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Xbox 360 adds Crackle and CinemaNow to list of up and running apps

Edgar Alvarez — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:29:00 EST

You can't deny one of Microsoft's main goals with its revamped 360 dashboard update was to enhance the box's entertainment attributes, and now the Redmond crowd has flipped the live switch on two more vid-focused apps. Crackle and CinemaNow are joining the likes of Vudu and UFC as part of the latest additions to the Xbox app locker. Both apps are available now for those of us in the States, and while CinemaNow won't be heading elsewhere, Sony's Crackle is hitting three other markets: Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. There's no more info on when -- or if -- both apps will make way into more countries, but Microsoft did say that it'll "continue to enhance and expand" its Xbox Live offerings. We know you're eager to check out some Godzilla collections, so power on that console, head to the apps section and let the crackles set you free.

Continue reading Xbox 360 adds Crackle and CinemaNow to list of up and running apps

Xbox 360 adds Crackle and CinemaNow to list of up and running apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-ray players

Zachary Lutz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:36:00 EST

It's that time again, folks. Panasonic has (figuratively) taken to the streets of Las Vegas in a ticker tape parade that's full of press releases. As part of the announcement, the company launched three 3D Blu-ray players for home theater systems, four stand-alone 3D models and two traditional Blu-ray units. The home theater group -- which includes the SC-BTT490, SC-BTT195 and SC-BTT190 -- each offer WiFi connectivity and DLNA certification, compatibility with the company's smartphone remote control app, and a new version of VIERA Connect that's replete with more online content. Notably, the SC-BTT490 features two HDMI inputs in addition to the traditional HDMI out. Each of the home theater models will be available in April.

Meanwhile, the four remaining 3D Blu-ray players -- the DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320 and DMP-BDT220 -- each support Panasonic's VIERA Connect, while the 2D models, the DMP-BD87 and DMP-BD77, are limited to Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube. Of this group, the 500, 320 and 220 each feature a 192kHz/32bit audio DAC, although the 500 ultimately makes it to the top of the pile with high quality terminals and capacitors. If you're curious to learn more about this heapin' pile of Panasonic wares, be sure to check the PR after the break.

Gallery: Panasonic DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500 and DMP-BDT320

Continue reading Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-ray players

Panasonic carpet bombs CES with nine new Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD

Amar Toor — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST

CinemaNow's movie library is about to get a bit larger and a good deal sharper, thanks to a new deal with Intel. Yesterday, the video on-demand service announced that it's now offering a slate of 1080p HD movies for the first time, available on PCs packing a second generation Intel Core CPU. According to the company, "several hundred" new releases and other popular films from 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have already been added to its library, in addition to the 15,000 movies and TV shows already on file. CinemaNow didn't offer an exact number of titles, nor did it provide names of any specific films, but you can stream through the entire press release for yourself, after the break.

Continue reading CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD

CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo

Dana Wollman — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST

Right on schedule, Best Buy's announced it's good and ready to ship two Insignia-branded connected televisions with TiVo's UI -- minus the whole DVR thing, that is. The two 1080p sets, available in 32- and 42-inch flavors, are landing months after the retailer said it was buddying up with TiVo to borrow its user interface -- and only that, there's no indication these will play nicely with Premiere DVRs and their multiroom streaming at launch -- for searching content and also just getting up and running easily. As you'd expect, folks perusing these sets can watch movies from Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube, as well as stream from Pandora and Napster. Rounding out the list of apps are Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket, and Chumby, with more to come, Best Buy tells us. In addition to the easy access to content, the story here is that the UI plays nice with existing cable boxes, making the installation easy even if the person holding the remote doesn't happen to have a lengthy serial number on hand. Look for the 32-inch number for $499, with the 42-incher fetching $699. Find the full PR and some b-roll video after the break, along with a smattering of hands-on shots of what should be an all-too-familiar interface.

