Home

LG Rolls Out Voice-Controlled TVs With a Magic Remote

01.01.70

Speculation on the much-talked about Apple TV set commonly point to the application of voice-controlled features with Siri. However, Apple isn't going to be the first company to pioneer the concept of telling your entertainment set what to play. That honor actually goes to Microsoft's Kinect, which works in conjunction with the Xbox 360 to navigate your console's content and vocally control video playback.

However, LG Electronics can boast that they've (technically) got the first smart TV lineup with built-in voice-command software, thanks to the Magic Motion Remote Control. LG's Korean branch "unveiled" the remote via press release today, but the device has actually been popping up in trade shows since last year. Now that it's out to market, you can probably expect them to be pushed heavily alongside the company's Cinema 3D Smart TVs.

As reported by SlashGear and Pocket-lint , speaking into the remote control activates commands and searches for key text in the apps running on their Cinema 3D Smart TVs. Along with the voice recognition, the remote also packs a scroll wheel, a 2D-to-3D switch, and built-in motion controls so that you can point at the TV screen directly. Of course, none of the innovations here are especially groundbreaking, but the combination of all the features into the remote should arguably eliminate the need for multi-button panels.

Source: PCWorld (blog)

LG Innotek Selects Fresco for 2012 Tuner Products

01.01.70

TORONTO, Dec 20, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Fresco Microchip Inc., a developer of leading-edge RF, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits (ICs), today announced that LG Innotek (LGIT), a global leader in the design and manufacture of TV tuner modules, has selected the FM1151E for its 2012 tuner production.

The FM1151E is the latest addition to Fresco's FM1100 product family, which is the benchmark for picture quality in the TV industry. The chip delivers analog audio/video demodulation (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) and digital IF processing for the global hybrid terrestrial (DVB-T/T2, ATSC, ISDB-T, DTMB) and cable (DVB-C/ITU J.82) television markets. The FM1151E meets the stringent field performance requirements established by previous generation Fresco devices while providing the year-to-year system cost reduction that is required by television component suppliers.

"LG Innotek follows a rigorous component selection process in order to ensure we can build competitive, innovative products for our largest tier-one TV customers," said Gil-sang Park, vice president, LG Innotek. "Fresco's distinct ability to deliver field-proven, lower cost solutions with key performance advantages helps us to achieve our long-term product roadmap. Fresco is a highly valued strategic partner and we are excited to work together again for our new 2012 tuner module designs."

Source: MarketWatch (press release)