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

[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

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 - VUDU 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)

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

[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

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)

We're coming at you a few days late this week, but we promise we weren't slacking off -- Ben took a trip to Microsoft to get the lowdown on Media Center initiatives, which he shares on this show. During his trip, he saw the DirecTV HDPC-20 in action alongside a smorgasbord of other gear, some identifiable and some not so much. Speaking of Microsoft, we talk about the Xbox Experience and the appearance of HD Netflix's Watch Instantly titles -- the selection isn't great yet, but the quality is there. This move really gives Xbox 360 a leg up on the competition, and Microsoft's Shane Kim (no relation to Steve, by the way) crowed about that this week; and our readers seemed to agree with him in this week's Ask Engadget feature. DISH will let you add USB storage to its ViP211 DVR for a "mere" $40, which while pricey is still better than a stick in the eye. And that's exactly what the newspaper editor who claims he can't see an improvement in Blu-ray picture quality must have caught, in our opinion. We admit that even price cuts may not be making Blu-ray decks fly off the shelves, but picture quality isn't a valid reason to hold off on the purchase. Apparently, people don't feel that being "bound" to physical media is a reason to nix Blu-ray, either, as this week's MOTO (master of the obvious) survey finds that people actually prefer discs to streaming. That's good news for Oppo's rumored BDP-83 Blu-ray player; but even if it decodes every format under the sun, a pricetag upwards of $400 might put a damper on things. Netflix has officially declared the format war is over, and will stop carrying HD DVDs in mid-December. No week would be complete without mention of VUDU, this time the rack-mountable XL2 version gets mention on the podcast. LCD prices are definitely in a free-fall, but we wonder what they would be if not for the price fixing that LG and Sharp admitted to. No such luck for those hoping to join club KURO, however, as Pioneer's rebranding of Black Friday as "KURO Friday" rings utterly hollow.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:10 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 111 - 11.12.2008
12:16 - The Media Center DirecTV HDPC-20 caught in action
22:10 - Xbox Experience now available to all who signed up, Netflix HD streams too
25:05 - Microsoft exec touts HD streaming over discs, suggests Xbox 360 will outlast PS3
28:09 - Ask Engadget HD: Best gaming / movie console: Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?
29:49 - DISH Network (finally) offers ViP211 DVR Upgrade option
31:46 - Editor ponders: Do you need a Blu-ray player?
36:16 - Blu-ray player price cuts not spurring huge sales... yet
38:05 - Research finds that people still heart physical discs, greatly prefer Blu-ray to streaming
39:55 - Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information
42:31 - Netflix no longer carrying HD DVDs as of December 15th
44:03 - VUDU XL2 brings on-demand films to rack-mountable enclosure
47:04 - LG, Sharp plead guilty to LCD price-fixing, take $585m fine
48:58 - Pioneer rechristens Black Friday "KURO Friday," won't lower prices


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

We spend some time digressing on listener feedback before diving into a double-header of Windows 7 news -- evidence of DirecTV USB tuner support and native support for DivX and on-the-fly transcoding. Our story about the digital transition video gets us talking about the fast-approaching date, and we suspect that after CES in January we'll be seeing a torrent of more news on the topic. It's hard to believe the election was only a week ago, but we spend a little time talking about the coverage we took in to watch the results come in. Our newly-elected officials definitely will have to contend with getting consumer confidence back up, and we saw a reflection of this in our poll where about a third of you said the economy has made you diall down your HD purchasing frenzy. But even in a downturn, you've got to have some content to watch, and this week's "Ask Endgadget HD" feature saw a lot of you chime in on your preferred movie rental source. With Vudu claiming the HD title lead, the little box that could might be a contender for some of you; but unfortunately for us, disposable income (specifically, lack thereof) has put the Vudu in the "not right now" category.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:49 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 110 - 11.05.2008
19:05 - Windows 7 includes a driver for the DirecTV HDCP-20 USB tuner
22:01 - Windows 7 to natively support DivX and transcoding?
25:43 - Digital TV transition spoof video is both informative and hilarious
32:52 - A look at Election Night ratings: ABC gains, others lose
39:04 - Poll: Has "the economy" shaken your HD purchase plans?
40:34 - Ask Engadget HD: What's the best movie rental service?
41:47 - VUDU now home to 1,100 HD titles: "largest HD library in existence"


