Engadget HD
The next generation of HDMI actually adds some welcomed features
Filed under: Displays, Industry
Every year we stop by and talk to HDMI and every year there's not much new. But finally we are happy to say there are some cool new things coming to the HDMI spec in 2009. Of course it will carry more pixels than the old version and then there is a new smaller connection -- no not that one -- but neither of those really get us excited. The real interesting additions once again fit into the "why wasn't that there before" category. This includes an actual real high speed data Ethernet connection, and we're happy to report that unlike the current data HDMI supports, this isn't in the blanking interval. But that isn't the most interesting feature -- although it might end up being the most, depending on how it's implemented -- the most welcome addition is the audio return channel. Any who's attempted to use their TV's internal tuner knows all too well that currently although you have an HDMI cable running from your AVR to your TV, you still need another Toslink cable running back from your TV to get the surround sound out of your TV. Thankfully this will be the thing of the past, well, that is after the spec is implemented in upcoming products and you replace all your HDMI cables.The next generation of HDMI actually adds some welcomed features originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsUiRemote is like a remote... in your iPhone
Filed under: Remotes
Yeah, sure, name any IR-equipped phone in existence and odds good to excellent that you can find a universal remote app for it, but you probably can't think of many for the iPhone, now, can you? They exist, yes, but they tend to carry a home-automation slant since the lack of an infrared port leaves the thing relegated to WiFi duty. Enter UiRemote, an ambitious little project undertaken by a handful of scrappy University of Toronto students that uses a fingertip-sized IR blaster connected to the headphone jack paired with a totally customizable app to get the job done. Novel? Not necessarily, but when you consider that a dedicated remote with these specs would probably run half a grand, it's an interesting way to save money and still end up with the coolest AV controller on the block. The devs are still tweaking both the module and the app, but hopes are high that they'll be available to all interested parties in the next couple months.
UiRemote is like a remote... in your iPhone originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsColumbia Pictures flicks restored to Netflix Instant Watch
Filed under: Media streamers, Internet
We all remember the terrible tale of NXE-eve, when Superbad, Karate Kid and more went from fully available to not-on-Xbox and in some cases eventually disappeared entirely. Fear not, as whatever the licensing issue was, it appears to have been amicably resolved, sending Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and many of the rest flowing though a series of tubes near you.
[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Columbia Pictures flicks restored to Netflix Instant Watch originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOctava's HDS31A 3x1 HDMI switch with L/R audio routing is made for legacy HDTVs
Filed under: Ports, Switches, Others
Octava's pushed out a few HDMI switches before, but never one like this. The HDS31A 3x1 HDMI switch is custom tailored to play nice with legacy HDTVs, which -- generally speaking -- have a single DVI input for digital video and L/R stereo audio inputs that are mapped for other video sources such as composite or S-Video. This here box enables users to sync up a trio of HDMI video sources and three L/R audio outputs through a single connection, and it enables users to keep the video input select on DVI. The unit is 1080p compatible and gets its commands via IR remote or manual selection -- if that's good enough for you, you can pony up $149.99 to get one headed your way.
Octava's HDS31A 3x1 HDMI switch with L/R audio routing is made for legacy HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsNew Samsung TVs to support every codec we've heard of?
Filed under: Displays, Samsung
This would be an interesting turn of events, but looking back at that AVForum post from earlier this week we noticed -- thanks Megazone -- that the new Samsung HDTVs featuring Internet@Tv Widgets will also include support for just about every video codec we've heard of (full list after the jump). So while some people might be clamoring for widgets on their TV -- we're not -- others just want an easy to to playback 1080p MKV files with h.264 inside. Of course this isn't official or anything, but we'll be waiting -- with our hopes up -- until the Samsung press event tomorrow at 5PM EST.
[Via GizmoLovers]
Continue reading New Samsung TVs to support every codec we've heard of?
New Samsung TVs to support every codec we've heard of? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsPPC sees an opportunity, debuts its own locking HDMI cable
Filed under: Cables
At first, we figured this whole locking HDMI cable fad would blow over in a matter of weeks. Clearly, we don't have nearly the amount of earthquakes, rambunctious children or wild animals running through the house as the general public. Out of seemingly nowhere, yet another outfit has emerged to showcase its own locking HDMI cable. PPC is sliding into CES in order to launch an HDMI cable (which is likely a rebadged Ottovonmo) with patented technology to hold it onto a port "with a strength that is three times greater than found in conventional connectors." So yeah, if you're fed up with your HDMI cable coming unplugged at the worst possible times (seriously, has anyone ever had this happen on a regular basis?), you can snag the 3-footer for $48.99, the 6-footer for $59.99 or the 12-footer for $72.99.
[Via Electronic House]
PPC sees an opportunity, debuts its own locking HDMI cable originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsLG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in pictures
Filed under: Displays, LG, LCD
And, fortunately they are. These pics the of on-even-when-it-isn't Digital Photo TV and slimmer-than-the-slimmest 47-inch concept panels come straight from our inbox to your eyes. The Digital Photo TV, surprisingly, displays a picture, while this 47-inch LED backlit display undercuts LG's own just-announced panel with its mere 8.9mm depth. Go ahead, be amazed, we won't blame you. Check the full PR after the break for more of the surprises LG has in store.
Continue reading LG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in pictures
LG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in pictures originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsToshiba Matsushita Display teases handheld, high res, no glasses 3D
Filed under: Displays, Toshiba
We swore we wouldn't fall for tech demos of Toshiba Matsushita Display's sexy optically compensated bend LCDs and their CRT-like ultra wide viewing angles and high refresh rates ever again but by adding autostereoscopic 3D (read: no glasses necessary) we're falling in love all over again. By adapting a 3D film for use with 3- and 9-inch displays, this year's CES demo promises simultaneous 2D and 3D viewing on the same display in high res. How close is OCB's curved, rather than horizontally or vertically aligned liquid crystal approach to reality? Your guess is as good as ours but for now we'll wait for some eyes-on time and throw it on the wait-and-wait-and-see heap with SED and the rest.
Toshiba Matsushita Display teases handheld, high res, no glasses 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsHDTV Listings for January 6, 2008
Filed under: ABC, CBS, The CW, Discovery-HD, ESPN-HD, MyNetworkTV, NBC, TNT-HD, Listings
What we're watching tonight:- ABC (720p) has the season premiere of Homeland Security at 8 p.m. and the network season premiere of Scrubs at 9 & 9:30 p.m.
- CW (1080i) brings back 90210 at 8 p.m. and Privileged at 9 p.m.
- CBS (1080i) has NCIS at 8 p.m. followed by The Mentalist at 9 p.m. and Without a Trace at 10 p.m.
- Discovery (1080i) has Dirty Jobs at 9 p.m. and the series premiere of Wreckreation Nation at 10 p.m.
- MyNetworkTV (720p) provides the series premiere of Vice Squad at 9 & 9:30
- FX (720p) has the season premiere of Nip/Tuck at 10 p.m.
- TNT (1080i) drops in Leverage at 10 p.m.
- Sci Fi (1080i) has ECW at 9 p.m.
- History (720p) airs The Universe at 9 p.m.
- NBC (1080i) has Law & Order: SVU at 10 p.m.
- ESPN (720p) airs the 2009 GMAC Bowl with Ball State/Tulsa at 8 p.m.
- ESPNU (720p) has UConn/West Virginia college basketball at 7 p.m.
HDTV Listings for January 6, 2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPhoenix doctor's HD production truck makes house calls
Filed under: Misc, Other hardware
If your doctor was getting up to speed on a new surgical procedure via video footage, you'd want that video to be in HD, right? Thanks to Dr. Diethrich, a co-owner of VAS Communications in Phoenix and also Medical Director at Arizona Heart Hospital, that's now a possibility -- VAS Communications recently rolled out its HD production truck, complete with its own 2.4-meter antenna for satellite uplink. Also onboard are a Panasonic HD video switcher and an Yamaha digital audio console for putting everything together. The "HDMD" is the first HD production truck in Arizona, so you just know that between medical telecasts it's been pressed into action for local news work.
Phoenix doctor's HD production truck makes house calls originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBlu-ray's first two years outpaces DVD's
Filed under: Blu-ray
The success of DVD is the kind that consumer electronics manufactures dreamed of, and now after two years after the introduction of Blu-ray, it appears to be gaining steam even faster -- and during the worst economic crisis of our time. According to Richard Greenfield of Pali Capital, in two years there were about 1.2 million DVD players sold, whereas Blu-ray stand-alone player sales are estimated to be at 2.5 million -- no this doesn't include PS3s which are expected to be at 8 million. Of course choosing between a $129 DVD upconverter and a $199 Blu-ray player isn't that hard of a choice, but paying 30 percent more for a movie is. The news here isn't bad for Blu-ray either as it has managed to almost double its market share of the top 20 titles in the past six months. We have a feeling the members on the panel at the BDA press conference this Thursday at 7pm EST -- which we'll be covering live -- will have a few things to smile about.
Blu-ray's first two years outpaces DVD's originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAT&T to rival TWC with U-verse TV launch in El Paso, Texas
Filed under: Fiber
Ruh roh, Time Warner Cable -- AT&T has just encroached on yet another one of your main markets, as U-verse TV will soon be coming to El Paso, Texas. As of now, TWC is the only major pay-TV carrier in the region, so if you're not kosher with a dish, it's currently the one and only option. Of course, U-verse isn't new to the Lone Star state, but we get the feeling that El Paso residents will be singing praises at the sight of new competition. If you're anxious to see what fiber can deliver, call up AT&T and see if your domicile is currently serviceable.
[Thanks, Chris and Gabe]
AT&T to rival TWC with U-verse TV launch in El Paso, Texas originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsToshiba talks about its XDE future
Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Players, Toshiba
Not everyone has been won over by Toshiba's XDE upscaling, but the company has no plans of abandoning its in-house developed tech; at least that's what key folks behind XDE said in an interview with Home Cinema Choice mag. Not surprisingly, there's a lack of specific sales figures or technical detail on how the adaptive processing works -- there's nothing wrong with holding on to the secret sauce, after all -- but the interview definitely shows that Toshiba is feeling pressure from falling Blu-ray player prices. We've got to wonder how the company is going to deliver a model cheaper than the $150 XD-E500, though -- the gap between standard DVD spinners and cheap Blu-ray players is getting awfully thin, even for pixie dust.
Toshiba talks about its XDE future originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsDolby throws its hat into the home 3D arena
Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Other hardware
Not satisfied with battling RealD for theater 3D dominance, Dolby Labs is pushing forward its 3D solution for home viewers. Timely, since this will should be the year SMPTE picks a direction and everyone gets behind it (or not,) and Dolby apparently already made its case back in September. We'll be able to judge their offering vs. Panasonic, TDVision and all others this week and hopefully come away knowing if 3D really is ready to be the next big thing or just a useless gimmick.Dolby throws its hat into the home 3D arena originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsLogitech's Harmony 1100 remote is more touchscreen, less buttons
Logitech's last Harmony launch was of the subtle and sneaky variety, but there's nothing at all quiet about this one. The big, bold and brash Harmony 1100 is showing itself here in Las Vegas, and the primary selling point is the customizable, 3.5-inch QVGA full-color touchscreen. Rather than getting your buttons all gummed up with pizza grease, you can now smear a nice, innocent panel as you attempt to alter volume and change channels. As expected, the unit packs a rechargeable battery and RF capabilities, and the guided online setup should make programming a lesson in simplicity. Can't wait to get your own? Tough luck, 'cause this one's not shipping to the US and Europe until next month for $499.99.
[Via Electronic House]
Logitech's Harmony 1100 remote is more touchscreen, less buttons originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsShowtime's United States of Tara hitting Netflix Watch Instantly first
Filed under: Showtime-HD, Internet, Satellite
Boy, these content guardians sure are getting brave. First was Friday Night Lights debuting on DirecTV's The 101 weeks before network TV, and now Showtime's United States of Tara is scheduled to be available first via Netflix's Watch Instantly service. The series premiere will be made available on January 8th to Netflix subscribers, while it won't be aired on Showtime until Sunday, January 18th at 10:00PM. Also of note, it appears that the show will air on DirecTV's The 101 channel on January 9th, possibly indicating that Showtime is keenly interested in gauging interest in exclusive pre-launches. Finally, we're told that season premiers of The L Word and Secret Diary of a Call Girl will hit Netflix customers day-and-date (January 18th) with the network debuts. We're beginning to wonder if Netflix can do any wrong.
[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
Showtime's United States of Tara hitting Netflix Watch Instantly first originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments1080i / 720p broadcast HD debate revisited
Filed under: Industry
Looking back at the 1080i vs. 720p debate, Electronic House breaks down the broadcast formats we're left with for our televised HD. With the major players locked down and millions of dollars of equipment already in place it's basically a check of where the dust has settled (ABC & Fox on 720p, most others on 1080i.) These days our worries usually tend more towards overcompression and other maladies potentially affecting the signal than its native resolution -- at least until 1080p & 3D hit the stage.
1080i / 720p broadcast HD debate revisited originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsHillcrest Labs hops on the RF4CE remote control bandwagon with TI
Continue reading Hillcrest Labs hops on the RF4CE remote control bandwagon with TI
Hillcrest Labs hops on the RF4CE remote control bandwagon with TI originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPsyko Audio's 5.1 surround sound headphones actually look psycho
Filed under: Other hardware, Speakers, Others
We're still not sold on the merits of "5.1" sets of cans, but Psyko Audio Labs is looking to push doubters over the edge with its incredibly heinous 5.1 Directional Audio Headphones. Supposedly, the company uses a special alignment technology that delivers accurate surround sound to each ear "in a natural 3D sound field." In case you weren't skeptical enough, there's also a "subwoofer" in each ear cup, which sounds like a feat you'd truly have to hear to believe. Yeah, we guess the built-in amplifier -- which lets gamers "customize volume and bass levels" -- is pretty nifty, but for $299.99, they'd have to knock our equilibrium clean out of balance. Full release is after the break.
Continue reading Psyko Audio's 5.1 surround sound headphones actually look psycho
Psyko Audio's 5.1 surround sound headphones actually look psycho originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHisense selects AMIMON for its wireless HDTV, WHDI makes friends with HDCP
Filed under: Industry, Cables, Displays, Other formats, Ports, LG
We've got three important tidbits to share this morning from the labs of AMIMON, so we can't afford to waste any time bantering about how far the wireless HD industry as a whole has to go before it becomes even marginally important to the average consumer. First off, LG Electronics has decided to tag along in the WHDI SIG, joining the likes of Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony. Obviously, LG's hoping to push the wireless standard as a protocol that'll be accepted industry wide, and given the amount of splintering that exists currently, we can't say we're too against the collaboration. Moving on, we're told that the aforesaid WHDI standard will enable HDCP revision 2.0 as its content protection technology, and leading Chinese TV manufacturer Hisense has announced its intentions to integrate AMIMON's solution into its sets. All the details are just past the break.
Continue reading Hisense selects AMIMON for its wireless HDTV, WHDI makes friends with HDCP
Hisense selects AMIMON for its wireless HDTV, WHDI makes friends with HDCP originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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