Some products that will hit the market this year:
All-in-one devices. ViewSonic Corp. launched a new “digital media center” that connects to a TV set and lets users record 140 hours of programming on a built-in hard drive, store music and photos and record home movies. Price: About $1,900, after rebates.
Home entertainment bridges. Hew-lett-Packard will launch a “digital media receiver” that connects TV sets with PCs, letting users display pictures or play music from files stored on their PC in another room. Price: $300.
Hybrid devices. Appliance maker Salton and Westinghouse unveiled their “iCEBOX” device, which combines a computer with a TV, radio and DVD player. Designed for mounting under a kitchen cabinet, iCEBOX lets users download recipes, watch TV or movies or send e-mails while cooking dinner or doing the dishes. Price: about $2,300.
