There are new specials each day, so be sure to check back in.

In addition to the current sale, they’ve also published a preview of what they’ll be offering on Black Friday – in stores and online.

In stores only you’ll be able to grab a Sharp LC-42SV49U 42″ Class LCD 1080p HDTV for $199.99, a Toshiba BDX2150 Smart Blu-ray Player for $39.99, a 15.6″ Samsung Laptop with an Intel Pentium CPU, 4GB RAM, and a 320GB HDD for $299.99, and the one I think is the most tempting, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Android tablet for only $249.99.

Also available in stores, the HTC ThunderBolt 4G LTE on Verizon for free with a 2-year activation and the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Blu-ray just $9.99. These will also be made available online – the Thunderbolt on Thursday and the Blu-ray on Friday.

They’ve listed specials that will be available online starting Thursday, 11/24, without revealing the prices. There will be deals on the Dynex 32″ Class LED 720p HDTV, a 15.6″ Gateway Laptop with Intel Core i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, and a 320GB HDD, the Dell Streak 7″ Android Tablet, a Dell desktop PC with Intel Core i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD, and an 18.5″ widescreen LCD monitor, the FujiFilm FinePix AX350 16MP Camera, a Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, the Tritton AX120 Headset, and the Nintendo Wii Console with New Super Mario Bros. Wii Game and Music CD. Check back Thursday for the pricing.

There are yet more deals, way too many to list here, so check out their webpage for the full listing. More HDTVs, laptops, PCs, phones, tablets, cameras, hard drives, flash drives, washers & dryers, PlayStation 3, games, etc.

$20 Amazon Credit & Exclusive Pre-order Bonus
Order Madden NFL 12 for the PS3 or Xbox 360 and receive the Amazon exclusive All Rookies Team and All Sophomores Team as well as $20 in Amazon credit good toward the purchase of items shipped and sold by Amazon.com (certain exclusions apply, including Kindle books, MP3s, and video rentals and downloads).

Madden NFL 12 is available for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Free Sharp 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player (Shipping Extra) with Sharp AQUOS 60” Class LED-LCD 1080p HDTV.

5% – 20% Off Select HDTVs.

$369.99 Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop / Intel® Pentium® Processor / 15.6″ Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive

$329.99 Toshiba Satellite Laptop / AMD E-Series Processor / 15.6″ Display / 3GB Memory / 320GB Hard Drive

5%-40% Off Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders, Plus Free Shipping.

Free $75 Gift Card with 250GB Xbox 360 Console.

$10 Off Madden NFL 12 (Game Guide) when you buy Madden NFL 12 for Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii.

$9.99 Sale on Select Blu-ray Titles.

There are a number of tech deals as part of the sale:
Grab Two Select Video Games for Just $15.

Grab Two Select Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or DS Games for Just $30.

Free $50 Gift Card with Bose SoundDock Portable Digital Music System for Apple iPod.

Free 8GB Memory Card with any Canon Rebel DSLR Camera, Plus Free Shipping.

Free 2GB Memory Card with Select Digital Cameras, Plus Free Shipping.

Free 4GB Memory Card with Select Samsung Digital Cameras, Plus Free Shipping.

Free $50 Gift Card with all Satellite Radio Vehicle Packages, Plus Free Shipping.

Free $10 Best Buy gift card with Select Kenwood car stereos, plus free shipping.

Remember, all of these deals are good Friday, August 26th & Saturday, August 27th only.

The prices now are ¥24,980 160GB and ¥29,980 32GB in Japan, €249 160GB and €299 320GB in Europe, and $249.99 160GB and $299.99 320GB in the US. The Japanese prices include tax.

I bought my 60GB original model when they dropped the price to $500. No regrets, it’s been an excellent Blu-ray deck – and I even play games once in a while. The PS3 is still one of the best Blu-ray players out there, and they still keep enhancing Blu-ray support in the software updates.

It is pretty simple, buy one of 67 select titles, get another one half off. Of the 67 total titles on offer, 32 are for PS3 and 35 are for Xbox 360. Prices range from $59.99 down to $18.11, and you’re limited to only two games under this promotion, with the discount being applied to the lower-priced of the two. So I’d recommend looking for games of similar price – the higher the price, the more you save. (And the more you spend, of course.)

Have at it.

