Engadget HD Podcast 121 - 02.04.2009
By Trent Wolbe 
posted February 4th 2009 11:30AM
posted February 4th 2009 11:30AM
If you can never get enough of the Engadget HD podcast, you're going to love this week because with some help from a special guest we managed to record the longest podcast we've ever done. There's some great stuff in there though, like some in depth analysis of the latest Netflix news, opinions regarding the DTV transition delay, and eventually an early look at the SageTV HD Theater review. In regards to the last part, we had some help from our friend Brent Evans from Geek Tonic who happens to be an expert on all things SageTV and knows a thing or two about HD too. But if you happen to be the type who hates when we get long winded, it's in your best interest to hit up the AAC version where you can quickly and easily skip past the parts that don't interest you.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh and Steve Kim
Guest: Brent Evans
Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:01:08 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 119 - 01.21.2009
00:20:29 - Netflix sees subscribers opting for streaming over mailing, global surplus in red envelopes predicted
00:25:28 - Netflix earnings call roundup: Testing Saturday shipments, 700k Blu-ray subscribers and even more streaming
00:27:44 - Netflix considering premium price tiers for additional streaming content?
00:34:55 - How-to guide explains boxee / Vista Media Center integration
00:40:17 - Will BD-Live finally shine in 2009?
00:43:30 - Digital TV transition delay bill fails to pass in House
00:46:35 - Netgear's Coax-Ethernet Adapter up for pre-order
00:51:42 - LG BD300 Blu-ray player review
00:57:53 - CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs
01:01:53 - Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D?
01:04:21 - SageTV HD Theater review
LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)
Blockbuster's Total Access program may not be competitive with Netflix for online distribution (which isn't good enough yet quality anyway), but they have no extra charge for Blu-Ray and they have tons of availability. Also, you can trade in mailed discs for free rentals (also including Blu-Ray). More people should give them a chance. I love my Blockbuster service.
Blockbuster's Total Access program is not competitve with Netflix online distribution (which doesn't even come close to the Blu-Ray (BR) experience), but they don't have an extra charge to get BR dics and they have tons of availability. They also have the option to trade in mailed discs for free rentals (including BR) at their stores. More people should give Blockbuster's service a chance. I love it and wouldn't even think of trading it for Netflix right now.
No point in downloading that photo app for the PS3. It can do some pretty amazing things, but it only works with local files on the PS3 hard disk, or possibly a USB drive. it doesnt work with files shared over DLNA.
There are some really amazing features to it though that take advantage of the cell.
It can sort pictures by smile, age groups, and faces using some slick image processing.
It also uses the picture metadata to sort pictures. so if pictures were taken on the same day the group together. If this app was on your PC you would love it. You could just dump all your pictures into a folder and forget about them. but its on your PS3 which is not the ideal experience. your not gonna want to keep all your media in the living room.
Jupp it doesnt seem to work over the DLNA :( . But I just put a 500Gb drive in my PS3 and put all my pictures on it. Now it kind of works like a back up if something ever happens to my computer. :)
You should check out PlayOn for any Netflix, Hulu, CBS, YouTube, CNN, ESPN ect.. needs
http://www.themediamall.com/playon
Its a DLNA client meant for the PS3 and Xbox 360, but doesn't WMC accept DLNA sources which are common for NAS drives?
They also have a direct from PC app.
http://www.themediamall.com/activetv
The quality of say hulu is pretty decent when streaming to the PS3 too. Way better then watching Hulu through the PS3 directly.
Good show as always, but what was up with Bens audio quality?
I appreciate you responding to my comment on the previous weeks podcast.
Steve yeah I was calling you out, because you have the system but you don't know the sytem. I understand that it's easier to say I'm just a fanboy but I listen to the podcast because it's my understanding that you're informed about Hardware and Software on the market. I would just like for you guys to bring it into the conversation since it has changed from week to week. Over the past couple of weeks you've mentioned DLNA, Photo Viewers, HD Downloads and so on. The only device I don't hear you mention in those categories is the PS3. Fanboy or not I would like to hear an informed opinion from you guys as opposed to ill informed comments.
