Remember the Samsung P2370HD monitor? Well, this is it at 27 inches. How's that for concision? Oh, you want more -- well, Samsung must've expected you to, because it's also added a TV tuner and a HDMI input to its latest Full HD display, to go along with a 5ms response time and a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. There's also a pair of 3 watt stereo speakers that can simulate 5.1 channel sound -- good for emergencies or if you just can't stand speakers cluttering up your desktop. Filling out the goodie bag are Picture In Picture and Picture By Picture modes, which should make good use of the extra real estate on the screen by combining, for example, your desktop with a TV source. The price is set at 549,000 Won (or about $473) for Korea, though global availability looks imminent so don't rush to import it just yet.

Read - Samsung Korea press release
Read - Product page

Right on schedule, the linear version of the three-screen focused EpixHD service will go live for FiOS TV subscribers starting at 8 p.m. Already VOD and internet accessible, launch weekend (and subsequent weekends) will spread high definition streaming cheer beyond just the fiber-connected as anyone can grab a 72 hour access pass to stream some movies (we don't recommend Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but pretty much everything else mentioned in the launch lineup or the official PR after the break seems good.) Chief Digital Officer Emil Rensing let us know what the trip from beta to reality has been like, and while there won't be many tweaks in the experience from our largely positive preview experience, expect additional features like movie extras, behind the scenes peeks and more to roll out across the site over time. EpixHD.com/invite has the 72 hour passes, while we hear the company Twitter isn't a bad spot to check for extended access while waiting for its "movies anywhere" strategy to become officially available in your neck of the woods.

Good news, baseball fans -- starting at 6:00PM ET tomorrow, you'll have all the action you can handle, anytime of the year. If your provider is signed on to begin offering MLB Network, that is. Said channel is expected to begin airing in some 50 million homes tomorrow, and the League has high hopes that its 24-hour baseball channel will end up paying for itself ($50 million to launch, give or take) over time. We're hearing that deals with new carriers are being finalized "every day," with agreements already in place with DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications. As of now, the station is expected to broadcast 26 regular season matchups in 2009, and it's hoping to acquire even more tilts after current TV contracts expire in 2013. For a look at the studios in which you'll be peering at in a matter of hours, check the read link for galleries.

[Via Reuters]

Missed your opportunity to score a low-cost Blu-ray player on Black Friday? Worried senseless about how you're ever going to get a BD deck for that special someone at a price you can stomach? Chill, please -- you're making us all anxious around here. As you can see above, Target is planning to slash the price on the Olevia BD-100 starting Sunday to a totally delicious $149.99. Granted, the cut is slated to be for "a limited time" only, but that's all the time you need to get in, right?

If there were any doubts about the purpose of the Ciel II satellite, it's safe to say those questions have been answered. According to a glowing release on International Launch Services' website, the latest bird to leave its hands has successfully reached space, and now it waits to "ultimately be moved to 129 degrees West longitude where it will deliver digital television services to Canada and the contiguous United States." Brian Neill, chairman of the Ciel Satellite Group, was quoted as saying that "now that the spacecraft has delivered an initial signal, Ciel, our founders, investors, and our customer, DISH Network, can look forward to Ciel II's operation early next year." No word on what exactly DISH will use this for "early next year," but it doesn't sound like we'll be waiting long to find out.

[Thanks, Joe]

While we can only imagine that most DISH Network subscribers are waiting anxiously for EchoStar XV to liftoff in 2010, we've got somewhat of an appetizer to share with you today. International Launch Services is making its final preparations to send off the Ciel II communications satellite for an estimated 16 years of service to Ciel and EchoStar. On the official Mission Control page, the "Purpose" is simply listed as "various services," so it's hard to say if this will be used for additional bandwidth or just to look pretty in outer space. Suppose we'll find out soon enough, as the bird takes flight at 8:43ET on December 10th.

[Thanks, Vanbrothers]

Read - Press release
Read - Mission Control website

While Syntax-Brillian proper is no longer with us, Olevia International Group LLC is (at last check, anyway). Semantics aside, that Olevia-branded Blu-ray deck we heard about way back in May has apparently made it out of the production plant and into Target's supply chain. The BD-100 has finally landed in Target stores, boasting full 1080p output, support for Dolby TrueHD, HDMI / component sockets, coaxial / Toslink digital audio ports and what appears to be a backlit remote. Of note, the unit was slated to launch this month at $299, but first-hand reports have already spotted an entirely more digestible $229 sticker in Target stores. Granted, we're not too sure who'd take a chance with Olevia when a Sony on closeout can be had for even less, but to each his / her own.