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

On the eve of the presidential election, we still got together to talk up the latest in HD news. What easily turned out to be the topic of the week was Netflix. We covered the HD announcements, the TiVo partnership, and finally, Watch Instantly for Mac users. And although you'd think we got enough downloads vs discs talk in our round table last week, think again, as we rehash a bit about our latest poll on the debate, as well as the recent misguided predictions about the death of Blu-ray. Finally, we finish up with a little Slingbox HD streaming and of course the required mention of Windows Media Center.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:30 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 108 - 10.29.2008
12:52 - Roku's Netflix Player handling HD content "by the end of the year"
16:14 - Poll: What's your preference -- digital downloads or discs?
19:19 - Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo
24:14 - Netflix opens 'Watch Instantly' to Mac owners who opt-in
29:30 - The rumors of Blu-ray's death are greatly exaggerated
35:30 - Sherwood might cancel Blu-ray players due to competitive prices
38:30 - Blu-ray hits a milestone: 1,000 titles on the format
39:37 - VUDU's HD selection now outnumbers Apple TV's, Blu-ray might be next
44:30 - The Slingbox Pro HD review addendum
47:14 - What's new in Windows 7 for Media Center

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

With all the excitement around the latest news in the world of digital downloads, we though we'd take a cue from our good friends at gdgt.com and hold a roundtable on the subject. Rather than choose other professionals on the subject for the panel, we reached out to fans of digital downloads to get real world impressions of what is actually out there. We get deep into the why people want downloads, why the market has yet to reach the masses, and finally, we all make our predictions of when we think Blu-ray Discs will be like VHS is today. So if you have strong feelings about the future of discs, you're going to really love this.


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

Guests:
Eddie Valenzuela of Apple TV Junkie
Jon Ogden, a Vudu evangelist
Tyler Pruitt of Format War Central

Producer: Trent Wolbe

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

We start off talking about Baraka getting treated to an 8k transfer process en route to Blu-ray, which should make the title appeal to videophiles; which isn't to say we think Blu-ray is for "videophiles" only. With Blu-ray players coming down in price and features like Netflix "Watch Instantly" being added to decks -- two Samsung units added the feature this week -- we think Blu-ray will catch on. Speaking of Netflix, Macs are getting "Watch Instantly" functionality as well, thanks to Microsoft's Silverlight plugin. But the Xbox 360 takes top honors among media streamers this week again, for first out of the gate to support Netflix HD streaming. Not one to be left out of the set-top-box streamer race, TiVo added Jaman and CinemaNow capabilities as well, just as the device TiVo killed -- the standalone VCR -- got the axe from JVC this week. That takes you back, eh? Well, the HD Guru got us all caught up again with his review of the Mitsubishi LaserVue, and he has great news to report -- lots of color, lots darkness and lots of contrast, too. Ben and Steve go into a little more detail on their equipment reviews this week, with Ben putting EA's mPanel through its paces and Steve giving new speakers from Paradigm a listen. We know we're a biased bunch, but this week's poll really highlighted it, with almost 50-percent of you guys switching carriers due to a lack of HD. And that's a perfect springboard for Ben to go off on the NFL Network's use of stale SD material when HD crispness of the same content is available. We end up on a happy note, though -- CES is approaching, and with or without the incorporation of EHX Fall, we always look forward to covering the Christmas-after-Christmas that is CES.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:24 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 107 - 10.22.2008
03:50 - Baraka: first ever 8K HD restoration Blu-ray Disc gets ship date, reviewed
05:07 - Is Blu-ray destined to become a "videophile niche?"
07:11 - Samsung partners with Netflix: P2500 and P2550 Blu-ray players updated for free
08:16 - Netflix finally brings 'Watch Instantly' to Macs via Silverlight
09:59 - HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first
10:52 - TiVo uncorks movie downloads via CinemaNow and Jaman
12:23 - Standalone VCR party finally ends, JVC shuts the door as it leaves
14:22 - HD Guru: Mitsu's LaserVue L65-A90 among the best HDTVs ever tested
19:12 - Embedded Automation's mPanel Review
21:43 - Paradigm "Phantom" Cinema Gaming speaker system review
23:34 - Poll: Have you switched carriers due to lack of HD?
29:19 - NFL Network launches HD information screen to jazz up SD material
35:18 - EHX Fall moving in with CES, fight over top bunk begins in 2010

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

The delayed show last week left us with a light list of topics, but we still had plenty to say. Like, as much as we've waited for tru2way, we really aren't interested in using it anytime soon, because ultimately it is the same cruddy software anyways. But no matter how you tune in to HD, it probably takes you longer to change channels then the good ol' days of analog, but not that it really matters anyways with DVRs eliminating the need to channel surf. Finally we talk up our favorite new topic, discs vs downloads, as we assess the adoption of Blu-ray using Netflix's numbers and give Vudu props' for really stepping up and releasing tons of new HD titles. Oh, and while Apple TV is still just a hobby, we don't let it stop us from enjoying some Hulu on our big screen TV.

