Engadget HD http://hd.engadget.com Engadget HD http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget HD http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Is a new TiVo imminent?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/17/is-a-new-tivo-imminent/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/17/is-a-new-tivo-imminent/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/17/is-a-new-tivo-imminent/#commentsTiVo Search It is no secret that we have a love hate relationship with TiVo. Many of us use them everyday and could easily fill your ear with gripes. It is one of the reasons we've had TiVo on a deathwatch for almost half of the company's 10 year life. Now we do believe it is the best HD DVR set-top on the market --which isn't saying much -- and because we believe that there is something here to salvage, we try our best to offer some constructive criticism. So when our optimistic side saw news about the $50 price break on the current models, we started to think, dream, that this might be a closeout and that a new TiVo might be imminent.

Here are the facts. TiVo hasn't released a new DVR since the TiVo HD in the Summer of 2007. The last major TiVo announcement was September of 2008 when a new DirecTV HD TiVo was revealed. The chip that makes the TiVo magic happen just got a big upgrade when Broadcom announced the super feature rich BCM7125. A new 802.11N WiFi adapter was submitted to the FCC, even though the current TiVos can barely utilize all of a 802.11G connection. Add all of this in with the fact that 2010 is supposed to be the big year for a real tru2way launch, and we officially have our hopes up that TiVo has a big announcement for 10th CES in January. Now before you get too excited, we should point out that TiVo hasn't made any big announcements at CES since 2005, and has even told some that TiVo won't make big announcements at the show because they tend to be overshadowed. Now we'd argue that if you have something big enough to be a highlight of the show, then there is no better time, otherwise yeah, wait for a slow news day. All that being said, the original DirecTV TiVo HD (2004) and the Series 3 (2005) were both announced at the big show. Of course we will have to wait to find out, but in the meantime click through to see our personal wish list.

Continue reading Is a new TiVo imminent?

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Is a new TiVo imminent? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DirecTiVoFeaturedFeaturesHD DVRHD TiVoHdDvrHdTivoSeries3TiVoTiVo HDTivoHdTue, 17 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray mini-review]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/10/spears-and-munsil-high-definition-benchmark-blu-ray-mini-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/10/spears-and-munsil-high-definition-benchmark-blu-ray-mini-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/10/spears-and-munsil-high-definition-benchmark-blu-ray-mini-review/#commentsIf you're like us and you don't think it's possible to own enough HDTV calibration discs, then you've probably already bought the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc. Otherwise you might be looking at all the different options and since you only want to buy one, you're trying to figure out which one. Well, we've played with most of them and although we're hard pressed to decide on which is our favorite, we really like this one. To find out why, click through.

Continue reading Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray mini-review

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Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray mini-review originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayBlu-raybluraycalibrationfeaturedfeaturesSpears MunsilSpears Munsil High Definition BenchmarkSpearsMunsilSpearsMunsilHighDefinitionBenchmarkTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ask-engadget-hd-is-it-still-a-good-time-to-buy-a-tivo/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ask-engadget-hd-is-it-still-a-good-time-to-buy-a-tivo/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/29/ask-engadget-hd-is-it-still-a-good-time-to-buy-a-tivo/#comments The TiVo platform has been around for quite some time -- and has undoubtedly grown quite long in the tooth -- but it's still a great HD DVR, and has attempted to keep things fresh with new features like Netflix streaming, video on-demand access and more. But now, in late 2009 with new challengers to the throne, cable and satellite operators offering their own upgraded boxes and a little thing called Windows 7 Media Center, Nick wants to know if it's still his best option:

"Moving into a new place in a couple of weeks, and while I haven't decided between cable, satellite or FiOS for my TV, I figure part of the decision is how I want to set up my DVR. I've had a regular one from Time Warner for the last few years, but I had a TiVo before that and I'm itching to go back. Media Center seems awfully complicated to set up and I'm not sure what other options there are and which one if the best value, what's your suggestion?"

It's been a while since we took on the soul-wrenching question of the TiVo, and a year later with Series4 boxes hopefully just around the corner it's time to confront the beast once again. Whether you have a TiVo or chose to go in another direction, the date has changed but the question is the same, is this still a great time to buy one?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHddvrfeatureshd dvrHdDvrtivoThu, 29 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Pace and Rovi work together to make a standard set-top a true multi-room DVR]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/27/pace-and-rovi-work-together-to-make-a-standard-set-top-a-true-mu/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/27/pace-and-rovi-work-together-to-make-a-standard-set-top-a-true-mu/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/27/pace-and-rovi-work-together-to-make-a-standard-set-top-a-true-mu/#commentsPace DC900X DVR MoCA 1.1 NAS
There aren't many times where we're caught off guard by a new product enough to think, why didn't we think of that, but this is one of them. The set-top-box manufacture, Pace, has just launched one of the coolest multi-room DVR solutions we've ever heard of. Not only does it over come the limitations of other so called solutions by not being limited to two tuners (for the whole house), a 160 GB hard drive, copy control flags (it streams, not copies) and a scattered recorded TV list; but it doesn't require even a single extra wire to be run in your house -- no, it doesn't use WiFi. What Pace has done is to work with Rovi and load up new software on its standard dual tuner HD set-top, the DC700X. This new software paired with a MoCA 1.1 NAS (pictured above) makes every DC700X set-top in the house a multi-room DVR. If this sounds like what you've been waiting for, then you'll want to click through past the jump to learn all about it -- or just to see another picture.

UPDATE - Pace announced deals with Buckeye Cablevision, Mediacom Communications, NCTC and Sunflower Broadband to deploy this.

Continue reading Pace and Rovi work together to make a standard set-top a true multi-room DVR

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Pace and Rovi work together to make a standard set-top a true multi-room DVR originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cableDC700XDC900XFeaturedFeaturesMoCAMoCA 1.1Moca1.1multi-room dvrmulti-room viewingMulti-roomDvrMulti-roomViewingPaceRoviTue, 27 Oct 2009 20:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready or not, the latest 3D technology is coming home]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/26/ready-or-not-the-latest-3d-technology-is-coming-home/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/26/ready-or-not-the-latest-3d-technology-is-coming-home/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/26/ready-or-not-the-latest-3d-technology-is-coming-home/#commentsESPN 3D camera Avid readers of Engadget HD are up on the latest 3D display and display technologies, but the same can not be said for the general masses. And before you start on the whole "I'm not wearing any stupid looking glasses," because no matter what you say, there are more people paying extra to go 3D movies than ever and the reason is simple; it's because this isn't like the crappy 3D you saw during the Super Bowl last year -- or that our parents grew up with. No, the 3D that Sony, Panasonic, and others are promising next year is like nothing you've seen. We've come a long way since the old anaglyph red and blue glasses that come in cereal boxes. So if like most, you could use a refresher on the 3D technologies and when you might get to use them, you should head on over and check it out.

