Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs

So Apple pioneered the “PC-in-a-monitor” form factor with the iMac G5, and though other manufacturers have since followed suit, no one has been able to top Cupertino when it comes to screen size on this form factor — until now, that is. PocketPCReviews is reporting that an Australian company called OzIQ — which already has a range of All-in-One machines topping out at 22 inches — is poised to release a mammoth 32-inch model called the OZ-632i7, making the 24-inch iMac look positively miniscule in comparison. Although not much information is available yet concerning the guts of this monster, spec sheets indicate that it will be powered by Core Duo and Core Solo processors, rock up to 3GB of DDR2 RAM, and presumably feature Windows Media Center Edition, seeing as it sports an internal TV tuner as well. Supposedly OzIQ is planning on pushing this one out the door “in a couple of weeks,” priced at the equivalent of $3,200.

[Thanks, Anton]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

It’s coming out a little later than we expected, but Sony has finally announced a solid release window for the Bravia TAV-L1 complete home theater system that we first spotted all the way back in February. As you may recall, this model consists of a 32-inch LCD monitor covered by a motorized panel containing speakers and a slot-loading DVD/SACD player, along with a single HDMI input and two vibration-canceling subwoofers in the base. Knowing full well that consumers love to personalize their gear, Sony will be offering the L1 with optional green, gray, burgundy, orange, or silver speaker grills for $100 apiece starting in September, about a month after the product itself is released. Also on the horizon is a $1,300 system called the RHT-G1000, which features speakers and a receiver built right into a TV stand, allowing users to hook up their own flat panel sets and rear satellites for the full home theater experience. Expect the G1000 to be available sometime in October, while the $4,000 TAV-L1 is scheduled for release next month — well past the May launch we’d first heard, but also a lot cheaper than the $7,000 we originally reported.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

ViewSonic, a name already well known on our computer desk, is now making a play for our living room with a set of LCD TVs that promise to delight us now, and keep us “future-proofed” into the, um, future. Both new models — the 32-inch N3251W (pictured) and 27-inch N2751W — feature 1,366 x 768 widescreen displays, 1000:1 contrast ratios, and zippy 8ms response times, along with HDCP-compatible HDMI inputs, S/PDIF digital audio outputs, and as a bonus, integrated digital ATSC tuners. Even better, the prices for these displays — available now, at your favorite ViewSonic distributor — aren’t stratospheric, with the 27-incher going for $800 and the 32-inch model setting you back a grand or less.

[Via HDBeat]

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

We know there are a ton of Brits anxiously waiting to hear whether Acer's 32-inch AT3205-DTV LCD, at only $1,888 dollars, is really such a bargain, so we won't keep you in suspense: according to Trusted Reviews, it most certainly is. Truth be told, the picture actually sounds like it leaves something to be desired -- black levels and fine detail aren't the best -- but they seem to fall in the acceptable range, and the 1366 x 768 screen apparently delivers vibrant colors and good brightness levels. Other plusses include the built-in Freeview tuner (no CI slot for adding subscription content, though), powerful-for-a-flat-panel sound system, and a plethora of connection options, including HDMI and DVI, component, three SCART ports, and digital audio out. So, if you can deal with some slightly gray blacks and a bit of a, um, bold design, then fear not, British friends, because your quid will be well spent on the Acer.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

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While we can’t vouch for
the quality of a 32-inch LCD making its debut at Toys ‘R Us locations around the UK for under $1,100, the specs on
Medion’s upcoming MD 20099 don’t look half bad. The Medion offers a 1,366 x 768 pixel display, 1000:1 contrast ratio,
550cd/m² brightness, and even an HDCP-capable HDMI input, along
with dual-tuner PIP, split-screen text, and built-in 20-watt sound system with five-band equalizer. Again, we’re not
sure what to expect from the performance of this model, but if you happen to be in a British Toys ‘R Us at the end of
the month when this model is debuted, make sure to leave your impressions in the comments.

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