This episode went long, but we cover a good smattering of topics. This week the VideoScan charts added more -- and more interesting -- data for us to chew on. There's a battle raging for how many boxes can be added beneath your TV, so we talk about boxee, Kodak, VUDU and AppleTV to cover our ideas on the crowded lower shelves of your equipment rack. Netflix's Watch Instantly has taken up residence in many boxes, but where is the red envelope company headed? Films in 3D is definitely getting a lot of attention -- we're still not convinced about it getting into the living room, but the results from My Bloody Valentine 3D indicate studios might think otherwise. We wrapped up a long-term review of THIEL's SCS4 speakers, and the bottom line is that these almost $2k per pair speakers may not be cheap, but they do represent value for those really serious about good sound. People shopping THIEL probably also know the AudioQuest name in cabling, and this week it surprised us to see that AudioQuest has introduced field-terminated HDMI cables. We'd love to get a kit to make custom length HDMI cables (tidiness counts!), but we're guessing the price will keep us away for now. Windows Media Center is up next, and Windows 7 looks like it will bring some welcome improvements to those who have not jumped into the TV Pack yet (or jumped back out for stability reasons). Now, if Microsoft would add more codec support to the Xbox 360, things would be even rosier. Probably the biggest news this week, though, was the impending delay in the DTV transition. It looks like it's going to get bumped by four months, which we're not thrilled with; but the question is really how many people is it ok to leave out in the cold on day zero of the transition? We finish on a good note -- Super Bowl XLIII -- it's here, and we've revived our annual checklist so you can make sure you're set for the game.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:00:57 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009
00:20:14 - Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending January 18th, 2009
00:26:32 - Disney to release Bolt on Blu-ray two days before DVD
00:27:17 - boxee mulls production of its own set-top-box
00:30:39 - Kodak's Theatre HD Player unboxed and reviewed
00:31:59 - Netflix's Reed Hastings talks future technologies, streaming
00:40:12 - Netflix profit up 45% in Q4, nears 10 million total subscribers
00:40:57 - VUDU looks to integrate with TVs, DVD players
00:44:44 - Ask Engadget HD: Is the Apple TV worth it?
00:51:51 - 3D: is this the resurgence that counts?
00:53:02 - My Bloody Valentine 3D grosses way more in 3D than 2D
00:56:05 - THIEL SCS4 speaker review
00:58:24 - AudioQuest cooks up field terminated HDMI cables
01:00:00 - Missing remote covers the new highs and lows of Media Center in Windows 7
01:04:13 - DivX is not 100% in love with Xbox 360's tone right now, or its unofficial codec support
01:05:37 - Senate okays digital TV transition delay to June 12th
01:06:24 - 5.7% (6.5 million) U.S. homes still not DTV ready
01:09:31 - Prepared for Super Bowl XLIII? Here's how.


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Back from CES, we kick things off with the age-old plasma vs. LCD debate. Bottom line: no technology reigns supreme forever, but we don't see plasma giving up the picture quality crown just yet and we don't think Europe will be refusing to sell plasmas en masse, either. There's a new President at 1600 Pennsylvania, and with that comes a new FCC -- we take time to give our two cents on the poorly-implemented DTV converter box coupon program, crazy notions of delaying the DTV transition and tinfoil-hat talk of the cable monopoly. We go on a few rants before settling on something we're happy to see -- DirecTV's HDPC-20 is DISH's Draco project for Windows Media Center sounds good, especially in light of DirecTV's "suspended" HDPC-20. Big props to Darren for putting together a comprehensive post of the TVs of CES -- TVs are kind of belles of the CES ball, and they're all rounded up nicely in one post. Also, we reached out to our pals at Engadget to help put together a Netflix HD streaming shootout, so check it out and form your own opinions. Not everything is newness, however -- after 30 years, Pioneer said goodbye to laserdisc this week; we take some time to put some perspective on the 12-inch platter format.


