Ever since personal computers have been capable of displaying full motion video -- almost ten years now -- we've wanted the same great content we have access to our TV, on our PC. Intel has been on board with us since day one -- for obvious reasons -- and was a big reason why the FCC currently requires cables companies to provide us with a HD STB with a functional 1394 port (upon request). But as we all know, 1394 isn't all the rage these days and thanks to all the DRM -- and the lack of 5C support on PCs -- going through the trouble of requiring your provider to comply with the mandate, just isn't worth it to access the same channels you can already get with a clear QAM tuner. So for the reasons mentioned above, Intel has petitioned the FCC to replace the 1394 requirement with a IP one. While we agree that IP is more widespread than 1394, we aren't so sure about the DRM that would be used to protect the content; DTCP-IP. So while we want HD on our PC as much as the next, if the FCC doesn't also require CableLabs to license DTCP-IP to computer software and hardware manufactures alike, we really don't see how this change would help.

Given that we're still waiting for some tangible results from AT&T's half billion dollar fiber investment in the Carolinas, we wouldn't get our hopes too high for any sudden improvements in Connecticut. The carrier has announced plans to invest some $250 million in the Constitution State's wired and wireless networks, which should bring 3G access to more cell sites and enable it to spread U-verse to more homes. Regrettably, AT&T failed to mention specific locations in which it hoped to stretch its fiber-based programming service into, but hopefully we'll know something further before the next decade comes and goes.

Shortly after hearing TiVo's top dog speak of a "whole home model" to reduce the amount of STBs required for entertaining individuals in various rooms, along comes Time Warner Cable's chief executive talking up some innovation of its own. We'll be frank -- we're not entirely sure what Glenn Britt is getting at here, but through a broken series of quotes, we're led to believe that the carrier is prepping some "equipment" that will easily bring internet content to TVs. Not like there isn't a perfect solution for this quandary already, but we digress. Specifically, he mentions a " new wireless cable modem that will allow you to network everything in your house," which is about as broad / vague as you can get. Nevertheless, it's enough to keep us watchin', though we can't say our expectations are extraordinarily high. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Look out Cox -- you aren't the only television provider in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area expanding your network. As it's done so many times before, Verizon has announced its intentions to string its fiber optic-based network to more of the Hampton Roads area, and as if that weren't enough, it'll be upgrading systems in Hampton, Portsmouth, Poquoson and York counties while continuing work in Chesapeake, Newport News and Virginia Beach. Of course, it still has to garner the appropriate cable franchises from a number of locales, but at least those frustrated by limited options can count on one more arriving in the not-so-distant future.

For an estimated 29,000 Smithville customers in 17 counties in the central, south central and southern part of Indiana, they could soon find themselves smack dab in the middle of a fiber heartland. The aforesaid telco is investing some $90 million to build a fiber-to-the-home network over the next 48 months in order to give rurally located individuals and businesses access to ultra-quick data, voice and video services. The upgrade is so extensive, in fact, that none of Smithville's customers will be relying on copper or hybrid (copper, fiber or coaxial) systems once the build-out is complete. Who needs FiOS TV / U-verse anyway, right Hoosiers?

[Via DSLReports]

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.

Just in time for another season, Dish Network adds the National Hockey League Network to their always-growing HD lineup. NHL HD will sport 50 live regular-season games, classic games, documentaries, and how-to shows; we're wondering how much of the extra features will be in high-def however. The station is already live on channel 403 and 559 for subs with America's Top 100 package or the NHL Center Ice subscription respectively. This new station should calm rabid Hockey fans but they do hold Hockey's dirty, little high-def secret: the sport is, arguably, the best looking programming in high definition.

PulseLink has introduced a solution for combining 1394 (aka FireWire), coaxial ethernet, and Ultra wideband connections and distributing high-definition video throughout the whole home. It combines the wired technologies from the HANA and DLNA specifications, as well as UWB wireless tech for the "last mile" to compatible devices. As the connection between devices can be up to Gigabit speeds, PulseLink claims to be able to stream four 1080p HD signals at the same time, with wireless HDMI connections at the endpoints. The company's chipset will be available to manufacturers this quarter.

