Engadget HD Podcast 128 - 03.18.2009

The spring is always a slow time for HD news, so with less to talk about, it gives us more time to go into detail. We start off the show with a twist on an old tip, which is to tune your TV for both picture quality as well as energy consumption. Next up, we talk a little EHX 2009, what was there, and what wasn't. The most interesting things at the show this year were Media Center related, so there is more than a little in there if you like that sort of thing. Finally we talk a little gestures, and the reasons why they don't make sense as well as why the new Boxee remote does. And last but not least we talk about the time we spent with the Popcorn Hour A-110.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:43 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 125 - 03.04.2009
06:29 - Dialing back display brightness is good for picture quality and your wallet
08:53 - On the scene at EHX Spring 2009
26:04 - CableCARD diagnostic tool gets previewed at Media Center University
27:52 - Ask Engadget HD: HTPC or HD media streamer?
33:25 - Poll: Have you seen a movie in 3D?
36:05 - Gesture controls the next big thing in TV, says guy selling gesture control tech
41:40 - Hands-on with the Boxee iPhone remote
49:30 - Popcorn Hour A-110 review

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[(Unverified) Posted Mar 18th 2009 2:26PM]

LOL, I should point out that I love spending time with my Girlfriend, but it's certainly fair to say we don't like to watch the same stuff! Having two Popcorn Hours just cuts down on arguments.

Good response though guys, I get what you're saying - perhaps I'm just a bit more techie than the average guy on the street.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 18th 2009 6:46PM]

In regards to gesture controls, I don't see that going a long way and it sounds more like a gimmick than an actual feature like most of multi-touch. Essentially gesture controls would mean that I have to use a Wiimote for controling my TV. I can barely stand using the Wiimote within the Wii, I can't even imagine using it to change channels or set my DVR. Gesture controls on a device like the Boxee example you talked about makes much more sense. It's not that far fetched of an idea since using a mouse or a touchpad is very similar, and something we all do without a problem. Hopefully that is the route that gesture controls take instead of having people flail their arms around any time they want to lower the volume.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 2:23AM]

LOL, I guess I'd have to say is that the reason there isn't the perfect woman is cause then married life would be boring! (But that's my opinion, because my wife ain't perfect, but I love her).

On the prices at EHX, I guess you could say that, yeah they are overpriced. The fact remains though that if someone is willing to pay $ 7000 for a media center or $800 for software then why would these companies sell it for any less? So I don't blame the companies I blame the bozos buying this stuff.

On the Gesture controls tech, they could market it as an exercise tool. “Build up arm muscles while you watch TV! Get those arms you’ve always wanted!”, what I want to know is what happens if someone picks their nose?
I think they should drop the minority report stuff and work on doing really good universal remotes.

P.S. since my comment last week I have started to build an HTPC, I had to order the majority of the parts since the PC market in Kuwait is a black market, and the stuff here sucks! So when I get it up and running, what do you guys recommend as an extender for other parts of the house?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 9:42AM]

Ben, I have noticed how you will mention pieces of your home theater/automation/media center system in each podcast (like the GC-100 today) but I would really like to hear/see about the inner workings of the whole thing posted maybe on your personal blog or at Geektonic. I am planning how to do my theater room when I finish my basement and am trying to decide on which components to use, what kind of equipment I will need etc, and am planning on going the media center route. I really respect your knowledge and know you research things very thoroughly so I would love to see your setup. Thanks!

[BenD Posted Mar 20th 2009 9:43AM]

Thanks for the suggestion, sounds like a great idea for a feature on my personal blog.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 11:45AM]

I am actually working on Starting a DIY Home Theater and Technology podcast, and Ben has been gracious enough to be one of my guest hosts for the podcast. One of the series I am doing will be covering DIY home automation systems.

One series will be about Mcontrol and Windows Media Center and home server and how you can integrate them all together and what hardware you can have be controlled by it all.

Another segment will be about CQC and lastly I am still working on one more guest spot about a new up coming home automation software. I don't want to link the site on here as I don't know if that is ok or not. I will leave that up to Ben for now.

Now onto Ben's show, and gesture controls. I'd LOVE to see something like that for media center, specifically for Windows 7 MC. If anyone has seen the touch screen demo's for scrolling through days/weeks of guide data and just using the 7MC interface, I think it would be cool to have a iphone, or ipod touch, or a BB storm and be able to flick your finger across the screen of the phone to work your way though the media center interface. Something like that would be cool as hell.

- Josh

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 3:32PM]

I travel every week. Can you guys recommend one of those newfangled video goggles - MyVu, etc.

Must work with iPhone.

Thanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 7:09PM]

Guys,

Can you explain the controversy with the new Onkyo receivers not doing HDMI audio processing that was discussed on the site. I am not that knowledgeable about this and would like to know what is going on.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 9:59AM]

Ben: get a pop filter for your mic! Every time you said a word starting with "P" or "B", my (unimpressive OEM) car subwoofer thumped and the rear view mirror vibrated. When you'd say "Popcorn" I'd start to look around for a nearby helicopter!

[BenD Posted Mar 27th 2009 10:18AM]

Not sure it's even possible to connect a pop filter to a headset, but eventually when we get real mics I'll look into one.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 1:39PM]

Hey Ben, I'm no expert, but I've heard other podcasters mention using cheap foam mic covers. Looks like they cost less than $2 (searched Amazon for "foam microphone windscreen".)

Leo Laporte mentioned that woman's nylon stockings work well. I guess with that setup, the stocking could either be placed over the microphone or "bank robber style" over the persons head. Ha! Sorry -- I've had too little sleep and too much caffeine and I'm easily amused. . .

[BenD Posted Mar 27th 2009 1:40PM]

Actually I already have a foam cover on the mic.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 1:56PM]

Then I guess there really isn't any other option:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10264209@N00/898189992

"Welcome to the EngadgetHD Podcast." :)