Simmer down, North Americans / Europeans / Africans / etc. -- you should know this here deal is being reserved for those in Australia, so don't go ordering yourself a new Sammy without reading the fine print (or buying yourself a plane ticket). Reportedly, Samsung is looking to rival Sony's "Free PS3" promotion by tossing in a newly launched Foxtel iQ2 HD DVR for folks picking up a Samsung flat-panel HDTV and connecting to the HD+ service. Better still, Samsung will pick up the tab on the $200 connection fee as well. An official announcement of the partnership is expected within a fortnight, so if you've been looking to snag a new HDTV and make the dive into pay-HDTV, we'd hold off just a bit longer if you're even mildly fond of fantastic freebies.

[Via CNET]

And you thought Microsoft bringing back the SideWinder was gnarly. Announced today, AMD is resurrecting the long-standing AIW line with its first-ever high-definition variant: the $199 ATI All-in-Wonder HD. The PCI Express 2.0 card attempts to handle both PC gaming and HDTV duties by boasting specs like DirectX 10.1 support, a 725MHz engine clock, 600MHz memory clock and MPEG2 / VC-1 / H.264 video decoder acceleration. You'll also find Vista and AMD LIVE! certification badges to go along with the dual-link DVI port, HDMI jack (which supports 5.1 Dolby Digital transmission) and optional component video connectivity. As expected, users can capture live programs (as well as pause / rewind) in SD or HD over-the-air, and there's even support for ClearQAM. For those looking to take their clips elsewhere, the bundled Avivo software converts it for viewing on some of today's most popular handhelds (yes, including the iPod). Look for models from Diamond Multimedia and VisionTek to hit retailers in North America late next month. Full release after the jump.

It was a slow week for new in the HD world, so it makes for a short podcast. We are starting to get excited about the upcoming football season, with all the recent announcements of networks going all HD all the time in regards to America's most popular sport. We also talk up a bit of HD news locally and nationally. Vista Media Center gets a few mentions with a recent update and a new Extender becoming available for pre-order. And finally we talk up the iPhone as a remote, and a funky looking antenna.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:55 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 088 - 06.11.2008
08:14 - All live 2008 NCAA Football games on ABC / ESPN networks to air in HD
08:40 - All FSN's College Football games will be presented in HD
08:56 - Raycom airing all SEC football, select basketball games in HD
12:41 - CBS Evening News preps HD control room for debut
17:16 - Microsoft releases a patch for the "broadcast flag"
20:35 - HP MediaSmart Connect brings digital media to your HDTV
23:13 - Turn your iPhone into a remote for $250
29:35 - Antennas Direct taking preorders for ClearStream2 OTA antenna


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You've known this day was coming, but it still has to feel good to have a hard figure to wrap your noodle around. Foxtel's HD+ is reportedly set to go live on June 22nd, with an HD VOD service and two puny HD tiers available at launch. The first tier consists of Fox Sports HD and ESPN HD, while the HD Explore package includes footage from BBC HD, National Geographic HD and Discovery HD. The tiers will set you back AUD $9.95 each per month (or AUD $14.95 for both), but how on Earth could you resist seeing the World Cup Qualifier between Australia and China in glorious high-definition this Sunday? That's right, you can't.

[Via iTWire]

Tons of fun this week for HTPC Blu-ray fans as they get new ways to enjoy the best audio quality the format has to offer, but we're still waiting for a better solution. Lots of video download boxes in the news this week, but we're still not sold on any of 'em. The other thing that isn't selling us, are those annoying commercials as we talk up our biggest gripes with the advertising industry. Finally we both lament in our own provider's news as Cox is starting to use SDV and FiOS is finally adding more HD channels.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
07:31 - With some help from Realtek, PowerDVD will support 24-bit lossless audio
09:44 - ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card
13:44 - Samsung BD-P1500 review
17:24 - How are back catalog titles chosen for Blu-ray release?
23:36 - Ask Engadget HD: Which movie set-top-box is best?
24:45 - Netflix Player, Apple TV and VUDU compared: movie STB shootout
26:42 - Poll: What's the most annoying form of advertising?
30:19 - Discovery's When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions series debuts tonight
32:09 - Just say no to HDTV?
33:31 - Cox to give Phoenix TiVo users free tuning adapter to cope with SDV
36:42 - Rumor confirmed: FiOS TV to add 27 new HD channels in July

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Ah, it feels good to get back into the swing of things as we crank out a second podcast two weeks in a row right after our long hiatus. We were a little more on the ball this week as we talked up some interestingly odd Toshiba news, that Ben refuses to believe. There are also a few more Blu-ray topics as we approach a Summer of Blu. We also get on to our new favorite topics, like trashing digital downloads and TiVo. Then we finish things up by cracking on our least favorite brand as one of Philip's latest HDTVs receives a pretty bad review.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
08:03 - Toshiba knows no shame, plans to release super-resolution DVD player
10:16 - Transformers Blu-ray edition gets detailed, confirmed for September launch
15:22 - Jack Ryan to finally go Blu in July
16:52 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending May 25th, 2008
22:58 - Poll: Are you replacing your DVDs with Blu-ray Discs?
26:09 - VUDU's v1.5 firmware update brings along costly rental extensions
27:28 - TiVo's Tom Rogers speaks of "whole home model"
36:08 - DISH Network's EchoStar XI heads to Sea Launch for summer liftoff
37:13 - Hauppauge HD-PVR now shipping
39:21 - Philips' 42-inch 1080p 42PFL5603D LCD TV reviewed

