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The ten gadgets you'll covet most in 2004 |
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Patrick Houston Editorial Director, AnchorDesk Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 |
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With its 45-inch diagonal screen size, Sharp's LC-45GD1U will be the largest LCD flat panel on the planet when released later this summer. And unlike similarly sized plasmas, it'll display HDTV content at its native resolution, with a progressive-scan image that's theoretically twice as good as the interlaced images on other displays. Pricing was not announced, but expect to pay at least twice as much as for a 46-inch plasma. (Watch the video) 2. DirecTV HD DVR
DirecTV takes the digital video recorder to the next level with the TiVo-powered HD DVR. The 250GB drive holds 30 hours of high-def programming or 200 hours of standard TV. Using the two built-in satellite tuners and two additional terrestrial ATSC tuners, viewers can simultaneously record two high-definition programs. Look for it to be available by spring. (Watch the video) 3. Samsung HT-DB390
Our CNET editors have seen a couple of home-theater systems with wireless rear speakers before CES, but none with Bluetooth. The DB390 employs a separate amplifier that receives the audio information broadcast from the main receiver, eliminating that run of cable across the living room. Sure, you have to plug in the rear amp, and sure, wires run from it to the speakers, but come on...it's a practical use for Bluetooth! The DB390 and the differently styled 490 will each cost $499 and be available in the first quarter of this year. 4. Panasonic PV-GS200
Both serious videographers who need a compact camcorder for the road and general consumers who want the superior color rendition of a three-chip system will benefit from Pansonic's PV-GS200. This MiniDV model sports Leica optics and balances manual flexibility with appealing consumer-oriented features, such as MPEG-4 and 2-megapixel photo capture, a new Soft Skin Detail mode, and a built-in flash. You won't find a more portable three-CCD option, and the PV-GS200 is expected to be reasonably priced at less than $1,000. 5. Panasonic SV-AV50 D-Snap SD Multi AV Device
When Panasonic product specialist Bill Lucarelli showed me D-Snap, I found myself immediately reminded of a non-tech device--a Swiss Army Knife. The $400 SV-AV50 model is a 2-megapixel digital still and video camera. It is a portable digital audio player, which plays both MP3 and AAC files, with speaker. It is a voice recorder. And you can even capture your favorite TV show with it for playback on the 2-inch foldout LCD. Most impressive: The pocket-size gadget weighs just a little more than 4 ounces. (Watch the video) 6. Roku SoundBridge
Looking for a digital audio receiver that looks as good as it sounds? Consider the SoundBridge from Roku. This tubular-shaped unit sits atop stereo equipment and connects to a PC via an Ethernet port; to enable wireless capabilities, you'll need to invest in an 802.11b card. Its remote control enables you to browse and select music by artist, title, album, or genre--no TV required. The larger SoundBridge, the M2000, will sell for $499; its smaller sibling, the M1000, will cost $249. 7. Creative Zen Portable Media Center
We like the Archos AV320 portable video player because it lets you record straight from copyright-protected DVDs, but why bother when you can rent or purchase movies specially formatted for the Zen Portable Media Center? Plus, the device benefits from Microsoft's OS experience--the GUI is thoughtfully designed, making it easy to deal with audio, video, and photos on the go.(Watch the video) 8. Archos Gmini 220
Apple, with its recently announced iPod Mini, may have assumed its design would reign supreme in the compact audio player realm. However, the Mini faces tough competition from the new Archos Gmini 220. This $349 device boasts a large 20GB hard drive, rivals the iPod Mini in size, and even features a CompactFlash slot to archive your digital images sans PC. 9. Sony VAIO X505
The most compelling notebook at the show was the Sony VAIO X505 (nicknamed the Extreme), which tips the scales at a scant 1.7 pounds--the lightest notebook on the planet, Sony says. It's less than an inch thick. It comes with a Pentium M 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 10.4-inch screen. And it's crafted with a carbon hybrid material. It's sold only in Japan, unless you go through Dynamism.com. 10. Toshiba 0.85-inch hard drive
This year's CES saw quite a few 2GB and 4GB MP3 players that use Hitachi's new 1-inch drives. But later this year, Toshiba's even smaller 0.85-inch drives could steal Hitachi's thunder, providing the same capacities at an even smaller size. There's no word yet on which manufacturers will release devices that incorporate the Toshiba drives, but we do know that you can expect them sometime in the second half of the year. What do you think? Which of these gadgets sounds best to you? Which could you imagine buying? TalkBack to me below!
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