Engadget HD

Engadget HD Podcast 144 - 07.01.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Good times this week as we discuss the future fallout of The Pirate Bay and illegal downloads in general. But that isn't the only fun we had as we also continued our Harris Poll talk, which we finally cut short since we are just sick of it. That doesn't mean we didn't continue talking Blu-ray though, as we covered more polls, including our own, and the latest Blu-ray player from Oppo. Finally we were all over the map on topics such as Hulu and the PS3, touchscreen remotes -- and why they suck -- then finally a little Curb your Enthusiasm and the ultimate technology laggards.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[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
00:01:10 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 143 - 06.24.2009
00:08:34 - Pirate Bay acquired by Global Gaming Factory, going legit like Napster
00:17:35 - Top ten rationales for illegally downloading HDTV shows
00:24:25 - Harris Poll concerning Blu-ray and HD DVD penetration is way off
00:27:28 - Futuresource still predicting big things for Blu-ray
00:29:32 - Poll: So how do YOU think Blu-ray is doing?
00:38:48 - Oppo BDP-83 pre-orders now open for all (in North America)
00:44:27 - Supreme Court declines to hear remote storage DVR appeal, cloud recording is on the way
00:50:06 - Why aren't MTV HD's music videos in high definition?
00:52:44 - Hulu to PlayStation 3 browsers: "This video is not available on your platform"
00:56:16 - Hands-on with the Apple TV iPhone remote
01:01:30 - Netgear MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter review
01:07:30 - Curb Your Enthusiasm going HD this season, if you really want to see Larry David in HD
01:11:16 - 2.1 million households let the DTV transition pass them by

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

Engadget HD Podcast 144 - 07.01.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Steven Kim — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Summer's here, but haven't you heard that the sun is really, really bad for you? Make like a Morlock and stay inside with sweet HD technology to keep you company. And just to make sure you're up to date with said tech, join us for the live Ustream transmission of the Engadget HD podcast. We didn't give you much heads up last week, but now you've got a few good hours to plan your cubicle disappearance for Tuesday, June 30 at 5:30PM EDT. Embedded Ustream audio/chat after the break, to be followed with a list of topics as soon as we cull the herd.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 143 - 06.25.2009

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

We're back with a vengeance this week -- tune in as we plow through a dozen of topics, each more riveting than the previous one. Well... okay, maybe not "riveting," but we did find some highs and lows from entirely unexpected sources this week. And no, despite Harris Interactive's poll that ran through the interwebs this week, we're not putting Blu-ray on deathwatch just yet; so you'll just have to listen in and find the surprising bits for yourself.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[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
00:00:55 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 141 - 06.17.2009
00:04:05 - Blu-ray's Managed Copy explained, a Movie Jukebox is possible
00:18:45 - Poll: How much would you pay to make a copy of a Blu-ray Disc?
00:20:30 - Meijer's brand new $99 (shipped) Blu-ray player brings joy to skinflints everywhere
00:24:30 - Evidently it's still cool to hate on Blu-ray: Harris Poll spin
00:30:35 - Paramount launches Sapphire Series line of premium Blu-ray releases
00:35:25 - Sony Pictures to smarten up Blu-ray with MovieIQ, the "killer app for BD-Live"
00:39:35 - VIZIO Internet App HDTVs launch later this year, for less than you might expect
00:46:05 - Samsung HT-WS1 soundbar review
00:51:20 - Moxi HD DVR Review
00:59:38 - TiVo coming to Time Warner Cable, potentially lots of other providers
01:08:00 - Panasonic unveils 85-inch plasma at InfoComm '09
01:17:07 - Giant Cowboys Stadium LED wall caught playing Xbox 360 during downtime Update: Video!

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

Engadget HD Podcast 143 - 06.25.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Steven Kim — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Whether you stop by for the audio commentary of the hosts, the text chat among HD enthusiasts, or just the rebellious feeling of doing something fun while you should be working, you're welcome to join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30PM EDT. Come on -- get up to date on HD, make some virtual friends and stick it to the man! A list of this week's topics and embedded Ustream audio/chat after the break.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 142 - 06.20.2009: Macrovision's Richard Bullwinkle

Trent Wolbe — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Everyone likes to predict the future right? So when Richard Bullwinkle of Macrovision wanted to share his vision of the future of TV once it has converged with the internet, we decided to record it for your listening pleasure. We actually think you'll be surprised to hear how much his, and Macrovision's, predictions of the future have in common with our own. Without giving too much away, we'll just say that it isn't anything like Yahoo's.

Get the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Host: Ben Drawbaugh

Producer: Trent Wolbe

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

Engadget HD Podcast 142 - 06.20.2009: Macrovision's Richard Bullwinkle originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 141 - 06.17.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

After last week's sleeper of a show we were excited to jump in and talk up interesting topics like Managed Copy, the digital transition and the latest do it all media device from Popcorn Hour. As you've come to expect, we took questions via comments, the phone, and the live chat; so don't hesitate to let us know how you feel, any way you like.

UPDATE: Looks like we have some gremlins in our MP3 version of the podcast, but the other formats should be fine. Please bear with us as we try to get the MP3 sorted.

UPDATE: Things seem to be working now, so you can finally hear how Ben managed to lose 20,000 rankings across his music library in one fell swoop. Ouch!

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:05 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 140 - 06.10.2009
04:30 - Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware
18:45 - Poll: Is Blu-ray coming to Apple anytime soon?
23:57 - Transformers Blu-ray owners get an early peek at the sequel via BD-Live
33:57 - Will the DTV transition get more people watching OTA television?
46:32 - Digital transition causing grief for Windows Media Center users
59:10 - PopcornHour's latest C200 media box is Blu-ray (& anything else) ready

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

Engadget HD Podcast 141 - 06.17.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Steven Kim — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:12:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

The digital transition has come and gone, ushering in a new era of broadcast television. Whether you fear the change or welcome our new digital overlords, one thing is pretty much the same -- the Engadget HD podcast is dishing up the week's HD news live on Ustream. If you're wondering what happened to all your TV channels, you're probably not going to get a lot of sympathy from our live chatroom audience, but trust us -- they're good folk. Come see for yourself on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30PM EDT. A list of this week's topics and embedded Ustream audio/chat after the break.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 140 - 06.10.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

