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BT to broadcast and stream live NBA games in the UK
BT has landed quite a few major sports broadcasting deals as of late, including its buyout of ESPN's British and Irish channels back in February. Today, it's extending its athletic empire with an exclusive arrangement to air NBA games in Ireland and the UK. The agreement will see BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN broadcast as many as seven live games per week, with some of them streaming through BT Sport's website and mobile apps. While there isn't a huge market for basketball in the country, the pact will make life much easier for diehard UK fans and American ex-pats -- they won't have to buy online passes or otherwise bend over backwards to keep up with their favorite NBA teams. [Image credit: Getty]
Engadget HD Podcast 376 - 11.27.13
The Xbox One has finally arrived at chez Lawler, so Richard and Ben gets things headed in Microsoft's direction right off the bat. As with the PS4, this console still could use some time in the oven, but it probably could take the heat -- its fan hasn't made a peep after days of "always on" use. This show isn't just about consoles though; LG's nefarious activities fall under scrutiny and service updates are popping up all over, including Chromecast's adoption of HBO Go. So please join us for this pre-holiday edition of the Engadget HD Podcast at the streaming links below... before your food coma sets in. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Dish Hopper DVR upgrades enable control over HDMI, expand iPad support
Dish's Hopper software team is clearly busy; just two months after it brought home-automation support to its DVR, it's rolling out another update that offers considerably more control. The new "Denver" firmware enables promised HDMI-CEC support, letting the Hopper send and receive commands from compatible HDMI gear. It can automatically switch TV inputs when powered on, for example. Other upgrades introduce universal search, a help app and a shelf-like layout for On Demand videos. As part of the revamp, Dish is also improving its Explorer iPad app; Apple tablet owners can both control every TV on the Hopper platform and find recommended shows. Neither "Denver" nor the Explorer update will necessarily get anyone switching TV providers, but it should make the viewing experience that much sweeter for loyal customers.
Engadget HD Podcast 375 - 11.20.13
It's HD time again and your hosts Ben Drawbaugh and Richard Lawler are here to give you the weekly rundown. It won't include the Buccaneers vs. Lions results though; that happens this Sunday, with both Ben and Richard looking forward to their respective local team taking the win. For PlayStation fans, though, the score is PS4 and the consoles have arrived, regardless of a little wobble. Sling fans hit the endzone this week as well, with a host of new updates arriving on its iOS app, and a Windows 8.1 version announced for December. So while Ben regains his hearing after a recent visit to the Formula 1 track, you can fasten your seat belts and switch it to cruise control as we present the Engadget HD Podcast; conveniently located at the streaming links below. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
DirecTV to expand out-of-home live TV streaming, Android tablet support
DirecTV Everywhere will soon become much more useful for travelers eager to watch their favorite shows. As of November 21st, the satellite TV provider is expanding its out-of-home TV streaming selection to include more than 30 live channels, such as HBO and Showtime. Subscribers will also have access to more than 100 channels when at home, and 19,000 on-demand shows through DirecTV's website. The company's Android tablet app is receiving a makeover as part of the expansion -- an impending update will stream both live and on demand video to tablets of all sizes and multiple OS versions. Customers will just have to wait a short while before they get access to DirecTV's wider world of content.
Amazon's Lovefilm finally launches iPhone app in the UK
Whereas Netflix has expanded quickly onto numerous mobile platforms in the UK, Amazon can't claim the same for its own streaming service, Lovefilm. Aside from the obvious Kindle support, Lovefilm's iOS app has been iPad-only for two years, with iPhone and iPod Touch owners only being included from today. On the plus side, the app brings AirPlay and IMdB integration, and Lovefilm has been working hard to rack up more content in the UK -- having historically been regarded as stronger than Netflix in terms of its movie library. Meanwhile, there's still nary a peep of a Lovefilm Android app -- something even the most recent streaming contender, Wuaki.tv, has managed to deliver.