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Ready or not, the latest 3D technology is coming home originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>120hz3Dcircular polarizationCircularPolarizationfeaturedfeatureslcdPanasonicplasmaprojectorSamsungshutter glassesShutterGlassesSonyMon, 26 Oct 2009 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/22/how-to-automatically-skip-commercials-in-windows-7-media-center/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/22/how-to-automatically-skip-commercials-in-windows-7-media-center/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/22/how-to-automatically-skip-commercials-in-windows-7-media-center/#commentsWindows 7 Media Center Skipping commercials on a HTPC DVR has been around for a long long time, but it isn't always the easiest thing to setup. And even if you do get it working, there are so many options, it can take some time before you get it working the way you want it. So in the spirt of Windows 7 day, and the fact that the next major version of ShowAnalyzer is being released, we figured we'd write up a how to with a few tips and tricks of our own. We start by downloading and installing the main components; DVRMSToolBox, the DTB Media Center Add-in and ShowAnalyzer, and finish off with some troubleshooting for when things go wrong. So if you use Media Center, click through and never pick up the remote to skip a commercial again.

Continue reading How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center

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How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial skipcommercial skippingCommercialSkipCommercialSkippingDragon GlobalDragonGlobalDVRMSToolBoxfeaturedfeaturesShowAnalyzerWin7Windows 7 Media CenterWindows Media CenterWindows7MediaCenterWindowsMediaCenterThu, 22 Oct 2009 20:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/21/ask-engadgethd-how-do-you-evaluate-hdtvs-in-store/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/21/ask-engadgethd-how-do-you-evaluate-hdtvs-in-store/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/21/ask-engadgethd-how-do-you-evaluate-hdtvs-in-store/#commentsWe all know the situation, there's a series of impossibly large numbers on the spec card, the quality of the lighting is questionable, and a salesman who may or may not know anything about televisions is droning on about the death of plasma. Still, you want a new HDTV, and this is where the televisions are. What Sean wants to know is, how do you figure out the right set for you in a retail setting?

"Can anyone recommend video test files used to check the capabilities of HDTVs? It would be great to walk into an electronics store with a USB stick loaded full of video files to test color, contrast, motion etc. and see which performs best. Has anyone ever had success bringing in some of their own equipment to test with the televisions in-store? When I'm checking out different televisions, what differences should I be looking at to pick the right one?"

We've gotten a few handy anecdotes on how to evaluate televisions in even the worst store conditions, and we've seen enough specs to know they're never to be trusted without an independent evaluation, but as an informed buyer, what are you doing to tip the scales towards your specific interests, and not just what pads the stores sales or salesman's commission?


Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturesin storeInStoreretailshoppingtest patternsTestPatternstipsWed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp AQUOS LC-52LE700UN impressions]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sharp-aquos-lc-52le700un-impressions/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sharp-aquos-lc-52le700un-impressions/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sharp-aquos-lc-52le700un-impressions/#comments Sharp's LC-52LE700UN is the 52-inch member of the company's first-ever LED-backlit AQUOS range, and we were fortunate enough to give it a spin here recently. The LE700 series began shipping out to consumers this summer, packed with web connectivity (AQUOS Net), a trio of HDMI ports, a 1080p X-Gen panel and a dejudder feature for smoothing out jaggies. The set packed a starting tag of $2,799.99, though in the few short months that it has been on the market, the street rate has fallen to just south of $1,600. Without a doubt, the fall in price helps the screen's cause in terms of value, but is there enough to warrant a purchase? Head on past the break for a few of our thoughts.

Gallery: Sharp AQUOS LC-52LE700UN

Continue reading Sharp AQUOS LC-52LE700UN impressions

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Sharp AQUOS LC-52LE700UN impressions originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080paquosconnected hdtvConnectedHdtvfeatureshdtvimpressionslc-52le700unlcdLE700led-backlitsharptvX-Gen PanelX-genPanelTue, 13 Oct 2009 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Best home theater setup for gaming?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/ask-engadget-hd-best-home-theater-setup-for-gaming/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/ask-engadget-hd-best-home-theater-setup-for-gaming/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/ask-engadget-hd-best-home-theater-setup-for-gaming/#comments As usual, this week's Ask Engadget HD centers around a particular home theater setup question, as Philip is trying to set things up for one particular purpose: gaming. Movies and TV are great source of high definition, but some of us just want to hook up the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 and go. We'll let him flesh out the details:

"I'm finally ready to build the home theater I've always wanted, and while I'll definitely be watching TV and playing Blu-ray discs as well, it's going to be all about gaming. I've already got a PS3 and Xbox 360 hooked up to an old 20-inch LCD, but I need a real HDTV and surround setup now. I know some games support 7.1, is it worth the extra setup? Also, what HDTV in the $1,000 - $2,000 price range is best for games?"

While 7.1 may not be the immediate move for everyone, we're sure some Killzone 2 players may appreciate the extra speakers. Let Phil know what setup you're running, and if you want to throw in a Xbox Live Gamertag or PSN ID as well we certainly won't be mad at you. [Note: This isn't about which system is the best, we've been there and while we might revisit the question later, fanboys, this is about the surrounding equipment so try and stay on topic, k?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: Best home theater setup for gaming? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturefeaturesgamesgaminghome theaterHomeTheaterother hardwareotherhardwareplaystation 3Playstation3ps3videogamesxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[TDK's heavily stacked 320GB disc shows its nearly-clear face at CEATEC]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/tdks-heavily-stacked-320gb-disc-shows-its-nearly-clear-face-at/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/tdks-heavily-stacked-320gb-disc-shows-its-nearly-clear-face-at/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/07/tdks-heavily-stacked-320gb-disc-shows-its-nearly-clear-face-at/#comments
As with pretty much every other optical disc out there that claims to hold a near-infinite amount of data, we're still skeptical about TDK's ability to actually bring to market the 320GB spinner you see above. But hey -- it's got ten 32GB layers and it's practically see-through. Did you really expect us to walk on by without clicking the shutter even once? Exactly.

