ViewSonic is known for its displays. Now they want to give you the rest of the package. Today, the company announced a few PC products, designed for the user that’s low on space. At 2.6 pounds, the VieBook ($429) is the company’s first netbook. Featuring a 10.2-inch screen, ViewSonic says that the weight and 3-hour battery life make it a nice option for travelers and students alike. Those looking to… View this story
Computer Displays • Computers • CES • Networking • Product News

The Panasonic TC-P54Z1 is the wafer-thin TV we’ve been waiting for. As part of the Z1 plasma series, this NeoPDP HDTV unit can produce a 1080p image from a 1-inch-thin design. Even nicer, it throws in access to VIERA Cast, Panasonic’s own web app, which delivers Amazon’s video-on-demand service and sites such as YouTube. Also, the addition of WirelessHD technology promises a clutter-free setup, because it can transmit “uncompressed 1080p… View this story
Plasma • CES • Home Theater • Product News

Fumbling with keys is not very high-tech. That’s why Black & Decker has developed a few new automated door locks under its Kwikset and Baldwin brands.  Designed to tie into your home control and/or security system, each of the locks will feature remote locking and unlocking, door status notification and automatic arming and disarming. Each product will also include SmartKey, which allows users to quickly re-lock the door for added… View this story
Locks and Hardware • CES • Security • Product News

If you’ve got a big multipurpose room, theater room or other space that needs some TLC when it comes to lighting, Lutron has the single-room solution for you. The company at CES 2009 has unveiled its RadioRA-SR wireless lighting control system for single rooms—lots of applications, no new wires. We’re talking theater rooms in which you want to have special scenes set up for before and after the movie, media… View this story
Home Control • Touchpanels and Keypads • Lighting Control • Lighting Control Systems • CES • Product News

If you’re chomping at the bit to get a projection system and absolutely need full HD 1080p resolution, that’ll usually come at a hefty price tag. Not quite with Sanyo’s new “entry level” 1080p unit, which will let you get into the 1080p game for under $2,000. Sanyo has introduced its PLV-1080HD LCD projector at CES 2009, with the entry-level price of $1,995. There’s a lot more than entry-level stuff… View this story
Displays • Front Projection • LCD • CES • Home Theater • Product News

Next time you’re bored at a family gathering, you can whip out Sony’s Cyber-Shot G3. While the clan is saying, “cheese,” you can actually be surfing the web—right on the camera. Actually, the unit has built-in Wi-Fi so you can share those family or freakish moments instantly. Just as long as you can tap into a hotspot, you can share photos and video clips as soon as you capture them.… View this story
Portables • Gadgets • CES • Enhancements • Product News

You’ve jumped on the Blu-ray bandwagon, but can’t seem to let go of those standard-def discs. A good reason might be the other DVD players in your house—or the car. Now Panasonic says you can hit the highway with the DMP-B15.  This portable unit provides anywhere access to the magic you are slowing getting addicted to at home. The 8.9-inch unit even takes it one step further, adding VIERA CAST… View this story
Blu-ray • Portables • CES • Home Theater • Product News

Westinghouse just announced enough new TVs to make your head spin. The TX Series will feature some of the larger sizes, including the 37-inch TX-37F510Z, the 42-inch TX-42F970Z, and the 55-inch TX-55F350Z. Each one of these models boasts a 1080p image and a 120Hz refresh rate. A few quickie specs on each: The TX-37510Z: 5000:1 contrast ratio, 500 nits brightness, 6.5 ms response time, and 4 HDMI inputs The TX-42F970Z:… View this story
HDTV • LCD • CES • Home Theater • Product News

VidaBox has unveiled its Touch3.6 here at CES 2009, a full-color touchpad with an interactive, customizable interface. The Touch3.6 (320x234 resolution) controls any device with RS-232, TCP/IP, IR and other control protocols via the vAutomation platform. A single CAT cable and power-over-Ethernet is needed. vController is used for the brains of the Touch3.6, processing selections and changing the units interface. “Integrators can finally install a double-gang sized panel to control… View this story
Home Control Systems • Touchpanels and Keypads • CES • Home Control • Product News

Lighting company Checkolite and powerline chip geeks Arkados are coming together to make the Reese’s peanut butter cup of home technology. The two are planning to develop a whole line of multiroom audio and lighting control products under the name iHome. You know iHome—the company that cranks out iPod clock radios and speaker systems. What makes the new products different is that not only will they combine lighting with audio,… View this story
Docks & Cradles • Fixtures and Switches • Gadgets • CES • Audio • Enhancements • Product News