Love the podcast keep up the good work.
I hate to say it but I completely agree with Kenjix. I got a PS3 simply to play games and it has completely changed the way that I watch shows. I have also purchased MediaMall's PlayOn and now I am tempted to completely drop cable; since I can get all of the tv shows that I watch through hulu using playon. I can also watch Netflix, news, youtube and more using playon and DLNA on the PS3.
I can see why you would not like the XMB interface. It is clear that you don't use your PS3 all that often if you are complaining about downloading updates every time that you use it. I am the opposite. Every time Sony releases an update I am excited to see what new functionality they have added to the device.
Most likely I wouldn't have ever gone out and purchased a separate set top box to get downloaded content to my tv I wouldn't have ever seen the need. With the PS3 it has changed my mind. I listen to your show and keep looking for the next device that can do what my PS3 with playon can do. (I would not advise someone to go out and get a PS3 for this when there are many cheaper devices out there that can do the same thing. If they have a PS3 this is a great way to start using online content.)
The PS3 strangely has become the center piece of almost all the media I watch.
P.S. If you are going to watch shows on the PS3 blue-ray remote is almost a must. The dualshock3 controller works but DVD and TV remotes have there layout for a reason.
Thanks for the long show had a long drive home from a out of town meeting. Ben you really need to start a Media Center / HTPC podcast so you can get more nerdy with the Media Center\HTPC talk.
Agreed!
I believe that Hulu is not working with any hardware partners because they don't want the experience to be too easy. I think NBC and Fox are afraid that if Hulu became available on Media Center or the Xbox 360, for instance, that a lot of viewers would watch their shows on Hulu, instead of tuning in to their local NBC or Fox affiliates.
HDMI over Coax is what you guys should be talking about instead of MOCA, although I was interested in that too. :)
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5303
Great show! Two comments I agree with the DVD and digital copy with BluRay discs. I now get mad if at least a digital copy is not included. I can put it on one of our iPods/iTouch or Laptop and use it for the car. Otherwise I end up having to by a DVD or digital version. It is a great idea.
Question about the Digital Copy though. They include a code with disc and a DVD. When you go to download or install the Digital Copy you insert the DVD go to iTunes and enter the code and the movie downloads. I am assuming it is downloading from the disc but since you are in iTunes and that is were you put the code in why don't they just download it from iTunes and you not even need the disc? I would think that would save some money and material in the manufacturing.
My second comment is I am a huge fan or my DirecTv DVR and always check up on the DBSTalk site about new features. I wish you could have one of the moderators formt he site on to talk about upcoming features they are testing. Multi room viewing, Widgets and other things coming.
After Pioneer's announcement that they are ending TV production entirely.
It turn out that Ryan Block actually knew what he was talking about when he was on TWIT. EngadgetHD owes Mr. Block an apology.
NO! Ryan was right in saying that LCD's are putting Plasma's out of business, but Ryan also said several ignorant things like LCD look better than Plasma, LCD's are cheaper than plasma, and some other misinformation...
Great show as always but please do chapters in the podcast! I like them having in Engadget Classic, Engadget Mobile or other podcasts like Macworld. I listen to them on my iPod touch and it's great to see at least a small picture. Please do the enhanced AAC!
Regarding the DTV Delay...the commercial where it says if you are still using "Rabbit Ears" to get your signal you will be see black on Feb 17th (now June)- isn't this CONFUSING/MISLEADING- I am using Rabbit Ears right now and I get HD channels, people are going to think that their digital channels are going to go black because they use the "Rabbit Ears"- was this specific PSA paid for by the Cable/Satellite companies?
And also when are the digital OTA signals going to get Stronger? One thing about analog is that I didn't have to set my antenna one way for VHF channels and then another way for UHF channels...in my area (Davie, FL) I have to position my "Rabbit Ears" one way to get FOX and ABC and another way for CBS and NBC...once this transition happens will local channels increase spending on better digital signals now that they don't have to spend on the analog signal?