CEDIA 2008 was a whirlwind of new projectors, HDTVs and all sorts of other wares that home theater freaks just love. As always, we were here in the Mile High City covering every minute, but we completely understand if you missed anything. Just in case, we've compiled a summary of what all happened here in Denver, and make sure you head on past the break for the rest.

Hands-ons

Hands-on: Sony shows off prototype 400-disc Blu-ray Mega Changer
Hands-on with LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck
Hands-on with the THX-certified QuietHome door
Hands-on with Niveus Media's Denali, Rainier and Cargo media wares
Hands-on with Sony's SXRD BRAVIA VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10 projectors
Hands-on with Hitachi's 1.5-inch thick plasma prototype
Hands-on / a look within Pioneer's Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player
Hands-on with Toshiba's SRT REGZA HDTVs (and other old crap)
Eyes-on with Sony's BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray player

Well, would you look at that. The little Massachusetts startup that got all of our hopes up with a localcasting ZvBox showed up at this year's CEDIA, and while it didn't bring much to the show (after all, it only has one product), there seemed to be a good bit of buzz around the floor. We're still giving ours a thorough run-through, but if you're anxious to see what ZeeVee was doing in Denver, check out the gallery below.

With Belkin's FlyWire just about to hit the market, JVC's planning to ride the wave and produce a wireless HDMI box of its very own. The unit was said to be a last minute addition to its CEDIA arsenal, and the representatives on hand weren't even briefed on what wireless technology the demo was using. Of note, there was a live demo involving no smoke nor mirrors, where the box received a 1080p signal via HDMI and beamed it out to a hidden receiver that was connected to an HDTV via (you guessed it) HDMI. JVC is obviously aiming for consumers with just one primary set-top-box (a PS3, for instance), and the plug-and-play nature means it can work with any source and any display so long as HDMI is involved. Pricing hasn't been set, but we were told to expect a Q1 2009 launch. Check out the prototype in the gallery below.

Kaleidescape's booth was jammed packed with prospective buyers this year, evidently unaffected by a flagging economy and absurd prices flung from the mouths of on-hand representatives. All angst aside, we did stop by the outfit's CEDIA booth to see just what was crackin' and to snap a few photographs all the while. We'll admit, the 1080p Player / 1080p Mini Player are both beautiful pieces of equipment, and they certainly worked well when demonstrated. We'll refrain from commenting (again) on the value proposition here, but instead, we'll direct you to the gallery below with a forced grin.

Belkin has been dangling its FlyWire wireless HD box for, what, ever now? Thankfully, it seems that all the kinks have been worked out, and the October ship date should actually stick. A few tidbits we learned while hanging out at the outfit's CEDIA booth: first, we confirmed that the technology within the device is AMIMON's, so we're guessing it's WHDI. Secondly, we heard that the retail price of the top-end AV69003 may scoot up to $1,499 when it's finally released. We know, that's a lot of coin to make your components cord-free, but the demonstration showing off Blu-ray streaming through thin air was nothing short of astounding. No hiccups, no jaggies, no hints whatsoever that there wasn't a direct HDMI connection. Check the box (and the receiver) out in the flesh below.

Well, what can we say? Here we have a TiVo HD with a subtle "XL" logo there on the bottom left, a more capacious hard drive and a Series 3 remote. That being the case, at least the one parked at CEDIA was outstandingly shiny -- seriously, check it out.

Aw, snap. Not even 24 hours after we learned that a new DirecTV HD TiVo was on the way, in flies word from Denver that a new standalone TiVo is hitting even sooner -- like, today. The TiVo HD XL will become the flagship unit in TiVo's line by offering up 150 hours of high-def recording space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote and a bundled HDMI cable. As with the TiVo HD, this one boasts dual tuners for recording two HD programs simultaneously and a pretty similar design, but unlike the TiVo HD, this one will set you back a full $599.99. Those unaffected by the price tag can order one today from TiVo's website, and we're told to expect the box at various other retailers "as early as next week." Full press release after the break.

We hate to say we called it, but our complete in-the-dark guess of just under four C-notes was right on the money. LG has just announced that it's BD300 Network Blu-ray player (and Netflix streamer) will begin shipping to national retailers (Best Buy, Circuit City, Bass Pro Shops, etc.) next month (as in, a month later than initially anticipated) for $399.95. Not the cheapest BonusView-enabled deck in the mix, but given the Netflix functionality tossed in on the side, we can still see quite a few folks joining the BD camp with this one. Matter of fact, we'll just go ahead and ask -- is this your ticket into the Blu?

AT&T surprised a few customers over the last few days adding high definition video on demand selections, a new weather on demand widget, and pushing a DVR upgrade their way including the new Total Home DVR software. Post-upgrade, punching the recorded TV button on any U-verse connected TV enables HD playback from any of the set-top boxes in the house. that means subscribers can also record up to four shows at once or pause in one room and continue in another. A full rollout is clearly due sooner rather than later, and initial impressions in our tips box are positive, if you've got it drop a line and tell us if the new features are everything we've ever dreamed of. Full copy of the introductory e-mail follows after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

If a Panasonic prototype plasma and new copy protection spec weren't convincing enough, we'll let the Wireless HD group argue why it's ready to compete with WHDI and all the rest. This summer's big get is Broadcom, ready to promote Wireless HD as a necessary feature in the army of HDTVs and set-top boxes it already powers. The next step to exiting vaporware status? How about the addition of Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sharp and others ready to adopt the technology. Punch the read link for more reasons to believe, but we'll wait for shipping hardware to decide who makes it past first cut.

Another tradeshow, another chance for DivX to add juice to its symphony of new consumer hardware. Listen closely so your attention's undivided as the first DivX HD-compatible DVD player from a major manufacturer, the LG DVS450H, stands ready to play back full length HD flicks from disc or USB flash drive. Turkish manufacturer Vestel is back to straighten the facts, introducing the first DivX-capable STB for Europe in the t5000. It's still undergoing DivX certification, but promises a firmware update should be the only thing needed to ensure complete compatibility. JVC steps up to make the people unite with its first Blu-ray player, the NX-BD3, carrying DLNA and DivX certs to acquire content via wired or wireless networks, and play back DivX files from DVD or CD after it goes on sale in September.

Read - LG
Read - Vestel
Read - JVC

For as much grief as television providers get for their lackluster set-top-boxes / HD DVRs, we wonder why everyone doesn't own a TiVo? Actually, that'd be Tyler who's wondering:

"I'm using an HD DVR provided by my cable company, and most times, it works well enough. I've heard that TiVo boxes are superior, though I'm having a tough time justifying the additional monthly cost. I'd love to hear some pros and cons from current / former owners, as well as whether or not they think it's worth it."

Time to take a stand for your box, TiVo owners. What makes it so worthwhile? Is now a good time to buy one?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

For all of our complaining about the long run-up to the analog shutoff here in the US, this story illustrates the benefits of taking time to do a little consumer education. In Australia, it turns out that not everyone was aware that TVs with analog-only tuners are unable to receive the HD programming that Seven and Ten are advertising so heavily. This all came to a boil with Ten's HD-only Masters golf broadcast, and some customers returned to stores with talk of "misrepresentation." Retailers are giving away digital set-top boxes to smooth things over, though, so hopefully things are cleared up for now. This sounds exactly like the kind of thing US big-box retailers avoided by clearing shelves of analog-only TVs, and we might suggest some similar action for other global HD citizens.

With apologies to Shakespeare, something is brewing at VUDU. With CEDIA just around the corner, the company has laid off some of its staff, most notably some of its marketing higher-ups. Additionally, rumors are swirling regarding just about every aspect of the upstart company's future. CEPro got some talk-time with the VUDU's national dealer channel manager, and a theme of decreased emphasis on the retail channel seems to run throughout the conversation, punctuated by a end-of-life status on the VUDU X100. Meanwhile, the company is making some CEDIA promises for its custom-install-targeted VUDU XL: more HD content (1,000 titles), more connectivity (HD over component) and lifetime warranties on purchased titles. It's all rumor, but we wouldn't be surprised to see VUDU move exclusively into the custom-install market where it seems to have a toe-hold. So what say ye -- is something rotten in VUDU, or should we hang up the codpiece and get back to work?

[Image courtesy Blog of Wishes]

Read - CEPro's VUDU interview
Read - VUDU CEDIA plans