Recently Filed in Gaming Systems

Director Spiro Razatos doesn’t make Steven Spielberg money, but he probably loves movies just as much. So when it came time to build his dream home theater, he couldn’t make it a big-budget production. Still, he had an epic vision. The stuntman-turned-stunt-coordinator and director has fond memories of sitting in vintage movie theaters with his dad. “Since I was a little kid I wanted to have a real theater where I could sit and watch movies at home,” he says. He had attempted the home… View this story
Gaming Systems • Home Theater • Cool Homes

Subscribers of the Sony PlayStation Network video delivery service now have more options when it comes to entertainment. Six major movie studios, including 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will offer high-def movies for purchase and rental. Everything from comedies and kids films, to horror flicks and dramas will be offered. “Securing high definition content from these studios is another significant milestone further validating PlayStation Network as a complete entertainment network in the… View this story
Digital Media Stores • Gaming Systems • Web Services • Product News

We heard about Sony’s plans to update its standalone and HTIB Blu-ray players for 3D capability earlier this week, so it’s only logical that the company has the firmware upgrade in the works for its most popular Blu-ray device as well. The Sony PlayStation 3 will be getting the 3D treatment for its gaming and Blu-ray platforms this summer, according to Pocket-lint.com (via Engadget HD), which talked to director of hardware marketing John Koller about the 3D transition. The summer timeframe coincides with the planned… View this story
Blu-ray • Gaming Systems • Product News

“Pat warned my kids that if they didn’t turn off their Xbox when they were finished, it would burn out,” says Janet Crown, the owner of a recently renovated 12,000-square-foot home in Los Angeles, Calif.  That’s Pat as in Patrick Calderone, who is the owner of Audio Video Experience (AVX), the custom electronics design and installation firm hired by Crown to rig her place with a variety of family-friendly electronic systems. As the audio/video expert on the two-year project, his advice was taken seriously by… View this story
Plasma • Home Control Systems • Gaming Systems • Home Theater • Cool Homes • Slideshows

The Nintendo Wii, the top-selling gaming system, is adding Netflix streaming in the spring of 2010, the New York Times reports. No exact date has been given by Nintendo, but the service will come at no additional cost for those who already have a Netflix subscription. “Our goal is to offer Netflix members as many ways as possible to watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix right to their TVs and to give non-members more and compelling reasons to consider the service,” says Netflix… View this story
AV Components • Digital Media Stores • Gaming • Gaming Systems • Movies and Music • Product News

Sony pulled out one of its biggest new celebrities to help usher in its 3D products CES 2010. Pop star Taylor Swift shared the stage with Sony’s Sir Howard Singer and performed live with a real-time 3D projection of her performance showing on a screen behind her. Sony president Stan Glasgow described the company as “Fully immersed in the 3D value chain” through partnerships with RealD, Discovery Channel and IMAX. The Discovery and IMAX partnership will result in the creation of a 3D TV network… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Displays • Flat Panel • HDTV • LCD • Gaming • Gaming Systems • CES • Product News

Earlier this week we reported on Roku adding two new Netflix players, the Roku HD-XR and Roku SD, and Netflix support on the PS3 coming in November. Now it’s Nintendo’s turn. According to Dan Rayburn of BusinessOfVideo.com, Nintendo is currently testing Netflix streaming on the Wii. The report, which cites an undisclosed project insider, says Nintendo’s original plan was to bring Netflix playback to the Wii by the end of 2009. That might still happen. The same source also says Nintendo might hold off on… View this story
AV Components • Digital Media Stores • Gaming • Gaming Systems • Movies and Music • Product News

So much for Microsoft’s exclusive partnership with Netflix. Sony is bringing Netflix streaming to the PlayStation 3 as early as November. For $8.99 a month, Netflix members will be able to instantly watch an unlimited number of movies and TV episodes directly on their PS3. Netflix has been available on the Xbox 360 for a while, but you need to subscribe to Xbox Live, which is an extra $50 per year. Give the edge to Sony here. However, there will be some quirks to streaming… View this story
Gaming • Gaming Systems • Blu-ray • Digital Media Stores • Product News

If you’re looking for Windows Media Center Extenders, and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is pretty much the only game in town these days. Good thing it’s a pretty sweet gaming console too.  Buy.com currently has a refurbished Xbox 360 Pro Package including three games, two controllers, and the other normal goodies, for only $199 with free shipping.  It’s the older 20GB version, but does have an HDMI port and full 1-year MS warranty. From the looks of it, the three games are Dark Sector, Ultimate Alliance… View this story
Gaming Accessories • Gaming Systems • Deals • Product News

Need to pick up a replacement 3/8-inch Craftsman ratchet? Or a filter for your Kenmore refrigerator/vacuum/toaster? Maybe a Die Hard battery for your ‘97 Civic? Chances are you’re heading to Sears.  While you’re there, you can also grab the Panasonic TC-P50S1 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV along with an Xbox 360 60GB Pro Bundle (with two games) for $999.99. The Panasonic S series plasma line is my pick for best value in a 1080p plasma. The Xbox 360 Pro is the last model that will maintain… View this story
Plasma • Gaming Systems • Deals • Product News

Well now the options for your media room gaming haven are even tastier. Nintendo has announced that it’s dropping the price of the hugely popular Wii console by $50, to $199, starting this Sunday. The move follows in the footsteps of the competition, as we’ve seen both the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 cut their prices recently as well, notes CNET. The Xbox 360 Elite is down to $299, as is the PlayStation 3 Slim, the new version of the PS3 that still… View this story
Gaming • Games • Gaming Systems • Product News

Sony is making some big announcements regarding 3D at IFA 2009 in Berlin, saying the “3D train is on the track, and we’re the ones to drive it home.” Sony will release a firmware upgrade to bring 3DTV support to all existing PS3 games. You’ll still need the 3D glasses and any TV that supports 3D. The console sends the 3D content out over HDMI and then the TV syncs it with the 3D glasses. The video below is from Engadget, which has been toying… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Displays • HDTV • LCD • Gaming • Gaming Systems • Product News