Engadget HD Podcast 120 - 01.28.2009
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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