Gallery: Insignia TVs with TiVo's UI

Continue reading Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo

Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rovi hits Hulu with patent infringement lawsuit

Joseph Volpe — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:38:00 EST

Mo money, mo problems, right Hulu? Seems it, considering the newly up-for-sale content hub has just been slapped with a patent infringement suit. This latest bit of intellectual property beef centers on the online content provider's alleged unlicensed use of Rovi's electronic program guide technology. According to Reuters, the company, which currently powers the streaming likes of Blockbuster On Demand and CinemaNow, is seeking financial compensation for potential "lost license revenue and treble damages," potentially tripling any future settlement award. While Hulu has yet to issue a statement on the matter, we'd be willing to bet those takeover talks are taking a backseat until this gets sorted.

Rovi hits Hulu with patent infringement lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy's CinemaNow

Richard Lawler — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:37:00 EST

Sony planned the PlayStation 3 from the start as a movie playing powerhouse, but it may not have predicted so many would end up using it for Netflix streaming. CEO Jack Tretton just hit the stage at the company's E3 keynote to announce it is the leading Netflix streamer, accounting for 30% of the video watched on the service. While this is somewhat surprising maybe it shouldn't be -- consoles far outpace other TV connected streamers in install base, and between the Xbox 360, Wii, and Sony's box, the PS3 is the only one that lets you watch without an additional subscription and in HD. Also announced is a new partnership bringing video on-demand movies from the Best Buy-owned CinemaNow service. With any luck, the retail giant will add a subscription element or partner with Redbox and make this interesting, but until then it's just another footnote on the list of providers currently offered on the PS3.

Continue reading Sony's PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy's CinemaNow

Sony's PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy's CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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L.A. Times sees possible competition for Netflix coming from Walmart, Best Buy, Vutopia and more

Richard Lawler — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:44:00 EST

Until Amazon launched its Prime Instant Video service earlier this year Netflix was almost completely alone on the subscription video streaming mountaintop, but an article this weekend in the Los Angeles Times suggests there could be competition on the way. There's plenty of rumoring from analysts and the typical "people familiar with the matter, but their sources have been on the money in the past and indicate retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are seriously considering angling their Vudu and CinemaNow efforts in the subscription direction instead of VOD like they've done so far. Meanwhile Hulu Plus is reportedly considering expanding its movie selection, and Amazon is likely to puff up its offerings while iN Demand, the PPV baby of the cable companies, is considering expanding its 200~ title Vutopia service. Still, according to the article no one's signed any of the big checks necessary to take on the 20-million subscribers strong behemoth yet, but don't be surprised if serious competition arrives shortly.

L.A. Times sees possible competition for Netflix coming from Walmart, Best Buy, Vutopia and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WDTV Live Hub and Live Plus updated with CinemaNow, new UI and better audio for Netflix

Richard Lawler — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:36:00 EST

Two of Western Digital's much-loved media players are sporting a few more features today, now that the WD TV Live Plus and WD TV Live Hub have a new update. They're now sporting the latest in Netflix interfaces (which will work in Canada but leaves it open to potentially radical changes ) but in this case assures users can search the streaming catalog and hear Dolby Digital Plus audio in movies that support it. Also included is support for CinemaNow VOD, which should bring plenty of day-and-date movie streaming (insert Redbox rumor here) for those so inclined. There's a press release after the break, but owners can just click the link corresponding to their particular unit for more detailed update information.

Continue reading WDTV Live Hub and Live Plus updated with CinemaNow, new UI and better audio for Netflix

WDTV Live Hub and Live Plus updated with CinemaNow, new UI and better audio for Netflix originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart

Richard Lawler — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:08:00 EST

According to Company Town, Redbox prez Mitch Lowe informed analysts yesterday that its upcoming online movie service would be subscription-based like Netflix and Hulu Plus instead of charging per-movie like iTunes, Zune or Amazon VOD (we can guess why.) Users would pay the monthly fee to stream to various devices (perhaps to the new iPhone and Android apps) and access discs at the kiosks. Lowe mentioned Redbox would have a partner in the service and while previous rumors pointed to CinemaNow, the Seattle Times suggests Walmart / Vudu and Amazon -- rumored to be launching a subscription service of its own this month -- as possibilities. Meanwhile, in its existing disc based business, word is Disney has decided to raise the amount it charges Netflix and Redbox for each DVD to the full wholesale price, although they'll still be available the same day the DVDs go on sale.

Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EST

Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG's CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we'll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop.

