Electric Echoes

Toshiba next-gen tablet LT170

2011-11-30T08:55:00.000-08:00

HP Envy 14-3000

2011-11-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

We have just gotten word of HPs forthcoming Envy 14-3000 series of notebooks.

Some or all products will feature 'Spectre' in their product title - ie HP Envy 14 Spectre.

They will use Intel's forthcoming Ivy Bridge architecture. More details to follow.

Archos A70H2 tablet passes FCC

2011-07-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

This is the HDD-based brother of the A70S2 (S=solid-state) which appeared on the FCC database earlier this month.

As with the A70S2, the internal model number identifies it as a successor to the Generation 8 Archos 7 Internet Tablet. This means it is an Archos-designed tablet. In recent years Archos has sold an increasing number of products designed in collaboration with their Chinese partners (Home Tablet, Vision PMPs, etc), unfortunately these lower-quality products have diluted the Archos brand name.

It appears that Archos has recognised this error and will move most of these products to the Arnova brand-name. It remains to be seem if this move has come too late.

The changes for this model are as yet unknown. Archos did not announce any 7" models as part of its Generation 9 line-up. Furthermore the internal model designation 8701B suggests it is not a new product, just a minor revision. So it is very likely that A70S2 and A70H2 are just software-upgraded Gen8 Internet 7 Tablets.

Source: FCC

Archos unveil G9 tablets

2011-06-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

June 23rd, Paris
Today Archos announced the successors to the popular Generation 8 series tablets. Two new models were unveiled, the 801 G9 Tablet and the 101 G9 Tablet.

101 G9 Tablet

801 G9 Tablet

The 801 features a 8" 1024x768 display, the 101 features a 10.1" 1280x800 display. Aside from display size, both devices feature the same specs:

-Latest ARM Cortex A9 Omap 4460 (dual core @ 1.5GHz)
-Android 3.1
-Adobe Flash 10.3 support
-16GB flash memory or 250GB HDD options
-Wide media support incl H.264 in MKV containers up to 1080p
-Media playback from local storage or streaming via UPNP/SMB
-Optional flush-mount 3G dongle available (€49)
-HDMI output on device
-GPS

The HDD-based models are just 3mm thicker than the flash-memory models, thanks to Seagate's 7mm Momentus Thin drive.

The 801 will be priced at €259 in Europe, the 101 will be priced at €299.

Unlike previous Archos Android tablets, the G9 tablets ship with Google Market pre-installed.

Source: http://www.archos.com/

Xtreamer launches Sidewinder 2, updates Prodigy specs

2011-06-22T04:16:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong-based Xtreamer has announced a successor to their Sidewinder media-player. The Sidewinder 2 has upgraded internals (Realtek 1185), Gigabit LAN, built-in wifi with external antenna (previously an optional extra) and USB 3.0 ports.

According to Xtreamer, the price before shipping and VAT is €99, and the device will ship in August.

The Xtreamer Prodigy, originally announced in February and slated to ship in April has again been delayed, and this time with a spec upgrade and price increase. It now uses Realtek 1186 and supports 3D playback. As with the Sidewinder 2, built-in wifi is now standard. Price is €149 ex VAT and shipping (up from €119) and units are not expected to ship until September.

Arnova 7 passes FCC

2011-06-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

June 15th
Today the Archos-designed Arnova 7 appeared on the FCC database.

Most of the product specs are already visible on the Arnova website but from the internal model code on the FCC filing (SC70RK28_AN7) we can confirm the chipset is of the old Rockchip RK28xx series. This is disappointing as existing Archos tablets using RK2818 perform poorly.

According to the Arnova website, the 4GB model will be priced at €99.

Source: FCC

Archos release firmware updates for Gen6, Gen7, Gen8

2011-04-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Today Archos released firmware updates for the following products:

-Generation 6 2008 (Archos 5, Archos 7)
-Generation 7 2009 (Archos 5 Android)
-Generation 8 2010 (Archos 28, Archos 32, Archos 43, Archos 70, Archos 101)

A welcome addition to the Gen6 and Gen7 devices is support for MKV header compression (already added to the Gen8 devices).

The firmware updates for the Gen6 and Gen7 devices affirm Archos' commitment to support previous generation devices beyond their EOL, and this should prove encouraging to potential buyers of current generation products.

Archos have been at the forefront of portable video players for almost 10 years. Archos devices remain among the very few portable media players to natively support the MKV video container. This is the most popular container for modern, high-defintion content due to it's wide codec support.

The full changelist and download links are available on Archos website.

Sigma announce XBMC port

2011-01-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today, SOC developer Sigma Designs announced that they are working on an XBMC port for their media-oriented SOCs.

Sigma chips have been used in many set-top media players, including the popular WDTV range. The announcement should mean a lower price point for XBMC-capable media-players.

Source: http://www.sigmadesigns.com/

WD warns customers not to use their 3TB hard-drives

2010-12-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

Western Digital has issued a warning to users of their media players - they should not connect any 3TB USB drives to the devices, or they will likely suffer data loss/corruption.

This warning does not just apply to third party hard-drives, it also applies to Western Digital's own Mybook 3TB external drive. It seems it did not occur to WD test their 3TB drive with their own media players before launching.

Users of the WDTV Live, WDTV Live Plus and WDTV Live Hub will have to wait for a firmware upgrade to their media player and/or HDD before being able to safely use them together. Owners of the original WDTV and WDTV Gen2 will not receive any assistance, as Western Digital decided to stop supporting these devices a long time ago.

Source: Western Digital Knowledgebase

Froyo 2.2 update for Archos Generation 8 goes live

2010-11-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Archos today released their long-awaited Android 2.2 (Froyo) update for the Gen8 series of devices. The update brings performance improvements for many apps, and of course Flash 10.1 compatibility. (Flash 10.1 is not included with the update, but can be installed manually once you have updated to 2.2)

A cool new features is that the Archos Media Centre (AMC) now has an automated scraping function. It scans your movie files and goes online to fetch detailed movie information and posters.

Thanks to the AMC, the Archos range of Android tablets feature a wider range of codec and container support than any other Android devices. Media can be played from local storage or streamed via UPNP or fileshares.

