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Audio Technica has launched two surprising noise-cancelling products: an on-ear set of headphones and a pair of in-ears.

While waiting for the test of the celebrated ANC7b set, which will arrive in our lab in a few weeks, we've had a look at these ANC1s and ANC3s.

The ANC1s aim to be light, compact and good value, while the ANC3s combine already well-insulated in-ears with noise-cancelling. It remains to be seen what they give in practice.

> Review: Audio Technica ATH-ANC1
> Review: Audio Technica ATH-ANC3

> Review: Noise-cancelling Headphones

Following our news and the e-mails we've sent about panel switching and the variable sources of panels in Samsung TVs, we first of all received a phone call, then a visit from a Samsung executive. The variable sourcing of panels has been confirmed.

On Friday 13 August, a Samsung France executive contacted us by phone. This was followed by a meeting. With him were two Samsung engineers, one from Korea and one from Japan, as well as one of their heads of communications.

We're pleased and grateful to see they aren't taking the issue lightly!

Samsung confirms that panels do differ

Samsung admitted, with no ambiguity, that it does place panels from varying sources within TVs of the same model.

The principle is exactly as we described it on 1 September. In addition to its own PVA panels, Samsung buys MVA and ASV panels from other suppliers (CMO, AUO and Sharp in particular). Samsung demands a level of quality equivalent to the original PVAs. They set out their requirements, including certain criteria to be respected, such as a certain level of contrast, viewing angles, responsiveness and so on.

If the panels respect these requirements, they are given the OK to replace the PVAs.

The right to reply

Now, very importantly, Samsung has tabled a sort of right to reply session for this whole affair. A more detailed explanation will be given to us, apparently, at IFA 2010 (the general consumer electronics show held in Berlin at the beginning of September). We'll be meeting with several engineers there, who should be able to supply additional useful information.

Visit to the DigitalVersus lab

Four Samsung representatives came to visit us at our TV lab. We suggested they sit in on a series of tests of a couple of Samsung TVs in clone mode (the same images displayed at the same time on both televisions). We used a 40C630 equipped with a PVA panel made by Samsung and a 46C630 with an MVA panel from AU Optronics. Our readings were taken one by one.

The Samsung reps saw a live show of the differences between the two panels, which were the same as those we saw when we reviewed the two TVs: contrast ratio, viewing angles and so on.

Impact on ratings

While waiting for additional information from Samsung on this subject (Samsung has promised to work on the problem and improve things for future generations of products), we have decided to rate the TVs we test according to the lowest score the TV would get if its panel was changed.

For example, if a TV could be equipped either with a PVA panel that we rate at 5 stars or an MVA that we rate at 4 stars, the TV will be given an overall score of 4 stars.

As far as possible, we will detail the type of panel used on the models we test and let you know what we think of it. We will also indicate what level of risk there is that the panel be replaced with a third-party panel and what differences this would imply. This could even become a plus point for TVs with MVA panels if they also exist with PVAs.

It is a shame that Samsung has been following this rather random panel policy (in contrast to Sony). At DigitalVersus we will continue to champion our cause: one panel = one model! And when the panel changes, we also want manufacturers to change the model name ... and not just by adding a letter to the model reference number!

There's no denying that it's taken us a little while, but we've finally got there.  We're pleased to announce that we've now added results for CRI, FSCI and colour temperature to our LED lamp results.

To get this far, we've had to combine several software tools.  As well as Colorfacts, which produces excellent graphs illustrating how much of the visible spectrum a lamp covers, we've also added Argyll CMS to our toolkit.  The former uses data from the visual spectrum to calculate the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) and the colour temperature.  This gives us a chance to thank everybody who has contributed to this free software, and its original author, Graeme Gill.  Argyll CMS allows you to measure the amount of UV in a flow of light, an area that we need to do a little more work on before we give the results.

Alongside that, we also take data from the visual spectrum and use a script produced by the Lighting Research Center to calculate the FSI.

What are the CRI, the FSI and what do the results mean?

The CRI is the Colour Rendering Index, and is a measure of how well a lamp can reproduce the colours in an object compared to a standard source.  The results go from 0 to 100, and the higher it is, the better.

The FSI is the Full Spectrum Index is a mathematical calculation of the difference between the spectrum covered by a light source compared to an idealised equal-energy spectrum.  There are more details on the website of the Lighting Research Centre.  To convert the FSI into a score that can be compared to the IRC, it's scaled up to a score out of 100, and given the name FSCI.  Again, the higher the result, the better.

