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Comcast On Demand Online renamed Fancast Xfinity TV, now streaming nationwide

Richard Lawler — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST

After taking some time in limited beta, Comcast has renamed its TV Everywhere streaming venture Fancast Xfinity TV and made it available nationally to all customers with internet and cable TV subscriptions. A simple browser plugin authorizes up to 3 computers per account, but now that it's live we've found more has changed than just its unfortunate new name. Users won't need to be at home to activate their computers for viewing; all that's needed is a login and with plenty of cross browser compatibility it should work easily no matter your setup anywhere within the U.S. For us, the Comcast Access installer worked flawlessly on one Windows 7 equipped netbook while failing with an error message tech support couldn't decipher on a similar desktop. Once up and running, there's even some high-definition streaming video available (Juno, Max Payne, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary and others) with more on the way. All told there's about 2000 hours of content online including HBO and Starz restricted items, peep the full list on Fancast.com or check out the setup and viewing process in our gallery below. Technical glitches aside, for the price of absolutely nothing over our current cable and internet bill with HD streaming already active, we may have a new way to keep up with our stories while on the go.

Gallery: Comcast Fancast Xfinity TV

Comcast On Demand Online renamed Fancast Xfinity TV, now streaming nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST

Comcast's Amy Banse just hit the stage at NewTeeVee Live and announced key details about the company's new On Demand Online launch. If you can't check out the video (embedded after the break) here's the important stuff: It will be available at no additional cost to existing subscribers and allow the authorization of up to 3 devices per household. Log in once from home to Comcast.net or Fancast.com, download the Move Networks powered player to authorize your PC and proceed to stream from the very healthy library of VOD, whether at home or anywhere else, despite previous rumors to the contrary. The bad news? Yes, this does still count against the 250GB monthly cap if used at home and still no word on HD streaming, but within the concept of making content available to subscribers wherever they want to view it, this seems like a good first step.

[Via Media Experiences 2 Go]

Continue reading Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet

Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST

Continue reading Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere

Filed under: Industry, Cable, Internet

Comcast TV Everywhere launch details: December, free for existing subs, really goes anywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Move Networks snaps up "virtual set top box" IPTV provider

Richard Lawler — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:46:00 EST

Just in case someone wants their own IPTV streaming entry, Move Networks has apparently moved beyond mere browser plugins, after powering the video for ABC, Fox ESPN and others, it is acquiring Inuk Networks, most notably the developer of an IPTV platform built to deliver a "TV experience" to PCs and anything else connected to the Internet. The idea is to give viewers all the features -- DVR, VOD, EPG & more -- that they expect on TV, on a PC or Mac. Of course, cable operators already seem to be building their own similar solutions, but we don't doubt we'll be seeing someone busting out this platform sooner rather than later.

Filed under: Media streamers, Internet

Move Networks snaps up "virtual set top box" IPTV provider originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Move Networks streams over 100 million hours of HD video in 2008

Darren Murph — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:52:00 EST

Move Networks has a pretty amazing statistic to share with the world: in 2008, it streamed over 100 million hours of high-definition content, and that's compared to 180 million hours of total content. Additionally, it experienced a 100% growth in the amount of people watching internet television, and if you're wondering why figures from this company are notable, have a listen. It's responsible for streaming 60% of the most popular TV shows and 11 or the top 20 primetime TV shows including Fringe, Lost, Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty. Even Bill Bradford, Chief Product Officer of Fox Digital Media, noted that it has seen "tremendous growth in its audience since partnering with Move Networks to deliver its programs online." No wonder TV manufacturers are champing at the bit to get online video portals on their sets.

Filed under: Industry, Fiber

Move Networks streams over 100 million hours of HD video in 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NeuLion iPTV HD Box streams Internet videos to the TV

Richard Lawler — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST

NeuLion, the people behind the NFL's GamePass HD and Game Rewind online streaming video services, is launching a standalone IPTV receiver capable of decoding 720p or 1080i video. The iPTV HD TV Box not intended to be sold directly to consumers, but their partners may offer it so viewers can take their Silverlight, Flash or Move Networks encoded streams to the HDTV. No word whether any tuners are included but it can access a 7-day channel guide, output Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and serve as a DVR. A bit simpler than an HTPC and probably cheaper than a whole new HDTV, keep an eye out for the first boxes shipping in March.

Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes, Internet

NeuLion iPTV HD Box streams Internet videos to the TV originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Game Rewind tested: All HD, all the games, no commercials

Richard Lawler — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:44:00 EST

The NFL's online on-demand service, Game Rewind, is live and promising every game in high definition with no commercial interruption. Football fans are expected to kick in either $4.99 for a week pass or $19.99 for a full season of access, just enough that they may want to check out Streaming Media's impressions of the service before dropping any cash. Overall results seem impressive, with PQ on the actual service far surpassing the demo available on NFL.com, with only momentary buffering and no stuttering reported using Move Networks' streaming technology that's previously powered the NFL's GamePass HD for international viewers and others like ABC.com, AT&T and the Metropolitan Opera. Future potential could take this kind of service beyond the browser window (see Netflix Instant Watch) but for now we think this would only appeal to the most hardcore football fans (or, we can't bear to watch Lions game again, it's hard to tell at this point) and as the preview points out it would be a lot more attractive in a free / ad-supported package.

Filed under: Internet, Sports

NFL Game Rewind tested: All HD, all the games, no commercials originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metropolitan Opera online high definition player previewed ahead of October 22 launch

Richard Lawler — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:11:00 EST

The New York Times got an early peek at the Metropolitan Opera's new HD video on-demand streaming website, set to launch October 22, and came away with a few complaints. While the sound was described as clear and rich, accompanying sharp video, browser glitches and the need to download an add-on for the Move Networks based player made for a clumsy experience. If a $15 subscription month long subscription is too much, individual operas are available for $3.99 to $4.99 with 13 high definition performances available initially. Being this close to the launch makes us think back 125 years ago when you had to actually go to the Met to see an Opera or the old days of 2007, when you had to put on pants and leave the house to get a high definition show. The future, is now.

Filed under: Internet, New content

Metropolitan Opera online high definition player previewed ahead of October 22 launch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shut-ins rejoice, Metropolitan Opera delivers over the internet

Steven Kim — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:49:00 EST

Let's say you're interested in checking out a HD performance of the Metropolitan Opera, but the idea of getting your entertainment on someone else's schedule doesn't agree with your PVR-placeshifted-virtual community sensibilities. No problem -- beginning on October 22, the Met is bringing 170 performances -- 120 audio-only, 50 with video -- including recent HD simulcast shows (promised to be in web-quality HD) to your browser. This will be a subscription service, to the tune of $15 per month, or $150 for the whole year. Having to install a dedicated Move Networks player to keep everything on the up-and-up is a niggle, but if there aren't participating theaters or PBS affiliates in your area, it's worth checking out.

[Via press]

Filed under: Media PCs, Internet

Shut-ins rejoice, Metropolitan Opera delivers over the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T signs on to distribute Move-enabled video content

Darren Murph — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:26:00 EST

It's still a touch unclear to us exactly what this means for end-users, but AT&T has just inked a deal with Move Networks that will enable it to "deliver Move-enabled video content to companies and their users." The release states that Move Networks technology allows "media and entertainment companies to deliver live and on-demand high-definition programming to computers over the internet in a true television-like experience," so we're wondering if AT&T won't start offering some type of HD content via the web. Then again, this whole agreement may be focused on the business sector, so we lowly consumers may never be able to take advantage. Guess we'll see in time, huh?

[Thanks, Anthony]

Filed under: Industry, Fiber, Internet

AT&T signs on to distribute Move-enabled video content originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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