Viliv N5 MID hands-on, HD5 PMP makes a cameo

For those of you hoping that Viliv’s aesthetic excellence will somehow make magic out of the 4.8-inch flip MID form factor, you might want to look away right about now. We too were hoping that Viliv could somehow sprinkle fairy dust on the errors of something like the UMID mBook BZ, but sadly the N5 is no such MID. It’s good looking, to be sure, and might even be better constructed than UMID’s entry, but it has the same squint-inducing 1024 x 600 display and aggravating optical mouse pad holding it back. In reality, both of these little computers are more akin to “observing” what it’s like to have a full computer running on an impossible form factor, instead of anything appropriate for actually using that computer.

Perhaps the CE-based Viliv HD5 PMP will find a truer calling. We saw the slate unit pumping out some HD video at a steady clip, and its hardware is certainly refined — if only just a little chubby. Unfortunately, none of the buttons were working, so we couldn’t hop out of the video and see what the rest of the player has to offer. At least it’s not Windows XP under there, daring us to use it. Videos of both devices are after the break.

Continue reading Viliv N5 MID hands-on, HD5 PMP makes a cameo

Viliv N5 MID hands-on, HD5 PMP makes a cameo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Viliv P3 is like the Zii Egg of devices that don’t run Plaszma OS (hands-on)

When we approached the just-introduced Viliv P3, we were cautiously optimistic that we were looking at a phone. Needless to say, our hopes would go on to be mercilessly dashed, but in the wake of the carnage, we were still left with an intriguing PMP with a big AMOLED display and an 800MHz Cortex A8 processor. You could argue that the most compelling feature, though, is that it clocks in at just 9.8mm thick — a full 1.7mm thinner than the Nexus One while still managing 800 x 480 resolution. It felt a little creaky, but we were assured that the unit on hand was an early prototype — and honestly, we’d even be willing to take a little creakiness on a production model if you get this kind of thickness (or lack thereof) in return. It’s also got 720p TV-out, storage up to 32GB, optional T-DMB and DAB tuners, an exposed microSD slot on the bottom, and — check this out — Windows CE dual-boot capability, although the unit here only had Android installed. Stuff an HSPA radio in there and call it good, guys. Follow the break for a quick video of the P3 in action.

Continue reading Viliv P3 is like the Zii Egg of devices that don’t run Plaszma OS (hands-on)

Viliv P3 is like the Zii Egg of devices that don’t run Plaszma OS (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Viliv’s HD5 PMP leaked ahead of CES, packs Windows CE, 32GB of storage

[Thanks, Gavin]

Viliv’s HD5 PMP leaked ahead of CES, packs Windows CE, 32GB of storage originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PlayerBites  |  generationmp3  | Email this | Comments

Viliv S10 Blade netvertible hands-on at IDF

Viliv has one of the best-looking convertible tablets we’ve ever seen here at IDF, the new S10 Blade. It’s actually quite striking in person — it’s thin and light, while still offering a convertible touchscreen and a decent keyboard. Sadly the version pictured here has a pretty slow single-touch resistive touchscreen and will be limited to Windows 7 Starter when it launches in November for around $570, but we’re told that a multitouch resistive model will hit early next year with Windows 7 Home Premium for around $700. We’ll see if that one has the functionality to back up these hot looks when it hits — but for now, check the rest of the pics in the gallery.

Filed under: Laptops

Viliv S10 Blade netvertible hands-on at IDF originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted

People who are seriously after HDR output tend to pony up the dough for a big and chunky DSLR, knowing they’ll get the highest quality possible. But if you’re short on cash, here’s a homebrewed mod that combines a gutted Polaroid x530 Foveon shooter with a Viliv to produce HDR-like imagery on the cheap. Essentially, the Viliv does all the processing and control work, while the el cheapo camera is used for its ability to save to raw format. You could instead pick up a compact Ricoh CX1 and save yourself a lot of trouble, but where’s the fun and tinkering in that? The homemade hardware might not be pretty to look at, but make your way past the break to see if the results are worth the effort.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted

Filed under: Digital Cameras

HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Viliv S7 UMPC gets final pricing and specifications

We’ve held onto our hats for quite awhile waiting for this day to come, but at long last, Viliv is dishing out the final specification lists and prices for its remarkably striking S7 UMPC. First shown way back at IDF 2008 as a prototype, this QWERTY-packin’ machine has matured quite nicely over the months, with a trio of models on tap to showcase its mobile prowess. The entry-level I-LOG HX is equipped with a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a battery good for 9.5 hours of use and Windows XP, while the mid-range I-LOG 3X steps up to a 32GB SSD. The flagship D-LOG 3X even gets an internal DMB TV tuner, while WiBro (South Korea’s WiMAX) is an option on all three. We expect the 7-inch device — which is priced at ?729,000 ($572), ?799,000 ($628) and ?849,000 ($666) in order of mention — to ship in its homeland soon, though no official release date has been made public.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Handhelds

Viliv S7 UMPC gets final pricing and specifications originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments