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Can't go to BlizzCon? Virtual tickets now on sale.
Yet again I find myself unable to attend BlizzCon. Deep sads. I work for WoW Insider and I've never gone to the con. But I have in the past availed myself of the Virtual Ticket, which means I can watch the various panels and events streamed live to my computer, and it's on sale again this year. The virtual ticket FAQ answers a host of questions for those of us who can't go to the con, such as: Does buying the virtual ticket get you whatever neat in-game stuff they're going to have at BlizzCon this year? Turns out the answer is yes, but they haven't announced what that will be yet. If you want to watch the whole thing over again after BlizzCon, you absolutely can. What languages will BlizzCon Virtual Ticket be available in? Just english. Sorry, non english speaking peoples. So there you have it - head on over to the virtual ticket site if you're interested in ordering. Now if only I had a telepresence rig to go to the WoW Insider party.
DirecTV and Pandora join forces, let you jam out via connected HD DVRs
It looks like DirecTV's got more than just college hoops on the brain: it's just announced a new hook up with Pandora. The newly minted agreement will let you access your favorite tunes via DirecTV's fresh 1080p guide on connected HD DVRs -- and, yes it's free. Additionally, you'll be able to search for artists, songs and browse through different genres, as well as set up jam stations to your liking. Those of you interested in blasting Boyz II Men playlists from your DVR, can do so by simply hitting that Menu button (on your oversized remote) and heading over to the Extras section where the musical goodies await you.
Samsung 2012 SmartTVs will access DirecTV without a set top box, minimalists rejoice
Samsung's new range of super-thin, super-powerful Smart TVs got another big fillip at CES: the company's teamed up with DirecTV to offer its service without the use of a set top box. Hook up your TV to the connection and a STB server will replicate the full user interface, including being able to record five shows at once, live pause TV and access DVR content. The TVs will be available in Spring, but there's no mention on if the additional functionality will mean an increase on your subscription. Deep dish is after the break.
New DirecTV Cinema Connection Kit hits FCC with wireless in tow
A new version of DirecTV's Cinema Connection kit has just sneakily hit the FCC filed under its OEM name of Wistron NeWeb Corporation. Unlike the current model which required a direct Ethernet connection to work, this unit can act as wireless receiver to connect your individual DirecTV DVRs or an entire whole-home network. That gives users the freedom to access the company's online CINEMAplus library of 4,000 movies and TV shows at no additional cost for the service (we're sure DirecTV will find someway to ding you at least for the kit though). To get a glimpse for yourself, check out the gallery below featuring internal and external beauty shots of the device included with the filing, along with key pages from the user manual. Otherwise, let's all give DirecTV a nice slow-clap for entering the world of wireless streaming at its own leisurely pace. %Gallery-115419%
Premium on demand services once again rumored to get movies still in theaters
So-called "premium" video on demand services, offering early access to studio films, have been rumored since the dawn of time -- or maybe just since 2007 -- but Reuters says various studios are back in talks with TV operators, including DirecTV and Time Warner, about bringing a couple of theater movies couch-side this fall, as quickly as 30-days after their theatrical release for $50, or $25, 60 days out. We know the precedent has technically already been set by IFC's day and date HD on demand screenings, but this deal would actually revolve round mainstream titles, as opposed to art house sleepers, and supposedly justify the ridiculous "premium" rates. Hey, the studios have to make up eroding revenues from Blu-ray / DVD sales someway right? As expression goes though, we'll believe it when we see it, and meanwhile reassure our easily-teased home theaters that EPIX films on Netflix Watch Instantly are really coming September 1st.
European weekly maintenance: 19th August 2009
Greetings folks, the middle of the week beckons once more! Only a few more days until BlizzCon and the Big Reveal. Excited yet? Come on, be honest, we're all friends here. As the rest of Team WoW.com boards their planes, trains, automobiles and - in Turpster's case - boats to rendezvous in sunny LA, some of us (eg me) has to stay behind and cover things remotely. While it would be nice to be there, I get to watch all the cool stuff from the privacy of my own living room come office, enjoy my Grunty (in six to eight weeks) and work in a brightly lit room on a comfy chair. Oh, and no blisters.So, it's maintenance time. Thankfully, it's a brief week with a live maintenance (yes folks it's rolling restart time) for all realms between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. CEST. As per usual every realm will receive the customary fifteen minute notice prior to being restarted. There we go, nice and simple. If my beloved cats let me (ha!), I'm sleeping right through this one but if you happen to be up an about, don't forget there's a lot to catch up on this week from the return of the Broodmother to the appearance of the patch 3.2.2 PTR servers.See you on the other side!
HD Movies on Marketplace? It could happen
Nothing like a nice juicy rumor to keep you going through the weekend. This week's rumor is a doozy. Originating on an obscure blog called, ahem, Shsibae, the rumor goes a little something like-a this: Microsoft will soon be offering full-length high definition movies over the 360 Marketplace. Rentals would supposedly cost $4. Buying them outright is a possibility too, though the price is undetermined. The service would launch with over 1000+ hours of available video. For the uninitiated, 1000 hours is a lot of hours.Now, the idea of downloadable movies on 360 is nothing new. In fact, we've been downloading high def clips ever since the console launched. Still, we've heard rumors of more substantial downloads for a long time. Die-hard 360 fanboys will recall the rumors of a DirecTV blade being added to the dash and another rumor of IPTV support. So, what makes this rumor different? One, Bill Gates thinks digital distribution is the future, even saying that HD DVDs and Blu-Ray will be the last generation of physical media. Two, that mysterious Video Marketplace button that was added in the Fall dash update might be more than we thought.Of course, there are plenty of reasons why it won't work, with the most obvious being the 360's 20 gig hard drive. 20 gigs just isn't enough space for a collection of HD movies and all game related data. Unless Microsoft was lying when they denied the existence of a 100 gig hard drive, or they have some sort of streaming solution planned, the 360 really isn't the best place to keep your movies.Still, from a business standpoint, it makes sense. Sony is offering similar services, and Microsoft has been quick to update the 360 in order to compete (1080p anyone?). And there is one more thing that adds credence to this obscure rumor: it's not there anymore. The rumor has been removed from Shsibae. Did MS ask them to take down the news, or did Shsibae know the internet would jump all over it? Only time will tell.[Via Joystiq]
