Engadget HD Podcast 106 - 10.17.2008
By Trent Wolbe 
posted Oct 17th 2008 12:00PM
posted Oct 17th 2008 12:00PM
We kick off with the brouhaha Steve Jobs raised with the Blu-ray "bag of hurt" remark; as always, Apple keeps us guessing what it's really up to. Netflix removed any mystery behind its Blu-ray allegiance, though -- kick in a buck more each month for all the Blu you can eat. The BDA is looking forward to a strong holiday showing, and with falling player prices and titles like The Matrix, Iron Man and The Dark Knight, we can't blame them; let's see if the VideoScan numbers can keep up the good performance. You guys picked Sony as the winner of favorite Blu studio, but we like Warner for trying out new things, like DivX distribution -- who knows if it'll stick, but at least Warner is trying some new tricks. LG's new BD300 Blu-ray/Netflix combo is also trying some new things, but we'll see if consumers pay for the single-box convenience. Next up is Vudu's new HDX format -- the tech and quality is good, but we think it'd be better served by a subscription model and blame Hollywood for keeping that from materializing. We spend a little time talking over DIRECTV2PC local placeshifting and NBC's Universal Sports, and once Ben vents about how NBC has ruined his Sunday evenings, we turn to the Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC review. Basically, we thought it came up a little short. Tru2Way is a-coming, and even though Bright House customers may have to suffer Mystro software to get it, at least Panasonic has held up its end of the deal by rolling out Tru2Way sets in time for the holiday. We wrap up with a slightly happier TiVo note -- the Hawk software is going through testing -- but as much as we'd love to get a hands-on, we won't sign an NDA that keeps us from sharing with you all.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:27 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 105 - 10.08.2008
01:48 - Apple's Steve Jobs calls Blu-ray "a bag of hurt"
06:04 - Netflix implements $1 per month Blu-ray premium charge
11:59 - BDA unsurprisingly bullish for holiday season
15:49 - Poll: Which Blu-ray studio is your favorite?
18:24 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 5th, 2008
20:47 - LG's BD300 available and in the wild
22:45 - Warner Bros. gives green light for DivX distribution
24:06 - VUDU's HDX titles compare to Blu-ray's picture quality
29:56 - Poll: Which HD download service do you prefer?
34:34 - DIRECTV2PC launches in beta form, brings HD recordings to your local PC
37:37 - NBC replaces Weather Plus with Universal Sports
41:34 - Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC review
44:53 - Bright House bigwig acknolwedges complaints about Mystro Digital Navigator
47:24 - Panasonic reveals first tru2way HDTVs in Chicago and Denver
49:45 - TiVo soliciting beta testers for "Hawk" Series3 / TiVo HD software update
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I used my 360 more as a Media Center back when I had cable, but now that I have DirecTV I don't use it much anymore. I've never bought a video, but I have downloaded free stuff or watched Inside Xbox.
I can't wait for DIRECTV2PC. I consume my media in the living room, my home office, and anywhere else I take my laptop. I have a Slingbox for when I'm on the go.
Downloaded media won't overtake physical media for a while. While faster broadband is getting more prevalent, I still have 1.5Mbs DSL...it's all I really need and am willing to pay. I get my NetFlix Blu-ray disks in 1 day...or about 20 hours longer than your HDX download. I'll take disks.
P
It doesnt have to "take over" from bluray.... what it can and will do is take some marketshare from physical media and by doing that virtually guarantee physical media never dominates like it did with dvd.
As for the comments on subscription models... I agree that the people who figure out subscription models with hd content will win (and right now netflix is the closest). I really think on demand netflix is the real "dvd 2.0" by reinventing the way people watch movies. its like netflix where its a new way to think about how you get movies but improves on almost every aspect making it an almost instant choice. the one thing people always laud netflix for is their library but the flaw with it currently is having to wait a few days for the movie to show. if that time was gone (and the streaming/downloading would do) it takes netflix to the next level.
Ben, I have to disagree with you entirely regarding Football Night in America. OK, not entirely, since I also LOVED NFL Primetime. But the Sunday Night in America has really picked it up this year and the highlights are much more dominant, and done by none other than Keith Olberman and Dan Patrick (together again!). Yes, there still is some chatting and discussion as well, but not as annoying as it used to be. And, for those of us hankering for Primetime, they really just split that show between the morning Chris Berman and TJ show with their fellows, for two full hours before the games, then there is The Blitz, with CB and TJ at night mixed into Sportscenter.
All this change is a small price to pay, I think, for getting another full HD game.
I think it would be interesting to, maybe once every 6 months, say what TV's you like in different price and size's on the podcast. I was listening to the show long before I got my HDTV and I actually don't have any way of watching HD content yet. I am a student and have to watch my money but I am hoping to get a PS3 soon now that I have a HDTV to play Blu-ray movies and games on.
Great podcast guys.
First:
"If someone told you you could watch whatever you want whenever you want for $20 bucks a month..." Not interested thanks. In fairness, I'm not, in any way, a typical consumer. I haven't had a TV subscription or over-the-air reception for the past three years and have frankly missed nothing. I do have thousands of extra dollars though that I can spend on real goods. I do have a Blockbuster online account which costs $8 and change after tax for 4 titles a month. Personally, I think I should own said four titles for the cost but once again I'm not the average sucker.
Second:
A long while back, I asked if the Talledega Nights BluRay disk packaged with my PS3 was crap. You guys gave a convincing yes and recommended I check out some better titles. Having spent months doing so I would llke to formally declare I'm bored with BluRay. The value just isn't there for me. Marginal upgrade in visuals versus upgraded cost and restrictions. So when's the next generation video format expected out? I'm done with this one.
I think the next format comes out when you get rid of your TV and imagine the content
I think the next format comes out when you get rid of your TV and imagine the content
I know there has been a lot of talk about Blu-Ray and all the other video boxes. However there are still some of us who use a HTPC. For me I currently have the following:
HD-DVD (with approx 60 movies), Sony PS3, 56in Panny DLP TV, with a Pent 4, custom built PC. The pc has all top specs with the exception of the capture card, which is a Happauge PVR 250 I think (bought 3 years ago). Now my HTPC is connected to my home server via wired intranet. The home server currently serves 3 other media pcs in the house. It has become the repository for all media access. Having files backed up is easy, same with recorded shows, movies, music, pics, etc... All of this was fine for the last year but the only thing I seem to have a problem with is recording HD.
I have comcast & 1 box. I want the HTPC (above which is currently in the living room) to do the recording. The line comes out of the wall and is split. One to the box>TV the other direct to the PC. I record all the basic cable shows via MCE. I like media center and everyone in the house is now used to it so I would rather not change.
What I want to do is add a new tv tuner card that will record the HD channels. Reading all the reviews, suggestions, etc, I must say I am a bit confused at what to look at. I just want to buy a card that I can capture HD stations via the coaxial input. Is this possible? Seconldy, what ccards out there can do this? I have looked at the Hauppauge PVR 1600 & PVR 1800 which both state that they will record QAM. Finally I know media center (XP edition) states that it can't or doesn't handle cam. Is this correct?
I appreciate any assistance.
keith