Google TV picked up some steam at this year’s CES, with Vizio, Sony and LG announcing new devices for the smart TV platform. But as Google is paving the way to take the platform mainstream, a new, potentially powerful competitor is starting to emerge. No, it’s not Apple’s  long-rumored TV set – but Google’s own open source Android operating system, which is used by CE manufacturers and pay TV operators alike to introduce new devices and services that come with Android apps, but without Google’s blessing.

First, the good news for Google TV: Vizio introduced two TV sets as well as a Roku-like set-top box and a Blu-ray player, all of which will feature Google TV with the company’s own UI design. Sony added another Blu-ray player and a media player device to its existing Google TV line-up, and LG introduced two 3-D TV sets that combine Google TV with the company’s own smart TV UI. Google also announced that Samsung will introduce additional devices later this year, and boasted partnerships with chip makers Marvell and MediaTek.

Lenovo shuns Android Market

Lenovo's first TV set runs Android, but not Google TV.

However, there were also signs that some CE makers may like Android, but not necessarily Google’s take on the future of TV. Chinese TV maker Lenovo took its first ambitious step towards the living room with the introduction of the world’s first TV based on Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich. The feature-rich Lenovo K91 will initially be available in China only, and it won’t have access to the Android Market, or any of the TV apps developed by Google. Owners of the device will instead be able to download apps straight from Lenovo’s own Android app store, which the company is operating in China on other Android devices as well.

Lenovo wasn’t the only one to stray from the Google TV bandwagon: Despite being an official Google TV partner, Samsung introduced a webcam that’s fully loaded with a highly customized version of Android to bring Skype video chat and other apps to legacy TV sets. It’s a curious move, but one that could be copied by other CE makers for add-on gadgets and even full-blown TV sets.

Learning from Amazon’s Kindle Fire

Going through the process of becoming official Google TV partners and getting their devices Android certified means that manufacturers have to fulfill a number of requirements. Manufacturers may simply decide that it’s cheaper to work with a customized, slimmed-down version of Android, and do without access to Google’s ecosystem. And if the Kindle Fire teaches us anything, it’s that a cheap but highly customized Android platform can compete just fine with Google’s official versions.

I talked about this issue with Google TV VP of product management Mario Queiroz this week, who told me that he doesn’t see any imminent Kindle Fire-like threat for Google TV. “I’m not concerned about fragmentation,” he said, adding that the Google TV stack isn’t just about being compatible with Android. It also offers additional functionality that’s not available to customized implementations like Lenovo’s Android TV.

Operators are taking baby steps

There are signs that Android could spell trouble for Google TV even if Queiroz is right about the CE market. Google’s next big goal after the new devices from LG, Vizio & Co. hit the shelves this year is to get pay TV operators to adopt the platform. That’s one of the reasons why Google is purchasing Motorola Mobility, and that’s also why the partnership with Marvell is so important. “We absolutely see the operator and retail set-top box market as a great opportunity for Google TV,” acknowledged Queiroz this week.

Marvell's ARMADA 1500 processor is powering the latest generation of Google TV devices, but the company is also betting on other flavors of Android-powerd set-top boxes.

The question is: Will operators sign on? Marvell Senior Product Marketing Manager Edward Silva, whose company supplies Google’s hardware partners with the processor that powers the latest generation of Google TVs, is cautious. “It will be a matter of time before they open up their walled garden,” he told me during an interview last week.

Silva said that operators have been looking for an open platform for some time to power their next generation of set-top boxes, and Marvell is expecting that some of these new Android set-tops will come to market in the second half of this year. However, it’s doubtful whether cable and satellite will be ready to open their devices up to Google’s Android Market. “The operators are taking baby steps now,” he said.

Android in the cloud

Silva isn’t the only one who’s skeptical. “The cable operators are not ready to embrace Google TV and Android as a whole,” I was told by Myriad Group Bizdev VP Olivier Bartholot when I quizzed him about the topic. Myriad has been active in the mobile phone space for years, and the company recently started to offer Android-based solutions to pay TV operators. The company’s pitch goes a little bit like this: We’ll give you all the apps your customers want – but none of the ones you don’t.

Myriad announced a partnership with Broadcom at CES to bring its Alien Vue platform to next-generation set-top boxes, but their take on legacy hardware is even more interesting: Myriad can host a completely customized version of Android in the cloud and then stream apps directly to your plain-old set-top box, much in the same way that OnLive streams games to all kinds of devices. Check out a demo of Alien Vue in the video below:

This means that cable operators can bring Android apps to their customers without investing in expensive new hardware or giving Google access to their platform – and Bartholot is convinced that the latter is key: “A lot of customers that we are talking to are very concerned about Google TV,” he told me. Myriad is on the other hand seeing a lot of interest in its solution, and in fact is going to trial Alien Vue with a large U.S.-based pay TV operator in the next few months.

