Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/comcast-disney-tv-deal-opens-up-access-on-multiple-screens-tig/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/comcast-disney-tv-deal-opens-up-access-on-multiple-screens-tig/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/comcast-disney-tv-deal-opens-up-access-on-multiple-screens-tig/#comments A renewal of the carriage agreement between Disney and Comcast has extended the cable company's "TV Everywhere" model, allowing it to offer customers access to "70 services" including all the ABC, Disney and ESPN channels you can name on their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Comcast's blog post notes this access extends both in and outside of the home, a major sticking point for most of the live TV streaming apps offered by cable and satellite companies (with the obvious exception of Dish Network and its Sling integration) so far. Other news mentioned in the press release (included after the break) is that the ABC video on-demand access on Comcast's cable boxes is fast-forward disabled -- no ad skipping. Other than the existing WatchESPN which Comcast customers will now have access to, there are also WatchDisneyChannel, WatchDisneyXD and WatchDisneyJunior services on the way, a part of disney's own multiscreen initiative called TV+. One other note is that for the first time the deal covers retransmission fees for ABC-owned local stations, which used to be free. There's no word on exactly how much money is changing hands as a result, but we'll probably be able to look at our cable bills in the future and see the effect -- hopefully being able to pull in the latest Grey's Anatomy episodes on the go is worth it.

Continue reading Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings

Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comcastdisneydisney channelDisneyChannelespnespn 3espn fullcourtespn gameplanEspn3EspnFullcourtEspnGameplanhdpostcrosslive streamingLiveStreamingminipostmobilemobilepostcrossstreamingtablettv everywhereTvEverywherevideo on demandVideoOnDemandvodwalt disneyWaltDisneywatch espnWatchEspnxfinityxfinity tvXfinityTvWed, 04 Jan 2012 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney posts Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Blu-ray trailer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/disney-posts-alice-in-wonderland-60th-anniversary-blu-ray-traile/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/disney-posts-alice-in-wonderland-60th-anniversary-blu-ray-traile/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/disney-posts-alice-in-wonderland-60th-anniversary-blu-ray-traile/#comments Just in case you didn't get a peek when it popped up previously or on any of Disney's current releases, the movie studio has posted a trailer for the Blu-ray release of the classic Alice in Wonderland on its official YouTube channel. It's scheduled for release February 1st, 2011 as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with special features including Operation Wonderland (in high definition) a new intro for the Cheshire Cat, Thru the Mirror animated short and more. Check out the trailer after the break.

Continue reading Disney posts Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Blu-ray trailer

Disney posts Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Blu-ray trailer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60th anniversary60thAnniversaryalice in wonderlandAliceInWonderlandblu-raydisneyhdtrailerwalt disneyWaltDisneyMon, 13 Dec 2010 12:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Hulu Plus subscription service rumored: $9.95 a month for access to older shows]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/22/hulu-plus-subscription-service-rumored-9-95-a-month-for-access/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/22/hulu-plus-subscription-service-rumored-9-95-a-month-for-access/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/22/hulu-plus-subscription-service-rumored-9-95-a-month-for-access/#commentsWe had a sinking feeling from day one that this so-called "evil plot to destroy the world" was really just an evil plot to eventually invade our wallets, and unfortunately for the freeloaders in attendance, it's looking all the more likely that at least some portion of Hulu won't be free for much longer. We heard back in January that bigwigs surrounding the streaming service were tossing around various pay-for-access schemes, and now the LA Times has it that a bona fide subscription service could go into effect as early as May 24th. Under the terms, which were disclosed by those oh-so-knowledgeable "people familiar with the matter," viewers would be asked to pay $9.95 per month for access to episodes that weren't brand new. We're told that Hulu would continue to provide the five most recent episodes of hit shows for free, but a Hulu Plus pass would be required to view shows older than that. Not surprisingly, Hulu failed to comment on the allegations, but it's safe to say we'll know exactly how legitimate the claims are in just over a month.

Hulu Plus subscription service rumored: $9.95 a month for access to older shows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contentHuluhulu plusHuluPlusnbcnbc universalNbcUniversalprogrammingrumorrumoredstreamstreamingsubscriptiontelevisiontvwalt disneyWaltDisneyThu, 22 Apr 2010 04:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Confused pig face mobile phone has paw print buttons, Winnie the Pooh sticker]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/#comments Oh China, how we love the gadgets you produce. Particularly those of the homegrown variety. We can't say we spotted this pig face mobile during our recent jaunt through the gadget sectors of Hong Kong, but boy, do we wish we had. In one of the most extreme cases of product confusion ever, it looks as if we've got a clamshell phone with the face of a pig, a 0.3 megapixel camera, light-up eyes, a smattering of misplaced Walt Disney logos, paw print send / end buttons and rear speakers, and a random Winnie the Pooh sticker on the rear -- you know, to really cap things off. We're guessing this is some failed attempt to generate yet another KIRF Disney phone, but seriously, a glowing pig? Hello Kitty is not pleased.

