Updated: The future of television has been on view at CEATEC, Japan's top AV show.

Within the halls of the Makuhari Messe convention center, in Chiba City, the world's biggest TV brands have unveiled a (surprisingly) unified vision of tomorrow's TV tech, giving a tantalizing glimpse at the futuristic treats we have in store.

And it's clear that the majority don't see hi-def 3D as a flash in the pan...

Both Sony and Panasonic are jostling for prime position on the 3D sofa, with the latter looking to secure an early lead when it comes to launching screens.

3D will be 'affordable'

Panasonic's CEATEC booth features the first 50inch plasma panel fully-compatible with the upcoming 3D Blu-ray standard. Unlike existing 3D technology, this can deliver 1080p resolution to each eye.

Read more

Warner Home Video has revealed that it will be conjuring up one of the year's biggest box office hits on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on 7 December.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth of the boy wizard's big-screen adventures, will be arriving as a two-disc Special Edition DVD and a three-disc Blu-ray pack, the latter including a bonus DVD containing a Digital Copy of the film. Perhaps most exciting of all, though, is the confirmation that the hi-def release will also employ Warner's new-fangled Maximum Movie Mode, an interactive viewing experience already used to spectacular effect on the US Blu-ray release of Watchmen: Director's Cut.

Other extras shared across both the DVD and Blu-ray releases include Close-Up With The Cast of Harry Potter (29 minutes); J.K. Rowling: A Year In The Life documentary (50 minutes); One-Minute Drills (character info – seven minutes); What's On Your Mind (interviews – seven minutes); The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (a sneak peek at the Universal Orlando Resort theme park ride – 12 minutes); and eight additional scenes. Early indications lead us to believe that most (if not all) of the video extras are to be presented in hi-def on the Blu-ray release.

Via Homecinemachoice.com

The EU is turning down the volume on all iPods, MP3 and portable media players on health grounds. The European Commission has ordered manufacturers to add a default maximum volume setting of 80dB to their devices within two years.

The current maximum volume level of music players typically hovers between 100-120dB. Citing health concerns, the Commission warns that as many as 10 per cent of portable music users risk deafness by listening to their music at 120dB for more than an hour a day. A study by EU boffins concludes that music can be safely listened to at 80dB for 40 hours a week. The 80dB volume level is comparable with that generated roadside by traffic.

Consumer rights Commissioner Meglana Kuneva says: "It's easy to push up the volume on your MP3 player to damagingly loud levels, especially on busy streets or public transport."

The EU's standard default setting will not prohibit users from increasing the volume, but warnings will make it clear that higher-volumes are potentially unsafe. "The mandate is not prescriptive in terms of how this is done. Industry solutions could include, for example, labels or digital information on the screen."

Read more

UK AV fans will get a closer look at Full HD 3D this month when Panasonic embarks on a nationwide 3D roadshow.

The brand is deploying three mobile Full HD 3D theatres to shopping malls and other locations, to give hungry consumers a taste of the tech that it will be arriving in UK stores next year.

The 3D Roadshow will take place in nine cities across the country, and will feature clips and movie trailers – James Cameron's Avatar certain to be one of them. Panasonic will also be demonstrating its latest Neo PDP TVs, along with VieraCast internet streaming.

Marketing Director Andrew Denham says: '2010 will be the year that the 3D experience will be available in the living room, and Panasonic is at the forefront of these technological innovations. Our Panasonic 3D plasma technology is the only one to provide 60 full frames per second for each eye, which is the best 3D technology currently available. The 3D Roadshow will demonstrate our commitment to continued innovation in this area, and will showcase the way these technologies will revolutionise the way we experience entertainment in the home - from movies to television to gaming.'

Read more

Speaker specialist Altec Lansing has launched the Expressionist Ultra, a distinctively styled 2.1 home speaker system designed to cross over from the PC market into gaming and home cinema.

The 200W system features five digital amplifiers powering five separate drivers. Each satellite has a 3" midrange and a 1" neodymium tweeter, and the sub is a 6 1/2" long-throw design. The contemporary industrial design of the satellites emphasizes visible drivers set into a translucent bezel, and the subwoofer features a distinctive trapezoidal design.

The system features a distinctive wired volume/tone controller hub, and inputs making it suitable for use with TVs, games consoles and portable audio players. AL sees it as appealing to PC media users, gamers and home cinema fans who don't have the requirement for full 5.1 sound. Cost is £179.99 and availability is from the start of October.

Read more