A pretty light week in HD news, but the three of us put our heads together and with a little help from our Ustream chatroom, managed to talk for an hour. There's definitely great gear for HT enthusiasts, including Panasonic's new V10 NeoPDP panels and Paradigm's SUB 25 monster subwoofer; either (or both!) of which would be a great way to kick off TV's post-analog broadcast era this weekend. If the world doesn't explode into ones and zeros on Friday, we'll be back next week with more news.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:58 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 139 - 06.03.2009
07:05 - A cool new DTV map from the FCC to help you prepare for the transition
15:27 - CNET: TC-P50V10 is "Panasonic's best plasma yet"
21:26 - Hertz so good -- Paradigm Signature SUB 25 subwoofer review
27:48 - Epix HD 720p movie streaming service eyes-on
35:40 - Buena Vista and Vudu to sell HD titles day-and-date with Blu-ray
40:45 - AACS finalize, death to analog in 2013
48:10 - Poll: 1080p streaming video vs. Blu-ray

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

Engadget HD Podcast 140 - 06.10.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Steven Kim — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Do things like black levels, D65 color accuracy or room modes have you waking up in cold sweats? We've got some group therapy going on for you in the Engadget HD podcast. Stop on by Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30PM EDT and listen in to the podcast live on Ustream along with a bunch of like-minded HT enthusiasts. Better still, join the live chatroom and share your obsession. You don't have to go it alone any more, friend. Embedded Ustream audio/chat after the break.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 139 - 06.04.2009

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

According the comments from last week it seems we've really hit our stride incorporating uStream into the show and we have to say it makes it much more fun. If there were two themes with week it would be the Xbox 360 as a media hub and Hulu. Some might argue that this doesn't have anything to do with HD, but it does. Once again Richard joined us this week, which is always a good thing, but it is even better when we talk anything gamer related, because lord know the rest of us aren't gamers. Finally we have a soap box addition as we express our disgust in HDMI for the five new versions of HDMI 1.4 -- yes five.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:21 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 138 - 05.29.2009
14:10 - Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration
24:00 - Poll: Do you actually want to watch TV via your game console?
26:15 - Hulu Desktop app puts a remote control friendly face on for Macs & PCs
33:44 - Hulu coming to Roku video player?
43:00 - Poll: How much would you pay for Hulu on your TV?
50:40 - DISH / EchoStar ordered to pay TiVo $190 million in patent infringement case
59:23 - HDMI 1.4 officially detailed: Ethernet / Audio Return channels, 3D, 4K x 2K support

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

Engadget HD Podcast 139 - 06.04.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Steven Kim — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Even if you're that guy who shows up to your friend-of-a-friend's place on game day and picks apart their new TV, we'd love to have you join in on the Engadget HD podcast's live Ustream Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30PM EST. Heck, especially if you're that guy, you'll want to sit in on the broadcast and join in the chatroom as Ben and Steve get grumpy about this week's news. Let it out and let the healing begin -- a list of topics and embedded Ustream after the break.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream

Join the Engadget HD podcast live on Ustream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 138 - 05.28.2009

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Mea culpas all around after last week's show -- not our finest hour, but we're not willing to give up on Ustream altogether just yet. Apparently, we're not alone, as several people joined us live this week while we got back up on the Ustream horse again. We get grumpy with Microsoft's efforts this week, and somehow still maintain hope for a Media Center + Windows Home Server future. Don't confuse us with sunny, happy wall-people, though -- there's plenty of grousing to go around as we cover the rest of this week's news.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:02:25 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 137 - 05.20.2009
00:03:20 - Zune HD is official, heading your way this Fall
00:17:04 - Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders
00:26:15 - Linksys has no plans to add H.264 support to discontinued Extenders
00:34:03 - Is the future of Windows Media Center with Windows Home Server?
00:46:42 - Cablevision on track to deliver Network DVR this Summer
00:58:37 - TiVo Central Online adds Now Playing and To Do lists
01:01:09 - Nielsen stats find 33% of U.S. households with at least one HDTV
01:04:00 - Hands-on with Yahoo Widgets on a Samsung 7000 series HDTV
01:10:25 - Paradigm's Studio 60 v.5 5.1-channel speaker system gets a big thumbs up
01:13:03 - Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-ray player review

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

Engadget HD Podcast 138 - 05.28.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 28 May 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:13:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Do you talk back to the Engadget HD podcast as you're listening to it? Don't go around looking like a crazy person -- join in on the podcast live on UStream and hear it as it's being recorded! We'll begin broadcasting Wednesday around 5:30pm EST. There's no open mic, but you will get to hear the podcast before it goes into production (live and uncensored) and text chat with other listeners; and we promise to take your comments at the tail end of each topic. Head past the break for the straight dope.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream

Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 27 May 2009 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream

Steven Kim — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream

Join the Engadget HD podcast 138 live on UStream originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 26 May 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 137 - 05.20.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:16:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Good times this week as the oldest editor for Engadget HD finally joins your old favorites, unfortunately this new addition also introduced some technical difficulties so we had to work extra hard to clean up the audio. But despite our hard work we're afraid you're still going to be able to notice things didn't turn out quite right. We also continue to try out broadcasting the show on uStream and honestly think we've almost figured it out. When we do have it down, we'll be posting a link and letting you know the time and place in advanced. This week did have a really good slate of topics and the three of us didn't have any problems finding lots to talk about, so get ready for plenty of HD talk.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe
Program
00:01:38 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 136 - 05.14.2009
00:10:50 - Time Warner Cable loses HDNet at the end of the month, says "being in HD is not enough"
00:15:15 - History prepping WWII in HD series
00:19:49 - Netflix CFO talks Watch Now selection, competition
00:27:09 - Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3 review
00:35:15 - LG's WiFi-enabled, DivX-friendly BD390 Blu-ray player now shipping
00:39:25 - How do you like your TiVo, with bleeps & bloops or without?
00:43:33 - Automatic commercial skipping comes to Windows 7
00:52:55 - Linksys discontinues its Extenders for Media Center
01:02:00 - Hands-on with Microsoft's internet tv beta 2, still unwatchable
01:08:30 - If you saw Star Trek or The Dark Knight on IMAX Digital, did you get your money's worth?
01:21:35 - Poll: Best LCD backlighting choice?
01:27:45 - CBS.com ups the HD streaming ante, offers 1080p HD gallery of full episodes and clips
01:30:05 - HDMI 1.4 brings internet sharing, dreadful tiers of quality
01:34:50 - RealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval

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

Engadget HD Podcast 137 - 05.20.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 20 May 2009 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 136 - 05.14.2009

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

We're sticking with our format of taking live comments from the Ustream chat at the end of each topic. Big news on the HTPC front this week, as a way to get CableCARDs working with non-OEM supplied systems was unveiled and we even went through the process of getting the job done. If DIY HTPC tech isn't geeky enough for you, you'll probably like our HD 101 explanation of some of the alphabet soup in HDTV. We also talk about some gear that's passed through our hands lately, including the SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, Samsung's wall-mounted BD-P4600 Blu-ray player, and Logitech's Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3. Toss in some discussion about BD-Live's failure to capture our imagination, debate about whether to take in the new Star Trek movie in an IMAX or DLP theater, DISH Turbo HD customers missing out on the latest HD offerings, and chewing over what to do about line conditioners for your theater rig, and we call it a podcast!

