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The last Philips Prestigo universal remote we saw was that gigantic SR-M80145 “tablet,” but it looks like the company’s toned it down with the sexy new Prestigo SRT9320. The company’s new top-of-the-line IR-only clicker has a 2.8-inch color touchscreen and can be programmed to control up to 20 devices entirely from the remote itself without using a PC — which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your setup and macro situation. It’s all yours for $249 sometime in the first quarter of twenty-oh-nine.

[Via Electronista]

Okay, so we suppose Intel could actually just showcase its widget-lovin’ chip within an HDTV, HTPC or Blu-ray player, but our money is on prototype set-top-boxes similar to the Gigabyte unit that was showcased at IDF (and pictured above). Since that original showing, quite a bit has happened on the internet TV front. Practically all of the major STBs have integrated web content into their dashboards, and what was once the exception (one-click access to Hulu and Twitter from a TV-connected deck) has rapidly become the rule. To that end, Intel’s hoping to wow onlookers at CES 2009 with early build devices that run mini-applications meant to “complement TV viewing with information from the internet.” Not surprisingly, it’ll also use Vegas as a springboard for introducing content partners, and hopefully, a few release dates. Seriously Intel, we need another STB by our television about like we need another hole in the ozone layer, so this better be good.

Mvix has a history of pumping out reliable, multi-faceted media streamers, but it has evidently decided to branch out a touch with its latest piece. Taking a note from the HD PVR from Hauppauge, the box packs component video inputs that will likely capture high-def video from set-top-boxes and the like. It’s also an HDD-based media player (bring your own hard drive, of course), which outputs content up to 1080p via HDMI. You’ll also find integrated WiFi, a USB port for streaming files on external drives and UPnP / BitTorrent functionality. Mvix hasn’t stated when this puppy will go on sale nor how expensive it will be, but those looking for a multi-purpose media streamer / recorder should probably keep a check on this one.

For all the digital download pundits who are quick to harp on the “limited viewing window” of downloadable material, chew on this. In a move that can only be described as “miraculous progress,” Japan’s own Tsutaya has somehow twisted the arms of four US film companies in order to allow HD content to be recorded to Blu-ray Discs or other optical media (up to two times) for later viewing. Initially, the Tsutaya TV on acTVila will have around half of its library (412 titles and growing) available for burning, and while details are somewhat fuzzy, we are told that HDTV video can be exported “without down-conversion” to BD-Rs, DVD-Rs and iVDR-S media. Of course, AACS protection will be applied, but this is infinitely more convenient than that whole Qflix disaster. Better still, we’re told that future improvements will include down-converting HD content for use on portable devices (think Digital Copy), and it’s anticipated that the downloadable films will be available day-and-date with hard copy releases. The rub? Each film will cost around ¥3,675 ($40), so for now, you’re still better off heading to the store. Still — focus on the progress, people, progress.

We had the bare essentials when we spotted Netgear’s Digital Entertainer Elite trying to waltz through the FCC unnoticed, but now we’ve got the hot, juicy details required to make those things called “purchasing decisions.” Wired has it that the media streamer will check in during Q1 2009 at $400, which will buy you a roomy 500GB hard drive, “an updated user interface that allows users to choose content from free sources such as YouTube and Flickr,” full 1080p support and the ability to swap out the HDD should the owner choose. The catch, however, is that the box is currently disconnected from most major content providers, and without a link to Netflix (or similar), users will have to either provide their own material or simply surf over to online portals such as Hulu. Four bills is a lot to ask for something in the “been there, done that” bucket — we’ll give it three months before the first substantial price cut.

So, you and hundreds of thousands of others picked up your Blu-ray copy of The Dark Knight today, huh? We know you haven’t had time to fiddle with the BD-Live extras just yet, but one Joe Lynch from G4 TV has. One of the most intriguing aspects of the flick’s interactive feature set is the fan commentary; put simply, users hook up a USB webcam to their player (PS3 included) and then commentate as the film progresses. From there, you can upload your take(s) to the BD-Live servers for others to enjoy. Granted, we aren’t too sure how you’ll actually find someone bored enough to listen to you jabber on about a film they purchased, but we reckon that’s beside the point. Vid’s waiting after the break.

This should make a lot of people unhappy. According to a press release issued today, TiVo will now offer ad space on its pause menu. Designed to outsmart those who fast-forward through the ads (we assume that’s almost everyone at this point, right?) buyers will be able to target viewers of a specific show, or they can opt to “cast a wider net” and advertise within genres or keywords of program descriptions. Even if this means we’ll be seeing ads for Shrute Farms beets during The Office, we’re still going to hold out hope for the TiVo version of Adblock.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

File this one in the category of “Oh, no they didn’t!” Sadly, it seems they really have. DirecTV has sent out an email stating the following: “DirecTV has suspended the development of the HDPC-20 tuner project that was designed to integrate DirecTV service into Windows Media Center after assessing the impact of missing the August 2008 release of Windows Media Center update and considering timing of the next release.” The note goes on to say that both the satcaster and Microsoft understand that folks are clamoring for an easy way to get DirecTV content on the PC, and that both companies are “continuing to explore ways to integrate DirecTV service with Windows-based PCs in the future.” And to think, that hands-on we got late last month just might be the last you ever see of this promising little box. Why… just, why?

