CES Preview: JVC Intros iPod TV’s
Jan 6th, 2008 | By James Lewin | Category: Digital Music, Internet TV 
Here we go – the first CES iPod gadget that gets us excited.
JVC is introducing a new line of LCD HDTV’s that offer playback of iPod video content.¬† Each of the four new models, including three full HD 1080p sets, features JVC’s TeleDock, a flip-down iPod dock at the base of the set, providing a direct connection for playback through the TV.
The new JVC P-Series includes
- 32-inch LT-32P679
- 42-inch LT-42P789
- 47-inch LT-47P789
- 52-inch LT-52P789
The 42-, 47- and 52-inch models offer 1080p resolution.
When an iPod is docked, a menu appears on the TV screen for selecting music, music shuffle or video playback.¬† iPod can be controlled from the TV’s remote, which includes a circular keypad with a control scheme that mimics the iPod’s control wheel.
Photos can also be displayed as a slide show along with music.¬† During music playback, song title and artist name are displayed on the TV screen.¬† During video playback, low resolution files, such as internet videos, can be displayed in a small screen mode.¬† Higher resolution video can be shown in nine aspect modes at full screen.¬† There’s also the option to play music files while the TV displays television programming.¬† In addition, the iPod will charge while docked whether the TV’s power is on or off.
Besides the iPod dock and playback features, JVC’s new P-Series LCD TVs are full featured high definition displays with a cabinet design that conveys the sets’ focus on both audio and video performance.¬† Each features a new universal remote with direct input access, a new on-screen menu system, a side-mounted USB photo viewer, and ATSC/QAM tuning.
Connections include three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-video input, SPDIF input and an analog audio output for sending sound from an iPod or the TV through a home theater system.
The sound package delivers 10 watts per channel to a pair of JVC’s exclusive oblique cone speakers.¬† And JVC’s new Omni Surround package with equalizer offers four listening modes — movie, music, news (for news or talk show programming) and mono (for simulated stereo from mono programming).
The TVs are expected to be available Q1 and Q2 2008.
[…] With JVC and other manufacturers building iPod capability directly into new television sets, the ability to rent a movie from iTunes, download it onto your iPod and then dock that unit into a new 50-inch flat-panel television is a scenario that may become reality soon. If it does, then renting movies using the DVD format would start to become stale. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) knows this, which is why it’s moving into alternative distribution methods already. Although movies are already available via Apple’s iTunes, the ability to rent content from all the major movie studios may be on the agenda for 2008. If so, how long will it be before DVDs and physical media become extinct? Give it a few years. […]
[…] With JVC and other manufacturers building iPod capability directly into new television sets, the ability to rent a movie from iTunes, download it onto your iPod and then dock that unit into a new 50-inch flat-panel television is a scenario that may become reality soon. If it does, then renting movies using the DVD format would start to become stale. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) knows this, which is why it’s moving into alternative distribution methods already. Although movies are already available via Apple’s iTunes, the ability to rent content from all the major movie studios may be on the agenda for 2008. If so, how long will it be before DVDs and physical media become extinct? Give it a few years. […]