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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:39 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 106 - 10.17.2008
09:48 - Panasonic's tru2way-enabled TH-50PZ80Q plasma lands in Chicago retailer
12:57 - Poll: Are you planning to get tru2way?
16:10 - How long does it take to change the channel? About 1.9 seconds
20:14 - Is Netflix a better indicator of Blu-ray's success than Nielsen?
25:00 - A new HD tide is rising at VUDU
33:26 - Boxee delivers Hulu to Apple TV

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

We kick off with the brouhaha Steve Jobs raised with the Blu-ray "bag of hurt" remark; as always, Apple keeps us guessing what it's really up to. Netflix removed any mystery behind its Blu-ray allegiance, though -- kick in a buck more each month for all the Blu you can eat. The BDA is looking forward to a strong holiday showing, and with falling player prices and titles like The Matrix, Iron Man and The Dark Knight, we can't blame them; let's see if the VideoScan numbers can keep up the good performance. You guys picked Sony as the winner of favorite Blu studio, but we like Warner for trying out new things, like DivX distribution -- who knows if it'll stick, but at least Warner is trying some new tricks. LG's new BD300 Blu-ray/Netflix combo is also trying some new things, but we'll see if consumers pay for the single-box convenience. Next up is Vudu's new HDX format -- the tech and quality is good, but we think it'd be better served by a subscription model and blame Hollywood for keeping that from materializing. We spend a little time talking over DIRECTV2PC local placeshifting and NBC's Universal Sports, and once Ben vents about how NBC has ruined his Sunday evenings, we turn to the Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC review. Basically, we thought it came up a little short. Tru2Way is a-coming, and even though Bright House customers may have to suffer Mystro software to get it, at least Panasonic has held up its end of the deal by rolling out Tru2Way sets in time for the holiday. We wrap up with a slightly happier TiVo note -- the Hawk software is going through testing -- but as much as we'd love to get a hands-on, we won't sign an NDA that keeps us from sharing with you all.

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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:27 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 105 - 10.08.2008
01:48 - Apple's Steve Jobs calls Blu-ray "a bag of hurt"
06:04 - Netflix implements $1 per month Blu-ray premium charge
11:59 - BDA unsurprisingly bullish for holiday season
15:49 - Poll: Which Blu-ray studio is your favorite?
18:24 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 5th, 2008
20:47 - LG's BD300 available and in the wild
22:45 - Warner Bros. gives green light for DivX distribution
24:06 - VUDU's HDX titles compare to Blu-ray's picture quality
29:56 - Poll: Which HD download service do you prefer?
34:34 - DIRECTV2PC launches in beta form, brings HD recordings to your local PC
37:37 - NBC replaces Weather Plus with Universal Sports
41:34 - Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC review
44:53 - Bright House bigwig acknolwedges complaints about Mystro Digital Navigator
47:24 - Panasonic reveals first tru2way HDTVs in Chicago and Denver
49:45 - TiVo soliciting beta testers for "Hawk" Series3 / TiVo HD software update

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

Somehow we continue to find things to talk up despite the fact that this time of year is traditionally slow for tech news. We do find it a relief that Panasonic finally solved it's identity crisis, and that it might get back into the Audio AVR market. Meanwhile, Ben finds something to complain about FiOS monumental HD rollout -- yeah seriously. Iron Man breaks the Blu-ray sales record so we decide to speculate on which title will replace it as the number one selling title ever using IMDB logic. Finally we talk up some hardware as the Apple TV gets an update, XStreamHD is less than three months away from officially becoming vaporware, and finally Steve complains because he isn't one of the lucky ones able to obtain a Tuning Adapter, despite the fact that he actually needs one.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:48 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 104 - 10.01.2008
03:55 - Matsushita Electric becomes Panasonic, like, for real
04:46 - Panasonic gearing up for re-entry into the receiver market?
07:57 - Verizon rolls out price increase with monumental HD rollout
11:05 - MOJO HD gets canceled, should vanish by year's end
12:19 - VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV
14:24 - Samsung BD-P1500 update finally enabled BD Live
17:28 - Iron Man lives up to expectations, breaks all Blu-ray records
21:37 - Apple TV update finally lets you buy hi-def TV shows from the couch
27:52 - XStreamHD licenses audio processing from ARC, resumes radio silence
31:35 - The first Tuning Adapter is unleashed by Comcast

