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[Elgato announces Game Capture HD, shows off your deathmatch prowess in H.264]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/elgato-game-capture-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/elgato-game-capture-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/elgato-game-capture-hd/#comments Image

Elgato is releasing the Game Capture HD, a device that lets game-casters and YouTube walkthrough mavens shed low-resolution, over-the-shoulder smartphone footage once and for all. The sleek black box sits between console and display, enabling gamers to record their speed runs and kill records for the world to see. Xbox 360 users can daisy-chain the gear into their HDMI set-up, while PS3 users will have to use the bundled AV cable to circumvent Sony's stronger copy protection. The footage will then be compressed with the company's H.264 know-how and pushed to your PC or Mac for uploading. When it arrives at the start of June, it'll set you back $200 -- just giving you enough time to get practicing your soothing and confident narration voice.

Continue reading Elgato announces Game Capture HD, shows off your deathmatch prowess in H.264

Elgato announces Game Capture HD, shows off your deathmatch prowess in H.264 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AVCompressionCopy ProtectionCopyProtectionElgatoElgato Game Capture HDElgato H.264ElgatoGameCaptureHdElgatoH.264H.264HDMIhdpostcrossInternet VideoInternetVideoMicrosoftPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyVideoVideo CompressionVideoCompressionXbox 360Xbox360Mon, 21 May 2012 13:24:00 EST<![CDATA[ITC issues preliminary ruling, finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on Motorola patents]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/itc-issues-preliminary-ruling-in-microsoft-motorola-dispute/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/itc-issues-preliminary-ruling-in-microsoft-motorola-dispute/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/itc-issues-preliminary-ruling-in-microsoft-motorola-dispute/#comments ITC issues preliminary ruling, finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on Motorola patents

Potential bad news to start out the week for Microsofties: a judge from the US International Trade Commission has issued a preliminary ruling that finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on five four of Motorola's patents (and in Microsoft's favor on one). While the decision is by no means final -- which means that the Redmond outfit could ultimately prevail -- a final ruling would force Microsoft's hand to seek proper licenses for the technologies, most of which relate to H.264 video encoding, or have its gaming console banned from US shelves. For now, the lawyers will go back to the lab to refine their arguments and get ready to present them to a full panel of ITC judges later this year. Who wants to set odds on the outcome?

ITC issues preliminary ruling, finds Microsoft's Xbox 360 infringes on Motorola patents originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courtfrandh.264infringementintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyitclawsuitlegallitigationmicrosoftmotorolapatentpatentsMon, 23 Apr 2012 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft wins injunction in Washington against Motorola, can keep selling stuff in Germany]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/microsoft-wins-injunction-in-washington-against-motorola-can-ke/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/microsoft-wins-injunction-in-washington-against-motorola-can-ke/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/microsoft-wins-injunction-in-washington-against-motorola-can-ke/#comments Microsoft wins injunction in Washington against Motorola, can keep selling stuff in GermanyMicrosoft's been waging legal war against Motorola on several fronts for some time now, and today, team Redmond scored a victory in a federal district court in Washington that'll have repercussions in Germany. The judge granted Microsoft's motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that prevents Motorola from enforcing any injunction it may obtain in the parties' parallel action in Mannheim, Germany. As a quick refresher, this litigation's all about a bundle of Moto-owned standards-essential WiFi and H.264 patents. Naturally, Motorola claims that Microsoft's infringing its IP, and has sought to stop sales of infringing products in Deutschland. Meanwhile, Microsoft contends Moto's in breach of contract because those patents haven't been made available for it to license on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. This latest legal victory in the US merely means that Motorola won't enforce any injunction it obtains in Mannheim -- which leaves Microsoft free and clear to peddle its wares in Germany.

Microsoft wins injunction in Washington against Motorola, can keep selling stuff in Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FRANDH.264intellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyiplawsuitlegallitigationmicrosoftmotorolapatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementpatentsWed, 11 Apr 2012 20:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Mozilla caves, will support H.264 to avoid 'irrelevance']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/#commentsFirefoxIt looks like Mozilla is ready to throw in the towel in its battle against the patent-laden H.264 video codec. Over the last week or so, the software foundation has struggled publicly with whether or not to support the MPEG-LA-owned format. Now several of Firefox's biggest players have all come out in support of the move and all that's left is to actually bake the appropriate code into the browser. Both chairman Mitchell Baker and CTO Brendan Eich embraced the decision this weekend, however begrudgingly, in blog posts. Both admit that success in the mobile space requires them to abandon the quest to make WebM the standard for streaming video in HTML5. Even with Google's support, at least on the desktop, VP8 was never able to seriously threaten the entrenched and battery-friendly (not to mention, Apple and Microsoft backed) H.264. For more details check out the source links.

Mozilla caves, will support H.264 to avoid 'irrelevance' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeccodecsfirefoxfirefox for androidfirefox for mobileFirefoxForAndroidFirefoxForMobileh.264html5mozillawebmMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Logitech outs C920 HD webcam, lets you Skype with your mates in 1080p]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/logitech-c920-hd-webcam-skype-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/logitech-c920-hd-webcam-skype-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/logitech-c920-hd-webcam-skype-on-sale/#comments If you were impressed by Logitech's C910 back in June, you may want to take a gander at the newly unveiled HD Pro 920. While it's the first webcam to offer 1080p video chatting with the latest version of Skype, the C920 can also capture 1080p video while offering 720p for Windows Live Messenger. You'll be able to upload your full-HD clips and 15MP shots at warp speed at the hands of H.264 advanced compression technology -- making those YouTube uploads that much faster. Internally, the C920 implements Logitech's Fluid Crystal Technology, Carl Zeiss optics and a 20-step autofocus. For audio capture, two mics are position on either side of the shooter for stereo recording. If you're looking to snag one, it'll set you back $100 starting this month. But for now, peep the gallery below and all the details in the PR after the break.

Gallery: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

Continue reading Logitech outs C920 HD webcam, lets you Skype with your mates in 1080p

Logitech outs C920 HD webcam, lets you Skype with your mates in 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p720pc920cesces 2012Ces2012H.264logitechlogitech c920logitech hd pro c920LogitechC920LogitechHdProC920skypewebcamThu, 05 Jan 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[USB-IF releases extensions to USB video class 1.1, offloading compression is a go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/21/usb-if-releases-extensions-to-usb-video-class-1-1-offloading-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/21/usb-if-releases-extensions-to-usb-video-class-1-1-offloading-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/21/usb-if-releases-extensions-to-usb-video-class-1-1-offloading-co/#comments For those unaware, a USB video class describes a device that's capable of streaming video -- you know, things like webcams, camcorders, TV tuners and even still-image cameras. For the longest time, you needed to rely on your machine to do the grunt work associated with encoding video, but new extensions to the USB video class 1.1 have enabled those very devices to support H.264. In other words, H.264 encoding can now be offloaded to the device itself, and furthermore, the compression provides more bandwidth for additional USB devices. We're told that the H.264 Payload specification is compatible with drivers based upon the USB-IF's UVC 1.0 and 1.1 specifications and relies on proper support of the MJPG and/or Stream Based payload format, and if you're an engineer looking to integrate, the goods you need are stocked away in the source link below.

