of linux software to drive it. You would have to convert your DVDs to an ISO file or DivX format, then copy it to this device. Some also have network ports, so you maybe able to find the movie somewhere on the net already in DivX format.

Divx Media Players on Ebay (Note: I am by no means endorsing this particular product. Just providing an example of what is available. Search for Divx Media Player or HDD Media Player from the main ebay page.

Beware of the following:
1. Some do not come with a hard drive.
2. Capacity is limited to 1 TB on some.
3. Some do not do HD, highest resolution is 1080i
4. Does it do upscaling ?
5. Made in China or Canada (no offense to Canadians)
6. Customer service may be bad since they are probably just a couple of guys assembling these in their hobby shop, so you get what you pay for.

Attaching an external hard drive may be the way to go or possibly daisy chaining a set of hard drives.

But overall, if you can find one with AC3 optical sound and 1080i, it maybe cheaper than getting a media center PC or a Vidabox solution that I mentioned in previous postings. These also seem to be space savers since they look so small.

Blu-Ray for Xbox 360

Im a huge xbox 360 fan. There are rumors that an integrated blu-ray xbox maybe coming out. Perhaps in 3 months or by the fall.


http://xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1409&Itemid=2

http://www.tvpredictions.com/blux050208.htm

We'll see !

World's First Billion Dollar Home

The World's First Billion Dollar Home built by an Indian Billionaire Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai, check out his home theater.

The Entertainment Level .

Excerpt from Forbes.com web page

Entertainment Level
It's very common in large homes to have a theater or screening room, but usually they're just large projection screens with a few nice seats. The Ambani's theater is more like those seen in George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch or Frank Pritt's Portabello Estate--a full-fledged theater, indistinguishable from a cinema. A wine room, snack bar and entertaining space, including couches and tables, fill out the room.

This is a detail from a floor plan rendering.

It has a seating capacity of 50. Makes me feel inadequate, I will only have four seats. I cant event think of 50 people that would come over and watch a movie with me. I would definitely charge admission. I figure he will have better than 1080p Native and not settle for 720p Native. He may be able to afford a Vidabox :) and not dream about one. His wife wont be painting his Entertain level for him either.

How does this compare to Bill Gate's Entertainment room ?


The Full Story from Forbes Magazine .

VidaBox

Ive been looking into getting a Vidabox. I got a quote from these guys. It was in the $7000 to $9000 range. Not sure if I will drop that much on a media center player. I better off putting together something myself. These guys may optimize a nice box but extemely pricey. If anyone has once of these, I would like to get your opinion. This is the wave of the future, burning your DVDs to a hard drive and playing it from a media center PC.