This has been a long time coming, but after false starts, a long hiatus, and who knows how many hosts, here we are at the Engadget HD Podcast episode 100. We start the show way back in 2005 by talking about what ended up being the warm up to the first podcast, as Ben and Warren talk up the origins and motivations. Then, in early 2006 Ben joined the HD Beat team and with Kevin Tofel, they knocked out the very first weekly HD Beat podcasts. But only after ten episodes, Kevin moved on and Matt moved in as the co-host for the next 34 episodes before the long hiatus. Finally, after about a six month break, Steve step in and helped step up the podcast's game, as we cranked out more consecutive shows than ever before, ultimately bringing us here to episode 100. But during this walk down memory we lane we make a couple stops as Warren reminds Ben that HD.net didn't end up being the HD powerhouse he predicted, Kevin tells how he moved on from HD DVD to digital downloads, and finally Ben reminds Matt while he was right about the price of the HD DVD add-on drive for the 360, he was wrong about his prediction of the outcome of the format war. So while this show doesn't include the usual HD news you've come to expect, it does have four times the witty banter -- especially if you like to hear it when Ben is given a hard time -- and a historical perspective on the show.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:29 - Warren Wiltshire
18:51 - Kevin Tofel
42:06 - Matt Burns


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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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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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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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We hope you like long Podcasts, because this one is out of control at over an hour. Normally we long to keep it short -- ok shorter -- but between the podcast delay this week, the PS3 update news, all the HD DVD fall out this week, the new HTPC improvements like WinDVD and AnyDVD updates, and finally all the satellite launches; we just couldn't figure out what we could skip. And like always, to help you weed through it all, you can use the time marks to skip ahead in the mp3, or download the AAC file and take advantage of the chapters.

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[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:35 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 076 - 03.12.2008
08:38 - PS3 firmware 2.20 bringing BD-Live interactive Blu-ray this month
08:54 - Sony Pictures schedules two BD-Live releases for April
12:37 - Scene selection on Blu-ray
15:56 - Blu-ray players from Panasonic, Philips, and Denon get DivX Certified
16:32 - Toshiba swallows a billion dollars on HD DVD
17:30 - Best Buy offers HD DVD owners $10 million in gift cards, trade in, shoulder to cry on
19:06 - Blu-ray on Xbox 360? Microsoft hasn't heard about it
21:44 - WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray finally supports TrueHD and DTS-HD
23:29 - SlySoft's latest AnyDVD HD release strips BD+ from Blu-ray Discs
23:45 - An up-close look at Niveus' new Movie Gallery
30:44 - VUDU teams up with home automotion / control partners
34:27 - Studio execs believe downloads are a "long way off" from replacing DVD
38:59 - Apple patent looks towards DVRs with portability
44:54 - TiVo users getting YouTubed
47:53 - TiVo gets official with Desktop Plus 2.6, enables web video viewing
50:52 - Where Is HD? lays out your options when selecting a provider
52:53 - 20% of US households will spend stimulus funds on consumer electronics
54:33 - Hulu.com out of beta, open for one and all - in the U.S.
58:43 - DISH Network's AMC-14 satellite fails to reach orbit
1:01:46 - DISH Network's spring HD rollout still on track
1:02:40 - DirecTV 11 satellite launch deemed a success


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Due to a scheduling conflict, the Engadget HD Podcast will be released on Friday this week. Sorry about the delay, but we will be back on time next week.

Ben's back from death's door, so we propped him up in front of the mic and recorded a podcast. In case you hadn't heard, a couple of big format war shots were fired right into the already-wounded HD DVD format; this time courtesy Netflix and Blockbuster. We'll see soon enough if this has an immediate effect in the VideoScan numbers, but HD DVD had a respectable showing last week. We suspect overall volume of HDM sales is down right now, and with non-announcements like we're seeing from both sides, it's understandable. If Samsung Blu-ray players have you mad enough to sue, then take a look at Apple TV -- the HD's not as good as HDM, but it's not bad, either. Just don't get your hopes up for the photo browsing. We rouse the audiophile rabbles by saying images trump audio, but let's face it -- people are more willing to spend money on eye-candy than ear-candy. Finally, the WGA strike is finally over, so use the "Ask Engadget" feature comparing DirecTV, DISH, U-verse, FiOS and cable to help you decide where you're going to get your HD programming from.

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[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:07 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 071 - 02.8.2008
02:03 - Netflix picks Blu-ray, good luck renting an HD DVD soon
05:33 - Best Buy's pushing Blu-ray to the front
06:58 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending February 3rd, 2008
10:32 - Warner's 2008 Blu-ray release plan
14:22 - Universal nixes plans for non-combo Land of the Dead / Dazed & Confused HD DVDs
16:28 - Samsung sued for defective Blu-ray players
19:58 - Sizing up Apple TV's HD
28:15 - VUDU review: the HD perspective
30:18 - Video is more important than audio
35:13 - Ask Engadget HD: Does cable, satellite, or fiber provide more HD?

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CES is over and we wrap things up with the last podcast of the show. Just like the first CES podcast it's just the two of us, but we still manage to keep things short. Our coverage is all over the place, but we cover all the last minute happenings from the show floor including HD DVD and Blu-ray booth tours, the latest format war rumors, the best demo of the show and lastly the only party we made it to the entire week, so enjoy.