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It's no secret that DISH Network has seen better quarters than Q1 2008, but CEO Charlie Ergen is already outlining ways to improve things in the future. On a recent conference call with analysts, Mr. Ergen reportedly acknowledged that DirecTV and telephone outfits "had garnered the lion's share of new customers in the first quarter." The infamous AMC-14 failure and a (relative) dearth of HD expansion options were both blamed. After realizing that operations and customer service were slipping in February, the exec became more involved with day-to-day procedures in an attempt to right the ship; however, he still felt that DISH "probably missed the HD window last year." Curiously enough, the satcaster has just recently felt the need to giveth and taketh away, but if it really can stay on track and deliver close to a hundred HD channels before 2009 dawns, we can certainly see things turning around.

[Image courtesy of Reference For Business]

For Aussies counting down the days until Foxtel's HD+ service goes live, here's a bit of good news to tide you over. That iQ2 HD set-top box is apparently right on schedule, with company bigwig Kim Williams stating that he was "very confident" that customers would be able to use said unit to access the looming HD+ service "well before June 30." Also of note, ongoing technical trials have been going quite well, with the last of the quirks reportedly ironed out just last week. Mr. Williams also confirmed that Foxtel's immediate plan after the iQ2 launch was to "deliver high-bit-rate, high-contention video (HD channels and HD VOD)," but sadly, he failed to mention specifics.

Lots of lists this week as we run down ten off the wall facts about HD and the ten worst HD scams, lies and ripoffs. The future of the Kuro becomes a little more clear, and Onkyo releases the 2nd generation TrueHD AVR. There's a few HTPC posts again, but more interestingly we're captivated by the possibility that News Corp may've hired a hacker to pirate DISH Network access cards. Last up, we continue to beat the deal LCD vs plasma debate.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
03:42 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 082 - 04.23.2008
17:44 - Ten off-the-wall facts about high-definition
20:14 - 10 of the worst scams, lies, and ripoffs surrounding HDTVs
24:08 - Pioneer, Panasonic reach basic agreement on Kuro production, first new displays due fall '09
27:02 - Onkyo continues its receiver refreshes with TX-SR606
30:20 - Hauppauge not officially supporting dual tuner setups with HD PVR?
31:31 - TotalMedia Theater gets BD Live "Certified"
36:41 - Warner to release a Blu-ray title before it's available on DVD
38:08 - Indies see, seize HD opportunities
40:31 - News Corp hired hacker to pirate DISH Network access cards
43:36 - Samsung LN52A650 review
46:48 - Poll: What will your next display be?

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It's like old times this week with all the HD media news as Managed Copy appears to have been ripped out from under us. The other rant we get on this week is the fact that Universal isn't releasing any Blu-ray titles until July! Ben talks up a little more Vista Media Center and can't stop complaining out his CableCARD troubles. Finally, we discuss FiOS' bandwidth limitations as well as the fate of many well known brands since D&M Holdings is up for sale.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:30 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 081 - 04.17.2008
05:31 - Managed Copy to be sorely absent from finalized AACS specifications?
08:38 - Universal details international, new release Blu-ray plans
11:11 - LG's latest BH200 firmware update expands HD audio support
12:50 - Netflix has "three additional partners" launching hardware this year
16:10 - Netflix to charge "premium" for renting Blu-ray Discs
19:40 - Vista Media Center update for HP's MediaSmart HDTVs now available
30:30 - DISH Network launches SCI FI HD and USA HD!
31:47 - DISH Network says some models of DVR can no longer be sold
33:27 - How to upgrade your TiVo HD with WinMFS
35:31 - Motorola's MTR700 tuning resolver edges closer to release
37:08 - tru2way demonstrations to dominate The Cable Show
38:46 - The real reason why FiOS channels are compressed less
43:52 - Panasonic's 46-inch TH-46PZ85U VIERA plasma gets reviewed
48:06 - D&M Holdings up for sale

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This day late edition of the Engadget HD podcast has some Blu-ray news for a change as we discuss the addition of DTS-HD to the PS3, while at the same time we wonder if it matters that the PS3 still won't bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD. PS3 fans aren't the only one though, as Blu-ray fans using their PCs for playback don't have access to bitstream either -- or full quality LPCM for that matter. Lastly we cover DISH's nightmare week as it learned AMC-14 was a total loss, the very same week it lost yet another appeal to TiVo.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:00 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 080 - 04.09.2008
18:41 - Let Engadget trick out your home theater contest: winner picked!
21:18 - PS3 firmware v2.30 is out: new PS Store and DTS-HD MA now yours for the taking
23:02 - Poll: Which is better LPCM or Bitstream?
32:18 - DRM strikes again, PC users still wait for next-gen audio
35:02 - BD Touch Blu-ray disc-to-iPhone app officially unveiled
36:18 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending April 6th, 2008
40:11 - Moto shows off new MPEG encoders featuring AFD
44:26 - DISH Network's AMC-14 satellite "a total loss"
46:01 - DISH Network launching HD locals in four more markets
46:55 - TiVo's win over DISH Network upheld by court of appeals: It's over
50:26 - DISH Network can't stop, won't stop fighting TiVo, heads to Supreme Court; your DVR is safe

