Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Time Warner Cable VOD coming to Sony Bravia HDTVs, sans the cable box]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/time-warner-cable-vod-coming-to-sony-bravia-hdtvs-sans-the-cabl/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/time-warner-cable-vod-coming-to-sony-bravia-hdtvs-sans-the-cabl/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/time-warner-cable-vod-coming-to-sony-bravia-hdtvs-sans-the-cabl/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments In a revelation that still has us in shock, Sony announced at CES tonight that its new Bravia HDTVs would give consumers direct access to Time Warner Cable video-on-demand. The details are very lacking at the moment but we can't think of another example of when a cable company has allowed its on demand content to be delivered on a 3rd party device. Of course this doesn't solve all our problems as the TVs don't have built in DVRs so that wonderful Time Warner set-top-box will still be tethered to your stunning HDTV, but it is a step in the right direction. Now we just wait to see how well it actually works when it finally actually gets rolled out.

Comments

]]> advanced tvAdvancedTvbraviacesces 2011ces2011live tvLiveTvsonystreamingTime Warner CableTimeWarnerCableTWCvideo-on-demandVOD Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:48:00 -0500 21|19789073 <![CDATA[Netflix headed to 'select Android devices' early next year]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/13/netflix-headed-to-select-android-devices-early-next-year/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/13/netflix-headed-to-select-android-devices-early-next-year/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/13/netflix-headed-to-select-android-devices-early-next-year/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Netflix has always been something of a fickle beast, lavishing treats upon just one platform at a time, but now that iOS, Windows Phone 7 and every game console under the sun are streaming its video, the firm's finally turned its gaze on Android. Come early 2011, Netflix will appear on "select Android devices," according to the company's official blog, which also promises a "standard, platform-wide solution" for Android in the unspecified future. What took so long, and why will Netflix be limited to particular handsets when it first rolls out? "The hurdle has been the lack of a generic and complete platform security and content protection mechanism available for Android," says the blog, stating piracy concerns. Apparently content holders aren't too keen on making movies available unless devices have DRM baked right in, so the solution is equip new phones with padlocks one at a time. Expect next year's high-end Android devices to have "Netflix" as a nice big bullet point.

[Thanks, Connor B.]

Comments

]]> AndroidNetflixNetflix for AndroidNetflixForAndroidstreaming videoStreamingVideovideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvodwatch instantlyWatchInstantly Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:23:00 -0500 21|19715532 <![CDATA[BBC iPlayer going international next year, will be either fee- or ad-supported]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/bbc-iplayer-going-international-next-year-will-be-either-fee-o/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/bbc-iplayer-going-international-next-year-will-be-either-fee-o/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/bbc-iplayer-going-international-next-year-will-be-either-fee-o/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The BBC's iPlayer video-on-demand service has been an unqualified success since its rollout back in 2007 and now it's taking the next logical step in expanding its reach: it's going global. Such is the word from John Smith, the generically named head of BBC Worldwide, who sees the international market for British shows as "under-exploited" and wants to see the iPlayer opened up beyond the Queen's home isles. Of course, since continental Europeans and North Americans aren't subject to the same backbreaking TV license fee, there'll be a new commercial element to the service, though the Beeb's bigwigs have yet to figure out if that means users will have to pay a levy or put up with some ads. Either way, we've got quite a few eager iPlayer viewers on our own staff, so we imagine whenever and however the switch does get flipped, it'll be welcomed by all.

Comments

]]> 2011bbcbbc iplayerbbc trustbbc worldwideBbcIplayerBbcTrustBbcWorldwidebritaincontentexportglobalinternationaliplayeron-demandstreamingukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvideo on demandvideo streamingvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVideoStreamingvod Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:11:00 -0500 21|19708924 <![CDATA[Hulu Plus on PS3, hands-on (update: video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-on-ps3-hands-on/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-on-ps3-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-on-ps3-hands-on/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sure, we already told you what Hulu Plus looked like on iPhone, iPad and a Samsung TV, and not much has changed since that juncture, but we expect a number of you care quite a bit about how it will operate on PlayStation 3, especially considering you'll (presently) have to cough up an additional $50 annually for the privilege. The good news is it's absolutely nothing like the PS3's disc-based Netflix solution -- here, you're looking at a responsive experience through and through, and the interface is about as simple and full-featured as we'd hoped.

