Engadget HD Podcast 053 - 10.10.2007

On this edition of the Engadget HD Podcast, we cover the format war, we know, surprise, surprise. Seriously, we give Fox and Samsung a hard time for leaving customers in the cold with their latest titles, and try to decide who's really to blame. We talk about how silly the Netflix numbers are and as well as Panasonic's Blu-ray claims. DirecTV keeps rolling out new HD channels, so we keep talkin' about them and Ben gets on his soap box about stretch-o-vision. Finally we bring it all home with Steve's most anticipated feature in his next HDTV; clap and wave control.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
08:06 - Fox's new Blu-ray titles with BD+ won't play in all players
09:09 - Fox says, it's not our fault if you can't play our movies
13:23 - HD DVD is more popular on Netflix
19:18 - Panasonic exec says Blu-ray will win soon
24:04 - Dish adds TBS HD too, where's FIOS?
26:35 - DirecTV launches another 11 new HD channels
27:35 - Hands-on with DirecTV's new HD channels
29:34 - Just say no to stretch-o-vision
32:25 - Report shows HDTV owners happy with PQ, unhappy with content
36:23 - JVC TV responds to claps and waves for channel changes


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[mtkupp Posted Oct 10th 2007 12:49PM]

If one of the HD formats wants to win they need to support more formats on their player (Divx, xVid) so users can utilize their current media.

[Mitchell Posted Oct 10th 2007 7:06PM]

Hey Engadget HD,

i have started listening to your podcast the last few weeks and have a few qestions I hope you can address. I just bought a new Optoma 1080p projector so I am really interested in the format war/HD now! Anyway I got a few questions for ya:

1. reading all the new about HDDVD vrs BD and how much content is out there for each do you really think there will ever be a "winner" seems to me as the dual format players will be they way to go once the price of them come WAY down. Thoughts??

2. seeing your post about Amazon HDTV 101 and cables...i take it you dont think monster cables are worth the money? I am using a 50ft HDMI cable from monoprice.com is that what you recommend?

3. I still need to purchase a surge protector/power conditioner. What would you recommend (< 200 perferable)? I ask because i have the a mini fridge in my theater room and every time it kicks the compressor on the audio drops out.

Love the show!

Thanks

[RealHTInfo Posted Oct 11th 2007 11:41AM]

1. reading all the new about HDDVD vrs BD and how much content is out there for each do you really think there will ever be a "winner" seems to me as the dual format players will be they way to go once the price of them come WAY down. Thoughts??

I personally don't think the market will support 2 formats, but I also don't think either side is going to give up soon, and they sure won't run out of money. I think HD-Discs are a stop-gap, and that we'll see some other means, maybe downloadable content, knock HD-Disc out of the game within 5 years. And most importantly, SD DVD will still be the prevalent format when it does.

If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong, but dual format players are going to have to get way down there (sub $300) before they stand a chance of mass adoption.
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2. seeing your post about Amazon HDTV 101 and cables...i take it you dont think monster cables are worth the money? I am using a 50ft HDMI cable from monoprice.com is that what you recommend?

Yes, monoprice. Monster cables aren't bad, per se, they're just crazy overpriced. The cable you get from monoprice cost a fraction, and are just as good for your purposes. Be careful with long HDMI runs. If you start to see any shimmering or artifacts, you may need a repeater in the middle of two shorter runs.

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3. I still need to purchase a surge protector/power conditioner. What would you recommend (< 200 perferable)? I ask because i have the a mini fridge in my theater room and every time it kicks the compressor on the audio drops out.

Tripp Lite is what I use. If you're actually getting audio dropouts, sounds like your current is having trouble keeping up when your fridge starts taking big gulps. Easy solution may be to try to move that fridge to the other side of the room. That side may be on a different circuit. An always on UPS device should also keep your current flowing steadily, but the battery will have to be replaced every couple years.

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Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 11th 2007 12:06AM]

Here is a funny story on Stretch-O-Vision.

I was at a friends house this past weekend watching the HBO Boxing PPV, but I got there late. As soon as I walked in, I noticed it RIGHT OFF THE BAT....Stretch-O-Vision!
No one in the room had a clue that they were watching it in Stretch-O-Vision.
Here's the kicker...the guy HAS an Dish HD receiver!
So of course I politely changed the channel to the HD broadcast of the PPV and saved the day (night.)

Peace,
Mexigun

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 13th 2007 8:37AM]

Maybe we could start some sort of Stretch-O-Vision awareness campaign, educate the masses if you will.

I too am constantly changing settings on friends/neighbors Tv sets to give them the optimal viewing experience but to be quite honest its a thankless task, they dont even notice a difference most of the time.....................and here was me thinking it would help me get more lady action!

[spid Posted Oct 11th 2007 11:35AM]

Please no more pie charts. Those are some of the most deceptive things to come out. What does it matter if their is a 2 to 1 advantage when the total sales are so pathetic for both formats.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2007 1:14AM]

There is a good discussion of a la carte cable TV pricing here http://thunor.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!71C238B5E0E3724D!347.entry