Sony Unveils the BDP-S790-- a Blu-ray player capable of upscaling content to 4K (4096x2048) resolution and even display native content (via internet streaming) at 4K resolution.

It features a dual-core processor, built-in wifi (for streaming), x2 HDMI outputs, DLNA playback 16-bit video processing and even Skype capability. Blu-ray disc playback comes with 2D to 3D conversion and 4K upscaling, while internet video playback gets improvement via IP noise reduction.

Control comes through either IR input or Media Remote app for iDevices and Android smartphones.

In addition to all HD standards, the player is also capable of 24p output and other aspect ratios-- allowing customers to duplicate all film aspect rations or convert content to 16:9 format or even 24p to 60Hz for flicker-free movie viewing.

Go Sony BDP-S790

According to Variety Walmart has big international hopes for streaming video service Vudu-- with plans for expansion towards "parts of Europe" later this year.

Other parts of the world on the Vudu expansion map include Asia and Latin America.

If this is the case, Walmart will be mirroring Netflix which also just started offering its VOD service in Europe (specifically the UK and Ireland).

Where would Vudu start its European expansion from? The UK no doubt, where Walmart currently has its only European stores (Walmart also used to have stores in Germany, but left in 2006). Walmart cross-promotes Vudu throughout its stores, selling pre-paid service cards and running a disc-to-digital movie program.

Unlike subscription-only Netflix, Vudu combines one-off digital rentals and purchases, making it potentially more attractive to customers.

Go Walmart's Vudu Plans Big International Expansion (Variety)

Ikea will soon start selling furniture with built-in home entertainment systems with UPPLEVA ("experience" in Swedish)-- a range offering an "integrated solution for the living room."

The Uppleva range has x3 designs, all carrying an LED TV, 2.1 sound system (with wireless subwoofers), wifi connectivity and CD/DVD/Blu-ray players, all from China-based CE maker TCL Multimedia.

The TVs come in 4 sizes with x4 HDMI inputs, x2 USB ports and DivX media media.

Ikea will launch the range in Sweden, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, Norway and Portugal on Q3 2012, with other countries to follow sometime around Q2 2013.

Go Ikea Living Room Furniture with Integrated TV and Audio

Sony upgrades the PlayTV tuner/DVR with the Nasne-- a combination networked recorder, NAS and antenna/satellite TV tuners for use with the Sony devices.

It either records (on 500GB SATA HDD) or streams broadcasts to up to x2 Sony products (PS Vita, Playstation 3 with Torne app, Vaio PC, Sony Tablet or Xperia phone) on the same network.

Users can also export formatted video files to PS Vita consoles (via wifi) or PCs for Blu-ray storage. PS3 owners can connect up to x4 Nasne units to 1 console, allowing the recording up to x5 TV shows.

The Nasne is also usable as a standard media storage and playback device, with storage expandable via external HDDs.

Sony gives no mention whether it will sell the Nasne in Europe, but the device should start shipping in Japan from June 19 2012.

Go Sony to Launch Nasne

The British version of the Roku player celebrates a milestone-- the internet-connected STB now offers over 100 video, music and casual game channels following its January 2012 launch.

The Roku launched in the UK and Ireland with 40 channels, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, FoxNews.com and Euronews.

The company hopes to add even more channels in the future before bringing over the one-new-channel-per-day model available in the USA.

Two Roku players are available in the UK-- the low-cost Roku LT and game-capable Roku 2 XS. No word is yet available on the STB launching in other European territories though.

Go Roku UK

Yamaha adds 2 models to the new RX-Vx73 midrange network AV receiver range-- the 7.1 RX-V573 and the 5.1 RX-V473, both featuring Apple AirPlay compatibility, 4K video pass-through, 3D support and x4 HDMI inputs.

A Yamaha AV Controller app (iOS and Android) allows users to stream music to the receivers using a smartphone or tablet, via either AirPlay or DLNA. Both models also use the Yamaha colour GUI.

The YPAO system provides simple speaker calibration, while audio features include Audio Return Channel, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

Video features include 4K pass-through (in case your customers want to be 4K-ready), 3D and high-speed HDMI switching.

Go Yamaha RX-Vx73 Series