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Microsoft temporarily suspends Sky Player for Xbox 360

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 28th 2009 at 9:52AM


"Very fast," "a dream," "fantastic." It looks like you can add "on hiatus" to the list of superlatives -- at least for the time being. That boffo Sky Player that Microsoft debuted for the Xbox 360? "Suspended." Why, you ask? "Due to an unforeseen technical issue." Luckily for Britons and ex-pats, the £15 monthly service should resume tomorrow, barring any further technical issues. In the meantime, it looks like the poor avatar above will be stuck watching Benny Hill on Netflix like the rest of us. Statement after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft temporarily suspends Sky Player for Xbox 360

Sky Player on Xbox 360 receives first eyes-on analysis

by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 27th 2009 at 8:12AM

Sky TV has made its arrival on the Xbox 360 today in prompt fashion, with live streaming and on-demand video available, and the keen lads over at Electric Pig already have a preview of the service in action. Their immediate reaction was that the Sky Player interface was "ultra-speedy" and easily navigable using the 360 controller. Streaming at the high-quality setting (alas, there's no HD on offer yet) was also no problem on a 4Mb broadband connection, though they reserve their highest praise for the on-demand content which was pumped through within a couple of seconds of selection and benefits from an "astonishingly well-designed interface." For the full impressions of the subscription-based service, which starts out at £15 per month, hit up the read link below.

UK film critic doesn't understand using HDTV to watch old movies, why kids are on his lawn

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 16th 2009 at 6:51PM


Another day, another ignorant article about high definition. This time it's Peter Bradshaw, film critic for Guardian.co.uk, claiming Humphrey Bogart would have any cameraman approximating a "high definition" effect thrown off the set. Blatantly ignoring the fact that movies of that era were made on 35mm film with more resolution than even 1080p Blu-ray can display, Bradshaw claims that instead of a HDTV, viewers would be better off with a standard definition projector and DVDs. This is all in response to a recent Sky ad campaign (check out the video with Sir Anthony Hopkins dropping in Rutger Hauer's Blade Runner monologue after the break, plus the original) promoting the broadcaster's new HD transfers, allowing home viewing of many older films in quality that would be impossible unless you'd seen it the first week in theaters, and with sound that likely surpasses anything available at the time. What someone should explain to Mr. Bradshaw and so many others with this misconception is that HDTV allows us to see the movie closer to the way it was meant to be seen when it was originally mastered, with all the detail that was present. Provided a high quality transfer, there's plenty of reasons to catch old flicks in a new format, so spread the word.

Continue reading UK film critic doesn't understand using HDTV to watch old movies, why kids are on his lawn

Michael Jackson memorial service gets HDTV broadcasts around the globe by 1 p.m.

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 7th 2009 at 11:39AM

Today's broadcasts of Michael Jackson's memorial services have become s big of a television event as there has ever been, with networks domestically planning to cover the proceedings in high definition, but Sky News HD is following up on its broadcast of the Obama Inauguration by taking of the Sky Arts 1 HD channel again, and Cinedigm flicks on its digital distribution network, though not in 3D, it will air the memorial starting at 1 p.m. EST for free at theaters around the country. If not for anything else, this should extend even beyond Presidential Address' ability to compare the audio/video delivery capabilities of different networks, with CNN, Fox, ABC, Fox News, CBS, E! and more broadcasting, plus internet streams available from most (CNN, Sky, CBS, ABC are confirmed), plus Hulu and the StaplesCenter.com website itself. So let us know, which network will you be tuning to / avoiding this afternoon, or are you already switching back and forth with one gloved hand on the remote, comparing camera angles and contrast levels in detail?