Source: Archos.com

Western Digital Mybook HDDs not compatible with Western Digital media players

2010-11-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Media-junkies will likely have rejoiced at Western Digitals recently announced Mybook Essential 3TB drives, which, along with Seagates equivalent offerings, have finally pushed 3.5" disk capacity past 2TB.

That is unless of course they are also owners of Western Digital's own WDTV HD media players. As we previously reported, Western Digital unceremoniously dumped their original WDTV after just one year on the market, no longer offering firmware updates and in fact have all but removed any trace of it from their website. Customers who played no small part in establishing Western Digital as a key player in the media-box market have been left with an unsupported, buggy device.

Now the icing on the cake comes in the form of an admission from WD rep Guy_K that the newly launched Mybook 3TB drives would not be compatible with the WDTV gen 1. Thats right - a Western Digital branded hard-drive will not work with Western Digitals' own media player. Considering that media-junkies and WDTV owners would make up a large proportion of the buyers for such high-capacity drives, this admission is a major embarassment for Western Digital.

Source

Archos adds MKV support to Generation 6 Devices

2010-09-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

On Monday we reported that Archos released new firmware for several of their devices, including the older pre-Android Generation 6 models (Archos 5IMT, Archos 7IMT).

Further investigation of this firmware has revealed that MKV (Matroska video) container support has been added to these older devices. I have tested some MKV videos on the A5, and everything works beautifully, including embedded subtitle streams, multiple audio streams and anamorphic aspect ratios.

It should be noted that video codec support has not changed. The device still supports the same video/audio codecs as before, and still has the same hardware-dictated restrictions (bitrate, resolution, framerate, etc). H264 playback is limited to Main-Profile and standard-def (720x576).

The main benefit is that you can now package your videos in the MKV container if you so wish. The MKV container is an open-standard free video container format, see Wikipedia for more information.

Firmware update for Archos Gen 6, Gen 7, Gen 8

2010-09-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today Archos released firmware updates for Gen6, Gen7 and Gen8 devices. This is significant as Archos in the past have had a reputation for 'dumping' older devices after they have been on the market for approximately 12 months.

Generation 6 devices (A5IT and A7IT) were released in late 2008 - this means they have received an update after 2 years on the market. This move is certain to inspire customer confidence regarding long-term updates and support for the Gen 7 and recently announced Gen 8 lineup.

Gen 6 (Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet, Archos 7 Internet Media Tablet)
Firmware 1.7.17

Gen 7 (Archos 5 Internet Tablet w Android)
Firmware 2.0.38

Gen 8 (Archos 28, Archos 32, Archos 43, Archos 70, Archos 101)
Firmware 1.0.41

Apple iPod Touch 4G vs Archos 43 Internet Tablet

2010-09-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

On 31st August, French PMP maker Archos announced its new line-up of Android-based media tablets.

Apple announced it's new iPod line-up the following day.

Today we compare two of their new devices - the iPod Touch and the Archos 43 Internet Tablet. I have chosen the Archos 43 for the comparsion because I feel that the 3.2" device (Archos 32 Internet Tablet) is more of a cheap/budget device, and not intended as a direct competitor to the iPod Touch.

Note that this is a comparison based on specs and published details only. Do you disagree? Please let me know, i'd love to hear your opinions.

Processor:
The Archos features an ARM Cortex A8 @1GHz paired with DSP

The Apple iPod Touch features an 1GHz A4 processor, which is also Cortex A8-based.

Winner - Draw

Display:
~~The iPod Touch features the same Retina display as the iPhone 4G - 960x640, 3.5" diagonal, LED backlit.~~ *Edit - According to early reviews, the LCD display is not the same as the panel used on the iPhone 4G. It features the same resolution (960x640) but unlike the iPhone, it is not an IPS panel. Viewing angles and brightness are not as good as the high standard set by the iPhone 4G. The high screen resolution combined with the small area gives a very high PPI count (326 pixels per inch) so text and imaes appear extremely sharp and well-rendered on the display. The touchscreen is capacitive, meaning multi-touch and smooth user-experience. The glass overlay is hard but brittle, meaning good scratch-resistance but likely to crack/shatter if dropped. The display ratio is 1.5:1, therefore 16:9 content will feature small borders, and 2.35:1 content will feature very large borders.

The Archos 43IT features a 4.3", 854x480 display. It has a lower PPI count (228) but the larger size and 16:9 aspect ratio make it more suited to video playback. 16:9 content will be displayed full-screen (no borders), and 2.35:1 content will feature small borders. The touchscreen is resistive, which tends to offer an inferior experience to capacitive, and does not provide multi-touch. However resistive touchscreens have wider operating conditions (in regards to temperature and humidity), and allow the use of a stylus if desired. The plastic overlay is softer and hence scratches easier than glass, but is more likely to survive a fall without cracking.

16:9 content on Archos 43 (top) and iPod Touch 4G.

2.35:1 content on Archos 43 (top) and iPod Touch 4G

Simulated image of 2.35:1 movie as displayed on both devices.

Winner - Draw

OS and Applications
The iPod Touch features iOS 4 and full access to the iTunes app library. No visible file-structure is accessible to users, content can only be transferred to the device using iTunes.

The Archos 43IT features Android 2.2, but is limited to using apps from the AppsLib. However, users can access the file-structure and transfer whatever they want to the device.

Winner - Draw

Web browsing:
Android 2.2 browser has proven faster on a Nexus One (1GHz) than iOS Safari on the iPhone 4G (same hardware as iPod Touch). Source. The Archos features full Flash 10.1 support. The iPod Touch does not.

Winner - Archos 43 Internet Tablet

Audio support:
The iPod Touch supports AAC, MP3, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV audio formats

The Archos 43IT supports MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM/ADPCM), AAC, OGG Vorbis, FLAC and AC3 audio formats.

Winner - Archos 43IT

Video support
The iPod Touch supports the following video codecs:

H264 (Main Profile @ L3.1) up to 720p 30fps.