10% of HDTVs in the US are now Connected TVs, like the Insignia TiVo models launched last week. The FMA study also indicates 6% receive OTT content via TiVo or other DVRs (I’m guessing mostly TiVo, since few other DVRs offer OTT content). Apple TV and Google TV account for 4% each, Roku nabs 3% while Slingbox and Boxee each grab 1%. I’m not sure what Slingbox is going in there, since a Slingbox is a sending device, not a receiving device. And the SlingCatcher surely doesn’t register.

I think the most surprising number out of all of these is that Google TV is 4%. It is only in a handful of devices, I find it hard to believe it would have more penetration than Roku. It just seems strange. The price on the Logitech Revue was slashed just last week. (Mine arrived yesterday, BTW. I haven’t had time to set it up yet.)

Also somewhat surprising, the study says only 7% of US households have a connected Blu-ray player. With network connectivity seemingly standard in so many players today, I’d've thought that number would be higher. But I suppose it hasn’t been that long since the trend started.

The end result of all this? 10% of adults watch at least one video a week on their TV via one of these devices.

Via MediaPost.

According to the terms an individual can receive up to 20 free remotes. I’m tempted to buy a couple of these games, and there are movies I was thinking of getting anyway, and using the remotes as giveaways. I’ve been hearing lots of good things about LittleBigPlanet. And maybe Resistance 2 or SOCOM – the free headset would be useful too.

There’s some more interesting news in this area that I’ll be able to share soon…

Alternatively, through November 13th you can buy a Sony Blu-ray player or Blu-ray capable Sony VAIO PC and receive a free Blu-ray movie.

Keep in mind that previous Blu-ray promotions are also still running.

Picked up from the Blu-ray Stats News Log.

Personally I don’t think the Sylvania is worth consideration. It is a Profile 1.1 deck, one of the many rebadged versions of the Funai NB500. With the Profile 2.0 Samsung less than $12 more, there is no point in considering the Sylvania. So it really comes down to the PS3 vs. the BD-P1500. They’re both Profile 2.0 / BD-Live with the latest firmware. The PS3 is generally reviewed as one of the best, if not the best, BD deck available, but the Samsung is no slouch either. So if you’ll use the PS3s other features – gaming, broadband content downloads, etc, enough to justify the extra ~$200, go with that. Otherwise the Samsung is a solid choice and a good value.

According to the offer details, it is running through December 31, 2008. Though I expect they may shuffle the products available in the bundle over the next few months.

From Blu-ray.com

The Get Three for the Price of Two sale has been extended, with 36 titles to choose from.

Then you can save up to 55% off a selection of 95 titles.

If you have a PS3 but you don’t yet have the DVD/Blu-ray remote to go with it (using the SixAxis to control movies is fairly crappy), buy three Warner Blu-ray movies and get the PS3 remote free.

And last but not least, buy a Blu-ray player and three Warner Blu-ray movies and save $50. It looks like the players on offer include the Sony BDP-S300 Profile 1.0 for $199.98, the Sony BDP-S350 Profile 1.1 for $295.00, the Samsung BD-P1500 Profile 2.0 for $279.99, and the Panasonic DMP-BD30K Profile 1.1 for $274.81. (Personally I’d pick the Samsung.) On the movie side there are 122 titles to select from.

And today Sony announced a new unit for the $499.99 price point, with 160GB. But more than just a boost in storage capacity, Sony will launch the 160GB unit in November as part of a bundle. The bundle will include the 160GB PS3, a copy of the game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, a voucher for a couple of the game PAIN via the PlayStation Store, and a DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller. All for $499.99. That sounds like a pretty good deal, especially since I my 60GB PS3 cost me the same amount with no bundle back when I got it.

Of course, the PS3 remains one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. But the additional storage space will make a difference now that Sony is offering video downloads, including HD video, via the PlayStation Store, and as they move toward increasing broadband game distribution.

