Engadget HD Podcast 094 - 07.23.2008
It wasn't easy to find things to talk about this week, but wouldn't you know there was not stopping as once we got started. As you can expect we got a little riled up about sales people recommending LCDs over Plasmas by three to one, even though they don't know why. Then we talked some Hollywood vs the consumer as we shared our ideas and personal ethics when it comes to copyright. That brought us to some more Vista Media Center news, and our dismay with Microsoft and its OEM only updates. Finally, we talk a little Engadget as we're both sorry to see our fearless leader move on.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:42 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 093 - 07.16.2008
06:24 - DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit
08:11 - Research finds that salespeople recommend LCD TVs more than plasmas
13:00 - Motorola / Cisco see Tuning Adapters certified
14:39 - Hollywood can already control what you record on your DVR
25:25 - CableLabs loosens up on PC CableCARD tuner restrictions
27:06 - Windows Media Center TV Pack was released yesterday
35:14 - FiOS TV quietly adds USA HD and CNBC HD all around the country
38:55 - CBS Evening News goes HD July 28
43:13 - Some News From the Editor's Desk
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:57PM
Oh, if only it were that easy.
It is easier for me to go to netflix.com and then go to my mailbox (which I go to everyday anyways) and put the disc in the player.
Than it is for me to.
Search a newsbin site find a movie, create an NZB, open it in NZBdrop, wait 45 minutes while the 8GB downloads over my 20Mbps connection, then launch Mac Par and wait 20 minutes while it checks/repairs and assembles the downloaded files. Then copy it over to my Vista Media Center.
Then assuming it plays, I can't fast forward through it because VMC will only let you skip through files that aren't DVR-MS. I'm not complaining though, as with my Apple TV and TiVo, I had to transcode it before I could watch it at all.
Then after all that, it may not be that good of a download and the audio might be messed up or the English subtitles missing.
So yeah, Netflix is easier and well worth the $20 a month.
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:01PM
I have over thirty movies that I want to see in my queue and at any time there are three movies at my house. I don't have to wait to see anything because I always have something to watch.
Now if you are the type that has to watch everything they day it comes out then yeah, you're right. But I'm not that type of person, the way I see it, is that I've already waited six months to see it so what is another month?
Ben @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:11PM
When everyone has as many complaints as some of you, then I'll apply it to everyone.
In the meantime, those how have a proven track record have to take the high road and turn the other cheek when attacked. Try using the report button instead of flaming the fire.
aaron @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:15PM
i think you are not the "norm" in terms of your not wanting to watch movies the day they come out. i think with the big movies most people do want to watch it that day. i know there are some movies i want to watch that day and i constantly see people buying the big name movies the day it comes out. if people didnt care you would not see sales taper off each additional week after release.
you might be able to live with it and thats fine in your case but this is part of the reason i see digital distro taking off once we get all of the little issues worked out with digital distro. and there are plenty but there are also many issues with bluray as well.
JPSchneid @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:23PM
But will digital download provide the same image quality as Blu-ray? I'm far from a Blu-ray fanboy (in fact, I have 2 HD-DVD players but have yet to buy a Blu-ray player ... still hoping Microsoft sucks it up and offers one for the Xbox 360). When I pay 3-4 grand on a top-of-the-line HDTV, I want the best image quality possible. If that means waiting 2 days for my Blockbuster Online mailer or running to the store to exchange one (Sorry Ben, I had to throw that in!), I'm going to do it. I have yet to buy a movie from XBL because they are just too expensive ... for lower quality! Don't get me wrong, if XBL offered a subscription service I "might" consider subscribing, but the price AND quality prevents me from doing so. I'm not a great fan of physical media, but for those select movies you want to buy and keep ... you would have to provide the storage as well.
xemumanic @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:49PM
You constantly call people moron and idiot, that's why they do it to you. You've never treated anyone with respect in here. You were the first to always violate. But here's a tip, why don't you try not to involve your opinion in the format wars when discussing these things?
So now the staff is gonna step up in managing this stuff. Good for them, even better for us.
But back to the subject at hand...................most people aren't trying to watch movies the day they come out. And Ben's made the points that I don't need to repeat about why a physical disc is just better for this sort of use. All in all, downloads are nice, but its just not as nice as the real thing.