M-JPEG

Container support is limited to just MP4, M4V and MOV

The Archos 43 Internet Tablet supports the following video codecs:

MPEG-2 (the video codec used on DVDs) up to 576p

MPEG-4 Part II (Xvid/DivX) up to 720p 30fps

H.264 (High Profile @ L3.1) up to 720p 30fps

WMV9/VC1 (Advanced Profile) up to 720p 30 fps

M-JPEG

Container support includes AVI, AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP
Videos can use any of the supported audio codecs.

Winner - Archos 43IT

Connectivity:
The iPod Touch features

802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
Bluetooth^® 2.1 + EDR
30-pin connector (proprietary)
3.5mm headphone jack

The Archos 43IT features:

WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
HDMI (mini) output
USB 2.0 (micro) port, including USB host functionality
MicroSD slot
3.5mm headphone jack

Winner - Archos 43IT

Battery Life:
iPod Touch

Audio 40hrs
Video 7hrs
Web ??

Archos 43IT

Audio 36hrs
Video 10hrs
Web 12hrs

Winner - Draw

Storage options:
The iPod touch is available in 8GB, 32GB and 64GB varieties. No expansion.

The Archos 43IT is available in just 8GB and 16GB versions. This is a major dissapointment, as Archos were one of the few remaining stalwarts of the high-capacity PMP. It does have a MicroSD slot for expansion, however in this section I am simply considering the available SKUs.

Winner - iPod Touch

Price
iPod Touch costs €229 for 8GB version

Archos 43 costs €199 for 16GB version.

Dimensions:
iPod Touch

111 x 59 x 7.2 mm - 4.4" x 2.3" x 0.28"
101 grams (3.56 ounces)

Archos 43IT

135 x 65 x 9 mm – 5.3” x 2.6” x 0.4”
130 grams – 4.6 oz

Archos generation 8 line-up

2010-08-31T04:29:00.000-07:00

Here is some info regarding the Archos 2010/2011 line-up. The models will be announced later today (6PM Paris time), and will be on display at the IFA in Berlin. Specifications, capacities and prices are provisional until confirmed by Archos.

Archos 28 - 2.8" screen 320x240, 4GB (€100) 8GB (€120)
Archos 32 - 3.2" screen 400x240, 8GB (€150)
Archos 43 - 4.3" screen WVGA. 720p video-camera. 8GB and 16GB (€200) models.
Archos 70 - 7" screen 854x480. 8GB flash model, 250GB HDD model (€300)
Archos 101 - 10.1" screen 1024x600, multi-touch, 12mm thin, 450g. 8GB (€300) and 16GB (€350) models. Mini-HDMI. Stereo speakers.

Archos are touting Flash 10.1 on some (all?) models. The A70 and A101 feature bluetooth for tethering to a 3G phone.

The A28, A32 and A43 are expected to be released in September. The A70 and A101 will go out in October.

Source : Archos Press Release (released early) via pcpop.com

Archos to announce new products on August 31st

2010-08-26T03:46:00.000-07:00

Archos will announce their latest Android-based tablets on August 31st, and will subsequently be displaying these devices at the IFA show in Berlin (3rd-8th Sep).

Expected are five new devices, ranging from 2.8" to 10" in screen size. Already leaked via the FCC website are the Archos 28 and 32 Minidroid. The three other models expected are the Archos 43 (4.3"), Archos 70 (7"), and the new flagship device, the Archos 101, a 10.1" tablet.

Archos 28 Minidroid outed by FCC

2010-08-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of last weeks Archos 32 Minidroid comes another device from Archos forthcoming 'Generation 8' line-up.

As the name suggests, it is a 2.8" media player running Google Android. The user manual and internal photos are available on the FCC website. Link

This author expects a 4.3" version called the Archos 43 (without the 'Vision' monicker of the current 4.3" device) to be unveiled soon also.

Western Digital Elements Play - media player with internal hard-drive

2010-08-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Western Digital has announced a new addition to its media-player lineup - the Elements Play. Unlike WD's previous media player offerings, the Elements Play features an internal 3.5" drive (1TB or 2TB versions available).

Outputs include HDMI, composite and a toslink port for digitial audio out. The device connects to your computer via USB (for transferring media) and features an additional USB-host port for expansion.

Supported formats are pretty much the same as the existing WD TV range, so it can play the most common media files up to 1080p, and the device also features DVD menu navigation.

Source: Western Digital

Western Digital dump support for WD TV (Gen 1)

2010-08-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

According to a post by Western Digital community manager Bill_S on the Western Digital support forums, firmware support for the WD TV has been halted.

This move comes despite the fact that the device has been on the market for less than two years, and still has a number of bugs and broken features.

Most notably, the device does not support MKV Header Compression. This is a method of compressing a Matroska file during the muxing process, and has been part of the Matroska specification for over six years.

The feature is enabled by default in recent builds of the industry-standard Matroska muxing utility MKVMerge and is likely to be used by most MKV content from this point onwards.

The only solution available to owners of the now-dumped WD TV is to remux their videos with header compression disabled. Most users simply won't have the know-how to do this - surely the point of a one-box-plays-it-all device is to AVOID the laborious conversion or remuxing of their media content.

Source: Western Digital

WDTV Live Plus

2010-06-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

Western Digital have announced an updated version of the WDTV Live HD media player. It retains the features of the WDTV Live, and adds Netflix support and DVD menu navigation.

DVD menu navigation will be added to the original WDTV Live via a firmware update (beta testers can try this feature using the prerelease firmware here ). Netflix will not be added to the older WDTV Live due to copy-protection requirements.

The original WDTV (v1) firmware has not been updated since November 2009.

Archos at Cebit 2010

2010-03-02T05:26:00.000-08:00

Archos have announced a lot of new players at Cebit this week, from large Android tablets to budget audio-only devices. Here's some of the highlights:
Archos 7 Home Tablet
This is a 7" wi-fi tablet running Google Android OS. Its running on the Rockchip RK2808, which is an updated Android-ready version of the RK2806. The screen is 800x480, which is an ideal res for the 7" size, and quite acceptable for small-screen web browsing.
The small 2GB and 8GB sizes give away the fact that Archos doesnt intend this to be a mobile powerhouse. You certainly won't be filling it up with your entire music collection and hundreds of movies. Instead, as the Home monicker suggests, it is intended to be an 'about the house' media player, always close to your media library, and with wi-fi, hopefully capable of streaming movies from your network storage. Prices are said to start at €149.

