Creative Zen

Creative may have had a hard disk based MP3 player before Apple even thought about entering the digital music device market, but that hasn't stopped it being massively overtaken by sales of the iPod.

It looks like Creative is now calling for a truce with its rival as its new Zen player is its first to support AAC encoded files which means you can use it to listen to tracks ripped using iTunes or unprotected tunes bought from Apple's online store.

The Zen is available in 4GB, 8GB or 16GB capacities and features an SD card slot for easy expansion. In addition to supporting audio tracks encoded in WMA, MP3 or AAC, it can also playback video files in WMV, DivX and Xvid format.

The Zen will be available in September with prices starting at £99.99 for the 4GB version. See Creative's website for further details.

Sharp Prototype 52in TV

Today's flatscreen TVs are certainly thinner than the bulky old CRT displays they've all but replaced, but some models are still a bit on the chunky side. Sharp is hoping to change all that with its prototype display which offers a 52in screen that's only 2cm deep across the main display section and just 2.9cm at its thickest part.

Despite its svelte dimensions, it still offers a high contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and low power consumption of just 140kWh/year. The screen is designed for displaying images from digital sources and promises noise-free high definition images.

As high definition adoption increases, the demand for larger sets will increase, according to Sharp's predictions. Its new LCD panel makes it possible to enjoy big images without sacrificing on living space or power consumption.

The prototype panel will be used in future models, prices are yet to be confirmed. Keep an eye on Sharp's website for more information.

Griffin Journi

One of the reasons for getting an iPod is so you can take your music with you, wherever you go. However, there are times when you want to unplug your headphones and share your music with the world. Ideally, not when you're on the number 38 bus travelling home.

For such occasions Griffin has created the Journi - a portable iPod speaker system that's sturdy enough for life on the road. The wrap around flap acts as a cover to protect your iPod when you're on the move and folds out to form a stand when you're stationary.

The built in battery will last a good ten hours and you can charge it either from the mains or via a PC. A remote control is included and it features an adjustable dock to accommodate various iPod models.

The Journi is available now for £99.99, see Griffin's website for further details.

Sony Vaio VGX-TP1

If you're sick of media center PCs trying to mimic the look of lounge-based DVD players, then it looks like Sony agrees with you as its new Vaio VGX-TP1 is anything but conventional in its design.

Rather than cram the components into an anonymous silver rectangle, Sony has instead decided to arrange them in a white circular case - which will certainly standout among your other home AV kit.

Despite its unusual exterior, it's more conventional on the inside, featuring a 1.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and a hybrid analogue/digital TV tuner. It comes with a wireless keyboard so you can control it from the couch and you shouldn't have a problem finding a suitable display to hook it up to as it supports HDMI, DVI and VGA connections.

The Vaio VGX-TP1 will be available from the end of September, pricing has yet to be confirmed. Keep an eye on Sony's website for more information.

iRiver Clix 2 8GB

iRiver has been busy updating its range of Clix MP3 players. Rather than cramming buttons at semi-random places around the casing, it uses iRiver's D-click system, which means that you interact with it by pressing on one of the four edges of the screen to navigate the menus.

The Clix 2 8GB features a new AMOLED screen, which is designed to prevent ghosting or blur in fast moving sequences so MPEG-4 and WMV movies should look great when played back on its 2.2in screen.

It can handle a host of audio formats and has an FM tuner built in too. If that's not enough entertainment options, then it can play games in Flash Lite format so you'll never get bored. It also claims an impressive 24 hours audio playback or five hours video before the batteries give up.

The Clix 2 8GB is available now for £179 from Advanced MP3 Players.

Yamaha YSP-30D Digital Sound Projector

Yamaha has updated its range of one box surround sound systems, so you can have wrap-around audio without having wires trailing all over the place.

The new YSP-30D adds a DAB tuner, so you can tune in to digital radio if there's nothing worth watching on the box, and also iPod compatibility so you can listen to some tunes in surround sound.

The system works by bouncing the sound of objects around you so it appears to come from all angles. It includes an automatic calibration system so it's setup properly for your living room. It also features a special night mode, which ensures you can make out dialogue and quiet passages when you've got the volume turned down and a setting that will stop loud bursts of sound, such as TV adverts, from blasting out unrestrained.

The YSP-30D will be available soon for £799, keep an eye on Yamaha's website for more information.

iAudio D2 DAB

If you're switching to digital entertainment on the go, why limit your choices by opting for a device that can merely playback digital files you've copied onto it? The iAudio D2 DAB can not only cope with as many digital formats as you'd care to throw at it but can also turn a DAB hand to digital radio.

In addition to audio playback you can even watch Xvid or MP4 videos on its 2.5in screen, which is touch sensitive making navigation a cinch. It's available in either 2GB or 4GB capacities and can be easily expanded via SDHC cards.

Despite its small size, its lithium polymer battery will last for up to 52 hours of audio, 12 hours digital radio or 10 hours of video from a single charge.

The iAudio D2 DAB starts at £139.99 for the 2GB version and is available soon from Advanced MP3 Players.

Hannspree Hannstime.square

What more could you want from a TV than the ability to watch moving images from the comfort of your sofa? Well, according to Hannspree the thing that everyone has been crying out for is a telly that's also a timepiece and meteorological station. Why just passively watch TV, when you could also be checking what time it is simultaneously?

But the geekery doesn’t stop there - Hannspree has also integrated a thermometer and hygrometer into the Hannstime.square so in addition to knowing exactly what time it is you can also find out the temperature and humidity - without having to get up.

If you just want to watch TV on its 12in screen you can swing the instrumentation out of the way and it's wrapped in rubber - useful if find you're frequently carting it around.

The Hannstime.square is available now for £399.99 from Misco.

Belkin Tunecast 3

Dedicated FM transmitters that clip on the bottom of your iPod and broadcast the music to your car stereo are all very well if you only own one make of MP3 player, but if you have multiple audio sources to deal with they can be a bit limiting.

For such situations, Belkin has created the Tunecast 3 - a small dinky transmitter that can be used with any portable audio player. Just plug it into the headphone socket on the device you want to listen to and then tune it to a vacant FM band. The Tunecast 3 will start broadcasting and you'll be able to pick up the signal on your car radio.

Since it just uses a normal 3.5mm headphone plug you can use it with all sorts of devices - from potable DVD players to MP3 players to mobile phones.

The Tunecast 3 is available now for £39.99, see Belkin's website for further details.

Panasonic HDC-SD5

The Panasonic HDC-SD5 may be able to capture big pictures in high definition, but it's surprisingly small on the outside - according to Panasonic it's the smallest and lightest HD camera in the world.

It can record footage at the full HD resolution of 1,920x1,080 pixels, but stores material on SD card rather than tape which cuts down the size and also means there are no moving parts to drain the battery. It uses a 3CCD camera system and features an advanced optical image stabiliser to keep shots shake free.

Movies are stored in AVCHD format and can be transferred directly to disc without the need for the PC using the optional VW-BN1 DVD burner which connects via USB. It also has a nifty pre-record function that will automatically capture a three second buffer, so you won't miss out on any of the action.

The HDC-SD5 will be available in September, pricing has yet to be confirmed. See Panasonic for more information.