[Thanks, Chris]

Confused pig face mobile phone has paw print buttons, Winnie the Pooh sticker originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalcellphonechinachinesecomedydisneyfunnyoinkphonepigpig phonePigPhonepoohripoffstupidwackywalt disneyWaltDisneyweirdwildwinnie the poohWinnieThePoohSun, 18 Apr 2010 02:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony signs up all six major studios for HD movies on PlayStation Network]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/sony-signs-up-all-six-major-studios-for-hd-movies-on-playstation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/sony-signs-up-all-six-major-studios-for-hd-movies-on-playstation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/sony-signs-up-all-six-major-studios-for-hd-movies-on-playstation/#comments
Well, it looks like Sony has a little treat for PS3 users now that they're able to turn their consoles back on -- it's just announced that it has signed up all six major studios to deliver HD movies on the PlayStation Network (the first company to do so, as Sony is happy to point out). That includes 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. and, of course, Sony Pictures Entertainment, which combined have an initial slate of 19 HD movies available to buy or rent -- including "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Star Trek," "District 9," "Inglourious Basterds," and "The Wizard of Oz," to name a few. Those are only available in the US at the moment, but Sony says it plans to also roll them out to the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain "soon."

Sony signs up all six major studios for HD movies on PlayStation Network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20th century fox20thCenturyFoxhdhd moviesHdMoviesparamountparamount picturesParamountPicturesplaystation networkPlaystationNetworkpsnsonysony picturessony pictures entertainmentSonyPicturesSonyPicturesEntertainmentuniversaluniversal picturesUniversalPicturesUniversalStudioswalt disneywalt disney picturesWaltDisneyWaltDisneyPictureswarner bros.WarnerBros.Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[ESPN streaming coming to Xbox 360?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/espn-streaming-coming-to-xbox-360/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/espn-streaming-coming-to-xbox-360/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/18/espn-streaming-coming-to-xbox-360/#comments As if you needed another impetus to abandon cable and satellite TV, The New York Times is reporting behind closed door dealings are afoot between Microsoft and Walt Disney Company, with order of business being ESPN streaming via Xbox 360. According to the anonymous source, live streams of sporting events à la the now aptly-titled ESPN360 could come to the console on a per-subscriber fee, along with related interactive games. The thing with secret meetings, of course, is that they can never be confirmed and, should talks fall through, amount to nothing in the future -- just keep that in mind before you get too excited and cancel Comcast a bit prematurely.

ESPN streaming coming to Xbox 360? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney companyDisneyCompanyespnespn 360Espn360microsoftmicrosoft xboxmicrosoft xbox 360MicrosoftXboxMicrosoftXbox360rumorrumorswalt disneywalt disney companyWaltDisneyWaltDisneyCompanyxboxxbox 360Xbox360Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney and CBS interested in Apple's subscription-based iTunes TV idea?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/disney-and-cbs-interested-in-apples-subscription-based-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/disney-and-cbs-interested-in-apples-subscription-based-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/disney-and-cbs-interested-in-apples-subscription-based-itunes/#commentsDisney and Apple -- now, where have we heard about these two mingling in content related activities before? Sure enough, whispers of a potential tie-up regarding a $30 per month TV service for iTunes are turning into more of a gentle roar, with The Wall Street Journal reporting today that both CBS and Walt Disney Company are "considering participating in Apple's plan to offer television subscriptions over the internet." Naturally, this comes from those ever present (and perpetually undisclosed) "sources," but considering that the outfit just shelled out for Lala, we wouldn't put anything past it. As the story goes, CBS is considering offering up content from CBS and CW, while Disney could include programming from ABC, Disney Channel and ABC Family networks; details on the purported program are obviously still under wraps, but we know that both of these guys would be looking for some sort of monthly compensation in exchange for access to their lineups. Whatever the case, it's being bruited that Apple could complete licensing deals and introduce the service sometime in 2010, so we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

Disney and CBS interested in Apple's subscription-based iTunes TV idea? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple tvAppleTvcbscontentdisneyitmsiTunesitunes subscriptionitunes tvItunesSubscriptionItunesTvmultimediaportable videoportablevideoprogrammingrumorteltelevisiontvwalt disneyWaltDisneyweb contentWebContentTue, 22 Dec 2009 05:08:00 EST<![CDATA[TiVo to offer up on-demand movie rentals from Disney]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/tivo-to-offer-up-on-demand-movie-rentals-from-disney/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/tivo-to-offer-up-on-demand-movie-rentals-from-disney/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/tivo-to-offer-up-on-demand-movie-rentals-from-disney/#commentsTiVo's been offering up movie rentals for a solid tick now, but it finally landed an agreement to include flicks from Walt Disney Studios. Coming soon to Series2 and Series3 HD DVRs, users will be able to view a variety of SD rentals (with select films available in HD) for 24-hour blocks of time. The partnership encompasses TiVo, CinemaNow and ABC, but strangely enough, that's about all the details that any of those firms are dishing out right now.