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TDK's heavily stacked 320GB disc shows its nearly-clear face at CEATEC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>320gb32gbbdblu rayblu-rayblu-ray discBlu-rayDiscblue laserBlueLaserblurayceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009discdiskfeatureshands-onoptical mediaOpticalMediaother formatsotherformatspicspicturesTDKWed, 07 Oct 2009 01:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic's 1080p twin-lens P2 camcorder seen behind three-dee glass at CEATEC]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-1080p-twin-lens-p2-camcorder-seen-behind-three-dee-g/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-1080p-twin-lens-p2-camcorder-seen-behind-three-dee-g/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-1080p-twin-lens-p2-camcorder-seen-behind-three-dee-g/#comments
We can't say for certain how good it feels to hoist this big-faced behemoth onto one's shoulder, but it's the first time we've seen Panasonic's 1080p twin-lens P2 3D camcorder out and about since its fabled introduction at NAB earlier this year. Strategically placed beside a 3D Avatar trailer demo, the camcorder looked exactly like the press shot we saw of the prototype before, though there's still no formal word on when it'll be used to film your friend's Bar Mitzvah (or anything else half as cool). A boy can dream, yeah?

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Panasonic's 1080p twin-lens P2 camcorder seen behind three-dee glass at CEATEC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p3d3d camcorder3d hd3dCamcorder3dHdavatarcamcorderceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009conceptfeatureshands-onhd 3dhd camcorderHd3dHdCamcorderp2panasonicpicspicturesprosumerprototypeTue, 06 Oct 2009 23:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic's 50-inch 1080p 3D plasma spotted, watched at CEATEC]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-50-inch-1080p-3d-plasma-spotted-watched-at-ceatec/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-50-inch-1080p-3d-plasma-spotted-watched-at-ceatec/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/panasonics-50-inch-1080p-3d-plasma-spotted-watched-at-ceatec/#comments At this point, Panasonic's 50-inch 3D plasma is just another one joining the fray, but considering how highly hyped the technology behind this was, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to throw our eyes on it for a bit at CEATEC. The 1080p panel was strikingly thin (or well mounted to give that impression), and the viewing angles were fantastic. The glasses that Panny provided, however, were relatively annoying (no surprise there). It should be noted that the actual spectacles sit pretty far off of your face, which simultaneously enables those with actual glasses to partake in the 3D experience while frustrating those without by giving them a cute blue rim that refuses to leave the periphery. As for image quality, the G-Force demo looked downright stunning, with depth being easily perceived and fast moving action whisking about seamlessly. Still, we're having a hard time believing a family of four would sit down and use these glasses for a two-hour presentation, but hey, we're not going to give up on the marketing squads just yet.

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Panasonic's 50-inch 1080p 3D plasma spotted, watched at CEATEC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p3d3d hd3d hdtv3dHd3dHdtvceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009demonstrationdisplayfeatureshands-onPanasonicpdppicspicturesplasmaprototypeshutterTue, 06 Oct 2009 22:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Panasonic's next-gen IPS-Alpha panel is uber quick, dark]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/video-panasonics-next-gen-ips-alpha-panel-is-uber-quick-dark/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/video-panasonics-next-gen-ips-alpha-panel-is-uber-quick-dark/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/10/06/video-panasonics-next-gen-ips-alpha-panel-is-uber-quick-dark/#comments We've seen some dark, dark panels in our day, but Panasonic's next-generation IPS-Alpha has us all sorts of hot and bothered. Unlike Pioneer's plasmas of yesteryear, the prototype seen here at CEATEC has wide angle viewing down to an art, and the image quality was simply stunning. Fast moving objects slid in with nary a jagged edge in sight, while the production unit on the left produced a noticable and continual blur. When portraying a pitch black background, it's easy to see just how much darker the IPS-Alpha panel was compared to the next best thing. Have a peek at the video below for a more personal peek, and look forward to us prying out some sort of price and release estimate when the company shows this again at CES. You will have that information at CES, right Panny?

Continue reading Video: Panasonic's next-gen IPS-Alpha panel is uber quick, dark

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Video: Panasonic's next-gen IPS-Alpha panel is uber quick, dark originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced ipsAdvancedIpsceatecceatec 2009Ceatec2009contrastdarkdarknessengadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturedvideofeatureshands-onipsips alphaips-alphaIpsAlphanext generationnext-generationNextGenerationpanasonicpanelpicspicturesprototypevideoTue, 06 Oct 2009 06:46:00 EST<![CDATA[A first hand look at SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/24/a-first-hand-look-at-sdv-and-copy-freely-support-in-windows-7-me/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/24/a-first-hand-look-at-sdv-and-copy-freely-support-in-windows-7-me/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/24/a-first-hand-look-at-sdv-and-copy-freely-support-in-windows-7-me/#commentsATI Digital Cable Tuner

If you have a ATI Digital Cable Tuner connected to your Windows Media Center then you've been waiting a long time for a firmware update. In fact, although updates were released fairly steadily during the first year of the product's life, the last update (1.17.1) was dated April 30th 2008. But this long delay has been particularly painful because this is the first update since CableLabs relaxed the DRM requirements last Summer -- it's also the very same update Microsoft has been touting since CEDIA 2008. So what took so long? We'd like to know, but one thing is for sure, CableLabs sure took its time in the approval process as the date on the firmware is May 1st 2009! Better late then never, so while you wait for the public release click through to find out what all the fuss is about.

Continue reading A first hand look at SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center

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A first hand look at SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7MCATICableCARDDCTDigital Cable TunerDigitalCableTunerfeaturedfeaturesMedia CenterMediaCenterocurSDVSwitched Digital VideoSwitchedDigitalVideoTATuning AdapterTuningAdapterWindows 7Windows media CenterWindows7WindowsMediaCenterWMCThu, 24 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/video-intel-tru2way-server-streams-cable-all-over-your-house/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/video-intel-tru2way-server-streams-cable-all-over-your-house/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/video-intel-tru2way-server-streams-cable-all-over-your-house/#comments
Look, Moblin and MIDs and USB 3.0 are all well and good, but the real highlight of IDF is hiding in plain sight: it's Intel's CE 3100 Media Processor-based Tru2way DVR server, which has three digital cable tuners that can be streamed over a regular gigabit Ethernet or MoCA to any number of clients, ranging from other 3100-based set-top boxes to DLNA devices like laptops and even the PS3. It's seriously cool -- the clients all see the server's tuners as their own, so the experience is seamless, and since it all runs on the Tru2way stack, it doesn't matter what kind of client you plug in -- the three clients on the show floor were running interfaces from Intel, Comcast (Rovi), and Digeo. Of course, since it's a DVR, you can actually add more clients than tuners and have them play back recorded content while your other boxes use the tuners -- Intel was demoing XBMC on a Sony laptop connecting over DLNA and streaming a recorded program while a PS3 nearby ran a photo slideshow, all while the three cable clients streamed uncompressed HD video from the tuners. Intel says a number of cable companies are interested in deploying this stuff and that we should see things on the market in the next year -- we honestly can't wait. Check a video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house