After a 28MB download, we were invited to either log in with an email/password combination or link our console at Hulu's website, both of which launched the program nigh instantly from the hard drive. The interface afterwards is a dead-ringer for the Samsung TV version, except optimized for console control, with the analog stick and shoulder buttons smartly seeking through programs at high speed, or tapped to jump ahead in fifteen-second increments. You can similarly adjust video quality (and thus, bandwidth usage) with a press of the R1 button, watch picture-in-picture programs while you browse, and the search function admirably narrows down Hulu's content as quickly as you can type the letters in. It does have its bugs, like when we tried to watch High Fidelity and were asked if we wanted to subscribe to the show, and there was the time we got caught in an unending advertising loop for body wash, but that time we think the app was just trying to tell us something. Yeah, we'd better run out to the store, but don't go away -- hit the gallery below for a brief tour.

Update: Our friends at Joystiq have a video walkthrough; check it after the break!

Gallery: Hulu Plus on PS3

Filed under:

Comments

]]> hands-onHDHuluHulu PlusHuluPlusimpressionsPlayStation 3PlayStation PlusPlaystation3PlaystationPluspreviewPS PlusPS3PsPlusSonySony Playstation 3SonyPlaystation3streamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:23:00 -0400 21|19554696 <![CDATA[Hulu Plus launches on PS3, exclusive to Sony's console through 2010]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-launches-on-ps3-exclusive-to-sonys-console-through-2/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-launches-on-ps3-exclusive-to-sonys-console-through-2/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/hulu-plus-launches-on-ps3-exclusive-to-sonys-console-through-2/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The Sony Defense Force has reason to celebrate today, as the circle is now complete -- where Netflix HD once spited PS3 for Xbox 360, today Hulu Plus has chosen the PlayStation for limited console exclusivity through the end of the year. Today, "a select group" of PlayStation Plus subscribers can download the Hulu Plus app and start watching immediately, while regular ol' paying members can ask nicely (via the same app) and wait patiently for the privilege of shelling out an additional $10 a month. Those who aren't dropping $50 a year on PlayStation Plus aren't entirely out of luck, they'll just have to wait till the end of the preview period to get their Hulu on. Press release after the break, more info at the official PlayStation.Blog.

Comments

]]> console exclusivityConsoleExclusivityexclusiveExclusivityHulu PlusHuluPlusPlayStationPlayStation PlusPlaystationPlusPS3Sonysubscriberssubscriptionsubscriptionstrialtrial periodTrialPeriodvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:01:00 -0400 21|19554506 <![CDATA[PlayOn for iPhone brings a wealth of streaming video to iOS, we go hands-on (update)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/playon-for-iphone-brings-a-wealth-of-streaming-video-to-ios-we/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/playon-for-iphone-brings-a-wealth-of-streaming-video-to-ios-we/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/playon-for-iphone-brings-a-wealth-of-streaming-video-to-ios-we/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments It's ugly. It's buggy. It requires a Windows PC. But PlayOn for iPhone actually works, slinging Netflix, Hulu, CBS and more to your waiting Apple device over WiFi and (occasionally) 3G. Using the same PlayOn desktop client that presently redirects video-on-demand to your game console or a media streamer attached to your TV, subscribers can download an app on July 15th that transcodes content for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad as well, and is today the only way to get Netflix on your phone.

We spent some quality couch time with the program over the last couple of days, and with a powerful PC, fast internet and WiFi connection, we found video quite watchable on our iPhone 4, and there's no knocking PlayOn's breadth of content available, with loads of TV, a good deal of anime and your entire Netflix streaming queue available on the phone. The interface is barely there, though, just a series of poorly-spaced nesting menus, and it can take quite a few touchscreen presses and a bit of thought to find what you want to watch. There are a few bugs too, like one that kept shooting us back to the main menu randomly upon a button press, and another that locked us into a particular piece of content until both app and desktop server were restarted. Some content could have looked better on the 3.5-inch Retina Display if only we'd had the option to press the HD button, but the only controls Media Mall provides are forward, backward and volume, and even with full bars we're afraid we couldn't get 3G playback to work reliably. Since the company still offers a free 14-day trial of the service, the software's definitely worth a try, but if you want Hulu or Netflix on the go (or even around the house), we imagine you'll eventually end up using their dedicated apps instead.

Update: PlayOn's PR team tells us some of the exact bugs we found have already been fixed for tomorrow's launch, including crashes that return the user to the main menu, and system states that chain the user to a previously selected video. That's an impressive turnaround!

Update 2: The same team just pinged us again, and it looks like they've hit a roadblock. Apparently the app is once more "in review" under Apple's watch, so only Cupertino knows when exactly it'll be released to the world. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more.

Gallery: PlayOn for iPhone hands-on

Comments

]]> Applehands-onHuluiPadiPhoneiPod touchIpodTouchNetflixnetflix streamingnetflix watch instantlyNetflixStreamingNetflixWatchInstantlyPlayOnPlayOn for iPhoneplayon media serverplayon premiumPlayonForIphonePlayonMediaServerPlayonPremiumstreamerstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:32:00 -0400 21|19553272 <![CDATA[Voddler video-on-demand service free to the people (of Sweden)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/06/voddler-video-on-demand-service-free-to-the-people-of-sweden/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/06/voddler-video-on-demand-service-free-to-the-people-of-sweden/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/06/voddler-video-on-demand-service-free-to-the-people-of-sweden/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Voddler, the year old video-on-demand service that's wowing them in Western Europe (much like Sandra Kim did when she won Eurovision for Belgium in 1986) has just announced that as of today it is offering open enrollment to users in Sweden. The company is already boasting over 600,000 registered users (up until now, invitations were required), contracts with five of America's major movie studios, and Scandinavia's biggest assortment of free movies and TV shows. Sadly, if you're a displaced Norwegian living in the states, this will all do you no good at all: the service is not available in the US of A. We suppose this is all payback for Hulu's restrictions from international fans of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Either way, the situation is pretty "wackadoo." We've heard on the street that the service, which features a ten foot interface for living room friendly viewing and utilizes a P2PTV overlay network (similar to Vudu) for streaming should eventually hit the states, although there doesn't seem to be a timeline on that. PR after the break.

[Thanks, Karl]

Comments

]]> streaming videoStreamingVideoswedenvideovideo-on-demandvoddler Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:11:00 -0400 21|19543820 <![CDATA[Hulu CEO: we're 'complementary' to cable]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/hulu-ceo-were-complimentary-to-cable/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/hulu-ceo-were-complimentary-to-cable/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/hulu-ceo-were-complimentary-to-cable/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Hoping to trade in your expensive cable or satellite plan for a nice, juicy melon ball of cottage cheese-like... we mean, a portable Hulu Plus subscription at $10 a month? Not so fast, my fine fingered friend, because Hulu CEO Jason Kilar has revealed that killing cable is not a part of the company's evil plan, and he's not entertaining any ideas to the contrary. Kilar told AllThingsD that the service is "broadcast-focused" and "complementary to your cable and satellite service" by design, which is a nice way of saying the incestuous relationships between cable companies, content providers and Hulu itself keep it from offering premium programming -- at least, not at this sort of price.

Speaking of getting what you pay for, you may be surprised to hear Hulu Plus displays advertising even if you slap down currency every month, but the CEO said lengthy consumer research found that users were more willing to pay if the service were partially subsidized by ads. Think of them as tiny little brain tenderizers, and we're sure you'll be just fine.

Comments

]]> adsadvertisingbroadcastbroadcastingcableHuluHulu PlusHuluPlusJason KilarJasonKilarsubscriptionsubscriptionsvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:39:00 -0400 21|19537256 <![CDATA[Project Leap hopes to hop into your TV screen, source-agnostic VOD in tow]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/11/project-leap-hopes-to-hop-into-your-tv-screen-source-agnostic-v/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/11/project-leap-hopes-to-hop-into-your-tv-screen-source-agnostic-v/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/11/project-leap-hopes-to-hop-into-your-tv-screen-source-agnostic-v/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Last year, Bittorrent portal Vuze allowed you to push downloaded video directly to game consoles and iDevices, sure, but the company's latest product promises to let you pull media from the internet and any network-connected device right to your TV. Dubbed "Project Leap," the application lets you simply type in the name of a film and searches your local computers, attached storage, Amazon, Hulu and Netflix databases for a match, after which point you can play, add it to your queue, begin instant streaming or purchase (if need be). The program pulls up a widget-like selection of additional data as well, including Rotten Tomatoes reviews and YouTube trailers, and those who enjoy company with their digital celluloid will be happy to hear to hear Twitter, Fandango and live internet chat might make appearances as well.

Though we didn't get hands-on for ourselves, the scrolling, card-based interface seemed plenty polished in its present, five-button (up, down, left, right, ok) iteration -- the challenge now is to find a device manufacturer who'll build it into a set-top box or connected TV. Vuze CEO Gilles BianRosa said he might settle for it becoming a Google TV app or Yahoo widget itself, but only if the final combined product was simple; no offense to septuagenarian matriarchs, we're sure, but he told us it must be "grandmother" easy. While he said he's already received interest from unnamed consumer electronics companies, the product will launch one way or another -- even if Leap doesn't land in embedded hardware quite yet, a beta will be available in September for Mac and PC.

Comments

]]> amazon video on demandAmazon VODAmazonVideoOnDemandAmazonVodConnections 2010Connections2010FandangoGilles BianRosaGillesBianrosahands-onHuluLeapMacNetflixnetflix streamingnetflix watch instantlyNetflixStreamingNetflixWatchInstantlyproject leapProjectLeapsoftwarevideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVODVuze Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:12:00 -0400 21|19511947 <![CDATA[ABC's subscription video plans leaked in consumer survey?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/abcs-subscription-video-plans-leaked-in-consumer-survey/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/abcs-subscription-video-plans-leaked-in-consumer-survey/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/abcs-subscription-video-plans-leaked-in-consumer-survey/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments At Engadget HQ, we take great care not to trumpet the claims of a web survey, as it's always difficult to tell who's actually doing the surveying -- and even if we could, consumer surveys are all about a "what if" that may never actually come to pass. That said, it looks like maybe ABC is conducting a study asking folks whether they'd be interested in a subscription to an ABC.com streaming video service, and maybe that service might have a wide variety ABC shows, past and present, fully on-demand. Sound familiar? Interestingly, the subscription would seem to be offered alongside the existing free service, and both paid and free would have advertising, though reduced by 20 percent for those coughing up the fee. You can find a list of potentially potential shows included in the gallery below, forwarded to us by an anonymous tipster; we tried to take the survey ourselves, but were promptly rejected for our love of FlashForward.

Gallery: ABC's streaming subscription service survey?

