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Steven Soderbergh calls out the aspect ratio villains: HBO, AMC - We're talking about you

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 7th 2009 at 8:23PM


You've gritted your teeth every time TNT flips the switch on its dreaded stretch-o-vision, and we've done our part to explain why proper aspect ratios are so important, and yet few have taken heed. Perhaps director Steven Soderbergh can succeed where we have failed, railing against cable channels that, instead of using HDTV to deliver movies the way they were meant to be seen, are often cropping and squeezing to give what they think viewers want instead. The worst network? AMC. Not only is it guilty of pan scanning like HBO, but the advertisements tease the movies in their correct aspect ratio, the cruelest bait and switch of all. Check out the article for a full explanation from behind the lens of why correct treatment of aspect ratios matters, and please, tell a friend to tell a friend.

[Thanks, Chevelleman & Fortified Live for the image]

Comcast adds HBO to its HD video on demand lineup

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 23rd 2009 at 10:39PM

We're honestly surprised it took this long, but Comcast has gleefully announced it is the first to offer the "full" HBO On Demand lineup in high definition. True Blood, Entourage, The Wire* plus the network's movie selection are all available now, so the only questions left are when is this coming to your local provider, or why are you still reading this instead of watching Snoop and Chris? Don't end up in a vacant.

Update: Except, of course, as sideshowRaheem points out in the coments, The Wire wasn't filmed in high definition, so you'll probably be watching something else.

HBO, Cinemax coming to Comcast's On Demand Online

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 13th 2009 at 3:04PM


Following Starz, HBO has announced plans to provide programming on Comcast's On Demand Online trial. Of course, this move shouldn't surprise anyone given previous hints HBO was looking for ways to brings its video online or previous trials it has participated in. Just like Starz, users can expect a mix of television shows and movies, basically reflecting the current on demand lineup, including series like True Blood and Entourage, further detailed in the press release after the break. Also like Starz, following the launch, HD streaming is expected -- clearly premium channel subscribers have the most reasons to be interested in being included in the 5,000 customer nationwide trial Comcast is launching in the coming weeks, but what about the basic cable only folks?

Continue reading HBO, Cinemax coming to Comcast's On Demand Online

Curb Your Enthusiasm going HD this season, if you really want to see Larry David in HD

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 26th 2009 at 8:13AM

Larry David mentioned in an Esquire interview that this seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm will be the first in high definition, although he has no idea why anyone would watch that way since "No one wants to see this old man on TV." True or not, you can still check him out on HBO in 1080i, but you can always flip back to SD if you want, we're sure it will still be funny.

[Via TV Scoop]

HBO, Netflix wave off streaming rumors

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 5th 2009 at 7:39PM


Slow down, Watch Instantly fans, both HBO and Netflix are at least claiming there have been no talks about setting up a "premium tier" resembling a question posed in a recent survey. Multichannel News confirmed with Netflix the survey was real so we'll keep a seat open next to Starz just in case, so hey, if Showtime or epix is looking for a partner we've got a great idea for you.

Netflix considering premium price tiers for additional streaming content?

by Paul Miller posted Feb 1st 2009 at 6:50PM


Look, some people are perfectly content to swap a DVD with Netflix once a millenia and watch Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer in Ladyhawke on their Xbox 360 -- other people demand something a bit more "hip" on their Instant Watch queue. Netflix is apparently investigating the possibility of an additional $10 monthly fee to watch HBO shows and movies on the streaming service, or at least has a poll to that effect. For people that keep cable around just for things like HBO and Showtime, it's an attractive proposition, and perhaps a bit of an inevitability, but at $10 a month we'd expect Netflix to toss in a bit more premium content than just what one channel has to offer. What's clear is that either way, people are going to find a way to watch this stuff online, and the first provider to figure out the right way to monetize and distribute it wins. This seems like a tentative step in the right direction, if it comes to pass.

Verizon, Bright House Networks providing gratis coverage of HBO's inaugural coverage

by Darren Murph posted Jan 17th 2009 at 3:06AM


Neither Verizon nor Bright House Networks can provide those oh-so-snazzy interactive mix channels like DirecTV and DISH Network can, but what they -- along with a few other providers, most likely -- can do is provide free access to HBO for a day. This Sunday (that's tomorrow for the continental US, the day after tomorrow for Point Hope, AK, Kihei, HI and surrounding areas), FiOS TV and BHN digital TV subscribers will all be given a fee-free look at HBO's exclusive live broadcast of the "We Are One: The Obama Inauguration Celebration" concert from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Better still, both carriers are providing HD feeds for those looking for the best in clarity (read: you), and those scouting the full lineup of artists and speakers can find just that in the links below. Trust us, this is like a hundred million times better than trying to get within 50 miles of The District this weekend.

Read - Verizon announcement
Read - Bright House Networks announcement
Read - Time Warner Cable announcement

Update: Turns out, HBO's letting anyone with a STB tune in gratis. Classy move.

