Sony has announced four new high-end AV receivers. All of them are capable of 1080p24 output, and in some cases can upscale standard-definition video to that maximum resolution, so long as owners connect to a similarly-equipped TV with HDMI input. The best of the receivers are the STR-DG820 and DG920, which can produce 110W for each of their 7.1 channels of audio; supported sound codecs include Dolby TrueHD and Digital Plus, as well as DTS-HD High Resolution and Master Audio.

The 920, specifically, is capable of the Deep Color output associated with HDMI 1.3, and has an onboard upscaling chip. It also uses a separate icon-based menu system for control and configuration. The 920 will be ready in June for $600, while the 820 is expected in May for $400.

The 7.1-channel DG720 outputs 105W for each speaker, but scales back to three HDMI inputs. The DG520, meanwhile, is only a 5.1-channel system, and likewise has just two HDMI inputs. Both receivers will be ready in March, with the 720 costing $300 and the 520 $200.

Toshiba announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.

HD DVD was developed to offer consumers access at an affordable price to high-quality, high definition content and prepare them for the digital convergence of tomorrow where the fusion of consumer electronics and IT will continue to progress.Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe.

Toshiba has introduced several new external hard drives, in a bid to upgrade both capacities and appearance. All the drives now have a smaller footprint, and in some cases the option of three different wave-like color patterns: red, gray and green. Currently out is a new 2.5-inch drive, boosting the capacity of the series to 320GB. 160 and 250GB versions remain available; the 320GB model is $200.

The company is also debuting completely new 1.8-inch drives, sized at 60, 80 and 120GB. These will be ready in the spring at unannounced prices, though it is known that they will come with backup and encryption software

Philips and Swarovski were showing off at CES this week some new colors to their Active Crystals line up of consumer electronics accessories. You’ll find some headphones retailing for around $100 and some USB memory keys at about $180. These products are supposed to be out next month.

The new Philips and Swarovski Active Crystals Color range includes the dazzling USB Heart Ware Crystal Vitrail Light memory keys, the vibrant Space Violet in-ear headphones, the USB Lock Out Jet Hematite memory keys and the Space Jet Hematite in-ear headphones. The beautiful soft tones of the eye-catching crystals add a new dimension to these sensational and practical accessories.

The new USB Lock Out Jet Hematite memory keys and Space Jet Hematite headphones raise the bar for contemporary fashion technology design. The USB Lock Out Jet Hematite adds a new aura of light to your professional wardrobe and delivers an understated elegance to the boardroom.

The new USB Lock Out Jet Hematite memory keys provide practicality and flexibility enveloped in luxurious and stylish design. Simply press on the side of the cylinder to release the key from its case, with capacity for 1000 songs and 250 photographs. For added security, the key also features password protection software ensuring files are safe.

A perfect accompaniment to the USB Lock Out Jet Hematite are the new Space Jet Hematite in-ear headphones, which provide a high fashion alternative to dreary traditional offerings adding a little sparkle to your work day routine. The headsets feature eye-catching jet hematite crystals to add a level of sleek style to the audio device.

Retailing for US $99 for headphones and US $179 for USB memory keys, the new Philips and Swarovski Active Crystals Color range will be commercially available in selected consumer electronics and department stores as of February 2008.

Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD) announced it will introduce a mobile personal storage line based on its market-leading 1.8-inch HDD, along with the industry’s highest-capacity portable external hard drive based on the 2.5-inch HDD platform at 320GB.

Toshiba’s new USB 2.0 Mobile External Hard Drive based on the 1.8-inch HDD platform will be available in 60GB, 80GB and 120GB models for unparalleled capacity in a pocket-sized mobile storage device. This new line of personal storage devices combines the portability of a USB flash drive with the high capacity of a hard drive for the ultimate mobile digital warehouse for entertainment and data files.The new 1.8-inch external HDD can be easily slipped into a briefcase, purse or backpack for easy transport of digital photos, music, videos or other data files. Because the 1.8-inch HDD is designed for mobility, Toshiba plans to include encryption and backup software with its 1.8-inch line to protect data should the HDD ever be lost or stolen. The product also will include a USB cable and will be bus-powered for easy plug-and-play operation.

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Panasonic just launched in Japan 2 video recorder the DMR-XP12 (250GB, DVD DL/RAM) and the DMR-XP22V (250GB, DVD DL/RAM, VHS), which have both a Digital and Analogue TV tuner, 1 HDMI output with Up-scale and support both the MPEG-4 AVC encoding for video recording.Via akihabaranews.com