Skip to Content

Joystiq has you covered with all things Metal Gear Solid 4!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag atsc

VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 8:31AM


If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Sling TR-40 quietly rebadged as the DISH Network DTVPal

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted May 23rd 2008 at 3:43PM

DISH Network DTVPal
Echostar can't seem to decide what brand to put on its upcoming DTV converter box. The device that many DTV converter box shoppers seem to believe will be the one to get, won't be available until June and although we originally heard it would be sold as the Sling Media TR-40, recently the little box has gotten 50 percent smaller and will be called the DISH Network DTVPal. A few sites are already accepting pre-orders that are expected to ship on June 16th, which won't help you very much if you signed up for your voucher on the first day like we did.

[Thanks, Josh]

ATSC celebrates 25 years

by Darren Murph, posted May 9th 2008 at 12:54PM


Can you believe it? No really, can you believe ATSC has been kickin' around in TV sets and on street corners for a quarter-century now (okay, so maybe just "established" for that long)? Sure enough, the Advanced Television Systems Committee gathered on Thursday to celebrate its silver anniversary and to take a long hard look at what the future holds. Needless to say, quite a few folks will be getting acquainted with the standard now that the analog shutoff is getting dangerously near. The meeting also touched on taking ATSC mobile with ATSC-M/H and the "next generation of services for fixed receivers" with ATSC 2.0. We know, it's probably all you can do to hold back those tears after hearing of this momentous occasion, but once you're over it, why not chime in below with your fondest ATSC memories? Remember that first digital-tuner TV you got? Yeah, good times.

EVGA joins USB ATSC tuner game with inDtube

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 30th 2008 at 7:08AM


Not that there aren't already enough USB tuners to sate your media-obsessed palette, but EVGA wants us to make room for one more, the decidedly un-indie inDtube. Originally announced at CES (but apparently just now making its way to market), the inDtube is basically your run of the mill USB 2.0 ATSC and NTSC tuner with S-Video, RCA, coax, remote, and the usual software package (if you're not already using something like Media Center, that is). No price or availability yet.

Ask Engadget HD: Which ATSC tuner works best with 64-bit Vista?

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Yeah, this question's been swirling for as long as a 64-bit flavor of Windows Vista has been around, but we couldn't help but pose it now that the world at large has had a chance to experiment a touch and hopefully provide Cody (and everyone else wondering the same) with a bit of advice.

"I'm looking for a TV tuner for a desktop PC that I'm planning on building, but I can't seem to find one without conflicting reviews. Which tuner works well with Vista x64 and can handle ATSC signals that will stand alone after February of 2009? I've noticed HDHomeRun, but I'd like to keep the cost down (below $100 or so) if possible, and I'm also hoping to find some sort of internal PCI / PCIe card -- though I won't argue with USB / external solutions."

With the plethora of options out there, we're sure some of you have found some real winners / losers. Don't hold back, open up and help Cody get his OTA HD on.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

AVerTV Bravo Hybrid PCI-E tuner handles Clear QAM

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 27th 2008 at 8:17AM


AVerMedia's latest PCI-E tuner isn't chock full of extras, but it's definitely packing quite a punch for $79.99. The unit plays nice with ATSC, NTSC and Clear QAM signals along with FM radio, and aside from letting folks tune into HD programs over-the-air, it can also record directly in H.264 format to save space on your hard drive and provide easy exporting to iPods / PMPs. Just what the doctor ordered? Fantastic -- it's available right now.

equinux offers up TubeStick hybrid USB TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 25th 2008 at 8:24AM


If neither of Elgato's latest from Macworld tickled your fancy, there's a decent shot you may like what equinux has going on instead. The TubeStick hybrid is the firm's newly announced USB TV tuner, which is housed in a diminutive chassis that won't block nearby ports and offers up OTA reception of NTSC, ATSC and digital (QAM) signals. Furthermore, the unit comes wearing the whitest of white outfits and also touts an external antenna and a one-month trial of the TubeToGo software. Yes, this critter will play nice with Windows machines as well, but we hear it tries to avoid such predicaments whenever possible. Ready to snag your own? Catch one next month for $129.

[Via The Mac Observer]

DirecTV intros dual ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21

by Steven Kim, posted Jan 9th 2008 at 2:32AM

DirecTV intros two ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21
If your DirecTV HR21 leaves you feeling empty because you want need to streamline your over-the-air ATSC side of the house, listen up. DirecTV's AM21 is your answer. For $59, you can pick one up, stack it above or below your HR21, connect it via USB, and bask in the glow of dual tuner ATSC programming (integrated with your OSG, to boot). It's not a bad looking little black box at all, and the price is reasonable. It's being shown off at CES, and you can expect it to be available at the end of February.

XstreamHD details continue to emerge

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jan 8th 2008 at 11:38AM


Just a few hours before our live coverage of the XStreamHD press event (11am PST) with Michael Douglas; many of the details have been released and we have to say this thing looks so incredible, we don't see how it can live up to the press release -- this is one of those times when we'd really love to be wrong. For starters, the service promises to deliver "the latest content from leading studios" in 1080p (MPEG-2 and x.264) with 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio (96kHz/24bits) to your home via satellite, and if it stopped there it would be impressive enough, but no. The content is stored on the internally in your "Virtual Personal Library" until you access it with up to four simultaneous DLNA devices on your gigabit Ethernet home network. If you run out of space, you can use the extra drive bays to expand up to 2TB of storage. And because there is so much great OTA HD content, it features three ATSC tuners which can be used with a "Network Video Recorder" -- not sure what that is, or if its extra. And interestingly even includes a PBX that allows free calling between XStreamHD customers. As if this wasn't unbelievable enough, it all starts at $399 and is expected to hit in the fourth quarter of '08.