Comments

]]> ABCABC PlayerABC.comAbcPlayerconsumer surveyConsumerSurveyleakleakedleaked surveyLeakedSurveyleakson-demandresearchrumorstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideostudysubscriptionsubscriptionssurveysurveysvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVODweb surveyWebSurvey Thu, 27 May 2010 20:41:00 -0400 21|19494807 <![CDATA[Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
With Akihabara, mobile TV that works and games like this, does Japan really need another nicety to remind us of how awesome it is? Starting this week, Yahoo Japan has started to deliver free video services to loads of Sharp AQUOS HDTVs. The so-called Douga Channel currently offers some 3,000 videos gratis, and absolutely no member registration is required to tap in. At least initially, the service will target Sharp's AQUOS DS6 family of products, which are equipped with a revised Sharp GUI and an 'Ex System' for handling the video processing. Better still, the material coming through can be viewed in SD or HD, which has to make local cable companies cringe. At any rate, the company is still trying to hammer out a business model before delving into pay-TV, and it's hoping to service at least one million TV sets in the not-too-distant future. So... any news for North America?

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Comments

]]> aquosaquos ds6AquosDs6contentdougahdhd vodhdtvHdVodinternetinternet tvinternet videoInternetTvInternetVideoiptvjapanlcdprogrammingsharpvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvodwidgetwidgetsyahooyahoo DougaYahooDouga Thu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 -0400 21|19050193 <![CDATA[Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
With Akihabara, mobile TV that works and games like this, does Japan really need another nicety to remind us of how awesome it is? Starting this week, Yahoo Japan has started to deliver free video services to loads of Sharp AQUOS HDTVs. The so-called Douga Channel currently offers some 3,000 videos gratis, and absolutely no member registration is required to tap in. At least initially, the service will target Sharp's AQUOS DS6 family of products, which are equipped with a revised Sharp GUI and an 'Ex System' for handling the video processing. Better still, the material coming through can be viewed in SD or HD, which has to make local cable companies cringe. At any rate, the company is still trying to hammer out a business model before delving into pay-TV, and it's hoping to service at least one million TV sets in the not-too-distant future. So... any news for North America?

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> aquosaquos ds6AquosDs6contentdougahdhd vodhdtvHdVodinternet tvinternet videoInternetTvInternetVideoiptvjapanprogrammingvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvodwidgetwidgetsyahooyahoo DougaYahooDouga Thu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 -0400 21|19050181 <![CDATA[More proof that Amazon is about to sell high-def TV shows]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/more-proof-that-amazon-is-about-to-sell-high-def-tv-shows/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/more-proof-that-amazon-is-about-to-sell-high-def-tv-shows/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/more-proof-that-amazon-is-about-to-sell-high-def-tv-shows/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We've seen sprinkles of hope that have led us to cautiously believe that Amazon was gearing up to start selling high-definition TV shows, and now our hearts are dead set on believing. Here recently, Amazon's Video On Demand service has been expanding onto just about every media playing console / box / etc. out there, but now that Apple has stepped up the game by offering HD movies for sale, it seems that Amazon's about to pop out some new functionality of its own. Long story short, the noodling crew over at NewTeeVee managed to poke around and find some pretty hard evidence that Amazon will soon be selling HD TV shows for $2.99 apiece, and while none of the links they stumbled upon were live, we reckon it's only a matter of time at this point.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> Amazonamazon video on demandamazon vodAmazonVideoOnDemandAmazonVodhdHD VODHdVodinternetnew contentnewcontentvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:02:00 -0400 21|1495060 <![CDATA[TiVo inks VOD-related deals with SeaChange and Alticast]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/tivo-inks-vod-related-deals-with-seachange-and-alticast/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/tivo-inks-vod-related-deals-with-seachange-and-alticast/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/tivo-inks-vod-related-deals-with-seachange-and-alticast/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
While many are still eagerly awaiting their tuning adapter for utilizing tru2way on their existing TiVo box, said company has announced two partnerships today that look to solve issues with cable carriers that don't currently have an OCAP / tru2way deployment plan. The tie-up with SeaChange will enable those lagging carriers to bring cable VOD services to the TiVo HD DVR experience, giving them the option to highlight offerings on a TiVo guide, for instance. The second partnership involves Alticast, and while details are a tad fuzzier here, we get the impression that TiVo's looking to possibly push its heralded interface out onto other devices, such as embedded within a Blu-ray deck or other set-top-box. Or as Joshua Danovitz, Vice President and GM of International at TiVo puts it: "[We need to make] the TiVo experience available on a broad range of platforms, both in the United States and around the world." Hit the read links for more on each, and don't be surprised if you dig the vibes you get.\

