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Orb for Mac finally arrives, streams media from OS X to any internet-connected device

by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2009 at 8:43AM

Wow, where've you been, Orb? It's been a full year since we heard anything from the once-adored media streaming outfit, and while it's been streaming out content to iPhones for quite some time, those relying on Macs to do it have been left in the damp night air. Until now, that is. Orb for Macintosh has finally hit the streets, bringing with it OS X 10.5 and 10.6 compatibility that enables any and all media from iTunes to be sent out over the internet and consumed on any outside device with access to the web. We're talking laptops, UMPCs, smartphones and even that ancient PC your grandmother still uses with Windows ME. There's no mention of any DRM restrictions, and it'll even allow you to stream live TV if you can manage to connect a tuner card to your Apple. Oh, and did we mention that Orb is completely free? Hit the download link below to get your weekend started off right.

Read - Download Orb
Read - Press release

Media Manager for Mac enables iPhone / iTunes media streaming to FiOS TV DVR (video)

by Darren Murph posted Oct 30th 2009 at 9:01AM

We're hearing that the PC version of this here software still beats out the Mac counterpart, but equality is slowly but surely becoming a reality. The main new feature over on the OS X side, however, is a good one: the ability to stream iPhone and iTunes media directly to your TV via your FiOS TV DVR. Fire up an iTunes playlist and watch the fun roll by on your home TV, and there's even support for photo slideshows and the like. It's available to download right now from the read link, and those still skeptical can catch a demonstration vid just past the break.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Continue reading Media Manager for Mac enables iPhone / iTunes media streaming to FiOS TV DVR (video)

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter will take your Mac mini to HDMI town

by Tim Stevens posted Oct 5th 2009 at 9:03AM

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter will bring your Mac Mini to HDMI town
Your Mac mini cranks out its video via DisplayPort and audio via a mini Toslink. Chances are your home entertainment system doesn't like either of those. It will, however, like the Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter, which can turn a DisplayPort video signal into a 1080p signal over HDMI, and will even integrate either digital or analog audio into the mix. It's USB powered, so there's no need for a clunky power adapter, and while $70 isn't particularly cheap for a chubby cable ($50 for the USB analog audio model), it's about the cleanest way to get your Mini pumping tunes and vids through your system.

[Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog]

Macs "still" just work when connected to an HDTV

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 1st 2009 at 9:15AM


Oh the joys of a new operating system and the desire to find something new. Don't get us wrong, Snow Leopard has some much appreciated new features -- even if Perian isn't parsing MKV files in the new Quicktime -- but easy connectivity to an HDTV isn't one of them. We are happy that our friend Aron from TUAW discovered how easy it is to connect his Mac to an HDTV, but we wrote up almost the exact same story over three years ago. So Macs and HDTVs have just worked, since at least Tiger, but the new TV logos are a nice touch though.


Tiger display settings.

Poll: Is Blu-ray coming to Apple anytime soon?

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 13th 2009 at 12:15PM


With another WWDC behind us and again no Blu-ray playback announcement from Cupertino or even any notable rumors. Leopard, and now Snow Leopard, have skipped out on the infamous "bag of hurt," but with AACS finalized, maybe things can be different. So let us know, by the time WWDC comes around next year do you think that Apple will put that BDA membership to use, or will disc-based HD playback on computers stay a PC affair?

[Image from the What Would Jobs Do? 3 photoshop showdown]

Will Apple add Blu-ray support anytime soon?

SlingPlayer for Mac HD browser plugin beta launched

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 5th 2009 at 3:47PM


OS X Slingbox users can finally enjoy HD streams, now that the web based SlingPlayer for Mac HD originally planned to launch in Q1 has been released. It's still carrying the beta tag, and SlingCommunity users have noticed some issues with audio and picture quality at this time. Another downer? A lack of access to older SlingPlayers, you'll need a PRO, PRO HD or SOLO and Intel based Mac to come to this h.264 encoded party, but if the requirements meet your setup, fire up Safari or Firefox and head on over.

Read - Sling.com Enables OS X Slingbox Streaming
Read - Sling.com HD access for Macs (finally!)

ZeeVee releases Zinc TV browser for Macs

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 4th 2009 at 4:37PM


ZeeVee has announced a Mac version of its Zinc video browser. Aimed ata TV-compatible interface to any streaming website Zinc should run on any Intel Mac running OS X 10.5. Specifically pointing out boxee, Zinc says users can create access to new sites just by adding an rss feed to their favorites tab. Give it a shot and let us know if its as easy as they make it sound, Mac owners.Speaking of remote-focused interfaces for streaming sites, ZeeVee has announced a Mac version of its Zinc video browser. Aimed at the suddenly crowded field of giving a TV-compatible interface to any streaming website Zinc should run on any Intel Mac running OS X 10.5. Specifically pointing out boxee, Zinc says users can create access to new sites just by adding an rss feed to their favorites tab. Give it a shot and let us know if its as easy as they make it sound, Mac owners.

