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Roku Hulu Plus hits version 1.9 with a few improvements
Besides its 1996 throwback shenanigans, Hulu has rolled out an update to its channel on Roku media streamers today. In concert with Roku's update yesterday it should help make Hulu Plus streaming a smoother experience, tweaking for overscan and improving playback reporting just like the recent update on PS3. So far the reaction there seems mostly positive, let us know if you're finding things any different since the update in the comments.
HD 101: Overscan and why all TVs do it
The concept of overscan seems particularly difficult for geeks to comprehend -- normal people usually don't care to even understand it -- and some even get down right confrontational when they first learn that all TVs do it. But the fact is that even the latest LCDs and plasmas don't show all 2 million pixels of a 1080p signal out of the box. Instead about 3 percent of 'em are cropped off the edges (as illustrated by the red line in the image above) and the remaining pixels are scaled to fill in all the pixels of your HDTV. The real kick in the head is that the reason isn't a good one, especially when you consider the advanced technology that's available today. So in this HD 101 we're going to cover what overscan is, why it's there, and finally how to "fix" it. Other HD 101 goodness: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB? How to use Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD with your PS3 Why there are black bars on HDTVs
You know you're a videophile if...
You actually know what OAR stands for and won't watch anything but. You believe edge enhancements are a crime against humanity. You understand that contrast is the most important video spec. You know that more P isn't always better -- as in 1080p vs 720p. You realize that properly de-interlaced video is perfectly acceptable and possible. You can't watch DVDs anymore. HBO HD is a big joke. You can explain what 3:3 pull-down is and why you'd want it. You knew the actual differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray. You have at least one video calibration disc on Blu-ray. You don't think LCDs look better than Plasmas. You've helped a random person at Best Buy pick out a TV, and you don't even work there. It makes you mad that Samsung calls its new 6000, 7000 and 8000 series LED TVs. You make fun of 240Hz HDTVs. Your HDTV has been professional calibrated. There are Blu-ray Discs in your collection because of their picture quality. You know the name of the mode on your TV that disables overscan. You think it simply isn't possible for downloads to ever compare to Blu-ray in quality. Engadget HD is the first site you read every day when you wake up.
Does your HDTV support 1:1 pixel mapping?
Even if you don't know what 1:1 pixel mapping is, you probably think your TV supports it. If your TV does support this viewing mode, odds are it isn't on by default. 1:1 pixel mapping means your TV is capable of displaying the image sent to it pixel for pixel, without scaling or processing the video in any way. In other words, if your TV is fed 1920x1080p, then it displays 1920x1080p. Believe it or not usually your digital LCD, DLP or even Plasma takes the 1920x1080 image, shaves off a few lines and displays it. The reason isn't a good one, but it's 'cause TVs have had overscan so long that when digital TVs came along they actually engineered overscan into the set. This is not the case at all on computer monitors, where even one missing line is noticed. So if you want to see if your TV is capable of showing you the whole picture, look it up in your manual for a "pc mode" or even "dot by dot", or just head over to the AVSForum for a comprehensive list of HDTVs that support this elusive feature.
Syntax-Brillian goes big with 65-inch 1080p Olevia 665i LCD
Syntax-Brillian is showing off its first HDTV above 50-inches in the U.S. at Infocomm this week, the 65-inch, 1080p Olevia 665i. This LCD is aimed at the pro AV and high end home theater market, and is the first "large area display" to include the Silicon Optix Realta HQV scaler. That, along with Olevia's Big Picture technology to reduce overscan should ensure you get every pixel expected from HD and non-HD sources. Also included for the $9,999 MSRP are two sets each of HDMI and component inputs, RS232 control, removable speakers, and optional wall mount. No word on what, if any, tuners are a part of the package, but we're sure the FCC will be taking a look before this HDTV goes on sale in October.
Sharp Aquos LC-46D62U 1080p LCD reviewed
1080p LCDs are taking over this fall, and CNET quickly grabbed Sharp's new Aquos LC-46D62U to review. They had a lot of good to say, particularly when it came to the advertised 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, saying that the screen reproduced a deeper level of black than any non-CRT screen they have ever tested, plasma and RPTVs included. From the glossy black frame to off-angle viewing, praise is in abundance. The D62 series was also noted for its Dot-by-Dot mode to enable pixel perfect mapping of 1080-line sources without overscan. The only negatives came in the areas of color accuracy, as well as the lack of a dedicated PC-input and merely average scaling of 480i sources. CNET also mentioned the reports of banding issues with the D62 series, but had no problems with their review unit. Still, for the price, resolution and plasma-fighting black levels, it doesn't seem to get much better than this.
Toshiba updates Regza LCD lineup for native 1080p
Toshiba added 1080p output to their HD DVD line yesterday and since you'll need a TV to watch that on, they also updated their US line with new 1080p Regza LCDs. Unlike the Japanese editions of these HDTVs, they include just one Ethernet jack for Toshiba's THINC network capability to stream photos and MP3s (but no video like the Pioneer Elite plasmas) from a connected PC. The 47-inch 47LZ196 and 42-inch 42LZ196 are part of the Cinema Series Pro line, include 12-bit digital video processing for enhanced colors, 8ms response time but most importantly for HD-XA2 buyers (or Blu-ray users, we won't ask where your 1920x1080 source comes from) feature Native Mode, to display pixel-for-pixel 1080p with no scaling or overscanning. They are both CableCard ready, with dual HDMI inputs and "high-gloss black cabinetry". According to the original press release, the 47- and 42-inch models are due this month with MSRPs of $4,599 and $3,399 respectively, however Big Picture Big Sound says they have been updated to expect them in October, with MSRPs of $3,999 and $2,999 respectively. Combining the sooner date and lower prices sounds like a fair compromise to us.[Via Big Picture Big Sound]
Hooking up a Mac Mini to your HDTV: If it doesn't just work
Then you probably don't have a television that includes a digital input like DVI or HDMI. If you own an older HDTV that is a likely scenario but not one that should prevent you from enjoying the 1080i Apple loving that our friend Ben has shared with us. robg of Mac OSX Hints.com has created a walkthrough for connecting a Mac Mini running OS 10.4 using RGB cables and adjusting overscan. Even if you're not a Mac-phile check out his page anyway for the DVD quality/HDTV quality comparison of the Harry Potter trailer available. Blow them up full screen and check out the additional detail noticeable even in those stills.Update: You can also get more information on Rob's HD experience with the mini in this article.
