Chief provides a universal mounting solution for large LCD/CRT projectors with the VCMU universal projector mount, featuring steel construction and a simple 3-step installation process.

Micro adjustments (roll, pitch and yaw) allow one to quickly achieve registration, while the universal HBU bracket is compatible with most heavy duty projectors. It has multiple installation options, including flush mounting to ceiling, 1.3cm threaded rods and a 3.8cm NPT extension column.

Other features include integrated cable management (requiring no additional accessories) and quick connect/disconnect for convenient lamp and filter access on most projectors.

Go Chief VCMU Universal Projector Mount

The Wall Street Journal reports Apple wants to make one of the late Steve Job's last wishes come true by "moving forward with its assault on TV" and meeting with executives at "several large (media) companies."

According to WSJ sources, the Apple TV set (or "iTV") will access content via wireless streaming technology, recognising users across phones, tablets and TV.

Delaying development and release is work on the user interface-- one using not only voice (via Siri) but also gestures and iDevices.

This being Apple, development is (of course) extremely secretive, but apparently some media companies are receiving updates on iTV developments. Sources say "the types of new services Apple and the media companies are discussing could be done with Apple's existing technologies, which include its Apple TV set-top box." Apple also wants the iTV to receive data directly from mobile devices via AirPlay, without need for the Apple STB.

Apple is hardly the only company wanting to take over TV-- as we all know, Google has (the still unsuccessful) Google TV product, recently updated to Android 4.0. Speaking at LeWeb 2011, Google chairman Eric Schmidt sounded optimistic, saying "by the summer of 2012, the majority of the TVs you see will have Google TV embedded in it."

Will Schmidt's wish come true, or will fortune favour Apple? Maybe the two rival companies will bring some fuel to an admittedly ailing TV market...

Go Apple Plots Its TV Assault (WSJ.com)

Go Eric Schmidt Predicts Google TV Success

LG and Intel announce collaboration on the use of WiDi technology in LG Cinema 3D Smart TVs-- making LG TVs the first featuring Intel's WiDi wireless digital video over wifi system.

WiDi allows the streaming of video content (both stored and internet accessed) from Intel-based laptops, notebooks and mobile devices to TVs, projectors or display monitor, using point-to-point connectivity and a wireless interface. It is currently available in receivever box or dongle form.

The system does not require active wireless internet or wifi connections, and does not tie down mobile devices during real-time content sharing.

At the time of writing, the companies do not specify which TV models will carry the technology, but we should see more of the WiDi-enabled LG TV range at CES 2012 early next year.

Go LG and Intel Sign Strategic Alliance for WiDi Technology

After the $585m government fine for price-fixing, Sharp, Samsung and other LCD makers now must pay $388 million to settle the class-action suit from end users.

The companies won’t admit to the crime, but Sharp, Samsung, Chimei Innolux, LG and four other LCD manufacturers agreed on a settlement in a price fixing case from a 2007 class action lawsuit.

That suit specifically cites LCD panels sold between 1999 and 2006: the companies were alleged to have driven the price up. For that, the group will pay a total of $388 to settle the claims, with Sharp paying out the largest single amount of $105 million – Samsung with $82.7 million, followed by Chimei Innolux with $78 million, and LG with $70 million.

The government gets their big dollar lawsuit…the end-users cash in on a class action…but the integrators and installers get…nothing!

Go Price Fixing Scandal

Logitech might describe the Revue STB as "a mistake," but Google chairman Eric Schmidt remains optimistic on the future of Google TV, making a bold prediction-- "by the summer of 2012, the majority of the TVs you see will have Google TV embedded in it."

Schmidt was speaking at the LeWeb 2011 conference keynote in Paris, France.

Google TV is available in only 2 forms so far-- a Sony IPTV and the previously mentioned Logitech Revue, described by company as "a mistake of implementation of a gigantic nature" not tuned to what customers what.

Sony is yet to make any further announcements involving Google TV, particularly since it works on a "four screen strategy" uniting TV, PCs, consoles and mobile devices.

Meanwhile other TV vendors prefer to ship their own Smart TV systems.

However, Schmidt remains confident Google TV will be successful, and his reasoning comes through the success of Android in the mobile device market.

Schmidt believes Android will trump iOS for apps in 6 months from now, as more developers migrate towards the OS due to the global number of vendors-- and, being Android-powered, Google TV will follow the same pattern to become the dominant Smart TV platform.

Will Google manage to convince any vendors to adopt Google TV over their own systems? The latest Android iteration, Ice Cream Sandwich, might be slick and accomplished, but TV is an even more fractured market than mobile ever was. Then again, Google does own Motorola Mobility...

Watch Eric Schmidt at LeWeb 2011 (Google TV talk starts at around 39:00)

Go Logitech CEO: Revue "A Mistake"

Nielsen reports the number of TV households in the US will start dropping-- from 115.9M in 2011 (up from 114.9M in 2010) to an estimated 114.7M, a -1% decline despite the growing household numbers.

TV ownership will decline even more steeply among the key 18-49 demographic (by -2.7% Y-o-Y), continuing a downtrend starting from 2010. The analyst also says the percentage of TV-less homes in the US for 2012 will be at the highest level since 1975-- 3%, up from 1% in 2011.

However, the average number of TVs per household is still growing, and should reach 3.01 in 2012 (from 2.97 in 2011 and 2.93 in 2010).

The reasons for such a downturn are various-- ranging from an tough economy to increasingly tech-savvy customers. As cable providers continue to ramp up prices (despite higher unemployment rates and negative conditions), more customers simply drop their subscriptions in favour of spending their entertainment dollars on either internet video, gaming, or other sources of entertianment.

Go Nielsen TV Audience Report 2010 - 2011