Continue reading USB-IF releases extensions to USB video class 1.1, offloading compression is a go

USB-IF releases extensions to USB video class 1.1, offloading compression is a go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryencodingh.264H.264 PayloadH.264Payloadinterfaceperipheralperipheralsprotocolstandardusbusb 1.1usb ifusb-ifUsb1.1UsbIfuvcvideovideo encodingVideoEncodingTue, 21 Jun 2011 12:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/#comments When Google unveiled its WebM open source media format and declared it to be the one codec to rule all others, there were those who decried its usefulness and felt that H.264 should inherit the earth. WebM's power converted some of those staunch detractors, and to rally more to the VP8 / Vorbis cause, 17 companies have now formed the WebM Community Cross-License (CCL) initiative by inter-mingling their WebM-related IP resources. The initiative was founded so that all may use El Goog's preferred multimedia codec free from the threat of patent litigation, and the CCL superfriends will welcome more members to bolster their legal might -- but those wishing to join must grant a royalty-free license to any of their patents that cover WebM technology. A passion for streamlining web standards and a willingness to spread the word about WebM couldn't hurt, either -- new formats don't sell themselves, y'know.

Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsercclcodeccross licensecross licensingcross-licensecross-licensingcross-licensing agreementCross-licensingAgreementCrossLicenseCrossLicensingformatgoogleh.264licensemediastandardsvideovideo formatVideoFormatweb browserweb standardsWebBrowserwebmwebm cclWebmCclWebStandardsTue, 26 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Plex 1.1 for iOS improves streaming over 3G, pipes video to your TV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/10/plex-1-1-for-ios-improves-streaming-over-3g-pipes-video-to-your/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/10/plex-1-1-for-ios-improves-streaming-over-3g-pipes-video-to-your/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/10/plex-1-1-for-ios-improves-streaming-over-3g-pipes-video-to-your/#comments If you're not already running the Plex Media Server on one of the twenty-three beige boxes networked across your tiny domicile, you may be sorely tempted to install a copy this week, because the iOS app has just received a truly massive update. Where once the XBMC spinoff would have to transcode every video it delivered to your device across the ether, Plex claims it can now either bypass that CPU-intensive process or use an iOS-optimized technique, pumping H.264 video over the air far more efficiently. Second, it can deliver that content from iOS direct to your TV, via either a video-out cable or experimental support for AirPlay. Not bad, right? How's universal search sound -- the ability to type in a word and have the app reach out to local servers, remote servers, and online video services like YouTube and Vimeo too? Yeah, that $4.99 price tag is looking mighty affordable right about now, and there are plenty more improvements to peruse at the links below.

Plex 1.1 for iOS improves streaming over 3G, pipes video to your TV originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplayappAppleappsh.264iOSiPadiPhoneiPod touchIpodTouchmedia centerMediaCenterPlexPlex Media CenterPlexMediaCenterstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideovideo outvideo streamingvideo-outVideoOutVideoStreamingSun, 10 Apr 2011 06:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/minicaster-the-pocket-sized-hardware-based-h-264-live-streaming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/minicaster-the-pocket-sized-hardware-based-h-264-live-streaming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/minicaster-the-pocket-sized-hardware-based-h-264-live-streaming/#comments It's not that you need a hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder hanging around in your fifth pocket, but if you're looking to capture more of life's moments, why not? Scheduled for a proper introduction at NAB Show 2011, the Minicaster is capable of encoding and delivering a number of streams while also recording at the same time, and those settings can be tweaked directly on the unit itself. The company recommends using it with Wowza Media Server, and if you're looking to become the world's next Ustream star, investing in one of these may not be such a bad idea. Emphasis on may, given that the asking price is eluding us at the moment.

Continue reading Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder

Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastbroadcastingencoderh.264livestreamlivestreamingminiCASTERportable videoPortableVideovideoWowza Media ServerWowzaMediaServerSat, 02 Apr 2011 02:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujitsu's next-gen Milbeaut image processor does single-chip Hi-Vision video, 20MP stills]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/fujitsus-next-gen-milbeaut-image-processor-does-single-chip-hi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/fujitsus-next-gen-milbeaut-image-processor-does-single-chip-hi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/fujitsus-next-gen-milbeaut-image-processor-does-single-chip-hi/#comments Fujitsu's latest image processor, the Milbeaut MB91696AM, has a new bag of tricks on tap, and it's fixing to unload them in April. The new Milbeaut sports ARM processors and a "newly-developed" Full HD H.264 codec engine, making for 14-megapixel shooting at 8fps (or about 20 megapixels at 5.5fps) and low-noise Hi-Vision video recording at 1920 x 1080. So the processor, in its sixth iteration, sports high resolution photos and HD video all on the same chip, and features continuous photography speeds up to five times faster than its predecessors. Fujitsu's got plans to show off Milbeaut's mobile solutions at MWC next week, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the MB91696AM make its debut in Barcelona as well. Either way, the new processor is scheduled to ship starting in April for ¥3,000 (right around $36), which means new Milbeaut-equipped cameras won't shouldn't be far behind. Full PR after the jump.

Continue reading Fujitsu's next-gen Milbeaut image processor does single-chip Hi-Vision video, 20MP stills

Fujitsu's next-gen Milbeaut image processor does single-chip Hi-Vision video, 20MP stills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARMARM processorArmProcessorcamerasdigital cameradigital videoDigitalCameraDigitalVideofujitsuFujitsu MilbeautFujitsuMilbeautH.264H.264 codecH.264Codechi-visionimage processingimage processorImageProcessingImageProcessorMB91696AMMilbeautphotographyvideoWed, 09 Feb 2011 02:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft releases H.264 plug-in for Google Chrome, vows to support WebM video in IE9]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/#commentsHard to believe that the infamous "fragmentation" term is now being bandied about in the web browser world, but sure enough, it's Microsoft using the term today to describe the brave new realm we're living in. If you'll recall, Google defended its decision to not include H.264 support natively in Chrome, but maintained that WebM plug-ins were coming to Safari and Internet Explorer 9. Today, Microsoft's kinda-sorta returning the favor. Following the outfit's release of a Firefox add-on to bring full H.264 support to Windows machines, the outfit is releasing a plug-in for Chrome (only the Windows version for now) that provides support for H.264. Furthermore, it's committed to supporting third-party WebM video plug-ins; to quote, users "will be able to play WebM video in IE9." It's fairly obvious that Microsoft's taking this golden opportunity to push its browser as one that supports everything (rather than just its own preferred format), but regardless of the motives, we're just happy to see differences put aside and compatibility finding priority.

