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IGS's Rapsody N35 media player
IGS of Japan has released a hard drive-based media player that supports up to 1TB internal drives, and plays back various high-definition video and audio formats. Similar to the MediaGate line, the Rapsody N35 supports DivX and XviD, MPEG-1,2, and 4, and WMV HD at up to 1080 lines of resolution over DVI, component, or S-video outputs. The Rapsody also plays back OGG, MP3, and WMA audio over its digital coax and optical connectors. With the 10/100-speed Ethernet jack and included NDAS software, you can connect to remote computers on your network, and the local USB port allows for connecting devices directly. The N35 is available for 28,000 ¥, or $235 US.
Comcast video download store to be in WMV HD?
So it seems everyone and their brother can have a video download store now and apparently Comcast's is going to feature WMV HD files. That's what we are hearing at least and well, we hope these rumors come to light. Windows Media High Definition Format, while it does have some downfalls, portrays video in outstanding quality. In fact, some DVD players out there can playback these files so this means you would be able to download the files on your 'puter and then burn 'em onto a disc for easy playback on your HDTV. Oh and don't forget they can also be played back on a normal computer, well, make that a fairly powerful computer as these files do require a little more oomph. We will keep you up-to-date if anything else comes down Internet pipes.
DiVX- and WMV-HD player both hits and misses
I-O Data has recently announced the US release of their popular Japanese HD media player, the AVeL LinkPLayer2. While we've previously discussed the merits of WMV versus DiVX for high-definition, this player bridges that gap nicely. Boasting both WMV– and DiVX–HD, MPEG2–TS for those downloaded clips, as well as Slingbox networking functionality, it seems to fill that niche we have mentioned on the podcast for ways to get your HD content on standard DVD media. It plays back the usual smorgasbord of video and audio formats like XviD, MP3, AAC, Ogg, JPEG, PNG, and others. It also is ready for Rhapsody and CinemaNow accounts, and can read RSS feeds so you can get your HD Beat fix while you watch your content. You even get a coupon for a free HDNet WMV disc included. So where does it go wrong? For starters, it doesn't upconvert standard DVDs. They are simply outputted to your set at 480p. Also, there is no digital video output, only component (not such a problem for viewers like me who only have analog anyway, but surely a hassle for those of you with digital matrix switchers). Finally, the player isn't certified for DTS - although it isn't clear from the specs whether this simply means they can't put the DTS–certified logo on the case, or if it doesn't support DTS at all. In any case, if you're waiting out the next–gen DVD war, or just want a way to placeshift content over your network using the player and your Slingbox, the LinkPlayer2 will be available at CompUSA starting August 1st.
CustomFlix burns HD-DVD, Blu-ray on demand
So you're a small content producer who wants to release high definition video, but can't pick a format for fear of alienating half your customers? No problem. CustomFlix (who also just announced deals to provide DVDs of niche TV shows) will store a digital copy of your content, and burn it onto Blu-ray, HD DVD or WMV-HD disc whenever a customer wants to buy one. They also provide services for customers who choose their own set of clips from the database, and burn a DVD with whatever you want on it.You can already buy some HDNet programs from Amazon via this service, with the other two formats to be added "soon". Hopefully this type of service can alleviate the situation detailed in The Clicker, where smaller providers are locked out because they can't afford to support HDTVs.
What really drives new tech Pt. 2: Digital Playgrounds picks Blu-ray
Like we said before, all new tech is driven by one thing, and at least one of those companies has chosen Blu-ray as their sole format of the future. Digital Playgrounds has been at the forefront of adopting their adult content for high definition, with their recent release "Pirates" available both on DVD and WMV-HD format. They cited the Playstation 3 and tighter DRM as their reasons for opting to release only on the Blu-ray format.It certainly seems like good logic, the PS3 launch should provide Sony with an incredibly installed base pretty quickly, and tighter DRM despite our views as consumers is generally a favorite for content providers. [Via bit-tech.net]
