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VidaBox RackServer and RackClient v2 go without heads, HD DVD
Either HD DVD fell off of VidaBox's worklist or simply got left off the press release, but the new RackServer and RackClient v2 from the company have other features that will appeal to well-heeled HD connoisseurs (and their no doubt completist libraries). The RackServer will eat up 4U of space, but you'll get "1-step archiving" of unencrypted CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs in return. Since you can rip from up to five discs at once (with drive extenders), the 2-7TB storage (expandable to a crazy 16TB in a separate chassis) will come in handy. Once you've got all that ripping done, the RackClient v2 will spit out the bits from unencrypted Blu-ray, DVDs and other media, including the DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD audio you paid so dearly for. We don't even have the heart to ask about pricing.
WD TV HD Media Player smacked up, flipped, rubbed down
Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player kept a low profile before hitting shelves this month, but with only $99 separating MaddHat.com from a thorough teardown, the inevitable next step was taken. Besides snapshots inside and out -- and the ubiquitous iPhone size comparison photo -- a quick runthrough with a variety of MKV-packed videos revealed delightfully nerdy results. The 1080p h.264 decoding was smooth, although some odd sharpening on 720p files while in 1080p output mode, and less than optimal results with 1080i-encoded files were noted. 1080p24 support didn't make it into the box, same for .ISO direct support -- no worries though, as it wasn't enough to stop the .m2ts files in the Blu-ray backups from playing directly. Good for the price, but with stiff competition -- Popcorn Hour anyone? -- being "good enough" in this sector is getting harder, pics and details are beyond the read link.
Roku's Netflix Player handling HD content "by the end of the year"
If you're not a Netflix subscriber and aren't interested in becoming one, please pardon yet another post about streaming content from the formerly DVD-exclusive renter -- but for those non-Xbox owning, non-Live subscribing readers who want to get in on some HD Watch it Now action, we have some good news for you. Earlier indications were that other Netflix-friendly devices would see updates enabling high-def support and now, in what appears to be an official confirmation from Roku's VP of Consumer Products, that company's little $99 box will indeed be "delivering Netflix in HD by the end of the year," complete with a tweaked interface to suit all those extra pixels. Additionally, streaming here will operate over lower bitrates than the Xbox is expecting; good for those with iffy download speeds, but perhaps coming at the cost of quality. Finally, and teasingly, Roku devs are said to be working on "another major new feature" that will blow your mind. Oh, how we do love surprises.Update: StreetStealth wrote in to let us know that Tim at Roku posted again, saying "Using a more advanced codec, we can deliver equal or better quality at lower bit-rates." We can't wait to see for ourselves.[Via Hacking Netflix]
Western Digital quietly intros WD TV HD Media Player
Well, what do we have here? With no fanfare whatsoever, Western Digital has apparently strayed from its platter-based roots and delved into the wide, murky world of HD media streaming. The WD TV HD Media Player purports to "turn your USB drive into an HD media player, allowing you to watch your favorite HD movies on your TV." For those still befuddled, look at it like this: it enables you to plug in your USB key or USB hard drive and play back multimedia clips up to 1080p on your HDTV via the HDMI / composite outputs. The 1.6- x 4.9- x 3.9-inch box ought not bog you down too much when looking to take it on a journey, and the $129.99 price tag isn't too painful either.[Thanks, Anonymous]
HD Netflix streaming comes to Xbox 360 first
It's something you can't get on the Roku. Nor on LG's BD300. Nor on Samsung's P2500 / P2550 Blu-ray players. Nor through Netflix's own "Watch Instantly" portal. It's high-def Netflix streaming, and it's coming first to Microsoft's Xbox 360. Just in case you glossed over this massively huge tidbit when digesting the new dashboard information this morning, we're here to remind you that when the aforesaid dash hits on November 19th, with it will come HD Netflix streaming for (US-based, presumably) Xbox Live Gold members. You should know that this is only a "soft launch" with about 300 titles available for now, and the litany of details you're surely craving simply aren't available at present time. At any rate, we'd say things just got a lot more interesting in the world of digital downloads, but there's really no need. The real question is: when will everyone else follow suit, and how quickly can we expect current Netflix streamers to get the HD upgrade?Update: We're hearing this whole HD Netflix streaming thing may actually hit all those other boxes in late November as well. Guess we'll see in time, huh?
BitGravity lands HD-quality streaming deal with SpaceX
Who says HD must be confined to this stratosphere? BitGravity, a provider of next-generation content delivery networks for interactive broadcasting, is jumping for joy after being selected by SpaceX to provide "live streaming video for flights of the Falcon 1 and the Falcon 9 launch vehicles, as well as from each of SpaceX's initial demonstration flights, for the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program." Late last month, BitGravity was responsible for providing live HD-quality footage of the Falcon 1 rocket on its flight into Earth's orbit, and apparently, knocking a home run on the first at bat does good things for your company.
DIRECTV2PC actually goes live, for real this time
Heads-up, DirecTV users. That DIRECTV2PC software that you've been waiting so anxiously for is finally available for download. Like, for real this time. Just as a refresher, the CyberLink software enables PC users to stream HD recordings from their DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver to a connected computer in the home, and if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, may we encourage you to hit the read link and follow the steps to downloading. Oddly enough, the direct URL to CyberLink's site only seems to work when you connect through DirecTV's site, but we're hoping a fix is in the works.[Thanks, Albert]
DIRECTV2PC launches in beta form, brings HD recordings to your local PC
It's no HDPC-20 PC tuner, but it is a new way for DirecTV subscribers to enjoy content. As of now, the DIRECTV2PC beta has been opened, giving mettlesome souls the ability to stream HD recordings from their DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver to a connected PC in the home. Unfortunately, this isn't a Slingbox-type application, as the programming can only be slung within your local (read: home) network, but thankfully, high-def recordings are transmitted as high-def. You'll need a potent PC to play things back smoothly, and you can watch shows on your PC while live or recorded shows are being viewed on the TV. Have any of you given this a go? If so, drop in your initial impressions below.[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks Vanbrothers]Update: Seems the link still isn't working -- c'mon DirecTV, what gives?
Blusens offers up Blu:Brain HD media server
Blusens hit the scene in a big way last October, but for whatever reason, we haven't heard from 'em since... until now, that is. The Blu:Brain Home Entertainment Device features a somewhat misleading name, as there's (regrettably) no built-in Blu-ray drive to speak of. What it does have, however, is a remarkably sexy shell, twin digital TV tuners (DVB-T), a removable internal hard drive, Ethernet / WiFi connectivity and a USB port. Essentially, this here box can serve up all sorts of multimedia (high-def content included) via HDMI, though word on the street says it won't even be available to order until 2009.[Via Gizmos]
PIE United cranks out HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer
If you don't have quite enough set-tops sitting underneath your HDTV, we've got one more to fill that tiny gap over there on the right. PIE United has introduced a rather quizzical device aimed at folks who love to show off photos of their journeys around the world on the big screen. The HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer connects up via HDMI and supports 12 types of flash cards along with USB drives; in addition to photos, it'll play back video clips and MP3 files. Oh, and just in case you're fresh out of HDMI ports, this thing packs a single input in order to connect another HDMI device and switch between the two. Not too sure how much this will run the layman, but outfits looking to buy in bulk should be able to land a killer deal.
VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV
First things first: you'll supposedly need an actual VidaBox Media Server in order to work with the RoomClientHD. Granted, we imagine there are some workarounds out there, but we figured we go ahead and burst a few bubbles early before getting hopes up too high. That being said, the 2-inch tall RoomClientHD was designed to hide behind your HDTV and stream Blu-ray / 1080p multimedia from your server over CAT5e / CAT6 cabling. For those with VidaBox setups, you simply plug this thing in and mash go; everything is preconfigured for detection and streaming. You'll also be thrilled to know that DTS-HD / Dolby TrueHD audio support is there, and while pricing isn't available just yet, we do know you can pony up for an inbuilt BD drive if you prefer local playback.
Starz Play content added to Netflix's streaming library
And the hits just keep on comin'. Merely hours after Netflix revealed that its API was open for all and just days after announcing deals with ABC and CBS, the firm is extending its reach once more with a fresh deal with Starz. As we're waiting for the ink to dry, the two have already fessed up to an agreement that will "make movies from Starz -- through its Starz Play broadband subscription movie service -- available to be streamed instantly at Netflix." Best of all, the additional content (over 2,500 new flicks eventually; 1,000 available now) will be included with Netflix members' current monthly subscription fee. For those who'd rather (we're talking all 2.5 of you), Netflix will soon offer a Starz Play-only subscription for $7.99 a month. Full release is after the fold.
Engadget HD reviews ZeeVee's ZvBox
If you've been looking for a way to stream any HD web content -- we do mean any: Hulu, mkv, Amazon -- to any HDTV in the house, without running any new wires, dealing with the woes of WiFi, or even needing yet another box hanging off your shiny new HDTV; you should head on over to Engadget HD and read all about ZeeVee's ZvBox. We take the $500 box and put it through the paces to see if broadcasting your own QAM HD channel is worth the price.