Archos 8 Home Tablet
This seems to be a cross between a digital photo frame and a wi-fi enabled mobile-internet-device. Its advertised uses include accessing online recipes, checking your social networking pages, viewing weather reports, and of course, displaying family photos. It seems like an interesting kitchen companion, perhaps a competitor for the Chumby device. It features an 8" display, and prices start at €149.

Archos Vision A43 Vision
This is a 4.3" video PMP. It has 8GB storage, is 10mm thin, and weighs 250g. It is intended to be a stripped-down and affordable video and music player.

To this writers eyes, it appears to be based on the RAmos T8 (RAmos is a popular PMP brand in China). If so, it's using the RK2706 chipset, and you can expect perfect AVI capability (Xvid/DivX) at standard-def, but not newer and more complex formats. It should also feature a composite/component video output.

Dell launches Inspiron 1564 and 1764 laptops with Core i5

2010-01-07T03:53:00.000-08:00

Inspiron 1564 Specs:
Up to Intel® CoreTM i5 processors

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Memory
Up to 4GB5 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM7
Chipset
Intel® HM55 Express chipset

Graphics
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD or 512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4330
LCD Display
15.6" High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLifeTM
Audio and Speakers
4-Watt (2 x 2W) High Definition Audio 2.0 Stereo Speakers with SRS Premium SoundTM
Hard Drives
Up to 500GB5 5400RPM hard drive

Optical Drives
Internal tray-load DVD+/-RW
Power
6 cell 48 WHr Li-Ion Battery
Camera
1.3MP Integrated Webcam with Integrated Microphone (standard)
Wireless
Wi-Fi Options:
Dell Wireless 1501 802.11b/g Half Mini Card (standard)

Bluetooth Options:
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Internal (2.1) mini-card (optional)
Ports, Slots, Chassis
Externally Accessible
(3) USB 2.0 compliant ports
Integrated network connector 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
VGA Port
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (1 line-out, 1 Mic-in)

Optional 7-in-1 Media Card Reader
Digital (SD) Memory Card
Hi-Capacity Secure Digital (SDHC)
Hi-Density Secure Digital (SDHD)
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick PRO (MS Pro)
xD Picture Card (xD)

Dimensions & Weight
Width: 14.96" (380mm)
Height: 0.79" (20.0mm) front / 1.29" (32.8mm) back
Depth: 9.76" (248.0mm)
Starting weight: Starting weight of 5.44 lbs2 (2.47 kg) (15.6" HD display, 6 cell battery).

Inspiron 1764 Specs:
Up to Intel® CoreTM i5 processors

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Memory
Up to 4GB3 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM6
Chipset
Intel® HM55 Express chipset

Graphics
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD or 512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4330
LCD Display
17.3" High Definition + (900p) WLED Display with TrueLifeTM
Audio and Speakers
4-Watt (2 x 2W) High Definition Audio 2.0 Stereo Speakers with SRS Premium SoundTM
Hard Drives
Up to 500GB3 5400RPM hard drive

Optical Drives
Internal tray-load DVD+/-RW
Power
6 cell 49 WHr Li-Ion Battery
Camera
1.3MP Integrated Webcam with Integrated Microphone (standard)
Wireless
Wi-Fi Options:
Dell Wireless 1501 802.11b/g Half Mini Card (standard)
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card (optional)

Bluetooth Options:
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Internal (2.1) mini-card (optional)
Ports, Slots, Chassis
Externally Accessible
(4) USB 2.0 compliant ports
Integrated network connector 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
VGA Port
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (1 line-out, 1 Mic-in)

Optional 7-in-1 Media Card Reader
Digital (SD) Memory Card
Hi-Capacity Secure Digital (SDHC)
Hi-Density Secure Digital (SDHD)
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick PRO (MS Pro)
xD Picture Card (xD)

Dimensions & Weight
Width: 16.54" (420.0mm)
Height: 0.81" (20.0mm) front / 1.31" (33.3mm) back
Depth: 10.87" (276.0mm)
Starting weight: Starting weight of 2.89 kg1 (17.3" HD display, 6 cell battery).

Source: Dell Ireland

Archos opens up hardware platform to developers

2009-11-28T03:36:00.000-08:00

Archos announced on Friday that it is opening up its Archos 5 and 7 (previous generation) PMPs to allow users/developers to run custom code on the devices. See the full press release below.

This initial firmware is aimed at developers only, (Archos strongly advises that only experts in embedded software development should install this firmware). It will invalidate your warranty, and also overwrite the DRM keys in the hard-drive, which will permanently prevent the device from playing DRM-protected content. It is possible to subsequently revert to a regular consumer firmware, however the DRM-keys can not be re-written to the device.

The firmware is available to download immediately on the Archos website: Link

Friday, November 27th
ARCHOS OPENS UP HARDWARE PLATFORM TO DEVELOPERS
Responding to the requests from the software developer community, ARCHOS has opened up its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablet hardware devices by releasing a special developer
edition firmware.

The firmware is available as a 'proof-of-concept' and does not contain the traditional ARCHOS multimedia software. It is thus by no means a commercial grade release. It is considered as a starting point for developers interested in building native applications and creating new usage models with the ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 hardware platforms.

The firmware provided is based on the Ångström distribution (http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/) generated from a customized open embedded build (http://wiki.openembedded.net/index.php/Main_Page). Having opened the door to developers, ARCHOS eagerly anticipates seeing its hardware platform used as a foundation for creating exciting new usage models and applications that the developer community brings.

Source: Archos.com

Ainol revamp website, launch avalanche of 1080p players

2009-11-23T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ainol today have launched a revamped website, and introduced seven new media players, the touchscreen V9000HD (A,B,G) and non-touch V8000HD (V,R,S,W) range.

The players all share the same new SoChip SC9800 platform, which promises smooth playback of H.264 and VC-1 video streams, at bitrates of up to 20Mb/s and resolutions up to 1920x1280 (not a typo). The on-paper list of supported containers and video/audio codecs (see below) is among the most impressive we have seen in any portable device.