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

Looks like the BDA needs to tighten up its messaging on falling Blu-ray player prices, as the new Panasonic players came in under our estimates and Sony put a price cut on its BDP-S350. We look forward to some good deals this holiday season, but according to our poll, almost a third of you need prices to head south of the $200 mark before you'll pull the trigger. We call "cherry picking" on this week's spate of news regarding Blu-ray's demise, and Hollywood seems to think enough of the format to send Academy screeners on Blu. What is more interesting in download/streaming space is Roku's open attitude to getting content onboard. Cannon PC introduced internal CableCard tuners for the HTPC crowd, which might help make them look more HT and less PC. We talk a little about our hands-on time with the long-awaited Slingbox PRO-HD, and then bat around plans for putting Nero's LiquidTV/TiVo PC to the test. But on the TiVo front, the new UI that leaked out this week took top honors -- it struck close to home for TiVo (the videos disappeared quickly) and close to our hearts (we want it now). Finally, we talk about the HD Guru's latest roundup of TVs -- the specs don't lie, Samsung's LN-46A950 delivered 1080 lines of resolution in motion (in one mode); but as always, let your own eyes be the final judge.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
04:33 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 0103 - 09.24.2008
10:10 - Panasonic's Profile 2.0 DMP-BD35 Blu-ray player priced at $299
10:36 - Panasonic's Profile 2.0 DMP-BD55 Blu-ray player gets priced: $399
10:48 - Sony gifts BDP-S350 with BD-Live via firmware update
11:33 - Poll: Are $200 Blu-ray players cheap enough for you?
13:36 - Blu-ray's market share has almost doubled since HD DVD's demise
18:01 - Roku reaffirms desire to work with other content providers
20:53 - Cannon PC starts offering internal CableCARD tuners for sale separately
24:25 - Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD unboxed and tested
26:03 - Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC brings TiVo interface to the PC
32:50 - Potential new TiVo user interface shown on video
38:13 - HD Guru evaluates 125 HDTVs in the resolution loss test


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

The BDA says prices won't be falling soon, but thankfully retailers broke ranks this week and Blu-ray players sank below the $200 mark. Player pricing may be falling into line with Joe Six Pack budgets, but who's to say when Apple's OSX will get the memo. Based on our poll, Profile 2.0 support isn't necessary, we're just asking for some basic playback here, Apple. We move on to talk about the dearth of OTA HD DVRs; we think it's got a lot to do with the limited OTA offerings here in the US. Maybe a HTPC would be the way to record your OTA HD, but one thing made loud and clear by our poll is that folks won't be paying $5,000 for that pleasure, even if it comes in the form of a headless Windows Media Center. Speaking of HTPCs, we talk a little about DisplayPort and HDMI and wonder if a divide between CE and PC gear is brewing on that front. An easier way to get your PC content on your TV might be the ZvBox, which we reviewed this week. ATSC 2.0 with H.264 encoding is too far off to even think about, so we take a shorter view and focus on Verizon's HD MLB coverage on TBS and the debut of HD on 60 Minutes this past weekend. Finally, we can't pass up the opportunity to thank iTV for setting the vision that has guided us all to the interactive TV wonder we know as Ben-o-Vision.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:33 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 0102 - 09.17.2008
14:19 - BDA sez Blu-ray player prices aren't sinking anytime soon
14:35 - Samsung's BD-P1500 Blu-ray player dips under $200
18:14 - Blu-ray support destined for Mac OS X 10.5.6?
20:03 - Poll: Are you sold on Blu-ray Profile 2.0?
22:43 - Ask Engadget HD: Where are all the standalone OTA HD DVRs?
29:08 - Poll: What's the most you'd pay for the ultimate HTPC?
32:40 - Microsoft planning La Veuve de Media Center?
37:48 - DisplayPort and HDMI square off in uber-thorough comparison
42:19 - ZeeVee ZvBox review
50:01 - ATSC 2.0 includes support for H.264
50:01 - Verizon FiOS adds TBS HD in time for the MLB playoffs
52:39 - 60 Minutes pulls out the HDTV cams for Obama & McCain Sunday
57:01 - Ins and Outs: Whatever happened to iTV?

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

We decided to kick off the new fall HDTV season with a little help, so we invited our friend Brent Evans from Geek Tonic on the show to fill us in on the new shows. But like us, Brent is also a HD geek, and had a thing or two to say about SageTV even though it wasn't on topic -- we don't mind one bit. After we got back on topic we talked up the new HD products from Sling and how we might use them, then once again we fell into the downloads vs disc debate as Vudu readies Blu-ray quality rentals and Blu-ray Discs start showing up in Red Box rental kiosks. Finally, we all talk up our favorite shows, including which we'll continue to watch from last year, as well as the ones we're planning on dedicating some DVR space to this year.


