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Posts with tag atsc

AMD's ATI All-in-Wonder HD gets reviewed


Loyal All-in-Wonder users from years past have probably been watching the progression of AMD's revised version of the card with extreme interest. After such an absence, however, we understand the need to be cautious before snapping this up for your upcoming HTPC. HotHardware recently received one of these units for testing, and while it was only deemed "entry level" in the gaming department, the multimedia performance was smiled upon. To quote, "the [card] did an excellent job presenting digital video content in a quality manner without creating excessive power consumption in order to do so." As expected, the unit wasn't recommend for everyone (read: non-TV buffs), but those who'd utilize the built-in ClearQAM support probably can't go wrong for $199. Hit the read link for a whole gaggle of test results.

Sharp intros entry-level SB series of 1080p LCD HDTVs

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

Ask Engadget HD: What's the best USB HD tuner?


There are HD junkies, and then there are HD junkies. You know, those folks who can't leave on a business trip without packing in a USB HD tuner to catch some OTA goodness once they arrive. Here's to you, latter guy / gal:

"I travel quite frequently on business, and while some hotels I end up in have HD programming, many still do not. I'm considering picking up an OTA TV tuner that I can just plug into my laptop's USB port, but there are just so many options. Any help out there on which performs the best and which comes with the nicest PVR software?"

We're going to assume this fellow is in search of a TV tuner that works here in the US (ATSC), but feel free to chime in with DVB-T, etc. options as well. Oh, and be sure to signify whether your recommendation only works on Mac or PC if that is indeed the case.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Raleigh, NC's WRAL testing MPH mobile DTV system

Although Raleigh, North Carolina is set to become one of the first DVB-SH test markets in America, WRAL is already testing out yet another standard. The station known nationwide for taking its local newscasts to the world of HD while everyone else sat and moped in their SD control rooms is currently teaming with CBC in order to test out the ATSC-compatible MPH mobile television transmission system. As we've seen before, the system enables "local broadcasters to deliver digital television to mobile devices including cellphones, laptops and personal media players," all while moving quickly in vehicles, hoverboards, rocket-powered scooters -- you name it. There's no word on what exactly will happen once the trials conclude, but we'll be keeping an ear to the ground just in case it's something big.

[Via BroadcastingCable]

AOC unloads 42-inch L42H861 LCD HDTV for $1,000


If the Envision L42H761 was just barely, barely too rich for your blood at $1,050, AOC's looking to break the one grand mark with its newest 42-incher. The L42H861 packs a 1080p Full HD panel, a 6,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 176-degree viewing angles, 3-D comb filter, three HDMI ports, a VGA input (with audio socket) and a digital ATSC / Clear QAM TV tuner to boot. The $999.99 asking price also includes a swivel stand, but it's not scared of being hung upside your wall, either. The full release is after the jump.

VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800


If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Sling TR-40 quietly rebadged as the DISH Network DTVPal

DISH Network DTVPal
Echostar can't seem to decide what brand to put on its upcoming DTV converter box. The device that many DTV converter box shoppers seem to believe will be the one to get, won't be available until June and although we originally heard it would be sold as the Sling Media TR-40, recently the little box has gotten 50 percent smaller and will be called the DISH Network DTVPal. A few sites are already accepting pre-orders that are expected to ship on June 16th, which won't help you very much if you signed up for your voucher on the first day like we did.

[Thanks, Josh]

ATSC celebrates 25 years


Can you believe it? No really, can you believe ATSC has been kickin' around in TV sets and on street corners for a quarter-century now (okay, so maybe just "established" for that long)? Sure enough, the Advanced Television Systems Committee gathered on Thursday to celebrate its silver anniversary and to take a long hard look at what the future holds. Needless to say, quite a few folks will be getting acquainted with the standard now that the analog shutoff is getting dangerously near. The meeting also touched on taking ATSC mobile with ATSC-M/H and the "next generation of services for fixed receivers" with ATSC 2.0. We know, it's probably all you can do to hold back those tears after hearing of this momentous occasion, but once you're over it, why not chime in below with your fondest ATSC memories? Remember that first digital-tuner TV you got? Yeah, good times.

EVGA joins USB ATSC tuner game with inDtube


Not that there aren't already enough USB tuners to sate your media-obsessed palette, but EVGA wants us to make room for one more, the decidedly un-indie inDtube. Originally announced at CES (but apparently just now making its way to market), the inDtube is basically your run of the mill USB 2.0 ATSC and NTSC tuner with S-Video, RCA, coax, remote, and the usual software package (if you're not already using something like Media Center, that is). No price or availability yet.