[Thanks, David]

On the whole, we'd say KURO plasma owners are pretty stoked about their sets. Those who'd prefer a KURO-branded LCD, however, have been waiting anxiously to hear something more from ole Pioneer for months. Thankfully, the firm has finally spoken, and while it doesn't mention any brand / model names specifically, we can assume that those LCD HDTVs we saw emerge in Europe will be gracing US shores in mere months. During the first half of 2009, Pioneer LCD HDTVs will be loosed in North America and Asia, and unless plans change, the panels within will actually be supplied by Sharp. Might we be on the lookout for a sneak peek at CES '09?

Are you ready to believe? While Digeo's road to the present has been laden with mishaps, the latest word has it that the company will indeed be rolling out two new products in the very near future. Of course, we've seen the plug pulled at the last minute before, but if everything holds up this time, we'll see a Moxi set-top-box arrive later this month on Charter. Additionally, "a second MSO" will be offering the unit in short order, and a retail box should ship in January. Sadly, that latter device won't have tru2way capability (though it will support a multistream CableCARD), but it should be noted that Digeo is also prepping a Moxi PC interface as well as wares that could tie into home automation setups. Hit the read link for the full spill -- just don't get your hopes up too high until we see a shipping confirmation.

Initially, we wondered why Sky Cable Philippines would choose the Ryder Cup as the nation's first HD broadcast, but then we remembered that there's really no better way to show off the benefits of high-def than to showcase a sporting event. Reportedly the cable carrier will be delivering the four day event (September 19th through 22nd) in magnificent high-definition to those who take the plunge on an HD set-top-box. Too bad that box costs a stiff $42, but hopefully this is just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

[Thanks, Marco]

It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.

[Via Reuters]

Just a few weeks later than the planned June 22nd date, Discovery HD has officially launched in Australia. This is just the officially-official announcement -- we wouldn't be surprised if the rollout actually started up on June 22 -- so we'd like to hear from Aussie readers in the comments below. Discovery certainly has some great content to offer up, but filling up a 24/7 schedule on the Foxtel HD+ service will be challenging. We're not complaining -- spreading the HD word always gets a thumbs up from us! Add in the Samsung/Foxtel HD+ promo and the Australian TiVos, and we're pretty sure there will be lots of HD grins going around in Oz.

Ah, so whispers did prove true. TiVo went all out today Down Under as it trumpeted the forthcoming release of its heralded set-top-box in Australia. As we'd already heard, the box will be available exclusively through Harvey Norman stores for three months starting on July 29th, after which the AUD$699 device will find its way into other retail outlets. On the plus side, the HD DVR will have all of the standard features as seen on the US model (Season Pass, Wish List, etc.) and there will be no monthly fee. On the downside, most of the networking extras we're accustomed to in America -- TiVoToGo, music playback, photo viewing, etc. -- won't be immediately available. The unit itself is based on the TiVo HD, as it features a 160GB hard drive, dual tuners, an eSATA port and support for SD / HD broadcasts. Hit the read link for all the gory details, okay mate?

As the release date for ZeeVee's ZvBox draws near (we're hearing July 31st), the company is out and about in an attempt to drum up demand as the run-up to its launch progresses. During CONNECTIONS 2008, ZeeVee was in attendance with a ZvBox on display, and aside from snapping a few telling photographs, the folks over at eHomeUpgrade were also able to capture a couple videos to give you an early feel of its capabilities (and limitations). We don't have to tell you where the goods are, but if you're new here, that read link down there is a good place to start.

[Via SlashGear]

We've seen a few HTIB systems trickle out from the Pioneer labs of late, but never four at once. Today, the firm has made official a foursome of home cinema systems slated to hit Europe in the fall, so we'll cut right to the chase. The LX03 is the lone system with a DVD / SACD player and USB port, while the others thoughtfully include Blu-ray decks. The LX03BD (satellite speakers included) and LX08BD (no satellites included) feature 500-watts of power, HDMI 1.3 sockets (2 in / 1 out), KURO LINK, an iPod connection and a 7-band equalizer. The LX01BD includes omni-direction speakers, 400-watts of power and pretty much everything else found on the LX08BD. For complete specifications, be sure to give the read link a visit; as for availability, you'll find the LX03, LX03BD and LX08BD systems in October while the LX01BD arrives in November.