A few points of interest is that the RXV371 now supports ARC and decoding of Dolby TrueHD / DTS HD, the higher end RXV671 will come with a full suite of networking features, which will go perfectly with the Smart Home range of TV’s now available like Samsung’s 2011 range.

Key Points:

RX-V371

Yamaha’s entry level AV Receiver – great for people who are keen on their first home theatre. Includes handy features like iPod connectivity and HD Audio Support. It delivers high-end sound at an affordable price.

RX-V471

A great mid range option from Yamaha’s range, its full of features normally saved for higher end models. The YPAO auto room calibration you are able to automatically determine the optimal sound level for your room. Whilst the inclusion of a front USB iPhone and iPod connection makes this unit an all round winner.

RX-V571

If 5.1ch just isn’t enough, then the RX-V571 is the way to go. With 7.1ch powerful surround sound this is a serious step up from the lower models. It incorporates a fantastic range of connectivity with 6 in/1 out HDMI (3D, ARC, CEC) and the ability to upscale video to Full HD 1080p and iPod/iPhone USB ports, YPAO Automatic room calibration and HD audio decoding this unit is for those who are serious about their home theatre.

At ELJO.com.au we love Yamaha’s range of new AV Receivers, they delver high end Audio at a very reasonable price point, their new range and added features make these a must buy for any true Audiophile.

The good news about new models, means that the old models are now heavily discounted, we have slashed hundreds off the current range of Yamaha Receivers, especially the RX-V667 and RX-V767. To see more visit www.eljo.com.au

“The future for television changed today with Sony Australia unveiling its 2010 BRAVIA range featuring the company’s first internet-enabled TVs. The BRAVIA Internet Video service signals a new era of home entertainment, with new internet channels to enjoy straight out of the box. As part of its launch, Sony Australia announced 15 channels that will be made available through its service, including catch-up TV and made-for-the-internet content.

The arrival of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) represents a shift in the way Australians can view television, with videos streamed directly from the internet to a TV. Sony’s IPTV service – known as BRAVIA Internet Video – will be accessible through 21 TVs in the 2010 BRAVIA range.”

At Eljo, we’re proud to bring you this new line of Sony Bravia TVs. For more information about the different models, you can view any of the product pages, or simply contact one of our team and they’ll be happy to go over the new advancements. For the full press release, click here.

So popular has the Wireless 6600N model been around the world that Dvico themselves have none left, with no more expected to be available until December. But don’t worry, being one of the largest resellers of the range in the country, we were contacted yesterday afternoon by the major Australian distributor informing us that they were low in stock. So we snapped up all remaining units! Get in fast though because stock is limited and they wont last long.

So what’s so good about this unit you ask? Well basically, it’s the best of the 3300 and 6500 series, combined into one unit with wireless (optional) and internet services included as well. With 1080p Crystal Clear High Definition playback, the 6600 series is capable of playing a huge range of media files, including Blu-Ray quality files like H.264 and .mkv. When combined with the T441 Dual HD Tuner, the 6600 has time-shifting features for rewinding and pausing live TV. Further, you can record from two different channels at the same time, so you’ll never have to miss a show again! With the different networking options available, you are able to store all your multimedia on a centralised server and watch it back on TVs around the house.

The buzz around the internet so far has been very positive. It’s not only very popular, but also well received in terms of features and functions, and importantly the quality with which they are delivered. All in all – a highly recommended product!

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of wireless media players as a way to help you gather the information you need to decide which approach is best for your needs. Bear in mind this is a fairly simple rundown, aimed at those without an advanced knowledge of networking.

The advantages of a wireless media player

The advantages of choosing a wireless media player are numerous, many of them being quite similar to the advantages of choosing wireless versions of other technology components such as TVs, computers, and the like.

Accessibility – A wireless media player increases the accessibility of your stored files, making it simple to view them on your TV as well as on a wirelessly connected laptop or desktop computer.  This gives you greater choice when it comes time to decide where and how you want to access your digital media files.

Online streaming – Even if you have no Local Area Network (LAN) pot nearby, you are still able to browse the internet looking for all kinds of digital media files.  Once you find them you can stream them directly to you’re digital media player, as it is connected via a wifi network.

Installation location – You’re not forced to install a wireless digital media player directly as part of your home entertainment system if you don’t want to do that.  Because it’s accessible wirelessly you can instead install it inside a cabinet, a closet, or in any other out of sight location you like.  The only limitation to keep in mind is signal strength; you’ll want to make sure the digital media player has enough signal strength to reach through any walls, doors, or other physical obstacles.

The disadvantages of a wireless media player

There are some disadvantages to choosing a wireless media player to keep in mind as well.

Controlling internet services – Depending on the digital media player you choose and the user interface software, you may find it difficult to navigate the various onboard internet services using just the remote control.  Very few players are compatible with keyboards, and this is a definite negative of those players that are internet ready.

