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Rogers Communications in Canada is not sold on tru2way

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 28th 2009 at 8:50PM

tru2way logo
Add Rogers to the list of cable operators that aren't happy with tru2way -- which is in addition to the CE companies and the public at large. No folks, tru2way is the new technology that many love to hate and we can't say we blame 'em, but we aren't sure what ground the big cable company to the north has to stand on, as it isn't exactly the model of openness. You see as bad as we think our entire CableCARD fiasco is stateside, our cold friends who talk funny can't even enjoy the TiVo HD, a Moxi or Windows Media Center -- so yeah, it's much worse.

International HD news roundup

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 12th 2009 at 11:05PM


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, Doei!

Read - Cogeco adds 8 new HD nets in Quebec
Read - E-Vision launches first HD TV in Emirates
Read - PLDT starts 'new era of TV viewing' with launch of Cignal
Read - Showtime Arabia, Orbit announce TV merger
Read - Showtime launches first premium HD channel (UAE)
Read - RNIB get into the 3D TV debate (UK)

TSN2 coming to Rogers Cable lineup

by Richard Lawler posted May 18th 2009 at 11:08AM

Congratulations, Canada, finally TSN2 HD is available for the masses, now that it's completed a deal with Rogers Cable. Expect the new channel to show up tomorrow ahead of a Blue Jays / Red Sox three game series. Sure it wasn't in time to catch the NBA season, but given the Raptors' struggles last season, that may have been for the best.

Shaw Cable offering 3D video on-demand, but not the good kind

by Richard Lawler posted May 8th 2009 at 10:56AM

In the race to bring home 3D Shaw Cable has taken an early lead, although we're not sure everyone would agree it's worth it. Together with Corus Entertainment, it's loading up the VOD library full of films, sports, concert events and other content all in anaglyph (red/blue) 3D and distributing glasses free of charge to all of its subscribers. No word on how much ordering up the content will cost or when it will be available, but the biggest factor in our disappointment is that while it will work on any television, the quality simply doesn't compare to proper stereoscopic 3D. Still, Canadians haven't been able to call "First" many times, we guess we'll let them have this one. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via Digital Home Canada]

Hulu getting ready for international viewers, starts by blocking them

by Richard Lawler posted May 8th 2009 at 9:22AM


Fresh off adding Disney as a content partner and part owner, Hulu is about to make an even bigger leap, signing up a few agreements for international programming from sources like Endemol and Digital Rights Group of the UK and Bollywood distributor Saavn. Financial Times learned that while these deals should first bring additional programming for U.S. viewers, it is "laying the groundwork" for a global launch in the top six to eight markets. Unfortunately for global viewers, word on the internets is that anonymous proxies like those so conveniently suggested in our Ask EHD for Canadian streaming options are now blocked, so until those deals are signed and the switch is flipped in your neck of the woods, no Hulu for you.

Rogers reportedly implements more compression on HD channels

by Darren Murph posted Apr 1st 2009 at 10:08PM

Sadly, we don't have any reason to believe that this is some nasty April Fool's prank. We heard right around this time last year that Rogers Cable was looking to pull a Shaw and compress its HD signals even further, and now, it seems that said smashing has begun. According to Digital Home, a "majority of all Rogers high definition channels measured are now being compressed." Investigation in the matter has found that around 60 percent of Rogers' HD channels in Toronto were compressed, with HBO, The Movie Network, MPix, Nat Geo, CBS West, ABC West, Fox West, NBC West and PBS suffering the most. We're told that those stations saw typical bitrates of around 10Mbps to 13Mbps, while Rogers SportsNet, CityTV, CBC, CTV, Global and Discovery HD saw streams between 16Mbps and 18Mbps. Any locals care to confirm / deny?

Canada gets dose of local HD streaming with CTV HD Beta Player

by Darren Murph posted Mar 22nd 2009 at 5:03AM


Tired of getting snubbed, are ya Canada? Perk up, as your very own CTV has just launched an online portal to bring content to Canucks in glorious HD. With the launch of the CTV HD Beta Player, CTV becomes the very first Canadian network to deliver high-def content on the web, and speaking of that content, viewers can look forward to seeing Corner Gas, Flashpoint and Malawi's Sony (amongst other programs). Oh, and given that both Microsoft and Akamai are involved, we'd say CTV definitely has the appropriate amount of backing. The trial is set to run through the end of August, and after that, only a strange herd of caribou off in the wilds of British Columbia know.