Cablevision's probable VOOM HD replacement channels: they're all premiums

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2009 at 4:43PM

Okay, so Cablevision isn't apt to come right out and say that these newcomers are the replacements for the 15 VOOM HD networks that were marked for deletion late last year, but it may as well have. Coincidentally, 15 new high-def channels are reportedly lined up to join the Cablevision EPG in short order, though every single one is a premium movie channel. Encore HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Edge HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, HBO2 HD, HBO Latino HD, Action Max HD, More Max HD, @MAX HD, Outer MAX HD and Showtime Too HD are all expected to show up starting on January 21st, with rollouts continuing across all markets until January 23rd. We know, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of "What? All movie channels?," but at least you're getting something out of the deal -- if you opt to pay up, of course.

[Thanks, LI PC Tech]

HBO survey hints at free streaming for pay-TV subscribers

by Darren Murph posted Dec 24th 2008 at 7:06AM


It's not like HBO has yet to dangle its feet in the online delivery waters, but we've yet to see a bona side streaming service from the channel that does it justice. According to a recent e-Rewards survey, all that could be changing. The questionnaire contained information about the network's plans to "offer online streaming of programming free for people who subscribe to HBO through their cable provider." Better still, the inquiries were geared more towards a naming convention -- "HBO Click," "HBO Select," "HBO on Broadband," "HBO GO," "HBO To Go," and "HBO Online" -- hinting that the groundwork may have already been laid. If HBO can figure out how to deliver Entourage and the like to paying customers online within 24 hours of programs airing live, we can't help but think at least a few more folks would pony up each month to dive in.

[Thanks, Steve]

Pacquiao vs. de la Hoya bout marks the launch of Event TV HD

by Richard Lawler posted Dec 6th 2008 at 11:32PM

While you and your crew kick in a few bucks to catch the Pacquiao / de la Hoya fight tonight, keep in mind you're witnessing the launch of a new network, Event TV HD. The new high definition version of TVN's linear Pay-Per-View net promises to bring boxing, MMA and wrestling action in crisp 1080i and 5.1 surround. That usually includes All Day Event tickets if you want to see a replay, or themed programs during the week. TVN sells its package to cable, satellite and other providers who then pass the PPV on to you, so when Pacman takes this, remember who was responsible for bringing it to you.

[Via Multichannel News]

More HBO / Cinemax feeds being added to U-verse?

by Darren Murph posted Nov 19th 2008 at 12:30PM


We know AT&T just unloaded 30 new high-def channels, but we're seeing reports from all across U-verse nation that even more premiums are popping up. We're hearing that some folks now have a Coming Soon screen for a variety of HBO and Cinemax feeds, mostly derived from the west coast. Some of the mentions include 5MaxHD, WMaxHD, HBOFHW, HBOSHW, HBOCHW, HBOZHW, HBOLHW, MMAXHW, ACTMHW and TMAXHW. Anyone else seeing the same? Different?

[Via U-Talk Forums, thanks Anthony]

DirecTV goes live with HD service in Latin America

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 11:22AM


So, that's what those HBO HD ads down in Latin America were all about, huh? As of this week, DirecTV is now taking orders for HD service in Latin America, and reportedly, those that sign up can receive an HD DVR capable of storing 400 hours of SD or 100 hours of high-def footage. Initially, there will only be four high-definition channels available (HBO HD, Movie City HD, Fox HD and DirecTV HD), but we suppose you've got to start somewhere. Has anyone down that way signed up? How's the image / audio quality?

[Thanks, Eduardo]

Read - DirecTV launching in Latin America
Read - DirecTV's official HD site (Peru)

HBO HD coming soon to Latin America?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 31st 2008 at 4:25PM


Our Spanish is a touch rusty, but based on these images (two more after the break), we'd say that planned HBO HD launch in Latin America is all but imminent. According to a tipster, he captured these images of an HBO HD advertisement while watching The WB. Beyond that, we've really no idea what's going on nor when the channel will finally launch, but we're guessing you don't just run ads for something you don't plan on taking live soon.

[Thanks, Takuru]

Continue reading HBO HD coming soon to Latin America?

Bell TV launches HBO Canada (yes, in HD)

by Darren Murph posted Sep 27th 2008 at 12:38AM

Time to party down, Bell TV customers. Your television provider just announced that it will add HBO Canada in SD and HD to its lineup on October 30th. Also of note, the channel will be offered on secondary SD and HD slots which will deliver the same programming with a two-hour time difference (okay?). HBO Canada will be included with all Bell TV subscriptions to The Movie Network or Movie Central at no extra cost, and hey -- just in time for Halloween, too!

Cinemax going 100% high-definition on September 1st

by Darren Murph posted Aug 22nd 2008 at 3:02PM

We already knew that Home Box Office was champing at the bit to rid itself of anything less than pure, unadulterated (okay, maybe just a little bit) HD, and now the outfit is announcing that its Cinemax channel will be going 100% high-def on September 1st. Granted, we're talking about the main channel only here, but this fall / winter is shaping up to be a good one for Cinemax HD. Subscribers will see the pay-TV premieres of The Bourne Ultimatum, Rendition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Darjeeling Limited, and in the near future, viewers will see I Am Legend, Juno, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem and In The Valley of Elah. Of note, the release states that "true HD (1080i)" won't begin until September 6th -- odd, but we suppose a few extra days won't kill us. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]




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