[Via CNET]

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TiVo to offer up on-demand movie rentals from Disney originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 May 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcCinemaNowdisneyhdinterneton demandOnDemandothersseries2Series3tivovodwalt disneyWaltDisneyWed, 28 May 2008 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Mickey's back: Disney to launch mobile services, handsets in Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/#commentsYou know what they say: nothing gets you over the last one like the next one. Apparently, Disney is totally signed on to the aforementioned mantra, as just under seven weeks after Disney Mobile hung its US-based ears in shame, the Japanese unit of Walt Disney Company will reportedly be firing up similar operations in its neck of the woods. Apparently, the outfit has "reached a basic agreement" with Softbank Mobile to lease telecom networks and start providing nationwide service to those interested. Furthermore, it will be buddying up with Softbank to "develop handsets and consign its output to other companies," and if all goes to plan, Disney hopes to sign up "more than one million subscribers." Oh, and if that wasn't enough to make you scrounge up that decade-old Mickey Mouse figurine and give it a long overdue hug, users of the service will also have exclusive access to "animated film downloads." Regrettably, there's no word on an actual launch date just yet, but we'll be keeping a (grossly oversized) set of ears to the ground.

[Via Yahoo / Reuters]

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Mickey's back: Disney to launch mobile services, handsets in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealDisneyjapanmobilemvnomvnospartnerpartnershipsoftbanksoftbank mobileSoftbankMobiletelecomtelecommunicationswalt disneyWaltDisneySun, 11 Nov 2007 18:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Mickey's back: Disney to launch mobile services, handsets in Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/11/mickeys-back-disney-to-launch-mobile-services-handsets-in-jap/#commentsYou know what they say: nothing gets you over the last one like the next one. Apparently, Disney is totally signed on to the aforementioned mantra, as just under seven weeks after Disney Mobile hung its US-based ears in shame, the Japanese unit of Walt Disney Company will reportedly be firing up similar operations in its neck of the woods. Apparently, the outfit has "reached a basic agreement" with Softbank Mobile to lease telecom networks and start providing nationwide service to those interested. Furthermore, it will be buddying up with Softbank to "develop handsets and consign its output to other companies," and if all goes to plan, Disney hopes to sign up "more than one million subscribers." Oh, and if that wasn't enough to make you scrounge up that decade-old Mickey Mouse figurine and give it a long overdue hug, users of the service will also have exclusive access to "animated film downloads." Regrettably, there's no word on an actual launch date just yet, but we'll be keeping a (grossly oversized) set of ears to the ground.

[Via Yahoo / Reuters]

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Mickey's back: Disney to launch mobile services, handsets in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While we've seen USB-based peripherals that aim to keep your youngsters in a safe and innocent PC environment, Bandai and Buffalo have teamed up to make kid-friendly computing a bit more bearable. The duo has crafted a unique USB key, which is slated to be available in Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh versions, that simultaneously locks the PC into "Kid Mode," password protects the parent's session in the background, and opens up a world of mom-approved fun for the little ones to enjoy. The software that resides on the key includes a dedicated browser for safe surfing, a time regulator to keep them from growing addicted, and options for parents to select precisely what apps their offspring can / can't access. Reportedly, the units are expected to land in mid-September over in Japan, and while pricing has yet to be confirmed, we're hearing it'll run you around ¥3,480 ($30).

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Disney-themed USB keys lock kids into childish environments originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those already saving up their $34.99 for Disney's Cars may now be inclined to pinch those pennies a bit harder, as it looks like Ratatouille will be landing on store shelves the very same day. Sure, this seems like a shameless attempt to get early-bird holiday shoppers (and grown-ups with youngsters in tow) to pick up twice the amount of Blu-ray films they were initially planning to come November 6th, but we won't be surprised if the scheme works out quite well. No word just yet on what kinds of rat-infested extras we'll see on the BD release, but we're keepin' our ears, er, nose to the ground.