ZeeVee ZvBox review
There aren't many things we love more than when a new gadget comes along that is nothing like anything we've ever seen, so when we first heard about a box that streams HD around the house on the existing coax that is in just about every abode in America, we got pretty excited. Lucky for us, we were able to pull a ZeeVee ZvBox in for review, and after a few setbacks during setup, we were left playing with something pretty unique. The problem of course is that unique isn't really a compliment, but it can be if it just happens to be the solution you're looking for. So if you've been scouting a way to get web content on your HDTV without running any wires and without being forced to deal with a STB or the headaches that come with a wireless device, click on through to see what all the fuss is about. %Gallery-28977%
Netflix inks deals with ABC / CBS, current TV shows streaming soon
Whoa boy -- the Netflix wagon just keeps picking up steam. Announced today, the movie rental service has landed separate agreements with both CBS and ABC that will allow a swath of current TV shows to be streamed at Netflix. Starting next month, subscribers can indulge in current season episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and beginning this week, current season episodes of CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Over on the ABC / Disney side, you can expect to find streams of Hannah Montana, The Suite Life on Deck, and Wizards of Waverly Place, two of which can be seen just 24 hours after they air on television. Users will also find heaps of catalog episodes to enjoy at their leisure, and we have all ideas the quantity of available content will grow as time passes. Now, if only we had an ETA on HD streaming...[Thanks, Anthony]
Sony's STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES receivers hands-on
Sony's ES line of AV receivers has been growing for months now, but it was the CEDIA-announced STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES that we were most interested in. As predicted, these buggers were pretty beefy, but it's hard to gripe with all those ports around back. We thought the no-frills styling looked pretty sophisticated in person, and when we got real close, we could almost feel those seven channels of amplification just emanating. You know the drill -- peep the gallery below when you're good and ready. %Gallery-31209%
Sony's NHS-A30C / NHS-70C AV racks and HomeShare hands-on
At CEDIA, home install is king. Thus, it shouldn't come as any shock to see Sony introducing a few products not exactly aimed at the consumer crowd. Enter the NHS-A30C / NHS-70C home automation racks and the HomeShare multi-room entertainment solution, both of which were generating a bit of buzz while we were bobbing and weaving in an attempt to snag a few shots. The HomeShare system seemed particularly amazing, with the wall-mounted touch panels being among the most attractive at the show. Check out the full walk-through below. %Gallery-31211%
Sony's STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES receivers do HD streaming over CAT5e
Sony's got a smorgasbord of new kit comin' atcha from the heart of Denver, so we'll get things started with two new ES-series receivers. Just when you thought you'd seen the last of Sony's 2008 ES lineup, along comes two more making their US debut. Both the STR-DA6400ES and STR-DA5400ES offer up second room high-def video / audio distribution via CAT5e wiring, meaning that you can zip along HD content over your existing home network. Additionally, the former unit packs two CAT5e inputs and is DLNA-compliant. Wondering what that means for you? It means that Sony now has an AVR that can stream music, photos and video from a DLNA-compliant PC while accessing online music content from Rhapsody and Shoutcast sans a PC. Beyond that, there's the Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips, support for x.v.Color / Deep Color, Direct Stream Digital decoding, BRAVIA Sync and a 120-watt x 7 internal amplifier in each device. Catch the full release after the jump, and catch whichever unit suits your fancy within the next month for $2,500 / $2,000.
Sony's HomeShare multi-room entertainment solution spreads HD over CAT5e
While most of Sony's offerings thus far at CEDIA have catered to the general electronics consumer, this one is pointed directly at the custom install market. The new HomeShare HD multi-room entertainment solution delivers up to 16 zones of entertainment (four zones of HD video) to any room in the house via standard CAT5e wiring. The neatly packaged, um, package includes the HS-KP1 keypad (4.3-inch screen to display the XMB-based UI; pictured), the HS-MB1 distribution panel, HS-WV1 audio / video wallport, HS-AC1 power supply, HS-WA1 local audio wallport and the HS-WD1 digital media wallport for connecting an iPod (or similar). The kit will be available early next year through Sony's network of installation dealers, and pricing is expected to be between $1,000 and $2,000 per room. The whole release is after the jump.
CMI's SYVIO-200 HD media streamer gets a hint (or three) from Popcorn Hour
Take this as a compliment, Popcorn Hour. Your product has gained so much recognition and acclaim that a Chinese outfit dubbed CMI has shamelessly knocked it off. To be fair, the design isn't exactly the same, but it's close enough for us to understand where the SYVIO-200 got its inspiration. The HD media streamer pretty much mimics the A-100 in every meaningful way, though it does include the very beneficial HDMI 1.3 specification. You'll find oodles of media streaming capabilities as well as NAS / BitTorrent support, though your guess is as good as ours as to whether it'll ever find a US distributor. For the record, we're guessing "no."[Via eHomeUpgrade]