While most folks would probably take the hardware-based media streaming approach to get computer / HDD-based media onto their snazzy HD sets, Cyberlink is offering up a reasonable software-based alternative for those looking to pass media around from PC to PC (or HTPC). By installing Cyberlink's Media Server on your media-packed computer, it provides a hassle-free way to open up your files to the home network and share them easily with other connected users. Aside from allowing any UPnP-certified player to locate media across the network, it also supports multiple simultaneous users so long as each connected PC is outfitted with a copy of the firm's SoftDMA application. Although nothing here is truly revolutionary, it does offer up a fairly straightforward approach to achieving the "digital home," and you can pick this up (or download, actually) for $79.95 right now, which will include two SoftDMA licenses to get you going.

What we're watching: Whew. The NBA & NHL Finals both came down to exciting finishes, congratulations to all the teams involved. Unfortunately, that sort of cuts into the available HD programming tonight, but there still a few bright spots. MLB has prime time sports to itself now and takes advantage as the Mets and Reds go at it on ESPN.

On INHD, their new Mojo lineup for men rolls on with two brand new series debuting tonight. Fueled should be a hit with gearheads checking out a Pontiac GTO being prepped for the 24 hours of Daytona; while After Hours with Daniel helps us get familiar with the sort of restaurants that don't put 15 pieces of flair on every server's outfit.

On the oldie but goodie side, HBO's Sunday lineup is in for review, Entourage was a great episode. also on ABC are back to back episodes of Lost.

Our traditional high-def listings continue below.

The Dolphins aren't the only one with HD aspirations, Arsenal Football Club (the other football) has teamed up with Sony to outfit their new stadium with high definition from top to bottom. With a whopping 439 screens all connected via network (sounds like they'll be using these). The Baltimore Ravens went with a similar approach last season with the help of Panasonic.

Seems like a great way to introduce the fans to HD, as they walk through the stadium and enjoy games they'll surely want one of those nice new TVs for their home, and that is what Sony is betting on. When your local team comes begging for funds to build a new stadium, would you prefer two big 720p screens, or several hundred smaller LCDs?

It will be some time before we see an of HANA's envisioned 1394 connected devices, but if you want a peek at the future, there is always UStec's tecStream home networking platform. Due to the array of devices which will connect to both your older analog sources or newer digital products via IEEE 1394.

tecStream is designed to work over Cat5 cabling, basically wiring your whole house via Ethernet back to a 1.6 Gbps central switch, and allowing you to share and view content with a single remote control, no matter where you are. They claim it can handle up to 15 streams of 30Mbps or higher.

With HANA and federal mandates hopefully combining to increase 1394 support, this sort of network may be right on time.

Linksys is the next to jump headfirst into the living room, with this networked DVD player (DVD? that's so old school), but wait, it's got next gen features with this old-gen tech. It will connect to the internet for it's program guide, streaming media, video on demand and other content besides playing DVD's and WMV.

No word on DRM, will this work with Viiv, Media Center, HANA or any of the other alphabet soup of technologies shooting our way this year? No word yet, but this will probably still be a cheaper source of high definition content than HD-DVD or Blu-ray players will be this year. No word either on price, although it is shipping "soon".
Features:

• 1920x1080 playback
• Playback in Windows Media Video 9 HD, DivX HD, Nero Digital, XviD, MPEG-1, 2 and 4, WMA, WMA Pro, MP3, and Ogg Vorbis
• Built-in WLAN 802.11g connection for cable-free access to the Internet or home PC
• Ethernet 10/100 technology
• HDMI connection
• Online Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
• WebRadio 3 with more than 3,000 radio stations
• Online weather forecasts for any continent, country or town
• StockView where you can check and convert currency values
• Online games
• Video-on-Demand - availability depending on the area

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The Weblogs, Inc. network features over 100 independent, unfiltered bloggers producing over 1,000 blog posts a week across over 75 industry-leading blogs. Each week we ask our bloggers to choose their top posts, which we bring to you in one easy-to-read weekly post. You’ll find links to the hottest posts from the past week after the jump including a special review contest, celebrity virginity, and even the best Windows emulator for Mac. Enjoy!