Their press release:

Aug 20, 2008 12:00 ET

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Limited-Edition Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™PLAYSTATION®3 Bundle Featuring New 160GB PS3™ System

PS3 Bundle Includes Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™, PLAYSTATION®Network Voucher for PAIN and DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller, Offering Tremendous Value to Consumers

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 160GB PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system in North America as part of the limited-edition Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™ PS3 system bundle. The increased storage size enables entertainment enthusiasts to store even more movies, television shows, and games downloaded from PLAYSTATION®Network, as well as more videos, music, and photos from their personal collection. Slated to launch in November for $499.99 (MSRP), the 160GB PS3 system will come bundled with the hit game, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™, a PLAYSTATION Network voucher for PAIN, and a DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller. The previously announced 80GB PS3 system ($399.99 MSRP) has started shipping to retailers.

“As PLAYSTATION Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a compelling bundle that delivers significant value.”

The Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune PS3 bundle includes the following components:

– 160GB PS3 system — The 160GB PS3 is a complete entertainment system comprising a Blu-ray™ Disc player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, and Cell Broadband Engine™.

– Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune — A 400-year-old clue found in the coffin of Sir Francis Drake sets a modern-day fortune hunter, Nathan Drake, on an exploration for the fabled treasure of El Dorado, leading to the discovery of a forgotten island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The search turns deadly when Drake becomes stranded on the island and hunted by mercenaries. Outnumbered and outgunned, Drake and his companions must fight to survive as they begin to unravel the terrible secrets hidden on the Island.

– PAIN PLAYSTATION Network Voucher* — PAIN boldly tackles a rarely explored area of video-gaming … comedy. The unique mechanic of the game allows the player to load a character into a human-sized, ultra-powerful slingshot, and fire the character into an active, physics-controlled environment, filled with precarious and humorous situations. Download PAIN from PLAYSTATION Store (http://store.playstation.com/) to your PS3 system with the included voucher.

– DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller — DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller provides the most intuitive game play experience with pressure sensors in each action button and the inclusion of the highly sensitive SIXAXIS™ motion sensing technology.

The additional storage space of the 160GB model will benefit consumers, as several highly anticipated PLAYSTATION Network and PS3 games along with add-on content will be available for download soon, including PAIN Amusement Park, Ratchet & Clank®Future: Quest for Booty™, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, and The Last Guy™. The bundle is also a great option for consumers who want to utilize PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service, which offers new blockbuster movies and popular TV shows for download on an ongoing basis.

PS3 momentum has soared in 2008, starting with Blu-ray becoming the high-definition standard and following the launches of key franchise titles, including Gran Turismo™ 5 Prologue, Grand Theft Auto™ IV, and Metal Gear Solid®4: Guns of the Patriots. That momentum will continue into the holidays and beyond, as PS3′s software lineup will offer the most depth and breadth of any platform across the industry, delivering highly anticipated exclusives such as BUZZ!™: Quiz TV, LittleBigPlanet™, Resistance™ 2, MotorStorm™ Pacific Rift, and Killzone™ 2.

  PLAYSTATION(R)3 160GB Specification

  Product name                        PLAYSTATION(R)3
  CPU                                 Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.)
  GPU                                 RSX(TM)
  Sound                               Dolby 5.1ch, DTS 5.1ch , LPCM 7.1ch,
                                      AAC, others *1 *2
  Memory                              256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3
                                      VRAM
  HDD            2.5" Serial ATA                        160GB
  I/O            USB 2.0                                 x2
  Communication  Ethernet             X1 (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
                 IEEE 802.11 b/g                    Included
                 Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)                Included
  Wireless controller (Bluetooth)                   Included
  AV Output      Screen size               480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
                 HDMI OUT                              x1 *3
                 AV MULTI OUT                          x1
                 DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)                 x1
  BD/DVD/CD      Maximum Read Speed   BD 2x (BD-ROM)
  Drive                               DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
  (Read Only)                         CD 24x (CD-ROM)
  Dimensions                          Approximately 12.75in(W) x 3.86in (H)
                                      x 10.8in (D)
  Weight                              Approximately 11 lbs

  *1  A device compatible with Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. is required to output 7.1
      Ch. audio, supported by Dolby TrueHD or a similar format, from the
      HDMI OUT connector.
  *2  This system does not support output from the DTS-HD 7.1 Ch. DTS-HD 7.1
      Ch. audio is output from a 5.1 or lower channel.
  *3  "Deep Color" and "x.v.Color (xvYCC)" defined by HDMI ver1.3a are
      supported.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

  *  PLAYSTATION Network registration is required. User responsible for all
     applicable Internet fees. Voucher for PAIN expires March 30, 2009.