Microsoft releases H.264 plug-in for Google Chrome, vows to support WebM video in IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserchromefirefoxgoogleGoogle ChromeGoogleChromeh.264htmlhtml5ieie9internetinternet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9mozillasoftwarewebweb browserWebBrowserwebMwindowsWed, 02 Feb 2011 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/#comments Google renewed a heated discussion when it said it was dropping H.264 support from Chrome's HTML5 video tag last week, but it seems the company's ready and willing to push its WebM alternative video format hard -- not only is hardware decoder IP now available for the VP8 codec, but the project team is presently readying WebM plug-ins for Safari and Internet Explorer 9, neither of which include it themselves. As to the little matter of whether any of this is the right move for the web at large, we'll paraphrase what Google had to say for itself: H.264 licenses cost money; Firefox and Opera don't support H.264 either; and big companies like Google are helping the little guy by championing this open alternative. We have to say, the eternal optimist in us is cheering them on. Oh, and the linguist in us, too. Read Google's own words at our source link, and decide for yourself.

Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeccodecsFirefoxformat warformat warsFormatWarFormatWarsGoogleH.264IE9internet explorer 9InternetExplorer9licensingMPEG-LAopenopen standardopen standardsOpenStandardOpenStandardsOperaplug-inroyaltiesSafarivideovideo formatvideo formatsVideoFormatVideoFormatsVP8web videoWebMWebVideoSun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft mocks Google, likens WebM to failed Esperanto language]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/#commentsIf you fancy yourself a codec nerd then you'll love a tongue-in-cheek piece penned by Tim Sneath, Senior Director of Windows and Web Evangelism at Microsoft. Sneath, posing as the President of the United States of Google, calls for Esperanto (aka, WebM) to replace English (aka, H.264) in order to foster global peace and understanding.
Though English plays an important role in speech today, as our goal is to enable open innovation, its further use as a form of communication in this country will be prohibited and our resources directed towards languages that are untainted by real-world usage.
Brilliantly played following Google's announcement to drop H.264 from Chrome. Esperanto, as you might recall, was the universal second language designed in 1887 to facilitate international communication. Something that never quite worked out judging by the preponderance of English spoken by humans everywhere except Parisian cafes and taxi cabs.

Microsoft mocks Google, likens WebM to failed Esperanto language originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromecodecesperantogoogleh.264h264humormicrosoftmockmockingtim sneathTimSneathwebmThu, 13 Jan 2011 05:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/#comments We knew Google was rather fond of its WebM video standard, but we never expected a move like this: the company says it will drop support for the rival H.264 codec in its HTML5 video tag, and is justifying the move in the name of open standards somehow. Considering that H.264 is presently one of (if not the) most widely supported format out there, it sounds a little like Google shooting itself in the foot with a .357 round -- especially considering the MPEG-LA just made H.264 royalty-free as long as it's freely distributed just a few months ago. If that's the case, Chrome users will have to download a H.264 plug-in to play most web video that's not bundled up in Flash... which isn't exactly an open format itself. Or hey, perhaps everyone will magically switch to Chrome, video providers will kowtow, unicorns will gaily prance, and WebM will dominate from now on.

Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromechromiumcodeccodecsformatformat warformatsFormatWargoogleh.264h264html5legalmpeg-lastreaming videoStreamingVideotheoravideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingvp8Web videoWebMWebVideoTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft releases H.264 video plug-in for Windows 7 Firefox users]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/microsoft-releases-h-264-video-plug-in-for-windows-7-firefox-use/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/microsoft-releases-h-264-video-plug-in-for-windows-7-firefox-use/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/microsoft-releases-h-264-video-plug-in-for-windows-7-firefox-use/#commentsWe're assuming it would still prefer you use Internet Explorer for all your web browsing needs, but Microsoft is now lending something of a helping hand to Windows 7 users that insist on using Firefox for one reason or another. It's just released a plug-in that gets around Firefox's current limitations in handling H.264-encoded videos on HTML5 pages by taking advantage of the H.264 support built into Windows 7. On a more technical level, that means the plug-in parses HTML5 pages and replaces the Video tags with a call to the Windows Media Player plug-in, which then allows the content to be played right in the browser. Sound like just what you've been waiting for? Hit up the link below to download the add-on and try it yourself.

Microsoft releases H.264 video plug-in for Windows 7 Firefox users originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onbrowserfirefoxh.264h264html5plug-invideoweb videoWebVideoFri, 17 Dec 2010 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel CE4200 ups its set-top game with 3D support and H.264 HD encoding]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intel-ce4200-ups-its-set-top-game-with-3d-support-and-h-264-hd-e/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intel-ce4200-ups-its-set-top-game-with-3d-support-and-h-264-hd-e/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intel-ce4200-ups-its-set-top-game-with-3d-support-and-h-264-hd-e/#comments We're sitting here at Intel's IDF 2010 day two keynote, and the company just announced its evolution of the Atom CE series for set-top boxes. The aptly-titled the CE4200 (formerly codenamed "Groveland") is an evolution of the CE4100, based on 45nm Atom architecture and now capable of H.264 video encoding. Four partners have been announced, including Samsung, ADB, Sagemcom, and Technicolor. Of course, CE4100 is really just starting to take hold, and given it was announced at last year's IDF, we're not holding our breath on seeing these in the immediate future.

Gallery: Intel CE4200 ups its set-top game with 3D support and H.264 HD encoding

Intel CE4200 ups its set-top game with 3D support and H.264 HD encoding originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dce 4200Ce4200h 264h.264H264idfidf 2010Idf2010intelintel ce 4200IntelCe4200set top boxSetTopBoxstbTue, 14 Sep 2010 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Boxee Box ditches NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for Intel CE4100, pre-orders start today at $199]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/boxee-box-ditches-nvidias-tegra-2-for-intel-ce4100-pre-orders/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/boxee-box-ditches-nvidias-tegra-2-for-intel-ce4100-pre-orders/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/boxee-box-ditches-nvidias-tegra-2-for-intel-ce4100-pre-orders/#comments The wait for the Boxee Box is nearly over -- pre-orders begin today -- but before you drop a stack of change on D-Link's half-sunk cube, know that there's no longer an NVIDIA Tegra 2 under that tiny hood. At the last minute, Boxee switched to the Intel Atom CE4100, the same up-to-1.2GHz Sodaville chip powering Google TV. That's not all, as manufacturer D-Link told us our good friend Avner Ronen may not be able to keep his promise -- though the company still expects the Box to hit the streets at under $200, we're now looking at a $229 suggested retail price. What could possibly have happened to make these drastic changes? We visited Boxee in person to get an explanation, and you'll find the surprisingly simple (yet NVIDIA-damning) answer right after the break.

