Thomson (and subsidiary RCA) has stepped up the full-scale barrage of gadgets, announcing everything from a new DLP High Definition TV that is so thin it can mounted on the wall (though common for plasma screens, this is a significant improvement for the higher-quality DLPs) to complete redesigns of several of their MP3 players.
The new DLP, similar to the one we profiled last month, measures just 7″ thick and comes in 50″, 60″ and a forthcoming whopping 70″ models. Prices are expected to range upwards of $10,000.
On the downside, Thomson’s proudly announced its new set-top boxes and TVs will include High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) with HDCP copy protection, and will integrate “broadcast flag” recognition, which is a copyright protection scheme encouraged by big media companies to limit recording and distribution of programs
Thomson also introduced five new or revised MP3 players. The Lyra jukeboxes have gotten a little slimmer (like most of us want to after x-mas), though they are still among the thickest on the market at an inch. The new Lyra’s do add an FM receiver and MP3 recording capabilities, vastly increasing their utility. An enhanced file management and navigation system is also expected. The 40 gig Lyra will cost $450 and the 20 gig will go for $350.
A revised Micro Jukebox MP3 player will sport a 2 gig HD and also has an FM radio and recording features, and will cost just $230. Schedule for release “this summer,” I expect it will have a 4 gig drive for the same price by that time.
A few tiny flash MP3 players have also been released with less than stellar specs: 128 megs for $150, 256 megs for $200, both with FM tuners. Can it be, have they not heard? Flash is dead!