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:38 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 135 - 05.06.2009
00:06:40 - How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center
00:24:00 - HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?
00:36:56 - SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone coming shortly: $29.99, no 3G support
00:42:28 - Hands-on with the Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-ray player
00:52:05 - Logitech Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3 -- official, real, and in our hands
00:57:30 - Sony Pictures responds to your poll results, discusses the future of BD-Live
01:04:43 - Best Buy still leads in Blu-ray sales, but Wal-mart is closing in
01:07:22 - Poll: Is Star Trek better at an IMAX or a DLP theater?
01:12:55 - All DISH customers with 5 new national HD channels step forward -- not so fast Turbo HD subs
01:16:45 - Ask Engadget HD: Best power and line conditioners for a big home theater?

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

Engadget HD Podcast 136 - 05.14.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 14 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 135 - 05.06.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Armed with some more interesting topics we once again try and broadcast the Engadget HD Podcast live via Ustream. Luckily this week we took a little different approach and did our best to ignore the chat until after we said what we had to say. Ultimately we think it turned out pretty good and are leaning towards making it a permanent part of the show -- but we'll wait on that decision until after we've read your comments. The highlight of the show this week was the DIY CableCARD PC news, which is really getting interesting. But we also talk about how silly the latest Vudu news is as well as how useless BD+ has turned out to be. Finally we talk a little TiVo, Hulu and DirecTV, so there really is a little of everything.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:38 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 134 - 04.29.2009
00:06:25 - DIY'ers successfully build their own CableCARD equipped HTPC
00:22:13 - DivX fills in the gaps and adds MKV support to Windows 7
00:31:10 - Vudu begins switch to an embedded service on Entone IPTV boxes
00:36:45 - Videociety VOD service uses Blu-ray players with BD-Live
00:41:05 - Paramount licenses BD+ DRM from Macrovision
00:45:35 - Survey screens reveal potential new FiOS guide, 1080p VOD, HD purchases on the way?
00:52:00 - Is TiVo planning a Flash upgrade?
00:56:22 - DirecTV HD TiVo actually not due until 2010
01:00:15 - DTV preparedness now more than 95-percent
01:01:55 - Disney grabs a piece of Hulu

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

Engadget HD Podcast 135 - 05.06.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 134 - 04.29.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

This week was a little slow for news, so we decided to try out a live chat room in USTREAM alongside our podcast, just to keep the degree of difficulty up. Between weaving in and out of conversations, we had a lot of talk about DVRs -- DirecTV is working on adding features, Moxi is lowering the barrier to entry, and TiVo is letting the competition catch up. The old red vs. blu topic came up for the first time in a long time, but Warner's Red2Blu trade-in program is more "assimilation/reconstruction" than "war." The next fight that comes to an end could very well be plasma vs. LCD, but from the reviews of Panasonic's 2009 plasma TVs that are coming in, it looks like plasma will go down swinging. Finally, the NFL managed to sneak onto the podcast with HD draft coverage. Thanks to all who joined us in the chat room; we'll spill the beans on getting you involved with the podcast as soon as we have a plan!

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:50 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 133 - 04.22.2009
07:20 - RealDVD ripping software heads to court, fair use advocates on pins and needles
11:24 - Cutting Edge update brings multiroom, dual live buffers to DirecTV HR2x / R22 HD DVRs
15:45 - Digeo offers Moxi DVRs for easy monthly payments
19:05 - Ten years of TiVo: how far we haven't come
23:56 - Amazon Video on Demand supports 5.1 surround on TiVo (plus hands-on)
25:10 - Warner reintegrates HD DVD faithful with Red2Blu trade-in program
27:07 - CNET reviews Panasonic's 720p TC-P50X1 plasma
32:52 - ESPN prepping its first HD NFL draft coverage

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

Engadget HD Podcast 134 - 04.29.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 133 - 04.22.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Lots of news hit the wire just before we started recording so we once again invited Nilay from the Engadget Podcast to join us and help out. He had an early peak at the Amazon HD streaming and provided some good insight, from an HD snob's point of view. Lucky for us he stuck around for the entire show when we also covered other VOD alternatives, the new Moxi HD DVR and a TiVo survey. Next we kinda struggled through some apparently unexciting Blu-ray news, but pushed on to discuss our most recent HD 101 post. We finally bring it all home with some bandwidth cap talk and a listener voice mail.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:00:55 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 132 - 04.15.2009
00:15:53 - Amazon Video on Demand HD on Roku Video Player hands-on
00:29:53 - DirecTV claims largest 1080p library, including all new HD VOD on the way
00:34:45 - Moxi HD DVR initial impressions
00:51:07 - TiVo survey hints at new name, direction for Series4 boxes
00:57:15 - Analyst: '09 YTD Blu-ray sales double those of '08, 10.5 million Blu-ray households in the U.S.
01:01:40 - Battlestar Galactica Complete Series Blu-ray set ready for preorder on Amazon
01:02:28 - Lord of the Rings trilogy Blu-ray set shows up on Amazon, but where's the extras?
01:05:05 - HD 101: How to use Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD with your PS3
01:16:03 - BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders
01:25:35 - Time Warner Cable scraps broadband capping plan in Rochester, NY

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

Engadget HD Podcast 133 - 04.22.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 132 - 04.15.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

A little bit of a slow news week didn't keep us from finding plenty to talk about in this week's show. There were plenty of comments, both of the written and voicemail variety to cover, so we spend a good portion of the podcast covering what's in the listeners' hearts and minds; hopefully Time Warner cable will do the same and rethink its capping plans. We both got some good gear in for review this week, so we spend some time talking about our impressions of the Cisco SDV tuning adapter and the Moxi (cable-only) DVR. Media is moving online, and nobody knows this better than Netflix, which is looking to hire some talent for gaming platform development. As much as we stress Blu-ray quality, that doesn't mean DVD doesn't still have a place -- take Apple's computers, for example. We wrap things up with a not-so-surprising "Chicken Little" reaction from the CEA on California's proposed TV energy standards.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:30 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 131 - 04.08.2009
21:25 - Time Warner Cable lays out broadband capping plans, says $150 for "unlimited" use
26:22 - Paradigm SUB 25 subwoofer hands-on
32:10 - Cisco STA1520 SDV tuning adapter impressions
34:59 - Unboxing the Moxi HD DVR
40:33 - Is your cable company of the present your IPTV provider of the future?
43:55 - Netflix on the lookout for gaming platforms engineering guru
45:25 - Poll: Is the lack of Blu-ray playback keeping you from buying a Mac?
47:55 - CEA rails on California's proposed TV energy standards, rings doomsday bell

