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Ask Engadget HD: Best Netflix streamer?
A Netflix Watch Instantly app is pretty much a standard feature on home theater devices these days, but with so many options, how do you choose which one to use? That's what our friend Don wants to know, but we'll let him describe the situation first: I've got plenty of options on what to use for Netflix streaming, but how am I supposed to know which one is the best? I've been using my PlayStation 3 for a while and dig the surround sound, but it stopped working when the PlayStation Network went down and since then I've been switching between the Xbox 360 and my Samsung TV's embedded Netflix app. I've got a Roku player in another room but i don't use that very often. Every now and then there's some softness in a picture or one of them won't pull an HD stream if it's available and I wonder if I should switch for good, but so far it's easier to just go with whichever one is the easiest. Do you have a preferred option? There you have it, with many of us doing at least some streaming now we're wondering which way have you found works best to bring Netflix's movies to your TV screen? Obviously only a few options support extra features like 1080p streams, surround sound or closed captions, and even with standardization on the new HTML5 UI, there's several devices out there going their own way. We've done our own comparisons, but the rapid iteration of hardware and software has left it a little out of date. He's probably not the only one with more than one Netflix-capable box in the living room either, so let us know why you chose the one you use most in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Is there a universal remote that works with Apple TV?
One unfortunate side effect of the connected TVs and set-top boxes invading living rooms is a whole new set of remotes to deal with. This week our question comes from Steven who has a stable of four remotes he'd like to slim down, but he's not sure how to make it all work: Just bought a Samsung 51" 720p plasma. Love the TV, slight regret about not getting 1080p, but I mostly stream from my Apple TV and watch OTA broadcasts. My question is, I have about four remotes (TV, Vizio Soundbar, Panasonic Blu-ray, Apple TV) and I can't stand it. Is a Harmony remote worth getting and will it work with my Apple TV, which is my main source for content. And if so, which model is ideal? Thanks for the help! There you have it, it's not an overly complex situation, but we're wondering if Harmony or anyone else has a one remote solution that will take care of his issue. An alternative of course is going all app-happy on a smartphone, but we're sure if there's a simpler way some of you must have figured it out. Let us know how it's going in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: I need a new HDTV
Sure, sometimes our queries are incredibly specific, super high end or relate to a deeper need for a comfortable home life, but sometimes a guy just needs a new TV. This is the case for our friend Jared, but we'll let him spill the details: My TV just died. It was a 50 inch Vizio Plasma unit. I've been looking for a new one and I'm having a hard time choosing which type to go with. I mainly play video games (Xbox and Playstation) and I watch a lot of sports with some Netflix streaming in there as well. So which type of HDTV is best for those things? LCD or LED or Plasma? There you go, Jared is a simple man with simple needs. We don't know specifically what size or price range he's targeting but let's assume he wants to stay in the same range as his old TV. Let us know in the comments below which model you'd suggest to someone just looking to pick up a TV quickly, probably without scanning the luminance, contrast and motion detail of every display on the shelf. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: When is it better to let a custom installer do all the work?
As much as we love drilling holes, running cables and troubleshooting issues in search of the perfect home theater, there's a certain point where it makes sense to call in a professional to do the job instead. Today our question comes from Casey, who is trying to figure out where to draw that line: "I finally have the house, the rooms and the resources to get the theater room I've been dreaming about with everything separated in its own closet, HTPC, in-wall speakers, tie-ins to home automation and maybe some multiroom streaming if I get around to it. After over a year of "work" all there is to show for it is some shelving in the closet, HDMI and power cables run to nowhere, my old stereo still in place and the Xbox 360, satellite receiver and Blu-ray player in a heap underneath the TV. My wife would like to have the room back at some point and is suggesting we just call someone and have them set it up since I don't have the time. I'm still not sure it won't cost too much to bring in a pro and let them have all the fun do all the work, plus I want the satisfaction of doing it myself but I'm running out of time. What should I do, and where can I look for a good installer that won't rip me off at $1,000 per cable?" There you have it, obviously Casey has a plan in his head of what he wants, but getting there is tricky. If you've thought about handing the job over to a custom installer let us know in the comments what pushed you to eventually do it, or dig in and get the job done yourself. [Picture above belongs to pchin] Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: All-in-one DVR to replace my HTPC?
As much as we love DIY projects, HTPC owners know that from time to time the "yourself" part can be the most frustrating one when things don't work quite right. That's where our friend Chris finds himself on his current project, and he's looking for a way out: "Last year, I built my latest generation of Windows Media Center HTPCs. They're quad-core beasts w/ SSD OS drives and 1 TB storage drives. 4 GB of RAM, Blu-ray drives, Windows 7, gyro-mouse remote -- the works. I've got 4 total tuners via 2 HD Homeruns connected to 3 separate attic/rooftop antennas. On paper, it all sounds like a dream. The reality is, Windows Media Center has been a nightmare to use and maintenance is a never-ending chore. Codecs, subtitles, driver issues, more codec issues, software glitches, more codec issues, problems with going to/waking up from sleep, poor performance even on these powerful quad-core machines, etc. etc. Needless to say, I'm in the market for a replacement. Here is my small (and what I think is a very reasonable) checklist. At least 2x ATSC tuner that works w/ OTA antennas. I know a lot of people are convinced they can get everything they need from the web, but when there is free HD video being broadcast, and plenty to watch on the dozen or so channels in my area, I feel like it is a very logical request to have my streamer/HTPC box include tuners. DLNA support. It has to be able to fetch/store metadata and cover art. It doesn't have to get carried away with cast/crew photos or anything..just basic cover art, description, runtime, rating, etc. would do. Netflix/Hulu Plus. These are an absolute must, but it'd be nice to do Youtube and a few other basic streaming services if possible. (Continued after the break)
Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest media streamer that plays MKVs?
Our friend Nathan is a simple guy with simple needs. He just wants to stream MKVs from a DLNA server to watch on his HDTV and he doesn't want to pay a lot or do a lot of work to do it. We'll let him break down the situation: I was about to buy an Apple TV for $99 with the express purpose of hacking it (jailbreak) to put XBMC on it -- to play MKV files from my DLNA server. And then it occurred to me, maybe there is a cheaper solution, that doesn't require a hack, for this purpose? What are the pros and cons of going with such an alternate? So what is it: Roku, WDTV, the hacked Apple TV he was already planning to go with, or something else? Let us know what you'd recommend and why in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best AV receiver for around $600?
It's been quite a while since we checked in on the midrange receiver market, but our friend Simon's query has brought this crucial home theater component back to the forefront: "It's way past time for me to get a new receiver, my old one doesn't even have HDMI and I'm ready for a full audio upgrade. I don't want to break the bank and I figure I should be able to get something good for $500 - $600, but which one's the best? I do use my iPod so compatibility with that would be nice, and since I plan to have this one as long as I did the old one, it should probably be 3D ready and all of that stuff too. Any ideas?" Simple and to the point, there's plenty of brands and models out there to choose from and the 2010 market has been full of selections that meet his criteria. Let us know which one you prefer in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best connected TV for me?
You can't walk down an electronics store aisle without three or four connected or smart TV platforms jumping out at you, but which one is actually the best? That's the question our friend Dwight wants to have answered, but we'll let him break down the situation: "I'm looking into buying a new HDTV for the bedroom, there's no cable box in there currently and I'm not sure if I want to have a new line run anyway. What I'd like to do is get a TV that can stream Netflix and Vudu, as well as any downloaded videos from my PC or a USB drive and pictures from Facebook or Flickr without too much hassle. Built in WiFi would be a big plus and I really want to avoid needing an external set-top box. Is there anything out there that fits my needs?" What he's describing seems to cross paths with any number of connected TVs from all the major manufacturers, but we figure a few of you probably have enough experience with them at home to know what's a good fit for this situation. Let us know how yours is working out in the comments, or if you think he's crazy for even attempting the all-in-one approach when there's so many set-top boxes and Blu-ray players out there. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: How do I choose a projector screen?
