Posted Thu Jun 8, 2017 at 10:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
We've compiled the latest gear news, including new projector screens and monitors.
From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed.
For this edition, we're covering new XL projector screens from Screen Innovations, new monitors from BenQ, the Canadian launch of VIZIO's 2017 P-Series Ultra HD display collection, and a browser support update for DirecTV Now.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news:
Screen Innovations has announced the launch of its latest projector screens. The lineup includes new XL sizes for its Black Diamond, Slate, and Solar projector screens geared toward the residential and commercial markets.
"Even though we continue to push screen technology further with innovations like our new XL line of screen materials and our totally unique Zero-G screen," said Blake Vackar, VP of Commercial Sales, "our biggest innovation is still in how we do business. Innovative, simple, fun. That’s our motto." Vackar continued, "We have been in our customers' shoes and we understand the importance of answering the phone immediately or getting a drawing out in minutes—not days. Come and see what makes Screen Innovations Innovative, Simple, and Fun."
The new Black Diamond XL screen utilizes microscopic stacked optical layers to offer ambient light rejecting properties. Previously, Black Diamond screens were limited to 60-inches in height, but the Black Diamond XL increases the maximum height to 76-inches tall, providing support for a seamless, 150-inch diagonal 16:9 optical screen. Meanwhile, SI has announced a new Slate XL variation as well, expanding the original 106-inch height limitation to a new maximum material height of 189-inches by 2900-inches wide, enabling the creation of a 371-inch diagonal ALR screen in 16:9 without a seam. Finally, the company's Solar White and Gray screen materials are also getting an XL size with a maximum material height of 189-inches by 2900-inches wide.
The Screen Innovations Black Diamond XL is set to start shipping in August 2017, while the Slate XL and Solar White and Gray will start ship in September 2017.
Source: Screen Innovations
BenQ has announced its new G80 Series of monitors. The lineup includes the GW2480, GL2580H, GL2580HM, and GW2780, offering sizes ranging from 24-inches to 27-inches.
"The G80 Series monitors embody the latest in BenQ design sensibility," said Conway Lee, President of BenQ Corporation. "Their beautifully graceful forms seamlessly integrate natural functionality to promote utter simplicity in daily life and work."
The monitors feature LED LCD screens with Full HD 1080p resolution, edge to edge ultra slim bezels just 6.6 mm thin, and a new minimalist design finished with a premium texture. In addition, the series offers a choice between IPS panel technology with a 178˚ H/V wide viewing angle or TN panel technology for a fast 2ms response time. Likewise, the displays include BenQ-exclusive Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technologies to reduce eye fatigue. The GW2480 and GW2780 models also offer class-leading Brightness Intelligence Technology for active brightness adjustments according to on-screen content and ambient light conditions. Finally, the monitors feature an invisible cable management system neatly hidden in each stand to help organize cable clutter.
BenQ's GW2480, GL2580H, GL2580HM, and GW2780 G80 Series monitors are set to start shipping in Asia and Europe in June. Pricing and potential US availability have not been announced yet.
Source: BenQ
Following the lineup's US launch, VIZIO has announced the release of its 2017 SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display collection in Canada. Prices start at $1,799 (CAN) for the 55" model and units are now available online and in-store through Costco Canada.
"With the P-Series, VIZIO's picture quality expertise really comes to life in the living room," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "We've combined XLED Pro, our most powerful full-array local dimming backlight, with a range of other premium technologies to push the boundaries of High Dynamic Range and dramatically enhance the viewing experience with added detail, color and contrast. With the introduction of SmartCast TV this summer, P-Series is definitely the collection to consider for those in search of excellent picture performance and a robust smart streaming experience."
The P-Series features XLED Pro full-array local dimming backlight technology with Xtreme Black Engine Pro and up to 128 local dimming zones. In addition, the displays offer XHDR Pro with Dolby Vision and HDR10 content support, along with Ultra Color Spectrum, which provides over one billion colors. SmartCast capabilities are included as well, allowing customers to control their displays through the SmartCast mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Likewise, an update set for this summer will also enable users to browse streaming apps directly on the big screen with the included remote.
Here's a rundown of models and Canadian pricing for the 2017 P-Series:
2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series 55" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P55) MSRP $1,799 CAN
2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series 65" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P65) MSRP $2,999 CAN
2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series 75" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P75) MSRP $4,999 CAN
Source: VIZIO
According to a report from Apple Insider, AT&T will be terminating support for DirecTV Now streaming through Safari and Internet Explorer web browsers by the end of June. Instead, DirecTV Now web streaming will be available exclusively through Chrome.
DirecTV Now is a stand-alone streaming platform that provides access to a variety of live channels and on-demand content, including more than 20,000 on-demand shows and movies on over 120 live channels like ABC, AMC, BBC America, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, Fox, Fox News Channel, FX, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, MSNBC, NBC, TBS, TNT and many others through several programming packages starting at $35 per month.
Sources: Apple Insider via Engadget
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