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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:18 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 118 - 01.11.2009
00:15:20 - LCD vs Plasma in 2009
00:24:36 - Poll: Do you prefer plasma or LCD?
00:25:36 - Power-guzzling plasmas could be barred by EU
00:28:31 - Additional funding on the way for the digital TV switch?
00:32:12 - FCC's Kevin Martin proposes alternatives for delaying DTV transition
00:35:47 - Possible new FCC chair could focus on net neutrality, not cable pricing
00:39:33 - Study finds interest high for connected HDTVs
00:41:33 - Sling Media loses most of its top brass
00:44:49 - CyberLink bundles Media Server 2 with JVC's NX-BD3 Blu-ray HTIB
00:46:34 - Blockbuster's MediaPoint player reviewed: unsurprisingly disappointing
00:48:27 - DISH Network's Draco project brings programming to Windows Media Center
00:56:00 - The HDTVs of CES 2009
00:57:34 - Netflix HD streaming shootout goes down at Engadget Classic
01:01:42 - Pioneer finally kills production of its remaining laserdisc players

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We missed last week's episode because our Christmas travel plans got in the way, so this week we made up for it, promise. Lots of Blu news to go around as Blu-ray had the great Christmas everyone was hoping for, in fact a recent poll showed that more EHD readers upgraded to Blu-ray in '08 then in previous two years. This success was also indicated in the recent sales of The Dark Knight, which sold 1.7 Million copies. But this year was also the year of Netflix Watch Instantly, and other streaming services, as there is also more good news for them. Speaking of which, we also talk a bit about moving away from traditional sources of content, and no were not talking about Hulu. Finally we discuss a few of our CES expectations, including XStreamHD and LG's uninteresting 480hz Trumotion.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program

02:18 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 115 - 12.17.2008
13:49 - Poll: Did you go Blu in 2008?
15:58 - What Blu-ray needs to do in 2009 in order to gain ground
23:18 - The Dark Knight saved 2008 for packaged media
26:19 - First Blu-ray Disc / DVD hybrid announced in Japan
29:22 - LG's BD300 Blu-ray gets HD Netflix-enabling firmware update
32:14 - HBO survey hints at free streaming for pay-TV subscribers
33:51 - Could you live on online TV / Netflix alone? One gal found out.
40:29 - Cable operators agree to freeze analog-to-digital moves until after cutover
44:23 - XStreamHD satellite delivery system successfully tested, next stop CES
50:26 - LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV
52:23 - Verizon FiOS HD DVR Review

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The holiday travel plans were just too much for us so we're canceling the show this week. We should still be on for next week though. We wish everyone a merry Christmas -- or whatever holiday you might be celebrating this time of year -- and a happy New Year.

