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PrimeDTV further saturates HD media streamer segment with PHD-HM5

assevedut — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:10:21 +0000

Look, we’re all for competition, but it’s about time for some of these guys to stop copying and start innovating. As if your noggin’ wasn’t already spinning enough as you attempt to whittle down your laundry list of HD media streamers, in flies PrimeDTV with yet another hopeful. The PHD-HM5 looks to be fairly standard in terms of features, with HDMI / component outputs, a lengthy list of supported formats, an Ethernet socket and a pair of USB 2.0 ports. You won’t find WiFi or any internal hard drive, and you’ll have to live with the fact that this thing is akin to some lackluster AV component from the early 90s. Oh, and then there’s the chore of actually finding one for sale (not to mention an MSRP), which should probably be just enough to push you towards Popcorn Hour.

UK Channel 4 set to throw some 3D programming our way

amitg — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:15:04 +0000

Sony and Panasonic are both hellbent on convincing us their forthcoming super-duper 3D television sets are the future, but before we all start selling off the children and re-mortgaging our homes, how about a little taster of what it might be like? Channel 4, the British answer to a question nobody ever asked, is about to offer up a selection of 3D programming this month, which it dubs as a return to “good old fashioned fun.” The menu includes a documentary about the Queen’s coronation (in other words, ancient history), a magic show, and even a couple of goodies like Flesh for Frankenstein and Friday the 13th, Part III. If we find can remember to get down to the local Sainsbury’s and grab ourselves a free pair of those rad-looking three-dee glasses, you might even be treated to our eyes-on impressions. Watch this three-dimensional space!

[Thanks, Mitch T]

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

assevedut — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:54:07 +0000

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]

Switched On: Next steps toward the IP tuner

metrocarryzjj — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:19:44 +0000

Switched On: The next step toward the IP tuner

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Five years ago, the first Switched On talked about the growing coziness between the iPod photo and video. Today, of course, the iPod and many other portable media players have embraced digitally-distributed video, yet the TV itself remains on the cusp of IP content distribution. But TV manufacturers that still shudder when they think of the WebTV experience of 1996 need to get their heads out of their modem ports. For the sake of video choice, it’s time to support the broadband web of 2009 on TVs.

As we inch closer to the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in January, we come upon the first anniversary of the wedding between television sets and the internet. While there were internet-enabled televisions before last year from HP and others, the online-enabled sets from Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and Vizio marked the real embrace of IP. And it wasn’t just about the hardware — the software included Yahoo’s widget architecture and Netflix streaming movies.
At this year’s CES, internet integration will likely take the next step as Adobe moves to add more members to its Open Screen Project and bring Flash to even more consumer electronics — it’s already headed to most of the major smartphone platforms, and the television is the next high-volume opportunity. Supporting Flash will open up an even broader world of internet video content to the TV. We may even see Flash apps offered in a smartphone-style app store.

But it’s still not enough. CE companies have been motivated to add Internet connectivity because of the viability of internet video, but they have just scratched the surface. Perusing the listings of clicker.com, a new Web site that seeks to be the “TV Guide” of web-based internet shows, shows that free online TV shows go far beyond the well-guarded walls of Hulu.

Flash will open up an even broader world of internet video content to the TV.

That’s not to say that consumer electronics companies should seek to make the TV a bona fide alternative to the PC as a primary internet access device. Indeed, with broadly available cheap netbooks and slates cropping up, the TV remains at a disadvantage for general web surfing. Rather, it is the support of web-based development standards such as AJAX and HTML 5 that are going to be increasingly important for supporting a wide array of TV show sites optimized for video the way that portable web sites have now been optimized for the iPhone.

And while they would need to be adapted to a less powerful television platform, we are starting to see free-form remote controls from the likes of Hillcrest Labs and now GlideTV that take into account flexibility, efficiency, and ease of use.

The last piece of the puzzle is the guide. Most electronic programming guides are still focused on the linear nature of programming, not tracking down TV shows across multiple web sites that may have shifting episodes available. But this is absolutely an addressable issue. Solving it in the short-term could yield a real value-add to TV purchases, and perhaps long-term revenue streams siphoned from cable and other TV providers.

Ross Rubin is director of industry analysis for consumer technology at market research and analysis firm The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.