For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given -- TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar -- and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit's 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model...
Then there's the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you'll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it's on you to source your own Magic Remote.
If it's an all-new TV you're after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses -- none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of 'em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG's not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet.
Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG's rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you'd rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it -- along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines -- can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG's also straying from providing pricing details on these.
Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG's line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG's first portable BD deck.
Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We've no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we'll be scouring the show floor in search of just that.

For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don't expect to find any pricing information, though.

Gallery: LG's CES 2011 launch lineup: Blu-ray, HDTV, 3D mobile TV prototype

Continue reading LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs

LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rovi announces agreement to acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million

Donald Melanson — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:51:00 EST

Rovi Corporation has already gone though a few significant transformations -- it was once the DRM-centered company known as Macrovision -- and it's now set to undergo another big one. The company has just announced a "definitive agreement" to acquire Sonic Solutions in a deal valued at $720 million. Among other things, Sonic owns RoxioNow (the service formally known as CinemaNow), which will give Rovi access to over 10,000 movies and TV shows, and Sonic also just acquired DivX earlier this year, which Rovi points out has a presence on more than 350 million consumer electronics devices. Head on past the break for the official press release, and look for the deal to close sometime in the first quarter of next year if all goes according to plan.

Continue reading Rovi announces agreement to acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million

Rovi announces agreement to acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boxee, RoxioNow integration means premium movie options on the way

Richard Lawler — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST

We'll probably be able to add some new content partners to the Boxee list shortly, now that the media streaming company is teaming with Sonic Solutions. Best known as the company behind the online movie stores for Best Buy and Blockbuster, that predictably means Boxee users should be able to easily purchase and/or rent movies from Sonic's partners in the future. So far the blog post only promises RoxioNow integration by the time the Boxee Box launches, lucky there's a little more time for that to happen, huh?

Continue reading Boxee, RoxioNow integration means premium movie options on the way

Boxee, RoxioNow integration means premium movie options on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic bringing DTS 5.1 audio to Blockbuster, Best Buy VOD services

Richard Lawler — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:13:00 EST

We've talked a lot about picture quality differences between downloads and disc, but audio is also a big part of the experience and Sonic appears committed to improving that in its new deal with DTS. No word on the exact specs, but the partnership will result in DTS "high performance" audio support including 5.1 surround in the RoxioNow video platform that supports Blockbuster and Best Buy's digital movie stores. Like Netflix, it plans to add the extra channels of audio later this year, check the press release after the break while we wait to see who gets there first.

Continue reading Sonic bringing DTS 5.1 audio to Blockbuster, Best Buy VOD services

Sonic bringing DTS 5.1 audio to Blockbuster, Best Buy VOD services originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic acquires DivX to expand online movie delivery options, share of Kazaa downloads

Richard Lawler — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:04:00 EST

Just because Sonic shifted its CinemaNow name into the care of Best Buy, don't think it's taking a break from working digital movie delivery options into every device it can. To that end it's purchased DivX, formerly a name you knew only as an illegal download enabling codec, but is now a legitimate enterprise that has agreements with major movie studios and more than 150 consumer electronics manufacturers. The cash and stock transaction should cause the two to get together and make the whole world believe them, with RoxioNow ending up in the millions of devices currently ready for DivX while increasing possibilities for DivX encoded movies going on sale in the United States. The DivX TV internet video frontend for set-top boxes and connected televisions should also get a boost from the deal, we'll see how it competes with widgets, TiVo and Google. There's a DivX TV trailer after the break for those interested plus the press release while related financial details, projections and promises can be found in the linked PDF.

Continue reading Sonic acquires DivX to expand online movie delivery options, share of Kazaa downloads

Sonic acquires DivX to expand online movie delivery options, share of Kazaa downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy's internet movie store launches this month under the CinemaNow brand

Richard Lawler — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:17:00 EST

That Best Buy is ready to launch its entry into the online video on-demand game is not at all a surprise, but we weren't expecting to see such a familiar name. The retail giant purchased the CinemaNow brand away from Sonic Solutions (explaining the latter's sudden switch to RoxioNow) and will start selling movies sans-disk to web connected devices later this month, starting with LG Blu-ray players (where buyers won't see the Best Buy logo at all) and home theater in a box systems, followed by Samsung's internet connected home theater equipment and of course the house Insignia brand. As planned, it will have "first run" movies for sale as soon as they arrive on DVD, with rentals for $2.99 - $3.99 per movie and purchases at $9.99 to $19.99, including HD titles and some available in 1080p. Apparently the name game is how Best Buy plans to sneak boxes with its store embedded through other retailers, we'll see how Wal-mart / VUDU, Amazon and the rest respond to the challenge.

