Engadget HD Podcast 115 - 12.17.2008
by Trent Wolbe 
posted Dec 17th 2008 at 12:00PM
Other responsibilities nixed last week's show, but we're back with a long show this week to make up for it. We start out with the sad news of DirecTV "suspending development" on the HDPC-20 tuner; lots more time is spent parsing those two words than on Asus' Xonar HDMI sound card, at least. Our review of Samsung's MediaLive is mixed -- plenty of promise, but it came up just a little short to get an unconditional thumbs up. Thanks to the 29-state analog shutoff test scheduled for the same day this podcast is released, a lot more of you should know if you're living on the digital cliff -- let us know if you fall off unexpectedly. Lots of attention has been given to the Popcorn Hour products, and the release of the wireless adapter should make it even more appealing to those in the know. The Moxi HD DVR, however, might have a chance of breaking out of the enthusiast niche; but could it take a bite out of the product that's synonymous with "DVR," the TiVo? Maybe, but now Digeo will have to add in Netflix HD streaming capability to even up the score, too. A few bits of news this week make us think that Blu-ray is really moving out into the mainstream consciousness, if not flying off shelves into every home. VUDU is opening up to third party developers, so hopefully soon its "one trick pony" knock will be a distant memory as more content flows through the box, including YouTube HD. We wrap up with sports talk -- "Top 10" lists often miss the mark in our opinion, so we give our own take on the Top 10 HD sporting events of 2008; but Ben is already planning to start off 2009 on a high note with some 3D HD BCS viewing at CES.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:05:41 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 114 - 12.03.2008
00:20:26 - DirecTV "suspends development" on HDPC-20 tuner
00:31:06 - DirecTV puts away the checkbook, plans to raise rates in 2009
00:31:17 - ASUS demos Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe sound card
00:34:26 - Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review
00:38:41 - 29 States to participate in analog shutoff test next week
00:40:35 - Poll: Would you switch carriers if fiber came to town?
00:43:12 - Popcorn Hour's WN-100 dongle brings WiFi to your A-100, A-110 or B-110
00:44:14 - 500GB Moxi HD DVR now available, really
00:48:51 - Netflix HD streaming comes to TiVo
00:52:04 - Analyst finds DVD sales down, Blu-ray trends "encouraging"
00:53:42 - Standalone Blu-ray player sales triple over Black Friday
00:54:21 - Poll: Do you rent or buy your Blu-ray Discs?
00:57:27 - VUDU gets official with some internet content
01:00:48 - YouTube goes HD, finally!
01:02:20 - Top 10 HD sports broadcasts of 2008 -- do you agree?
01:05:17 - BCS Championship game live 3D broadcast coming to CES, movie theaters
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Russell @ Dec 17th 2008 2:18PM
What is holding my back from getting a BluRay player is the PS3. No matter how cheap a Bluray player gets I only want to have one bluray player pluged into my TV. I currently watch my DVD's on my PS2 and right now I am running a VGA cable from my Computer to my TV to watch Netflix on the 42" TV but I will get a PS3 when it does not cost $400 or $500 to get if they drop ti anyother $100 then I would jump into the game but expecially right now with the economy $400 is a lot
Spiza @ Dec 17th 2008 3:24PM
Sony CC discount ($150 if first purchase includes PS3) + Dell 20% off coupon ($80 for 80 gig no ps2 support) = PS3 for $170 + taxes
Russell @ Dec 17th 2008 3:54PM
wait where do I get this Sony CC discount is there a website or something I go to?
Spiza @ Dec 17th 2008 5:11PM
http://www.sonyrewards.com/en/gateway/?offerlink=150newps3
apperantly only a 15% code works at dell now.
Big Wizz @ Dec 17th 2008 5:22PM
I have a Sony CC, beware. The point redemption is outrageous to get anything "good."
Except movies. Those aren't too bad.
Aaron @ Dec 17th 2008 7:06PM
I was just listening to the first part of the podcast where you talked about the Popcorn hour boxes. I took a look at the specs and see that they top out at L4.1 HP for H.264. I've been encoding for a while now using L5.0 HP but with only a 12Mbit rate, which is well within the bitrate spec for L4.1HP, but I've tacked in some additional processing directives that bump it up to 5.0 which result in identical-to-source compression (for my eyes) with a sizable space savings.
Does anyone have any idea if these boxes -can- handle 5.0 and just can't handle the ridiculous 150 or 165mbit top end of the profile?
Aaron @ Dec 17th 2008 10:18PM
Realized my post was far too vague...went to their forums and posted some details and uploaded some samples, so disregard the question. If anyone cares, I'll report back.
