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Sony hands out free 46" HDTVs to the first 100 customers in London
Eager London gamers that waited in line to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 this morning got way more than they may have bargained for before camping out. Sony, obviously in a generous mood, gave the first 100 customers to purchase a £425 ($834 USD) PS3 a free 46" HDTV and a free taxi ride home. In all, Sony gave away over £250,000 ($490,450 USD) in HDTVs to accompany the PS3 launch. The free taxi ride was most likely a nod to the fact that many customers who showed up to purchase a PS3 might not have exactly had enough room to transport a 46" HDTV back to their homes. "I feel fantastic. I'm delighted that everyone here also gets a television," said 17-year-old Ritatsu Thomas who was the first buyer in line. The PS3 has gotten off to a somewhat slow start in the United States and has been consistently outsold by both the Wii and Xbox 360 since its November launch.
New Sharp products for 2007
It was a shame the TVs we'd trudged half way across London to see weren't actually on view (hence this boring press photo). Nevertheless, Sharp's new 1080p sets looked promising from the presentation, with two ranges that'll eventually supersede the existing XD1 line-up. First is the two-strong XL1 series, available in 46in and 52in sizes (LC-46/52XL1E). They're pretty much the same as the old XD1 range, save for a new design and 100Hz technology for better motion reproduction. As well as 1920x1080p panel resolutions, the XL1 sets come with 4ms response time, 2,000:1 contrast ratio and two HDMI ports. Both are due for launch in July. The HD1 series also comprises 46in and 52in models (LC-46/52HD1E) both of which sport 1080p Full HD panels, a built in Freeview plus an HDTV tuner for future Hi-Def Freeview broadcasts (whenever that may be).
TV best bets: Friday, March 23
BRING IT ON A big "Rah!" to this spirited 2000 comedy set in the world of competitive cheerleading. Kirsten Dunst does some image breaking as Torrance, the new captain of one of the teams. While trying to prove herself worthy of being a leader, she must clear herself of allegedly stealing the routines of a rival squad led by a former teammate (Gabrielle Union). (CC) (2 hrs.) (7 p.m. FAM) A TIME TO KILL Matthew McConaughey gives a star-making performance in this intense courtroom drama as a lawyer whose defense of a black man in a racially sensitive case enrages the local Ku Klux Klan. Solid acting from Samuel L. Jackson and Sandra Bullock in supporting roles rounds out this absorbing 1996 film from director Joel Schumacher. (CC/HDTV) (3 hrs.) (7 p.m. TNT) ACCEPTABLE TV Actor Jack Black is executive producer of this new series, which showcases short clips from proposed new television shows, some produced in-house, others by regular folks who upload their work to the companion Web site.
[EHX] Demo Alley 303A: Niveus Media
The Spring '07 Electronic House Expo (March 8-10, Orlando, Fla.) will feature the return of Demo Alley, where attendees can vote for the best demos from some of the industry's top manufacturers. CEPro.com has asked Demo Alley participants to share their demo plans to give you a sneak preview of what each room will be showing. The following was provided by Niveus Media. Niveus Media, Inc., an award-winning manufacturer of digital entertainment solutions for the connected home, has launched its full line of 2007 media servers that are now shipping. Niveus' Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate-based media servers with exclusive features such as HD DVD, Intel Viiv technology and CableCARD, will be delivering the ultimate high-fidelity audio and video experience on a media center at EHX Spring.
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