Ask Engadget HD: Which ATSC tuner works best with 64-bit Vista?


Yeah, this question's been swirling for as long as a 64-bit flavor of Windows Vista has been around, but we couldn't help but pose it now that the world at large has had a chance to experiment a touch and hopefully provide Cody (and everyone else wondering the same) with a bit of advice.

"I'm looking for a TV tuner for a desktop PC that I'm planning on building, but I can't seem to find one without conflicting reviews. Which tuner works well with Vista x64 and can handle ATSC signals that will stand alone after February of 2009? I've noticed HDHomeRun, but I'd like to keep the cost down (below $100 or so) if possible, and I'm also hoping to find some sort of internal PCI / PCIe card -- though I won't argue with USB / external solutions."

With the plethora of options out there, we're sure some of you have found some real winners / losers. Don't hold back, open up and help Cody get his OTA HD on.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

AVerTV Bravo Hybrid PCI-E tuner handles Clear QAM


AVerMedia's latest PCI-E tuner isn't chock full of extras, but it's definitely packing quite a punch for $79.99. The unit plays nice with ATSC, NTSC and Clear QAM signals along with FM radio, and aside from letting folks tune into HD programs over-the-air, it can also record directly in H.264 format to save space on your hard drive and provide easy exporting to iPods / PMPs. Just what the doctor ordered? Fantastic -- it's available right now.

equinux offers up TubeStick hybrid USB TV tuner


If neither of Elgato's latest from Macworld tickled your fancy, there's a decent shot you may like what equinux has going on instead. The TubeStick hybrid is the firm's newly announced USB TV tuner, which is housed in a diminutive chassis that won't block nearby ports and offers up OTA reception of NTSC, ATSC and digital (QAM) signals. Furthermore, the unit comes wearing the whitest of white outfits and also touts an external antenna and a one-month trial of the TubeToGo software. Yes, this critter will play nice with Windows machines as well, but we hear it tries to avoid such predicaments whenever possible. Ready to snag your own? Catch one next month for $129.

[Via The Mac Observer]

DirecTV intros dual ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21

DirecTV intros two ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21
If your DirecTV HR21 leaves you feeling empty because you want need to streamline your over-the-air ATSC side of the house, listen up. DirecTV's AM21 is your answer. For $59, you can pick one up, stack it above or below your HR21, connect it via USB, and bask in the glow of dual tuner ATSC programming (integrated with your OSG, to boot). It's not a bad looking little black box at all, and the price is reasonable. It's being shown off at CES, and you can expect it to be available at the end of February.

XstreamHD details continue to emerge


Just a few hours before our live coverage of the XStreamHD press event (11am PST) with Michael Douglas; many of the details have been released and we have to say this thing looks so incredible, we don't see how it can live up to the press release -- this is one of those times when we'd really love to be wrong. For starters, the service promises to deliver "the latest content from leading studios" in 1080p (MPEG-2 and x.264) with 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio (96kHz/24bits) to your home via satellite, and if it stopped there it would be impressive enough, but no. The content is stored on the internally in your "Virtual Personal Library" until you access it with up to four simultaneous DLNA devices on your gigabit Ethernet home network. If you run out of space, you can use the extra drive bays to expand up to 2TB of storage. And because there is so much great OTA HD content, it features three ATSC tuners which can be used with a "Network Video Recorder" -- not sure what that is, or if its extra. And interestingly even includes a PBX that allows free calling between XStreamHD customers. As if this wasn't unbelievable enough, it all starts at $399 and is expected to hit in the fourth quarter of '08.

Full release after the jump.

Norcent delivers 19-inch LT-1931 / 22-inch LT-2231 LCD TVs


Norcent's 42-inch LT-4231P a bit too large for your armoire? If so, the firm is hoping to satisfy your LCD TV needs anyway with the 19-inch LT-1931 and 22-inch LT-2231. The former features a 1,440 x 900 resolution along with an 800:1 contrast ratio while the latter serves up a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Both sets enjoy a 2D digital comb filter, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a trilingual on-screen menu, HDMI / component / S-Video / composite inputs and a built-in TV tuner that plays nice with NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM signals. Unlike the aforementioned 42-incher, this pair is available as we speak for $299.99 and $379.99, respectively.




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