Alton @ Dec 17th 2008 7:06PM
Don't tease Ben give us the whole spill on what went down at ehome.
Vance @ Dec 17th 2008 8:14PM
Just following up on my comments from last time: I have not yet bought the Popcorn Hour since it sounds like they might have a new version coming down the pike. I think I will wait until after the holiday spending spree is finished and the coffers are refilled and if nothing yet comes of those rumors, I might pull the trigger then. The codec support is what attracts me.
Big Sam @ Dec 17th 2008 9:23PM
I do like my Popcorn Hour, although I don't use it much anymore these days. The interface still leaves a lot to be desired though.
Talk football as much as you want, I love the pigskin talk!
I agree on the college playoffs, but it will never happen.
Hey I'm a Big 12 guy (although we had our worst season in decades...Gig 'Em) but I was born on the UF campus so I'm cheering for Florida. I'm expecting a blowout, but hoping for a good game.
Alton @ Dec 17th 2008 9:46PM
Wow a out in the open Aggie fan don't see those in the wild much...
Spiza @ Dec 17th 2008 11:16PM
College Basketball on cable really ends in April. There are some conference tournament games on cable, but the tourney itself is all CBS so OTA will work fine.
I was thinking about the Tivo since I would be going OTA, but now Steve's comments make me worried.
alkie4life @ Dec 18th 2008 3:35PM
Question for Steve and Ben:
What is the best HD camcorder and how can you watch and view the media once you've recorded it? I'm assuming you can transfer it to your computer just like anything else, but can you burn it to a DVD and watch it in any DVD player? Or do you need Blu-Ray? Will a regular DVD player be able to show the HD video at their native res or would they be down converted?
Thanks!
D Rock @ Dec 19th 2008 12:41PM
In response to the question about hooking up a blu-ray player to older equipment without HDMI, you guys did a good job covering the audio aspects (using the 7.1 analog out).
As far as video, though, you recommended sticking with the component outputs, but you didn't talk about the downside to that. Don't most (if not all) blu-ray players limit what goes out over component due to DRM issues? It will down-rez a lot of content and won't upscale DVDs.
I know there is not a lot of other options if the TV doesn't have HDMI - at least that is what I told my wife to justify getting a shiny new TV on Black Friday....
Vic @ Dec 19th 2008 4:46PM
Ben, this comment is not relevant to this podcast but to Podcast 114 instead.
You mentioned that you wanted Gattaca on Blu-ray but wanted to wait until it went on sale. Amazon currently has it for 12.99. Just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you didn't already know. Link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Gattaca-Blu-ray-Xander-Berkeley/dp/B000HEVZ6W/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1229720465&sr=1-22
Devron @ Dec 21st 2008 11:11AM
General comment regarding the show. I really enjoy hearing the podcast each week and look forward to it. I don't think Ben is arrogant -- he's just passionate about HD. And that's part of what makes the show so fun to listen to. I've learned a lot about HD by listening. I'm also thankful that Steve showed up because I'm sure he's a large part of the reason that the podcast churns out consistently. He's a great knowledgeable host in his own right.
Regarding the comments about Steve not 'picking fights' with Ben... Here's the thing: Steve, I think you're taking the comments too literally. Go back and listen to the end of Episode 100. What made the banter between Ben and Matt interesting was that Matt he stood his ground when he believed in something. Steve: we like you. Clearly you know your stuff. But it would be nice if you had a bit more conviction. I feel like often you start by saying, "I dunno...I kinda think..." There will be times when start off saying that you don't agree with Ben and then by the time he's done, you'll say, "Yeah, I guess you're kinda right." It's like you can be convinced of anything. Try saying "kinda" less.
As Ben would say, "Don't get me wrong", we enjoy you and appreciate what you bring to the show. But it'd be nice if every now and then you said, "Nah, I disagree" or, "I understand your point, but I just don't agree." Regardless, love the show and keep it up.
Guy Incognito @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:24AM
Hey guys,
I'm here in Buenos Aires on vacation. [Ben, I know you are from the South - that's in Argentina. In South America. The continent below North America. Ben, just look at a map and find Tampa Bay and go south from there.]
The exchange rate is roughly 3 US$ = 10 Argentinean Pesos. I was at a shopping mall and saw some Blu-Ray prices.
They had Lost Season 3 for 500 Argentinean Pesos = $150. Yikes! They also had movies for 150 Argentinean Pesos = $45. Wow.
I don't know if there is an extra cost for dubbing these in Spanish - Lost on TV here is dubbed in Spanish - but these prices are ridiculous.