As promised, Sony Europe launches “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity," a pay-per-view movie streaming service that allows film fans to rent straight to their Sony 2010 network-enabled BRAVIA, Blu-ray Disc player, or Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre system.

“Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” is available across connected Sony devices and includes new releases as well as a wide variety of favourites, classic movies and local language movies, many of which are available in both SD and HD.

Consumer services like Qriocity operate like a digital signage server in the Cloud, serving consumers. You can expect similar services to follow the consumer into professional applications (similar to the route of podcasts and mobile apps).

“Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” can be found by an Qriocity icon on the cross media bar on the main menu of the Sony device. After renting a film, consumers have up to 14 days to start watching their movie, and once playback is started, they have 48 hours to watch the film as many times as they like. Rental prices for SD content start from €2.99 for library content and €3.99 for new releases, while HD content start respectively from €3.99 and €4.99.

OK, one catch...it's only for France, Germany, Italy, Spain or UK. For the rest of us in Europe, we guess we'll just have to "make.believe" with Sony Qriocity.

Go Qriocity if you are in France, Germany, Italy, Spain or UK

Go Qriocity press release

Earlier this year Vision launched a fully revamped version of the Techconnect Control2. Now it's up for the Most InAVative Commercial AV Accessory in the 2011 InAVate Awards to be held at ISE 2011.

Techconnect Control2 aims to solve previous problems with basic IR control devices, and opens up new margin opportunities for low-budget AV installations (whereas before resellers typically struggled to make margin in this range).

As tough as it is making margin on low budget AV installations, it is even harder convincing the customer to buy additional items they can’t afford. But Vision positions its new Techconnect Control2 as the first serious IR control product which gives end-users a compelling reason to pay a little bit more.

It simplifies and standardises the way AV equipment is controlled in a modular control panel, and eliminates lost or stolen projector remote controls. The manufacturer says, " It's a deceptively clever product...."

• Learning IR remote - use the original remote controls to program
• Controls up to three items at once e.g. ON drops the screen, turns projector on, and turns amplifier on
• Each button can learn multiple codes and outputs them in context-specific ways e.g. all at once for power commands, sequentially for input selection commands
• Duplicate codes from one to another for multi?room rolls?outs
• Lithium battery powered (optional mains power adaptor available)
• 3 x IR Blasters included

Vision’s range includes the Techconnect modular cable and faceplate family of products, the Techmount range of bracket solutions, and the Techaudio range of amplifiers and speakers.

Vision’s approach to product development has resulted in a number of industry awards. As well as its nomination for the Most InAVative Commercial AV Accessory category of the 2011 InAVate Awards, Vision was named Audio Manufacturer of the Year in this year’s AV Awards in UK.

Go Vision Techconnect Control2

H.264 set top box shipments surpass MPEG-2 only set-top box shipments in 2010, with 53% MPEG-4 shipments worldwide, ABI Research's Global Set Top Box Markets study reports.

ABI says worldwide pay-TV operators are slow to support set-top box interactive features-- all they tend to provide is managed video services like VOD and a few applications (weather, traffic, sports).

However the high-end boxes shipped this year in the US and Europe will provide more interactivity with features like next-generation EPGs and hybrid services.

Many services are slated to launch in early 2011.

Set-top boxes carrying more processing power, with multiple tuners and mult-room viewing support through thin clients on other TVs in the household will act as gateway devices.

The study mentions Project Canvas and HbbTV as Europe's more open interactive TV platforms.

Go OTT Video Slowly Making its Way to Set-top Boxes

URC's KP-4000 URC's latest hard-wired in-wall IP controller.

It is touch-screen based and controls any device on an IP home network, from personal servers to energy monitoring devices and media players-- via preprogrammed modules. Network connection is via eithernet or wifi.

The KP-4000 combines with the MRX-1 network wireless controller to provide 2-way RS-232 and IR over IP control. In addition it also allows display and control of FM and satellite radio stations right on the remote's LCD screen.

Go URC Keypad Network Solution

LG's BD690 is the first wifi direct certified blu-ray player, according to a Wifi Alliance release.

One supposes it is a successor to LG's BD390, the discontinued blu-ray player and multimedia hub. The wifi-enabled device connects to broadband routers to stream online content from services like Youtube and Netflix as well as from any DLNA device connected to users' broadband router.

No details are availabe yet, but it should have built-in software to facilitate streaming from PC, tablet or phone-- only one device needs to be wifi direct certified to enable direct connection with other wifi devices.

Go LG

Go Wifi Direct Certified Products

BMB Electronics new ebode IR Link Series, infared extender systems that allow remote control of concealed locations, guarantee a high level of immunity from infrared interference from common problems (such as direct sunlight, CFL lighting and flat panel TV’s (including plasma, LCD and LED).

Now in stock in both its Dutch HQ and UK warehouses, the new ebode properietary eIR2x (pronounced Irex) technology line starts with 4 kits:
IR Link B: Battery Powered with battery life of up to one year on the IR LINK B due to the innovative ‘sleep’ mode.
IR Link P: mains powered
IR Link C: mains powered, wall-mounted that works via COAX
IR Link Pro: Professional with status and feedback LED 
 
eBode stresses the quality of its IR-circuits (IR frequency range 30-60khz.) are compatible with all data formats including RCMM, RC5/6 and XMP fast codes (as used in the latest remote controls, set-top boxes and media players.) The range contains a filtering circuit to prevent interference from flat screen TV's and lighting sources. The company also says it features "the smallest tabletop receiver on the market" so its much easier to hide and connect.

Eup certified power supply for the 2013 low energy directives. Available with German (Schuko), UK and Australian plug types (this applies for the models IR LINK P, IR LINK C and IR LINK Pro).

Go eBode IR Products