Update: We just learned that Amazon will be selling it for $199, though the MSRP will remain $229.

Gallery: Boxee Box final hardware, hands-on

Continue reading Boxee Box ditches NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for Intel CE4100, pre-orders start today at $199

Boxee Box ditches NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for Intel CE4100, pre-orders start today at $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtomAvner RonenAvnerRonenBoxeeBoxee BoxBoxeeBoxbreaking newsBreakingNewsCE4100D-LinkH.264hands-onIntelIntel CE4100IntelCe4100media streamerMediaStreamerNVIDIApre-orderpreorderset top boxset-topset-top boxset-top-boxSet-topBoxSetTopBoxSodavilleTegraTegra 2Tegra 2 T20Tegra2Tegra2T20Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung is still down with PMP, announces YP-Q3 and YP-U6 players (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/samsung-is-still-down-with-pmp-announces-yp-q3-and-yp-u6-player/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/samsung-is-still-down-with-pmp-announces-yp-q3-and-yp-u6-player/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/samsung-is-still-down-with-pmp-announces-yp-q3-and-yp-u6-player/#commentsSamsung is still down with PMP, announces YP-Q3 and YP-U6 players (video) Lots of companies are moving their focus to more capable devices, but Samsung is still here to fulfill your simple media playback needs with a few new PMPs. First is the YP-Q3, shown above, a compact and stylish player with support for plenty of formats (H.264, WMV, Xvid, MP3, OGG, etc.) and also packing an FM receiver and voice recorder. No word on pricing or capacity, but it will be offered in a variety of colors and has a highly-customizable UI, shown in the oontzy video after the break. Then there's the rather more compact YP-U6 MP3 stick, pictured after the break with its wee display that can show either the currently playing track or, apparently, how many calories you've burned -- presumably through some accelerometer trickery. No price on this one either, but we expect to be getting some quality time with both at IFA in very short order.

Continue reading Samsung is still down with PMP, announces YP-Q3 and YP-U6 players (video)

Samsung is still down with PMP, announces YP-Q3 and YP-U6 players (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divxh.264mp3 playerMp3Playerpmpportable media playerPortableMediaPlayersamsungvideoxvidyp-q3yp-u6Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Fraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/fraunhofer-working-to-make-hd-video-conferencing-a-little-less-l/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/fraunhofer-working-to-make-hd-video-conferencing-a-little-less-l/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/fraunhofer-working-to-make-hd-video-conferencing-a-little-less-l/#commentsFraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy The early days of VOIP calling required a lot of patience, as the half-second or more delay between you speaking and your conversation partner receiving often turned the convo into a start and stop mess. Those days are gone for voice, but we're right back there again when it comes to HD video calls. However, random product researcher Fraunhofer is working on a new device to kill the lag and speed up your two-way monologues. It's basically an encoder card able to do hardware squashing of HD video via H.264 and audio via AAC, not unlike the sort of tech Skype requires for its SkypeHD-compatible video cameras. Fraunhofer's tech is also said to remove boomy room echoes and even handle network hiccups to keep you streamin' in style. The result is said to be sub-100ms lag, which would be more or less playable for a shooter. Expect more on this development soon from IFA.

Continue reading Fraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy

Fraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacencodingfraunhoferh.264hardware encodingHardwareEncodinghd video conferencingHdVideoConferencingta2video conferencingVideoConferencingvoipMon, 30 Aug 2010 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/#commentsThe H.264 codec that makes a good deal of digital video possible has actually been free to use (under certain conditions) for many years, but following recent controversies over the future of web video, rightholders have agreed to extend that freedom in perpetuity. Whereas originally standards organization MPEG-LA had said it wouldn't collect royalties from those freely distributing AVC/H.264 video until 2016, the limitless new timeframe may mean that content providers banking on WebM and HTML5 video won't have an expensive surprise in the years to come. Then again, patent licensing is complicated stuff and we'd hate to get your hopes up -- just know that if you're an end-user uploading H.264 content you own and intend to freely share with the world, you shouldn't expect a collection agency to come knocking on your door. PR after the break.

Continue reading MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed

MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AVCcodeccodecsformatformat warFormatWarfreeh.264HTML5legallicensingMPEGmpeg laMPEG-4MPEG-LAMpegLapatent licensingPatentLicensingroyaltiesroyalty freeroyalty-freeRoyaltyFreestreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingVP8web videoWebMWebVideoThu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/sanyo-xacti-vpc-pd2bk-1080p-pocket-camcorder-with-3x-optical-zoo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/sanyo-xacti-vpc-pd2bk-1080p-pocket-camcorder-with-3x-optical-zoo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/sanyo-xacti-vpc-pd2bk-1080p-pocket-camcorder-with-3x-optical-zoo/#comments With smartphones and point-n-shoot cameras doing most of our impromptu video recordings, it's getting harder and harder to justify the purchase of these pocket-sized camcorders. Perhaps that's why Sanyo is positioning its Flip competitor as a "dual camera" -- capable of capturing 10 megapixel stills or 1080p/30fps MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video with stereo audio. Model VPC-PD2BK features an integrated USB jack that swivels out for some hot laptop mating sessions, a 3X optical zoom, 37-mm wide-angle lens, mini-HDMI port, and support for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. Look for it in September with a suggest price of $169.99 in North America.

Continue reading Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom

Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK 1080p pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camcordercamerah.264pocket camcorderPocketCamcordersanyostereoVPC-PD2BKxactixacti VPC-PD2BKXactiVpc-pd2bkFri, 20 Aug 2010 01:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Elgato debuts Turbo.264 HD Software Edition, cuts price of hardware edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/elgato-debuts-turbo-264-hd-software-edition-cuts-price-of-hardw/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/elgato-debuts-turbo-264-hd-software-edition-cuts-price-of-hardw/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/elgato-debuts-turbo-264-hd-software-edition-cuts-price-of-hardw/#comments Here at Engadget HQ, there's hardly a more overused piece of equipment than Elgato's (Mac only) Turbo.264 HD -- in our experience, it chews through bloated video files at a breakneck pace, leaving us with shrunken versions of CES hands-on and the like without any noticeable degradation in quality. Now, that same functionality is being introduced sans an easy-to-forget USB dongle as the Turbo.264 HD Software Edition. For all intents and purposes, the SE version does the exact same thing as the original, albeit at a presumably slower pace. 'Course, it'll still convert videos for use on portable devices (or just shrink the files sizes for easier archiving) far quicker than whatever method you're using now, and the $49.95 price tag is certainly a bit easier to swallow. Oh, and speaking of MSRPs -- Elgato just hacked $50 from the price of the hardware-accelerated version, leaving it at a delectable $99.95. Mmm, files. Delicious.