Both the V9000HD (touchscreen) and V8000HD (non-touch) are available in a range of screen sizes and resolutions, ranging from 4.3" 480x272, up to 6" 800x480. All models feature HDMI-out, Component-out and Micro-SD expansion. No sizes or prices as yet, although this writer expects 8GB-16GB capacities and prices in the $150-200 range.

Source: www.ainol.com

Philips SA075 PMP unboxed, previewed

2009-10-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

The folks over at PCOnline have gotten hold of the new Philips SA075 HD-capable media player, and provided some shots and preliminary thoughts on the player.

It's a 4.3" touchscreen player, with integrated HDMI (no dock required). However, with just 4GB of memory in this particular model, you won't be storing many (or any!) HD movies on it. MicroSD expansion is thankfully included.

Video formats supported are AVI, FLV, MKV, and Chinese favourites RM/RMVB.

Source: PCOnline.com

Ramos announces new product line - Android W7, T11TE

2009-09-25T08:22:00.001-07:00

Today RAmos officially unveiled their much-rumoured (and photographed!) Mobile Internet Device, and several new/updated PMPs.

The wifi-capable and Google-Android based W7 is based on the Rockchip RK2808 chipset. It features a 4.8" 800x480 display. Currently the device does not have cellular capabilities, but RAmos hinted at the possibility of a 3G-capable device in the future.

The T11TE is the Telechips version of RAmos' existing T11RK (Rockchip). As with the W7, it uses a 4.8" 800x480 display. Capacity is currently unknown, but the device does feature a MicroSD slot, as well as USB OTG functionality. 1080p output over HDMI is featured, although it is unclear if this requires an external dock or is built-in to the player.

The Telechips TCC8900 that powers it is claimed to be capable of 1080p playback of AVC (H264/VC-1) at high (30Mbps+) bitrates. Of course, HD capability is pointless without format support, and the device thankfully supports the Matroska container (MKV) alongside the more common formats. Are you listening Microsoft?

Source: imp3.net

Cube H300HD - Review

2009-09-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

*NOTE* - Updated to reflect current firmware 0912

The Cube H300HD is an affordable no-frills video PMP from Chinese maker Cube.

Specifications:
-4.3" 480x272 LCD display
-8GB internal storage (MicroSD slot for expansion)
-TV Out (component/composite)
-Audio (MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, AC3)
-Video (AVI, MP4, MKV, RMVB, .vob)
-OTG functionality (USB host)
-Approx price €60 / $80

~~Firmware version tested: k0810.0813~~
Review updated: k0810.0912

Build Quality
The build quality of the player is mostly excellent. The outer casing is made from a high-quality magnesium alloy, it has a very solid feel to it, and the build tolerances and fit/finish are superb. The top and bottom of the device are plastic, but have a quality feel to them and don't detract from the device overall. The buttons on the top are perhaps the only let-down in terms of build quality; they are plastic rather than metal. However, they have a very positive feel and 'click' to them.

The aesthetic of the device is of course quite square and angular, but it comes across as stylish and minimalist rather than 'crude'. With the black trim around the screen, and the very precise build tolerances, the device could almost be an Apple product, it would not look out of place beside a Powerbook Pro.

Display
The resolution of the 4.3" display is just 480x272. This is disappointing, while it is an acceptable res for a smaller screen, it is a little low for a screen of this size, and viewing close up it is possible to see the individial pixels and gridlines. The viewing angle from below is extremely poor, as with many video PMPs coming out of China, and identifies the display as a cheap TN panel. Even from a very slight viewing angle, such as 15-20° off perpendicular, the image darkens considerably and is basically unwatchable. The viewing angles from above, and side-to-side are however perfectly normal and acceptable.

Those are the only two criticisms I have of the display. From head-on, the brightness is superb, as are the black levels, and in addition, it is a very vibrant display, with nice colours and a very pleasing image quality. There are 6 brightness levels available, with the brightest claimed to be 500nits. That is definitely an exaggeration, but there is certainly no problems with the brightness of the display and it is very viewable in bright surroundings. There are no problems with motion either, watching fast moving action clips does not produce any discernible ghosting or blurring.

Interface
The GUI is quite basic but perfectly functional. The main menu simply displays seven icons - Music, Video, Photo, Recording, Ebook, File Browser, Settings.

On the top of the device, a left/right rocker switch moves the 'cursor', and another Esc/OK rocker switch selects the options that are highlighted or goes back to the previous menu. The menus are animated, and zip in from the left or right. It is pretty simply to get the hang of, and GUI performance is very snappy and responsive.

Language selection in the GUI is limited to Chinese and English. The background can be customised with any photo from your album.

Video
The player supports AVI, MKV, MP4 and RMVB video containers. RMVB is the most popular format in China, however it is not a format that I use so I have not tested it. I should not that the demo clip on the player was a 1280x720 RMVB clip, with average bitrate of 10,000kbps and peak bitrate of 16,000kbps. It played flawlessly, quite impressive.

AVI support is not satisfactory. I tested a number of standard 'scene' movies and TV Episodes (ie Xvid video/MP3 audio) at standard definitions and they initially played fine, but some quit unexpectedly several minutes before the end. Restarting them and attempting to FFW to the 'quit' point just resulted in another premature quit. It seems the player thinks the clips are shorter than the actually are (perhaps an issue with framerate or how the device calculates movie length?)

When they were working, playback quality was excellent. AVI files with AC3 audio also played fine. The max resolution you should expect with Xvid playback is probably about 960x540 (pixel width). I will test its capability fully at a later date, but for certain 1280x720 was not possible. Realistically, most people use the Xvid codec (and avi container) only for SD content (up to 720x) so the capabilities of the player are perfectly satisfactory.

The 'resume' fuction is hit and miss for AVI files. It works for some and not others (choosing to resume a previously stopped clip just starts it from the beginning). Currently I have not determined the reason why some do not resume properly. Hopefully this is something that can be fixed with a firmware update.

