L5 Remote renders the iPhone a universal remote with custom UI

There are a few apps and gadgets available currently that allow you to use your iPhone and iPod Touch as a universal remote control. But they all have some sort of hitch that restricts their use in a way that doesn't really make them universal. The L5 Remote, which is set to debut at CES 2010, aims to take the market by being truly universal. The $50 app/dongle bundle doesn't require a dock and even allows you to create a customized user interface. I'm sure we'll find out just how well the L5 Remote works in the coming days, but for now I think I'm comfortably saying I'd shell out $50 for this level of remote control functionality.

Vizio outs 3 mobile TVs you can fit in a backpack

Vizio is making an entrance in to the nascent mobile TV market, not with a cellphone application, but with 3 new mobile Razor LED TVs.

First off is the 10.2-inch VMB100 and 9-inch VMB090 mobile Razor LED TVs. Other than touchscreen size, both are pretty well identical in specifications. LCD panel resolution sits at 800 x 480 resolution with a 350 nit brightness and both have a tuner not only capable of receiving ATSC and NTSC signals, but also ATSC-MH signals. Ports include one HDMI 1.4, composite video, stereo audio, USB 2.0 and a headphone jack. Both mobile TVs are shipping later this year for $229.99 and $199.99, respectively.

The smaller 7-inch VMB070 still fits 800 x 480 pixels on its LCD display although the brightness is 250 nits. Unfortunately, it appears the VMB070 doesn't have the ability to receive ATSC-MH signals, though it does have an ATSC/NTSC tuner. Ports include auxiliary audio and video inputs and a headphone jack. Also shipping later this year, the Vizio VMB070 Razor mobile LED TV will cost $149.99.

Oppo BDP-80 Blu-ray player only $289

Oppo isn't known for low-cost Blu-ray players, but today the company released its lowest-cost Blu-ray player yet in the BDP-80. Successor to the higher-end BDP-83, the new Oppo player eliminates the secondary video processor, 24p DVD upscaling, IR and RS-232 networking ports.

However, for $289 the Oppo BDP-80 does offer BD-Live support with an Ethernet jack, 1 GB of built-in memory, 24p Blu-ray playback, an HDMI 1.3 output, AVCHD H.264-compressed video compatibility, and more.

Sharp intros quad-pixel LED TVs, pair of Netflix streaming Blu-ray players, and a HTiB

I'm still flipping through CES 2010 home theater coverage on the web and something has really caught my eye tonight. Sharp, one of the world's bigger names in HDTV, didn't spend CES pushing 3D technologies like most of its competitors. Instead Sharp is introducing something called quad-pixel technology, or the addition of yellow to the usual red, green and blue color scheme. Sharp says that the color addition will allow for (surprise, surprise) better rendering of yellow-colored objects.

The new quad-pixel technology will be integrated into all of Sharp's new HDTV lines which include the main LE920, LE820 and LE810 series'. The LE920 series includes a 68-inch (LC-68LE920UN), 60-inch (LC-60LE920UN) and 52-inch (LC-52LE920UN) model. All are 1.6-inch thick 1080p panels with Sharp's UltraBrilliant edge-lit backlighting and feature 240 Hz refresh, a USB media player, Ethernet port, 4 HDMI ports with quick-switching InstaPort technology, RS-232C inputs, and a PC input. The Ethernet jack can be used for Netflix movies, web-based content, and Sharp tech support. Expected to ship in May, the LE920 series has yet to be priced.

The LE820 and LE810 series' include 120 Hz refresh, a 1.6-inch thick form factor and most of the connectivity options found with the LE920 models. Both series' have the same-sized models and the prices are attached.: 60-inch LC-60LE820UN will ship for a suggested price of $3,999.00, while the 60-inch LC-60LE810UN will be priced at $3,499.00. The 52-inch LC-52LE820UN and LC-52LE810UN will be priced at $2,999.00 and $2,599.00, respectively. The 46-inch LC-46LE820UN and the 46-inch LC-46LE810UN will be priced at $2,399.00 and $2,099.00, respectively, while the 40-inch LC-40LE820UN and LC-40LE810UN will be priced at $2,199.00 and $1,799.00, respectively. Both the LE820 and LE810 series models will be available in March.

Sharp also announced the standalone 60-inch LC-60E88UN that isn't backlit but includes Sharp's OPC technology that detects ambient lighting and adjusts the panel's brightness accordingly. The set features 240 Hz refresh, UV2A technology, and 10-bit processing, all targeted at the football fan. According to Sharp, this 60-inch set is built for the Super Bowl and will be shipped in February for an unannounced price.

Finally, the 32-inch LC-32LS510UT and 22-inch LC-22LS510UT round out Sharp's 2010 HDTV offering. Both will have 1080p resolution, a USB jack and a headphone jack. A smaller 19-inch LC-19LS410UT will have the same features but only 720p resolution. All models also feature edge-lit backlighting. The 32-inch model will ship in June, while the 22- and 19-inch models will ship in May. No prices have been announced.

Sharp has announced a pair of Blu-ray players and a 5.1-channel home theater in a box for 2010, as well.

The BD-HP70U and BD-HP24U include Netflix steaming, an Ethernet port, BD-Live, Deep Color HDMI, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and more. The BD-HP70U also includes a second USB port for attaching a Wi-Fi dongle for connecting to a home wireless network, and an anti-vibration feature that reduces noise and improves picture quality. The BD-HP70U ships in the 2nd quarter for $499.99, while the BD-HP24U will ship in 1st quarter for $279.99.

The 5.1-channel BD-MPC41 supports Blu-ray playback, Netflix movie streaming, iPod and FM radio audio via its included Ethernet port. Three speakers are included in the sound bar which supports Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs and pumps out 1020 Watts of power. Shipping in the 2nd quarter, the BD-MPC41 will cost $749.99.