Continue reading Best Buy's internet movie store launches this month under the CinemaNow brand

Best Buy's internet movie store launches this month under the CinemaNow brand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CinemaNow switches to RoxioNow, we just want to watch our movies -- now

Richard Lawler — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:22:00 EST

CinemaNow has been quietly serving up movies over the internet for under other brands like Blockbuster's video on-demand store, but now it's looking to grab a piece of the limelight by changing to RoxioNow. That means PCs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, phones and any other compatible devices will arrive stamped with the new logo (probably not our shoddy copy and paste job above) to "enable consumers to quickly identify products offering a more flexible entertainment experience." It does follow, that as online video hubs cross platforms customers would want to know what will play what and when, but you'd figure the blinking Best Buy / Blockbuster / Zip.ca logo on their screen would be a decent indicator.

CinemaNow switches to RoxioNow, we just want to watch our movies -- now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VUDU comes to LG Blu-ray home theater systems

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

If you are the home theater in a box type, but also want Blu-ray and VUDU movies streamed to your HDTV, then your wait is over. The new BD975 doesn't have a price and we don't know when it'll be available, but what we do know is that when that day comes for you to part with your hard earned cash you'll get a all the great internet features those who prefer to buy stand-alone Blu-ray players have enjoyed for years. You know, like VUDU, YouTube, Pandora, Picasa, AccuWeather, Netflix and CinemaNow -- so yeah, just about everything. The DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD can be played back wirelessly to the speakers and there's even a iPod dock drawer for your iPhone.

Continue reading VUDU comes to LG Blu-ray home theater systems

VUDU comes to LG Blu-ray home theater systems originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iomega ScreenPlay Director HD media player gets busy with CinemaNow

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:46:00 EST

Iomega's making a Full HD play for the living room at CES with the introduction of its new ScreenPlay Director device. The 1TB HD media player brings a bevy of TV connectivity options including HDMI composite video, component, and more. It's also DLNA- and DivX-certificated in addition to boasting H.264, WMV, AVCHD and MKV format support at 1080p. A trio of USB ports give you room for external capacity growth while baked in 10/100 Ethernet (or optional 802.11n USB WiFi Adapter) gets the pup online where you can rent or buy movies from CinemaNow or browse content on Flickr, YouTube, Shoutcast radio, and RSS feeds. ScreenPlay Director HD lists for $250 when it goes on sale, well, today if you order through Dell.

Iomega ScreenPlay Director HD media player gets busy with CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CinemaNow 2.0: 3D, 1080p, Android & WinMo get a taste of online movie distribution

Richard Lawler — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:39:00 EST

Thought digital delivery would get left behind in the jump to 3D? Roxio's CinemaNow 2.0 platform is ready to build on the success of its predecessor -- already embedded in many devices and powering the online stores for Blockbuster, Best Buy and Zip.ca -- and flip the switch bringing streamed or downloaded 1080p or 3D, plus the ability to add additional background info on each movie or previously disc-exclusive extras like multiple audio tracks, subtitles and more. Also new for 2.0 are plans for access on Android and Windows Mobile devices. We're still thinking a combo of lower prices, all you can eat subscriptions or a disc tie-in is the logical next step, but we'll wait for a CES demo to ask about that, and whether the new features will be backwards compatible on old hardware.

CinemaNow 2.0: 3D, 1080p, Android & WinMo get a taste of online movie distribution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy partnering with CinemaNow to stream first-run DVDs to 'all web-connected devices sold'

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST

Can you live without physical media? Are you ready to buy into owning a license without any physical property to show for your purchase? We hope so 'cause that's the future. Today Best Buy will announce confirmation of its rumored partnership with CinemaNow in a deal that will stream first-run DVDs directly to consumers. Better yet, according to an AP report, the software required to access CinemaNow's video library "will be included on all the Web-connected devices sold in Best Buy's more than 1,000 U.S. stores." If taken literally then wow, just wow... that's a lot of devices. However, since Best Buy sells Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, and there's no way that Apple's going to let a retailer tamper with its devices, we think the AP's wording is a bit ambitious.