MP4 support: Most people use the MP4 container for low-complexity iPod compatible videos (baseline H264, AAC audio). I tested a number of standard-def MP4 videos (eg 720x304) encoded using these typical settings, and all played perfectly smoothly and looked fantastic. The resume function works perfectly for MP4 videos. As with AVI playback, the player is best suited to standard-def playback. This is the ideal format to use for the player, as it works beautifully with no issues.

MKV support. Below is a chart of some MKV files tested on the player, containing high-profile x264 encoded video.

We can conclude that x264 playback is satisfactory for SD resolutions and low nominal bitrates. All clips tested used genuine high-profile H264 settings settings (including CABAC entropy encoding) so the capabilities of the player appear to be far ahead of more expensive devices such as the iPod Touch or ZuneHD, which only support Baseline H264.

In real world tests, I found the H264 capabilities of the Cube H300HD to be far higher than the RAmos T12 for standard-def clips. My own personal DVD encodes using high-profile settings, full PAL anamorphic resolution and constant quality encoding (RF about 20) played mostly flawlessly on the CubeH300HD, whereas they would struggle and stutter on the RAmos T12.

Support for anamorphic aspect ratios is hit-and-miss; some display correctly and some don't. Understanding the playback aspect ratio of MKV videos is something the developers still need to work on.

The player does support embedded subs in matroska files, to a degree; however it does not have any option to allow subtitles to be turned off, or toggled between. This is a major problem if a MKV contains embedded subs in your own native language. Also, the player did not recognise some of the character encoding used in SRT subtitles, such as the tag used to display text in italics.

6-channel AAC is supported, but the downmixing matrix isn't correct. The centre channel is being sent entirely to the left earphone instead of 50/50 right and left.

DVD file support (ie .vob files in video_ts/ audio_ts folders) is not acceptable. The video played perfectly smoothly at the beginning, and the zoom options were smart enough to allow the anamorphic frame to be displayed at the correct aspect ratio. However, the player did not recognize the entire folder of .vob files as one single movie, instead playing each one separately. This is not a major issue, as the playback mode can be set to immediately play the next video after the current one is finished. Unfortunately, the audio fell out of sync towards the middle of the movie, and when it came to the final .vob file, it simply didn't have any audio at all. The player then quit before the end of the final .vob file. It appears the capability is in the player, but it is let down by buggy software - hopefully this can be fixed with a future firmware update.

Music
The music player is very basic, as with most Chinese PMPs. Navigating through your music is done using basic menus, which means operation is simple, but also slow/dull. MP3 and AAC work fine, WMA is currently untested. Playback of FLAC files does not seem supported - the device recognises them as music, but does not play them. I transferred some music files to the device using Windows Media Player, but album art was not displayed upon playback.
There are a number of preset EQ options, but no user-customiseable EQ. Sound quality is decidedly average, nothing praiseworthy, but better than most devices in this price-range. The maximum volume available from the player is immense, almost ear-splitting (no pussy EU limitations here!). Driving quality open-ear headphones should not be a problem.

Ebook
The player sports a basic Ebook function. Unfortunately, it doesnt support PDF, which would have made it a worthwhile function. As it is, it only supports .txt files, and the English-language character set seems to be missing quite a few characters (Asian characters show up instead of some letters), making the Ebook function currently useless (for a Western buyer).

Battery Life
The battery life of the player is excellent. I have watched 3 and sometimes 4 full-length movies on the device between charges.

USB connectivity
The speed of the device when connected via USB is very impressive. I saw write speeds as high as 20Mb/s when copying movies to the device. However, the USB connection is also quite unreliable. Many times the device disconnected mid-way through a transfer, and frequently Windows suggsted error-checking on the drive. More than once, when connected, it was recognised as a slow-speed USB device rather than high-speed USB 2.0

Accessories

The player is bundled with basic earphones, a USB cable, a selection of video/audio output cables, and a slim IR remote.

Conclusion
For the money, this is a very good video PMP. The playback of standard-def MP4 files is excellent, that is the format I would recommend the player most for.

AVI support was mostly good but let down by some playback bugs (will be updated if a firmware fixes this).

It is very encouraging to see support of the MKV container, and many of my MKV videos ripped from DVDs using high-profile settings were perfectly playable. It will however take a leap in processing power before higher resolution videos (and higher bitrates) are smoothly playable.

Aside from the poor viewing angle from below, the actual video quality is excellent, very smooth, no noticeable artifacting, and with a good range of resize options.

8.0/10 - The Best Chinese Video PMP I have tested. Highly recommended

CUBE H300HD - Unboxing

2009-09-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Ramos T12 - Review

2009-09-02T06:14:00.001-07:00

The RAmos T12 is a 5" video-PMP from Chinese maker Mu-Mu/RAmos.

Manufacturers specifications
-8GB interal memory (expandable via MicroSD)
-5" 800x480 LCD, 16 million colours
-Rockchip RK2806 processor
-Wolfson WM8988 audio processor

-Audio support : MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, OGG, FLAC, APE, DTS, AC3
-Video support : AVI/RM/RMVB/MKV
-Image support : JPEG, BMP, GIF, GIF animation

Build Quality
The device is made of a good quality, gunmetal-grey plastic. It a little heavier than you'd expect, and certainly doesnt have the 'flimsy' feel that a lot of Chinese PMPs have. Overall the impression is very nice.

Accessories
The player is bundled with a USB cable (for charging and transferring), a component/compsosite video cable, and an audio cable (3.5mm -> stereo jacks). A very basic pair of headphones is included. Unfortunately the USB cable supplied was faulty straight out of the box.

Display
The T12 has a generous 5" 800x480 display. It's bright, clear, and very sharp. Unfortunately viewing angles from below are very poor, which seems to be a trend with these Chinese players (poor TN panels). But from head-on the display is very nice, and the viewing angles from above and the sides are quite normal and acceptable.

One major drawback of the display is that the clear plastic overlay is not 100% transparent - it seems to have a flaw or impurity that gives the viewer and impression of graininess or coloured speckles when viewing the LCD beneath. For me it is a significant negative point that massively affects the overal 'quality' of the display.

The screen has five brightness settings, the highest of which is very bright, and very useable in daylight settings. Black levels and contrast on the display are very good also, although not to the same high standards as the Archos 5.

User interface
The UI is navigated using a scroll wheel on the side, and simple enter/back buttons. Its quite a basic interface, functional but a little fiddly. Occasionally the scroll-wheel didn't do what I asked of it, going up through a menu instead of down, or simply not responding at all. Also, the layout of the options leaves a lot to be desired - for example, the screen brightness can only be accessed from the 'settings' menu, and not from within the video plaback menu.

Music
The T12 is equipped with an audio processor from Wolfson, a British firm that has also supplied chips for Apple iPods, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox amongst others. The sound quality is actually superb, and the player features several preset EQs and a fully customiseable user EQ. The formats supported leave nothing to be desired either, MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV, WMA, APE.... pretty much every popular format is covered.

The actual Music interface is very basic, certainly not as fancy as the coverflow-type UIs common in use today. But to be honest I did not buy the device for playing music (I prefer a much smaller PMP for dedicated music playback) so its not an issue for me.

The device has a built in speaker, but it is basically inaudible. It is so quiet, even at max volume level, that I don't know why they even bothered. But the volume available through headphones is excellent.

Photo
The photo-viewer is basic but functional. It supports JPEGs, BMPs and GIFs, and allows for the standard rotate/zoom abilities that you would expect.

Video
The player supports avi, mkv, rmvb and rm video formats. *Update - MP4 container support has been added. RM/RMVB is the prodominant video format used in China, so its inclusion here is no surprise. However, I dont have any videos in those formats (besides the samples included with the player) so can't comment on their playback.

AVI support is perfect. The player had no problems playing typical 640x or 720x videos encoded using the Xvid codec and MP3 audio. It claims to support avis all the way up to 1280x720, although the efficiency of those codecs doesnt lend itself well to such high resolutions, so I didn't bother testing. Unfortunately, the scaling technique used by the player (to scale a 640-wide video up to the 800-wide display) is very poor and results in lots of pixellation and 'jaggies'. The hardware should have more than enough grunt to use high-quality scaling/interpolation techniques, so this discovery was very disappointing.

H.264 performance is touched upon in more detail a separate blog. Suffice to say, while the player claims to support H.264 (High-Profile) at 720p, in reality, you are not going to be able to drag across a high-bitrate 720p scene rip and expect it to play flawlessly. The RK2806 simply does not have the power for typical 720p H.264 content (usually 4000kbps-8000kbps).

H.264 resolutions of 480p or 576p fare better, although it depends entirely on the exact encoding settings used (b-frames, ref-frames, deblocking) and bitrate, so you may find it hit-and-miss if you attempt to play .mkv videos from your collection. A major problem with MKV playback is that the player does not properly support 'anamorphic' aspect ratios (where the movie is encoded in one aspect, but flagged to playback at a different aspect). It simply displays the video frame in the encoded aspect ratio.

Another major problem is that the device does not appear to support the weightp=2 setting which was recently added to the x264 encoding library. Massive frame corruption can be seen when videos are encoded with this command. RAmos are not alone in this case, many other devices and even software implementations (eg CoreAVC) have also had this problem - however it remains to be seen whether RAmos will fix it in a future firmware update.

It is this reviewers belief that a player should be able to handle any and all examples of a video format before getting my thumbs up, so unfortunately this player cannot be recommended for those looking to play H.264 content. It is simply too hit-and-miss.

However, merely supporting the matroska container is an achievement in itself, and Ramos should be applauded for the attempt. Embedded subs and multiple audio tracks both work well (to a degree - I could not turn embedded subs 'off'' in my mkv videos). AAC audio works beautifully, including high-bitrate 6-channel streams. DTS support is claimed as well, but this is something I havent tested yet.

A major oversight is that the video player does not have a 'resume' function. If you navigate out of the video menu (to adjust the screen brightness for example), your position in the movie is lost. There is indeed a resume option in the audio player, so why this facility was left out of the video function is baffling.
*See Update

Another disappointment is that when watching most movies, a faint hissing/static noise can be heard in the background, most apparently during silent scenes. This may be due to the processing algorithms themselves, or may be a hardware problem (perhaps some part of the amplification circuit is poorly shielded and is picking up interference). Regardless of the cause, it is definitely there, and it takes away from what is otherwise excellent audio performance.

It should be noted that the MP4/M4V containers are not supported. This is kind of disappointing, seeing as how the player already supports the H264 and AAC codecs perfectly. It would be nice if this feature could be added, to allow playback of movies that people have already encoded for playback on their iPod or PSP.
*See Update

Video output
The player is bundled with video output functionality straight out of the box, which makes a very nice change to the current practice of rip-off merchants like Archos (who charge large amounts for proprietary docks/cables). The cable included is a hybrid component/composite cable, and the output setting in the menu allows the user to switch between composite PAL/composite NTSC or YcBcR 480p/576p/720p. Unfortunately I could only test the composite output, which worked perfectly. The player has a small/medium/big frame option, to vary the frame size and account for overscan on some older TVs.

Battery Life
I was able to play 3 normal-length movies before the battery died, so I would estimate the battery life to be approx 5-6 hrs with the screen on medium brightness. I should note that my tests were done using regular SD avi's - playback of 720p content or high-profile H264 is extremely taxing on the device, and battery life will reduce accordingly. Charging the device takes quite a long time via USB (perhaps 8hrs?), due to the low current that the USB standard supports, but this is something I have become accustomed to over the years. Also, when connected to a computer via USB, the screen never turns off, which definitely has a major impact on charging time. This doesnt happen when connected to a USB wall-charger (not included).

Transfer Speed
Transferring large videos to the device is quite slow - the max write speed to the internal flash that I saw was ~3.5MB/s. The read/write speeds to the MicroSD depend of course on the class of card used.

Conclusion
The T12, with 8GB of storage cost me approx €85 including shipping from China. For the money, it is an excellent budget PMP player. Very praise worthy is the high-functionality of the device straight out of the box - I have previously owned some Archos players and been extremely annoyed at the amount of extras and €20 'plugins' you are expected to buy to unlock the full potential of the device. For well under €100 this device has a large, high-res screen, natively supports a plethora of video and audio formats, has TV connectivity and excellent build quality. That is value that simply can't be denied for those looking for a large-screen PMP.

