Engadget HD Podcast 110 - 11.05.2008
by Trent Wolbe 
posted Nov 5th 2008 at 11:02AM
On the eve of the presidential election, we still got together to talk up the latest in HD news. What easily turned out to be the topic of the week was Netflix. We covered the HD announcements, the TiVo partnership, and finally, Watch Instantly for Mac users. And although you'd think we got enough downloads vs discs talk in our round table last week, think again, as we rehash a bit about our latest poll on the debate, as well as the recent misguided predictions about the death of Blu-ray. Finally, we finish up with a little Slingbox HD streaming and of course the required mention of Windows Media Center.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim
Producer: Trent Wolbe
01:30 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 108 - 10.29.2008
12:52 - Roku's Netflix Player handling HD content "by the end of the year"
16:14 - Poll: What's your preference -- digital downloads or discs?
19:19 - Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo
24:14 - Netflix opens 'Watch Instantly' to Mac owners who opt-in
29:30 - The rumors of Blu-ray's death are greatly exaggerated
35:30 - Sherwood might cancel Blu-ray players due to competitive prices
38:30 - Blu-ray hits a milestone: 1,000 titles on the format
39:37 - VUDU's HD selection now outnumbers Apple TV's, Blu-ray might be next
44:30 - The Slingbox Pro HD review addendum
47:14 - What's new in Windows 7 for Media Center
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vance @ Nov 5th 2008 1:54PM
OK, no football talk! Here is a couple of basic questions:
1. Do these Netflix streamers work with a wireless network? I am considering setting up a network in my house for the Wii, my wife's laptop and an iPod Touch possibility, but will that also work with one of these streamers? If not I would have to run ethernet through three rooms, which probably ain't happening.
2. I have a 32" 720p with an upconverting DVD player. Will I see much of a difference with BluRay with that size and resolution?
Oh, and I really liked the roundtable, one of your best shows. But, at the end, Ben started interrupting everyone to restate his own views. Overall, though, a great mix of discussion and personalities! And Steve, you stepped out a bit more with your own opinions! In the regular podcast, you tend to play Ed McMahon, letting Ben take the lead and just agreeing with what he says to avoid any conflict. C'mon, you must disagree with him sometimes! :0)
Big Wizz @ Nov 5th 2008 2:21PM
1) wireless doesn't care what kind of data you are streaming. How do you propose to get Netflix to stream to a Wii and an Ipod Touch?
2) No, you will not see a difference. Once you get to 46"+ (or sit really close) you will.
Vance @ Nov 5th 2008 5:23PM
No, Big Wizz, I did not write that very clearly. What I meant was that I am thinking about getting a wireless network anyway for those other purposes, and was wondering if I do, whether I would be able to use it for streaming Netflix to these boxes. The reason I ask is that I recall one streaming box (not for Netflix) does NOT work wirelessly and requires an ethernet. I think it was the Vudu. Basically, I am asking whether the Xbox, Roku, Tivo or BluRay player will receive a Netflix stream wirelessly.
Declan @ Nov 6th 2008 1:29AM
Vance, I stream netflix SD on my laptop via my wireless network without any issues.. Now, the HD may be another story. You may have to wait for a long buffer time before you will be able to start viewing with HD flicks.
Mehar @ Nov 6th 2008 9:15AM
I Am Legend on the XBLVM has DVD extras available for download, I believe their free. Sure it's not the same quantity as those on the DVD/Blu Ray/HD DVD but it's a start.....right?
I am also going to have to disagree with Ben regarding PC's and Digital Downloads, Bit Torrent (the legal one) allows you to buy or rent movies (Although they won't appeal to everyone)and TV shows (which also relates to # 9).
I believe Direct2Drive allows you to buy HD movies online as well.
Anyway great show!
Vance @ Nov 6th 2008 11:43AM
Declan, yes, I can see that when you are using the website to view Watch Now movies, that can easily be accessed however you access the internet, including wireless networks. What I would really like to know is whether these new methods of streaming Netflix to your TV, such as the the Roku, the Xbox, the Tivo, or those new BluRay players, can get the stream wirelessly.
funkyp56 @ Nov 6th 2008 11:56AM
I love netflix on my Mac which I hook up via DVI to my 37inch Visio, Work Awesome. No complaints at all over wireless
Vance @ Nov 6th 2008 1:20PM
Funky, that sounds very cool! But, my question is very particular: do these particular streaming boxes (the Roku, the Xbox, the Tivo and those BluRay players that support Netflix) have the capability of connecting to Netflix over a wireless network.
OK, I have done some looking around:
The Roku does, indeed, connect wirelessly.
The LG Bluray player with Netflix does NOT connect wirelessly.
The Xbox, it seems, will stream Netflix wirelessly
Not sure how the Tivo works.
Big Sam @ Nov 6th 2008 4:07PM
Ben,
I agree with you on the lack of resume on Blu-ray. I rarely watch a movie in one sitting. Its such a pain that I started leaving my PS3 on with the movie paused instead of trying to find the spot I stopped at.
AndyS @ Nov 6th 2008 5:29PM
I just hope Windows Media Center 7 will allow for some method of streaming DVDs from a server to extenders. Hopefully them adding transcoding to the PC is a lean in that direction from MS.
I suspect it won't happen, but I can dream...If this worked, I'd be more likely to buy a second Xbox vs building a cheap additional PC.
Mehar @ Nov 6th 2008 7:20PM
Be on the look out for something called Windows Live Mesh, it would allow for such a thing to occur if implemented properly. Some fellow beta testers are experimenting with it on servers so I guess it might not be far off.
Joe Nace @ Nov 6th 2008 9:06PM
Hello,
I'm currently in the market for a blu ray player and the two on my list are the Panasonic BMP-BD55K and Sony BDP-S550. Just wondering if you guys would recommend one over the other. It will be directly connected to a 60inch Sony KDS-60A2000 initially and then through a surround processor in the future.
Thanks
Joe
John @ Nov 7th 2008 8:01PM
Ben,
Tell us about the reliability problems you're having with MC TVPack 2008. Having EPG scheduling problems?
John
PaulF @ Nov 9th 2008 5:00PM
Ben,
What is the deal with your HTPC and Blu-ray? I don't want to get into a DIY .vs Dell and SageTV .vs VMC comment, but on my DIY Sage box, I insert the Blu-ray into the *only* drive on my box (LG Super MultiBlue) and I hit watch Blu-ray on my Sage UI. TMT launches (it takes 7 seconds, I just timed it) and the movie starts. What's up with your box? Why so long to launch? I've never even thought about a stand alone.
PF
zoran @ Nov 11th 2008 12:10PM
Hi, Guys. Love the show. I have a question regarding long HDMI cables (30' and longer). I just bought a 50' HDMI on Ebay and and the quality between the source (PS3) and my TV is dramatically degraded comparing to my 6' cable. I thought this is digital signal with no loss. Yes I know, I did not spend a fortune on this cable, but still can you tell me what I need to look for when buying and what cable you guys reccomend at 30'.
Thanks,
Zoran