Engadget HD Podcast 149 - 08.05.2009
By Trent Wolbe 
posted August 5th 2009 1:00PM
posted August 5th 2009 1:00PM
As we edge up towards podcast 150, we're not planning any kind of celebratory special; but that doesn't mean we can't have fun along the way! Break out the Zima and Jolly Ranchers as we go over some follow-up to last week's MCE-rich podcast, and then get into topsy-turvy strangeness. Giving Moxi a hard time and taking a "we'll see" approach to Vudu are nothing new, but when was the last time we handed out kudos to TiVo and BD-Live? Listen in and find out for yourself what had us in Bizarro-world.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Program
00:00:50 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 148 - 07.29.2009
00:14:49 - Poll: Do you / will you use Windows Media Center in your home theater?
00:25:10 - The Moxi Summer update brings the Moxi Mate, SDV support and more
00:32:40 - RCN making cobranded TiVO boxes its 'primary DVR platform' in 2010
00:36:10 - Verizon rolling out more apartment-friendly hardware
00:40:33 - Ask Engadget HD: Can I subscribe to a service for just HDTV channels?
00:44:45 - Modern Warfare 2, Halo 3: ODST are both not-quite HD games
00:53:15 - Paramount flicks to see Blu-ray purchase, DVD rental availability ahead of DVD sale date
00:56:58 - Wolverine Blu-ray disc includes BD-Live access to IMDB
01:00:00 - VUDU's streaming service demoed live on an LG TV
01:04:45 - Energy Star 3.0 regulations set to impact TV designs
LISTEN (MP3)
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The AAC is truncated, only 8.2MB.
The MP3 and OGG seem fine.
i re-downloaded it, came out fine the 2nd time around
Yeah, its been fixed.
HD Snobs for Movies but when it comes to games sub-par HD is ok. I'm surprised no one touched on my comment about 360 being lead platform and only have DVD as the primary storage medium.
If bluray movies in order to deliver say 2-3 hours of movie content an another maybe 2-3 hours of extras with High Quality Audio at a Native 1080p need a minimum of 25GB of Storage Space. How does everyone Audio and Videophile seem to think that DVD is fine for games? Games offer a minimum of 6 hours of Single player content and sometimes Multiplayer with different and sometimes similar assets along with usually 5.1 Surround Sound and sometimes higher, along with CGI HD video cutscenes and No on thinks that DVD is one of the factors?
I'm shocked that none of you even mentioned it as a partial reason. People need to acknowledge that I'm fine with DVD limiting my gaming in some aspects but I'm ok with it, but don't put your head in the sand and act like it's not an issue. Otherwise go back to Toshibas and buy their upscaling DVD players and skip on Blu-ray and enjoy Fox Quality HD.
You are so right. With these guys, it's all about what THEY see as being important, with little regard to objectivity.
I'm pointing you in particular, Ben.
Steve, the 360 has a Tri-core 3.2GHz processor!
I had my first Zima when I was in 6th grade.
Ben, you really need to look into Intel Speedstep or AMD Cool'N'Quiet (if your cpu supports it) for your media center. Not only is that sucking alot of power having your media center suck that much juice 24x7, but that is also dumping alot of heat into your house!
I went with a very power efficient 45 watt CPU when I rebuilt my media center machine (as well as on my Windows Home Server), turned on Cool'N'Quiet and it just sips power on idle or light duty (which is more than 99% of the day).
I think the podcast needs more Moxi bashing and Zima talk.
Bungie explained why their game didn't render in 720p when it was revealed last time about Halo 3. According to them its due to frame buffers, HDR lighting, and of course keeping the frame rate silky smooth. See here: http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12821
Still a little disappointing no matter how you spin it.
An addendum to the show tip about using Google to find the direct link to the IMDB page: A quicker way is to use the address bar; at least in Firefox it works. (e.g. type "IMDB Wolverine"). Automatically brings up most likely result.
Granted, if it's the wrong movie/show, you'll still have to do the search thing, but for most movies it works.
"We don't watch live tv... ever"
(that pretty much says it all right there)
Another arrogant remark, yet Ben has said, numerous times, that he only watches football live.
One review of the Burn Notice Blu-ray I read said the show was filmed in 16mm. Watching the show after I read that review seems to confirm it. Hope they are able to up the budget and move the show to 35mm or HD digital in the next season.
I believe I've heard Ben a number of times wonder who really cares about the temperature and noise of the XBox360. As a home theater enthusiast, I can easily say that a main reason I refuse to use the XBox360 as a media extender is because of the noise and heat. I really only use it as a game machine, which isn't that often. Rather, I use my TiVo HD and PyTivo to transfer movies to my home theater setup. It may not be as sexy as MCE, but it is quiet. Just wanted to let you all know that at least some of do care about ambient noise when watching movies and TV.
Other than that, I love this podcast, so keep up the good work!
Ben,
Can you explain why no one at the cable operators seem to know what Clear QAM is? Its so frustrating!
Mitchell
Hey guys. The link to subscribe on Zune is not working and I can't find it on the Zune marketplace so could you please fix the link? Thanks.