Other responsibilities nixed last week's show, but we're back with a long show this week to make up for it. We start out with the sad news of DirecTV "suspending development" on the HDPC-20 tuner; lots more time is spent parsing those two words than on Asus' Xonar HDMI sound card, at least. Our review of Samsung's MediaLive is mixed -- plenty of promise, but it came up just a little short to get an unconditional thumbs up. Thanks to the 29-state analog shutoff test scheduled for the same day this podcast is released, a lot more of you should know if you're living on the digital cliff -- let us know if you fall off unexpectedly. Lots of attention has been given to the Popcorn Hour products, and the release of the wireless adapter should make it even more appealing to those in the know. The Moxi HD DVR, however, might have a chance of breaking out of the enthusiast niche; but could it take a bite out of the product that's synonymous with "DVR," the TiVo? Maybe, but now Digeo will have to add in Netflix HD streaming capability to even up the score, too. A few bits of news this week make us think that Blu-ray is really moving out into the mainstream consciousness, if not flying off shelves into every home. VUDU is opening up to third party developers, so hopefully soon its "one trick pony" knock will be a distant memory as more content flows through the box, including YouTube HD. We wrap up with sports talk -- "Top 10" lists often miss the mark in our opinion, so we give our own take on the Top 10 HD sporting events of 2008; but Ben is already planning to start off 2009 on a high note with some 3D HD BCS viewing at CES.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:05:41 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 114 - 12.03.2008
00:20:26 - DirecTV "suspends development" on HDPC-20 tuner
00:31:06 - DirecTV puts away the checkbook, plans to raise rates in 2009
00:31:17 - ASUS demos Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe sound card
00:34:26 - Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review
00:38:41 - 29 States to participate in analog shutoff test next week
00:40:35 - Poll: Would you switch carriers if fiber came to town?
00:43:12 - Popcorn Hour's WN-100 dongle brings WiFi to your A-100, A-110 or B-110
00:44:14 - 500GB Moxi HD DVR now available, really
00:48:51 - Netflix HD streaming comes to TiVo
00:52:04 - Analyst finds DVD sales down, Blu-ray trends "encouraging"
00:53:42 - Standalone Blu-ray player sales triple over Black Friday
00:54:21 - Poll: Do you rent or buy your Blu-ray Discs?
00:57:27 - VUDU gets official with some internet content
01:00:48 - YouTube goes HD, finally!
01:02:20 - Top 10 HD sports broadcasts of 2008 -- do you agree?
01:05:17 - BCS Championship game live 3D broadcast coming to CES, movie theaters



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Hot from the Thanksgiving oven, another Engadget HD podcast. The economy has put a damper on purchases across the board, and even old DVD hasn't been spared. Rentals might be more the right speed, and with Blu-ray coming to Redbox, we've got a reason to check out those kiosks. One feature to look for is "The Dark Knight," but will Denon Blu-ray buyers who score a free copy find the transfer quality lacking? Even if Denon's players aren't as popular as the PS3, that doesn't mean we're in agreement with typical "Best Blu-ray player" headlines, and we discuss why some questions aren't served well by simple answers. We couldn't go without a VUDU mention, and we're actually pretty excited to see HD titles (and HDX, too) up for sale, not rental. TiVo has rolled out its mobile scheduling, which is nice, but maybe we don't fit the typical user profile. As CES rolls around, one thing we'll keep an eye out for is Philips' KURO-beating LED backlit LCD, especially after reading some initial favorable reactions. The analog shutoff is right around the corner, and two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons -- what's that last third going to do in a few months? Maybe that part of the nation is planning on soaking up HD Netflix on their Xbox 360s, which seems to be registering favorable reactions based on our poll. We call "hype expiration" on Digeo -- not counting it out, but we've definitely moved to a "believe it when we see it" frame of mind, just like our feelings on NFL in 3D. We wrap up by coming full circle -- the slow economy has everyone searching for deals, even as Sony would like to make our lives easier by not offering any discounts.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
03:29 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 112 - 11.12.2008
13:04 - DVD sales also feeling the pinch, down 4% on the year
14:13 - It's official: Redbox welcomes Blu-ray with open arms
16:36 - Denon rewards buyers of its pricey Blu-ray decks with free Batman BDs
19:02 - The Dark Knight Blu-ray disc leaking out, complaints already rolling in
22:57 - Sony's PlayStation 3 tops another "Best Blu-ray player" list
26:24 - VUDU offering select HD / HDX titles for $4.99 purchase on Black Friday
29:03 - TiVo Mobile enables remote scheduling, program searches
34:06 - Philips LED-backlit 42PFL9803H gets hands-on treatment
37:39 - Two-thirds of OTA households have requested DTV coupons
40:56 - Poll: How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?
43:43 - Charter nearly ready to deploy Digeo's 3012 HD DVR
44:27 - Live NFL broadcast to air in 3D as "proof of concept"
47:34 - Sony says non-discounted goods make life easier for you


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We're coming at you a few days late this week, but we promise we weren't slacking off -- Ben took a trip to Microsoft to get the lowdown on Media Center initiatives, which he shares on this show. During his trip, he saw the DirecTV HDPC-20 in action alongside a smorgasbord of other gear, some identifiable and some not so much. Speaking of Microsoft, we talk about the Xbox Experience and the appearance of HD Netflix's Watch Instantly titles -- the selection isn't great yet, but the quality is there. This move really gives Xbox 360 a leg up on the competition, and Microsoft's Shane Kim (no relation to Steve, by the way) crowed about that this week; and our readers seemed to agree with him in this week's Ask Engadget feature. DISH will let you add USB storage to its ViP211 DVR for a "mere" $40, which while pricey is still better than a stick in the eye. And that's exactly what the newspaper editor who claims he can't see an improvement in Blu-ray picture quality must have caught, in our opinion. We admit that even price cuts may not be making Blu-ray decks fly off the shelves, but picture quality isn't a valid reason to hold off on the purchase. Apparently, people don't feel that being "bound" to physical media is a reason to nix Blu-ray, either, as this week's MOTO (master of the obvious) survey finds that people actually prefer discs to streaming. That's good news for Oppo's rumored BDP-83 Blu-ray player; but even if it decodes every format under the sun, a pricetag upwards of $400 might put a damper on things. Netflix has officially declared the format war is over, and will stop carrying HD DVDs in mid-December. No week would be complete without mention of VUDU, this time the rack-mountable XL2 version gets mention on the podcast. LCD prices are definitely in a free-fall, but we wonder what they would be if not for the price fixing that LG and Sharp admitted to. No such luck for those hoping to join club KURO, however, as Pioneer's rebranding of Black Friday as "KURO Friday" rings utterly hollow.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:10 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 111 - 11.12.2008
12:16 - The Media Center DirecTV HDPC-20 caught in action
22:10 - Xbox Experience now available to all who signed up, Netflix HD streams too
25:05 - Microsoft exec touts HD streaming over discs, suggests Xbox 360 will outlast PS3
28:09 - Ask Engadget HD: Best gaming / movie console: Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?
29:49 - DISH Network (finally) offers ViP211 DVR Upgrade option
31:46 - Editor ponders: Do you need a Blu-ray player?
36:16 - Blu-ray player price cuts not spurring huge sales... yet
38:05 - Research finds that people still heart physical discs, greatly prefer Blu-ray to streaming
39:55 - Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information
42:31 - Netflix no longer carrying HD DVDs as of December 15th
44:03 - VUDU XL2 brings on-demand films to rack-mountable enclosure
47:04 - LG, Sharp plead guilty to LCD price-fixing, take $585m fine
48:58 - Pioneer rechristens Black Friday "KURO Friday," won't lower prices


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We spend some time digressing on listener feedback before diving into a double-header of Windows 7 news -- evidence of DirecTV USB tuner support and native support for DivX and on-the-fly transcoding. Our story about the digital transition video gets us talking about the fast-approaching date, and we suspect that after CES in January we'll be seeing a torrent of more news on the topic. It's hard to believe the election was only a week ago, but we spend a little time talking about the coverage we took in to watch the results come in. Our newly-elected officials definitely will have to contend with getting consumer confidence back up, and we saw a reflection of this in our poll where about a third of you said the economy has made you diall down your HD purchasing frenzy. But even in a downturn, you've got to have some content to watch, and this week's "Ask Endgadget HD" feature saw a lot of you chime in on your preferred movie rental source. With Vudu claiming the HD title lead, the little box that could might be a contender for some of you; but unfortunately for us, disposable income (specifically, lack thereof) has put the Vudu in the "not right now" category.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:49 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 110 - 11.05.2008
19:05 - Windows 7 includes a driver for the DirecTV HDCP-20 USB tuner
22:01 - Windows 7 to natively support DivX and transcoding?
25:43 - Digital TV transition spoof video is both informative and hilarious
32:52 - A look at Election Night ratings: ABC gains, others lose
39:04 - Poll: Has "the economy" shaken your HD purchase plans?
40:34 - Ask Engadget HD: What's the best movie rental service?
41:47 - VUDU now home to 1,100 HD titles: "largest HD library in existence"