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[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program

04:26 - Marantz's new high-end Blu-ray player
07:56 - Sources say Universal and Paramount are both going Blu
09:21 - BD+ has not been compromised, yet
11:11 - Engadget HD destroys Format War Central in AVP challenge
12:01 - HD DVD's CES 2008 booth tour
12:35 - Blu-ray's CES 2008 booth tour
13:53 - Petition to keep HD DVD alive appears online
15:15 - Pioneer's Project Kuro: The 9mm thick, infinite contrast 50-inch plasma HDTV
17:32 - Hands-on with the latest TV Guide software (Comcast DVR)
19:12 - Tru2way TVs at CES 2008


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It looks like this year's big announcement from TiVo is the new TiVo Desktop 2.6 software, with a few upgrades in connecting your favorite DVR and your PC. According to our good friend Dave Zatz, this latest version allows for folder monitoring on the PC, with automatic transcoding and transfer to a connected TiVo. You could use this to monitor video podcasts -- or those BitTorrent RSS feeds you didn't think we knew about -- and play them on your TV more easily than any device this side of an AppleTV. No word on what res's are supported, but expect to pony up $24.95 when this update comes in March, unless you've got TiVo Desktop Plus in which case its no extra cost.

Another week, another podcast; that's right, we actually recorded two in a row. In the words of pulp-fiction, lets not start... Well never mind you know how it goes. This week we're still getting back into the swing of things and cover the after-effect of the Paramount announcement as well as going off on a rant about HDMI. Ben can't stop talking about his new Kuro Plasma and the fact that college football is right around the corner. So if your Podcast aggregator hasn't done so already, go ahead and download and enjoy.

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[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
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[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:47 - Michael Bay "drinks the Kool Aid," now supports HD DVD
02:51 - Paramount's CTO defends their decision
05:22 - Venturer announces SHD7000 low-cost HD DVD player for holidays
07:47 - Current Paramount Blu-ray titles will not be recalled
09:20 - The BDA's damage control
13:55 - HDMI 1.3 not living up to its promise?
18:17 - Amazon shipping ultra-cheap HDMI cables
19:32 - Pioneer's 50-inch KURO plasma reviewed
24:17 - 50-inch plasmas leading the PDP market
25:12 - Five more good reasons to pick plasma over LCD
26:26 - Dish Network to add nine HD pay-per-view channels on September 12th
27:40 - First look at DirecTV on Demand
29:35 - Two-way communications for TiVo on the way
31:45 - BigTen Network launches Thursday, but will you get it?

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In this special installment of the Engadget HD Podcast we discuss the digital transition as well as a host of other milestones in the world of HD. Bob documents the progress of DTV as well as other HDTV supporting technologies each month on his blog as he summarizes the progress made each month.

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[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh

Guest: Bob Colby from Switchover Scenarios

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program:
Two years till the analog shutoff, hopefully

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On this edition of the Engadget HD podcast Gabe Lowe; a long time reader and listener joins us with his 2 cents on the this weeks HD news. Gabe and I look forward to the Super Bowl this week, we cover some hardware topics like labels for analog TVs and PROM hacks and finally we sum up the current state of the format war.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh

Guest: Gabriel Lowe

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program:
00:42 - CBS reveals its preparations for Super Bowl XLI HD broadcast
03:37 - House Republicans propose warning labels for analog TVs
07:23 - Sinclair & Time Warner make a deal on HD, Mediacom still on the outs
12:53 - Series3 PROM hack
18:39 - Vista's crippled output DRM explained
24:39 - BackupBluray available now too
35:05 - Universal responds to silence
40:53 - The current state of the format war: no end in sight

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We know two weeks in a row, how about that! Before you get too excited you need to understand this is a special episode where we interview Paul Boutin from Slate about his adventures in buying an HDTV this holiday season. We had to have Paul on to find out what his problem was, we mean who goes shopping for an HDTV and comes home empty handed? We need some answers and we get them as we find out, what could he possibly be waiting for and what will it take to make his take the first step to becoming an HD addict.

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[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh

Guest: Paul Boutin

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
The quest for an HDTV this holiday season

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Well it took us a few weeks to get things right and some might argue that we still failed, but here it is. We catch up on some news including all the Blu-ray delays and cover a few product reviews. We also talk programming and over priced TV box sets.

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[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Matt Burns

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:24 - Where is the Engadget HD Podcast?
03:48 - Engadget HD Review: HDHomeRun
09:49 - How-To: Upgrade your Series3 drive
12:57 - NBC looks to resurrect Must-See TV with all HD lineup
16:08 - Did Warner cut its high-def DVD projections enough?
20:39 - Laser TV, no plasma killer
23:13 - Blu-ray first to market in the UK
24:26 - Sony's BDP-S1 Blu-ray player delayed again...again
24:47 - Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player firmware update available
26:21 - Panasonic's Blu-ray player shipping real soon - hopefully
27:03 - Panasonic DMP-BD10 Blu-ray player reviewed
28:03 - Lost Season 1 hitting Blu-ray next summer?

P.S. - Apologies for the temporary absence of the podcast. There was an editing error we had to fix - should be all better now. Thanks!

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We're not sure what to tell everyone other than we have been spending too much time watching HDTV and not enough time doing the EngadgetHD Podcast. Actually we wish that were the case, the truth is we just haven't been able to make it happen the last few weeks, we've either had conflicting schedules or technical difficulties, but when the going gets tough we get going and you can bet all the money in the world that on next Wednesday there will be a new Podcast. We promise!