Recent Comments:
Droid Does... only have 256MB of storage for apps {Download Squad}
Nov 10th 2009 9:13AM Not quite... the point is that the programmer can use the SD for extra data - the user doesn't have to do this work of segregating the data, if the programmer does his/her job. Hackers can certainly do more with the App2SD software, but it's not required.
That being said, from what I'm reading, apps on Android are tiny... one user says his average is 500-800k, which means you could easily install over 300 apps... hardly limiting: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1584434 (see posts 4 and 7)
This is a non-issue... FUD
Clear QAM HD isn't going anywhere! {Engadget HD}
Nov 3rd 2009 3:21PM Brad is correct. After a long line of questioning to the FCC, apparently the waiver allows the cable cos to encrypt ALL channels, as long as they provide (a few?) boxes to decrypt the signal. In an email I just got back from the FCC:
"Thank you for your additional concerns.
Since your cable company plans to transition to a digital-only service, (which includes the basic service tier plus additional digital cable channels), cable providers may often insist that a set top box from the cable company is required to watch any digital cable channels including unencrypted channels.
Currently, basic tier subscribers, and some other subscribers who have additional television sets without set top boxes, can rely on the digital cable tuner in their television to receive basic tier programming without the need to obtain a box. However, if the basic tier is encrypted, these subscribers would need to obtain additional equipment (either a set-top box or a CableCARD).
You have noted that the cable company plans to provide free transport adapters (low-end cable boxes, as per the FCC waiver http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1854A1.pdf, which will allow you to unencrypt the basic service tier.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Brenda Althoff
Consumer Advocate and Mediation Specialist
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau"
Nice. So although the cableco can provide a crappy RF box for these channels, you have the distinct "advantage" of losing the QAM signal completely, and hence get a low-res, SD, RF modulated signal. Great job, FCC.
How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center {Engadget HD}
Oct 26th 2009 9:22AM Ben: True, but Tivo "just works". MCE still hiccups here and there, as does any HTPC in theory. Heck, WINDOWS hiccups enough for me to not trust it for 24x7 operation... whereas my Mythbox runs flawlessly for many months with no issues.
I wish Myth was Cable-card supported... damn cable industry. Your content is ALREADY being torrented, you morons... locking down the cablecard isn't going to fix that, as ALREADY seen. So stop pissing off customers like me.
Frankly, at this point, I'm considering dumping cable, going OTA digital, and then using Hulu for everything else... Comcast sucks. Cable industry sucks.
Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3 {Engadget}
Oct 26th 2009 8:59AM Damn right - next stop, Hulu. If I could get this, then I'd happily dump my cable company!
*wishes for native-Hulu on PS3*
I know you can get this with Playon (Sale on it right now, BTW... check retailmenot.com ) but it's finicky and can't fast forward nicely... native FTW. Please please please? :)
Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3 {Engadget}
Oct 26th 2009 8:54AM @Lazy Genius: You mean for Halo... that's pretty much the only game I ever see as an exclusive on 360 that's worth anything. IMO Halo sucks... plenty of other far-better FPS games out there, if you're into that sort of thing.
I'm so tired of the "360 has better/more games" argument... it's BS. There isn't any exclusive game on the 360 that isn't equivalent (or, in some a few cases, surpassed) by a title on the PS3.
How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center {Engadget HD}
Oct 23rd 2009 2:41PM Exactly what I was thinking. People always complain about Myth/Linux being so hard to configure, and then I see things like this. This is "easy"?
Granted, Myth does it by default... but even the config screens in there aren't this cryptic.
I'll admit, though, the promise of Cablecards on MCE7 is alluring... of course, I'd have to buy new (faster) hardware to run it... which is why I probably won't bother. I can get a TivoHD for cheaper than an MCE7 setup, and with FAR less hassle.
Hulu to begin charging for (some) content next year? {Download Squad}
Oct 23rd 2009 8:41AM Agreed... hopefully they manage this properly. Of course, history has shown this is rarely the case.
If they can provide a real client for my PS3 or MythTV box that streams HD, then I would be more than happy to pay for that privilege. Fact is, if they can pull that off, I'd be more than excstatic to flip off Comcast and go Hulu-only... which means Hulu could charge me more and I would still save money. But, again, only if they give me something more than what I have now.
Here's to hoping... but I'm not holding my breath.
Ask Engadget HD: Best home theater setup for gaming? {Engadget HD}
Oct 8th 2009 8:12AM Excellent setup, reson8er. I have a very similar setup, but older components (Onkyo TX-DS676 and Panny Plasma TH42P80U or something.
Bottom line - decent receiver, like an Onkyo (excellent price/performance) and Plasma, baby. None of that LCD crap!
Only 443,000 CableCARDs deployed into consumer's equipment {Engadget HD}
Oct 1st 2009 8:47AM IMO, the cable companies had their chance to get a good system, and purposely screwed it up (one-way cable cards). For this reason, the next system should be designed by a third party, and forced upon the cable companies. Screw them... they deserve it.
Only 443,000 CableCARDs deployed into consumer's equipment {Engadget HD}
Oct 1st 2009 8:46AM Actually, there are ways to get >1.1TB drives into the TivoHD: http://www.mfslive.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=5959&sid=a3fa852a22282e851d7f89685ea78da9#p5961
Requires a bit of hacking, but certainly doable...