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On the eve of the presidential election, we still got together to talk up the latest in HD news. What easily turned out to be the topic of the week was Netflix. We covered the HD announcements, the TiVo partnership, and finally, Watch Instantly for Mac users. And although you'd think we got enough downloads vs discs talk in our round table last week, think again, as we rehash a bit about our latest poll on the debate, as well as the recent misguided predictions about the death of Blu-ray. Finally, we finish up with a little Slingbox HD streaming and of course the required mention of Windows Media Center.


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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:30 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 108 - 10.29.2008
12:52 - Roku's Netflix Player handling HD content "by the end of the year"
16:14 - Poll: What's your preference -- digital downloads or discs?
19:19 - Netflix Watch Instantly coming to TiVo
24:14 - Netflix opens 'Watch Instantly' to Mac owners who opt-in
29:30 - The rumors of Blu-ray's death are greatly exaggerated
35:30 - Sherwood might cancel Blu-ray players due to competitive prices
38:30 - Blu-ray hits a milestone: 1,000 titles on the format
39:37 - VUDU's HD selection now outnumbers Apple TV's, Blu-ray might be next
44:30 - The Slingbox Pro HD review addendum
47:14 - What's new in Windows 7 for Media Center

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We start off talking about Baraka getting treated to an 8k transfer process en route to Blu-ray, which should make the title appeal to videophiles; which isn't to say we think Blu-ray is for "videophiles" only. With Blu-ray players coming down in price and features like Netflix "Watch Instantly" being added to decks -- two Samsung units added the feature this week -- we think Blu-ray will catch on. Speaking of Netflix, Macs are getting "Watch Instantly" functionality as well, thanks to Microsoft's Silverlight plugin. But the Xbox 360 takes top honors among media streamers this week again, for first out of the gate to support Netflix HD streaming. Not one to be left out of the set-top-box streamer race, TiVo added Jaman and CinemaNow capabilities as well, just as the device TiVo killed -- the standalone VCR -- got the axe from JVC this week. That takes you back, eh? Well, the HD Guru got us all caught up again with his review of the Mitsubishi LaserVue, and he has great news to report -- lots of color, lots darkness and lots of contrast, too. Ben and Steve go into a little more detail on their equipment reviews this week, with Ben putting EA's mPanel through its paces and Steve giving new speakers from Paradigm a listen. We know we're a biased bunch, but this week's poll really highlighted it, with almost 50-percent of you guys switching carriers due to a lack of HD. And that's a perfect springboard for Ben to go off on the NFL Network's use of stale SD material when HD crispness of the same content is available. We end up on a happy note, though -- CES is approaching, and with or without the incorporation of EHX Fall, we always look forward to covering the Christmas-after-Christmas that is CES.


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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).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:24 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 107 - 10.22.2008
03:50 - Baraka: first ever 8K HD restoration Blu-ray Disc gets ship date, reviewed
05:07 - Is Blu-ray destined to become a "videophile niche?"
07:11 - Samsung partners with Netflix: P2500 and P2550 Blu-ray players updated for free
08:16 - Netflix finally brings 'Watch Instantly' to Macs via Silverlight
09:59 - HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first
10:52 - TiVo uncorks movie downloads via CinemaNow and Jaman
12:23 - Standalone VCR party finally ends, JVC shuts the door as it leaves
14:22 - HD Guru: Mitsu's LaserVue L65-A90 among the best HDTVs ever tested
19:12 - Embedded Automation's mPanel Review
21:43 - Paradigm "Phantom" Cinema Gaming speaker system review
23:34 - Poll: Have you switched carriers due to lack of HD?
29:19 - NFL Network launches HD information screen to jazz up SD material
35:18 - EHX Fall moving in with CES, fight over top bunk begins in 2010

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