The new DVDO iScan VP50 is a high-definition video processor and A/V hub that converts standard definition, high definition (including 1080p) and PC signals from your DVD player, HD-DVD player, Blu-ray Disc player, HD DVR, game console or PC to any output resolution between VGA and 1080p, including popular HDTV resolutions such as 720p and 1080i.

The VP50 serves as your complete A/V hub, providing audio/video switching that simultaneously eliminates A/V lipsync and allows a one wire connection to display for all of your video needs. On sale now for $4999. For more information on this model see the Australian DVDO web site.

Pioneer's 'Elite' series of products have always been of very high quality and extremely well made, so the announcement of a new Elite series Blu-Ray player tends to get me a little excited.

If you're ready for the Blu-ray experience, the Elite BDP-HD1 Blu-ray Disc Player may be just the ticket. You can take full advantage of your flat panel's 1080p resolution, and the picture quality would be jaw-dropping. The Elite player can even upscale the resolution of your standard DVD collection, so all your standard resolution movies will look better. Pioneer's Blu-ray Disc Player connects into your existing home network, allowing you to serve up movies, music and photos from your PC to your flat panel-at your TV's highest possible resolution. Sweet! So, it looks like Pioneer may well have delivered 'the' next disc player we must have. Now if they only bring it to Australia!

Hitachi introduced three new media recorders in a some what 'different' design to that which we are accustomed to.

On the technical side, the features are impressive, such as HiDef video recording through XCodeHD, 250GB to 500GB, and even 1TB hard disk capacity depending on the model. The high-end DV-DH1000S is equipped of course with a DVD burner (why not Blu-Ray or HD-DV?), HDMI and i.LINK. Sexy as hell, can't wait to get one!

If you are looking for a dual HD tuner PVR with a little something extra, look no further than the exciting new Beyonwiz DP-S1.

With touch pad controls, USB connection, built in card readers and built in Wi-Fi it will connect to your IceGuide automatically and download the latest guide information and is a multi-media player as well. The really nice part is the matching remote players for other rooms in your house that can connect directly to the main unit and play back content over your wireless network. Pricing is looking to be higher than initially thought at $1700, but this may well be the holy grail of STB/PVR's! Stay tuned!

Unlike Sony's procrastination in releasing the PS3 and BDP-S1, Toshiba claims that it only needs two more weeks to get its RD-A1 HD DVD recorder out the door, citing inadequate inventory stemming from component shortages as the reason for putting off tomorrow's scheduled launch. Since this model, with its 1TB storage capacity and OTA digital tuner, is only headed for Japan anyway, the delay probably doesn't concern the vast majority of us -- nor most Japanese, for that matter, as the $3,500 pricetag will likely dissuade all but the most fervent early-adopters.

The DVDO iScan VP20 is a high-definition video processor and A/V hub that converts standard or high definition from your DVD Player, VCR, PVR, HD set-top box, game console or PC to any of the predefined output resolutions between 480p and 1080p, including popular HDTV resolutions such as 720p or 1080i. The VP20 serves as your complete A/V hub, providing simultaneous audio/video switching with video up/ down/ cross-conversion with one digital HDMI connection to your display or projector. Think of it as a VP-30 with less inputs. Pricing for Australia has yet to be released. For more information on this model see the Australian DVDO web site.

Topfield's new TF7000HT high definition set top box with HDMI, Component, S-Video and Composite video outputs. Set to take Australia by storm with the usual best of breed perfomance inherent in all Topfield products.

The TF7000HT has a stylish full component style chassis that is sure to be the talking point of you Home Entertainment System and comes in both Black and Silver to fit in with your colour theme, the onboard control buttons and VFD display are concealed behind the front tinted pull down cover giving the Topfield STB a real feel of class and sophistication.

The Topfield TF7000HT incorporates High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) technology carrying both Crystal clear pictures and high quality Audio through the one cable*, other outputs include Component (Y,Pb,Pr), RGB (15pin), S-Video, Composite and both Optical and Coaxial Audio outputs. With the Topfield HD STB you can also output HD and SD simultaneously allowing you to connect direct to a VCR or DVD recorder for easy recording, you can even use 2 HD outputs at the same time (e.g. HDMI to your LCD and RGB to the projector) with no switching required.

The TF7000HT has an automatic setting for resolution where by the STB will automatically switch to match the transmission resolution (i.e. 1080i, 576p, 576i), alternatively you can set it to match your display and the STB will up convert accordingly.

The first shipment was sold out to dealers prior to them landing, so finding a dealer with stock is the next trick, but you CAN get one here.

DVDO recently announced the new Precision Deinterlacing Card for the VP-30 Video Scaler. The blurb reads:

"The Precision Deinterlacing Card will dramatically improve the 480i/576i deinterlacing performance of your iScan VP30.  This upgrade is user-installable and includes a DVD to assist in setup of your iScan VP30 and to evaluate the performance of the Precision Deinterlacing Card and other deinterlacers."

Reports from the U.K. so far are very re-assuring, with claims such as: "ABT102 deinterlaced video has the picture quality of film, but with the smooth motion of video." So far so good. "I have yet to see Gennum VXP and Realta HQV but I am willing to bet that ABT102 gives them a run for money, at fraction of price." Nice!

"This upgrade is simply outstanding:
•  Film content is improved because of awesome cadence detection.
• Video content is in different league because of cadence detection and diagonal edge anti-aliasing.
• Game content is supported like never before with two modes.

The ABT102 transforms the iScan VP30 into the best-in-class SD deinterlacer, for very little money. You’re going to have to spend thousands of pounds more to see comparable results from other manufacturers. Could not be more highly recommended."

These results are very good, and they need to be. The DVDO Precision Deinterlacing Card retails in Australia for $695, but if you buy it with you VP-30, then Wicked Digital will supply it for far less!

Toshiba strikes first, shipping to their US dealers today April 12th, their HD-DVD players, the HD-A1 and HD-XA1, with an official price tag respectively of $499 and $799.

HD-A1

Both models read everything : HD DVD, HD DVD-R, DVD, DVD-R/-RW/-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW, with the added advantage of backward compatibility, as they are able to upscale standard definition DVD output to a 1080i or 720p resolution via an HDMI interface. On the Official Toshiba Site there is a lot of detailed documentation about the two models with extensive product specifications and photos that we feel you will enjoy in a sexy Flash presentation, click here.

HD-XA1

Sony's US home video division has put back the release of pre-recorded Blu-ray Discs by a month because machines capable of playing them will not be available until 20 June. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) had originally intended to ship the discs on 23 May.