We know, we know, projectors have been woefully underrepresented here, but this week it's their time to shine. We've fielded more than one question about what projector to buy but this week it's a little different. Our friend Paul already has his beamer, but so far it's only pointed at a nearby wall, and he wants to know how he can make the projector just a little bit better: I recently upgraded from my smallish TV to an Epson Home Cinema 8350 projector, and while watching movies or play some Black Ops looks great shot directly onto one of the walls in my apartment at 100-inches+, I'm wondering what screen should I get to improve the picture even more? I've heard of using special paint as a screen also, so that's an option. Any suggestions? There you have it, we know more than a few of you are living the bigscreen lifestyle courtesy of a nice projector, let us know what you're actually shooting those 1080p images at to get the most accurate and brightest picture possible. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Combo media streamer and Blu-ray/DVD ripper?
It's been a while since we addressed this one, but the possibility of setting up an HTPC or media streamer, ripping ones DVD/Blu-ray collection and putting the discs out to pasture for good is an attractive idea to many. For our friend Stanford, that's the question, but also with an eye towards doing it simply in a way that can be explained to those who are less savvy: "Over Thanksgiving much of my family saw my desktop setup as a HTPC with XBMC running on my HDTV. Naturally I get asked many questions about how they could accomplish such. Unfortunately, none of them are 'computer-savy.' Mostly what they enjoyed was having a whole library of movies available with a couple clicks. I wanted to suggest some of the mediacenter box such as Western Digital's, Boxee, Popcorn Hour,... but I realized the main holdup would be the ripping of movies and transferring/networking them to the box. Are there any mediacenter boxes out that support inserting a DVD/Bluray, rip, encode, and add it to the library? I'm somewhat doubting it due to DMCA issues of breaking copy-protection." We know more than a few of you have your own media library kicking around, when a novice asks "How can I get one like that?" is there a push button solution to share... or do you just give them the "if you have to ask.." look? Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Who has the best Black Friday deals?
It's that time of year, for the family to get together... and carefully plan which big box retailer they're going to spend the night camped outside of to obtain a slight discount on a flat screen TV of questionable quality. At least, that's what it's like if you're in Scott's family, but we'll let him tell it: Every year I see the crazy discounted Black Friday sale ads, and this time around I've finally got a decent amount of cash saved up to upgrade my TV room and it's time to go in. I've got a 32-inch LCD TV in there now that I'd like to replace, and the sound system could use upgrading too. Now that the sale pages are rolling out, any idea on who has the best offers and what to avoid? Well, we've done our part to try and put some of the shopping info out there, so why don't you chip in and share any particularly good offers you've seen floating around for the next couple of weeks. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Best way to record TV on my PC?
Sure you can always go Windows Media center CableCARD style, but what if you just want to record a few clips of what's already coming out of your set-top box or available via ClearQAM on your PC? We'll let Bruce lay it out for you: What is the best method or hardware for the amateur to use in a PC to record cable TV signals - we use Comcast HD service with box top now but my understanding is that we can only really record Clear QAM over the air. Of course, one angle is to man up and get in line for an InfiniTV card, but if all you want to do is record HD sources on your PC, we want to know what is the best way to go about it. There's always the Hauppauge HD PVR, but is that the only or best way? Let us know how you do it in the comments. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Setting up IR repeaters?
As your home theater setup grows, for many a problem is moving components out of line of sight, and still being able to control them. While for a few a Bluetooth or other RF technology takes care of remote control issues, the majority of devices still rely on IR control, and making that work is what our friend Keith is trying to figure out: "Hopefully you can help me out. My father in-law had a custom entertainment cabinet made that has no windows. Obviously in order to work the components, the doors have to be open. He currently has a Comcast DVR and Blu-Ray player (Magnavox), all connected to a 60" LG LCD TV; which he would like to control with the doors shut. Naturally he is looking at me to solve his problem. Never having set up a I.R. repeater, I've done a little research on the good ol' web. I was surprised to find a range of products and prices to be able to set this up. Secondly, some look easy and some look complicated. I need help. What is the best, fairly cheapest, and easiest way to set up a repeater for the components listed? Do I have to buy 2 repeaters to be able to control both components or do they make one that branches off." We've talked about setting up IR blasters before and how to shift your components to an out of the way cabinet or similar, but for this specific request we're wondering what you're relying on to keep those little bursts of light headed in the right direction. As usual, drop any recommendations in the comments. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Best receiver with Bluetooth headphone support?