Ubuntu-flavored boxee gets Pandora, App Box; bugfixes up for Mac and Apple TV

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 27th 2009 at 9:57AM

The media manager boxee just keeps on rolling, though there's no new news to announce in the Hulu arms race, the Ubuntu version has been updated for Jaunty Jackalope, and to match its OS X counterpart with Pandora and RadioTime support, plus the App Box. It should be available as package updates for anyone already running the software, while Mac and Apple TV users can find slight updates for their software that should improve Flash performance. Next up? The Windows version, on track for public release in June. That's all.

DivX 7 for Mac now available

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 17th 2009 at 12:19PM

Coming a scant few months after the PC version, DivX 7 for Mac is now available, putting all the h.264 enabled power into your hands, whether it's for good or evil is your choice. That reminds us, we're still looking around for those DivX Plus HD Certified devices (beyond the DivX Connected beta) featuring MKV and many other forms of compatibility, but for now, this will have to do.

[Via 123MacMini]

Plex Media Center for Mac adds Netflix streaming

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 13th 2009 at 7:08PM


OS X aficionados looking for a media center alternative to streaming Netflix movies through boxee can now look to Plex. The just launched app plugs into Plex's frontend and (with Silverlight) installed) adds a slick front end that compares well to, and may even best those offered by other Instant Watch hardware and apps, though we can't tell from these screens if users can add movies to the queue through it. We're hoping Microsoft picks up a designer or two from this team to upgrade the Xbox 360 frontend, but meanwhile we'll give the latest beta version (0.7.14) of Plex Media Center a shot.

[Via 9to5 Mac]

Poll: Is the lack of Blu-ray playback keeping you from buying a Mac?

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 11th 2009 at 12:00PM


Alright, Steve may have called Blu-ray "a bag of hurt" but Microsoft's Laptop Hunting mom & son duo (ad embedded after the break) looked pretty happy to see it in their new VAIO laptop. The Apple / Blu-ray rumors flying since the format launched have amounted to very little and for now it's up to iTunes to take care of ones legit HD movie fix, so we've just got to know, is that enough to send you running to XP, Vista or Windows 7? Vote, then let us know why in the comments.

Is the lack of Blu-ray playback keeping you from buying a Mac?

Continue reading Poll: Is the lack of Blu-ray playback keeping you from buying a Mac?

Mac-friendly Houseport USB To Z-Wave adapter shipping soon en masse

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 6:51PM


For those that don't visit Fry's Electronics on any regular basis, you probably reckoned that Wayne Dalton's totally promising USB To Z-Wave adapter had simply failed to ever make it onto store shelves after being launched 14 months ago. Turns out, the device (and the OS X-friendly Houseport software) has just been loosed from its limiting "Fry's exclusive" agreement, and it's about to ship out to anyone who desires it starting June 1st. We're told that the hardware and software hasn't changed since CES 2008, and even the retail price ($87) will remain the same. Of note, eager beavers can snag a limited number of upgradeable pre-production units today for $79, but then again, you never really know what you're going to get. Hang tight, Mac-owing home automators -- your long-awaited solution is nearly here.

Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle

by Darren Murph posted Mar 19th 2009 at 6:11PM


Remember that brilliant Turbo.264 video conversion dongle that shipped like, two whole years ago? Yeah, it's successor has just hit the streets, and it's as ready as ever for 1080p content. The predictably titled Elgato Turbo.264 HD plugs directly into one's Mac and converts files up to 1080p (from camcorders, digital cameras, etc.) into files that are perfectly formatted for iPods, PSPs or other media players. The bundled software also lets users preview and trim video clips before converting, and it saves folks the time and hassle of importing into iMovie, learning commands, rendering and exporting. Reportedly, a video that would take an hour to convert to an iPod-friendly file takes just 15 minutes with this here dongle, and if that's worth $149.95 to you, you're one click away from brightening your own day.

[Via Electricpig]

Gallery: Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle

Understudy gives Mac users another option for Hulu and Netflix streaming

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 17th 2009 at 11:41PM


We can't get enough way to bring Hulu and Netflix streaming videos to the TV screen, and now Understudy is stepping up to serve Front Row fans. If boxee isn't your flavor, the Understudy plugin pulls content via RSS (although you'll need to first login via Safari to view Netflix streams) for a lightweight -- though still under construction, check the issues section for potential problems -- Internet video to TV experience.

[Via eHomeUpgrade & 123Macmini]

CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 1st 2009 at 8:41PM


Yes we know this is not news, but you'd think it was based on the various stories around the web like this one from Yahoo Tech. We don't mean to pick on this one specifically because honestly it is a very common mistake -- although this particular article is way off as the newer Macs do support HDCP -- but as draconian as CableLabs and the AACS can be, the analog hole is still open. Now that doesn't mean these DRM requirements aren't crazy or that this protected path we always hear about is a joking matter, but it is all for naught when the HD signal hits the analog outputs -- the digital outputs do require HDCP though. This means you can watch any Blu-ray Disc or digital cable program recorded with an ATI Digital Cable Tuner at full 1080i via VGA or component -- Blu-ray Discs can be played back at 1080p via VGA but component doesn't support it. Now we're not trying to say this will always be the case, as both technologies support down-rezzing via analog outputs, but as it stands now these bits have never turned on. Now to the main point of this particular article, which is why Macs don't have a CableCARD option. Our best guess would be that Elgato doesn't want to pony up the $200k for the CableLabs certification process and honestly we don't blame 'em.




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