You probably don't give much thought to the towers that blanket us with wireless signals and the technicians that climb up them, almost constantly, to upgrade the equipment. The PBS investigative journalism series, Frontline, does and tonight on your local PBS HD affiliate the findings from their investigation of the numerous fatalities will premier -- check out the embedded preview and then the local listings for specific time and channel. Who's to blame, what can be done to prevent it and more will be covered, as well as discussed via an online chat with the film's producers on Wednesday the 23rd at 1PM ET, with one of our very own moderating the panel. Feel free to leave questions for the producers and then join us tomorrow via the embedded chat after the break.

Continue reading Frontline investigates the cause of cell tower deaths tonight (video)

Frontline investigates the cause of cell tower deaths tonight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:00PM ET

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:00PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the recent spring TiVo Premiere update we figured it was as good of a time as any to spend some quality time with the newly-renamed TiVo Premiere XL4. The highest model in the TiVo line, the XL4 costs $399 plus $15 a month, or $499 for lifetime service. For the money, it records four HD shows at once with a single CableCARD and offers 2TB of storage. More tuners and space aren't the only things that have changed since we gave the original TiVo Premiere a once-over just two years ago. No, there have been a few notable releases as well as the release of the TiVo Slide Remote and a number of TiVo companion apps for phones and tablets. How all that comes together is exactly what you'll find out should you choose to click on through to the other side.

Gallery: TiVo Premiere XL4 review

Continue reading TiVo Premiere XL4 review

TiVo Premiere XL4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As promised at CES earlier this year, TiVo has released its Spring update with the anticipated new Netflix and YouTube apps, as well as porting parental control options to the Premiere's HD user interface. Netflix is the most intriguing of the additions, but while TiVo Premiere owners can now watch Netflix 1080p programming with Dolby Digital Plus discrete surround sound, like Hulu Plus, it isn't a TiVo experience. The new Google-built YouTube app is also like any other streamer and with the exception of search, there isn't much integration at all. Parental control options can finally be set when using the HD UI, but still isn't as full featured as it was with the old UI and is a far cry from KidZone. What the update doesn't do yet however, is complete the HD interface transformation that some Premiere owners have been waiting two years for. Still, we suspect that caveat won't stop owners from rolling the dice on an update check for their TiVo every day over the next few weeks.

TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many in the Windows Media Center community were afraid that Windows 8 would mark the end of Media Center, while others thought it would be like Notepad -- present, but unchanged. In the end both were wrong as Microsoft announced Media Center would be available as an add-on to Windows 8. Until now though, we didn't know exactly how that process would work. Steven Sinofsky outlined on the Building Windows 8 blog how users will be able to use Add Features to Windows 8 in Control Panel and purchase the same great Media Center experience that was included in Windows 7 Premium and Pro. The price is still unannounced but is expect to be "in line with marginal costs" -- whatever that means. The price paid will cover the royalties for the required codecs to support broadcast TV and DVD playback (DVDs still won't play in Media Player). One codec that will be supported in all version of Windows 8, but will require the computer maker to license the codec directly, is Dolby Digital Plus. So yeah, something else that was included in Windows 7 for free. We're glad it's there, but wish we'd get something new for the new premium price. Like most, we'll probably hold on to our Windows 7 HTPC a little bit longer.

Continue reading Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support

Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 20:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A new DVR with a never-before-seen feature doesn't come around every day, and if it's the sort of amenity that works in every room of the house, without compromise, then we just have to review it. What would make the list? Try the Dish Hopper whole-home DVR, which can record six shows at once. Of course, there are specs and marketing claims, and then there's real-world performance. Is this set-top box everything we could have dreamed of? There's only one way to find out: you'll have to meet us past the break and take a walk through our full review.

Gallery: Dish Hopper review

Continue reading Dish Hopper whole-home DVR review

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Dish Hopper whole-home DVR review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.