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Ratatouille joins Cars for November 6th Blu-ray release originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those patiently awaiting November 6th can now tide themselves over a bit, as Disney has released a trailer that actually shows off some of the much-anticipated bonus features that will reside on the Cars Blu-ray disc. The well-detailed "Car Finder" game (pictured above) purportedly enables viewers to "search for over 200 models of cars hidden throughout the movie and even race the clock to find a specific car in a frozen frame of film." Also shown is the "Cine-Explore" mode, where you'll be treated to a making-the-movie walkthrough with John Lasseter. Go on, hit the read link to give it a look yourself.

[Via HighDefDigest]

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Disney shows off Cars' interactive features in trailer originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd-jbd-javablu rayblu-raybluraycarsdisneyhdtrailerwalt disneyWaltDisneySat, 18 Aug 2007 01:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney reveals four blockbusters coming to Blu-ray in 2008]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/17/disney--reveals-four-blockbusters-coming-to-blu-ray-in-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/17/disney--reveals-four-blockbusters-coming-to-blu-ray-in-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/17/disney--reveals-four-blockbusters-coming-to-blu-ray-in-2008/#commentsWhile it was only a matter of time before Walt Disney brought one of its famed animated classics to BD, today the company has finally revealed what that first title will be: Sleeping Beauty. The disc will include a "virtual castle and multi-player activities," both of which utilize BD-Live technology, and if that wasn't enough, the studio also announced that it would be bringing Finding Nemo and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Blu-ray next year. Finally, National Treasure will be the outfit's "first BD-Live" title to hit the market when it lands next summer, sandwiched between Narnia in the spring and Finding Nemo / Sleeping Beauty in the fall.

[Via MovieWeb]

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Disney reveals four blockbusters coming to Blu-ray in 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd livebd-liveBdLiveblu rayblu-rayblurayclassicdisneyfinding nemoFindingNemohdnarniaNational TreasureNationalTreasurereleasereleasessleeping beautySleepingBeautyThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The WardrobeTheChroniclesOfNarnia:TheLion,TheWitchAndTheWardrobewalt disneyWaltDisneyFri, 17 Aug 2007 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray backers launch promotional website]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/blu-ray-backers-launch-promotional-website/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/blu-ray-backers-launch-promotional-website/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/blu-ray-backers-launch-promotional-website/#comments
A website that should likely be dubbed "Hollywood in Blu-ray" rather than "Hollywood in Hi-Def" has recently emerged, and while it claims to be a more reputable site than those "other promotional portals," we aren't buying it. The site -- which is purportedly backed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment -- includes the latest happenings in the BD universe as well as plenty of fluff to get you drooling over its silky smooth image quality. Notably, the site tends to address the desires of both early adopters and those just now taking interest in the format, and the running list of upcoming Blu-ray titles is indeed a nice extra. So go on, tag the read link to see what it's all about, but don't say we didn't warn you when you're overcome with Blu.

[Via VideoBusiness]

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Blu-ray backers launch promotional website originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdablu rayblu-raybluraydisneyformatwarfoxhdhollywoodhollywood in hi-defHollywoodInHi-deflobbyistpromotionalsonywalt disneyWaltDisneywebsiteFri, 13 Jul 2007 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray / HD DVD stalemate boosting interest in combo player?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/16/blu-ray-hd-dvd-stalemate-boosting-interest-in-combo-player/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/16/blu-ray-hd-dvd-stalemate-boosting-interest-in-combo-player/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/16/blu-ray-hd-dvd-stalemate-boosting-interest-in-combo-player/#commentsNothing like a little false hope to brighten your Saturday, right? Of course, we hope the current stalemate in the Blu-ray / HD DVD war actually yields a combo player, but after the on-again / off-again (and again) love affair with the idea, we're not holding our collective breath. Nevertheless, it seems that the current state actually doesn't have one format trouncing the other as many believed would happen after a few months unfolded. Essentially, consumers are "generally indifferent" to the two, and considering there's just seven more HD DVD titles currently available than BD titles, it doesn't look like one or the other will win on sheer studio popularity. While we've seen the Blu-ray-equipped PS3 outsell Microsoft's HD DVD drive 5 to 1, there isn't much substance in such a statistic, but apparently Taiwan-based manufacturers are rethinking their previous denials of unleashing a player that handles both discs. DigiTimes has it that Samsung is "planning to offer dual-format recorders that can record and play back BD and HD DVD movies," while Hitachi (a devout member of the BDA), is also "considering production of dual-format devices." They also went so far as to point out the obvious when noting that a "dual-format device would be more expensive than a single-format unit" -- but hey, it's likely cheaper than buying one of each, eh?

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Blu-ray / HD DVD stalemate boosting interest in combo player? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Dec 2006 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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