Full release after the jump.

Continue reading XstreamHD details continue to emerge

Norcent delivers 19-inch LT-1931 / 22-inch LT-2231 LCD TVs

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 5:02PM


Norcent's 42-inch LT-4231P a bit too large for your armoire? If so, the firm is hoping to satisfy your LCD TV needs anyway with the 19-inch LT-1931 and 22-inch LT-2231. The former features a 1,440 x 900 resolution along with an 800:1 contrast ratio while the latter serves up a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Both sets enjoy a 2D digital comb filter, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a trilingual on-screen menu, HDMI / component / S-Video / composite inputs and a built-in TV tuner that plays nice with NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM signals. Unlike the aforementioned 42-incher, this pair is available as we speak for $299.99 and $379.99, respectively.

Norcent intros 42-inch LT-4231P 1080p LCD TV

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 5:01PM


As it seems to do every single year, Norcent is gearing up for CES with a swank new HDTV. For 2008, we're looking at the 42-inch LT-4231P, which offers up a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a slew of ports including HDMI, component, S-Video, composite and VGA and a pair of 15-watt speakers to boot. Furthermore, you'll notice a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 500 nits of brightness, 178-degree viewing angles, a trilingual on-screen menu, wall-mounting capability, 3D digital comb filter and a built-in tuner that handles NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM. Sadly, you'll have to wait until March to pick this one up, but at least it'll only run you $1,299.99 when that day comes.

HP Pavilion Elite m9150f PC handles HD DVD, OTA TV

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 12:50AM Breaking News


Not pleased with any of HP's other offerings? Fret not, as we've got yet another one coming your way. The Pavilion Elite m9150f PC comes ready to handle those HD DVD / PVR duties, and it may even withstand a e-mail or two. Here's the dirt:
  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor
  • Intel's G33 Express chipset
  • 3GB of DDR2 RAM
  • Dual 360GB (720GB total) 7,200 SATA hard drives
  • HP's Personal / Pocket Media Drive Bays
  • HD DVD (read-only) drive
  • LightScribe-enabled SuperMulti DVD burner
  • Gigabit Ethernet / 802.11b/g WiFi
  • NTSC / ATSC / FM tuners
  • HP Media Center remote control with IR receiver
  • Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader
If you couldn't already guess, this one also packs six USB 2.0 ports, twin FireWire sockets, audio in / out, a wireless keyboard / mouse combo and HDMI / DVI outputs. As with HP's other newly announced media PCs, the m9100 series is set to ship this month and start at $1,159.

HP's Phenom 9500-powered Pavilion Media Center m8330f PC

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 12:37AM Breaking News


Remember those tasty Phenom chips AMD loosed back on November? We sure hope so, because that's the CPU HP's relying on in its forthcoming Pavilion Media Center m8330f PC. Here's the specifics:
  • 2.2GHz AMD Phenom 9500 quad-core CPU
  • NVIDIA's nForce 430 chipset
  • 3GB of DDR2 RAM
  • Twin 320GB 7,200 RPM SATA hard drives
  • HP's Personal Media Drive Bay
  • LightScribe-enabled SuperMulti DVD burner
  • NTSC / ATSC / FM tuners
  • HP Media Center remote control with IR receiver
  • Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader
Beyond that, you can expect six USB 2.0 ports, a pair of FireWire connectors, audio in / out, HDMI and DVI sockets and an HP mouse / keyboard combo. Like the s3330f PC already mentioned, this too will be landing real soon with a price tag starting at $959.

HP's Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC does Blu-ray and HD DVD

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 3rd 2008 at 12:23AM Breaking News


A slim PC destined to handle both of the major high-definition movie formats? Say it ain't so! Turns out, HP is indeed doling out such a machine, and it's so eloquently dubbed the Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC. Here's a look at what this mighty mini-tower will be packin':
  • 2.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor
  • 2GB of DDR2 RAM
  • 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA drive
  • HP Pocket Media Drive Bay
  • Single LightScribe-enabled optical drive that reads Blu-ray / HD DVD and writes to dual-layer DVDs
  • NVIDIA's 256MB GeForce 8500 GT
  • 802.11b/g WiFi
  • Built-in NTSC / ATSC TV tuners
  • Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader
Furthermore, you'll find 6 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, audio in / out, DVI / HDMI ports and a wireless keyboard / mouse bundled in along with a whole suite of software. Intrigued? Be on the lookout for this one to land later this month starting at $949.

Envision kicks out trio of Omni-series LCD HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 15th 2007 at 8:49AM

Envision understands that the people need choices, and just in case neither of the two LCD HDTVs that the firm unleashed last month tickled your fancy, here comes a trio of new ones to pore over. All three units sport a 1,366 x 768 resolution, eight-millisecond response time, ATSC / Clear QAM tuners, integrated speakers, a headphone jack, S/PDIF port and a glossy black finish. On the high(er)-end, we've got the 42-inch L42W761, which features a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, twin HDMI inputs and a respectable $999 pricetag. The 32-inch L32W761 differs from its big bro by offering up a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, while the 26-inch L26W761 musters an 800:1 CR. These two will ring up at $649 and $479, respectively, and are available as we speak from a number of fine retailers, but if you've got your eye on the 42-incher, you'll be waiting till the 23rd -- yeah, Black Friday -- to take one home.




Weblogs, Inc. Network

AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Xbox 360 Fanboy
Autoblog
Big Download Blog
AOL Sports Blog