We haven’t heard from cheap flat panel CE company VIZIO much since CES earlier this year. The company is back though in the news today with some new HDTVs, priced at between around $1,500 and $1,900.

The new models in the company’s XVT series are the SV420XVT, SV47XVT and VP505XVT. Key features include Silicon Optix REON HQV processing, 30,000:1 contrast Ratio, 1200 nits brightness and 5.1 virtual surround sound. You can get the full scoop on these new flat panel HDTVs after the jump via the full press release.

So far 2008 is slipping by much faster than I expected and before you know it the digital transition in early 2009 will be here. If you aren’t using a satellite or cable provider and are using an old TV lacking a digital tuner you will need a converter box. While all high-power stations are required to transition to digital broadcasts in 2009, low-power stations in some communities don’t have to change.

That means that in some areas TV watchers could continue to receive both digital and analog signals after the official date for the digital transition. If your community is one with low-power stations what you need is a converter box like the RadioShack DTX9550. This box is a fully digital converter and features analog pass-through so one converter allows the viewing of analog and digital broadcasts.

D-Link, which first introduced the DSM-750 back in September, is now making this device available for purchase at around $330. It is essentially a set-top HD Extender for Windows Media Center.

The DSM-750 lets you play and display music, photos, movies, online content and live/recorded television on connected televisions throughout the house. You can get the full details on this device after the jump.

Universal Remote Control has apparently put out new details and pricing about an upcoming wireless keypad-style remote. It is called the KP-900 and you’ll find it pricing around $500.

The KP-900 is attached to a wall bracket so you can easily find it. It is powered by four AAA batteries, according to Universal Remote Control, and functions in both the IR and RF control arenas. The LCD is backlit as well.

Here’s a neat app for iPhone that makes your home smarter. Many people have dreamed of automating their house, but it has always been an expensive proposition. Now anybody can do it for a reasonable price, thanks to DIY software like Cinemar’s Mainlobby. The Mainlobby iPhone app works with iPhone and iPod touch. It will turn your iPhone/iPod touch into a universal remote control that can control almost everything in your home, like lighting, heating, TV, security, audio and video etc.

It works with the iPhone/iPod Touch web browser,and Mainlobby’s built in web-server using Safari’s Ajax support. It basically becomes a touch screen which sits on your wall and interfaces with all your equipment. How cool would it be to control your home using your iPhone or iPod?

XtremeMac just announced from MacWorld today another iPod speaker system. This time around it is the Tango X2, priced at around $150.

The XtremeMac Tango X2 is described as “a full range speaker system with a subwoofer and AM/FM radio wrapped in an elegant design that delivers big sound from a deceptively compact unit.” Having had hands on experience with the first Tango we have to imagine this will be even a better system.

Basic features include an AM/FM radio with hidden display, a smaller footprint from the previous model and an integrated iPod dock. Get the full details on the XtremeMac Tango X2 after the jump.

Sharp towed to CES this week its usual interesting line up of cutting edge consumer electronics. A shining example of this is its AQUOS SE94 series flat panels which, among other features, are Internet-enabled. This particular family of Sharp televisions ranges in size from 46 to 65 inches and is priced between around $3,200 and $11,000.

The Sharp AQUOS SE94 series can, when connected to an Ethernet port, let you access a Sharp service which provides “customized Web-based content as well as real-time customer support directly on the AQUOS television.” The company, working with Web based content providers, says you’ll be able to configure widgets which let you get information like the local weather forecast as well as enjoy your favorite comic strip via your remote control.

For more details on these new Sharp televisions, check out the full press release after the jump.

VIZIO, that upstart HDTV brand you see for sale at Costco-like places, is dropping the LCD hammer big time at CES as it reveals lots of new HDTVs. One new line up of flat panel displays is the “Black Tie” series.

The VIZIO “Black Tie” series includes 42 and 47-inch displays. It is noted by VIZIO for having “120Hz processing with MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation), a side access HD game port and full 1080p resolution.”

Get the whole story on these new VIZIO displays after the jump.

Memorex is showing off at CES some fun new electronics which, while not cutting edge, are still interesting in design and perhaps even useful. These new electronics include fashionable DVD players and an iPhone clock radio.

After the jump you can check out more photos and read Memorex’s entire press release.

Soyo, a developer of consumer electronics products, is showcasing at CES a new line of televisions being branded under the venerable Honeywell label. These televisions are known as the Altura LCD HDTVs and will come in a variety of sizes ranging from 42 to 82-inches (damm!).

The Honeywell Altura LCD HDTVs share a variety of features in common, including full HD 1080p, SRS TruBass and TruSurround, Dolby Digital ProLogicII Sound and MTS/SAP, a/v stereo and a dynamic contrast ratio of 120,000:1. You can read more about this line up of Honeywell televisions via the full press release after the jump.

If there was one universal remote to rule them all, this new Harmony model being introduced by Logitech at CES might just be it. The Logitech Harmony One is priced at around $250.

The Logitech Harmony One sports a 2.2-inch touchscreen on its slim body, letting you touch the appropriate activity button so the remote can do a variety of pre-programmed functions like turning on the television, home theater system and TiVo. You can also have the remote display icons of specified TV stations for quick access to favorite stations.

The Messiah Darklite PS3 has a sleek slider design making it look quite a bit like a mobile phone when in fact its only function is as a remote control for the Blu-ray player on the Playstation 3. Since the PS3 doesn’t have a built-in infrared port a person can’t use a standard universal IR remote, but the Darklite connects to the PS3 through a USB port and provides an IR receiver for the remote and also acts as a dock to recharge it.

The remote is backlit to allow easy use in the …

JBL is preparing to unleash another iPod accessory on the masses in the form of a new version of its popular On Stage speakers. The JBL On Stage 3, which will be available in black or white, should be out by October.

The JBL On Stage 3 comes with universal dock adaptors to work with most iPod models. It can be made portable via a six AA battery option. Four integrated speakers in this docking station provide six-watts of audio power per channel and an included remote offers wireless control up to 10 metres away.

Blue Raven Technology, one of the horde of smaller consumer electronics companies which once in awhile surfaces with a new product, apparently recently unveiled a new iPod speaker system. The Blue Raven Maestro 1070 is priced at around $200 and available now.

The Blue Raven Maestro 1070 has a sleek look to it, being reminiscent of the Apple iPod HiFi. It comes with a 12-button remote control which lets you control music and we assume select iPod features from a distance. There’s also an auxiliary cable for using this system with other audio devices as well as a video out port so you can watch your iPod video content on a television or monitor.

The remote control has become a requirement for any home entertainment system these days. I’ll walk around for a long time looking for the remote control instead of simply walking to the TV and turning it on manually. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure where the manual power button is on my TV?

Well, as if you aren’t feeling convenienced enough with you regular remote control Hammacher Schlemmer has a universal remote that runs off of voice commands for when your just to tired to push the …