Recent Comments:
Philips and Magnavox brands licensed to Funai {Engadget HD}
Nov 20th 2008 1:32AM Samsung and LG are in that list, unless you've got something against Koreans.
This news disappoints me. I've always thought the Magnovox brand was garbage, kind of like RCA. But Philips always struck me as a progressive CE producer, especially when they came out with ambilight on their LCDs. Kind of like Apple, just enough uniqueness to distinguish themselves. Unfortunately, their products have always been middle of the road at best, and this announcement kind of signals defeat in my estimation. Another company that I think is heading in this direction against my wishes is JVC. I really have always liked JVC products. Quality, without the Sony markup. Yet I don't think they've had a money making hit since their success with VHS. Like Philips, their TVs are always mediocre, and their last stronghold in my opinion is car stereos. I've got a great JVC Kaboom boom box that I will never get rid of, and its still doing great after 10 years! We need these companies to innovate and hang around to keep all the phonies with their markups honest. I hope Oppo never phizzles like these companies have.
Microsoft exec touts HD streaming over discs, suggests Xbox 360 will outlast PS3 {Engadget HD}
Nov 17th 2008 5:11PM It's all about the buffer "Somebody", so simmer down. Your math might be correct, but you're logic is bogged down a few areas. First, we're not talking a 1080P movie here, more like 720P basic Dolby Digital sound. Second, the file(s) doesn't have to be completely downloaded before viewing can begin. I'd hope half an hour tops would be enough buffer to sit down and watch a movie start to finish without waiting the 15+ hours you calculate to download an entire 25GB worth of data. And I can assure you the media companies in conjunction with the communication conglomerates are going to do their darndest to shrink that down to about the size of a DVD. I'd say a downloaded "HD" movie will be more around 10GB given the right compression algorithm. Still a lot to download and definitely accessible to only those with cable internet or better.
Which brings me to the biggest point I'd like to make. "HD" downloads are truly separate in comparison, and really should be thought more as HD Lite. Frankly, I think the majority of regular consumers out there will be much more inclined to stick with pedestrian distribution channels like Netflix/Redbox and the more classic video rental institution than horsing around with video downloads. This is the strongest supportive argument for Blu-ray, assuming they can bring everything down to an affordable scale comparable to DVD. When it comes to purchasing things, people are most comfortable with what is physical and tangible. If I decide to sell a movie I've bought, I can do so if it is a physical thing. I can't resell a download, and even worse it will be a pain in the neck to recover if anything happens to the box I downloaded it with.
Full circle to the article, Microsoft is kidding themselves if they think they can position the Xbox to be the ultimate replacement for everyone's DVD player. The fail rate alone is unacceptable, much less all the other hassle included like Xbox Live membership fees. Nothing but a turnoff in every direction for people that truly value substance with simplicity over hype and empty promises.
BBC boxes up "Earth Collection" in time for the holidays {Engadget HD}
Nov 13th 2008 11:31PM Squiggle, Earth: The Biography came out this summer on on Blu-ray. No HD DVD for that.
Although I don't own Earth: The Biography and wouldn't mind owning it, this set isn't enticing enough for me. Everyone who's seen Planet Earth knows its the ish, but the audio needs to be remastered into Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA. Then they'll tickle more money out of me. Come out with a Collectors edition with high res audio and Bonus View (1.1) commentary and I'll be first in line.
Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information {Engadget HD}
Nov 13th 2008 2:33PM Charles, do you have a link to that article to share? I'm will also be among the aghast if Oppo decides to drop DVD-A support. I'm hoping they will continue their support of both SACD and DVD-A, and hopefully keep the firmware updates coming with whatever Sony decides to do with the Blu-CD audio idea.
HDTV Cable Kit For Dummies is really just for suckers {Engadget HD}
Nov 13th 2008 2:12PM I'm surprised Cables to Go would stoop this low, but maybe I shouldn't be.
I bought two of their "all-in-one" cable boxes 2 years ago for $40 each. Came with the requisite HDMI, TOSLink, and other cables I shared with my mom. I thought that was a pretty good deal, but this is a rip off.
Forget Black Friday -- $175 Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player here now {Engadget HD}
Nov 7th 2008 7:15PM PS3 uses way more juice. Here's a good article from CNET on why consumers who aren't gamers should look elsewhere for a standalone Blu-ray player. The S350 is definitely better than the S300, so holdout until you can afford that, or try your luck with the Insignia, as it comes with $100 Blu-ray coupons.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9941740-1.html?tag=mncol
Forget Black Friday -- $175 Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player here now {Engadget HD}
Nov 7th 2008 4:22PM How's your power bill, LiqwidZero? I'm not a gamer any longer, at least not console. Considering how much power a PS3 sucks down, I would hate to hear so many consumers hawk for a PS3 unless they are a gamer. On the other hand, I do agree this S300 is a POS, but its got to be at least as good as an Insignia.
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts text unreadable on SDTVs, no fix planned {Engadget HD}
Nov 6th 2008 9:18PM Analogy time
XBox360:food/gas/SDTV as HDTV:luxury?
You know what, if SDTV owners are griping about the cost of HDTVs, the last thing they need to be spending coin on is Xbox and a bunch of games. No wonder you can't buy an HDTV! You're going to have to spend at least $40 next February, so hopefully since popping for a $200+ Xbox, you're also on your way to saving for an HDTV. Its not like they're releasing this game on the Wii or PS2 and a whole bunch of cheap gamers are going to be caught off-guard. Get in line this Thanksgiving and get yourself a $400 42" Vizio.
Poll: Which election night broadcast impressed you most? {Engadget HD}
Nov 5th 2008 2:13AM No kidding, the commentators might be older than the other networks themselves, but at least their HD quality is second to none. Never thought old people could look so...old, in a good way.
Larcenists get a cheap Blu-ray player (the illegal way) {Engadget HD}
Nov 3rd 2008 2:31PM You gotta hand it to 'em. Although I hope they get caught, they got away with this for now. Maybe Sony ought to run Walmart ads proclaiming consumers are willing to go to jail for the new disc format in order to spur sales. Just don't give them any ideas on how to get around the gouging that occurs at the checkout counter.