[Via Gearlog, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

TiVo was nice enough to hit us with the Netflix-enabling Fall Service Update a little early, and the going’s been pretty good — this is probably our favorite Netflix streaming implementation yet. Although it’s not as flashy of an experience as the Xbox 360’s Netflix implementation, it’s faster to start streaming, and to our eyes it looks a lot better — the 360’s output is really dark, while the TiVo looks bright and crisp. On top of that, we’ve never been able to get our 360 to hit more than two bars when playing HD-capable content, while the TiVo instantly spooled up and started streaming full-quality 720p video — and it can drop back to SD during network slowdowns and then pop up to HD again, while the 360 is stuck at whatever res it started the movie at. We still wish Netflix’s streaming selection was anywhere close to what a typical cable company has on demand, but that’ll come with time — for right now we’re definitely impressed.

Gallery: TiVo Netflix hands-on

Now that DisplayPort is becoming more of a household name (like it or not), we’re thrilled to see someone making sure we can run an external monitor from more than a stone’s throw away. Gennum has stepped in with its ActiveConnect DisplayPort solution, which embeds a small semiconductor within a DisplayPort cable to actively push signals up to 30-meters (around 100-feet) without the need for a costly, cumbersome extender box. There’s no word yet on which interconnect companies have signed on to produce these sophisticated strands, but we’d expect to hear more by the time CES 2009 gets underway. Full release is after the break.

Gennum Extends DisplayPort Cable Lengths by up to 15x

ActiveConnect™ DisplayPort™ Solution Enables Rapid Adoption of DisplayPort in Digital Signage, PCs, Media Server Devices

BURLINGTON, Ontario – December 8, 2008 – Further broadening the application support for high-speed digital interfaces, Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) today announced it is expanding its ActiveConnect family with a new connectivity solution for DisplayPort cable products. Rapidly emerging in a variety of electronic devices including laptops, PCs, media servers, DVRs, home theater displays and commercial signage displays, DisplayPort is a digital interface standard that today supports a maximum 10.8 Gb/s data rate over a two meter cable (roughly six feet). By using Gennum’s ActiveConnect GV8502 device, a small, cost-effective semiconductor solution, within a standard copper cable assembly, displays can be driven at distances up to 30 meters (roughly 100 feet) – more than 15 times the reach of passive DisplayPort cables. Gennum will showcase this capability at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES), being held in Las Vegas January 8-11, 2009, in the DisplayPort TechZone.

“We see broad market adoption of DisplayPort, in commercial applications such as digital signage and business projectors found in meeting/conference rooms, auditoriums and training facilities” said Vijay Sharma, Director of Product Marketing, Analog & Mixed-Signal Division, Gennum. “These applications require cables as long as 100 feet, and have therefore been unable to take advantage of the multimedia quality that DisplayPort offers. The Gennum ActiveConnect GV8502 can be seamlessly and cost-effectively embedded into the cable, enabling a variety of new active cable solutions that will allow DisplayPort to become a pervasive technology in these fast-growing markets.”

According to Brian O’Rourke, analyst at market research firm In-Stat, “DisplayPort is a next-generation digital interface between PCs and LCD monitors that holds great promise for both the consumer and commercial industries. We are just starting to see products emerge that support DisplayPort, and we believe that DisplayPort-enabled devices will grow at an annual rate of 243 percent from 2008 to 2012, representing tremendous opportunities for product and accessories manufacturers that can quickly develop DisplayPort products to capitalize on this growth.”

ActiveConnect Provides the Necessary Link for DisplayPort Devices
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), which introduced DisplayPort in 2006, last year ratified DisplayPort version 1.1a, thus enabling resolutions as high as 4K2K (4x resolution of 1080p displays today), 16-bit color depths and 120Hz refresh rates.

Supporting 21.6 gigabits per second (Gbps), up to twice the 10.8 Gbps/channel required by the DisplayPort HBR specification, the newest ActiveConnect solution can drive multimedia up to 100 feet over standard copper DisplayPort cables. Additionally, manufacturers can leverage a complete ActiveConnect reference design kit (RDK) that enables fast integration for cables, as well as wall plates, dongles and booster products that support DisplayPort. The new ActiveConnect DisplayPort RDK provides a turnkey design capability that shortens design time enabling faster time-to-market.

Last year, Gennum became the first company to deliver support for full-rate HDMI 1.3 with a transmit/receive solution capable of operating at distances of 100 meters over coaxial cable, which has since been adopted by leading cable manufacturers serving the home theater custom install market. The ActiveConnect family also includes HDMI 1.3 support for Category 5/6 and thin HDMI cables, wall plates and boosters for the consumer and custom install market.

ActiveConnect DisplayPort Reference Design Kit to Speed Design
Targeting DisplayPort applications, the GV8502-based solution is an active, receive-only solution that will be sold as part of a reference design kit containing a demonstration cable and design collateral. The kit can be leveraged to design cables, dongles, boosters and extenders capable of supporting the full suite of DisplayPort features and functions. The ActiveConnect reference design kit for DisplayPort will be available in January 2009. Initial volume pricing for the ActiveConnect GV8502 silicon solution for DisplayPort is expected to be $2 per unit.

Gennum will be demonstrating its complete suite of ActiveConnect solutions at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show being held January 8-11, 2009 in Las Vegas. Gennum will be displaying its DisplayPort solution at the DisplayPort TechZone, located in the Sands Hotel Expo & Convention Center, Booth 73611. Gennum’s ActiveConnect solutions for HDMI will be shown at the HDMI TechZone, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 1, Booth 21266.