Network set up – Although the network set up process has generally improved greatly over the last few years, it can still be a bit temperamental in some cases, particularly when trying to connect wirelessly.  If you’re well versed in wireless networking this is less frustrating, but if you’re not that experienced then you might need to spend a bit of time with the manual or quick start guide to work this out.

Cost – In general, wireless digital media players are going to be more expensive than comparable wired players.  The cost difference can vary quite a bit, depending on the quality of the internal wireless equipment and other factors.  You’ll need to decide if having the wireless capability is worth it when it comes to setting your buying budget.

It should be noted though that many players do have wired networking features built in, and then a wireless USB adapter, known as a dongle, can be added for wireless compatibility. These can generally be purchased separately, so it is possible to add this feature later on.

Let’s try to clear up some of this uncertainty by taking a look at the five top reasons to choose a digital media player.

Reason #1 – Ease of use

Digital media players are incredibly easy to use.  Once you have completed the set up process and transferred your digital files to the player, finding the files you want and playing them is extremely simple.  Most digital media players allow you to navigate your files in your preferred way, such as alphabetically, by genre, by file format, and the like.  This makes it fast and simple to find what you want and start watching it.

Reason #2 – Convenience

Using digital media players is extremely convenient.  Imagine how nice it would be to search for a movie, for instance, right from the convenience of your TV screen.  Instead of pouring through endless rows of DVD cases looking for something that appeals to you, it’s fast and easy to use your remote control to look through the electronic directory and select the movie you want with just the quick touch of a button. If you’ve already got a library of digital media files, you will no longer have to watch them on your computer or burn them to disc. You can conveniently store and watch them all straight through your TV.

Reason #3 – Security

DVDs and CDs get scratched and lost, VHS movies get worn out, and printed pictures fade over time.  None of these problems, however, exist once you have transferred these files onto your new digital media player.  Because your movies, pictures, music, and other digital files are safely and securely stored on the hard drive of your digital media playe,r you never have to worry about damage, loss, or other common problems.

Reason #4 – Flexibility

Having a digital media player as part of your home entertainment system dramatically increases the flexibility of that system.  Because everything is stored in one central location (the digital media player) you can select what you want to watch quickly and easily, and then just as quickly and easily switch to something else if you so choose.  You also enjoy greater flexibility in terms of the physical layout of your system; because your files are all stored on the digital media player you don’t have to worry about maintaining shelf, cabinet, and/or other physical storage space for your DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and pictures.

Reason #5 – Enjoyment

This might seem like a not-so-important reason at first glance, but for many people it ends up being the one reason for buying a digital media player that they value the most.  Put simply, a digital media player makes it faster, easier, and more convenient to access all of your digital media files; instead of wasting time searching through shelves full of DVDs, for example, or flipping through huge piles of pictures, you get to spend more of your time actually viewing and enjoying your various forms of media.  All you have to do is sit down, search electronically for what you want, press a button or two, and you’re all set.  What could be more enjoyable than that?

Identify the features and capabilities you want

Digital media players come with a huge range of features and capabilities, making them an excellent addition to your home entertainment system.  Before you can decide on the right player for your needs it helps to consider which features and capabilities are most important to you.

Physical attributes – Digital media players are generally quite compact compared to other home entertainment system components, but there is still some variation in sizes available, and even more so in the designs.  Think about the amount of space you want to devote to this device and how it will best fit into your home entertainment set up. Also think about the colour and shape of player that will work best.

Storage capacity – It doesn’t do you much good to buy a digital media player with limited storage capacity, so it’s a good idea to always get the largest capacity possible for your price and size range.  Keep in mind the device needs to have enough room to not only hold all of your current digital files, but also have enough room to store future digital files you plan to add down the road.  Of course, if you do run out of space, you can usually add more storage via the addition of a USB storage device, such as an external hard drive.

Features and playback – Think about which features are most important to you – wireless networking, internet access capabilities, high definition playback, etc. – and try to find some video reviews so you can see how the digital media player works.  Look for ease of playback and navigation, keeping in mind that different players use different software for these interfaces.

Balance features and capabilities with your available budget

Digital media players are available in a wide range of prices so you should have little trouble finding one to fit within your budget.  The biggest challenge is generally finding the right balance between the features and capabilities you want and the amount of money you want to spend.  As with most things, the more advance and numerous the features, the more a digital media player is likely to cost.

For most people, it’s a good idea to choose a digital media player at the high end of their budget range.  Why?  Because this will allow you to get a player with a wide range of features and capabilities, making it easier to use and better able to continue being appropriate for your needs as they change and grow into the future.  Think of it as building in a bit of “room to grow”, much like you do when buying clothing or shoes for children.  You’re going to be happier with your digital media player for a longer period of time if you invest in one that’s expandable with your needs as they change over time.

