Panasonic DVD-S58 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player, Black

• 1080p upconversion with HDMI output: Convert DVD content to 1080p resolution
• VIERA Link: Control multiple compatible devices with one remote
• Multi-format DVD/CD/MP3 playback: Plays back content stored in several different DVD formats
• Play Almost Anything: Incredibly versatile and multi-format-friendly, this DVD player can play back just about any DVD or CD you can throw at it.

HD-Quality Images. The DVD-S58 features a 1080p up-conversion function that converts standard definition (720 x 480 pixels) images from DVD sources to high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) quality images. And with the addition of HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color to our DVD players, the up-converted signals deliver vivid, sharp and exceptionally detailed images. VIERA Link Compatible As the types of media continue to increase, VIERA Link capabilities continue to evolve. Using your VIERA HDTV’s VIERA Link remote, the newly enhanced Seamless GUI (graphical user interface) menu displays on the TV screen, making it easier to operate connected components like Panasonic’s DVD-S58 DVD player. Play Almost Anything Incredibly versatile and multi-format-friendly, this DVD player can play back just about any DVD or CD you can throw at it. Specifically, it can play back the following disc formats: DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW1, DVD-R (including dual layer)1, DVD+R (including dual layer)1, DVD+RW1, CD, CD-R/RW

Rating: (out of 12 reviews)

List Price: $ 49.99

Price: Too low to display

If you long for the ability to watch high definition TV on a seven-inch screen that’s resolution is a mere 480×234 but you also want to have the option to watch standard definition DVD’s as well, then here’s your next purchase.

According to Hammacher Schlemmer, this is “The First Portable HDTV And DVD Player.”

Will it be the last? Probably not.

This one, however, costs a whopping $300 and features two hours of battery life for HDTV watching or 2.5 hours for DVD playback. You can also view pictures and video files using the built-in memory card reader.

The digital tuner supports broadcasts in 720p and you’ll have to bring along the included “sensitive external antenna” in order to reel them in.

The First Portable HDTV And DVD Player [Hammacher Schlemmer]

Apple has just announced Snow Leopard 10.6.1, a mild update to everyone’s favorite mild update. The improvements include fixing some of the printer problems plaguing users and fixes to mail problems. Huge news this isn’t.

Full fix list:

Improves compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
Addresses an issue in which some printer compatibility drivers might not appear properly in the Add Printer browser
Addresses an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
Addresses an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
Resolves an issue in which the Command-Option-T keyboard shortcut would sometimes bring up the special characters menu in applications such as Mail and TextEdit
Addresses instances in which auto account setup in Mail might not work
Resolves issues when sending mail with certain SMTP servers
Addresses an issue in which Motion 4 could become unresponsive
Includes an update to Adobe Flash Player plug-in version 10.0.32.18

via Giz

If you find driving an automobile to be an ultimately boring and mundane experience, you might think about adding an in-dash DVD player with iPod and Bluetooth connections — if only to have something to take your eyes off the road for a while.

Amazon is selling a 7-inch JVC double-DIN stereo for $269.99 with free shipping, today only. That’s down from the normal price of $379.99.

It’s got just about every feature you could think of, too: CD/DVD playback, radio, USB flash memory drive and standard hard drive support, iPod support, Bluetooth, wireless remote, touchscreen, and an onboard 50W x 4 amp.

Just needs GPS — that’s about all that’s missing. But who needs to know how to get anywhere when you can just watch movies in the car all day?

JVC KW-AVX710 [Amazon]

By Shane McGlaun

I’ve never felt the need to spend thousands of dollars on a car stereo. Some folks can’t imagine having a stock audio system in their car and for these types of people there are a huge amount of aftermarket systems available to choose from.

Pioneer has announced a new high-end in-dash navigation system called the AVIC-Z110BT. The system allows users to control an iPod, iPhone, and Bluetooth enabled phones with voice commands. The unit has a 7-inch motorized touch panel screen and supports CD and DVD playback.

The navigation system features Drive Report allowing the driver to put in fuel price and mileage info to calculate the cheapest driving route. The unit can also send DVD video to optional rear seat screens for kids to watch on trips. Other features include MSN Direct Support, 3D highway signs, and brand icons. The unit sells for $1,600 and will be available in July.

[ Pioneer Electronics

Thank god. The absurd and arbitrary limitation of running three apps at a time on Windows 7 Starter edition has been lifted, although all the other ways in which it sucks are still intact. When they announced the six different flavors of Windows 7, everyone gaped at the punishing 3-app limit, wondering how Microsoft intended to justify it when so much rides on Windows 7 being a good choice for netbooks and nettops. There are still many pieces missing, and the blog post announcing the change goes out of its way to make this clear.

So for the record, just what isn’t included in the Starter edition?

• Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
• Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
• The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
• Multi-monitor support.
• DVD playback.
• Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
• Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
• Domain support for business customers.
• XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.

As you can see, it really is the poor man’s version of the otherwise sweet-looking OS, but at least you won’t have to shut down your browser in order to watch a movie. No DVD playback, though? I don’t remember that from before. Did they sneak that in there?