“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PSP”, “PS one” and “UMD” are registered trademarks and “PS3″ is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

©2008 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America

CONTACT: Al de Leon, +1-650-655-7348, al_deleon@playstation.sony.com, or
Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-7549, patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, both
of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/

PlayOn installs on your Windows XP or Windows Vista PC, and acts as a kind of transcoding proxy for web video. It retrieves the web video and streams it to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatible devices such as the PlayStation3, Xbox 360, and HP MediaSmart TVs. While those are the officially supported devices, they state that they will work to expand the list, and since they’re using DLNA I’m thinking may work on other DLNA devices even if not officially supported. They currently tout support for Hulu, CBS, YouTube, and ESPN, and promise Netflix support “just down the road”. They’ve also promised playback on the Nintendo Wii “by the end of 2008″. PlayOn is currently in beta, and MediaMall plans to charge $30 for the final product when it is ready for release.

MediaMall also has a blog where you can keep track of their development efforts. In a post there they reiterate that Netflix will be added before GA (that’s general availability, aka the official release for the non-geeks), and also state that CNN will be in before GA. MediaMall also develops the ActiveTV platform that powers the above mentioned DSM-520, which supports a plethora of web video sites, so it seems logical that they’d be bringing that know-how over to PlayOn to add more sites over time. After all, PlayOn was only released to beta on Monday.

Picked up from EngadgetHD.

If you go for the deal I strongly recommend the PS3 over the BDP-S300. The PS3 is a more feature rich Blu-ray player – the BDP-S300 is only a Profile 1.1 / Bonus View player, while the PS3 is Profile 2.0 / BD-Live. And, of course, you get all of the top end gaming features with the PS3.

Picked up from Blu-ray Stats News Log.

Picked up from Blu-ray Stats.

The PlayTV will be available in Europe in September for €100, or approximately £80/$160. As previously reported, the PlayTV will have dual DVB-T tuners to enable DVR functionality on the PS3, and content can be place-shifted for remote viewing on the Sony PSP. Australia is expected to receive the PlayTV roughly a month after the European release.

Who knows if well ever see something like this in the US. Unlike most of the rest of the world, terrestrial broadcast isn’t very popular in the US. So while an ATSC version of the PlayTV would certainly be possible, I don’t think it would sell well. Sony would really need a CableCARD-enabled tuner as most of the US market uses cable, and/or a partnership with DirecTV or Dish Network. Though the PS3 is certainly capable of handling OCAP/tru2way, and the BD-J standard for Blu-ray is actually part of the same familiar as OCAP (both are based on GEM/MHP), so perhaps some work could be reused.

From Register Hardware.

And the previously discussed Sony PlayTV DVR add-on for the PlayStation3 looks to be hitting Australia in 4Q2008, according to Gizmodo Australia who attended a Sony briefing. Australia is getting it roughly a month after the European market, so they have something to look forward to as well. Giz also got more details from the briefing:

Other interesting tidbits include that there’s only an input for your aerial, no output, which means you won’t be able to connect your antenna to your TV through the PlayTV. And while you can only record TV programs to the PS3′s internal hard drive, you can backup the contents to an external drive. It isn’t finalised, but it looks like the EPG will be supplied by the rumoured FreeView collection of free-to-air networks as well

So it looks like the DVR choices for Australians will be expanding soon with TiVo, PlayTV, and possibly a Freeview DVR.

Many of you have been hearing rumblings about a video service that will allow you to download full-length TV shows and movies via PLAYSTATION Network for North America. While I don’t have any new announcements here for the PlayStation Nation, it’s already been confirmed that we’ll be offering a video service for PS3 in a way that separates the service from others you’ve seen or used. Ultimately the goal of the PLAYSTATION Network service will be to break through the overwhelming clutter of digital media to give you the TV, movies and gaming content you want. More on this very soon …

I’m very curious as to what Sony will offer, especially if they offer HD downloads with better quality than what the others are offering today.

The 2.30 update will also include a major overhaul to the PlayStation Store, and it looks a lot better. Joystiq has images of the new store, and PlayStation.Blog has a walk-through video and also confirms the inclusion of DTS-HD MA and DTS-HD HR. Hey, Ben Drawbaugh, would you recommend the PS3 for Blu-ray now?

Picked up from EngadgetHD.