The idea here is simple: pay once for a DVD then eventually be able to play it on any device be it a television, Blu-ray player, PC, smartphone or some other connected device. The new Best Buy-branded service will launch "early next year" according to Chris Homeister (yes, that's his real surname), as Best Buy gets "into this business in a big way." Remember, Best Buy already announced a streaming Netflix deal and partnerships with TiVo and Napster that will be launching early next year as well. And we've already seen Sonic Solutions, CinemaNow's owner since last year, bunging its 1080p-capable CinemaNow service into every connected-device imaginable -- even 3D content for 3D Vision-ready displays. The whole concept sounds very much like Disney's Keychest which already sounded very much like the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (or DECE) consortium. Hopefully Best Buy will clear up the details later today when this gets really official. The future is now -- too bad US broadband is so yesterday.

Update: It's official. The agreement will allow customers to "buy or rent" from CinemaNow's library of content on "connected consumer electronics" sold through Best Buy retail stores or BestBuy.com. New titles will "often" (note the qualification) be made available day and date of the DVD release. The service will also leverage digital copies to bridge the physical and digital stream worlds. See the full press release for all the detail.

Show full PR text

Best Buy Co., Inc (NYSE:BBY) and Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC) today announced a strategic relationship that will result in a new Best Buy customer offering in its growing line-up of digital entertainment products. The new on-demand movie and entertainment service will be powered by Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow[TM] and will allow consumers to have access to buy or rent a vast library of premium content.

To power this offering, Best Buy has entered into a multi-year agreement in which Best Buy plans to license and deploy Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow[TM] technology and services platform to make on-demand digital content delivery a standard feature on connected consumer electronics devices sold throughout U.S. Best Buy retail stores and BestBuy.com. Under the terms of the agreement, Best Buy acquired warrants enabling it to purchase shares of Sonic Solutions common stock.

Best Buy, one of the largest consumer electronics retailers in the world, has a strong track record of bringing innovative technologies to a broad audience through its consumer-focused marketing, education, and Geek Squad services. To foster the consumer appetite for obtaining on-demand premium content electronically, Best Buy intends to embed the Roxio CinemaNow technology on a wide array of devices - web-connected television sets, portable media players, PCs, Blu-ray Disc players, set-top boxes, and mobile phones - from a variety of manufacturers. Best Buy expects to undertake a marketing program to educate consumers about the increased convenience, flexibility, and choice digital content delivery affords.

With the new Best Buy service, consumers will have access to buy or rent an extensive library of premium content including new movies, TV shows, independent films, and older catalog movies, which they will be able to access on devices in the broad ecosystem. It is anticipated that new titles will often be available on the same day they become available on DVDs in retail outlets. Together with their Studio partners, Best Buy and Sonic plan to also collaborate on new service and content offerings, including those that leverage digital copies to bridge physical disc sales and electronic sell through.

"Best Buy is in a great position to expand the market for on-demand home entertainment," said Thomas Gewecke, president, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. "The combination of Sonic's platform with Best Buy's expertise in selling consumer electronics, video content and technical services creates an opportunity for a wide variety of exciting new consumer offerings."

"Our relationship with Sonic Solutions allows Best Buy to quickly establish a strong position in the digital delivery of video entertainment," said Brian Dunn, CEO of Best Buy. "It also enables us to make deeper and more meaningful connections with our customers and expand our relationships with content owners and hardware vendors to create compelling new home entertainment solutions."

"With Best Buy's ability to drive in-store promotion and education, consumers will come to quickly understand and appreciate the convenience, flexibility, and control that digitally-delivered video entertainment affords them," said Dave Habiger, president and CEO, Sonic Solutions. "With Best Buy's focus, we expect on-demand entertainment to quickly grow into a mass market activity, with digital sell-through and rental becoming a significant new revenue stream for content owners."