Update: A live HD stream from Microsoft & Canada's Inmusic.com is available and apparently not subject to geographic restrictions for those tuning in via desktop (Thanks, Aaron)

Read - Jackson memorial live in high definition in movie theaters and on TV
Read - World will watch Jackson memorial
Read - Michael Jackson Memorial In High Definition
Read - Media is all about Michael Jackson
Read - Michael Jackson Memorial Coverage times / networks

Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 1st 2009 at 2:12PM Breaking News


Microsoft is busy announcing a slew of upgrades to Xbox Live, and the biggest news so far is relaunch of the video service, now Zune-branded with 1080p instant-on streaming content in 18 countries. XBL is also now integrated with Facebook -- your Facebook account can be linked to your Gamertag, and games will support Facebook Connect for sharing content online. That's pretty huge -- but if that wasn't enough, you're also getting Twitter and Last.fm in the deal. Want more? Netflix users will now be able to browse the entire catalog instead of simply loading their queue, and Microsoft has also gotten its Party Watch system in order, so you'll be able to heckle videos with your online friends. Last but not least, there's now live TV streaming for UK and Ireland gamers, who'll get Premier League soccer live from Sky. All in all, a solid set of updates for XBL -- but we'll wait and see how that "1080p" video looks before we pronounce Blu-ray dead. PR blurb after the break.

Continue reading Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration

Live Sky TV coming to Xbox 360 in UK and Ireland, hooligan avatars to follow

by Thomas Ricker posted May 29th 2009 at 4:41AM

US Americans, go ahead and enjoy your Netflix streaming over your Xbox 360, Brits are about to land a deal that'll put live football, TV, and films over Microsoft's broadband-enabled console -- a first live television service for Xbox 360 anywhere. Beginning in Autumn, Xbox Live subscribers in the UK and Ireland will gain access to Sky's Sky Player service that includes subscription-based live, on-demand, and pay-per-view access to your favorite shows without the need for an additional set-top-box or satellite dish. Unfortunately, specifics like prices and channel line-up have not been announced, though content is expected to be similar to the Sky Player service already available on Macs and PCs. Of interest, Xbox Live users will be able to watch sporting content together virtually and sling insults and taunts at one-another via avatars or virtual personas. Something that will lead to slurring songs in a fit of semi-social inebriation or fisticuffs, depending on the score. One more image after the break.

[Via Gadgetoid]

Continue reading Live Sky TV coming to Xbox 360 in UK and Ireland, hooligan avatars to follow

Live theater returns to British TV on Sky Arts 1 HD

by Richard Lawler posted May 27th 2009 at 3:22AM

Moving one step beyond the opera broadcasts suddenly so popular recently, British television is getting its first live drama in two decades this July on Sky Arts 1 HD. Six authors have contributed 30-minute plays that will broadcast every Wednesday starting July 8 in front of a 140 person live audience. Viewers at home will apparently be allowed in on the post-show commentary sections, with HDTV providing a helping hand to more than one area of the arts we won't be surprised if Sky Arts Theatre Live! is yet another success.

Sky brings home live 3D broadcast over a standard satellite set-top box

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 1:19PM

The UK set a few new high water marks for 3D as a part of its push to 2012 last night as Sky broadcast an Abbey Road concert by Keane in 3D live out over the Internet in anaglyph 3D, as well as a higher quality polarized version to a movie theater and a 46-inch 3D HDTV over a standard satellite box. Confirming earlier tests, it looks like the UK is ready to step up and join Japan in 3D broadcasting, the next question is when will the standards jostling result in any progress over here?

International HD news roundup

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 8:42AM


Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days, let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, sampai jumpa!

Read - Sohu, Haier Partner for HDTV Channel
Read - HDTV a burden to Chinese digital cable TV operators
Read - Swisscable digital take-up grows
Read - CNN comes to Freesat
Read - Cable Operator Guangzhou Digital Media Group Uses Envivio Convergence Headend for New Interactive TV Service
Read - Over 47 Million Homes Now Receive Digital Satellite Signals
Read - Virgin: 150Mbps fibre optic by 2012
Read - Mirics and CyberLink Join Forces to Deliver HDTV to Notebooks
Read - Europe's HDTVs "Starved of HD Content"
Read - Sky Link to boost HD offer
Read - Sky TV agrees to run all TVNZ channels from July
Read - Ten launches dedicated sports channel
Read - Panasonic Debuts High-End Plasma Monitors
Read - Half of Europe signed up to satellite TV
Read - TVNZ brings TiVo to the nation
Read - Sky gives users a glance at its future networked set-top box
Read - Singapore's StarHub to go fully digital by mid-year
Read - ONE kicks off HD sports bonanza
Read - Singapore heats up with high-def biz