Consumers want apps

A the same time, operators are realizing they have to offer some Google TV functionality to their customers. “It all started with the take-up of over-the-top boxes,” said Bartholot. Google TV, Roku and all of its competitors may not have sold huge numbers, but they have definitely changed how consumers think about TVs, and what they expect from the box they’re renting from their cable company every month. Silva agreed. Consumers are demading apps, so operators are moving towards Android, he told me.

The question is: Will they go for an open approach like Google TV, or for a more controlled environment like Alien Vue? Google’s Queiroz is convinced that he can convince the industry to join him. “There are a number of operators that are eager to have the functionality (of Google TV) rather sooner than later,” he told me, adding that Google might strike its first partnerships outside of the U.S..

Bartholot on the other hand remains skeptical. Sure, operators could have a change of heart in the months and years to come and warm up to Google TV, he told me, adding: “But I don’t know if this will ever happen.”

Image courtesy of Flickr user carlstr.

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More than 60 percent of viewers watch TV with a computer in their laps or a mobile device in their hands. So why not use those devices to figure out what to watch next? A growing number of apps are being built to provide recommendations for users trying to figure out what to watch on TV and on their mobile devices. Here are five of our favorites:

BuddyTV

BuddyTV got its start by building a TV news and community site, but has expanded to create mobile apps built for personalized recommendations of TV shows. By taking into account which shows viewers have checked into, as well as those they’ve rated, BuddyTV can suggest new TV shows that are airing whenever they open the app. And since it tracks viewership, it will surface shows users already have shown an affinity for when those shows are on air.

Dijit

Dijit’s mobile app was launched primarily to be used as a remote control for a wide range of devices. Paired with the Griffin Beacon IR controller, Dijit can be used to control anything from your TV to your Blu-ray player to your Roku streaming media box. But in addition to the channel grid, which can be used to search and navigate what’s on TV at any given time, Dijit has added a social layer on top, allowing viewers to check in and comment on their favorite shows. It also provides social recommendations based on Facebook integration, suggesting new shows for users to watch.

Fanhattan

While it’s not necessarily used to find or watch shows on the TV, the Fanhattan app provides a way to search for content within applications from services like Netflix and Hulu Plus on a user’s iPad or iPhone. With a universal search functionality, users can search TV shows and movies without having to jump in and out of different apps for the information they want. It also provides a wealth of cast and crew data, ratings and multimedia assets related to the content users are searching for.

Fav.tv

While most people are looking for the best content available when they turn on the TV, some want to know when their favorite shows air. Enter Fav.tv. The startup’s iOS and Android apps offer the ability to keep track of when new episodes are airing and mark off episodes they have already watched. The app also provides news about shows from around the web, as well as the ability to share comments about shows with their friends within the app.

Yap.tv

Yap.tv has taken a decidedly social approach to aggregating TV listings, showing its users which shows are most popular, while also letting them set favorites and see what friends are watching. Its guide is also a lot more visual than most other TV apps, highlighting cover art for each of the shows represented. Once viewers choose a show, they can take polls, see tweets from other viewers and participate in live chats as well.

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So you wish to get a new surround sound system and the adverts tell you you need a 7.1 system. Before we you look at if you want a 7.1 system, lets learn what it really is.

7.1 surround sound configuration is one where there are 7 audio channels (Left Front, Left, Centre, Right, Right Front, Left Surround and Right Surround) and one subwoofer(LFE). (An audio channel is a separate stream of audio information)

7.1 is usually only helpful with programme material that carries the full 8 channels. Examples of this are the HD version of DTS and Digital Tue HD.

Let return to the original query, do you actually need 7.1 surround sound. This answer is really based upon what material you watch. To appreciate 7.1 surround sound you have to have 7 speakers and subwoofer configured to fit your room. You also have to have materials, that are mixed to 7.1 channels. Currently, lots of film soundtracks are mixed in 5.1 channels (that is the recording has been made for a 5.1 configuration). Nevertheless there’s a rising number of films that are blended with 7.1 channels. In fact, nearly all new movies are being released with a 7.1 version available.

If you have blu-ray player it’s going to decode the HD audio, instantly decode 7.1 sound for you so your receiver doesn’t have to do any decoding to do. Any receiver which has 7.1 will be able to player your sound completely. It’s worth remembering this when purchasing a receiver and blu- ray player together.

So to reply to the first query Do I actually need 7.1 surround sound? If you’d like wonderfully clear sound coming at you from all angles and you’ve got many movies DVD titles which have been mixed with 7.1 sound, your sole choice is 7.1 surround sound.

To discover more on surround sound and their receivers and an awesome jargon buster check out http://surround-sound-receiver.com.

Similar to last year’s BD-P4600, Samsung is releasing a further uniquely designed Blu-ray Player, the BD-C7500. While many players have a black glossy finish, this player has a nature-wood inspired outside finish. Add to that, Samsung Blu-ray Players is pronouncing the player as the World’s Thinnest at only 1.1 inches thick, that may also be attached into your wall. The BD-C7500 model succeeds in setting itself apart from all the other Blu-ray Players.