[Via Yahoo! / PC World]

Read - Alticast partnership
Read - SeaChange partnership

Filed under: , , , , ,

Comments

]]> alticastbusinesscablecablecardhdhd dvrHdDvrindustryOCAPotherspartnershipseachangetivotivo hdTivoHdtru2wayvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:05:00 -0500 21|1476337 <![CDATA[Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We knew good and well that Roku's movie set-top-box would be supporting Amazon Video On Demand in the not-too-terribly-distant future, and apparently the private beta has begun. Over at the Roku forums, an official has made clear that demand was exceptional and the pool of private beta testers has now been chosen. Sadly, there's no mention of when Roku plans on sharing the love with the public at large, but Dave Zatz has appropriately pointed out that YouTube could be following close behind. Still, we have to concur that the most pressing question has yet to be answered: will this Amazon VOD be offered up in glorious high-def? Pretty please?

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Filed under: ,

Comments

]]> amazonamazon vodAmazonVodhdtvRokuvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:06:00 -0500 21|1451916 <![CDATA[Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/roku-takes-amazon-video-on-demand-into-private-beta/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We knew good and well that Roku's movie set-top-box would be supporting Amazon Video On Demand in the not-too-terribly-distant future, and apparently the private beta has begun. Over at the Roku forums, an official has made clear that demand was exceptional and the pool of private beta testers has now been chosen. Sadly, there's no mention of when Roku plans on sharing the love with the public at large, but Dave Zatz has appropriately pointed out that YouTube could be following close behind. Still, we have to concur that the most pressing question has yet to be answered: will this Amazon VOD be offered up in glorious high-def? Pretty please?

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> amazonamazon vodAmazonVodhdothersRokuvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:07:00 -0500 21|1451909 <![CDATA[Digital distribution not expected to rule packaged media anytime soon]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Whoa, vaquero -- calm your jets. This is just a projection, which may or may not prove to be indicative of reality. That said, there's still quite a lot here to discuss, particularly since we've been hearing so much hubbub over the supposed explosion of digital distribution. Media Control GfK International has forecast that sales of Blu-ray Discs will increase some 150 percent to $2.9 billion, up from $1.1 billion in 2008. For those keeping count, digital distribution only generated $1.5 billion last year, and that's including every penny made from VOD and broadband services. In-Stat analyst Michael Paxton was quoted as saying that the "bandwidth required to stream any type of HD video is way beyond what most households have," and he continued by noting that the "convenience factor is still not there for streaming media." You owe it to yourself to hit up the read link for the full report before blasting your opinion in comments below, but we suppose we can't stop you either way.

Filed under:

