It’s Monday, and we’re still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 9PM. We’re slightly delayed due to the Netflix earnings, so take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9PM
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9PM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
British expats and international fans of BBC television alike can now stream some Gavin & Stacey to their televisions (past season 1 anyway, which is on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video), as long as they’re properly equipped. The global iPlayer app for iPad has been updated with AirPlay streaming (those in the UK however, have no such luck so far) so once users update to iOS 5 and buy an Apple TV box, they’re in business. Of course, this would all be much simpler if iPlayer were just available on the Apple TV itself (without XBMC or other hacks), but no one asked us, did they?
BBC’s global iPlayer app adds AirPlay streaming, should just be on Apple TV originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The fact is watching TV has always been social, which of course means it was only a matter of time before technology removed the physical proximity requirement from the mix. We’ve seen said requirement disappear from various content providers and now it’s subscribers to AT&T U-verse’s turn. The initial slew of options include Miso, TV Foundry, Wayvin and BuddyTV Guide. All four let you share what you’re watching while at the same time help you discover new content by being exposed to what your friends are watching. Of course none of them are exactly Facebook and U-verse isn’t anywhere near the most popular content provider in the country, but we’re glad to see someone pushing hard into social TV that moves beyond just sending status updates via our remote.
Continue reading U-verse TV gets social with help from Miso, TV Foundry, Wayvin and BuddyTV Guide
U-verse TV gets social with help from Miso, TV Foundry, Wayvin and BuddyTV Guide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Boss
Kelsey Grammer comes back to TV this week on Starz playing the mayor of Chicago, who has just been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease that he’s trying to hide from both his friends and his enemies. Focused more on political intrigue it probably won’t have the action of The Chicago Code, but the intricacies of the corrupt political machine at work should remain. Check out a trailer after the break, apparently this first season was already impressive enough that it’s been renewed for a season two before the premiere episode airs Friday.
(October 21st, Starz, 10PM)
World Series
The long baseball season has finally come down to the last two teams standing. the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals both feature impressive offensive and defensive lineups, which should make for an exciting round of baseball, as long as the series goes. The first four games are all scheduled to take place over the next week, so check the schedule below and clear out a little time for the inevitable Pujols/Hamilton/Cruz show.
(All week, Fox)
Once Upon A Time
Game of Thrones this ain’t. This new drama premieres on ABC Sunday and attempts to update fairy tales for the modern age. The plot centers around a woman who is contacted by the son she gave up for adoption who believes that she is actually from an alternate universe where she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Now he lives in a normal-looking neighborhood that is actually populated by the characters of the most famous classic children’s stories. The subject matter is a bit out there, but coming from writer’s whose biggest credit to date is their work on Lost, who would expect anything different? There’s a trailer for this one after the break as well.
(October 23rd, ABC, 8PM)
Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 17th – 23rd)
Must See HDTV (October 17th – 23rd) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
We’ve been waiting for more information on DirecTV’s next generation multiroom DVR hub, and here it is, courtesy of the folks at DBSTalk. They’ve gotten an early look at the HR34 and all of its five-tuner RVU blasting capabilities and report it is just the HR24-on-steroids you’d thought it would be, with a 1TB hard drive and support for 100 Series Listings and 3 remote sessions, either RVU or whole-home DVR, at once. Of course, if we’re really going to eliminate the cable / satellite box anytime soon then hardware is going to have to hit the streets, both form DirecTV and third parties like Samsung. Don’t bother calling DirecTV to get one yet as they’re in extremely limited release, but we’ll let you know once they’re widely available. In the meantime, hit the source link for a quick preview, and if you’re looking for more info on the placeshifting Nomad box then you’re in luck, since its product page is (finally) live on DirecTV’s site.
DirecTV’s five tuner, RVU-ready HR34 DVR revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Don’t expect Comcast to stop its Xfinity VOD streaming to the living room rollout with just the Xbox 360 this Christmas, as executive Sam Schwartz promised during a CTAM panel that it plans to develop apps for the PS3, Wii, Roku and other connected TV platforms. Multichannel News reports it doesn’t plan to roll out streaming to as many platforms as Netflix, so we’ll have to wait and see where this initial venture into IPTV stops. Think big cable is scared of over the top services? Maybe not yet, since Comcast claims Netflix subscribers tend to be the most voracious users of its VOD. Also in Comcast’s future is its completely revamped Xcalibur guide software with internet and social media tie-ins (check out our early sneak peek here), which Schwartz reiterated would be available nationwide at some point next year.
Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Check your Bingo squares — we have a full on geek rant this week. While DVBLink’s Boxee extender engendered nothing but peaceful conversation, we couldn’t help but dig into the next two topics. Rumors of Microsoft’s efforts to integrate cable TV into a unified search with its other Xbox offerings continue to swirl, which left us wondering just who is standing in the way of innovation. Meanwhile, the cable companies and content providers are at odds over how to distribute their channels with little thought given to the end user’s experience. Of course, we do have some happy news, with Star Trek: TNG coming to Blu-ray, bigger LCDs and 4K support for the PS3. Press play to hear the rest of our discussion and our impressions of the new fall programming so far — it’s not looking good.
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:01:42 – DVBLogic’s Boxee app brings live TV streaming to the Box
00:04:15 – Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live
00:13:20 – Some cable companies are pushing for unbundled channels — but not for you
00:32:35 – Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app
00:34:57 – Star Trek: The Next Generation is coming to Blu-ray, starting in 2012 (video)
00:42:44 – Sharp’s biggest LCD HDTVs get even bigger with a new 80-inch model
00:49:00 – PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach
00:51:15 – Sony to stop paying for movie theater 3D glasses, theater owners fire back
00:56:27 – Energy Star 5.3 now in effect, some chunkier TVs left out in the cold
01:00:30 – Must See HDTV (October 3rd – 9th)
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Engadget HD Podcast 268 – 10.04.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The next version of XBMC isn’t ready for prime time yet, but the team behind it is already talking about what’s being added and tweaked in v11.0, a.k.a Eden. This is the first major release since the media player app added iPad, iPhone and Apple TV support and as such improved touchscreen support is high on the list. We can also expect a new “Files” view in the video library, a different default skin, improved CPU / GPU efficiency, customizable home screens and other UI tweaks as seen above. Now that the list of features is pretty much locked down we’ll be expecting a beta, and eventually final release, but you can hit the source link to dive in early and help test everything out.
XBMC teases new features coming in 11.0 ‘Eden’ release originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
How can we still have fall premieres left? After the onslaught of the last two weeks it seems there’s still a few to go, as old standbys like House join fresh faces like American Horror Story and Penn & Teller Tell a Lie on the premiere list. It’s also a big week for Blu-ray discs, as seen above with a couple of classics showing up, some Disney favorites returning for the first time and special treats like Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555 and Planet Earth Special Edition. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Pulp Fiction
After waiting far too long for Quentin Tarantino’s hit movie to debut on Blu-ray we got an early look at this one and it’s worth the wait. Both the picture and audio quality are impressive, while we didn’t have a copy of the imported version to compare them to the picture is clean and artifact free, while the 5.1 soundtrack gives equal time to the witty dialogue and occasional action. There’s no audio commentary present, but there is about an hour or so of new HD extras included for the fans. If you’ve somehow avoided seeing this movie so far we don’t even know what to say to you, but this is the best way to watch since it debuted in 1994.
($15.99 on Amazon, October 4th)
House
Everyone’s favorite jerk of a doctor returns for an eighth and possibly final season tonight. With Cuddy gone and Dr. Gregory House locked in jail we’re wondering if it can keep the medical procedural formula fresh for another year, but so far it’s held up well despite cast rotations and the so often under-appreciated main-character-loses-his-mind plot twist. Don’t have enough reasons to watch? Jaleel White is guest starring in tonight’s season premiere episode, so there you go.
(October 3rd, Fox, 9PM)
The League
If you’ve listened to our podcast or are participating in either of the official Engadget HD leagues, then you already know we’re all in when it comes to fantasy football. The League returns this week for a third season and captures all of the insanity that happens when people stop being friends and start getting real… pretend. Despite its very intense focus on a group of friends and their over the top competition, as well as guest appearances by NFL stars, there’s enough comedy there to keep watching whether you’re watching tonight’s game hoping a backup RB gets 75 yards and a touchdown or not.
(October 7th, FX, 10:30PM)
Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 3rd – 9th)
Must See HDTV (October 3rd – 9th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
It’s Monday, and we’re still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 4:30PM. We’re a little early this week, so take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 4:30PM
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 4:30PM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
