Recent Comments:
Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology? {Engadget HD}
Nov 15th 2009 6:20PM There is no doubt that they have the most to lose but then again, like newspapers, their glory days are long gone and they have to decide what level of survival they are willing to accept. This seems like it might be a great exit strategy. And besides, I expect this to be like a 20 year transition, not much different then the digital transition that was first thought of in the around 1990.
I also think that these companies would continue to create local programming, just not delivered OTA. They'd continue to produce their web content and maybe even live news etc that would be on cable. Many of these affiliates are owned by big media conglomerates and the need for local programming will still exist regardless of how people actually receive the signal.
I guess my question to you i,s what other reparations in the form of protection could the FCC give these broadcasters to ease the transition?
Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology? {Engadget HD}
Nov 15th 2009 6:13PM I think cable is already making the transition to non-linear programming. Just look how Comcast already wants to focus on its HD selection (HD VOD), instead of channels. I believe the amount of VOD will continue to increase while the number of linear channels will be reduced. I think the recent launch of EPIX is a good example of things to come. They launched a linear channel with VOD and internet streaming. This is the next logical step to launching new "channels" that don't have a linear component.
Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology? {Engadget HD}
Nov 15th 2009 2:30PM 10 percent of the US rely solely on OTA TV, that is a stat that both the NAB and Nielsen agree on. And actually the DTA transition made it worse, before then, the stat was around 15 percent. But according to Nielsen, about 28% of those decided to go to cable or sat instead of getting a converter box.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/11/03/nielsen-reports-the-affects-of-the-digital-transition/
Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology? {Engadget HD}
Nov 15th 2009 12:45PM The idea isn't to necessarily give the bandwidth for internet, that was just an example. The idea is to stop using it for the benefit of 10 percent of the population and use it for something that would benefit 90 percent.
So yeah, taking something away from 10 percent just to give it to another 10 percent, doesn't make any sense.
Ask Engadget HD: Should the FCC kill DTV for better technology? {Engadget HD}
Nov 15th 2009 12:43PM In addition to free basic to anyone who already has coax run to your house, the FCC could require that DirecTV and Dish send basic channels in the clear. So anyone who wanted could buy the dish and a cox could watch basic satellite. In fact I don't know of many other 1st world countries that don't have some form of free satellite service.
And even if the gov't wanted to go the free internet access route, they wouldn't have to give out free computeres, just free IPTV boxes.
Engadget HD Podcast 163 - 11.10.2009 {Engadget HD}
Nov 14th 2009 2:57PM The main reason I use Media Center instead of TiVo is because it has real multi-room viewing. I want one comprehensive now playing list for the entire house and one Todo list. I also want to be able to watch whatever I want without having to transfer a show first. Combine this with the much better overall UI and ability to automatically skip commercials and I prefer it despite the reduced reliability.
That being said, if TiVo releases a new box with a UI that looks like the new search and real MRV, I'll gladly switch back to TiVo -- if the price is right.
Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model {Engadget HD}
Nov 13th 2009 8:27AM I'm not a fan of the FiOS DVR either, but at least you can have a few in the house and not be limited by the total number of HD streams at home at once. My Media Center has 5 HD tuners and yes on occasion I use all five.
Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model {Engadget HD}
Nov 13th 2009 12:08AM U-Verse can record 4 HD shows at once?
DirecTV exclusive Sunday Ticket is "in the consumers' best interest" {Engadget HD}
Nov 12th 2009 5:22PM Unless you like Versus. ;)
Sorry, but I couldn't resist.
DirecTV exclusive Sunday Ticket is "in the consumers' best interest" {Engadget HD}
Nov 12th 2009 5:21PM NFL Sunday Ticket channels are already blacked out if the channel is carried on a local affiliate, but CBS and Fox affiliates realize that if you have multiple games to choose from you might not choose theirs.