Roxio CinemaNow includes Hollywood-approved digital rights management, encoding and adaptive delivery technologies, and secure device-optimized playback of premium entertainment. Roxio CinemaNow's cloud-based media services power devices which consumers can use to seamlessly enjoy video entertainment anytime and anywhere across the broadest range of devices. The Roxio CinemaNow ecosystem includes PCs, connected TVs, set top DVRs, Blu-ray Disc and mobile media players from leading manufacturers such as Archos, Dell, HP, LG, Microsoft, Nintendo, Pioneer and TiVo and is powering internet movie delivery for Blockbuster.

Read -- AP report
Read -- New York Times

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers

Best Buy partnering with CinemaNow to stream first-run DVDs to 'all web-connected devices sold' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy partnering with CinemaNow to stream first-run DVDs to 'all web-connected devices sold'

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:11:00 EST

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Funai, CinemaNow team up to include online video store access in devices worldwide

Richard Lawler — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST

Expect various movie streaming services to pop up in every store brand TV, Blu-ray player and set-top box around shortly, now that Funai and CinemaNow have announced a business deal. The two companies have a lot in common, while you may see Sylvania, Magnavox, Philips and Emerson as the brand on the shelf, Funai puts together the lower end electronics that end up flying off the shelves of local Wal-marts, while CinemaNow 's movie store is behind the online efforts of giants like Blockbuster. Be prepared to notice on-device streaming as the next checkbox next to "3D digital comb filter" on every generic cardboard box in the electronics aisle, though until the experience improves we don't see too many customers taking advantage.

Filed under: Industry, Internet

Funai, CinemaNow team up to include online video store access in devices worldwide originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media

Darren Murph — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST

Not sure if you've noticed, but CEDIA has just kicked off down in the ATL. One of the first to introduce something genuinely fresh is Sherwood (of all companies), with its R-904N NetBoxx pulling double duty as a 7.1-channel AV receiver and an internet media portal. For starters, the compact set-top-box looks nothing like a typical AVR, but you'll still find 700 total watts of amplification, three HDMI 1.3 inputs, one Toslink input, a pair of coaxial audio inputs and support for Dolby Volume, Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master high-resolution audio formats. Once you're done hooking up your music makers, feel free to shove an Ethernet cable in there and witness its ability to pull down material from PlayOn (Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Amazon, etc.), CinemaNow, YouTube and SHOUTcast. There's also a USB socket for loading up media locally, and at just 17- x 10- x 2.5-inches, it shouldn't take up too much room underneath your current HDTV. It'll set you back $649.95 when it ships later this month, and you can feel free to dig even deeper in the full release just past the break.

Continue reading Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media

Filed under: Media streamers, Others, Internet

Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media

Darren Murph — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Continue reading Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Sherwood's 700W R-904N NetBoxx AV receiver dabbles in online media originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear expands Digital Entertainer line with the EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live

Nilay Patel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:05:00 EST

Netgear's Digital Entertainer media streamers have always been well-admired as capable and flexible home theater units, and it sounds like the new Digital Entertainer Live will keep that trend alive while bringing prices down -- the $150 box will play back just about any format you throw at it from just about any source, while offering YouTube, pay-per-view CinemaNow movies and VuNow and PlayOn support in the bargain. Seems like a pretty decent piece of kit, no outrageous claims here -- oh, except for this line about the Live's new video search tool that can "locate videos on the entire worldwide web" by searching "more than hundred thousand websites." That sounds... ominous. Way to go, guys -- first you add MKV support, then you try to blackmail the entire world. We always knew this would happen.

Update: We just spoke with Netgear and learned a couple interesting tidbits. First, although remote bears a resemblance to the one used with the Western Digital WD TV HD, that's all -- the actual box itself is completely different hardware, and the remote has a totally different layout. Second, PlayOn will be offered at a 25 percent discount to DE Live buyers, making the whole thing seem like even more of a bargain.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Netgear expands Digital Entertainer line with the EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear expands Digital Entertainer line with the EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live

Nilay Patel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:46:00 EST

Filed under: Media streamers

Netgear expands Digital Entertainer line with the EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p