Colour temperature is a slightly counter-intuitive concept.  The lower the value (and the colder the temperature), the warmer the light will look.  A bulb with a colour temperature of 2700 K will have an orange/red tinge (like the Econergyworld 8 W globe for instance).  Closer to 5500 K, the light is cooler and more like pure white, before gaining a blue or purple tinge as the temperature rises.  You can follow the colour temperature as the black line across the CIE colour space.


Now that our test procedure is firmly established and thoroughly bedded-in, we are going to go back through all of our light bulb tests so far.

> Low energy consumption: how to choose your LED lights

Microsoft has just unveiled its Arc Touch Mouse, a mouse with an original adjustable design and a touch-sensitive zone for touch-control that's somewhat reminiscent of Apple's Magic Mouse.

Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse MARCHANDS €     Amazon mark...  33.65  Very  35.00  Dixons  38.04  Euroffice  47.98  John lewis  54.99  Pc world  59.99  Compare prices

The Arc Touch Mouse is due for UK release in November for £69.99, and you can see it in action in the video below. It starts off flat then, as if by magic, it can be folded up into a hump-backed mouse.



Microsoft is proudly proffering its BluTrack technology in the Arc Touch Mouse, which means you shouldn't need a mouse mat to use it properly. We're still a bit dubious though, as we've recently re-tested several mice with BluTrack sensors and only the Microsoft Sidewinder X8 had decent performances. We found the others lost connection with the computer when moved at speeds of around 1.5 m/second, whereas we'd expect twice that on a good-quality mouse.

Stay tuned for more on the matter soon.

> Computer Mice Reviews

Epson invited the international press to the IFA trade fair in Berlin to announce two new projectors featuring its new reflective panel technology. Needless to say, DigitalVersus was on the scene, and we had high hopes for this announcement.

Epson put paid to one of our biggest hopes straight away, as it turned out the announcement had nothing to do with 3D projectors. Epson confirmed the brand was hanging back from 3D for several reasons, notably that the technology isn't ready, content isn't really available yet and the market is still too under-developed. Too bad.

Reflective Panel Technology: RHTPS

The new technology Epson unveiled is called 3LCD Reflective Panel Technology (RHTPS). It's no real surprise that it's intended to improve contrast, response times, colour gamut etc. It'll feature in two new projectors also announced at the event, the EH-R2000 and EH-R4000. The diagram below shows how it works:


As with other types of technology already on the market, such as Sony's SXRD, light passes through a layer of liquid crystals twice to improve the depth of black projected. This is achieved by positioning a reflective panel at the back of the LCD. It's not entirely new, but it's still a good idea. However, we'll have to wait until we test one of these new models to find out just how effective it is.

Price & release date

Epson hasn't given an exact release date for these new projectors, but they're likely to hit the market sometime in November or December. The EH-R2000 and EH-R4000 will be priced at £3,000 and £5,000 respectively.

Two additions to the current range

As well as the two models featuring Epson's RHTPS technology, the brand will also be releasing the EH-TW3200 (£850 TBC) and EH-TW3600 (£1,165 TBC). These projectors will be placed just under the EH-TW5500 / EH-TW4400 in the range and will replace the EH-TW3500 / EH-TW2900.

> Reviews: Full HD Projectors

Our first full day at the IFA ended with a visit to some of the stands which weren't quite ready yet—when the security guards even let us near them, that is.  We ended up getting an interesting look behind the scenes.

The show is set to open to the public tomorrow, September 3.  That's just as well, because when we left last night, there was still a lot of work to be done ...
 
 
A whole city in miniature is being built right now at Berlin's Messe conference centre.  The stands are rising up as we speak, and what looked like a no man's land yesterday morning is gradually becoming more like the trade show we know and love.  If the number of exhibitors here is anything to go by, then we should be seeing quite a few exciting developments over the coming days.  We can't wait!

Whether you've just come back from your holidays or you're a snap happy shooter who's always taking pictures out and about, you'll no doubt find your iPhone photo library is full of less-than-amazing shots. Before you delete them, why not try using a photo app to edit them, add fun new features or transform them into something completely different. You'll even find apps to help you and your iPhone take better shots in the first place!

