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VUDU XL starts shipping, v1.3 software gets detailed

by Darren Murph posted Mar 4th 2008 at 8:51PM


Lots of news on the VUDU front today, starting with the announcement that the grossly overpriced VUDU XL is finally shipping to all three people who forked out for one. Moving on to more important matters, the forthcoming v1.3 software -- which is hitting barely a month after v1.2 was loosed -- will open up the VUDU Vault. Put simply, this feature will "enable consumer to move owned titles from the VUDU hard drive to a secure area on VUDU servers to free up space for additional purchases." As expected, the feature will only be available on "select titles," but hey, we suppose we'll take what we can get. Moving on, VUDU is also announcing the $39 IR receiver kit for both the original STB and the XL, which will "allow for the operation of the service using approved programmable remotes." Lastly, v1.3 will bring about a numerically listed Most Watched overlay as well as improved searching for TV episodes. No word on when the update will start being pushed out, but we'd guess it'll be sooner rather than later.

Gefen's CES lineup: switchers, PVRs, scalers, cables and more

by Darren Murph posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 10:07PM


We've seen Gefen get all riled up and unleash a barrage of new kit all at once, and sure enough, the outfit is doing just that once more. For starters, we've got the TV Switcher, which enables consumers to connect and access four HDMI sources from a single HDTV. Next up is the TV Splitter, which allows users to channel a single HDMI source to four displays -- and yeah, both of the aforementioned units play nice with HDMI v1.3a. Moving right along, we've got a pair of updates to the PVR lineup; the HD PVR records in MPEG4 and can store material on the 80GB HDD or an SD card, while the SD PVR records content onto USB storage devices. Over on the sound side, the Gefen TV Audio Processor takes a single HDMI source and delivers it to a display and an external audio receiver; furthermore, it reportedly "decodes the HDMI signal to provide an audio signal along with six discrete RCA connectors." Lastly, the firm is doling out v1.3 / Simplay HD-certified HDMI cables in 6-, 10- and 15-foot lengths, but unfortunately, it didn't bother handing out price tags for any of the goods here.

Ask Engadget HD: Is it worth the wait for HDMI 1.3?

by Matt Burns posted Oct 13th 2006 at 1:16PM

The problem with blogs like ours is that you learn about technology at such a rapid pace that sometimes you put off purchasing something because you know that a better item is right around the corner. Such is the case with HDMI 1.3. Don wants a new LCD TV and receiver but wants to know if it is worth it to wait for HDMI 1.3? (Quick refresher course on HDMI 1.3: higher speed capacity, 46-bit color, support for lossless formats such as Dolby HD DTS-HD, smaller HDMI connector for portable devices.)

So is it worth waiting for the new spec to hit TVs and receivers? No and maybe. HDMI 1.3 does allow for a higher color profile but this extra space is going to be used for creature comforts such as PIP and overlay menus; you will not likely see an increase in picture quality. We feel strongly that it isn't worth waiting for HDMI 1.3 to be included in a TV but it might be worth getting an HDMI 1.3 equipped AV receiver though. HDMI is a single cable solution and currently if you want the lossless audio such as Dolby TrueHD soundtrack from your HD DVD disc, a person needs to use six analog RCA cables instead of one HDMI cable. Many people keep audio receivers for years more than the TV stays as the main set in the household and you don't want to limit yourself in that regard but these receivers can cost lots more then your Best Buy/Circuit City ad piece. If a person is looking to drop more on the receiver then the TV, then yes, wait for HDMI 1.3 otherwise you are going to be waiting a long time for 'em to hit the $500 mark and still be quality. In the end Don, it's all about personal preference and how much of an investment it is for the person.

Thanks for the question Don and hope it helped.

2G HD DVD players announced - HD-A2 & HD-XA2: $499 & $999 - UPDATE

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 14th 2006 at 1:55PM

Toshiba's HD DVD press conference at CEDIA 2006 just ended and the first big news is out. It appears we will be getting the same players announced in Europe recently, named the HD-A2 and HD-XA2, this fall. They both feature the new slim design -- hopefully a sign of dedicated hardware as opposed to the stripped-down laptop that made up the HD-A1 -- and the XA2 will feature an HDMI 1.3 output with 1080p. The A2 will start shipping in October for a price of $499, while the HD-XA2 will debut in December with a price-tag of $999. No other specifics were available, but we would not be surprised if the HD-A2 matched its European cousin in losing the analog 5.1 output present on current HD-A1s. Also mentioned in the press release was their estimate of 25,000 HD DVD-equipped homes in the US, as well as upcoming movie releases like Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift, Batman Begins, and The Polar Express. Niveus has announced HD DVD-enabled Media Center PCs with 3TB of storage scheduled to ship in September.

UPDATE: Pics of both players straight from CEDIA

Continue reading 2G HD DVD players announced - HD-A2 & HD-XA2: $499 & $999 - UPDATE

HDMI 1.3 devices out just in time for Christmas

by Matt Burns posted Jul 19th 2006 at 9:26AM


We know that many of you are waiting for HDMI 1.3 devices. That's cool 'cause some should be here soon. The standard was just approved and the maker of the HDMI 1.3 chips, Silicon Image, is sampling them right now. This means that there will be some CE devices sporting the upgraded port here before Christmas but not many. The Playstation 3 will be one of 'em but that is it as of now. Many manufacturers are waiting for CES '07 to announce their new products. Pioneer is stating that they will have A/V receivers and Blu-ray players out within the first quarter with the new standard.

We really don't see many people that want the new standard actually waiting for it. By the time device X is on the market, chances are would have already caved and got something different. Right?

[via HDBlog.net]

Xbox 360 getting an HDMI port soon?

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 8th 2006 at 11:33PM

That is the latest rumor from Xbox-Scene, who were also sent the requisite fuzzy picture of what is purported to be an Xbox 360 motherboard with HDMI-out equipped. No word from the anonymous source if this is actually coming soon (or ever), if it could be part of the HD DVD-equipped Xbox 360 that isn't planned, or just a mockup of some kind. We also don't know if this would be a deep color 1080p capable HDMI 1.3 output or...well really anything at all just yet but it makes for an interesting picture. Do you need a digital output on your next-gen console or are you proudly analog forever?

[Via Engadget]

Pics of the HDMI-mini connector

by Matt Burns posted Jun 28th 2006 at 11:17AM


Just a little HD p@rn for you this morning. This is the new HDMI mini connector that will be used for high-def camcorders and such. It was recently approved in the HDMI 1.3 specs. Nothing real fancy or cool but still interesting.

HDMI version 1.3 approved

by Matt Burns posted Jun 13th 2006 at 11:32AM


HDMI 1.3 just got approved and it sure is pretty. The system received an overall speed boost to better handle future HD content and "deep color." This will be used to support 1080 X 60 Hz with 36-bit RGB color, or 1080p with 90Hz. The big news comes with the bump up of RGB support. The current HDMI spec "only" supports up to 24-bit RGB which is truly all the eye can see. 1.3 however allows for 30, 36, and even 46-bit color. Most of the time when 36-bit color is utilized, it is for GUI overlays and things of that nature. This allows for the image underneath not to be modified when the overlay is present. Even so, this will allow for over 1 billion possible colors. The PS3 is said to take advantage of this and could have even been one of the reasons it was delayed.

HDMI 1.3 will also support the lossless formats of Dolby HD and DTS-HD along with a new type of HDMI connector for smaller HD devices. It seems that this new mini connector is what Sony has put on their newest SXRD-based XBRs but left off of the A2000 line. Lastly, 1.3 has a system built-in similar to Panasonic Viera Link. It allows for the HDMI device to configure the HDMI display - in since they will talk to each other.

[via Extreme Tech]




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