We're no stranger to questions about audio setups on Ask Engadget HD, and we've even covered a bit about what to do for those seeking the best home theater experience with headphones. Still, we're a bit unfamiliar with what to do when you want to use headphones, but throw in the additional demand of using them wirelessly. We'll let our friend Andrew explain: I've been putting off buying an AV receiver for far too long - a recent change to one of Panasonic's midrange plasma TVs has made me feel the need to complement the good video with good audio (or better). The Easy: I need something that has a number of HDMI ports (at least 3, but 4 or more would be ideal) and some composite ports (the Wii has to stay) plus all of the requisite audio codec standards (DTS-HD, Dolby, etc.). The Not-So-Easy: The one requirement I'm looking for that seems to be giving me more trouble than anything else is that I want something that transmits Bluetooth A2DP to a wireless set of headphones - I often wake up much earlier than my wife does and I don't want to disturb her and I already have a serviceable set of Bluetooth headphones. Is it better to continue to look for a receiver that does A2DP for me or should I look for an alternative way to drive wireless audio? So there you have it, while his receiver requests are certainly well within the norm (admit it -- many of you are using the 480p-only Wii too) the request for A2DP makes this one more special. Anyone out there having a good experience with wireless audio via Bluetooth? Let us know what to look for in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Should I buy a 720p HDTV?
While you may already be drooling over a Super Hi-Vision TV, in the present day we're still pretty limited when it comes to resolution. While 1080p HDTVs have been around long enough to dominate the market at most price points, there are still plenty of 720p models hanging around, and Brian's considering buying one. We'll let him make the case: "It's decision time -- I need a new HDTV and I need the biggest display I can to fill up a blank wall in my apartment to watch TV and play games on. I've taken a look at a lot of different models, and honestly, I don't see a lot of difference in the store between the 720p and 1080p ones. Panasonic and Samsung have 50-inch 720p plasmas in the store for less than $800 that would fill my space and my budget perfectly, but I don't want to regret this purchase down the road. My couch is about eight feet away from the TV, but sometimes I sit closer. Is it worth sacrificing size for extra resolution, or should I get the biggest display I can and just pull that 720p sticker off before anyone sees it?" Now that even 3D features have trickled down to the 720p range with Samsung's PN50C490, and even Apple possibly foregoing 1080p for its iTV, we're wondering what you think is more important if you have to make a choice: pixels or square inches. The Panasonic C2 series plasma HDTVs and Samsung 450s fit the bill, but we wouldn't want Brian to sell himself short when he plugs in a Blu-ray player down the road. Lend us your sage and reasoned advice in the comments. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Best HDTV for gaming, pwning?
Every HDTV purchase comes with its own set of considerations, and for our friend Philip, the main one is playing videogames. You can keep your THX certifications and internet connected widgets, we need to know what will contribute to the greatest kill/death ratio, period: "I just graduated and moved to a new city so I'm finally ready to buy my first HDTV. I watch TV and some football every now and then, but my main obsession is gaming, specifically Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Super Street Fighter IV. I've been scraping by playing with my Xbox 360 connected to a computer monitor for now, but when it comes to a nice 50- or 55-inch display, which one has the least amount of input lag so I can keep my k/d ratio up and count frames properly for combos and counters?" Everyone has their something, and we're sure more than a few of you are just as focused on your television's gaming performance as anything else, so why not help him out. Let us know what TVs you're using, and if necessary, what settings or gaming modes work the best so you're not a frame or two behind at crucial moments. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Receiverless audio out from a HTPC?