It’s also a good idea to spend some time talking with a professional who has experience with digital media players, home entertainment systems, and integrating them effectively.  You might find out that certain players would work better with your existing system than others, for example, or that some particular features are better suited to the way you plan to use your digital media player.

As mentioned in the below press release, it is capable of 1080i High Definition playback via it’s component video outputs or standard definition via it’s composite outputs. This is a step down from the original 1080p WD TV Media Player, and considering they are similarly priced, We’re not too sure why anyone would choose this player over its’ predecesor. Like its’ predecesor, the WD TV Mini does not have any onboard storage space. Rather, you need to plug in an external USB Device to access any content. This player is now available from some outlets in the US, but as yet we have heard no word on its’ Australian release.

Considerably more exciting is the impending release of the WD TV Live Media Player, with added networking capabilities. This player will be the Western Digital version of the eGreat M34A or the Asus O!Play. Having said that, the WD TV Mini does look flash and it is even smaller than it’s older brother. Check out the image and press release below…

The Western Digital Mini Media Player.

WD® INTRODUCES NEW WD TV™ MINI MEDIA PLAYER WITH REALVIDEO™ SUPPORT TO PLAY YOUR DIGITAL MEDIA ON THE BIG SCREEN

SINGAPORE – Aug. 17, 2009 – WD® (NYSE: WDC), the world’s leader in external storage solutions, today introduced a new version of its popular WD TV media player. The new WD TV Mini Media Player now enables playback of RealNetworks®, Inc.’s RealVideo™ content and provides a more affordable way for consumers to play their stored digital content in up to 1080i HD resolution directly on their HD television.

The WD TV Mini Media Player connects to a user’s TV or home theater and plays digital movies, music and photos stored on USB drives such as the best-selling WD My Passport portable drive. As with other WD TV models, the WD TV Mini Media Player supports playback of digital media on most USB mass storage devices such as digital camcorders and digital cameras. The new compact design is small and portable enough that users can easily take it with them when they travel and play their digital media anywhere on any TV in up to 1080i HD resolution.

According to research firm Parks Associates, the average consumer household currently has approximately 298 GB of digital media, which will reach approximately 898 GB of digital media by 2012.

These large personal digital libraries are all but trapped on users’ computers. In order to play their content on their TV, consumers have struggled with clumsy solutions such as copying onto multiple CDs and DVDs or connecting their PCs to their TVs via wires or complicated home networking solutions. The new WD TV Mini Media Player perfectly suits the needs of those with a large media collection that are looking for an easy and affordable solution to watch their digital media on their TV.

“The popularity of the RealVideo format and its compatibility with the WD TV Mini Media Player makes it an excellent solution for consumers who wish to enjoy their RealVideo content on their TVs,” said Scott Nelson, director of business development for RealNetworks.

“For those who desire an easy, affordable and portable solution to enjoy their digital media on their TV and who have content in RealVideo format, the new WD TV Mini Media Player fits the bill,” said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD’s Branded Products Group. “The new WD TV Mini Media Player unlocks the content from their PCs and storage devices and makes it simple for people to enjoy their media on their home theater system, without the need to spend time configuring a complicated device or transcoding files to make them compatible.”

Features of the WD TV Mini Media Player include:

• Play video, music and photos on your TV in up to 1080i HD resolution;
• Supports widest variety of file formats including RealMedia Variable Bitrate (RMVB);
• Rich HD 1080i advanced navigation and user interface;
• DVD-like navigation with chapter support, trick modes and subtitles;
• Expandable: buy more storage, delete fewer movies;
• Photo slideshow with unique transitions and music on your HD TV;
• Thumbnail support including photo thumbnails and music album art;
• Ability to preview your video during navigation (480 and 720 mode only);
• Video, music and photo auto-play for users digital signage solution;
• Subtitle support including multi-language subtitle support for video playback;
• Picture Transfer Protocol to view or backup content from your digital image device;
• Compatible with USB Camcorders and USB mass storage devices;
• Component and composite video output;
• Digital optical audio output via SPDIF;
• Ultra-compact design making it perfectly portable for travel; and,
• 1-year limited warranty.

Pricing and Availability
The WD TV Mini Media Player is available now at select retailers. MSRP for WD TV Mini Media Player is $99.99 USD.

About WD
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company produces reliable, high-performance hard drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. WD applies its storage expertise to consumer products for external, portable and shared storage applications.

WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s Web site (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.