Continue reading Elgato debuts Turbo.264 HD Software Edition, cuts price of hardware edition

Elgato debuts Turbo.264 HD Software Edition, cuts price of hardware edition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleconversionelgatoeyetvfilefile conversionFileConversionH.264hardware accelerationHardwareAccelerationmacos xOsXsoftwaretranscodeTurbo.264 HDTurbo.264 HD seTurbo.264HdTurbo.264HdSevideovideo editingVideoEditingThu, 15 Jul 2010 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung MP3 player goes 60 hours on a charge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/samsung-mp3-player-goes-60-hours-on-a-charge/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/samsung-mp3-player-goes-60-hours-on-a-charge/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/samsung-mp3-player-goes-60-hours-on-a-charge/#comments Once upon a time, it meant something to have a digital audio player that went upwards of two full days without needing a charge. Since then, we've seen many, many examples, and it's just not that exciting anymore. But you know what? It's still not that often we see a DAP with 60 hours of battery life and a 3-inch, QVGA TFT LCD that plays ten hours of DivX, Xvid, WMV and H.264 video to boot, so we think Samsung's YP-RB might deserve an honorable mention. The player was recently spotted in a Korean distributor catalog in 4, 8 and 16GB varieties, and we hope (but doubt, given tricky patent licensing issues) that we'll see one stateside sometime soon.

Samsung MP3 player goes 60 hours on a charge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60 hour battery life60HourBatteryLifebattery lifeBatteryLifeDAPDivXH.264mp3mp3 playerMP3 playersMp3PlayerMp3Playersmusicmusic playermusic playersMusicPlayerMusicPlayersPMPportable audioPortableAudioSamsungSamsung YP-RBSamsungYp-rbWMVXvidYP-RBMon, 10 May 2010 10:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/know-your-rights-h-264-patent-licensing-and-you/#commentsKnow Your Rights is Engadget's technology law series, written by our own totally punk ex-copyright attorney Nilay Patel. In it we'll try to answer some fundamental tech-law questions to help you stay out of trouble in this brave new world. This isn't legal advice or analysis, so don't get all donked in the head.

What on earth is going on with H.264, patents, and video encoding on the web? It seems like ever since Steve Jobs published his Thoughts on Flash the world has gone crazy.

We know what you mean! It's getting pretty silly out there. OSNews just declared that H.264 would be the death of video art and culture because professional video cameras are only licensed by AT&T for personal and non-commercial usage. Terrifying, although most of the creative people we know have continued working free of devastating laser attacks from space.

Continue reading Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you

Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleformatformat warFormatWargoogleh.264know your rightsKnowYourRightskyrlarry hornLarryHornmicrosoftmpeg lampeg-laMpegLaoggogg theoraOggTheoratheoravideovideo formatvideo formatsVideoFormatVideoFormatsweb videoWebVideoTue, 04 May 2010 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft weighs in: 'the future of the web is HTML5']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/30/microsoft-weighs-in-the-future-of-the-web-is-html5/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/30/microsoft-weighs-in-the-future-of-the-web-is-html5/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/30/microsoft-weighs-in-the-future-of-the-web-is-html5/#comments Where Steve Jobs leads, Microsoft follows -- how's that for shaking up the hornet's nest? It's said in jest, of course, but we've just come across a post from the General Manager for Internet Explorer, Dean Hachamovitch, and the perspective expressed by him on the subject of web content delivery broadly agrees with the essay penned by Jobs yesterday on the very same subject. Echoing the Apple CEO's words, Hachamovitch describes HTML5 as "the future of the web," praising it for allowing content to be played without the need for plug-ins and with native hardware acceleration (in both Windows 7 and Mac OS X). He goes on to identify H.264 as the best video codec for the job -- so much so that it'll be the only one supported in IE9's HTML5 implementation -- before turning to the dreaded subject of Flash.

This is where it gets good, because he literally repeats one of Jobs' six pillars of Flash hate: "reliability, security, and performance" are not as good as Microsoft would like them. Where Hachamovitch diverges from Apple's messiah, however, is in describing Flash as an important part of "a good consumer experience on today's web," primarily because it's difficult for the typical consumer to access Flash-free content. Still, it's got to be depressing for Adobe's crew when the best thing either of the two biggest players in tech has to say about your wares is that they're ubiquitous. Wonder how Shantanu Narayen is gonna try and spin this one.

P.S. : it's notable that in multiple paragraphs of discussing "the future," Microsoft's IE general fails to once mention the fabled Silverlight, itself a rich media browser plug-in. Given Silverlight's featured role in the Windows Phone 7 infrastructure and other things like Netflix, we doubt it's on the outs, but there are sure to be some sour faces greeting Hachamovitch this morning.

[Thanks, KnifeX4]

Microsoft weighs in: 'the future of the web is HTML5' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobebrowsersDean HachamovitchDeanHachamovitchflashh.264html5ieie9internetinternet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9microsoftrich mediaRichMediasilverlightwebFri, 30 Apr 2010 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Adobe's Flash Player 'Gala' OS X preview tested: results may vary]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/adobes-flash-player-gala-os-x-preview-tested-results-may-var/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/adobes-flash-player-gala-os-x-preview-tested-results-may-var/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/adobes-flash-player-gala-os-x-preview-tested-results-may-var/#comments
Gala1 Flash 101
2.40GHz Core i5, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256MB2
Safari 4.0.5 95.4 - 152.8 74.2 - 123.5
Firefox 3.6.4 83.5 - 148.4 89.4 - 130.5
2.66GHz Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 512MB2
Safari 4.0.5 59 - 64 96 - 132
Firefox 3.6.4 69 - 79 111 - 140

So we just put a few minutes aside to put Adobe's new "Gala" build of Flash 10.1 through its paces on our latest-generation Core i5 and i7 15-inch MacBook Pros here, and the results are a little confusing to say the least. On our i7 equipped with the high-res display and 512MB GeForce GT 330M, processor utilization playing a 1080p sample video on YouTube dropped by a third to a half on average -- not bad -- with Safari 4.0.5 besting Firefox 3.6.4 by a smidge. Our i5 saw strangely different numbers, though, with Gala actually increasing the load on the CPU by as much as about 20 percent. Adobe is quick to note that this is nothing more than a rough preview release; Apple just unlocked access to the necessary hardware a few days ago, after all, and we're sure the company still has plenty of optimization to do. Ultimately, if our i7 figures are realistic, it should make high-def Hulu a decidedly less drama-packed experience down the road.