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

Engadget HD Podcast 132 - 04.15.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 131 - 04.08.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

We start off talking about why a singular definition of what qualifies as "HD" is hard -- if not impossible -- to come up with in our ever-branching media landscape. One thing that definitely isn't HD, though, is E1 Entertainment's Blu-ray production of Gulliver's Travels, which cropped, zoomed and color-shifted the title in ways that just leave us scratching our heads; quite the opposite of Disney's Snow White Blu-ray release, which will get the full platinum treatment and a release a full seven weeks in front of the DVD. Next, we talk about rentals with Blockbuster's continuing tale of woe, which contrasts with Redbox's continued success despite Hollywood's blessing. Technology without content support hit us on two fronts -- iTunes 8.1.1 made HD rentals possible, but we're still waiting on content, and then ESPN touted its 1080p production facilities that can pump out content that won't fit into any broadcast or media. Finally, we wrap up with talk about TiVo's new ads that pop up while you're skipping ads and SlingPlayer for iPhone forcing users to buy new Sling hardware. There may be good reasons for these moves, but try telling it to users who feel like they are taking a step backwards.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:00 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 130 - 04.02.2009
11:04 - Do we need a better definition of HD?
14:16 - Gulliver's Travels Blu-ray shows the wrong way to bring animation to HD
15:42 - Snow White's Blu-ray debut is October 6
19:56 - Blockbuster voices "substantial doubt" about ability to survive
25:45 - At $1 a day Redbox is perfect for consumers, not so much for Hollywood
29:26 - iTunes 8.1.1 update adds support for HD rentals, but where are they?
33:30 - ESPN's SportsCenter goes West Coast & 1080p production tonight
39:56 - TiVo update brings pause menu ads to Series3 & TiVo HD owners
44:04 - Tuning Adapters coming to Windows 7 Media Center?
48:47 - Older Slingboxes won't work with SlingPlayer for iPhone

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

Engadget HD Podcast 131 - 04.08.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 130 - 04.02.2009

Trent Wolbe — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Another day of waiting never killed everyone and a good thing too as we had a few technical difficulties that prevented us from delivering the show on time. Never the less, the big news this week was from Netflix and the fact that evidently Blu-ray has finally grown popular enough that the cost of renting them is impacting the bottom line and thus it gets passed on to the consumer -- surprised, we're not. Of course this spun off a much larger debate of the event's impact on the internet TV ecosystem and where are we headed? Eventually we move on from talking up downloads and talk a little Blu-ray. Like the new Samsung player, another interesting poll and Microsoft's tight ties with HD DVD. Speaking of Microsoft, we talk a little codec mess, but eventually move on to some miscellaneous stories like TBS-HD stretching, DirecTV's iPhone app and a HDTV's energy consumption.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:00:38 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 129 - 03.25.2009
00:19:32 - Netflix raising rates for Blu-ray subscribers by around 20 percent
00:26:11 - Is internet TV the key to à la carte?
00:39:14 - ZillionTV adds The Weinstein Company films to its streaming library
00:42:04 - Blockbuster OnDemand coming to TiVo
00:46:35 - Is Netflix PS3-bound, too?
00:50:32 - Samsung's 2009 Blu-ray player lineup officially priced
00:52:10 - Samsung BD-P1600 hands-on
00:53:33 - Poll: Have you talked anyone into going Blu?
00:54:43 - Microsoft to Toshiba: with HD DVD, we go down together
00:56:50 - Will Windows 7's integrated codec support cut off third party solutions?
01:03:35 - TBS-HD gives the stretching a little break
01:04:28 - DirecTV iPhone app now available
01:08:30 - California TV energy efficiency proposal details revealed

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

Engadget HD Podcast 130 - 04.02.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 129 - 03.25.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

There's plenty to talk about this week, and we kick things off with a lot of internet-related discussion -- Apple turned loose HD video purchases, Amazon has some HD TV show sales, and Netflix opened up its Facebook Connect program. After we ramp this all up to the long-term future of TV, we come back to reality with Windows Home Server's inclusion of Media Center features -- while not to the level of a true headless Media Center PC, this move might foreshadow (maybe not too-distant) future development of just such a kit. Microsoft certainly seems to keep up with support of the platform, and just this week sent out a patch for guide data that went missing after the DTV switchover. We roll right past the large number of Engadget HD readers who are still buying DVDs and into the review of the OPPO BDP-83; it looks like good unit, and certainly seems to have to disc support options covered. Rounding out the show, we talk about an all all-digital HDMI signal path doesn't necessarily guarantee a perfect path, and then wrap up with what gears we see turning behind the recent DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket news.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:03:20 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 128 - 03.18.2009
00:07:12 - Apple adds HD video purchases to the iTunes Store
00:15:38 - More proof that Amazon is about to sell high-def TV shows
00:28:47 - Netflix goes social, integrates with Facebook Connect
00:32:48 - Windows Home Server PP2 adds Media Center integration
00:48:30 - Microsoft restores guide data for ATSC channels in Media Center
00:52:20 - Poll: Are you still buying DVDs?
00:55:35 - OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player first impressions
00:59:59 - Just how important is HDMI 1.3?
01:06:18 - Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 gets official
01:11:17 - The NFL and DirecTV extend exclusive Sunday Ticket through 2014

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

Engadget HD Podcast 129 - 03.25.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 128 - 03.18.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

The spring is always a slow time for HD news, so with less to talk about, it gives us more time to go into detail. We start off the show with a twist on an old tip, which is to tune your TV for both picture quality as well as energy consumption. Next up, we talk a little EHX 2009, what was there, and what wasn't. The most interesting things at the show this year were Media Center related, so there is more than a little in there if you like that sort of thing. Finally we talk a little gestures, and the reasons why they don't make sense as well as why the new Boxee remote does. And last but not least we talk about the time we spent with the Popcorn Hour A-110.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:43 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 125 - 03.04.2009
06:29 - Dialing back display brightness is good for picture quality and your wallet
08:53 - On the scene at EHX Spring 2009
26:04 - CableCARD diagnostic tool gets previewed at Media Center University
27:52 - Ask Engadget HD: HTPC or HD media streamer?
33:25 - Poll: Have you seen a movie in 3D?
36:05 - Gesture controls the next big thing in TV, says guy selling gesture control tech
41:40 - Hands-on with the Boxee iPhone remote
49:30 - Popcorn Hour A-110 review

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

Engadget HD Podcast 128 - 03.18.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 127 - 03.10.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Not so many topics this week, but we still manage to wring an hour of HD-talk out with lots of internet TV. We go around on ZillionTV, and we're not really sure of what's in store or how exactly it will be implemented, but we don't see a good case for it anyways. Clearly, lots of people are "interested" in internet TV, and we didn't need an analyst to tell us that -- the question will be in how much it costs and what exactly is delivered to end users. Oh, and quality of service -- which is something that boxee won't be able to promise for Hulu delivery now that the two parties appear to be going tit-for-tat. Internet delivery and piracy follow each other closely, but at least pirate bootleggers may be stifled by audio watermarks that can tie a theater seat to a disc purchased from a street stall outfit. We wrap up with some physical media discussion; Disney is giving you more with its Pinocchio Blu-ray by filling in those pesky black side bars with graphics while Fox is taking extra features out of its rental DVDs.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:12 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 125 - 03.04.2009
07:41 - ZillionTV brings ad-based streaming content to the television
19:11 - Analyst: Nearly half of broadband households are interested in Internet TV
22:16 - Hulu blocks boxee browser entirely, gloves get ripped halfway off
30:55 - Poll: Do you watch internet-based TV?
34:20 - Amazon HD VOD still on the way for TiVo, at some point
37:33 - Audio watermarks let the MPAA know where a recording was taken, but not by whom
43:33 - Pinocchio's Blu-ray black bars filled in with Disney View
47:27 - Fox cuts out the extras on rental discs

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

Engadget HD Podcast 127 - 03.10.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 126 - 03.08.2009

Trent Wolbe — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

In this special edition of the Engadget HD Podcast we sit down for an all Media Center, all the time show with the new host of the Custom Integrator show, Derek R Flickinger -- or Dr. Flick as we like to call him. Derek isn't just a Media Center enthusiast, in fact he does this for a living and could quite possibly be the biggest Media Center fanboy ever -- loves himself some HDMI too. His new show is all about how to be a professional Media Center integrator and he's not focusing on easy installs. As you'll find out, his show covers the nitty gritty tips and tricks on how to design and install a reliable Media Center system in even the most exotic of homes. So yeah, you can learn more than a thing or two about Media Center.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh

Guest: Derek R Flickinger

Producer: Trent Wolbe

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

Continue reading Engadget HD Podcast 126 - 03.08.2009

Engadget HD Podcast 126 - 03.08.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 125 - 03.04.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

If you've already had enough lamenting over Pioneer exodus from the plasma industry, then you might want to skip this episode completely -- or check out or ACC version so you can easily skip the boring parts. But we'll warn you, you'll be missing some good stuff as ol' friend Ryan Block joins us to clear up once and for all what his predictions for the future of plasma are, and how they differ from ours. But Ryan doesn't just join us for one or two segments, but for the whole show and while it still isn't the old Engadget podcast of yesterday, we had a good time chatting up new Blu-ray hardware, the origins of our love for Media Center, Hollywood and piracy and lastly the apparent death of S-Video.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steve Kim

Guest: Ryan Block

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:10 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 124 - 02.25.2009
00:18:00 - Does the death of KURO signal the end of the plasma?
00:20:54 - LG denies withdrawing from plasma market... in the UK, anyway
00:32:09 - Poll: Were you / are you planning to buy a plasma?
00:38:54 - Samsung BD-P1600 Netflix streaming Blu-ray player pops up at retail
00:44:38 - Kaleidescape still on track to deliver a pricey Blu-ray player this year
00:48:26 - SageTV's HD Theater gets Blu-ray streaming
00:51:31 - PowerDVD 9 with native Media Center UI goes live
00:58:58 - Hollywood still doesn't understand why people pirate content
01:08:17 - S-Video disappearing from AV receivers, few seem to notice

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

Engadget HD Podcast 125 - 03.04.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 124 - 02.25.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

This week, Ben and Steve soldier on without Engadget's consigliere, Nilay. Plenty of streaming news this week involving Hulu disappearing from Boxee, our how-to on automating downloads to a Media Center PC, March Madness coming into your cubicle courtesy Silverlight, and Netflix's plans for a streaming-only option next year. VUDU is selling HD and HDX content, not just renting it; and even though we disagree on the importance of this step, it is a step in the right direction nonetheless. A much bigger step is the more widespread adoption of Blu-ray/DVD combo packs, even if you won't be watching those Blu-ray discs on a Blu-ray recorder unit anytime soon. We then talk about aspect ratios -- HD 101 had a nice feature showing why we opt for leaving black bars on some content as opposed to stretching or cropping, and for those who must have way to watch 2.35:1 features with minimal black bars, we suggest flying to Europe to pick up one of Philips' Cinema 21:9 super-wide screens. We wrap up with some finger-waggling at ION for hopping on the coattails of the bungled DTV transition to hype up its own HD launch.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
02:15 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 123 - 02.18.2009
09:41 - Hulu asks Boxee to pull content, it complies
16:17 - How to automatically download and import HD to Windows Media Center
24:46 - Microsoft's Silverlight to deliver NCAA March Madness on Demand in HD
26:48 - Netflix CEO alludes to streaming-only pricing by next year
31:01 - VUDU first on-demand service to sell HD and HDX movies
33:47 - More studios move towards Blu-ray / DVD combo packs
43:33 - Poll: Would you buy a Blu-ray recorder if you could?
43:33 - HD 101: Why there are black bars on HDTVs
51:22 - Philips gives Cinema 21:9 HDTV a price and release date
57:32 - ION scared off by the DTV transition, postpones debut another month

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

Continue reading Engadget HD Podcast 124 - 02.25.2009

Engadget HD Podcast 124 - 02.25.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 123 - 02.18.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

It is once again a sad week for HD fans. It's bad enough that progress in the DTV transition was delayed by 4 months, but now our worst fears have come true and Pioneer is officially getting out of the TV business. To help us cry over the occasion, Nilay Patel from the Engadget Podcast has joined us and he just might be a bigger plasma fanboy then us -- and that is saying something. We eventually do move on though and try to decide what a Blu-ray early adopter is. Then we talk a little Simpsons HD, and finally finish up with some Windows Media Center talk.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steve Kim, Nilay Patel

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:02:08 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 122 - 02.11.2009
00:20:48 - The original DTV transition: what could've been
00:22:05 - The FCC releases the Go-NoGo analog shutoff list
00:29:33 - DisplaySearch shows slight LCD TV shipment decline in Q4 2008
00:32:48 - Pioneer officially leaving the TV biz by March 2010, focusing on audio
00:42:17 - Pioneer exec touches on exit from plasma business
00:52:53 - Poll: Are you happy being a Blu-ray early adopter?
00:59:37 - LG's BD300 gets new firmware update, YouTube access included
01:05:10 - The Simpsons goes HD tonight, new title sequence revealed
01:10:07 - The real reason why the Media Center TV pack update was OEM only?
01:19:26 - Hulu on its way to Windows Media Center via SecondRun.tv

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

Engadget HD Podcast 123 - 02.18.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 122 - 02.11.2009

Trent Wolbe — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Plenty of things happened this past week in HD, but one thing that won't be happening is a February DTV transition; we gripe about the fourth month delay and wonder what our politicians were thinking. The bad news kept coming as rumors of Pioneer's exit from the TV market swirled this week. It'll be sad if Kuros fade to black, but we'll keep hope alive that some manufacturers will still cater to crazies who pursue ultimate image quality. That might fit in well with the predicted "Golden Era" that analysts are calling for Blu-ray in 2014-2017. We talk a little Blu-ray and Netflix streaming before diving into Media Center news. As usual, the Media Center talk gets pretty technical, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We manage to wrap up on a more universal note -- discrete IR codes -- you'll know (and curse) if you don't have them, so everyone should be informed on this cornerstone to robust automation.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:55 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 121 - 02.04.2009
12:09 - The DTV transition delay could end up costing over $500 million
14:23 - Stations can still yank analog plug this month, though many won't
18:45 - Latest Nielsen figures put DTV unreadiness at 5.1%
20:54 - Pioneer reportedly ending TV production, spinning off DVD business
26:49 - The State of Home Video study predicts a Blu-ray Golden Era of 2014-17
30:27 - Panasonic drops the axe on DMP-BD35 Blu-ray player
33:33 - NPD Group says discs don't have to fear downloads... yet
35:47 - Xbox Live tallies 1 million Netflix Watch Instantly activations, 1.5 billion minutes served
39:57 - VUDU permanently cuts retail price of movie set-top-box in half
47:20 - Windows 7 gets Hauppauge HD-PVR support via 3rd party
51:22 - Automatic commercial skipping is a go for Media Center in Windows 7
56:52 - HD 101: Discrete IR codes

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

Engadget HD Podcast 122 - 02.11.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 121 - 02.04.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

If you can never get enough of the Engadget HD podcast, you're going to love this week because with some help from a special guest we managed to record the longest podcast we've ever done. There's some great stuff in there though, like some in depth analysis of the latest Netflix news, opinions regarding the DTV transition delay, and eventually an early look at the SageTV HD Theater review. In regards to the last part, we had some help from our friend Brent Evans from Geek Tonic who happens to be an expert on all things SageTV and knows a thing or two about HD too. But if you happen to be the type who hates when we get long winded, it's in your best interest to hit up the AAC version where you can quickly and easily skip past the parts that don't interest you.

Get the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Guest: Brent Evans

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:08 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009
00:20:29 - Netflix sees subscribers opting for streaming over mailing, global surplus in red envelopes predicted
00:25:28 - Netflix earnings call roundup: Testing Saturday shipments, 700k Blu-ray subscribers and even more streaming
00:27:44 - Netflix considering premium price tiers for additional streaming content?
00:34:55 - How-to guide explains boxee / Vista Media Center integration
00:40:17 - Will BD-Live finally shine in 2009?
00:43:30 - Digital TV transition delay bill fails to pass in House
00:46:35 - Netgear's Coax-Ethernet Adapter up for pre-order
00:51:42 - LG BD300 Blu-ray player review
00:57:53 - CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs
01:01:53 - Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D?
01:04:21 - SageTV HD Theater review

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

Engadget HD Podcast 121 - 02.04.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 120 - 01.28.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:22:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

This episode went long, but we cover a good smattering of topics. This week the VideoScan charts added more -- and more interesting -- data for us to chew on. There's a battle raging for how many boxes can be added beneath your TV, so we talk about boxee, Kodak, VUDU and AppleTV to cover our ideas on the crowded lower shelves of your equipment rack. Netflix's Watch Instantly has taken up residence in many boxes, but where is the red envelope company headed? Films in 3D is definitely getting a lot of attention -- we're still not convinced about it getting into the living room, but the results from My Bloody Valentine 3D indicate studios might think otherwise. We wrapped up a long-term review of THIEL's SCS4 speakers, and the bottom line is that these almost $2k per pair speakers may not be cheap, but they do represent value for those really serious about good sound. People shopping THIEL probably also know the AudioQuest name in cabling, and this week it surprised us to see that AudioQuest has introduced field-terminated HDMI cables. We'd love to get a kit to make custom length HDMI cables (tidiness counts!), but we're guessing the price will keep us away for now. Windows Media Center is up next, and Windows 7 looks like it will bring some welcome improvements to those who have not jumped into the TV Pack yet (or jumped back out for stability reasons). Now, if Microsoft would add more codec support to the Xbox 360, things would be even rosier. Probably the biggest news this week, though, was the impending delay in the DTV transition. It looks like it's going to get bumped by four months, which we're not thrilled with; but the question is really how many people is it ok to leave out in the cold on day zero of the transition? We finish on a good note -- Super Bowl XLIII -- it's here, and we've revived our annual checklist so you can make sure you're set for the game.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:00:57 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009
00:20:14 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending January 18th, 2009
00:26:32 - Disney to release Bolt on Blu-ray two days before DVD
00:27:17 - boxee mulls production of its own set-top-box
00:30:39 - Kodak's Theatre HD Player unboxed and reviewed
00:31:59 - Netflix's Reed Hastings talks future technologies, streaming
00:40:12 - Netflix profit up 45% in Q4, nears 10 million total subscribers
00:40:57 - VUDU looks to integrate with TVs, DVD players
00:44:44 - Ask Engadget HD: Is the Apple TV worth it?
00:51:51 - 3D: is this the resurgence that counts?
00:53:02 - My Bloody Valentine 3D grosses way more in 3D than 2D
00:56:05 - THIEL SCS4 speaker review
00:58:24 - AudioQuest cooks up field terminated HDMI cables
01:00:00 - Missing remote covers the new highs and lows of Media Center in Windows 7
01:04:13 - DivX is not 100% in love with Xbox 360's tone right now, or its unofficial codec support
01:05:37 - Senate okays digital TV transition delay to June 12th
01:06:24 - 5.7% (6.5 million) U.S. homes still not DTV ready
01:09:31 - Prepared for Super Bowl XLIII? Here's how.

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

Engadget HD Podcast 120 - 01.28.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Back from CES, we kick things off with the age-old plasma vs. LCD debate. Bottom line: no technology reigns supreme forever, but we don't see plasma giving up the picture quality crown just yet and we don't think Europe will be refusing to sell plasmas en masse, either. There's a new President at 1600 Pennsylvania, and with that comes a new FCC -- we take time to give our two cents on the poorly-implemented DTV converter box coupon program, crazy notions of delaying the DTV transition and tinfoil-hat talk of the cable monopoly. We go on a few rants before settling on something we're happy to see -- DirecTV's HDPC-20 is DISH's Draco project for Windows Media Center sounds good, especially in light of DirecTV's "suspended" HDPC-20. Big props to Darren for putting together a comprehensive post of the TVs of CES -- TVs are kind of belles of the CES ball, and they're all rounded up nicely in one post. Also, we reached out to our pals at Engadget to help put together a Netflix HD streaming shootout, so check it out and form your own opinions. Not everything is newness, however -- after 30 years, Pioneer said goodbye to laserdisc this week; we take some time to put some perspective on the 12-inch platter format.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:18 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 118 - 01.11.2009
00:15:20 - LCD vs Plasma in 2009
00:24:36 - Poll: Do you prefer plasma or LCD?
00:25:36 - Power-guzzling plasmas could be barred by EU
00:28:31 - Additional funding on the way for the digital TV switch?
00:32:12 - FCC's Kevin Martin proposes alternatives for delaying DTV transition
00:35:47 - Possible new FCC chair could focus on net neutrality, not cable pricing
00:39:33 - Study finds interest high for connected HDTVs
00:41:33 - Sling Media loses most of its top brass
00:44:49 - CyberLink bundles Media Server 2 with JVC's NX-BD3 Blu-ray HTIB
00:46:34 - Blockbuster's MediaPoint player reviewed: unsurprisingly disappointing
00:48:27 - DISH Network's Draco project brings programming to Windows Media Center
00:56:00 - The HDTVs of CES 2009
00:57:34 - Netflix HD streaming shootout goes down at Engadget Classic
01:01:42 - Pioneer finally kills production of its remaining laserdisc players

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

Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 118 - 01.11.2009

Trent Wolbe — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Well CES is over and it'll be an entire year until we get to do it all over again. The show was a little slow for HD news this year so we didn't have as much to talk about, but there were some new things to cover like some in depth looks at things like the new DISH DVR software and the usability of Yahoo widgets. We also follow up on a few other things like XStreamHD's unbelievable plans and the new lineup of ZeeVee products.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Guest: Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program

05:04 - Yahoo! recaps a day of setting the Internet-on-TV movement on fire with Widgets
10:15 - DISH Network ViP 922 HD DVR hands-on and video
13:02 - Windows Media Center 7 with touch interface
17:46 - Cyberlink's native Media Center Blu-ray player
19:47 - Ceton Corp announces multi-stream CableCARD tuner for Windows Media Center
21:52 - 3D College football is actually quite enjoyable
24:53 - Hands-on with ZeeVee's ZvPro and ZvBoxPLUS
28:05 - Hauppauge HD-PVR now plays nice with PS3
29:50 - XStreamHD still kicking, showing off updated hardware
43:35 - Poll: What HD-related technology stole the show at CES 2009?

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

Engadget HD Podcast 118 - 01.11.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 117 - 01.09.2009: CES Edition

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

CES opened up on Thursday, and we gathered the team to recap the developments in the HD-sphere so far. Yahoo has vaulted itself right onto the living room screen with the widespread take-up of its Internet@TV widget platform across several manufacturers. The EchoStar/DISH/Sling gang also has some pretty interesting developments, with Sling placeshifting tech getting sprinkled throughout the product lineup. There's oodles more HD-related gear, but we also talk large themes, most notably 3D and Blu-ray getting into the mainstream. We'll be here all week, so expect more updates in the next podcast, after we get a chance to see what's on the show floor.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:49 - Yahoo! recaps a day of setting the Internet-on-TV movement on fire with Widgets
05:09 - DISH Network's ViP 922 and SlingGuide unveiled: first "SlingLoaded" HD DVR
09:13 - Sling Monitor in-home placeshifter hands-up
12:18 - SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts
15:01 - TiVo has a new Search
19:05 - A first hand look at Panasonic's 3D demo
22:48 - Panasonic makes it official: Profile 2.0 DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player
24:24 - Panasonic intros DMR-BR360V Blu-ray / VHS combo player
26:00 - Live from the 2009 Blu-ray Disc Association press conference
28:38 - Panasonic officially premieres Z1 wireless HDTV

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

Engadget HD Podcast 117 - 01.09.2009: CES Edition originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 116 - 12.31.2008

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

We missed last week's episode because our Christmas travel plans got in the way, so this week we made up for it, promise. Lots of Blu news to go around as Blu-ray had the great Christmas everyone was hoping for, in fact a recent poll showed that more EHD readers upgraded to Blu-ray in '08 then in previous two years. This success was also indicated in the recent sales of The Dark Knight, which sold 1.7 Million copies. But this year was also the year of Netflix Watch Instantly, and other streaming services, as there is also more good news for them. Speaking of which, we also talk a bit about moving away from traditional sources of content, and no were not talking about Hulu. Finally we discuss a few of our CES expectations, including XStreamHD and LG's uninteresting 480hz Trumotion.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program

02:18 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 115 - 12.17.2008
13:49 - Poll: Did you go Blu in 2008?
15:58 - What Blu-ray needs to do in 2009 in order to gain ground
23:18 - The Dark Knight saved 2008 for packaged media
26:19 - First Blu-ray Disc / DVD hybrid announced in Japan
29:22 - LG's BD300 Blu-ray gets HD Netflix-enabling firmware update
32:14 - HBO survey hints at free streaming for pay-TV subscribers
33:51 - Could you live on online TV / Netflix alone? One gal found out.
40:29 - Cable operators agree to freeze analog-to-digital moves until after cutover
44:23 - XStreamHD satellite delivery system successfully tested, next stop CES
50:26 - LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV
52:23 - Verizon FiOS HD DVR Review

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

Engadget HD Podcast 116 - 12.31.2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

There's no Engadget HD Podcast this week

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

The holiday travel plans were just too much for us so we're canceling the show this week. We should still be on for next week though. We wish everyone a merry Christmas -- or whatever holiday you might be celebrating this time of year -- and a happy New Year.