Comments

]]> bdBlu-raybusinessdigital distributiondigital downloadsDigitalDistributionDigitalDownloadsgrowthindustrysalesvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:43:00 -0500 21|1447177 <![CDATA[Digital distribution not expected to rule packaged media anytime soon]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/digital-distribution-not-expected-to-rule-packaged-media-anytime/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Whoa, vaquero -- calm your jets. This is just a projection, which may or may not prove to be indicative of reality. That said, there's still quite a lot here to discuss, particularly since we've been hearing so much hubbub over the supposed explosion of digital distribution. Media Control GfK International has forecast that sales of Blu-ray Discs will increase some 150 percent to $2.9 billion, up from $1.1 billion in 2008. For those keeping count, digital distribution only generated $1.5 billion last year, and that's including every penny made from VOD and broadband services. In-Stat analyst Michael Paxton was quoted as saying that the "bandwidth required to stream any type of HD video is way beyond what most households have," and he continued by noting that the "convenience factor is still not there for streaming media." You owe it to yourself to hit up the read link for the full report before blasting your opinion in comments below, but we suppose we can't stop you either way.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> bdblu rayBlu-raybluraybusinessdigital distributiondigital downloadsDigitalDistributionDigitalDownloadsgrowthhdindustrysalesvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:43:00 -0500 21|1447155 <![CDATA[A&E brings 'The Beast' to DISH Network's 1080p IP-VOD service]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/aande-brings-the-beast-to-dish-networks-1080p-ip-vod-service/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/aande-brings-the-beast-to-dish-networks-1080p-ip-vod-service/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/aande-brings-the-beast-to-dish-networks-1080p-ip-vod-service/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
DISH Network's 1080p video-on-demand service may be impressive, but up until now, it hasn't been utilized in any fanciful ways to get outsiders to pay attention. Thanks to a new push from A&E Networks, however, that's all about to change. Said channel's new drama, The Beast, is now available to DISH subscribers with an MPEG-4 HD box via the 1080p IP-VOD platform. Users simply plug in their broadband connection, fire up their set-top-box and surf over to the DishONLINE feature within the 'DVR' menu. Episodes will be made available the day after they air live, and the content is said to be "comparable to Blu-ray Disc." We've got to say, we're totally digging this initiative -- now, if only it were simple to get every other network to follow suit with their own hit shows.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> 1080pa and eAAndEAEAE NetworkAeNetworkdishdish networkDishNetworkDishONLINEhdIP-VODnew contentnewcontentsatelliteThe BeastTheBeastvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:33:00 -0500 21|1432467 <![CDATA[ITV programming made available to Virgin Media subscribers]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/itv-programming-made-available-to-virgin-media-subscribers/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/itv-programming-made-available-to-virgin-media-subscribers/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/itv-programming-made-available-to-virgin-media-subscribers/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments While BT Vision is currently cooking up a way to bring major UK programming to one place via IPTV, Virgin Media is already taking things one step further by bringing thousands of hours of ITV on-demand content to subscribers. The agreement will, in essence, give ITV its largest ever potential on-demand audience -- you know, now that Virgin's 3.5 million customers can view hours upon hours of ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 material at their leisure. We're told that hit shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be "made available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service," and there will even be a small subset of HD VOD programming to choose from. Not a raw deal at all for existing / to-be VM subs.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

]]> globalhdhd iptvHdIptvinternetiptvitvitv playerItvPlayernew contentnewcontentukvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvirginvirgin mediaVirginMediavod Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:08:00 -0500 21|1428986 <![CDATA[CBS and Verizon land retransmission agreement for VOD content]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/cbs-and-verizon-land-retransmission-agreement-for-vod-content/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/cbs-and-verizon-land-retransmission-agreement-for-vod-content/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/13/cbs-and-verizon-land-retransmission-agreement-for-vod-content/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
FiOS TV lovers who enjoy dipping into CBS' stash of on-demand content are sure to love this. The aforesaid network and Verizon have just signed long-term retransmission-consent and program-carriage agreements that will give the operator VOD access to hit shows such as CSI and Survivor along with mobile access to select programs via V CAST. The so-called "broadened and extended" rights do not appear to include Showtime content, but they do include rights for high-definition versions of the material that the deal encompasses. And really, that's all you care about, right?

Filed under: ,

Comments

]]> cbsfiberfiosfios tvFiosTvhdretransretransmissionverizonvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:19:00 -0500 21|1427472 <![CDATA[NTT America talks up IPv6-based Hikari-TV IPTV at CES]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/ntt-america-talks-up-ipv6-based-hikari-tv-iptv-at-ces/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/ntt-america-talks-up-ipv6-based-hikari-tv-iptv-at-ces/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/ntt-america-talks-up-ipv6-based-hikari-tv-iptv-at-ces/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
It has been awhile since we've heard the term IPv6 thrown around over here, but NTT America is looking to put it back on everyone's radar in Vegas. The outfit is all set to discuss Hikari-TV, the first large scale, commercially successful IPTV over IPv6 service, at CES, and we can't wait to give it a listen. For those out of the loop, the Hikari-TV service -- which is operated by NTT Plala -- comprises 76 channels including a number of HD stations, over 10,000 video-on-demand titles and over 13,000 titles in its "karaoke" section. Worldwide, IPTV still has quite a ways to go before it becomes even half as pervasive as traditional coax, but Gartner estimates that worldwide subscriptions to IPTV should be close to 20 million already.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