Sky suggests UK homes could see 3D TV by the end of the year

by Donald Melanson posted Mar 9th 2009 at 5:12PM

Sky has already successfully tested its 3D broadcasting capabilities, and hinted that the 2012 London Olympics could be comin' at ya like never before, but it now looks like the broadcaster could be set to roll out the service even sooner than many expected. According to Sky's Chief Engineer Chris Johns, Sky now has the "capability for homes to see 3D by year-end," although he unsurprisingly didn't offer any firm timeline for an actual rollout, or even a confirmation of the exact type of 3D system that'd be used, saying simply that they're continuing to test different systems and that he envisions it to be "glasses-based in some form." He also added that Sky is focused on building a content library "over the coming year," so that would seem to suggest that an actual launch would come very near the end of the year, if not later.

[Via Register Hardware, thanks SK]

Sky+ HD maps out a plan to beat downturn depression with HDTV

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 6th 2009 at 11:47PM


Tough Economic times, layoffs and bad news from Pioneer can all be enough to affect a person's mood for the worse, but don't give up yet since Sky+HD has apparently found a link between watching HDTV and improved psychological well being. Sure it's partly marketing fluff aimed at improving HD penetration, but it does jibe with our extensive "watched Sunrise Earth for hours" research. as such, we think UK residents should give psychologist Donna Dawson's viewing guide a shot, based around using key visual factors to stimulate the brain, it might give one a different viewpoint on the current state of things. Of course, U.S. viewers are on their own, but why not grab the PDF and work up a lazy DVR weekend mental health break of your own.

Sky software update brings along automatic standby feature

by Darren Murph posted Jan 18th 2009 at 8:08PM


In an effort to lower subscriber energy bills as well as throw Mother Earth a bone, Sky is reportedly rolling out a software update to its set-top-boxes that will enable an automatic standby feature. In short, the update will force boxes that go unused for four hours during the day into standby, and that grace period gets cut in half (to two hours, for the mathematically challenged) at night. The update will supposedly hit all nine million or so Sky boxes by July, and the company estimates that the move will reduce its carbon footprint by around 90,000 tonnes each year. A little standby goes a long way, huh?

[Thanks, Martin]

Sky could open up HD launch queue

by Darren Murph posted Jan 14th 2009 at 5:14PM


DigitalSpy is reporting that Sky (no relation, we're told) is currently "studying the technical feasibility of opening a new electronic program guide launch queue for high-definition channels." In October of last year, the operator closed up its launch queue -- which is what channels use to secure a new slot on Sky's EPG -- after finding that many SD receivers had serious memory constraints. Now, however, Sky is pushing out a software update that "differentiates between those boxes and the HD ones," and it's hoping that these SD units will eventually cooperate while HD services are added. All fingers crossed for everything to pan out.

[Image courtesy of MediaUK]

Sky successfully tests 3D delivery to HD STB, snags 600,000 HD customers

by Darren Murph posted Dec 20th 2008 at 6:00AM

Given that Sky already sounds pretty confident about the possibility of a 2012 Olympics in 3D, we aren't shocked at all to find that its 3D tests have been successful thus far. Nevertheless, the BBC is reporting today that the satcaster has "successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box." It has already begun to film a number of events in 3D over the past few months, and now that it has proven to itself that the technology is viable, it's working to find a way to bring it to viewers. In related news, the report also mentioned that Sky's director of strategic product development Gerry O'Sullivan stated that it now had "nearly 600,000 HD customers," and he even insinuated that HD was, in fact, not just "a niche product." That's the spirit, chap!

[Thanks, Martin]

Sky says 2012 London Olympics could be in 3D

by Darren Murph posted Dec 18th 2008 at 2:19PM

Europe still isn't the place to be for limitless HD content, but London in particular could be a 3D extravaganza come 2012. The host city for the next Summer Olympics may be coming to your living room like never before, as Brian Lenz, head of product design and innovation at Sky, proclaimed that "there is a very good chance you'll see the London Olympics in 3D." The satcaster has already confessed to filming events in 3D, and given that the wide distribution of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in HD was all the rage, we suppose the third-dimension is the next logical step forward. Mirroring our own hopes and dreams, Lenz stated that what it really wanted was "glasses free technology." Here's hoping we inch closer to that at CES 2009.

[Thanks, Ben]




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