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Telefónica turns on the HD heat with Imagenio IPTV service

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 5th 2008 at 1:16AM

Telefónica's on top of its game -- just a few months back, it was testing a no-glasses-necessary 3D IPTV, and now, it's bringing high-def to its Imagenio IPTV service. Everyone who is currently subscribed to a Trío Futura 10 or 30Mbps connection are receiving an HD-capable set-top-box along with the new HD service, though just a single high-def station is currently available (Sony Pictures' AXN). The good news (or, even more good news, actually) is that Canal+ in HD should be arriving soon, and we can only hope that more will be delivered in the not-too-distant future.

NetBlender's DoStudio 1.6 Blu-ray authoring solution includes BD Touch support

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 10:15PM

Back in February, we saw NetBlender blend in Blu-ray support to its DoStudio authoring software. Now, version 1.6 is packing even more BD-related goodness, and it's BD Touch in particular that we're intrigued by. The latest flavor of DoStudio includes expanded capabilities such as Slideshows, Dolby TrueHD support, and BD Touch integration, not to mention a number of workflow enhancements including copy / paste, enhanced asset validation, printable reports, etc. As for BD Touch, this software now gives production outfits (or just entrepreneurial individuals) the ability to bake in support for iPhone control when the disc is played back in a PlayStation 3. The application is available for a $395 monthly rental fee, $2,495 for a 1-year license or $6,995 for a permanent license.

[Thanks, Jason]

Sony shows off curved multi-panel HDTV display at FIFA event

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 4:20PM

There's not really a practical in-home use for the display array you see pictured on the right, but it sure demands attention at trade shows and special events. Demonstrated at the FIFA Confederations Cup Final Draw at the Sandton Convention Centre in South Africa, the highly unique display consists of nine individual HDTVs mounted on a curve aluminum structure. The whole lot was coordinated to form a single image via Sony's Ziris Canvas HD technology with split visual HDTV renders running on a "proprietary PlayStation 3 hardware solution." According to the report, this is just the fourth time ever that this tech has been used, and it's the first time in South Africa. Man, would 3D material be trippy on this or what?

New Orleans, Louisiana's Prytania Theatre goes 4K

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 2:06PM


Not even three full years since getting itself back in business, The Prytania Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana has apparently embraced the wonderful technology that is 4K. Still the only single screen cinema in the entire state, this landmark venue now has Sony 4K badges on its otherwise bare website, signifying that it is now ready to treat patrons to a high-resolution movie-going experience. 4K theaters are still relatively rare even in America, so we'd probably hop on down and see whatever's playing should you find yourself in N'awlins. Speaking of -- has anyone dropped in since the upgrade?

[Image courtesy of DayLife, thanks gamedude360]

Criterion Blu-ray Discs begin to ship out

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 12:57PM


For movie buffs who've been waiting on pins and needles to see their Criterion Blu-ray Disc order status switch from "wait longer, fool" to "shipped," we've got some excellent news. We're beginning to hear individual reports that BDs from Criterion (at least ones that were pre-ordered a few months back) are beginning to ship, and while the company has yet to replace the "Pre-order" badges with "Buy" labels on its website, we suspect that will take place in the near future. Have any of you readers received your discs yet? If not, keep a close eye on that mailbox.

[Thanks, Christopher and Harold]

boxee adds Netflix support, other tweaks in new alpha

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 11:00AM


The guys and gals at boxee have been relentlessly working to update the media management software, and just over a month after Hulu support was added, we're now thrilled to announce that Netflix support is joining in. Additionally, users will find custom interfaces for CNN, Hulu, Flickr, Picasa, and YouTube, not to mention portals for TheWB, MTVMusic and The Boston Globe's Big Picture blog. One important caveat is that Netflix isn't yet compatible on Apple TV, but the team is working hard to overcome the hardware limitations and make it happen as soon as possible. Peep the full release after the jump.

Gallery: boxee adds Netflix support, other tweaks in new alpha

Continue reading boxee adds Netflix support, other tweaks in new alpha

Panasonic's FreeSat-tuning TX-37LZD81 HDTV reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 10:22AM

Panasonic's FreeSat-tuning VIERA TH-46PZ81B fared well in its recent review, and thankfully, so did the TX-37LZD81 LCD HDTV. The set, which was acquired and tested by the eyes at HDTVOrg, was highly praised in almost every area, with critics pointing out its fantastic ability to make both SD and HD content look its best. The integrated speakers weren't anything special, but it's not like you were expecting anything drastically different. We'd personally love to see that FreeSat tuner find more than a smattering of HD channels, but for those looking to pick out the ones that currently exist, this set wouldn't be a bad one to do that on.

