New Game World

2010 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW PREVIEW

By Richard Sherwin and the staff of The Digital Family Hub

Despite the recession, and the closing of thousands of national electronics stores and many regional and mom and pop stores, there is no shortage of new products coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Tough as times are, there are certain products that seem recession proof or that have dropped so far in price that that they become affordable for many more consumers. Add to that the fact that those watching their budgets purchase CE and PC products instead of going away on expensive vacations, or those who need a new computer or printer to aid in a job search, and some manufacturers actually had a decent December.

Video game systems and toys for all ages now have as much computing power as main frames had just 25 years ago, while entry level toys and under $50 accessories can make as much money as $2,000 TV sets for their manufacturers.

While everyone is touting “green this and green that” and trying to equate true power conservation with hype, it’s actually blue ray or 3D that’s taking the lead in many product introductions.

AND PRICES, OY PRICES!

Sony, often criticized for over-pricing new technology and then losing market share as Korean giants LG, Samsung and china based Visio eats their lunch, surprised everyone by selling a nicely featured Blue Ray Player at Wal-Mart and several warehouse chains at below $140. Panasonic and Toshiba, along with Samsung, solidified their respective highly ranked performance ratings in LCD and Plasma, and still made money by selling higher end HDTVs for hundreds of dollars less than their original list price last fall. In fact, Toshiba actually sold one of the finest 50-inch TVs on the market for a short time for under $750.

Yet some high end buyers are waiting...not for price drops but for Panasonic, which will be joining Mitsubishi, Sony, LG and Samsung as the leading purveyors of 3D HDTV this spring. Sony, whose cameras provide the stunning 3D imaging of the hit movie Avatar and Panasonic, whose 65-inch and 103-inch Plasma monitors were used in the production studios and in James Cameron’s own editing room because their picture quality and accurate color representation earned high marks from the discerning film director. Other Panasonic products used to make the movie include the AJ-HPX3000G P2HD professional camcorders with P2 Memory Cards (used by James Cameron to map the scenes before shooting in 3D), notebook computers and LUMIX digital cameras.

But let’s not forget about the value leaders. Apex, which pioneered low priced TVs many years ago, has returned with a supposedly more reliable entry level 3 HDMI based 32-inch model to compete with companies like Westinghouse in the Targets, K-Marts, Wal-Marts and now even super drug store chains.

Sharp dropped its sticker on the ultra high end 52-inch Aquos LED-LCD Internet enabled TV (which boasts some of the highest tech specs in the category (2,000,000:1 contract ratio) to a year low of $1,499.

Westinghouse had a good holiday sales season with its higher end model that’s targeted to the consumer looking to achieve a true home cinema experience. The 42" TX-42F970Z incorporates a 1920 x 1080 resolution; ATSC/NTSC/CATV/ClearQAM Tuner; blazing-fast response times and a complete array of connectors.

The entry level Apex 32-inch 720p 1080i, just about sold out at Target and several on- line stores, too.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Manufactured by the big guns, and coming soon to your own living room, are Blue Ray players that deliver 3D through conventional HDTV sets…as the theatrical technicians have just about agreed on a standard for having your Blue Ray players and their software (Blue Ray DVDs) partners finalize the specs.

And, while video makers come ever so close to delivering the 3D home experience to match their growing theatrical 3D experience, toy makers have been delivering almost as an ethereal experience for thousands of dollars less. Play Station 3 fans may get the first legit contender to Nintendo’s action-feel experience soon at the high end of the spectrum while Jakk’s Pacific still sells a terrific Nintendo like experience with a motion control technology that commands Jedi and Republic ships!

Star Wars controller

The TV Games Motion: Star Wars controller plugs into the A/V jacks of any standard TV and contains multiple games, and no additional consoles or cartridges are needed. Additional titles launching include Toy Story, Spider-Man, Power Rangers and more. With the reactive motion controller, the gamer’s moves control the action on screen as characters replicate their movements in real time on the TV screen when they jump, wave, and move around. Jakk’s other motion control games can give the basic Nintendo Wii a run for its money at a Suggested Retail Price $29.99.