[Thanks, Nick]

Ask Engadget HD: Any streaming options for Canadians?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2009 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Seeing as this editor isn't from Canada, we figured it best to shoot this question out to the masses tuning in from the Great North in order to get their opinions. While America enjoys a rather large selection of streaming options, it seems that Canada (and much of the world) gets left out. We'll let Lawrence explain:

"Listening to the Engadget Podcast, I am constantly bombarded with news and exciting tidbits about the TV set top movie streaming options available in the US of A. What, if any, option do we Canadians have available to us for streaming pictures shows to our televisions? I've searched, but can't seem to come up with anything, Netflix definitely doesn't do Canada."

So, Canada -- what gives? Is this fellow missing something, or is all of Canada just missing out?

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.

Pioneer exec touches on exit from plasma business

by Darren Murph posted Feb 16th 2009 at 10:21AM


Yeah, it seems like hopping off of the plasma bandwagon is the thing to be doing right now, but Pioneer's exit is startling in more than a few ways. For starters, the company has been pushing its KURO line as the PDP set to get for years, and by and large, it actually has been the best around. It's one thing to leave a market you aren't winning -- it's another entirely to drop off while you're on top. Bruce Schepers, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at Pioneer Canada, sat down to speak on the departure with Marketnews. Granted, most of his conversation centered around that fact that no other parts of the company's businesses would be shrinking or vanishing, though he did mention that Pioneer would have ninth generation product "up until summer." He also affirmed that support wouldn't be waning for its heralded receivers and Blu-ray players, and that Sharp was a likely candidate for an optical-based joint venture. For the whole interview, give the read link a look.

Rush HD preps an SD channel for Canadian viewers

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 4th 2009 at 6:54AM

This one falls a bit outside our weekly expansion roundup, by virtue of being one of the few channels going in the other direction. AdrenalineHD just got approval to launch an SD version of Rush HD in Canada, so long as 95% of its content is the same. Far be it for us to question the laws and standards of the land of Terrence & Patrick, but we're completely taken aback by this one. We guess those former Voom channels have to do anything they can to avoid the fate of Monsters HD.

Bell TV turns 6141 HD STB into HD PVR with firmware update

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2009 at 10:19PM


No, the latest firmware update for Bell TV's 6141 HD STB doesn't magically add a hard drive within, but it does open up the ability for said box to record content if one is attached via USB. The new software (v.165) enables a single USB 2.0 HDD up to 1TB in size to be attached, and once it's recognized, recording can begin immediately. For obvious reasons, we're told that the material can only be played back on the set-top-box on which it was recorded, but hey, at least you can push aside that impending HD DVR purchase indefinitely.

Sony's 9.9mm thin BRAVIA KLV-40ZX1M heads to Canada

by Darren Murph posted Dec 25th 2008 at 8:59PM


While Sony's 9.9-millimeter KLV-40ZX1M will probably look downright chubby after CES 2009, it's still a slim piece of work by most standards. The LED-backlit 1080p screen is just about set to make the trek north, with scheduled availability in Canada this week. Just as a refresher, the set boasts a single HDMI input, 120Hz Motionflow technology, compatibility with Sony's BRAVIA Wireless Link and an optional speaker bar. The HDTV will sell for a stiff $4,199.99, so we'd suggest heading to a nearby retailer to check it out real good before breaking open the piggy bank.

OpenTV brings movie portal application to Canada's Bell TV

by Darren Murph posted Dec 25th 2008 at 7:21AM

For Bell TV subscribers looking for hints of anything new, we've finally something to share with you. OpenTV, an interactive TV middleware provider, has just launched a "movie portal application" that will deliver content from programming partner Super Channel. As expected, it provides viewers with a "themed search option, as well as a scheduling option that lets viewers set up recordings and reminders several weeks in advance of a movie's broadcast." Underneath, this seems to be just another attempt to highlight certain programs and get non-subscribers to subscribe, but when new material is this hard to come by, it's tough to complain.

Shaw launches Big Ten Network HD / Golf HD in Canada

by Darren Murph posted Dec 21st 2008 at 5:41PM

It's a few days behind schedule, but Shaw Cable customers in Canada are now getting not one, but two new sports-related HD channels. Effective immediately, subscribers in the Great North can tune to Big Ten Network HD and Golf HD, both of which are available in free preview form until January 31, 2009. Both networks are falling into the carrier's HD Plus service, which goes for an extra $9 per month.

High Fidelity HDTV channel suite hits Rogers in Ontario

by Darren Murph posted Dec 13th 2008 at 12:20AM

Ready or not, High Fidelity HDTV is now vying for your attention on Rogers Digital Cable in Ontario, Canada. The so-called HD Nature & Adventure Package will bring along Oasis HD, Treasure HD, Equator HD and Rush HD, all four of which are currently in "free preview" mode for customers with an HD set-top-box. Conveniently, there's no mention of what happens after the three month window of free viewing closes, but you can phone up Rogers to find out how much it'll cost you to keep looking.




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