It does not compare with the overall build quality and user-interface of devices such as the iPod Touch or Archos 5. The screen is a bit of a let down also, primarily the grainy plastic overlay and poor viewing angle from below, however it is not a deal-breaker, and I understand that corners must be cut to bring the device at such a low price-point.

Ramos should be applauded for their first steps towards MKV support, although realistically this device is still better suited to playback of AVI videos. It will take an increase in processing power before they can confidently claim full and smooth support of H.264 videos up to 720p. This reviewer expects that players using the next generation of playback chips will comfortably support 720p H.264 at typical bitrates (4000-8000kbps).

Update - 3/12/09

I have re-tested the device with the latest pre-release firmware 2.4.6, which fixes a number of issues. Here are my conclusions:

-MP4 support has been implemented. This is a welcome move. However, I have found that some MP4 videos displayed with incorrect aspect ratio when the 'expand to screen width' option is used.

-Video resume function has been added. This feature works perfectly and is a welcome addition.

-Audio Stutter bug (when using custom background) has been fixed.

Archos Internet Media Tablets outed by B&H webstore

2009-09-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some catalogue shots of the new Archos Internet Media Tablets, to be fully unveiled on September 15th alongside the Archos Android announcement. As previously revealed by Archos' submission to the FCC, there are two model lines, the slim A5S (solid-state) and the thicker A5H (hard-drive). As this premature listing on B&H Photo/Video now shows, the S model will be available in 16GB ($293.95) and 32GB ($369.95) varieties initially. The A5H will be available in a 160GB version ($319.95), and also a whopping 500GB capacity ($419.95). The pictures also give an idea of the interface that the device will use, and some of the functionality. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the 'HD' label on some of the videos displayed on the device.
Source: B&H Photo Video, via ArchosFans.com

Rockchip Android Tablet

2009-08-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

You may have seen stories of a mysterious Android MID that has been creating quite a stir lately amongst the gadget-blogging community, with all kinds of crazy rumours and suggestions regarding its origins. It was finally revealed to be a proof-of-concept/development prototype by Chinese chipset maker Rockchip, and features the Rockchip RK2808 processor and a 4.8" 800x480 display. imp3.net have got their hands on the device for a closer look. Hit up the link for more details, or just enjoy the pics below: Read: Android MID prototype hands-on (note - Chinese language site) Source: imp3.net

WD TV Mini Media Player

2009-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of Western Digitals TV-2 media player comes the less exciting (but more affordable) TV Mini Media player. A stripped down standard-def media player, it supports playback of typical SD content (for example Xvid in an avi container) but unfortunately lacks the HD abilities of its bigger brothers. Composite and component video outputs only (no HDMI). It is expected to have a street price of approximately $90 (US). WD TV Mini Media Player Features DVD-quality playback Play media from your USB drive Collect without limits Real Media playback Ideal for Hassle-free playback of DVD-quality movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your big screen TV. Playing video at home, at a friend’s house, or while you’re traveling. Playing movies in Real Media (RMVB) format. Kit Contents HD Media Player Compact remote with batteries Composite AV cable Component AV cable AC adapter Quick Install Guide Compatibility AAC, MP3, JPEG, USB 2.0, Energy Star, Real Media Media Formats AVI (Xvid, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, VOB, MP4/MOV (MPEG4), RM or RMVB 8/9/10 JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, PNG MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, OGG, Real Audio, APE Playlist – PLS, M3U, WPL Subtitle – SRT, SSA, SUB, SMI - RMVB supports up to 1024x576x24 or 800x600x30 compressed video resolution - MPEG1/2/4 supports up to D1 resolution (720x480 in NTSC, 720x576 in PAL) - MPEG2 ML/MP conforming to ISO-13818 - MPEG1 ML/MP conforming to ISO-11172 - A audio receiver is required for multi-channel surround sound via digital optical output. For details, please refer to the user manual. Product Dimensions Height 21x91x91 mm (HxWxD) Weight 113g Source: AVS Forum

WD TV Live Media Player

2009-08-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the new Western Digital TV Live, the upgrade from the existing WD TV media player. The major updates include DTS decoding (the original WD TV only allows passthrough of DTS audio) and an ethernet port for streaming from network drives. A component output has been added, which should improve picture quality for those using compatible SD displays. WD TV-Live Media Player -Play Full HD 1080p video, music and photos on your HD TV -Supports widest variety of file formats and devices -Network capable for easy access to the newest content from PCs, network drives, internet favorites Kit Contents -Media Player -Compact remote with batteries -Composite AV cable -Component AV cable -AC adapter -Quick Install Guide Compatibility HDMI, Full HD (1080p), AAC, MP3, JPEG, USB 2.0, H.264, SimplayHD™, Energy Star®, Dolby Digital, DTS, DLNA, Bonjour, AVCHD, Windows Vista Media Formats AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), TS/TP/M2T (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1) MP4/MOV (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9 JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, PNG MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, AIF/AIFF, OGG, Dolby Digital, DTS Playlist – PLS, M3U, WPL Subtitle – SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB, SMI MPEG2 MP@HL up to 1920x1080p24, 1920x1080i30, or 1280x720p60 resolution. MPEG4.2 ASP@L5 up to 1280x720p30 resolution and no support for global motion compensation. WMV9/VC-1 MP@HL up to 1280x720p60 or 1920x1080p24 resolution. VC-1 AP@L3 up to 1920x1080i30, 1920x1080p24, or 1280x720p60 resolution. H.264 BP@L3 up to 720x480p30 or 720x576p25 resolution. H.264 MP@4.1 and HP@4.1 up to 1920x1080p24, 1920x1080i30, or 1280x720p60 resolution. An audio receiver is required for multi-channel surround sound digital output. Compressed RGB JPEG formats only and progressive JPEG up to 2048x2048. Single layer TIFF files only. Uncompressed BMP only. Specific details, please refer to the user manual Source: AVS Forum