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
02:02 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 0101 - 09.9.2008
21:26 - Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD / SlingCatcher up for pre-order
27:56 - VUDU readying Blu-ray quality rentals
34:59 - Blu-ray Discs popping up in Red Box rental kiosks
37:26 - DirecTV's Media Center Tuner still not on track for this year
43:30 - Vizio switches marketing gears from discount to high-quality
45:14 - Digeo readies two Moxi set-top-boxes for release
48:57 - The ultimate guide to the Fall HDTV schedule

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

Breaking past the century mark, we pull our own Darren Murph into the studio to give us the rundown on last week's CEDIA show. Highlights from Denver included Mitsubishi's LaserVue TV and Belkin's FlyWire wireless hub -- we're not sure we see the FlyWire device moving in large volume, but we wonder if the LaserVue's picture quality could give RPTVs a real shot in the arm. One thing that did show up at CEDIA was Blu-ray players; despite Samsung's call for a five-year Blu lifespan, units from Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and LG all got rolled out. Features are all over the map, but it's good to see that the product segment is getting some diversity. There also was a tru2way demo from Panasonic and Comcast, and again we find ourselves in the "glass half full" camp that wishes for more, but appreciates the baby steps being made. TiVo had a good week, with an spec-bumped HD model and the return of a DirecTV solution. But when it comes to whole-home media, Niveus still tugs at our hearts -- unfortunately, it also tugs a little too hard at our wallets. And with that, the show moves on to the new items we're not so enthusiastic about: Sony and Samsung's 200/240Hz TVs, SIM2's $40 hard drive movie mailers, Pioneer's Kuro in-wall speakers, and Philips' purported "better than Kuro" LCD. File all these under, "return to sender." We wrap up on a good note, the appearance of Seinfeld on TBS HD, remastered from film-stock for a quality 16:9 HD experience.



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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:06 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 0100 - 09.3.2008
09:48 - Mitsubishi's 65-inch LaserVue priced at CEDIA: $6,999
13:57 - Belkin's FlyWire hands-on at CEDIA
19:11 - Panasonic's DMP-BD35 / DMP-BD55 Blu-ray players hands-on
21:07 - Hands-on: Sony shows off prototype 400-disc Blu-ray Mega Changer
24:23 - LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck ships next month for $399.95
28:17 - Sharp's AQUOS BD-HP50U / BD-HP21U Blu-ray players eyes-on
30:22 - Samsung UK exec says Blu-ray "has five years left"
33:53 - Panasonic & Comcast to demonstrate "real" tru2way at CEDIA
38:37 - Hell freezes over, new DirecTV HD TiVo on the way
40:58 - TiVo HD XL DVR: 150 hours of HD recording, $599.99, available now
43:23 - Niveus says "never enough," adds support for eight CableCARDs / ten Extenders
47:56 - Sony, Samsung both claim "world's first" 200Hz LCD TV
49:54 - SIM2 tag-teams with Entertainment Experience to bring you movies on hard drives
52:26 - Pioneer goes crazy with 16 new speaker models, KURO brand push
55:30 - Philips LCDs better than Kuro plasmas...at least according to Philips
57:35 - Seinfeld goes HD on TBS HD


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

This has been a long time coming, but after false starts, a long hiatus, and who knows how many hosts, here we are at the Engadget HD Podcast episode 100. We start the show way back in 2005 by talking about what ended up being the warm up to the first podcast, as Ben and Warren talk up the origins and motivations. Then, in early 2006 Ben joined the HD Beat team and with Kevin Tofel, they knocked out the very first weekly HD Beat podcasts. But only after ten episodes, Kevin moved on and Matt moved in as the co-host for the next 34 episodes before the long hiatus. Finally, after about a six month break, Steve step in and helped step up the podcast's game, as we cranked out more consecutive shows than ever before, ultimately bringing us here to episode 100. But during this walk down memory we lane we make a couple stops as Warren reminds Ben that HD.net didn't end up being the HD powerhouse he predicted, Kevin tells how he moved on from HD DVD to digital downloads, and finally Ben reminds Matt while he was right about the price of the HD DVD add-on drive for the 360, he was wrong about his prediction of the outcome of the format war. So while this show doesn't include the usual HD news you've come to expect, it does have four times the witty banter -- especially if you like to hear it when Ben is given a hard time -- and a historical perspective on the show.


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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:29 - Warren Wiltshire
18:51 - Kevin Tofel
42:06 - Matt Burns


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