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Some things in the world of HD stay the same, and some just keep getting better and better and on this week's show we cover a little of both. We continue to see new channels launched, but the new ones coming online now are MPEG4 at the source, but unfortunately it'll be some time till all of the channels are, so many will be forced to endure excessive amounts of compression in the name of more channels -- and other services like Internet access via DOCSIS 3.0. For the first time that we can remember, there isn't even one format war story, but there are a few Media Center posts as well as some talk of the latest HDTVs and whether they're any better than last year's.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:00 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 079 - 04.02.2008
14:00 - U-verse ups the HD ante, helps launch HBO2 HD
18:40 - And we're off: Twin Cities get first DOCSIS 3.0 deployment
22:00 - Poll: Have you been affected by over-compressed HD feeds?
28:01 - CEA rolls out "Convert Your Mom" DTV campaign
30:02 - PPV movies get 24-hour clock on DirecTV
35:22 - HDPC-20 to be used in DirecTV Media Center beta test
37:57 - Hauppauge HD-PVR shows itself, pre-order said to be coming soon
43:57 - Niveus Movie Library (Beta) now available for download
49:30 - Pioneer European Kuro lineup sign of things to come?
53:16 - Buying an HDTV: Get the latest or Save on 2007?

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Pixel for pixel, we'd take MOJO HD over TBS HD everyday of the week. Why? Because 100-percent of the content aired on the former is in gorgeous high-definition, while the vast majority of material shown on the latter is in ghastly stretch-o-vision. For those that have wondered why certain channels get HD treatment and some don't, Sound and Vision has taken an in-depth look to unearth the reasons why seemingly worthless networks such as QVC have an HD channel lined up while scores of HD junkies can't get their carrier to land SciFi HD, USA HD or dozens of other channels with worthwhile high-def programming. Needless to say, timing and money rank pretty high on the list, but other conveniences such as simulcasting and having loads of "pretty" content available helps nets "jump the line." Hit the read link for the full spill.

Things are back to normal this week sans guest, but there's plenty to talk about. We get a little discouraged by this week's news -- between the apparent demise of Plasmas, the number of HDTV owners that actually have HD, and the poor customer service that plagues our industry; there isn't much to be excited about. But alas, we still love us some HD, as we discuss the IRL's new HD goodness and our lack of love for ESPNews HD. As for the format war, there hasn't been much to talk about, but we discuss Home Media Magazine's new Blu-ray vs DVD pie chart as well as the end of HD DVD at Best Buy.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:23 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 078 - 03.26.2008
14:43 - Verizon whines to FCC: make it easier for us to gain market share
17:57 - FiOS TV service is great, Verizon customer service -- not so much
23:48 - Did you get invited to beta test DirecTV's Media Center tuner?
28:48 - The Hauppauge HD PVR with component inputs gets delayed
31:16 - DISH Network's small spectrum buy leaves analysts perplexed
34:43 - Only half of US HDTV owners subscribe to HD programming
37:41 - HD DVDs vanishing from Best Buy stores
38:50 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending March 23rd, 2008
40:59 - Forthcoming BD-Live rollout gets inspected
42:11 - Indy Racing League to stuff HD cameras inside select cars
48:16 - Poll: ESPNews HD is on the air, do you have it yet?
50:16 - 2008 a make or break year for plasma manufacturers?

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Because we covered more than a week's worth during the last podcast, this one is shorter. But to make it up to you guys, we've brought in a special guest -- Jason Unger from CE Pro -- to lend his expertise to the conversation, especially regarding digital downloads versus physical media. We kick off with news from DirecTV -- the new bird is flying, but won't be speaking for a while. Meanwhile, non-"big four" networks are starting to show up in the DirecTV lineup (at least in Ben's neck of the woods). We got our hands on PS3's new BD-Live functionality, and it was a total "meh," but we can all hope for more interesting functionality from the technology in the future. At long last, Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials has shown up, and it gives the HD DVD fans one last stick in the Blu-ray's eye. We wrap up with a long discussion on the aforementioned topic of download versus physical media, sparked by remarks from THX's Chief Scientist. A special thanks to Jason for coming on the show -- we couldn't have done it without you, Jason!

Get the podcast

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:17 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 077 - 03.21.2008
09:02 - Hands-on with the PS3 2.20 update -- and now, we wait
18:09 - DirecTV 11 expected to begin serving up HD in September
21:13 - South Florida's CW affiliate (WSFL-TV) shows up on DirecTV
24:06 - Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics gets reviewed
29:13 - THX Chief Scientist: "It's too late for Blu-ray"
32:42 - 10 reasons why HD DVD or Blu-ray is here to stay

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