]]> fiberhdHikari-TVinternetIPTVIPv6japanmultichannelnttNTT Americantt docomoNttAmericaNttDocomovideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:05:00 -0500 21|1419346 <![CDATA[Cox Communications talks up new On Demand platform]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/cox-communications-talks-up-new-on-demand-platform/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/cox-communications-talks-up-new-on-demand-platform/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/cox-communications-talks-up-new-on-demand-platform/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We've yet to see this for ourselves, but tipster Adam has informed us that Cox Communications is talking up a new On Demand platform via commercials. In fact, the spots have also led us to believe that a new software update will soon be available for the carrier's set-top-boxes, presumably one based on the Aptiv platform. Pictured above is a quick snap of what the future VOD system will look like, though we're sadly unaware of whether this rollout will be hitting everyone or just a select few. Couldn't hurt to ping your local office and ask, though.

[Thanks, Adam]

Filed under: , , , ,

Comments

]]> cablecoxcox communicationsCox On DemandCoxCommunicationsCoxOnDemandhdnew contentnewcontenton demandOnDemandvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:29:00 -0500 21|1418420 <![CDATA[FCC chairman "doesn't support" Hollywood's request for selectable output]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/fcc-chairman-doesnt-support-hollywoods-request-for-selectabl/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/fcc-chairman-doesnt-support-hollywoods-request-for-selectabl/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/fcc-chairman-doesnt-support-hollywoods-request-for-selectabl/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
In December of 2007, we candidly wondered if 2008 would be the year for selectable output control. We reckon we should re-pose the question with "2008" replacing "2007." Broadcasting and Cable is reporting that Kevin Martin doesn't support Hollywood's request for selectable outputs, noting that the final decision would have to wait for the next chairman. It's widely expected that Martin will step down just days before Obama is sworn in, but in the January 15th meeting on the topic, he'll likely stifle the MPAA's plans. For those unaware, SOC would enable content to hit HD VOD outlets before DVD, but in exchange, it would only be allowed out of the set-top-box via encrypted digital outputs. Obviously, those with older TV sets wouldn't be able to take advantage, thus the chairman's hesitation to allow it. Maybe next year, Big Content.

[Via LA Times, image courtesy of DansData]

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> analoganalog holeAnalogHoleday and dateday-and-dateDayAndDateFCChdHD VODHdVodKevin MartinKevinMartinselectable outputselectable output controlsSelectableOutputSelectableOutputControlsvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvod Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:39:00 -0500 21|1415345 <![CDATA[DISH Network adds The Dark Knight to 1080p on-demand movie lineup]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/dish-network-adds-the-dark-knight-to-1080p-on-demand-movie-lineu/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/dish-network-adds-the-dark-knight-to-1080p-on-demand-movie-lineu/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/dish-network-adds-the-dark-knight-to-1080p-on-demand-movie-lineu/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Here's an indication of just how important The Dark Knight is to the movie / content industry. DISH Network has just pushed out a bona fide press release solely to announce that the aforementioned film is now available via its 1080p on-demand service. Customers of the satcaster who skipped out on the Blu-ray version and would rather just rent can spend their New Year's Eve trying to figure out if Batman's voice can possibly go any deeper without exploding for just $6.99.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

]]> 1080pdark knightDarkKnightDISHDISH NetworkDishNetworkhdHD VODHdVodnew contentnewcontentsatcastersatellitethe dark knightTheDarkKnightvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandVOD Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:49:00 -0500 21|1415942