Notes:
1 Performance measured by processor utilization (note that numbers greater than 100 are possible on multi-core machines).
2 15.4-inch high resolution display, 256GB SSD, 4GB RAM

Adobe's Flash Player 'Gala' OS X preview tested: results may vary originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeadobe flashadobe flash playerAdobeFlashAdobeFlashPlayerapplecore i5core i7CoreI5CoreI7flashflash 10.1flash playerFlash10.1FlashPlayergalageforce gt 330mGeforceGt330mgpu accelerationGpuAccelerationh.264hardware accelerationHardwareAccelerationmacbook proMacbookPronvidiaWed, 28 Apr 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sky Perfect launching 3D over satellite in Japan this summer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sky-perfect-launching-3d-over-satellite-in-japan-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sky-perfect-launching-3d-over-satellite-in-japan-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sky-perfect-launching-3d-over-satellite-in-japan-this-summer/#comments Another day, another broadcaster launching 3D. This time it's Japan's Sky Perfect JSAT, which plans to flip the switch ahead of World Cup 3D action in June. Of course this isn't the first 3D broadcasts for the country, but it's similar to rollouts planned by DirecTV here and Sky in the UK, using side by side format, h.264 compressed video to send the new broadcasts over existing boxes. Currently broadcasting 58 HD channels and still looking to add more, it plans to kick off with two or three programs, mostly sports and live events.

Sky Perfect launching 3D over satellite in Japan this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3dtvh.264hdjapanjsatsatelliteside by sideside by side 3dSideBySideSideBySide3dsky perfectsky perfectvSkyPerfectSkyPerfectvWed, 27 Jan 2010 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo bungs 23x optical zoom into Xacti DMX-SH11, Full HD into DMX-CG110]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sanyo-bungs-23x-optical-zoom-into-xacti-dmx-sh11-full-hd-into-d/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sanyo-bungs-23x-optical-zoom-into-xacti-dmx-sh11-full-hd-into-d/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/sanyo-bungs-23x-optical-zoom-into-xacti-dmx-sh11-full-hd-into-d/#comments Ever tried operating a handheld cam at 20x optical zoom? Without a tripod, your recordings tend to look like they were taken in the middle of an earthquake, so quite frankly, we ain't so wildly impressed with Sanyo's 23x-rated SH11 camcorder -- okay, we are, but we thought we'd inform you that that silly large number comes with limited use scenarios. Freshly announced, carrying 16GB of internal storage, and coming to Japan in late April, this is part of Sanyo's Dual Camera series, as its CMOS sensor is capable of 4 megapixel stills as well as 1080i / 30fps video in MPEG-4 format. It'll be joined there by the pistol grip-shaped CG110, which improves on the previous CGs by moving up to Full HD recording, adding 16GB of built-in storage, and even supporting SDXC cards. Check the source links for more.

Gallery: Sanyo Xacti DMX-SH11 and DMX-CG110

Sanyo bungs 23x optical zoom into Xacti DMX-SH11, Full HD into DMX-CG110 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080i720pcamcordercameracg110digital cameraDigitalCameradmx-cg110dmx-sh11full hdFullHdh.264handheld camcorderHandheldCamcorderhdhd camcorderHdCamcorderMPEG-4sanyosanyo xactiSanyoXactisdxcxactixacti dmx-sh11XactiDmx-sh11Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel GMA HD graphics review deems them excellent for video, mediocre for gaming]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/intel-gma-hd-graphics-review-deems-them-excellent-for-video-med/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/intel-gma-hd-graphics-review-deems-them-excellent-for-video-med/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/intel-gma-hd-graphics-review-deems-them-excellent-for-video-med/#comments Our Intel Arrandale / Clarkdale review bonanza was sprinkled with a few graphics benchmarks, but there was never a concerted effort to break down the specific upgrades on the 45nm GPU that comes as part of the new CPU package. That omission has now been corrected by Bit-tech, who've delved deep into the murky waters of embedded graphics and report that Intel's focus appears to have been firmly on video playback. Noting full bitstreaming (our HD editors inform us that's a big deal), Blu-ray with picture-in-picture, and HDMI 1.3a support, the lads commended the "very smooth" 1080p playback of h.264-encoded video. While their conclusion about gaming was less glowing -- finding that Intel's latest gen only keeps up with older hardware -- they couldn't help but recommend the new processors on account of their feature-rich video playback and energy efficiency. More benchmarks at the source link.

Intel GMA HD graphics review deems them excellent for video, mediocre for gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080parrandalebenchmarkbenchmarksbitstreamingclarkdaleembedded graphicsEmbeddedGraphicsfull hdFullHdgmagma hdGmaHdgpugraphicsh.264hdintegrated graphicsIntegratedGraphicsintelintel gmaIntelGmareviewMon, 25 Jan 2010 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[LG's XF2 media player does 1080p with subtitles, blows budgets, ships next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/lgs-xf2-media-player-does-1080p-with-subtitles-blows-budgets/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/lgs-xf2-media-player-does-1080p-with-subtitles-blows-budgets/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/lgs-xf2-media-player-does-1080p-with-subtitles-blows-budgets/#commentsLG's XF2 media player does 1080p with subtitles, ships next month When it comes to storage-based media players that you connect to your TV, it all boils down to performance, compatibility, and capacity. LG's XF2 player ships in April and, with its 1080p video and 5.1 audio output over HDMI, has the performance side covered. In terms of compatibility it hits all its marks (MPEG 1/2/4, h.264, Xvid, DivX, FLAC, WMA, AC3, etc. etc.), also supporting subtitles and captions in a number of formats. Capacity, well, 500GB is good, but more would have been better, especially given the lack of a network interface -- and the price. This one will retail for 270,000 won, or about $240. Yeah, ouch.

LG's XF2 media player does 1080p with subtitles, blows budgets, ships next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p500gbdivxflach.264hdmilglg xf2LgXf2media playerMediaPlayerxf2xvidWed, 13 Jan 2010 09:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung NX10 made official -- APS-C sensor and AMOLED screen crammed into hybrid DSLR body]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/03/samsung-nx10-made-official-aps-c-sensor-and-amoled-screen-cra/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/03/samsung-nx10-made-official-aps-c-sensor-and-amoled-screen-cra/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/03/samsung-nx10-made-official-aps-c-sensor-and-amoled-screen-cra/#comments Samsung has just announced its NX10 "hybrid DSLR," which aims to give you all the uncompromising image quality of a full digital SLR within a somewhat more pocketable body. A 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor is a good start on that road, while "fast and decisive" contrast AF and a snazzy 3-inch AMOLED display keep the momentum going. There's 720p H.264-encoded video recording as well, but naturally you do have to make some tradeoffs for the reduced size. The mirror box is gone -- leaving you with only an electronic viewfinder -- and the brand new NX lens mounting system means you'll have to purchase your favorite lenses all over again. We'll wait and see whether the NX10 shows any appreciable advantages (such as price!) over the slightly smaller Micro Four Thirds shooters out there, but with a spring 2010 release date and a CES appearance on the cards, that wait shouldn't be too long. Go past the break for the full PR and spec sheet.