In addition to wall mounting player, you could have it standing around a 25 degree angle or simply just laying down flat. The disc loading tray is situated in the right side of the Blu-ray Player. Its truly a beautiful and reliable design which will appeal too many. Also, interesting is its easy to use Graphical User Interface (GUI). Samsung Blu-ray Players proceeded to go that has a more image menu making it simpler and a lot quicker to decide on features and functions.

The Samsung’s BD-C7500 does have built-in Wi-Fi and 1GB of internal storage memory, so you’re able to quickly take full advantage of BD-Live content. Otherwise you can access Internet/Tv and Samsung’s Apps; which can provides online entry to streaming movies, Tv programs, music, videos and also other online content. Services which include Blockbuster, Fashion TV, Netflix, Picasa, Pandora, Rovi, Accedo Broadband, AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, Travel Channel, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu are all available. Providing you with a tremendous degree of material available and enjoy.

Visual quality will likely be at 1080p/24 fps playback with Blu-ray Discs, without any requirement for up converting. DVD up conversion is accessible up to 1080p. There may be internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus. With improved disc loading times and operation speed, you can start to enjoy these functions faster than before.

This specific modern new design by Samsung, the BD-C7500, will be call the worlds smallest Blu-ray Player. This has Built-in Wi-Fi and 1GB of internal memory. You may get access to Samsung’s Internet/TV to download and stream internet movies and Television shows, etc. Has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Cost is still unknown for the BD-C7500. There aren’t any 3D features. BD-C6500 has the same features available.

That has a modern, small, natural-wood design, this just maybe the simplest looking Blu-ray Player ever. It is wall mountable and does have Built-in Wi-Fi and 1 GB of memory storage, so you can easily take full advantage of streaming online features and BD-Live features. If you prefer a more standard looking Blu-ray Player, the “normal looking” BD-C6500 appears to have all the features on the BD-C7500.

Right now there are actually various blu ray players around in the market in which produce a variety of functionality. Nevertheless, samsung blu-ray player stands above the rest from the rest players in the marketplace due to the fact of the distinct advantages in which are produced by it above the others. The best Samsung blu ray player has service for many different functionality such as easy access to Twitter. Keep in mind this has many other advantages as well.

It offers a decent speed and whenever combined with the 7.1 audio system, it provides a great experience to its users. A Samsung blu ray player comes loaded with several functions. It is available at such a reduced price which generally provides other players inside the exact same class a run with their dollars. Simply because none of them offers this type of functionality which are available in a samsung blu-ray player in the very same price range.

It has an exquisite type and looks excellent along with the metallic finish and the magnificent black color color. The switches are lighted along with a touch and there is light in the power switch no matter if the electrical power has actually been powered down. It comes along with a Usb cable which can be useful for quick connection other equipments.

Even more further, the remote has been offered a whole new type by providing it a better size and a slimmer surface. You can actually take advantage of the diverse controls which has been positioned under the position of the thumb. One more thrilling functionality of this remote is that even a Television can certainly be controlled by using it.

The gui of the player too, is actually redesigned. Many mass media varieties just like music and beautiful photos are presented using separate representations. It comes along along with a help support for many different internet streaming services that may be seen at the main display without having to visit the program shop. You could even save many different software programs on the online site of Samsung. Such apps which may be downloaded vary from videos to computer games and tunes and many more.

Blu-Ray players and HD DVD had been in a war for hd playback of optical discs. The Blu-Ray players were the winners of the battle and are available in the market. There are a few guidelines that you’ve got to follow when buying a Blu-ray player and some are listed here. However the laser which reads the disc in the player is known as the blue laser. The Blu-ray Disc Association was the first manufacturer of the disc.There are different types of options for someone who is willing to purchase a player. The players offer many functions some of which are Internet ability, gaming system, 3D features and connections. As the 3D television was devised, Blu-ray 3D players have also become readily available.

An additional function that is well-known in the recent years is the WiFi feature. Together with WiFi capability you can easily get connected to the Internet with out requiring any wired connection.This feature is readily available in the players at a affordable rate. Using this, the online streaming of music or movies will become super easy.3D is a fresh function in TV as well as in players and is not widely available currently. Somebody having a 3D TV may go for a Blu-ray 3D player. The BD players will also play the normal DVD that most of us have.

A high speed HDMI cable must be used to get the best picture quality with the Blu-ray 3D player and 3D TV. The 1080p resolution that the Blu-ray sends to the TV can be delivered only with this cable. You receive picture and sound from only one cable and it carries both video and audio signals and hence HDMI cables are very convenient.  When you connect multiple devices this cable reduces the clutter that you encounter during the connection. You must make sure you get a HDMI cable when you have a 3D set up as most of the players don’t come with one included.

Any good player provides you with these: You will get a video output of 1080p/24 and most recent high resolution audio platforms. You will also get access to WiFi capability, DLNA support for your home network, online streaming media service, playback of media platforms like AVCHD, DIVX Plus and many more. The Blu-ray 3D players transform your living room to a hi-tech media center.