EyeClops™ Night Vision

The company’s perennial best seller got better recently. EyeClops ™ Night Vision will deliver an improved, action-styled hand held design and the power to see with both eyes... the new handheld Night Vision allows visibility up to 50 feet in completely dark environments. Covert operations…nocturnal maneuvers...with EyeClops Night Vision, you can rule the night at under $59.

Readers Rule!

The third generation Amazon Kindle.

Do you actually know anyone reading their e-books on a IPhone or Blackberry? We don’t. And while we do think the new Sony EBook is a much improved device, there are at least four other firms launching their electronics readers in the next few weeks. The third generation Amazon Kindle still reads best and has the most flexibility with its high speed downloads and the ability to use your content across laptops and other devices without any extra charge. In fact some online retailers are selling the original because many people like the slide button instead of the new mini joystick. Either way, the $249 model will lead to at least four other Amazon models by the spring from the college book version to the large type color version.

Home Furnishings: from traditional to versatile.

The Sanus JFV60 Lowboy

The Sanus JFV60 Lowboy is a highly versatile, multi-purpose audio/video cabinet that can be placed on the floor and used as a traditional cabinet or mounted on the wall to wood wall studs for a more contemporary look. You’ll like its ability to transition from the floor to the wall; you’re not limited to where you can put it.

The BoomChair

Lounge with leisure in this new BoomChair model. The chrome rails raise this chair off the ground and the extra large seating area make this chair perfect for the adult gamer. Stay comfortable while playing games or watching movies. This chair features two 2-way speakers and a powerful 4 subwoofer. The adjustable volume and bass controls along with handheld remote allow you to enjoy a customized entertainment experience.

ACCESSORIES AND MORE ACCESSORIES!

Case Logic Accessories

Case Logic, one of the long time leaders in CE, Camera and PC accessories, has expanded on its line for 2010. From Nintendo DS and Sony PSP cases to ultra professional and national transportation association compliant laptop and netbook backpacks and carriers, the venerable accessory maker has added even more color and style to its line of very reliable products.

We Get A Charge Out Of This

Powermat Modules

Powermat, the biggest hit amongst industry gurus and reporters and analysts, has different modules and even a portable system that can charge as many as three devices without plugging any of the PDAs, mobile phones, game systems into an AC adapter. You can wirelessly charge up to three Powermat-enabled devices at the same time. Their best deal includes mat, Powercube and 8 Powercube tips (plug-ins) which will charge nearly all mobile devices.

Energizer flat charger

Energizer also sells a flat charger that lets you recharge your Wii Remotes without ever having to remove your Wii Remote sleeves, MotionPlus attachments or lanyards. With this sophisticated contactless charge system, all you need to do is drop the Wii Remote into the cradle to begin charging. Inductive charging technology eliminates the need for the charger to make contact with the battery itself. The Model: PL-7581 is priced at about $29.

Other hot accessories:

Xsight Universal Remote

Get rid of coffee table clutter with the Xsight Universal Remote Control from Acoustic Research. Control your TV and audio/video components with one easy to program handset. Xsight Color controls up to 15 devices. AAA batteries are included ($180); Xsight Touch controls up to 18 devices and has touchscreen and rechargeable battery ($250).

Schlage LiNK wireless home management and keypad lock system

Know that your home is safe and secure while away on vacation or business travel. The Schlage LiNK wireless home management and keypad lock system lets you remotely control your lights, temperature, and access to your home from your cell phone or a computer – it even keeps tabs on teenage kids by sending you a text message or email when they come home from school. Peace of mind for $299 plus $12.95/month subscription fee.

XM-Sirius Models

XM-Sirius has been dropping the prices on two of its biggest selling models. The XM Sky Dock (around $100) which makes your iPhone or iPod Touch into a mobile Satellite Radio and the Mirge ($175), the first radio to get EVERY channel of both SIRIUS and XM. Perfect for the sports fan who wants every sports event that SIRIUS XM broadcasts. Both models require $12.95 to $16.95 monthly fees depending on content packages.

NEXT MONTH: EVERYTHING AUDIO

Our most comprehensive speaker, receiver, head phone, Home Theater in a Box roundup. Including Coby’s budget priced $150 model, Yamaha’s $900 component systems, the $4,500 Klipsch XF series, Shure’s $600 in-ear headphones and JVC’s $19 value models. We’ll hear them all.