Update: DPReview has an in-depth breakdown and a hands-on preview of the new shooter with a few sample shots posted from a pre-production unit.

Gallery: Samsung NX10

Continue reading Samsung NX10 made official -- APS-C sensor and AMOLED screen crammed into hybrid DSLR body

Samsung NX10 made official -- APS-C sensor and AMOLED screen crammed into hybrid DSLR body originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720pamoledaps-cbreaking newsBreakingNewscesces 2010Ces2010cmosdigital cameraDigitalCameradrime ii proDrimeIiProdslrh.264hybridhybrid camerahybrid dslrHybridCameraHybridDslrmpeg-4nx10officialprsamsungsamsung nx10SamsungNx10Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iToos M6HD PMP outputs 1080i without breaking anyone's bank]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/27/itoos-m6hd-pmp-outputs-1080i-without-breaking-anyones-bank/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/27/itoos-m6hd-pmp-outputs-1080i-without-breaking-anyones-bank/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/27/itoos-m6hd-pmp-outputs-1080i-without-breaking-anyones-bank/#comments There's really only two things you need to know about the iToos M6HD PMP, and at the risk of repeating the headline: it can output 1080i via HDMI and its price is pretty hard to argue with. As for the fine print, we're looking at a 4.3-inch TFT screen with 480 x 272 resolution, 4GB internal memory upgradeable via memory card, and the usual variety of codecs you've come to expect from Asian PMPs, including FLAC audio and H.264 video. According to Akihabara News, it technically retails for only $58.50, but for the moment the best we've seen is online retailer Ownta for pocket change under $87.

iToos M6HD PMP outputs 1080i without breaking anyone's bank originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080iflach.264hdmiitoositoos m6 hdItoosM6Hdm6hdpappmppvpSun, 27 Dec 2009 05:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Cowon V5 HD set for South Korea debut on January 1]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/cowon-v5-hd-set-for-south-korea-debut-on-january-1/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/cowon-v5-hd-set-for-south-korea-debut-on-january-1/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/cowon-v5-hd-set-for-south-korea-debut-on-january-1/#comments Cowon has finally made its latest and greatest PMP official, and the spec sheet does not disappoint. Mixing appealing curves with a 4.8-inch display, the V5 HD offers 720p video playback that can be channeled out via HDMI or Composite outputs. On the software front, there's the usual litany of wide-ranging file compatibility and basic apps -- cortesy of Windows CE 6.0 -- as well as a world clock, RSS reader, Flash games, voice recorder, and an optional T-DMB tuner. We still don't know what's doing the dirty work under the hood, but you won't be wanting for storage, with integrated memory options up to 32GB being augmented by SDHC expandability. Battery life is rated at 10 hours of video or 45 hours of music, and the Korean landing date is January 1 with prices starting at 299,000 KRW ($256). Until then, you can check out more pictures after the break.

[Thanks, The DarkSide]

Continue reading Cowon V5 HD set for South Korea debut on January 1

Cowon V5 HD set for South Korea debut on January 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720pcompositecowoncowon v5cowon v5 hdCowonV5CowonV5Hddaph.264hdhdmimp3 playerMp3Playerpmprss readerRssReadersdsdhct-dmbv5 hdV5Hdwindowswindows cewindows ce 6windows ce 6.0WindowsCeWindowsCe6WindowsCe6.0Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/blu-ray-3d-specifications-finalized-your-ps3-is-ready/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/blu-ray-3d-specifications-finalized-your-ps3-is-ready/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/blu-ray-3d-specifications-finalized-your-ps3-is-ready/#comments In case plans by AMD and a slew of other tech vendors planning to showcase 3D Blu-ray compatible products at CES wasn't a tip-off, the updated specifications are done. The key details? First, that the Blu-ray Disc Association has chosen the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec to store 3D, so that even though it is now providing a full 1080p frame for each eye, it will only require about 50% more storage space compared to the 2D version, and all discs will be fully backwards compatible, in 2D, on existing players. Better than backwards compatibility, the PlayStation 3 will be forwards compatible with the new discs -- a new HDTV setup (the spec promises to work with plasmas, LCDs or projectors equally well) with IR emitters and glasses will still be necessary. According to the PR (after the break) we can expect Blu-ray 3D-stickered products in 2010, our only advice is to keep those responsible for the Cowboys Stadium abomination far, far away from it.

Continue reading Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready

Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p3dactive shutterActiveShutteravcBlu-Raycesces 2010ces2010full hd 3dFullHd3dH.264mvcnvidiapanasonicsonyspecificationstandardThu, 17 Dec 2009 05:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and AIR 2 betas are out, multi-touch and video acceleration are in (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/adobe-flash-player-10-1-beta-is-out-multi-touch-and-video-accel/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/adobe-flash-player-10-1-beta-is-out-multi-touch-and-video-accel/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/adobe-flash-player-10-1-beta-is-out-multi-touch-and-video-accel/#commentsHere we go: Adobe just made its Flash 10.1 prerelease packages available for download in fulfillment of its Open Screen promise. The download is available for Windows, Intel-based Mac, and Linux systems with a smartphone version coming later; notably, while no other mobile OS is specifically mentioned, Adobe says that a beta for Palm webOS is slated for "later this year" on its Flash Player 10.1 page. At the moment, however, only the Windows release includes hardware-based video acceleration for H.264 video. And this is beta-ware kids, so there's more than the usual level of hazard with installing. Then again, for those of you with Atom-based netbooks brought to their knees by full-screen HD video, well, the benefits likely outweigh the risk for you. Adobe also announced an AIR 2 beta which allows developers to build more feature-rich applications including multi-touch capabilities -- see the unholy union demonstrated on an HP TouchSmart in the video after the break.