There's no Engadget HD Podcast this week originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 115 - 12.17.2008

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Other responsibilities nixed last week's show, but we're back with a long show this week to make up for it. We start out with the sad news of DirecTV "suspending development" on the HDPC-20 tuner; lots more time is spent parsing those two words than on Asus' Xonar HDMI sound card, at least. Our review of Samsung's MediaLive is mixed -- plenty of promise, but it came up just a little short to get an unconditional thumbs up. Thanks to the 29-state analog shutoff test scheduled for the same day this podcast is released, a lot more of you should know if you're living on the digital cliff -- let us know if you fall off unexpectedly. Lots of attention has been given to the Popcorn Hour products, and the release of the wireless adapter should make it even more appealing to those in the know. The Moxi HD DVR, however, might have a chance of breaking out of the enthusiast niche; but could it take a bite out of the product that's synonymous with "DVR," the TiVo? Maybe, but now Digeo will have to add in Netflix HD streaming capability to even up the score, too. A few bits of news this week make us think that Blu-ray is really moving out into the mainstream consciousness, if not flying off shelves into every home. VUDU is opening up to third party developers, so hopefully soon its "one trick pony" knock will be a distant memory as more content flows through the box, including YouTube HD. We wrap up with sports talk -- "Top 10" lists often miss the mark in our opinion, so we give our own take on the Top 10 HD sporting events of 2008; but Ben is already planning to start off 2009 on a high note with some 3D HD BCS viewing at CES.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:05:41 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 114 - 12.03.2008
00:20:26 - DirecTV "suspends development" on HDPC-20 tuner
00:31:06 - DirecTV puts away the checkbook, plans to raise rates in 2009
00:31:17 - ASUS demos Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe sound card
00:34:26 - Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review
00:38:41 - 29 States to participate in analog shutoff test next week
00:40:35 - Poll: Would you switch carriers if fiber came to town?
00:43:12 - Popcorn Hour's WN-100 dongle brings WiFi to your A-100, A-110 or B-110
00:44:14 - 500GB Moxi HD DVR now available, really
00:48:51 - Netflix HD streaming comes to TiVo
00:52:04 - Analyst finds DVD sales down, Blu-ray trends "encouraging"
00:53:42 - Standalone Blu-ray player sales triple over Black Friday
00:54:21 - Poll: Do you rent or buy your Blu-ray Discs?
00:57:27 - VUDU gets official with some internet content
01:00:48 - YouTube goes HD, finally!
01:02:20 - Top 10 HD sports broadcasts of 2008 -- do you agree?
01:05:17 - BCS Championship game live 3D broadcast coming to CES, movie theaters

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

Engadget HD Podcast 115 - 12.17.2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 114 - 12.3.2008

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Back from Thanksgiving, and Netflix's addition of certain Samsung and LG Blu-ray players to the Watch Instantly HD party shows it hasn't slowed down its HD rollout. This makes us wonder where Blockbuster's own offering fits between Netflix and VUDU -- three may be a crowd in this case. Speaking of VUDU, they're back again; this time with capabilities that just manage to lift the device from its "one trick pony" pigeonhole. We talk a bit about Blu-ray disc pricing, which leads us to the natural topic of whether we see The Dark Knight as a must-buy. ESPN's purchase of the BCS starting in 2011 gets us talking about whether they'd really want to lose the OTA-only eyeballs. We also find time to shoot off on the BCS tangent, of course. This week's MOTO award goes to the study that concludes that pay-TV should keep an eye on digital downloads coming up in the rearview mirror. We wrap up with news of full screen Flash support on the PS3, SageTV's new HD200 media streamer and a long response to a short listener question about getting HD streamed wirelessly from a computer to a TV.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:03 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 113 - 11.26.2008
04:21 - HD Netflix streaming coming to Samsung's BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
06:05 - LG's BD300 next in line for HD Netflix streaming
07:10 - Blockbuster CEO talks up 2Wire MediaPoint, says rentals coming to BD decks in Q1 2009
11:23 - V UDU rolls out YouTube, Flickr, Picasa and games
14:28 - Hey Hollywood, how about some Blu-ray Disc price cuts?
19:09 - The Dark Knight Blu-ray Disc review roundup
20:49 - ESPN snaps up BCS rights starting in 2011, antenna viewers SOL?
27:52 - Survey finds over half of football fans would take an HDTV over vacation
27:52 - Report asserts that pay-TV should watch out for digital downloads
31:23 - Full screen Flash-enabling v2.53 PS3 firmware available now
35:01 - SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer

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

Engadget HD Podcast 114 - 12.3.2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 113 - 11.26.2008

Trent Wolbe — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Hot from the Thanksgiving oven, another Engadget HD podcast. The economy has put a damper on purchases across the board, and even old DVD hasn't been spared. Rentals might be more the right speed, and with Blu-ray coming to Redbox, we've got a reason to check out those kiosks. One feature to look for is "The Dark Knight," but will Denon Blu-ray buyers who score a free copy find the transfer quality lacking? Even if Denon's players aren't as popular as the PS3, that doesn't mean we're in agreement with typical "Best Blu-ray player" headlines, and we discuss why some questions aren't served well by simple answers. We couldn't go without a VUDU mention, and we're actually pretty excited to see HD titles (and HDX, too) up for sale, not rental. TiVo has rolled out its mobile scheduling, which is nice, but maybe we don't fit the typical user profile. As CES rolls around, one thing we'll keep an eye out for is Philips' KURO-beating LED backlit LCD, especially after reading some initial favorable reactions. The analog shutoff is right around the corner, and two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons -- what's that last third going to do in a few months? Maybe that part of the nation is planning on soaking up HD Netflix on their Xbox 360s, which seems to be registering favorable reactions based on our poll. We call "hype expiration" on Digeo -- not counting it out, but we've definitely moved to a "believe it when we see it" frame of mind, just like our feelings on NFL in 3D. We wrap up by coming full circle -- the slow economy has everyone searching for deals, even as Sony would like to make our lives easier by not offering any discounts.

Get the podcast

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
03:29 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 112 - 11.12.2008
13:04 - DVD sales also feeling the pinch, down 4% on the year
14:13 - It's official: Redbox welcomes Blu-ray with open arms
16:36 - Denon rewards buyers of its pricey Blu-ray decks with free Batman BDs
19:02 - The Dark Knight Blu-ray disc leaking out, complaints already rolling in
22:57 - Sony's PlayStation 3 tops another "Best Blu-ray player" list
26:24 - VUDU offering select HD / HDX titles for $4.99 purchase on Black Friday
29:03 - TiVo Mobile enables remote scheduling, program searches
34:06 - Philips LED-backlit 42PFL9803H gets hands-on treatment
37:39 - Two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons
40:56 - Poll: How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?
43:43 - Charter nearly ready to deploy Digeo's 3012 HD DVR
44:27 - Live NFL broadcast to air in 3D as "proof of concept"
47:34 - Sony says non-discounted goods make life easier for you

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

Engadget HD Podcast 113 - 11.26.2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments