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MIPS Technologies showing off Android with an HD facelift August 27

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 4th 2009 at 10:36AM


Sure, Google may see ChromeOS as its operating system of the future on PCs, but we just can't help ourselves every time Android makes a special appearance in an off-the-cellphone production, with its next performance scheduled for August 27 when MIPS Technologies will demo a version made for high definition displays. EE Times sees Sigma Designs as a hardware partner, mentioning it has already shown a Blu-ray player prototype running the OS. Of course, there's already options like the BLOBbox (in Europe) if an open software platform set-top is your desire -- and according to our poll results, it just might be -- but we'll see if an upgraded mobile OS has the chops to go in the living room later this month.

[Via Android Community]

Echostar might SlingLoad other manufacturer's cable boxes

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 3rd 2009 at 11:31PM


Even though some cable giants are already trying their hand at placeshifting with TV Anywhere, Echostar may be ready to leverage its technology by licensing the SlingLoaded feature to other set-top box manufacturers like Motorola, Cisco or Pace, according to Cable Digital News. With its tru2way cable box still notable lacking a distribution deal, this could be a way for Sling fans that don't want any additional hardware to get it in the home, but speaking of that T2200S (still not coming to retail channels according to Senior Product Manager P. Margit Tritt) the company's presence at The Independent Show also gave it an opportunity to feel out the needs of smaller cable operators. Either way, there's plenty of time before its planned Q4 2009 launch - go on, admit you're excited, we don't judge here.

VuNow streaming set-top boxes to get CinemaNow streaming movie access

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 27th 2009 at 6:26PM


Verismo's quest to bring its streaming media platform to more customers and OEMs has received a shot in the arm, now that the company announced support for CinemaNow. CinemaNow has already announced plans to come directly to flatscreens via widgets, so if the VuNow platform is adopted into more hardware as it was by Sherwood, expect to have one more internet movie-capable box sneaking into your living room disguised as a receiver, amplifier or cable DVR over the next few years. Word is this is just the first content announcement with more to come, while we anticipate who is next (CinemaNow-based providers like Blockbuster are an easy bet) check the full press release after the break.

Continue reading VuNow streaming set-top boxes to get CinemaNow streaming movie access

ISB Corp assimilates Android into STB

by Ross Miller posted May 18th 2009 at 7:47PM

Netbooks and digital picture frames aren't the only new territory Google's Android can be found exploring. ISB Corp is tinkering with the platform as a way of powering a set-top box. A reference board powered by TI's OMAP 3530 processor was on display last week, strutting its video playback and web browsing capabilities at the 12th Embedded Systems Expo in Tokyo, and there the company said it was in the process of optimizing the software for a smooth HD video experience. It's also reportedly demonstrating support for wireless keyboards and Bluetooth. Frankly, we haven't been 100 percent sold on a lot of these Android implementations, but there's definitely potential here. Hopefully we can get some more glimpses of it in the not too distant future.

Panasonic again giving tru2way a boost at Cable Show '09

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 1st 2009 at 7:15AM


Panasonic has consistently been one of the companies backing tru2way with the most hardware, and this year's Cable Show is no different. First up, its tru2way compatible plasma HDTVs are now on sale in Atlanta, with additional rollouts planned for the rest of '09 -- put host city Washington D.C. on the list for sure, since since Comcast has hooked the booth up to a live feed for demonstrations as previously seen in Denver. Don't have the scratch for a whole new TV just to experience the new tech? Say hello to the PCH2180 Advanced Multi-tuner tru2way set-top receiver (pictured) that's now shipping, an HD-DVR ready for multistream CableCARDs and includes a DOCSIS modem, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1 compatibility plus MoCA networking capabilities. Panasonic's taken the time to tie it to a prototype Easy Touch multitouch remote (video embedded after the break) that we were digging at CEATEC and CES alike, with this kind of investment the NCTA might be able to make us forget January's disappointment.

Gallery: Panasonic EZTouch multi-touch remote

Continue reading Panasonic again giving tru2way a boost at Cable Show '09

Kodak's Theatre HD Player unboxed and reviewed

by Darren Murph posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 12:39PM


We already heard what a few others had to say about Kodak's Theatre HD Player, but we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to unbox our own and toss out some impressions. We won't bother teasing you, though -- head on over to Engadget Classic for the full spill.

Australian peace restored with free HD tuners

by Steven Kim posted Aug 25th 2008 at 11:10PM

DTVPal
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.

Panasonic lone TV manufacturer signed up for tru2way Developers' Conference

by Steven Kim posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 10:17AM

Panasonic tru2way
Sure, we've got reports that this year's The Cable Show '08 (May 18 - 20) will be a blowout year for tru2way, but there's evidence that TV manufacturer support is lagging a bit. Hampered out of the gate by its crazy naming progression, the technology formerly known as CableCARD 2.0/OCAP/OpenCable has got some CE manufacturer trust to gain before it can take off. Don't get us wrong, we want to see the promise of a set-top box-less setup realized; but sadly, we don't call the shots for the industry. Counterbalancing tru2way's coming out party at The Cable Show '08 is this: TV manufacturer enrollment for the tru2way Developers' Conference numbers exactly one party -- Panasonic (no surprise there). Sure, there are plenty of technology providers signed up, but with Panasonic as the sole TV manufacturer, don't expect to see a flood of tru2way TVs just yet.

Vudu set-top box review round-up

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 1st 2007 at 11:27AM

We got to spend a bit of time with Vudu's eponymously named set-top box earlier this month at CEDIA, but those still trying to justify that $399 price tag now have a bit more info to help inform their decision, with a number of reviews of the device now cropping up online. Among the first to churn out a full review were the folks at Laptop Magazine, who seem to have found quite a bit to like in the device, despite some fairly serious limitations. They were especially impressed by the Vudu's "surprisingly good" video quality, which they say "makes you forget you're watching a movie downloaded over the Web." Leading those aforementioned limitations is the fact that those all those movies are "trapped on the Vudu box," meaning you can't offload them onto a portable media or stream them over a network connection. That also proved to be one CNET's big gripes with the device, who also lamented the lack of built-in WiFi, and the somewhat limited 24-hour viewing period for downloaded movies. Those also looking for an unboxing of the device can find that and more in Paul Stamatiou's review, which even goes so far as to rip the device apart for a peek inside. As for how the Vudu works, he too seems to have been fairly impressed by the general user experience, although the movie pricing structure proved to be a major stumbling block for him, as was the device's inability to export movies to a PC.

Read - Laptop Magazine (3.5 out of 5)
Read - CNET (7.7 out of 10)
Read - PaulStamatiou.com (7 out of 10)

[Photo courtesy of PaulStamatiou.com]

Comcast WILL raise their rates thanks to a new FCC ruling

by Matt Burns posted Jun 15th 2007 at 8:23AM

Quick refresher: the FCC has a new rule going into effect July 1, 2007 that requires cable companies to install Cable Card-equipped set-top boxes for all new digital subscribers. Got it? Most industry experts were wondering how this was going to affect the current subscribers and just as we feared, rates are going up. Comcast is reporting via Multichannel News that instead of charging $2-$3 more for their digital subscribers, the company is going to spread that cost over their entire subscription base resulting in slight increases for everyone. Digital subscribers should like that idea but it sure sounds like the analog subs are taking one for the team. Here's the good news though, these costs will not hit your bill till 2008.

New FCC regulation might raise cable rates even higher

by Matt Burns posted Jun 11th 2007 at 8:15AM

Frustrated about your high cable bill? Well then, we're sorry to start the week off like this. Come July 1st, you might see a higher cable bill if you have a new cable box installed when a federal rule goes into effect. Security is the buzzword here and any set-top-box that is deployed after July 1st must have a CableCARD installed. Plus, the FCC is looking to create a retail market for set-top Cable CARD equipped boxes and requiring a CableCARD levels the playing field a bit. (Example: Samsung SMT-H3050) So not only will the boxes cost more to lease, 'cause of all this new security, but then cable companies can tack on an extra cost for the CableCARD. How much more are we talking? A bias and more than likely high-cost estimate rings in from a TiVo spokesmen at around $20 per new box deployed. Only time will tell if prices will in fact go up, but everyone knows that when at all possible, cable companies do raise rates.

Cisco planning "souped-up" set-top boxes

by Donald Melanson posted May 14th 2007 at 12:16PM

It looks like Cisco is about to make its biggest push into the consumer market to date, with BusinessWeek reporting that the company is readying a "souped-up" set-top box that'll supposedly combine a number of different products into one. Of course, as BusinessWeek points out, this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, especially given the company's recent acquisitions of Linksys, Scientific-Atlanta, and KiSS Technology. As you may be able to surmise by that confluence of companies, the new do-it-all box will apparently be networked like nobody's business (wireless, naturally), including the ability to pull content off the Internet and distribute it to other devices around the house. It'll reportedly include its own web browser as well. While Cisco's pulling all the strings, it apparently won't be slapping its own name on the boxes, selling them instead directly to consumers under the Linksys brand and offering 'em up to various cable companies. If all goes as planned, you should be able to snag one for yourself by the end of this year or early next year.

[Thanks, Mercurial]

Microsoft shows off IPTV plans, partners

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 17th 2005 at 8:33PM

As the convergence race heats up, Microsoft is not sitting on the sidelines, as last week at the IBC show in Amsterdam they shed more light on their plans for IPTV devices with SBC, Intel, Motorola, Linksys and others.  Among the announcements made for NTSC markets were:
I don't think this nearly answers the question of where the Media Center Edition platform's future lies, but Microsoft is clearly doing everything they can to make sure they have their devices at the heart of your digital entertainment center of the future.




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