Engadget HD Podcast 374 - 11.12.13
As the launch date draws near for both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, our hosts Ben Drawbaugh and Richard Lawler discuss the HD potential contained within. Richard has his consoles scheduled for just-in-time delivery, rather than tempting to beat the clock like some early adopters, although game selection isn't a personal selling point. Any game would probably look incredible on a new 4K TV though and with budget-priced units starting to hit the market; having one in your living room starts to seem plausible. We have a few mobile-enabled set-top boxes to chat about as well -- if Richard can ignore Ben's jabs at the merits of Michael Bay. Whatever your HD pleasure, you've come to the right place. This week's podcast is just a click away at the streaming links below. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Dish Anywhere mobile apps to get offline viewing by the end of 2013
Dish currently has a splintered mobile app strategy: you have to use Dish Anywhere for streaming TV shows, and Hopper Transfers for all your offline viewing. It's about to get much simpler, though, as the company has just promised that Dish Anywhere will handle offline videos by the end of the year. In addition to consolidating the experience, the upgrade also introduces Transfers support to Android and iPhone users -- you won't have to use an iPad to catch up on Hopper DVR recordings. While we'd prefer a more definite release date, we won't mind waiting for a much simpler approach to remote TV watching.
Netflix comes to Virgin Media TiVo boxes with free six month bundles
If you weren't one of the 40,000 Virgin Media UK customers on the Netflix trial, then you'll be glad to know the streaming service is now available to everyone. What's more, users who sign up for one of the cable company's Premier (£25 per month) or VIP collections (£50 per month) can bag six months of Netflix for free. If you're already signed up to either of those, then you'll have to renew for another 12 months to bag the swag. Likewise, if you don't see the app on your TiVo right away, that's because it's being rolled out between now and the 15th. Still, not long before Frank Underwood's unique take on politics could be sitting snugly on your set-top box.
Engadget HD Podcast 373 - 11.5.13
Your hosts Ben Drawbaugh and Richard Lawler are back after a short hiatus, and the HD-related news queue has gotten fat. This week's show begins with the end ... of Panasonic's plasma line, but that's OK as long as a 60-plus-inch 4K OLED arrives to fill the void. Jameis Winston definitely won't see those extra pixels with all his squinting, but Ben and Richard have come to the conclusion that most other people won't see them either. Ultra High Definition is possibly more about prestige at this stage than it is about clarity. That's not about to stop Netflix from rolling out UHD streams by next year, though. For the end of this year, we're beset with new gaming consoles that offer an array of streaming options as well as games, although some are more media-capable than others. So, put down the remote, turn off all of those screens (just kidding) and head to the streaming links below for another informative edition of the Engadget HD Podcast. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Plex Cloud Sync beta stores your media across multiple online services
As good as Plex Sync may be at keeping media libraries in harmony, it's not very helpful to mobile Plex users who can't always store or stream large files on their devices. After today, they won't have to worry. The company has just launched a beta version of Cloud Sync, which saves streaming-friendly content in third-party cloud storage services like Box, Dropbox and Google Drive. Any metadata carries over, and users can even spread their media across multiple providers; they can reserve one host for movies and another for photos, for instance. Cloud Sync is only available to PlexPass subscribers, but the required (and much faster) new Media Server release is available to everyone.
IMAX buys stake in Prima Cinema, promises higher-quality theatrical releases in your mansion
Prima Cinema's same-day-as-theaters movie player may be a niche device, but it's catching the eye of some big companies. IMAX has just bought a stake in Prima in return for both a Chinese distribution exclusive as well as a technology deal. The arrangement will let IMAX use the know-how from the Prima Cinema Player in its Private Theatre systems, giving the wealthy a chance to watch downloadable, IMAX-quality theatrical releases at home. Other platforms might come in the future, according to the company. There's no word on just when the integration will take effect, but we're sure that well-off movie buffs can't wait.