Fred @ Jul 24th 2008 12:32AM
Ben you never commented on your incorrect prediction of Blu-Ray having a bad week last week. You obviously did not consider the heart of a bat.
But honestly, I am a numbers guy, and I find it hard to believe that Blu-Ray has been the winner for half a year, more PS3’s are being bought, more Blu-Ray players are being bought, and yet the numbers for disc sales are not moving up. What’s the reason… price? Upscalers? Downloading? Or the mere fact that people are hesitant to buy something that though pronounced a winner, unproven and still not hitting its stride?
Its like the list of Blu-Ray movies to show off how great Blu-Ray is… most of those movies are not just old, but were some of the early Blu-Ray movies.
And finally, is it just me or are companies doing the Blu won, so I don’t need to worry about the war so just put some movie in Blu and people will buy it because its what they can only get, instead of trying to innovate the movies and add tons of extras and new ways to push the envelope.
katzeye @ Jul 24th 2008 3:40PM
Ben,
If you want to sound less ignorant about nuclear reactions, how about you start by pronouncing it correctly? It is pronounced NU-CLEAR (NEW-CLEAR). Nucular, as you pronounced it is not a word. Sorry, but that is a major pet peeve of mine.
The reason why Direct TV11 is taking so long is that because after the initial round of testing after the launch they moved it to a different location and they tested a new BSS-band system that was added to the satellite for testing for possible future application.
The Sat has now moved into its final position and is broadcasting signal to users. The rumor on the streets is that it could start broadcasting new channels as soon as this Wednesday (7.30.2008)
Joe112 @ Jul 24th 2008 4:20PM
On the LCD vs Plasma Power consumption discussion:
“People are so Green these days they don’t they don’t even think logically..they don’t think like a true capitalist… they think like a socialist!” --Ben Drawbaugh
AMEN, Ben! -- I could not agree with you more. My favorite is when a greenie throws away their current gear for newer, slightly more efficient gear. The power savings of a “hamburger” a year just does not make sense. Oh, what about the impact of the manufacturing of the new green gear and the action of tossing the old stuff?
With any sensible hope, this goofiness of “excessive-green” will pass and I can continue to get my hands on the coolest, newest stuff – without a restriction or a “moral” implication.
MrLatte @ Jul 24th 2008 8:09PM
Ben - You wanted to know what programming is on USA-HD. DirecTV has USA in HD and they are currently showing these first-run shows in HD:
Friday night:
Monk
Psych
Sunday night:
In Plain Sight
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
I believe there are others like Burn Notice and more that I don't watch.
anseK @ Jul 25th 2008 11:40AM
I love USA-HD. I watch Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, and Monk. Those programs alone are worth it. I know Ben hates watching the Law and Order re-runs but USA air first runs for Criminal Intent. If a single change can provide me with four shows a week I like in HD I feel they are doing well.
I know I can find four movies a week on HBO-HD, Showtime-HD, Starz-HD, or Cinemax-HD which I would want to watch each week.
Spiza @ Jul 25th 2008 8:15PM
You really insult yourself with your own words more than anything anyone else writes.
Vic @ Jul 28th 2008 10:07AM
Ben, I have to agree with MrLatte & anseK...Monk, Psych, and Law & Order:CI are 3 of my favorite shows, but unfortunately, I do not have the option of FIOS and Time Warner Cable Charlotte does not carry USAHD, so I have to suffer with the horrendous quality of USAHD, pixel blocks and all. I really wish Time Warner would start offering USA HD. NBCHD was airing repeats of Monk & Psych on Sunday nights a few months back, and it made those shows so much more enjoyable to watch when you're not focusing on the awful picture quality.
On another note, I decided to rent Cloverfield HD on my PS3 Saturday night (over a Wireless G Network) and it took 10 HOURS!! to download it. So I watched it Sunday night, and I think the picture quality and 5.1 sound was decent, but at the same $5.99 price that it costs to rent a Blu-ray from Blockbuster, it just wasn't worth all the waiting. I'm sure if I ran a 30 ft ethernet cable from my office to the living room that my wait time would have been much lower, but I don't want wires running all through my apartment. I think I'll just stick with renting and/or buying BDs for now, but I suppose it's nice to have the option of renting on the PS3, just my thoughts on the subject.
Love the podcast guys, keep up the good work!