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Engadget Podcast 250 - 07.29.2011
Yes yes, y'all: it's the Engadget Podcast. We're brimming this week, as usual, with the low down on what's going down with all the new stuff. We've got the killer combo of lots of streaming news and a dearth of optical drives. We've got shaky earnings calls translating into big deals on the floor at Best Buy. And boy, do we have a little bit of Android news? We do! It's all here, as usual. Enjoy.Host: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: Dana Wollman, Richard LawlerProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Beethoven's 5th02:24 - Mac mini review (mid 2011)03:20 - Editorial: Apple's officially over the optical drive, for better or worse09:16 - MacBook Air review (mid 2011)16:10 - Netflix adds Mad Men in the US today, CBS content in Canada and Latin America later16:34 - Amazon Prime Instant Video is adding CBS TV shows, including all of Star Trek17:50 - Amazon strikes movie streaming deal with Universal, adds 'Fear and Loathing' to free shipping24:17 - The Engadget Show - 023: We tour a headphone factory, talk record labels, and look at They Might Be Giants' favorite gadgets25:36 - Nintendo posts earnings, drops 3DS from $249 to $169 August 12th, current owners get 20 free games28:47 - Logitech CEO steps down after money losing Q1, Revue price slashed to $9937:15 - Toshiba Thrive review39:52 - HTC Status review44:46 - Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in-depth preview (video)46:20 - HTC CFO says it's time to 'figure it out' with Apple48:52 - Two more fake Apple Stores spotted by officials in China, two get the smackdown50:40 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastSend your questions to @tim_stevens.Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comTwitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @danawollman @rjcc
HDMI 1.4 officially detailed: Ethernet / Audio Return channels, 3D, 4K x 2K support
We already heard that HDMI 1.4 was just around the bend, and now HDMI Licensing has come forward with all of the official details surrounding the specification. Unfortunately for AV enthusiasts, it seems as if we're taking two steps forward and three back, and we get this sinking feeling that HDMI 1.5 will be here before we know it. At any rate, the main additions to the format are an Ethernet channel, audio return channel, 3D over HDMI, 4K x 2K resolution support, a micro HDMI connector (around half the size of the existing HDMI Mini plug) and an automotive connection system. All fine and good, right? Sure, until you get to the part about having to choose between five different HDMI 1.4 cables, something that the suits at Monster just had to have a hand in. For a detailed look at what you'll need to study up on before buying your next HDMI cable, clinch your fists and hit the read link.
HDMI 1.4 brings internet sharing, dreadful tiers of quality
Okay, so there's good news and bad news. Given that we just love to tease, we'll start you off with the positives. HDMI 1.4 was just revealed, bringing with it an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) that enables data transfers of up to 100 Mbps between supported connected devices. Put simply, this could allow a "broadband-connected television using its HEC-enabled HDMI port to provide internet connection sharing with another HEC-enabled device such as a game console or DVR." Furthermore, the spec's Audio Return Channel (ARC) enables broadcast audio to be easily streamed back to an external amplifier, and the Automatic Content Enhancement (ACE) provides support for "future 3D video standards, increased resolution support (up to 4,096 x 2,160 pixels at up to 30Hz), and content recognition that promises to automatically optimize the TV's picture settings based on content type."The bad news? HEC will only work with new HDMI 1.4 spec cables, and those will be graded into two separate levels of performance: low- and high-data rate. We needn't describe to you what kind of ball Monster Cable is going to have with that one, but even outside of that, we're baffled by the decision to add one more complexity to a cable that should seriously be doing everything in its power to not be overshadowed by DisplayPort. At any rate, we're told that Silicon Image is hoping to ship chip samples to manufacturers in Q2 2009, while HDMI 1.4-enabled products could arrive as early as next year. We aren't holding our breath, but we'll gladly eat crow if need be.