You have to admit that advanced photo functions in the iPhone are pretty thin on the ground. Thankfully, the App Store is on hand to save the day with a whole load of applications (free and paid) designed to meet each and every one of your specific needs. You'll be able to transform even the dullest picture beyond recognition!

We've now updated our pick of photo-based iPhone apps with Lomo effects, retro effects, photo editing apps and more.

> AppZone: 17 Apps for Perfect Photos

> AppZone: Our Pick of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Apps

Apple's traditionally music-based autumn keynote took place yesterday in San Francisco. So did Steve Jobs announce new iPods, new and improved Apple TV, streaming on iTunes, an update of the iOS 4, iOS 4 and for the iPad as expected? Let's find out.


With the summer holidays now well and truly over, it's back to work for Steve Jobs, who took to the stage in his usual drab get-up, but who did look to be in pretty good shape. He first of all gave a quick overview of the ever-expanding empire of Apple Stores, including Paris, China, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Japan and soon Spain.

iOS 4.1 & Game Center for network gaming

First up at yesterday's keynote was Apple's iOS. Steve Jobs quoted some impressive figures, with approximately 120 million devices now running iOS throughout the world, and 200 Apps downloaded every second.

The iOS 4.1 update will be compatible with HDR photos for improved results. Game Center will also allow network-based multi-player gaming. Several video games developers then took to the stage to present their projects. The first demo, Project sword by Epic Games, was particularly impressive.

iOS 4.2 for iPad coming in November


The Print Center function will be included in the update. Plus, users will also be pleased to see AirPlay for multimedia streamer over a network.

iPods: a new design for (almost) every model


Steve Jobs then kicked off his presentation of the 2010/2011 iPod range with the new Shuffle.


It'll still be available in a selection of colours and will have an internal memory of 2 GB. It'll be priced at £39 in the UK. The VoiceOver function will still be present.

The iPod Nano has been totally reworked. The rectangular design has been ditched in favour of a compact multi-touch square that's 46% smaller than the current model. It has an FM radio and an accelerometer. Prices are as follows:

• £129 for the 8 GB model
• £159 for the 16 GB model

The new iPod Touch is slimmer than the previous version and, as expected, it's basically an iPhone 4 without the mobile phone functions. The new model with have the Retina display, first unveiled on the iPhone 4, the A4 processor and a front-facing camera for Face Time. It will run on the iOS 4.1 and has an HD photo/video camera (without flash). Battery life is announced at 40 hours of music playback. Prices are as follows:

• £189 for the 8 GB version
  
• £249 for the 32 GB version
• £329 for the 64 GB version

So what about the poor old iPod Classic? Well, the original model seems to have been somewhat side-lined, and although it's still available to buy in the Apple Store, it won't be updated.

iTunes & Ping, the social media network


Steve Jobs reeled off a whole load of figures to underline the continuing success of Apple's online multimedia store, iTunes. The logo of the platform will, however, be changing to get rid of that out-dated CD.

Next, Jobs presented Ping, 'a social network for music,' which he described as something like 'Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes'. Via their iTunes account, Ping will allow users to stay up to date with news about all their favourite artists (news, interviews etc.), as well as keep in touch with friends and share thoughts and opinions on tracks. With 140 million users already signed up to iTunes, MySpace should be quaking in its boots. Ping will be available on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

'One more Thing': Apple TV for £99



Apple TV was first launched in 2006. Ever since, it has been widely criticised and hasn't proved particularly successful among consumers (on this side of the Atlantic, at least). But Apple doesn't give up that easily. Steve Jobs has now defined a new target audience for Apple TV, aiming the product at those who don't necessarily have a computer, but who still want to access online multimedia content via their TV.

The new version will be smaller than the current model. It'll allow users to rent content (TV shows, films, music), but as there's no integrated storage system, users won't be able to purchase content to keep. Steve Jobs announced that HD films would be available to hire from $4.99 whereas TV shows will start at $0.99 (UK pricing TBC). The Apple TV device will also offer access to certain websites, such as YouTube and VOD via Netflix.

Mac users will be able to access all the content stored on their computer via the TV box, so you could, for example, watch photo slideshows on your TV. Similarly, a film you start watching on your iPad can be beamed over to your TV at the simple touch of a button. Apple TV will be available later this month and will cost £99.

To wrap things up, Steve Jobs then reminded anyone who cares just how much he himself loves music. Cue Coldplay live on stage to play out this year's Apple music keynote.