Richard Lawler — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST

VUDU and Xbox Live, welcome your new competition in the 1080p movie streaming arena, now that Sonic Solutions has announced its CinemaNow service will offer "Blu-ray Disc resolution" (3D is already on the way) with buffer-free playback thanks to its new Cinevision Adaptive HD encoding and delivery system. Sonic claims to have a leg up since the system is already used for Blu-ray disc production, and it's teaming with Widevine for the adaptive streaming backend. As usual, even if you're not directly a CinemaNow user, its wide compatibility and position behind Blockbuster's store and upcoming ones from Best Buy and Zip.ca should mean 1080p streaming to an ethernet equipped home theater device will be available no matter where you are, whether you're ready to ditch the discs (and downloads) or not.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p

Richard Lawler — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Media streamers, Internet

Sonic upgrading CinemaNow movie streaming to 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verismo's VuNow set-top-box finally gets movie streaming

Darren Murph — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:04:00 EST

Verismo Networks may not boast the namesake of a Roku, Sony or LG, but its unassuming VuNow PoD just keeps getting more and more bonny. Priced at $99, this internet-to-TV media streamer makes it simple for simpletons to get web content onto their HDTV, and after snagging YouTube support last December, the box has finally nailed down a partnership that will bring bona fide films into households. Sonic Solutions, which has certainly been on a tear of late pushing its CinemaNow platform, has agreed to let VuNow users purchase CinemaNow programming, which includes material from over 250 content providers. We're also told that this deal is far from the last we'll see in the near future, though there's no word on whether Netflix is next. If so, consider the VuNow game officially "on." Full release is after the break.

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Filed under: Home Entertainment

Verismo's VuNow set-top-box finally gets movie streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VuNow streaming set-top boxes to get CinemaNow streaming movie access

Richard Lawler — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:26:00 EST

Verismo's quest to bring its streaming media platform to more customers and OEMs has received a shot in the arm, now that the company announced support for CinemaNow. CinemaNow has already announced plans to come directly to flatscreens via widgets, so if the VuNow platform is adopted into more hardware as it was by Sherwood, expect to have one more internet movie-capable box sneaking into your living room disguised as a receiver, amplifier or cable DVR over the next few years. Word is this is just the first content announcement with more to come, while we anticipate who is next (CinemaNow-based providers like Blockbuster are an easy bet) check the full press release after the break.

Continue reading VuNow streaming set-top boxes to get CinemaNow streaming movie access

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers, Internet

VuNow streaming set-top boxes to get CinemaNow streaming movie access originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic brings CinemaNow films to flash drives, connected devices

Darren Murph — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:54:00 EST

We can only hope that the travesty that is slotMusic isn't coming over to the film side, but just days after Disney announced its intentions to offer up major motion pictures on microSD cards, Sonic Solutions has stepped in to bring CinemaNow flicks to USB flash drives. Unlike you'd probably think this would work, Sonic has actually developed these to function in more than one place. Each stick contains a movie along with an integrated media player and the necessary video codecs, but aside from enabling users to play back content locally, there's also the option of catching it remotely. Once connected to the 'net, owners can add the title to their Roxio CinemaNow Digital Locker to access it on network-connected Blu-ray players and HDTVs. If all goes well, the first drives will start showing up in Q4 of this year, just in time to puzzle your young ones when they unwrap their favorite film on something other than a round disc.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

Sonic brings CinemaNow films to flash drives, connected devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow

Darren Murph — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST

Like it or not, 3D movies are coming to your house. If you're looking to be one of the first on the block to stream the third-dimension onto your computer monitor or 3D-ready HDTV, Sonic Solutions is making sure you have that option. Announced today, the company is utilizing Roxio's CinemaNow platform to provide users access to 3D films, and all of those files are optimized for use with NVIDIA's GeForce GPUs and its 3D Vision / 3D Vision-ready displays. Frankly, we're shocked to see CinemaNow involved in all of this, but this just might be the offering that makes the service at least marginally relevant again. Sadly, there's no hard data surrounding pricing and release, but needless to say, you should probably go ahead and don those funky goggles just in case it goes down sooner rather than later.

Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Internet

Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow

Darren Murph — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CinemaNow to offer flicks via a Yahoo! Widget this fall

Richard Lawler — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:22:00 EST

Just in case you were wondering how Blockbuster was so easily sliding onto Samsung televisions, Sonic Solutions officially announced its plan to launch a Yahoo! Widget this fall, so we should expect to see the many CinemaNow powered online movie houses like Blockbuster, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. and upcoming efforts from Best Buy and Zip.ca popping up in menus for internet connected TVs and set-top boxes all over.

Filed under: Displays, Internet

CinemaNow to offer flicks via a Yahoo! Widget this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blockbuster OnDemand en route to Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems

Ross Miller — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:10:00 EST

Questionable longevity or no, Blockbuster's taking some strides to get itself firmly into the video on demand business, and this latest announcement will go a long way with that. The company announced that it's integrating its OnDemand service into Samsung HDTVs, home theater systems, and Blu-ray players starting Fall 2009. Better still, those with LED HDTVs series 7000 or above, LCD / Plasmas series 650 or above, and select 2009 Blu-ray players / theater systems can get the service later via firmware update. It's still got a ways to go if it wants to catch up to Netflix, but every little bit helps, right?

Filed under: Blu-ray, Media streamers, Samsung

Blockbuster OnDemand en route to Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zip.ca and CinemaNow prepping Canada's first movie download service

Richard Lawler — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:31:00 EST

Finally, Canada is getting a legit digital download option, now that Zip.ca and Sonic Solutions have announced plans to team up on a movie service. Though short on details (according to the PR it is still "exploring a number of models," including a la carte and subscription) CEO Curt Millar's stated goal to become consumer's destination for online movie access should be bolstered by using CinemaNow, since its service is already supported on hardware from TiVo to PC to LG Blu-ray players and more, it shouldn't be too difficult to work with hardware already in customers homes or coming out in the future. Millar told Joystiq his company "would love" to follow Netflix's lead to console access, but don't run to your Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii just yet, Canucks, there's no partnerships to announce yet.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: Industry, Misc, Internet

Zip.ca and CinemaNow prepping Canada's first movie download service originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CinemaNow launches Wii movie streaming service in Japan

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:03:00 EST

CinemaNow, the company that's over the years brought streaming content (and often Frisbees) to such varied devices as the Samsung P2, various Dell PCs, and the Xbox 360, has announced that it's partnering with Fujisoft to deliver flicks to the Nintendo Wii. The service will initially launch in Japan, subjecting our friends to the East to such Paramount Pictures fare as Hotel For Dogs and Madagascar 2: Return of the Sassy Cartoon Animals, but we're fairly confident that a Stateside launch is in our future. In related news, cult film director Tommy Wiseau is reportedly negotiating with Chintendo to bring his inadvertent comedies to the Vii game platform.

Continue reading CinemaNow launches Wii movie streaming service in Japan

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment

CinemaNow launches Wii movie streaming service in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonic shoves Qflix DVD burners into more Dell desktops

Darren Murph — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:22:00 EST

We know you're struggling to believe your eyes, but those Qflix burners actually are still hanging around. For those who missed all the action last year, these devices enable users to download a DRM-laced film onto their PC and burn it onto a specially-keyed DVD for playback. In other words, you can forget about toasting flicks to that dusty stack of DVD-Rs you've got laying around from late '05. For whatever reason, Dell has seen fit to extend its partnership with Sonic Solutions by offering internal Qflix drives on the Studio XPS Desktop, Studio XPS 435, Studio Desktop and Studio Slim Desktop. The wild part? Its actually charging more for having you clean out its inventory.

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals

Sonic shoves Qflix DVD burners into more Dell desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy prepping an entry into the digital distribution game

Richard Lawler — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:31:00 EST

Apparently Blu-ray sales aren't increasing fast enough for everyone, in its ongoing plan to not pull a Circuit City, Best Buy is reportedly in talks with CinemaNow and other, unnamed, movie services about launching a digital delivery arm as early as this summer. CinemaNow is well prepared to set up online video stores for others, with Blockbuster (bad example) and Dell already on board. Variety suggests Best Buy could market and sell Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes that include CinemaNow access, with a shared revenue stream between the two, but nothing is final. Netflix has a hit on its hands with Watch Instantly so think it over, would you give an Insignia Blu-ray player or HDTV a second look if it could download movies?

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Best Buy prepping an entry into the digital distribution game originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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