Having a computer in the living room isn't an uncommon sight around here, but trying to cut down the number of living room components can lead to some interesting questions. This week, Kit is wondering if he can get a quality audio setup without a dedicated receiver: I am a big HTPC enthusiast and also a bit of a tinkerer/customizer. I have a pretty sweet HTPC box set up right now and my goal is to have it be the ONLY box under my tv. Using media center and some plugins I have found it can be my all in one solution.Since I really don't have anything to switch between, I am trying to eliminate a A/V receiver all together. I have looked for a solution online, but I can't find one. I know you can get some really expensive sound cards with some sweet output options, but how do I hook it up to some real speakers with real speaker cables? LFO for a Powered sub? I'm assuming the best solution would to be a small amplifier box tucked behind the system (with the sound card doing the decoding and computing) and I can live with that. Is this crazy or am I not alone in my one box quest? Insanity, or ingenuity? Whether you have a good way for Kit to accomplish his goal, or a good reason why not to try, drop a line in the comments and let us know. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best new demo material for my home theater?
We get asked this question all the time, what's the best thing to watch and listen to on a new home theater setup? Our friend Jeremy just got everything set up the way he wants it, and now it's time to pick out some demo material, but we'll let him ask the questions: "I've finally put all the finishing touches on my dream home theater -- 1080p projector, 100-inch screen, in-wall speakers, theater-style seating the works, which I plan to use to avoid the heat all summer. Only one question left at this point -- what to watch?" Last year we got plenty of great suggestions, and of course would point out the (since moved) Tier 0 list of titles on AVSForum as a starting place. Still, we're wondering if you've got any new contenders in the demo disc rotation for 2010, or if there's any special movies, games or otherwise yet to come out that may fit the bill -- our first suggestion is above.
Ask Engadget HD: Best Laptop HTPC?
We're pretty used to wondering about what kind of computer is best suited for connecting to your HDTV, but what if it also has to pull double duty as an on the go workhorse? That's the dilemma of our friend Scott: "'I've been looking to buy a nettop PC with an Atom/ION to use as my HTPC, like the Acer Aspire Revo R3610, and hook it up to my home network, but I would also like to have a laptop for portability. I can't afford both so I need to make the best choice. I mainly watch recorded TV from my Windows 7 Media Center PC, DVDs, surf the internet and play an occasional 3D game. I'll be hooking this up to my 60" LG plasma TV. I don't need Blu-ray playback as I use my PS3 for this. Are there any laptops that aren't too bulky/heavy, have enough power to handle 1080p playback through HDMI output and have a large enough screen to watch movies when in the go? I was looking at the HP dv4-2165dx. What would you recommend? A few of you must have similar requirements for your mobile computing, so we're wondering what you've found to fit your needs. Moving beyond even Scott's situation, is Blu-ray playback a major issue in laptop purchasing these days, or are you comfortable with portable copies and rips when you leave the house? Feel free to drop all advice and notes in the comments below. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Ask Engadget HD: Should I switch to Windows Media Center?
We've dealt with plenty of novices considering making the jump to CableCARD and Windows Media Center, but what about someone with a more complex setup and list of requirements? Enter our friend Daryl, currently using a 20TB home server feeding ripped discs to a Mac Mini running Plex, and a TiVo for normal TV watching, plus similar hardware in another room. Now that the Ceton quad tuner CableCARD is on the way, he's thinking of integrating his setup with WMC, but there's a few questions to answer first: "I currently have a 20 terabyte server (Server 2003 ) in the closet serving 800+ DVD and Blu-ray rips. I want to consolidate my devices and also take advantage of my server by switching to Windows Media Center using a Ceton device. Can I access live and recorded TV content on another PC other than the PC, or between two PCs equipped with CableCARDs? Can TV shows be recorded directly to my server or any other server other than the local PC? Does MCE have support for TS, VOB and MKV? How about on the fly closed caption switching? Finally, what about bitstreaming Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, and pulling in fan or cover art for my archived recordings?" That's no lightweight set of queries, but we're sure some of the Media Center gurus here can break down what to expect when making the switch. So let us know, do you think he'll find satisfaction post transition, or will switching products mean compromising this home theater dream in a few areas? Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