Since those early days of MP3 players, portable media players have come a long way. Today, it is possible to store all of your multimedia, including photos, videos and documents, as well as music of course. Many of the newer personal media players have LCD touch screen displays onboard, making their use both fun and easy. Some players, such as the Archos range of Internet Media Tablets, include web browsing capabilities, so you can check emails, social networking sites, even the news or what’s on at the movies, all whilst on the move. These units are among the most advanced on the market, with up to a massive 320GB of multimedia storage space onboard, that’s over 500 hours of video content. Another huge bonus to the Archos PMPs are their feature expanding accessories. A DVR Station allows you to record straight from any other video source, including pay TV and free-to-air set top boxes. Additional battery kits

Another major player in the portable media player category is Cowon. They have a range of high-end touch screen MP3 players that cater to those multimedia enthusiasts who like to consume in style. Earning particular notoriety is the Cowon S9. Not only does it look particularly sexy, its’ features make it a must have little unit. Flash video support and recording direct from radio make this player among the better PMP devices available. It is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions.

An article about portable media players wouldn’t be complete without Apple’s iPod. For comparison’s sake to the other units mentioned in this article, we’ll check out the Apple iPod Touch. Like the Cowon S9, the iPod Touch is available in 3 sizes; 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. Like the Archos Internet Media Tablets, the iPod has web browsing capabilities onboard. Although the iPod tends to fall a tad short in its’ playback quality, it is still a particularly cool little gadget to own.

Between the Archos, Cowon and Apple products, we feel we’ve covered the industry leaders for both quality and popularity. Do you think otherwise? Do you have a portable media player that you love but we didn’t cover? Don’t be shy, let us know…

Currently we are being inundated with Full HD 1080p Networked Media Players, apart from the players we stock like the Popcorn Hour A110, HDX1000 and eGreat M31B, there are numerous other players being offered to us that have the same specs and same capabilities, but what comes next? We know that around the corner new technology is being developed that is going to blow us away.

Well firstly, keep your eyes out for Christmas releases, as this is generally the most exciting time of the year for us tech people. This is because many of the big companies time the release of their new products to coincide with Christmas sales. So you can be sure that you will see some interesting suprises under your Christmas tree.

But what do we think will be the next big thing in this industry? Well personally I see a move toward companies using much better chips in their players, currently Realtek and Sigma have a stranglehold on the HDD Media Player market, but watch out for players to start appearing using Intel and Atom chips, this will mean better processing speeds, better web access and all in all a much better Media Player experience.

I see a big focus on Web integration into HDD Media Players. Right now, there are some players with web services, like the Networked Media Tanks mentioned above; however in my opinion it’s not nearly good enough web integration.  I want to see Media Players with full web browsing capabilities, I want to be able to be watching my TV and be able to check my email, look up an answer to an argument i’m having with someone on Wikipedia and be kept up to date with live footy scores.

This is what I want and also what I believe will be the next step in Digital Media Players, if there is a move to better chips, what do you think? What do you want to see integrated into the next generation of players? What suprises do you think we can expect to find next time we turn on our TV? We’re interested to hear your thoughts.

What is an HDD media player?

Let’s start with the basics, defining what an HDD media player is and what it does.  An HDD media player is essentially a large hard drive similar to what you have on your laptop or desktop computer.  It stores all different types of digital media such as pictures, music, and video, and then plays those files back for you through your television set or other appropriate component in your home entertainment system.  Some HDD media players can even read files stored on another device within a local network and then play them back when and where its’ convenient for you.

What sets HDD media players apart from DVD players, Blu-Ray players, CD players, and the like is their large onboard storage capacity, eliminating the need to store all movies on hard copy discs. This makes it fast and easy to access all of your movies, music, TV programs, pictures, and anything else you might choose to run through your home entertainment system.

Why would you want an HDD media player?

The two major reasons for adding an HDD media player to your home entertainment system are security and convenience.

From the standpoint of security, storing your digital files on an HDD media player is extremely safe.  You don’t have to worry about DVDs getting scratched or lost, printed pictures fading, or CDs becoming scratched or warped.  All of your files are safely and securely stored onto the HDD media player’s onboard hard drive where you can depend on them to be accessible as needed.

Convenience is another big reason to choose an HDD media player.  Think about your DVD collection, for example; instead of having to sort through endless rows of DVD cases, find the one you want, and put the DVD into the right player, you can do all of that electronically in a fraction of the time.  Scrolling through your collection is fast and easy; many players even allow you to categorise movies, music, and pictures in a variety of ways so finding what you want is even easier.  And once you find what you want to watch all it takes is a quick push of the button to play.

How much should you pay for an HDD media player?

A key question for most people who want an HDD media player is how much they should pay for one.  The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, such as your home entertainment system, the number of files you’ll want to store on the HDD media player, the features you require, and of course, your budget.  HDD media players are available across a full range of prices from the very basic ones starting around $150 all the way up to the extensive sophisticated ones for around $600 or more.  The best approach to deciding on the right HDD media player for your needs is to do some research and talk with a professional who can answer all your questions and help guide your decision making process.