Episode number 299 comes in with a bang as automated commercial skipping makes its triumphant return to the DVR with Dish Network's "Auto Hop" and we also take a peek at the updated TiVo Premiere XL4. Also invading this week is a flood of OLED news, from production models delivered by Samsung and some tasty Panasonic / Sony team-up rumors. Also in the news is BBC's Sport app and WatchESPN on Comcast, while the return of Total Recall on Blu-ray is definitely reason to celebrate.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

03:38 - Dish Network adds 'Auto Hop' commercial skipping feature to its Hopper DVRs
12:26 - Dish Network Remote Access iPad app upgrade brings a new UI, more speed
16:42 - TiVo Premiere XL4 review
20:00 - TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience
25:26 - Nuance takes credit for voice features inside Samsung's 2012 Smart TV lineup
31:35 - Samsung shows off production 55-inch OLED HDTVs at the 2012 World's Fair
33:30 - Panasonic racks up a record loss for 2012, looks forward to profits and a partner for OLED TVs
35:15 - Panasonic, Sony purportedly entering into OLED TV team-up, torrid love affair
35:45 - 'Hundreds' of Cablevision iO TV on-demand rentals now past 48 hours, procrastinators rejoice
36:09 - New DVD anti-piracy warning now packs double the nag
38:30 - BBC Sport app brings Olympics and more to Sony Bravia TVs, PlayStation 3 and Blu-ray players
42:08 - WatchESPN finally streams to Comcast customers, but not on Android
44:02 - Total Recall 'Mind-Bending' Blu-ray remembers a better looking video transfer July 31st
47:38 - Must See HDTV (May 14th - 20th)

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This week we've got plenty of Media Center news, tied up in an overall Microsoft-centric episode focused on its new subsidized Xbox 360 offer and plans for Windows 8. Fortunately, we've got the perfect guest on hand as the illustrious James Montemagno of Ceton joins us for this podcast. Once we're through talking consoles, extenders and mobile apps there's still more to discuss with new Google TV sets on the way, Comcast rolling out its upgraded DVR platform and much, much more.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)
Guest: James Montemagno (@JamesMontemagno)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:38:10 - Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required
00:52:30 - Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support
00:55:00 - Microsoft talks DVD, Media Center support in Windows 8 and why most won't miss it
01:05:55 - LG's Google TV-enabled sets coming to US end of May
01:10:05 - Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming
01:11:50 - Sony exec confirms IPTV aspirations, says they're on hold due to bandwidth caps
01:17:55 - Comcast VOD coming to Boston TiVos, next gen X1 DVR platform could launch there too
01:19:00 - Comcast earnings beat expectations for Q1
01:22:04 - Dish Network, AMC dispute could see the network's channels dropped this summer
01:24:40 - Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board
01:27:10 - Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)

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00:18:00 - Dish Hopper whole-home DVR review
00:37:30 - Ceton's Media Center mobile apps are for all, app and Echo extender beta signups open now
00:45:15 - Peter Jackson unfazed by 'Hobbit' footage pushback, but will stick to 24 fps for trailers
00:59:00 - Dolby's Atmos technology gives new meaning to surround sound, death from above
01:01:25 - Time Warner Cable is preparing for TWC TV IPTV streaming on Roku boxes
01:03:43 - Reuters: Apple in talks to stream films owned by Epix, no deal expected before September
01:04:50 - DirecTV Everywhere brings streaming movies, TV shows to Android right now, iPhone keeps waiting
01:07:13 - Panasonic teams up with NHK on 145-inch 8K Super Hi-Vision plasma TV
01:10:30 - Samsung's Q1 2012 profits nearly double year-over-year on higher margins for TVs and phones
01:11:00 - LG's Q1 2012 earnings show greater profits on strong TV, phone sales
01:12:43 - Sky considering launching Sky Sports 3D, one channel too small for three dimensions
01:13:50 - Star Trek: The Next Generation Season One Blu-ray beams down July 24th
01:17:50 - Must See HDTV (April 30th - May 6th)

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It took an extra day, but we've got new Engadget HD podcast for you covering DVR news from such luminaries as Whiteman Technologies, Dish Network and TiVo. Of course, they're not the only ones busy over the last few days as Cablevision and Time Warner Cable added new wrinkle to their IPTV offerings and DirecTV brings the DVR to hotels. On the business end of things we've got quarterly numbers from Netflix, Verizon and AT&T, while DTS and SRS Labs are getting together to do... something.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:20:00 - Eyes-on Whiteman Technology's Delta DVR, plus more hardware details

00:25:45 - Dish adds Pandora to Hopper Whole-Home DVR system
00:34:43 - TiVo quietly rebrands the Premiere Elite DVR as the Premier XL4 under cover of darkness
00:36:20 - Cablevision's Optimum Online live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac
00:38:07 - Time Warner Cable brings ESPN, Fox and Turner sports live streaming to apps, website
00:39:53 - DirecTV DVRs available in over 100 hotels, never miss the restaurant opening times again
00:45:00 - DirecTV drops NFL Sunday Ticket price for current subscribers
00:50:21 - Netflix Q1 results: 3 million new streaming subscribers worldwide, record viewing hours
00:56:21 - Verizon's vitals: quarterly revenue up five percent to $28 billion, earnings of $1.7 billion
00:58:45 - Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more
01:04:30 - DTS and SRS Labs to combine into one big happy family
01:07:40 - Must See HDTV (April 23rd - 29th)

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One half of this week's podcast is coming live from Las Vegas, where we're checking out the National Association of Broadcasters show. There's plenty to talk about, from Media Center news centered around Windows 8 and Ceton's upcoming offering (expect details on a beta test soon) to the latest edition of MythTV. We'll also take a look at the latest shot fired by Reed Hastings at Comcast and ponder the possibilities of Sharp's new LCDs. All of that and more is waiting, o go ahead and press play.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:07:18 - Microsoft outs three flavors of Windows 8: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT
00:14:53 - Ceton's Echo Extender for Media Center will be the first to support DTS surround sound
00:19:30 - Ceton previews DVR companion apps on Android and iOS, teases Echo beta 'soon'
00:23:13 - Hauppauge Broadway scores DVR-like record and playback features
00:25:40 - MythTV 0.25 is finally available with a bundle of new features
00:26:46 - Time Warner and Verizon begin selling bundled packages just to annoy regulators
00:29:05 - Reed Hastings takes Comcast to task for skirting net neutrality
00:38:35 - IKEA puts away your TV cables, tech credentials
00:41:50 - Kaz Hirai reveals 'One Sony' turnaround strategy, will cut 10,000 jobs
00:47:30 - Sony Japan blends the Torne PS3 TV tuner with 500GB of NAS, calls it Nasne
00:48:44 - THX manages AV settings for pros and consumers with Cinespace HD and Media Director
00:50:30 - Dreamworks Animation joins Walmart's disc to digital program
00:52:55 - Comcast Xfinity TV iOS app adds integrated DVR manager so you don't miss Deadliest Catch
00:55:43 - Canon shows off prototype 30-inch 4K reference display, won't put a price tag on love
00:56:12 - REDray 4K cinema laser projector and player eyes-on (video)
00:57:50 - Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitors
00:59:24 - Dolby Labs and Philips unveil Dolby 3D tech, want to deliver glasses-free 3D in HD
01:01:19 - Jaws debuts on Blu-ray August 14th remastered and upmixed (video)
01:04:35 - Must See HDTV (April 16th - 22nd)

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Continue reading Engadget HD Podcast 282: CES 2012 - 01.13.2012

Continue reading Engadget HD Podcast 281: CES 2012 - 01.11.2012