Update: As noted by reader ZeroK2 in the comments, the release notes [warning: PDF] specify which GPUs will benefit from the hardware acceleration. These include ATI Radeon HD 3xxx and 4xxx series, Mobile Radeon HD 4xxx series, select FirePro products, Intel 4 series chipsets, the Broadcom Crystal HD decoder, and most NVIDIA ION and GeForce 8/9/1xx/2xx powered PCs. In other words, the vast majority of netbook owners with integrated GMA950 graphics need not apply.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and AIR 2 betas are out, multi-touch and video acceleration are in (video)

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Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and AIR 2 betas are out, multi-touch and video acceleration are in (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10.110.1 beta10.1Beta2.0 beta2.0Betaaccelerationadobeairair 2air 2.0air 2.0 betaAir2Air2.0Air2.0Betabetaflashflash 10.1Flash10.1h.264hardware accelerationHardwareAccelerationmultitouchprereleaseTue, 17 Nov 2009 03:25:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mede8er Multimedia Monster gets reviewed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/the-mede8er-multimedia-monster-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/the-mede8er-multimedia-monster-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/the-mede8er-multimedia-monster-gets-reviewed/#commentsMede8er Multimedia Monster
There aren't many HD related technologies more difficult to keep up with than media streamers, but of course that doesn't mean we're going to stop trying and with that we bring you a review of the Mede8er Multimedia Monster by Tx Daily. Overall the reviewer was happy with the performance and usability of the device. He found no problems playing back Blu-ray rips in MKV containers and recommends the device "to anyone looking for a total Full HD solution." We do however wish more emphasis was put on the user interface because we find that the weak point of most of these media streamers is exposed when trying to navigate tons of HD content. A video with lots of zooming and a heavy accent after the jump.

Continue reading The Mede8er Multimedia Monster gets reviewed

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The Mede8er Multimedia Monster gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayh.264hdMede8er Multimedia MonsterMede8erMultimediaMonstermkvTue, 22 Sep 2009 17:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Intel-powered set-top box running Flash, decoding HD video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/video-intel-powered-set-top-box-running-flash-decoding-hd-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/video-intel-powered-set-top-box-running-flash-decoding-hd-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/video-intel-powered-set-top-box-running-flash-decoding-hd-vide/#comments Intel's making a big TV push here at IDF, and a lot of it centers around the CE 3100 Media Processor, which combines an 800MHz Pentium M core with a proprietary video processing core all on one chip. That's about as much power as a 1.2GHz Atom, and it's enabled some pretty cool demos, like this box that's running a custom Flash Lite UI on top of Linux. The video silicon accelerates H.264 playback, so newer YouTube content looked fantastic -- some of the best big-screen YouTube we've ever seen actually. That's all the software was optimized for, however -- older content that required software decoding looked much worse, and playback wasn't stellar. That's down to optimization, though, and we're willing to forgive it, especially since the demo was put together in two weeks or so. Of course, the big question when you're looking at an IA core running Flash is whether or not this rig can do Hulu on a big screen, and the answer was cautious but optimistic: it's technically possible and even somewhat easy, but as usual it all comes down to Hulu allowing it. (What else did you expect?) Still, it's interesting to see a set-top box with some actual processing power, and Intel's got some more interesting demos for us coming up, including a three-tuner Tru2Way HTPC that can send video to a PS3. Video after the break!

Continue reading Video: Intel-powered set-top box running Flash, decoding HD video

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Video: Intel-powered set-top box running Flash, decoding HD video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ce 3100Ce3100connected tvConnectedTvengadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturedfeaturedvideofeaturesflashflash liteFlashLiteh.264huluidfidf 2009Idf2009intelmedia processorMediaProcessorstbvideoyoutubeTue, 22 Sep 2009 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola's new pro encoder makes 1080p cable broadcasts a breeze]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/motorolas-new-pro-encoder-makes-1080p-broadcast-a-breeze/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/motorolas-new-pro-encoder-makes-1080p-broadcast-a-breeze/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/motorolas-new-pro-encoder-makes-1080p-broadcast-a-breeze/#commentsMoto SE-5100 MPEG encoder
Everyone knows the holy grail of video today is 1080p60, but not many realize there is almost no 1080p60 to be found. Almost all Blu-ray Discs are 1080p at 24fps or maybe 1080p at 30 and most broadcast TV is 1080i60, which when properly de-interlaced is equivalent to 1080p30. What most don't know is why not, and the reason probably isn't what you think. Most would say it is the bandwidth, there simply isn't enough of it for 1080i, how could you possible do 1080p? But that isn't really the case and the new Motorola SE-6000 Multi-Encoder proves why (SE-5100 pictured above). This new piece of gear -- that you need to start praying your favorite channel buys -- can actually enable a broadcaster to send out honestest to goodness 1080p using the same number of bits as 1080i60 by using H.264 instead of MPEG-2. So in other words, assuming all the equipment in between this new guy and your TV or set-top can handle it, it is technologically possible for us to get true 1080p60 at home. We can dream, right?

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Motorola's new pro encoder makes 1080p cable broadcasts a breeze originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p1080p60cablefiberh.264hdmotorolaotasatelliteTue, 22 Sep 2009 14:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Gartner predicts that by 2013, 95 percent of video will be H.264]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/gartner-predicts-that-by-2013-95-percent-of-video-will-be-h-264/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/gartner-predicts-that-by-2013-95-percent-of-video-will-be-h-264/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/gartner-predicts-that-by-2013-95-percent-of-video-will-be-h-264/#commentsThis is an older report by Gartner that just caught our eye, but we just found the news so refreshing -- and predictable -- that we couldn't pass it up. The long and the short of the $500 report is that H.264 has finally won the codec competition and that in the next few years everything will be encoded with it. Although this makes sense to standardize on a codec going forward, it is hard for us to imagine over-the-air broadcast TV changing from MPEG-2 in the next four years. While it is true that H.264 has been part of the ATSC spec for a few years now, with all that equipment out in the field already it is hard to imagine much of it getting replaced again in the next 10 years, never the less the next four.

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Gartner predicts that by 2013, 95 percent of video will be H.264 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATSCAVCGartnerH.264hdTue, 22 Sep 2009 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo Xacti CG11 is the perfect cam for 'beginners and women']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/sanyo-xacti-cg11-is-the-perfect-cam-for-beginners-and-women/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/sanyo-xacti-cg11-is-the-perfect-cam-for-beginners-and-women/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/sanyo-xacti-cg11-is-the-perfect-cam-for-beginners-and-women/#comments Sanyo's range of Xacti camcorders may be as wide as the Sargasso Sea, but nowadays even its entry-level shooters pimp some pretty advanced features. The CG11 is a case in point, coming with a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of 720p recording, integrated EyeFi and mini-HDMI connectivity options, and the usual gunslinger aesthetic. Storage of the H.264-encoded MPEG-4 output is handled by SDHC media, and there's also 5x optical zoom, anti-shake and a stereo mic for getting things just right. Folks in Japan, whether they be beginners, pros, women or men (no matter what the mangled machine translation tells us), will be able to buy one from September 11 for ¥30,000 ($318).

[Via Impress]

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Sanyo Xacti CG11 is the perfect cam for 'beginners and women' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camcordercg11DMX-CG11EyeFiH.264mini-hdmimpeg-4SanyoSanyo xactisanyo xacti cg11SanyoXactiSanyoXactiCg11SDHCxactixacti cg11XactiCg11Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST