Recent Comments:
Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? {Engadget HD}
Oct 30th 2009 11:48AM It's expensive to add a second decode path, and with modern Dolby Digital audio streams, you can't (at least affordably) mix the streams (at least not without expensive additional chips to decode the stream, then mix all channels, then reencode, and still expect quality loss). Besides, with a TiVo, you're probably watching most, if not all, of your programming timeshifted - so PiP is kind of pointless.
Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? {Engadget HD}
Oct 30th 2009 11:45AM There's also the fact that the Moxi is pretty limited in terms of what it can record - out of the box, the only thing it can record is digital cable. That may sound sufficient, unless you're on a cable system where many SD channels are still analog. They'll send you a (single tuner) USB analog dongle, but you still can't record any OTA programming with it - you're 100% tied to cable. You can still use a TiVo HD with OTA, if you get tired of paying for cable, or just have to move and can't get cable immediately, or whatever. Also, you have to have cable Internet service to get guide data; I know it seems antiquated, but you can still hook a TiVo up to the phone line for getting guide data (obviously you won't be watching YouTube or downloading Amazon VOD, but in a pinch, it works).
Don't get me wrong, the Moxi seems like an interesting unit, but the device they ended up releasing is pretty narrow in terms of potential market, especially at the $800 price point it still sits at.
Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala' released, could decide your OS fate {Engadget}
Oct 29th 2009 5:59PM I've been running karmic for the past week and a half with no problems, for what that's worth...
Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala' released, could decide your OS fate {Engadget}
Oct 29th 2009 5:57PM It should work fine, there are really only like 2-3 packages added on that make the "Netbook Remix".
Ubuntu 9.10 'Karmic Koala' released, could decide your OS fate {Engadget}
Oct 29th 2009 5:48PM I've been running 9.10 on my recently-acquired HP Mini 311 for about a week and a half now. I'm personally quite happy with it. I'm sure that with the release of Windows 7, the Linux side won't be seeing immediate converts, but if you want to try Linux, or are already using it, this is an excellent release.
Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? {Engadget HD}
Oct 29th 2009 5:40PM As pointed out by others, your cableco DVR isn't the sweet deal it looks like; there is the increased box fee for the DVR box, DVR service fees, and other assorted fees tacked on that increase the price, which they don't mention in their marketing materials. Also, from everything I've read to date, the reliability of the cableco DVRs is often not the best - there's no guarantee that that new episode of House you scheduled to record will actually be there when you decide you want to watch it. If that's not a big deal to you, more power to you - but then why worry about a DVR in the first place if you don't really care whether you see the show or not?
Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? {Engadget HD}
Oct 29th 2009 5:34PM @Matt:
What's the difference? Reliability. Both SA and Moto DVRs are well known for a slew of problems - not recording shows that they're scheduled to, randomly recording shows they weren't, and just general crazy antics. I've read too many stories of people taking back these DVRs to their cable provider to have them replaced due to these sorts of issues, only to run into the same thing with the next, and the next, and the next. My TiVo is exceedingly reliable - it records what it's told, when it's told (barring guide data oddities, but it does the best it can with what it's given). If you record very little, you might never notice - I have 60+ Season Passes on my TiVo, though, so it's recording quite often (not to mention suggestion recordings as well).
Yes, there are documented hardware failures, TiVo isn't perfect, but on the whole it's a lot better than the competition. IMO totally worth the extra cost (and i say this as someone who paid full original price for a Series3 3 years ago when it was brand-new).
Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo? {Engadget HD}
Oct 29th 2009 5:28PM With all the problems I've heard of people having with the DTVPal DVRs, and the fact that the firmware releases so far don't seem to have cured them, I couldn't in good conscience buy one for or recommend one to my parents. Also, if you want to record from analog or digital cable, or analog OTA (yes Virginia, there still are analog OTA stations - see LPTV/class-A/translator stations), the DTVPal is a bit constricting. I love me some TiVo - I have a Series3, and I couldn't be happier. It really does "just work".
Ask Engadget HD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store? {Engadget HD}
Oct 23rd 2009 6:58PM Personally, when I bought my XBR8, the place I bought it from (a local seller, not a big-box place) was willing to let me bring in whatever I want to test on a floor model. I brought a half-dozen BDs, my WD TV HD player and a drive with several videos, including an HDnet test pattern, etc., played with the settings, and so on. That's one nice thing about going with a smaller seller, they're more willing to let you get hands-on with the gear.
Lenovo IdeaPad S12 gets ION powerup on October 22 in Japan {Engadget}
Oct 19th 2009 7:24PM Gah. Hit the button too soon. Anyway, whether you buy the HP or the Lenovo, it should be a good netbook option.
