Olevia HD Media Player

The Olevia HD Media Player, also known as the ZP-500. What’s so special about this, you ask? Well, this media player is able to decode, playback and output full HD video (1080p, baby!) via its HDMI 1.3 interface. Supported codecs include MKV, HD MPEG2, HD VC-1, HD AVC/H.264 movie and RMVB HD, while you can also transport stream from a USB flash drive or hard drive to your new HDTV. Heck, it even comes with built-in network connectivity, allowing you to go through all your files from a PC. screen. The Network function allows you to browse the video file in your PC, NAS which is in your room and play it on TV in the living room.

New Sony VRD-MC6 DVDirect DVD recorder

A new DVD recorder in the form of the VRD-MC6 - the next generation multi-function DVDirect DVD recorder which is touted to transfer both high-definition and standard-definition home videos and digital photos to DVD discs without the need for a computer acting as a middleman. What makes the new VRD-MC6 model so special? While we’re going to look at it in further detail right after the jump, let me share with you an open secret - the device comes with a 2.7″ color LCD display that is handy for previewing video files, and you can also use it to check out up to half a dozen digital photos simultaneously. In addition, the wonders of modern technology and miniaturization has made it nearly 60% smaller compared to its predecessor.

According to Shige Nakayama, manager of the DVDirect business at Sony, “Many customers still have their old home movies on tapes and are looking for an easy solution to archive their personal digital imaging content on DVD discs. With the larger built-in LCD color screen in a smaller body, the new DVDirect model makes it easier for customers to transfer the content to DVD discs for archiving, enjoying and sharing with family and friends.” The VRD-MC6 is able to transfer AVCHD quality videos to DVD discs in their native 1080i HD resolution when hooked directly to a Sony hard drive or Memory Stick media-based Handycam camcorder - surely you didn’t expect anything less than that from Sony! AVCHD quality DVDs can also be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc devices, and these will include other players, computer optical drives and PS3 consoles.

Pioner Elite A/V Receivers add new dimension in home entertainment

Pioneer’s back into its groove not with another GPS navigation system for vehicles or DVD/Blu-ray player, but this time round they aim to raise the bar (and seem to have done so successfully by the time you reach the end of the post) with their new range of high powered A/V receivers, where the quartet of these are targeted to enhance clarity, detail and dynamic “quick response” from uncompressed Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks that can be found in Blu-ray Disc entertainment. For instance, the all-new Pioneer Elite SC-25 and SC-27 A/V Receivers do feature a Direct Energy HD Class D amplifier that boasts ICEPower technology to ensure unprecedented reproduction of high resolution multi-channel, stereo as well as compressed audio and provide premium home entertainment that would even fool some into thinking that they’re at a movie theater. As for the Elite SC-27, this model will leverage the full advantages of this emerging amplification technology, as it holds the position of being the industry’s first Class D amp design to achieve THX Ultra Plus and AIR Studio monitor certifications.

Entertainment purists will definitely be more pleased than punch to find out that the SC-25 and SC-27 utilize Burr-Brown analog to digital converters (ADC) and renowned Wolfson digital to analog converters (DAC), working in tandem to maintain high resolution performance throughout the entire digital signal processing chain from input to output. DAC performance is further brought to another level with the SC-27 as it boasts a professional-grade Burr-Brown 192kHz / 24-Bit sampling rate converter (SRC) for ultra-wide dynamic range and advanced jitter reduction. Guess all of your recently purchased Michael Jackson records are going to sound even better on this, just make sure you have a well defined room to maximize the effect of the audio output.

The other two models would be the Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH and VSX-23TXH that are lower end and yet pack a punch with its Direct Energy Class A/B amplification, integrated video signal conversion, 1080p video scaling and an abundance of connectivity solutions for current and new high definition as well as standard definition entertainment sources. The Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH and VSX-23TXH will begin shipping sometime from this month onwards for $700 and $900, respectively, while the Pioneer Elite SC-25TXH and SC-27 will ship out next month for $1,700 and $2,000, respectively.

The Scosche tapStick iPod Shuffle Case

The Scosche tapStick case comes with a 3 foot long aux cable. When you plug in your iPod, it leaves an opening to plug that cable in and then you can plug it into your radio. These aren’t out just yet though, so you’ll have to tough things out a little longer. You can pre-order them now though and they will be shipped out as of the first week of July. To pre-order the tapStick it’ll cost you $29.99, which isn’t too bad of a price as far as iPod accessories go.