TWC adding more HD to Wisconsin's lineup

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 9:20AM

The weather's getting pretty extreme up in Northeast Wisconsin right about now, so it's a perfect time for a new batch of HD stations to keep you cozy inside the house. As of this moment, users in the region should see USA HD (536), SciFi HD (562) and Travel HD (570), while Golf HD (525) and Versus HD (526) are expected to split into two stations come Monday. Also of note, Fox Cities TV has dug up a legal notice that hints at a number of other high-def stations coming soon; among them are: FX HD, LMN HD, Weather HD, Cinemax HD, Starz HD, Bravo HD, CNBC HD, Speed HD and Planet Green HD. Needless to say, it'd be a very merry holiday 'round these parts should that load show up in the near future. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

[Via Fox Cities TV]

Update: We've also been informed that these channels have been delivered to Southeast Wisconsin. Thanks, Don!

Neuros LINK web / media viewer gets unboxed

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 8:43AM


That floor looks mighty familiar, huh? That's because it is. Just days after Mr. Dave Zatz treated us to an unboxing of the 2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box, here comes yet another gift from the same den. The recently announced Neuros LINK was said to practically be a full-on computer, with the whole kit weighing some 15-pounds. Initial reports are that Hulu content played back beautifully in full screen, so yeah, that's a thumbs-up. We know why you're really here, though, so give the read link a visit for the gallery of photographs.

Sony HDTVs found most reliable in PC World study

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 7:49AM


Yep, it's already that time of year again folks. That time when you begin to "see" your breath, the air has that "certain chill," shoppers go berserk and PC World readers toss in their votes for the most reliable HDTVs. The latest annual Reliability and Service survey received inputs not from independent researchers, but from 16,000 actual owners who can speak best for the quality of the wares they own. The happy winner was Sony, which notched above-average ratings in seven of nine measures, though LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Vizio didn't fare too bad, either. The biggest loser was Mitsubishi, which showed four below-average scores and a "higher-than-average incidence of severe problems." The four-page writeup can be viewed in full by clicking the read link, but our main question is this: are you in agreement with the findings?

HTIB shootout picks the best at a variety of price points

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 7:20AM


We've already seen one speaker guide pop up this fall / winter, but for those not so keen on piecing together a multi-channel setup themselves, PC World has a solid alternative. It has taken a cold, hard look at seven home-theater-in-box (HTIB) setups ranging from $500 to $3,000 and picked the best one at each price level. We won't spoil anything here, but if you've been looking for some assistance in choosing from the plethora of options out there, this ain't a bad place to get educated.

Atlantic Broadband to lower cable rates, add HD channels

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 4:43AM

Be still our hearts! When practically every other cable operator out there is hiking rates up, Atlantic Broadband is bringing them down. In an admittedly shocking move, the small carrier has announced its plans to knock around $8 per month off of bills received by HD customers. Miraculously, it will also be adding three new HD channels -- History HD, FOX News HD and Science HD -- bringing the grand total to nearly 40 high-def channels. Of note, the pricing changes could leave a small amount of customers paying more, but the company has expressed its intentions to call those select few in an attempt to get them on a more cost efficient plan. Care to spread your services elsewhere, Atlantic?

Mediacom seeing high demand for HD DVRs, adding more HD in Springfield, MO

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 1:27AM

While we genuinely feel for the HD junkies in Springfield, Missouri who are on a 200-person deep waiting list for an HD DVR, we can't help but smile at the news. Even during these bizarre economic times, the value in high-def programming is obviously shining through. Mediacom Region Operations VP Larry Peterson was quoted as saying that HD DVRs "are the holy grail right now; we've got three different manufacturers we use to try to get the boxes available and it just seems as soon as we get them in, they go out." In related news, the carrier will also be adding in eight new high-def channels on December 17th: WGN, TBS, CNN, SciFi, A&E, History, HGTV, and Food Network. Might explain the uptick in demand, wouldn't you say?

FairPoint offering free HDTVs for fiber trials in Portsmouth, NH

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 11:20PM

Call us crazy, but we suspect these 100 free HDTVs (and DVRs) will be snapped up in no time flat... if they aren't all claimed already, that is. FairPoint Communications is hoping to lure a hundred Portsmouth, New Hampshire homes into testing its new fiber-based (IPTV) programming technology as it looks to compete locally with Comcast. The 90-day pilot program is set to start in January and is open to all Portsmouth residents within the FairPoint fiber-optic service area. Depending on how the tests go, many communities could look to FairPoint to provide video services, though the initial trial will include just 45 channels as critics look to judge quality, not quantity. So, what exactly are you waiting for? Get on the horn and get your name on the list!

World Table Tennis Championships get HD coverage -- can it get any better?

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 9:46PM


You know high-def is well on its way to "arriving" when the World Junior Table Tennis Championships secure HD coverage, don't you? While the vast majority of you will likely laugh this off as some sort of promotional stunt, we can't help but be pleased at what this could signal about HD adoption overseas. For the first time in the history of the tournament, viewers in Spain with access to the high-def version of Canal+ will be able to see the team and individual finals in astounding clarity. Negotiations are currently underway to get the HD feed beamed out to more nations, and even if you're completely disinterested in the sport, you should probably hope that pans out.
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