Shazam app users can vote for X Factor acts starting November 6th
Shazam's TV syncing has largely been passive so far, but it's about to become more of a two-way street. App users who watch The X Factor from November 6th onwards will get to both vote for acts during the broadcast and submit those choices as soon as final voting begins. As you'd expect, viewers enraptured by the performances will also have plenty of chances to buy songs and browse supplementary content as well. Shazam's new level of interaction won't be especially deep, but it certainly beats picking winners through old-fashioned calls and text messages.
Engadget HD Podcast 372 - 10.22.13
With this week's big keynote failing to produce any Apple TV-related products, our hosts Ben Drawbaugh and Richard Lawler are left to speculate on the reasons behind Amazon's recent stock issues with the little hockey puck. As the discussion moves over to the streaming front, U-Verse live TV arrives on Android, NVIDIA's Shield is breaking out of the small screen with its new Gamestream tech and Sky / Roku's Now TV box bundles have arrived at retail. Join us after the break for this week's episode of the Engadget HD Podcast, but you'd better hurry, before Ben gets roped into another round of Lego Star Wars. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Amazon adds more MGM TV shows and movies to Prime Instant Video
Looking for more videos to feed that new Kindle Fire HDX? You'll be glad to hear that Amazon has just added a slew of them to Prime Instant Video through an expanded deal with MGM. The agreement gives subscribers access to the TV series Vikings as well as a handful of better-known movies, including Fargo, Hotel Rwanda and Platoon. While the pact doesn't represent one of Amazon's bigger coups, it's hard to object to getting more streaming content at no extra cost.
Aereo TV streaming arrives in Detroit on October 28th
Aereo spent much of the summer expanding its presence in southern states, but it's swinging its attention back to northern climes today. The TV streaming provider just revealed that it will launch in the Detroit metropolitan area on October 28th. Motor City viewers can pre-register for a chance to subscribe ahead of the public launch, with service starting at $8 per month for access to over 20 local channels that include ABC, Fox and NBC. The rollout is just one of many this year, but it's well-timed for Android fans; Detroit should be the first city to get Aereo service following the Android app launch on October 22nd.
Engadget HD Podcast 371 - 10.15.13
BBC news from across the pond makes its way into the discussion this week and Ben finds out that they play more than just The Killers over there. The Twitter and Comcast deal gets hashed out, Jimmy Fallon's viral "hashtag" vid makes the rounds and we find out that last week's The Walking Dead episode was seen by quite a few people. So head on past the break to catch this week's streaming episode of Engadget's HD Podcast, before Richard disappears down the Pacific Rim rabbit hole. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Google Fiber TV subscribers get Watch Disney and WatchESPN streaming
You'd think that Google Fiber would embrace streaming TV services when internet video is practically its reason for being, but it has lagged behind many conventional providers. It's about to catch up, however: Google has just enabled Watch Disney and WatchESPN access for its TV subscribers. As elsewhere, customers who sign in can stream 11 channels of live broadcasting as long as they have both a supported device and a broadband connection. Disney's service will be available for all Google Fiber TV users, so those in Austin and Provo can look forward to one more treat when Google lights up their neighborhoods.
Engadget HD Podcast 370 - 10.09.13
If there's one thing to take away from this week's podcast it's that Ben's fantasy football picks finally performed positively. Well, that plus hints the next few months will be very interesting, thanks to HDMI 2.0 and rumors of an Amazon STB, among other topics. Get caught up on the last week in HD news by streaming this week's episode below. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler Producer: Joe Pollicino Hear the podcast:
U-Verse live TV streaming comes to iPhone
AT&T is ahead of schedule in bringing live U-Verse TV streaming to mobile devices: it just updated the service's iPhone app several days earlier than promised. As on the iPad, U-Verse subscribers with iPhones can now watch up to 108 live channels while at home, and as many as 25 when they're away. They also get improved remote controls, new parental tools and a fresher-looking interface. Viewers can grab the iPhone app through the App Store today. There's no surprise upgrade for Android users, however; they'll just have to wait until October 21st.
