Kaleidescape launches Blu-ray-quality downloads on its online video store-- one the company claims is the first offering films, special features and bonus content in the same quality audio and video quality as the disc versions.

Available as a beta since December 2012, the Kaleidescape Store provides video in up 1080p/24 quality with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The service is compatible with the UltraViolet cloud-based content locker, meaning users can stream specific titles on other devices (PCs, smartphones, tablets) via Flixster app.

Users can also upgrade previously purchased DVD-quality content to Blu-ray for $6.99.

“The new Kaleidescape Store makes it easy for our customers to discover, purchase and enjoy great movies over the Internet without compromise,” Kaleidescape says. “People want to own the movies they love for viewing for years to come in the best quality possible, and this is the first service to enable such content to be delivered electronically. We already have seen a great response to the Warner Bros. library during the beta launch of the Kaleidescape Store, and we are looking forward to providing customers with these new capabilities.”

Blu-ray downloads require an M-class player to play, and the company also allows the purchasers of HD copies to download a DVD-quality version should they own an older player.

Go Kaleidescape Launches Online Store for Downloading Blu-ray Quality Movies and TV Shows

Rumours on Amazon working on a smartphone are nothing new, but Bloomberg claims the online retailer has another device in the works-- an online video streaming TV STB.

According to "three people familiar with the project" the STB is a Roku/Boxee-style device providing access to the growing stable of Amazon video content, including Video on Demand and Instant Video services.

The company declines to comment.

The Bloomberg sources do not mention whether the STB will offer competing streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube) like Amazon's own Kindle Fire does. A name is not available either, although "Kindle TV" sounds like a more than obvious choice of moniker.

The next Xbox Live package will offer customers more than just games and apps of the Netflix variety-- it will also include interactive TV content, thanks to an in-house Microsoft production studio.

Speaking at the D: Dive Into Media conference, Microsoft head of interactive entertainment Yusuf Mehdi claims “all I’ll say about our current and future investment is [that it is] about doing things that are big and premium. Other people will try some lower-end things; what we will do is things that are big and beautiful.”

Set for launch later in 2013, the Microsoft TV service will add " another level of interactivity," with Kinect feature integration and second-screen options via SmartGlass.

ISE 2013 visitors can warm up from the chilly Amsterdam weather with a visit to the Cineak stand-- where the company allows one to test out the heating/cooling system inside its home theatre seats.

The ventilation is built into the seats and blows warm or cool air through perforations in the leather backrest and seat. According to company president Alvin Hellemans the technology is unique, and adds to the comfort of the heat theatre experience.

Cineak seats have another addition at ISE 2013-- an integrated LaunchPort iPad charging mount. Built inside a redesigned cup holder, the LaunchPort is housed inside a custom mount, with the cup holder hiding all wires.

Also seen at the show is the Grafton, the latest take on the club chair design from Cineak. It incorporates all Cineak technologies (including motorised footrest) and features a wooden design element on the armrests and back.

It is available in a variety of wood types and colours as either a stand-alone chair, loveseat or seating configurations sharing armrests.

Go Cineak at ISE 2013

Microsoft might not have an official CES 2013 presence, but that did not stop it from stealing the show at the Samsung keynote with a video of the IllumiRoom "peripheral projected illusion" system.

A Microsoft Research development, IllumiRoom combines Kinect, PC and projector to "expand interaction to any surface in your home." As seen in the video this involves real-time projections on the walls beyond the TV screen, creating more immersive gaming experiences.

Apparently the system first maps room appearance and geometry via Kinect before adapting projections (such as bullets flying out of the display or games playing out on an entire wall), all without custom graphic pre-processing.

Valve head honcho Gabe Newell confirms a long running rumour at the Spike Video Game Awards (VGAs)-- the Half Life developer will sell home theatre PCs (HTPCs) sometime during 2013.

Newell tells Kotaku the decision follows the "stronger than expected" rection to "Big Picture," a TV-friendly interface for Valve's online software storefront, Steam. This only means PC gamers want to enjoy games through the creature comforts of their sofas and big screen TVs, just like their console brethren do.

Yes, Newell says, this also means Valve will compete with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo in the war for the world's living rooms.

Big Picture is tailored for joypad input, with a new web browser and typing through a "Daisywheel" system.