Sony streaming Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs free to new customers, expensively to existing ones

prestigesmwm — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:20:11 +0000

It wasn’t long ago that Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was packing theaters, but given how quickly things hit DVD and Blu-ray these days we’re surprised to learn this one won’t be flinging vermicelli to disc until just after the holidays. Fear not carb-lovers: similar to the Hancock deal last year, new purchasers of internet-capable Sony TVs and Blu-ray players will be receiving one free stream of the film starting on December 8; that’s nearly a full month ahead of the retail release. The stream will be in 720p and will allow full control during 24 hours. What if you’ve already purchased your Sony setup? The company is happy to extend the streaming offer to you as well — so long as you don’t mind paying a mere $24.95. Yes, a one-time 720p rental that costs as much as a Blu-ray. That’s value.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini iPod dock lands for a hands-on

paolinalucydd — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:03:05 +0000

We’ve seen plenty of carefully staged press shots of Bowers & Wilkins’ new Zeppelin mini iPod dock, but we’re guessing that anyone about to shell out $400 for one of these is going to want a considerably closer, more unvarnished look at it. Thankfully, the folks at iLounge have now stepped in and provided just that and, while the agree it’s certainly not for everyone, they do seem to think that those with the money to spend won’t be disappointed, noting that the Zeppelin mini is another great example of the “speaker as art.” Hit up the link below for a closer look, including a comparison with B&W’s full size Zeppelin.

Bose SoundDock 10 gets reviewed, probably not worth the pricetag

assevedut — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:18:58 +0000

Bose unleashed its giant iPod dock, the SoundDock 10, back in August — all 18 pounds of it. Well, iLounge has gotten their hands on one of these $600 beasts, and they’ve given it a nice once over. The SoundDock 10 has a nice solid build, and they grade the overall sound quality as decent… which probably isn’t comforting to hear, considering the price, but they do say that it certainly outperforms its cheaper peers. They note the inclusion of extra ports — an unusual and welcomed addition to a Bose unit — though they also note the continued absence of video support in the dock. If you’re in the market for a serious dock for your player, hit up the read link for the full review.

Revo’s retro-styled Heritage radio does DAB, WiFi and casual unboxings

trialsoft — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:18:57 +0000

It’s fair to say that Revo has never made a “normal” looking radio in its entire life, but hey — that’s a-okay with us. The outfit’s latest, which is up for pre-order right now at £229.95 ($382), is easily one of the sleekest, most vintage-looking we’ve ever seen it produce. The aptly-named Heritage sports a wood and aluminum motif, room for your iPod or iPhone to dock, and support for DAB, FM and WiFi radio signals. There’s also an OLED display to keep you informed, support for wireless music streaming from your Mac or PC, a 3-inch neodymium speaker driver, 7-watts of power, a 3.5 millimeter headphone connector and even an iPod video output. Heck, they even throw in a multi-country power adapter as a courtesy to you yearnin’ Yanks. Go on and tap that via link if you’re interested in an unboxing.

[Via Stuff]

Apple TV 3.0.1 update prevents data from ‘temporarily disappearing’

paolinalucydd — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:40:58 +0000

Enjoy your Apple TV? Not so fond of your data picking up and vanishing whenever it darn well pleases? Then you’ll probably want to force your Apple TV to update to 3.0.1… assuming you’ve already upgraded it to 3.0, of course. According to the engineers in Cupertino, this update prevents content “from temporarily disappearing until re-synced,” and we’re guessing that most of you would rather keep your content around if possible. Tap the read link for all the instructions, and whatever you do, don’t make any sudden movements.

[Via TUAW]

Myka ION brings Hulu, Boxee and other web content to your TV

irrannash — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:52:26 +0000

It’s been almost a full year since we heard a peep from the fine folks at Myka, but it looks like we could be talking about ‘em a lot more often judging by the specs list on its latest contraption. The simply-titled ION is an Atom-based media PC that relies on NVIDIA’s Ion graphics set and a customized interface that brings Hulu, Boxee and pretty much any other web content you can stumble upon to your television. Within, you’ll find a 1.6GHz dual-core Atom 330 CPU, up to 4GB of RAM, ten USB 2.0 ports, VGA / DVI / HDMI outputs, an eSATA connector, Ethernet and plenty of audio outputs. The fanless design ensures that things remain quiet, and for those oozing cash, a Blu-ray drive, HDD and WiFi module can be implanted. It’s up for order right now starting at $379, but you’ll be stuck waiting four to six weeks for delivery.