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Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3100arriscablecablecardce 3100ce 3100 media processorCe3100Ce3100MediaProcessorcomcastdigeodvrdvr serverDvrServerfeaturedfeatureshome serverHomeServeridfidf 2009Idf2009intelmedia processorMediaProcessormoxitru2wayWed, 23 Sep 2009 19:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Best headphone setup for a home theater?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/ask-engadget-hd-best-headphone-setup-for-a-home-theater/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/ask-engadget-hd-best-headphone-setup-for-a-home-theater/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/23/ask-engadget-hd-best-headphone-setup-for-a-home-theater/#comments
Sure, it's great to discuss all manner of surround sound setups, in-wall speakers and the like, but for a rare few circumstances have combined to require all their audio come through nothing but a pair of headphones. That's Cory's problem, check it out:

I work a different schedule from my roommates. I've been watching Movies and TV with a crappy set of computer speakers as a headphone amp. I'm looking to upgrade and would like some suggestions. I watch TV via VMC and Movies via Toshiba HD-A3 so multiple inputs would be nice. I'm looking to spend $200 but all suggestions are welcome I'll need to upgrade someday.

What does he need to get the best quality audio, while keeping things quiet for everyone else in the house? (We're assuming building a soundproofed room is slightly out of the question.) Surely someone of you have dealt with the same issue, let us know in the comments how you get the best sound from a pair of cans.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: Best headphone setup for a home theater? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturefeaturesheadphone amplifierHeadphoneAmplifierheadphonesother hardwareotherhardwareWed, 23 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound audio for beginners?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/16/ask-engadget-hd-5-1-or-7-1-surround-sound-audio-for-beginners/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/16/ask-engadget-hd-5-1-or-7-1-surround-sound-audio-for-beginners/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/16/ask-engadget-hd-5-1-or-7-1-surround-sound-audio-for-beginners/#comments
We've talked about more than one surround sound setup in these parts, but for someone just building up their system it's always confusing to pick a direction. Luckily EHD reader Abul has come to the right place, we'll let him ask the question:

"To complement the audio found on Blu-ray movies or HD downloads, is a 5.1 setup good enough or will 7.1 surround make a significant difference? Any suggestions on best low end or mid-range setup?"

There's only about a million different HTIB systems or audio components to choose from, but for someone starting from scratch it's hard to know which item on the sales rack will be the best fit. Given what's available today, what would you start out with?

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Ask Engadget HD: 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound audio for beginners? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturesreceiverssurround soundSurroundSoundWed, 16 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/15/seagate-launches-freeagent-theater-hd-media-player-we-go-hands/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/15/seagate-launches-freeagent-theater-hd-media-player-we-go-hands/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/15/seagate-launches-freeagent-theater-hd-media-player-we-go-hands/#comments
Remember when Seagate introduced its Betamax-esque FreeAgent Theater HD way back at CES this year? Of course not -- you were locked onto the Palm Pre keynote. At any rate, the next generation of that very device somehow made it through the product development stage and now sits in our very hands, and we have to say, it's no more modern in person than it is in press shots. Equipped with the usual assortment of ports (HDMI, component, composite, Toslink, Ethernet and two USB) ports, the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player gets all of its content from a FreeAgent Go USB 2.0 hard drive (sold separately or in a bundle) or whatever you shove into those USB sockets. You can count on 1080p output and a pretty standard UI, and while it's wired-or-die right now, Seagate's hoping to pop out a USB WiFi adapter ($69.99) for it next month.

We've yet to really put this player through its paces, but we can say for sure that it's not made for abuse. The mostly-plastic box is staggeringly light, and one drop from atop your AV rack could lead to utter disaster. Furthermore, this is really only useful for those wound tightly around Seagate's finger; the bulk of its functionality relies on having a FreeAgent USB drive at your disposal, and if you've selected any other portable HDD, you'll have to deal with connecting it the old fashion way and ditching the "clean look." At $149.99 sans an HDD, it's one of the cheaper options on the market, but it still can't beat Popcorn Hour's heralded lineup when it comes to value and format support. Those looking for an all-in-one deal can opt for the $289.99 bundle, which throws in a 500GB FreeAgent Go drive. Have a look at retro exemplified in the gallery below.

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Seagate launches FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresfreeagentFreeAgent Theater FreeAgent Theater plusFreeagentTheater FreeagentTheaterPlushands-onhd media playerhd media serverhd streamingHdMediaPlayerHdMediaServerHdStreamingmedia playermedia serverMediaPlayerMediaServerotherspicspicturesseagatestreamingTue, 15 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST<![CDATA[A up-close look at Yamaha's two new Blu-ray players]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/13/a-up-close-look-at-yamahas-two-new-blu-ray-players/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/13/a-up-close-look-at-yamahas-two-new-blu-ray-players/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/13/a-up-close-look-at-yamahas-two-new-blu-ray-players/#commentsNew Yamaha Blu-ray players
Press shots are great and all, but you really can't appreciate a great piece of hardware from the likes of Yamaha until you see it in person. Of course the two new players were just announced so unless you went to CEDIA -- not trying to rub it in or anything -- you'll have to live vicariously through us and enjoy our pictures. Contrary to what we originally reported, both BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 feature a detachable power cord, and in addition, the 1900 also offers a direct mode that will help the obsessive compulsive type rest easy knowing their Blu-ray player is just passing on the original bits from the disc untouched.

Gallery: Yamaha BD-S1065 7 BD-S1900

Rear of BD-S1065Rear of BD-S1900

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A up-close look at Yamaha's two new Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BD-S1065BD-S1900blu rayBlu-rayblurayCEDIACEDIA 2009Cedia2009featuredfeaturesYamahaSun, 13 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA[VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/12/vizio-connected-tv-and-vizio-internet-app-platform-demoed-at-cedia/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/12/vizio-connected-tv-and-vizio-internet-app-platform-demoed-at-cedia/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/12/vizio-connected-tv-and-vizio-internet-app-platform-demoed-at-cedia/#comments
With VIZIO's first LED local dimming backlit HDTV just days away from debut and its first Connected TV nearing production, we were able to lay eyes and hands on the television and its funky QWERTY Bluetooth / IR combo remote. Check the pics and videos (including looks at VIZIO's smaller LED sets ready to hit shelves this fall) for a look at our walkthrough; in the demos at least, the VIZIO Internet Apps platform was speedy and easy to use, however our experience with widgets so far has given us more than enough reason to wait for a full retail rollout before making any final decisions. One tidbit for those not ready to invest a whole new TV? The next iteration of VIZIO's Blu-ray player should pack not only integrated Wi-Fi, but also the full VIA / widget experience.

Gallery: VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet Apps demo

Continue reading VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA

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VIZIO Connected TV & VIZIO Internet App platform demoed at CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cediacedia 2009Cedia2009demofeaturedvideofeatureslcdothersviavideoviziovizio intenret appsVizioIntenretAppswdigetsyahoo widgetsYahooWidgetsSat, 12 Sep 2009 21:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's LED TV Couple packs a 7-inch tablet remote for streaming TV and so much more]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/06/samsungs-led-tv-couple-packs-a-7-inch-tablet-remote-for-streami/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/06/samsungs-led-tv-couple-packs-a-7-inch-tablet-remote-for-streami/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/06/samsungs-led-tv-couple-packs-a-7-inch-tablet-remote-for-streami/#comments
Without much fanfare, Samsung has released a TV / tablet combo in Korea that seems to deliver on all the untapped promise in Toshiba's JournE touch tablet. Dubbed the LED TV Couple, Samsung has paired a 55-inch LED baclkit LCD TV with a brand new 7-inch touchscreen tablet, which communicates with and controls a full home theater over 802.11n WiFi. The tablet offers a visual program guide, including video previews of TV shows, along with access to media stored on a PC -- which can in turn be "tossed" up to the full TV -- and even a few widgets. But the real money is in the pair's ability to stream live TV and Blu-ray content from the home theater to the tablet, making that next trip to the kitchen for munchies so much less painful. No word on a US or Europe release, but we hope to see a lot more of this pair in the near future. Peep them in action after the break.

Continue reading Samsung's LED TV Couple packs a 7-inch tablet remote for streaming TV and so much more

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Samsung's LED TV Couple packs a 7-inch tablet remote for streaming TV and so much more originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsengadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturedvideofeatureshands-onifaifa 2009Ifa2009lcdled coupleled tv coupleLedCoupleLedTvCoupleremotesamsungsamsung led tv coupleSamsungLedTvCoupletablettouchscreen remoteTouchscreenRemotetv coupleTvCouplevideovideo hands-onVideoHands-onSun, 06 Sep 2009 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Show comes alive... September 13th]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/the-engadget-show-comes-alive-september-13th/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/the-engadget-show-comes-alive-september-13th/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/the-engadget-show-comes-alive-september-13th/#comments
We'll have a lot more news next week, so stay tuned!

Music -- Hexadecimal Genome -- Bit Shifter

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The Engadget Show comes alive... September 13th originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadget showEngadgetShowfeaturesthe engadget showTheEngadgetShowFri, 04 Sep 2009 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba makes timid Blu-ray showing at IFA, still believes in other forms of HD distribution]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/toshiba-makes-timid-blu-ray-showing-at-ifa-still-believes-in-ot/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/toshiba-makes-timid-blu-ray-showing-at-ifa-still-believes-in-ot/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/toshiba-makes-timid-blu-ray-showing-at-ifa-still-believes-in-ot/#comments
Aside from the new JournE touch, the other main thrust at IFA's booth is Blu-ray -- at least, one would think. In reality, when we finally found the lone BDX2000, the LCD it was plugged into was off, while numerous DVD players and upscaling tech demos littered the surrounding booth area. Once we got a rep to turn it on for us, the Blu-ray player seemed to work just fine, as should be expected. The new Blu-ray equipped P500, however, wasn't so successful: our colleagues at Engadget Spanish watched an attempted Blu-ray showing on the laptop go awry, and by the time we'd dropped by the booth, any Blu-ray models of the P500 had been pulled from the show floor due to crashiness. In talking with a Toshiba rep, it's clear that the company hasn't abandoned its ideas of internet distribution and other alternatives to the once rival format of Blu-ray. The company is looking into a solution that uses a Blu-ray disc and BD Live to stream internet media to the player, and has packed in decent codec support for playing back media off of the BDX2000's SD card reader. We're sure Toshiba will figure out its P500 woes before the laptop ships to consumers, but there's no lack of interestingness in these first displays of Toshiba's "commitment" to the Blu-ray format.

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Toshiba makes timid Blu-ray showing at IFA, still believes in other forms of HD distribution originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bdx2000blu rayblu-rayblurayfeatureshands-onifaifa 2009Ifa2009p500toshibaFri, 04 Sep 2009 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Philips' 3rd gen Aurea 'egg' remote gets put through the paces]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/video-philips-3rd-gen-aurea-egg-remote-gets-put-through-the/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/video-philips-3rd-gen-aurea-egg-remote-gets-put-through-the/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/04/video-philips-3rd-gen-aurea-egg-remote-gets-put-through-the/#comments What better to complement your new trippy, edge-glowing Philips 3rd gen Aurea HDTV than an egg-shaped remote? Our friends at Engaget Spanish hunted down the controller and walked away impressed at its build construction and design -- but not before capturing numerous pictures and footage, of course. There was some concern with the rigidity of the buttons, but nothing worth squabbling over on this bundled device. Hit up the read link for the full, machine-translated impressions, or affix your gaze on the pics and video below.

Continue reading Video: Philips' 3rd gen Aurea 'egg' remote gets put through the paces

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Video: Philips' 3rd gen Aurea 'egg' remote gets put through the paces originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aureaaurea 3Aurea3featuredfeatureshands onhands-onHandsOnifaifa 2009Ifa2009philipsremoteremote controlRemoteControlFri, 04 Sep 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Philips 56-inch 21:9 3D TV's future is so bright we had to wear shades]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/03/philips-56-inch-21-9-3d-tvs-futures-so-bright-we-had-to-wear/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/03/philips-56-inch-21-9-3d-tvs-futures-so-bright-we-had-to-wear/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/09/03/philips-56-inch-21-9-3d-tvs-futures-so-bright-we-had-to-wear/#comments
If you haven't noticed, 3D is going to be big in 2010. Not at Philips though, at least not yet. Instead of charging in to the market like Sony, Philips is willing to hedge its bets and wait on consumer demand. Consumers, of course, are waiting for content. And hey, maybe everybody's wrong and quad-HD will be the next big thing to drive TV sales. Regardless, Philips wants everyone to know that its technology is ready when you are so its got a 3D prototype Blu-ray player and stunning 3D version of its 56-inch Cinema 21:9 TV here at IFA in Berlin. While the idea of watching movies in 3D sounds like a novelty, the idea of gaming in 3D is downright compelling -- awkward passive polarized glasses be damned!

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Philips 56-inch 21:9 3D TV's future is so bright we had to wear shades originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dblu rayblu-raybluraycinemacinematicfeatureshands-onifaifa 2009Ifa2009philipsThu, 03 Sep 2009 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Best way to feed HD to two TVs?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/28/ask-engadget-hd-best-way-to-feed-hd-to-two-tvs/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/28/ask-engadget-hd-best-way-to-feed-hd-to-two-tvs/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/28/ask-engadget-hd-best-way-to-feed-hd-to-two-tvs/#comments
Multiroom video setups are hardly an easy task, but what if you just want to pipe the A/V in whole from one spot to another? That's the conundrum facing our friend Ed, we'll let him break down the situation first.

"I have a question that I think has several answers, but I would like to know the best solution. I have a DirecTV HD-DVR - HR20-700 hooked up to my TV via HDMI and optical audio to my receiver. I have my receiver's sound also hooked up to outside speakers by the pool so I can listen to XM or any other program from DirecTV or radio. I would like to add the video outside as well. I already have an RG6 coax cable outside, and I have an open CAT-5 connection near the back door, but not outside where the TV would go. Both cable runs are approximately 100' or less. My question is, what is the best way to get the video from the HR20 outside? "

There's a bevy of splitters, extenders, slingers and media box solutions that could help our friend out, but it's hard to say what would be best for this situation. We're still waiting for the SlingMonitor to make a retail experience and give us the WiFi TV wherever we've always wanted, but how would you do it?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: Best way to feed HD to two TVs? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturefeaturesmulti roomMultiRoomsplittertwo tv setupTwoTvSetupFri, 28 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: Which HDTV feature are you least concerned about?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/23/poll-which-hdtv-feature-are-you-least-concerned-about/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/23/poll-which-hdtv-feature-are-you-least-concerned-about/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/23/poll-which-hdtv-feature-are-you-least-concerned-about/#comments
It's that time of year, from now 'til CES a constant stream of new displays will finally be launched, touting specs, features and bullet points. Of course, once it's time to buy a new one we'll all have our own list of priorities, but which one is the least likely to make you consider a certain model? Whether it's a Hz race that doesn't concern you plasma fans, a complete disregard for useless contrast ratio measurements, or if you've already decided widgets aren't for you, let us know.

View Poll

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Poll: Which HDTV feature are you least concerned about? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backlightingcontrast ratioContrastRatiofeatureshdtvhzpollpollsSun, 23 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Who has the best HD video on-demand?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/ask-engadget-hd-who-has-the-best-hd-video-on-demand/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/ask-engadget-hd-who-has-the-best-hd-video-on-demand/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/ask-engadget-hd-who-has-the-best-hd-video-on-demand/#comments
Now that we're living in a post Project Infinity and 1080p VOD world, there may be a bit more to consider when choosing a provider than simply linear channel lineup. Fiber, satellite and cable companies are all fighting to be called the king of video on-demand, but which one actually is? We'll let our friend Michael ask the question:

"I have been hearing about all these different kinds of Video On Demand services from Cable, sat, and telco companies. I was wondering if you guys could do a rundown of the descriptions of the different VOD services and their pros and cons. "

So, when was the last time you perused the VOD catalog of your pay-TV provider, and was it worth the effort? We're sure at least some have already gone all online only for their video libraries, while some may stick to discs, DVR and standard channel browsing. Over here we're checking every ten minutes for that episode of The Closer we forgot to DVR this week, but until it shows up let us know how your VOD experience has worked out.

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Ask Engadget HD: Who has the best HD video on-demand? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdcablefeaturefeaturesfiberhd vodHdVodsatellitevideo on demandVideoOnDemandvodWed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget HD Podcast 151 - 08.19.2009]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/engadget-hd-podcast-151-08-19-2009/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/engadget-hd-podcast-151-08-19-2009/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/engadget-hd-podcast-151-08-19-2009/#commentsPlenty of Microsoft news this week as we just can't stop talking about the company that we love as much as we hate. For starters the Zune isn't even out yet and we are already starting to think it won't live up to its HD name. We roll right along from there into some Media Center news including how to import HD movies into Media Center, and the interesting details of the RVU alliances as potentially competing product. Sony was next on our list as we discussed the new PS3 and what it is and what it isn't. Finally the show rounds out with a little Netflix Movie Party, Redbox, ripping DVDs and finally FOOTBALL!


Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
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[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:20 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 150 - 08.12.2009
00:05:17 - Zune 4.0 software won't play nice with HDTV Media Center recordings
00:16:22 - Windows 7 includes support for Dolby Digital Plus
00:20:09 - How to import HD movies into Windows Media Center
00:33:00 - DirecTV, Cisco and Samsung have whole house DVR plans with RVU alliance
00:43:30 - Sony unveils slimmer PS3: $300, lands in September (updated!)
00:47:45 - A first hand look at the Netflix Movie Parties on the Xbox 360
00:55:52 - Fox and Warner want 30 day kiosk rental windows, maybe Netflix too
01:03:31 - Kaleidescape gets in line behind RealDVD for rough treatment
01:08:00 - Okay enough waiting, where is tru2way?
01:13:40 - A few broadcasters are moving back to UHF
01:17:40 - Poll: What's better than the return of football to our HDTVs?
01:20:05 - NFL's new RedZone channel won't be seen by most



LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

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Engadget HD Podcast 151 - 08.19.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfeaturesHDHDTVPodcastpodcastsWed, 19 Aug 2009 14:30:00 ESTEngadget HD Podcast 151Ben Drawbaugh, Steve Kim, Nilay Patel01:26:00podcasts<![CDATA[DirecTV, Cisco and Samsung have whole house DVR plans with RVU alliance]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/directv-cisco-and-samsung-have-whole-house-dvr-plans-with-rvu-a/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/directv-cisco-and-samsung-have-whole-house-dvr-plans-with-rvu-a/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/19/directv-cisco-and-samsung-have-whole-house-dvr-plans-with-rvu-a/#commentsRVU alliance topology
One of our dreams is to have a true whole home DVR that allows us to watch any show we want, on any TV we want; but so far the perfect solution has eluded us. TiVo was really the first to try with its Multi-Room Viewing, but missed the mark by not giving us a single Now Playing list for the whole house or even any automatic conflict resolution between units. The FiOS HD DVR was the next disappointment because it limits us to two tuners and 160GB for the whole house -- seriously is that enough for anyone? Currently Windows Media Center offers the best solution, but it's expensive after you pay $300 a pop for a CableCARD tuner, not to mention it requires more maintenance because it is based on a PC. Needless to say we continue to look for the perfect solution, and we think that the RVU (R-vue) alliance might be just what we ordered. In addition to DirecTV, Cisco and Samsung, the chip maker Broadcom is also one of the founding members of the alliance, but it is their goals that get us excited. So excited, that we'd actually be shocked if they were actually achieved, but you'll have to click through to learn why.

Continue reading DirecTV, Cisco and Samsung have whole house DVR plans with RVU alliance

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DirecTV, Cisco and Samsung have whole house DVR plans with RVU alliance originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BroadcomcableCiscoDirecTVFeaturedFeaturesfiberRVUrvu allianceRvuAllianceSamsungsatelliteWed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to import HD movies into Windows Media Center]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/18/how-to-import-hd-movies-into-windows-media-center/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/18/how-to-import-hd-movies-into-windows-media-center/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/18/how-to-import-hd-movies-into-windows-media-center/#comments
The upgraded Movie Library in Windows 7 Media Center is very appreciated, but while it's better than Vista, it still doesn't do everything we want. Our main point of contention is that although it is possible to play more file types, it still isn't possible to fast forward or rewind them (you can skip forward, back, and resume though). The other issue is that connecting the HTPC directly to a HDTV is for the birds, and codec support on Extenders is very limited. The good news is that with a little help from our favorite Media Center utility and our new best friend, we've devised a very easy way to convert just about any HD movie to DVR-MS (Media Center's native format). This is pretty easy to setup, lets you have full trick play capability on extenders, and the results are good enough to please even our discerning eye.

Continue reading How to import HD movies into Windows Media Center

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How to import HD movies into Windows Media Center originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DTBDVRMSToolBoxfeaturedfeaturesMencoderMencoderProperTue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: How can I get internet radio in my home theater?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/12/ask-engadget-hd-how-can-i-get-internet-radio-in-my-home-theater/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/12/ask-engadget-hd-how-can-i-get-internet-radio-in-my-home-theater/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/12/ask-engadget-hd-how-can-i-get-internet-radio-in-my-home-theater/#comments
Despite how much money and time is spent on the display in your home theater, sometimes you just want to kick back and listen to some music. While SACD or DVD-Audio might get it done for some, a craving for more selection or just letting someone else pick the songs has lead our friend Reginald to seek internet radio in his home theater, we'll let him explain:

"I have been looking at internet radio that I want to stream through my wireless network so it can be picked up on my home stereo. I have DirecTV that can pick up the network as well as a PS3 that also can see the network.

Would a program that runs on the PC be the best way to go or should one get a special tuner that is placed at the AV Receiver that connects wirelessly to the network be the best way to go."

So, can one of his networked devices double up as a streaming radio source or would a new receiver with the feature built in be the way to go? Let us know what setup works for you.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: How can I get internet radio in my home theater? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturefeaturesinternet radioInternetRadioother hardwareotherhardwarepandoraradioreceiversslackerstreamingWed, 12 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: What's the best on the go HD camcorder?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/06/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-on-the-go-hd-camcorder/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/06/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-on-the-go-hd-camcorder/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/08/06/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-on-the-go-hd-camcorder/#comments
Summer time is in full swing, and we're sure you've got plenty of activities to attend to, but what about capturing those for later viewing on your HDTV? Since we last visited the HD camcorder question, a flood of mini HD capable cams have hit the scene, but which one is the best? We'll let Mariusz lay out his priorities:

"For some time now I've been thinking about getting one of these, but still cannot make my mind up. I'm looking for a camcorder that is portable first of all (will mostly use it outdoors, also for paintball and airsoft games), the quality(720p / 1080p) and functionality will come second and storage options third. I know there is quite a few products on the market from Kodak, Flip and Creative (and probably few more), but still do not know which one to choose... Hopefully Engadget's readers will help me with my decision-making."

We can relate Mariusz, you need something easy to take on the go, with good image quality and settings and last of all easy to play back later. Surely a few of you have faced the same dilemma, let us know which hardware you've picked up and how it's working for you.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: What's the best on the go HD camcorder? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdcamcordersfeaturefeaturesThu, 06 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[VUDU's streaming service demoed live on an LG TV]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/30/vudus-streaming-service-demoed-live-on-an-lg-tv/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/30/vudus-streaming-service-demoed-live-on-an-lg-tv/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/30/vudus-streaming-service-demoed-live-on-an-lg-tv/#comments
We've seen it in the flesh, and we must say VUDU is doing things right with its move to a device-agnostic service. They haven't chucked a single feature, and the interface is rather responsive for a TV-based video service (though not quite as flashy as its PS3 and Xbox 360 counterparts). Even with a bit of crummy hotel internet getting in the way, the device managed to buffer streams of 720p and 1080p content at a fairly rapid rate -- besting a best-case-scenario Netflix buffer time in most cases. It's clear that the 5.1 surround, 1080p-equipped HDX format, which can downgrade its bitrate based on available bandwidth, is really going to eat up your pipes, but the 720p looks quite good even in the face of a somewhat limited connection. While LG and Vizio are the jumping off point for this service, it's VUDU's stated aim to land on pretty much any home theater device that'll have them -- we can't imagine Microsoft or Sony taking very kindly to the offer, but it's hard to argue with this level of HD selection. Video of the service in action is after the break.

Continue reading VUDU's streaming service demoed live on an LG TV

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VUDU's streaming service demoed live on an LG TV originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadget videoEngadgetVideofeatureshands-onhands-on videoHands-onVideolcdlgvuduThu, 30 Jul 2009 11:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: Can I subscribe to a service for just HDTV channels?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/29/ask-engadget-hd-can-i-subscribe-to-a-service-for-just-hdtv-chan/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/29/ask-engadget-hd-can-i-subscribe-to-a-service-for-just-hdtv-chan/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/29/ask-engadget-hd-can-i-subscribe-to-a-service-for-just-hdtv-chan/#commentsSo you're considering fiber, satellite or cable TV, but don't want to pay for any channels that aren't available in HDTV. Barring a provider switching to full a la carte pricing overnight, we're only aware of TurboHD for that kind of service, but even that comes with drawbacks. Still, James knows what he won't watch, and that's anything in less than 720p, let's check out his question:

"As always I love the site and the podcast, but I was hoping to draw on some knowledge.
Are there any service providers, cable, online, etc. that provide HD only content packages? I really am not in love with the idea of paying for content I'll never watch, which is all of the SD content. Do I have any options? Or is this a pipe dream for the future?
I live in John's Creek (Atlanta), GA."

So, for the discriminating viewer, is TurboHD the best (or only) option? Let us know in the comments how James can get the most value for what he's interested in.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: Can I subscribe to a service for just HDTV channels? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdcablefeaturefeaturesfiberhd onlyHdOnlyinternetsatelliteturbo hdTurboHdWed, 29 Jul 2009 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's new MegaChanger and ES Blu-ray players in the flesh]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/24/sonys-new-megachanger-and-es-blu-ray-players-in-the-flesh/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/24/sonys-new-megachanger-and-es-blu-ray-players-in-the-flesh/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/24/sonys-new-megachanger-and-es-blu-ray-players-in-the-flesh/#comments
While nothing here solves Blu-ray's number one problem, price, there's no denying Sony's got some fun tech on display in its new 400 disc Blu-ray MegaChanger and the new BDP-S1000ES single disc Blu-ray player with WiFi. The MegaChanger presents a lovable XMB-style, Gracenote-powered onscreen menu for sorting through all the media stashed in your MegaChanger, and the S1000ES packs in 802.11n for BD-Live, along with premium analog outs and some dashing good looks for the well-heeled enthusiasts. $1,900 and $700 of respective awesomeness? Well, that's up to you decide.

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Sony's new MegaChanger and ES Blu-ray players in the flesh originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BDP-CX7000ESbdp-s1000esblu rayblu-rayblurayfeatureshands-onmultichangersonyFri, 24 Jul 2009 20:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget HD: What's the best plasma to pick up in 2009?]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/22/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-plasma-to-pick-up-in-2009/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/22/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-plasma-to-pick-up-in-2009/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/22/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-plasma-to-pick-up-in-2009/#comments
We're not going to pretend this question hasn't been asked before, but it's a new year and there's a few new competitors for the plasma throne. Looks like our friend Akshay was all about LCDs until checking out this article, and now he's ready to look at plasma for his next flat panel HDTV. The only question is, which one? The Panasonic G10 or V10 series? Find a Kuro on closeout? We'll let him set the mood:

"Ok, now to the main point - I'm looking to buy a HDTV. I have been trying to read reviews online and have been stuck with the basics -- Plasma or LCD. I was going through some Engadget HD archives when I found this article and decided to ask for some advice from the experts. I was leaning a bit towards LCD, especially the Samsung lineup interests me a lot. Then I read an article which easily proved that Plasma is somewhat a notch higher than LCD even though its phasing out.

Ever since I read this, I'm wondering which technology to opt for, given all the factors including picture quality, viewing angles, pricing, marketing gimmicks, etc. If I were to go with Panasonic, which model would be a really good one? My budget is around $1700 (LCD or Plasma). Any lil bit of help/advice from your team would be highly appreciated as I really respect what and how you guys manage engadget! I'm looking to buy it in Aug end/Sept time frame."

We know at least a few plasma TV owners are reading this, reach out via the comments and let us know which one will fit Akshay's budget best.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

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Ask Engadget HD: What's the best plasma to pick up in 2009? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askask engadget dhask engadget hdAskEngadgetHdfeaturefeatureslcdplasmaWed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung BD-P4600 review]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/16/samsung-bd-p4600-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/16/samsung-bd-p4600-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/16/samsung-bd-p4600-review/#commentsSamsung BD-P4600

In a day when the most inexpensive Blu-ray player can be had for $99, you really have to do something special to a player to make it warrant a $499 price tag. This is obviously what Samsung is trying to do with the BD-P4600, but not in the normal way we'd expect. Instead of adding features or improving the specifications, Samsung has instead went the supercilious route and focused this player on the "wall people.' We all know looks aren't everything -- or shouldn't be at least -- so you'll just have to read on to find out if the functionality of the BD-P4600 matches the appearance.

Continue reading Samsung BD-P4600 review

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Samsung BD-P4600 review originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BD-P4600blu rayBlu-rayblurayFeaturedFeaturesReviewsSamsungThu, 16 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget goes behind the Dolby logo]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/08/engadget-goes-behind-the-dolby-logo/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/08/engadget-goes-behind-the-dolby-logo/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/08/engadget-goes-behind-the-dolby-logo/#commentsDolby front door
With AV software and hardware alike carrying at least one Dolby logo, not to mention the presence of that same branding on big screen cinema, Dolby is truly a household name. If you ask people exactly what Dolby does, however, you're likely to get a pretty fuzzy picture, which isn't too surprising -- the brand is so prevalent in the media space that it's kind of like asking a fish to describe what water feels like. So when Dolby invited us to spend a day with them to talk about their current goings-on in home theater, we just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

To get a look behind the familiar logo, we spent a day at Dolby's lab in San Francisco. During our time there we talked about TrueHD, Digital Plus, Dolby Volume, the new Pro Logic IIz, and even got a short peek at some current research efforts. It was a fast run over a lot of ground, for sure!

Continue reading Engadget goes behind the Dolby logo

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Engadget goes behind the Dolby logo originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital plusDigitalPlusdolbydolby digital plusdolby pro logic iizdolby truehddolby volumeDolbyDigitalPlusDolbyProLogicIizDolbyVolumefeaturesotherspro logic iizProLogicIiztourtruehdWed, 08 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Netgear MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter review]]>http://hd.engadget.com/2009/06/25/netgear-moca-coax-ethernet-adapter-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/06/25/netgear-moca-coax-ethernet-adapter-review/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/06/25/netgear-moca-coax-ethernet-adapter-review/#commentsNetgear MoCA kit
Although we were just kids when all the world's computers connected to each other via a coax cable, we still recognize the throughput potential of the medium. This and the fact that just about every home in America already has coax running through its walls has always made us wonder why we couldn't utilize those wires to connect our computers. If you've wondered the same thing, then MoCA might just be for you. It is a CableLabe specification that allows devices to utilize the unused bandwidth on the coax at your house to send bits where no other medium can. So if you're sick of trying to stream HD via Wifi and power-line technologies, you're going to really want to click through and read about how these babies work.

Continue reading Netgear MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter review

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Netgear MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter review originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FeaturedFeaturesMCAB1001MoCANetgearNetgear MCAB1001NetgearMcab1001Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST