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HDTV Listings for November 20, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 20th 2009 at 4:57PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • CW (1080i) has Smallville at 8 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) brings Ghost Whisperer at 8 p.m., Medium at 9 p.m. and Numb3rs at 10 p.m.
  • USA (1080i) has Monk at 9 p.m. and White Collar at 10 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Ugly Betty at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Law & Order at 8 p.m.
  • MyNetworkTV (1080i) has WWE: Smackdown at 9 p.m
  • Syfy (1080i) airs Stargate Universe at 9 p.m. and Sanctuary at 10 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Lobstermen at 9 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Say Yes to the Dress at 9 p.m. and the series premiere of Happily Ever Faster at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has an NBA doubleheader with Magic/Celtics at 8 p.m. and Nuggets/Clippers at 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has Boise State/Utah State college football at 9:30 p.m.

HDTV Listings for November 19, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 19th 2009 at 4:47PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • ABC (720p) has FlashForward at 8 p.m., Grey's Anatomy at 9 p.m. and Private Practice at 10:01 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) has Bones at 8 p.m. and Fringe at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Community at 8 p.m., Parks & Recreation at 8:30 p.m., The Office at 9 p.m. and 30 Rock at 9:30 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) has Survivor at 8 p.m., CSI at 9 p.m. and The Mentalist at 10 p.m.
  • CW (1080i) airs The Vampire Diaries at 8 p.m. and Supernatural at 9 p.m.
  • WGN (1080i) has WWE Superstars at 8 p.m.
  • Spike (1080i) has TNA! Impact at 9 p.m.
  • History (720p) has the season finale of WWII in HD at 9 & 10 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at 10 p.m. and The League at 10:30 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) the season finale of Street Customs at 8 p.m., American Chopper at 9 p.m., and Family Armor at 10 p.m.
  • NFL Network (1080i) has Dolphins/Panthers football at 8 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Colorado/Oklahoma State college football at 7:30 p.m.

Broadcasters predictably unsettled about FCC taking away spectrum

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 19th 2009 at 4:18PM

You had to know that the FCC's investigation into other uses for current broadcast DTV spectrum wouldn't be met warmly by broadcasters, now the NAB has come out and said it needs every bit of frequency available. Apparently up for discussion are its reasons why, as the group is at odds with FCC advisor Blair Levin over whether retrans fees are the only issue or, as NAB VP Jane Mago states, preserving HD for consumers is key. We're sure OTA viewers of channels leaving bandwidth on the table for multicasting, or worse simply unused as we discussed on the podcast would beg to differ, but the one thing that is for sure is the current broadcast TV system won't go quietly into the night, no matter what potential a new paradigm might hold.

HDMI logos updated: version numbers out, supported features in

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 19th 2009 at 11:31AM

A response to cable sellers marking hardware v1.4 compliant before a test was even available or just another way for Monster Cable to ratchet up prices, we're not sure, but HDMI Licensing, LLC has reworked the packaging requirements for all new cables and products. Cable packaging must lose version numbers starting today, while HDMI-equipped components can only use version numbers in conjunction with listing specific features supported, and lose version numbers entirely starting January 1, 2012. The picture above features logos you'll find on certified hardware going forward, while we can appreciate being tied to supported features and not just version numbers that may or may not fully apply (*cough cough* remember the "HDMI 1.3" PS3Fat?) there's no way things get any less confusing when hooking up the new 4K or 3D capable HDTVs.

HDTV Listings for November 18, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 18th 2009 at 4:39PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • CBS (1080i) has The New Adventures of Old Christine at 8 p.m., Gary Unmarried at 8:30 p.m., Criminal Minds at 9 p.m. and CSI: NY at 10 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Mercy at 8 p.m. and Law & Order SVU at 9 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) has Glee at 9 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) airs The Middle at 8:30 p.m., Modern Family at 9 p.m. and Cougar Town at 9:30 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Mythbusters at 9 p.m. and Time Warp at 10 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) has Ghost Hunters at 9 p.m. and the premiere of Ghost Hunters Academy at 10 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has Nip/Tuck at 10 p.m.
  • Spike (1080i) has The Ultimate Fighter at 10 p.m.
  • DirecTV (1080i) has Friday Night Lights at 9 p.m.
  • Comedy Central (1080i) brings the season finale of South Park at 10 p.m.
  • History (720p) has WWII in HD at 9 & 10 p.m.
  • TBS (1080i) has House of Payne at 9 & 9:30 p.m. and Meet the Browns at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Flowers Uncut at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has an NBA doubleheader with Cavs/Wizards at 7 p.m. and Spurs/Mavericks at 9:30 p.m.
  • EPSN2 (720p) has Central Michigan/Ball State college football at 8 p.m.

Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest way to get streaming internet video on my HDTV?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 18th 2009 at 3:15PM

It's hard to imagine, but there are a few home theaters out there not yet capable of pulling in internet video. Though quality, selection and pricing are going to remain issues for the foreseeable future, that doesn't mean our friend Keith wants to wait any longer to get on the train:

"Currently I have my home theater with a projection TV, Samsung Blu-ray player and Dish Network DVR, but I've been watching a lot of streaming video on my desktop PC and want to get it on my television. Netflix, YouTube when it goes 1080p, Hulu, as much as possible. What's the cheapest way for me to get streaming internet video sources hooked up to my existing equipment?"

If price is a consideration that may knock out most Media PC builds, but while plenty of newer Blu-ray players have streaming built in he could also opt for a game console, new DVR, dedicated hardware from Roku or VUDU or wait to see what kind of Boxee will deliver. Any tips on how you got the most internet sources hooked up to your television with the least up front cost?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

HDTV Listings for November 17, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 17th 2009 at 4:37PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • CW (1080i) airs 90210 at 8 p.m. and Melrose Place at 9 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has V at 8 p.m., Dancing with the Stars at 9 p.m. and The Forgotten at 10 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) presents Merry Madagascar at 8 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) has NCIS at 8 p.m. NCIS: LA at 9 p.m. and The Good Wife at 10 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Dirty Jobs at 9 p.m. and Ghost Lab at 10 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has Sons of Anarchy at 10 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Table for 12 at 8 & 8:30 p.m., 18 Kids & Counting at 9 p.m. and The Little Couple at 10 p.m.
  • AMC (1080i) continues The Prisoner at 8 & 9 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) has Scare Tactics at 9 p.m. and ECW at 10 p.m.
  • History (720p) continues WWII in HD at 9 p.m.
  • DirecTV (1080i) has Eyes at 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Gonzaga/Michigan State college basketball at 8 p.m. and Mempphis/Kansas college basketball at 10 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has college basketball with Arkansas/Louisville at 7:30 p.m. and UCONN/Texas at 9:30 p.m.
  • VS (1080i) has Capitals/Rangers hockey at 7 p.m.

HDTV Listings for November 16, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 16th 2009 at 4:22PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • CBS (1080i) has How I Met Your Mother at 8 p.m., Accidentally On Purpose at 8:30 p.m., Two and a Half Men at 9 p.m., The Big Bang Theory at 9:30 p.m. and CSI: Miami at 10 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) brings House at 8 p.m. and Lie to Me at 9 p.m.
  • AMC (1080i) has The Prisoner at 8 & 9 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. and Castle at 10:01 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) airs Heroes at 8 p.m. and Trauma at 9 p.m.
  • CW (1080i) airs One Tree Hill at 8 p.m. and Gossip Girl at 9 p.m.
  • USA (1080i) has WWE: Raw at 9 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Little People, Big World at 8 & 8:30 p.m., Jon & Kate Plus 8 at 9 & 9:30 p.m. and Cake Boss at 10 p.m.
  • History (720p) continues WWII in HD at 9 & 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Ravens/Browns Monday Night Football at 8:30 p.m.

Sezmi's low cost cable / satellite premium TV alternative launches in L.A.

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 16th 2009 at 4:03PM

Ready for yet another way to watch TV? Sezmi has just gone on the air in Los Angeles, offering its unique blend of premium OTA and internet delivered video to a few limited trial users. $5 a month brings whatever local networks you can pull in, basic IPTV (YouTube, OnNetworks, podcasts) and internet VOD (CinemaNow) access, while throwing an Andrew Jackson on top of that adds "more than 100 cable TV networks," delivered via antenna. According to the L.A. Times that doesn't include any channels from the Disney or Fox family like ESPN, regional sports networks or premium movie channels, but if those are already stations you're avoiding, it's a cheaper option than most cable TV plans. Other than the allure of sticking it to the current distribution model, the 1TB DVR package includes a rather unique UI to aggregate and even seek out new shows for you from those varied sources, while maintaining individual profiles for different users. The three month trial has just the right price -- free -- so even with little info on how much high definition Sezmi's network can handle or what areas or channels will be added next, it's at least worth a look.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Samsung delivering botched firmware updates to HT-BD1250 owners, twice

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 16th 2009 at 1:12PM

Ever since the tail end of September, owners of the Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray player + HTIB combo have apparently been afflicted by at least two firmware updates that promised new features but instead left many owners staring at only a display flashing "Load" and otherwise unresponsive hardware. If you've already picked up one of these, living without Blockbuster, YouTube and PC Media Streaming access is advisable, as the 2.07 and 2.12 updates appear to be the source of the problems, leaving owners waiting up to several weeks in some cases for repaired hardware to come back their way. Worse yet, according to come posters in the CNET Forums thread, customer service has been slow to pick up the tab for shipping, as if two straight problematic updates weren't bad enough. Ultimately, you may want to look past this one until things are straightened out, or at least for a unit with more (read: any) HDMI inputs.

[Thanks, Jarrett]

HDTV Listings for November 15, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 15th 2009 at 7:54PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • AMC (1080i) premieres The Prisoner at 8 & 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Colts/Patriots Sunday Night Football at 8:15 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Desperate Housewives at 9 p.m., and Brothers & Sisters at 10 p.m.
  • Showtime (1080i) has Dexter at 9 p.m. and Californication at 10 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) has Three Rivers at 9 p.m. and Cold Case at 10 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) has The Simpsons at 8 p.m. and The Cleveland Show at 8:30 p.m.
  • HBO (1080i) has Curb Your Enthusiasm at 9 p.m., Bored to Death at 9:30 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Storm Chasers at 10 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) presents Conjoined Twins at 9 & 10 p.m.
  • History (720p) premieres WWII in HD at 9 & 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Easy Carolina/Tulsa college football at 8:30 p.m.

Poll: How important is surround sound to you?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 15th 2009 at 4:15PM

Just how far audiophiles will go to experience sensory nirvana -- and whether it's all in their mind or in their ears -- is a subject that can be discussed forever, but for now we'll try to break down just how much it means to you. We know the vast majority of the Engadget HD community is already surround sound equipped, but how far do you go to get the absolute top notch experience? Drop the details of your setup in the comments below, especially whether you think you've done enough or have even further to go in the audio quality arena.

How important is surround sound to you?

HDTV Listings for November 14, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 14th 2009 at 7:57PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • Fox (720p) has Cops at 8 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Notre Dame/Pittsburgh or Texas Tech/Oklahoma State college football at 8 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) presents Ice Twisters at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) brings Saturday Night Live with January Jones at 11:29 p.m.
  • HBO PPV (1080i) has Pacquiao/Cotto boxing at 9 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Arizona State/Oregon college football at 10:20 p.m.
  • Spike (1080i) has UFC 105 at 8 p.m.

HDTV Listings for November 13, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 13th 2009 at 6:16PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • USA (1080i) has Monk at 9 p.m. and White Collar at 10 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Ugly Betty at 9 p.m.
  • CW (1080i) has Smallville at 8 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) brings Ghost Whisperer at 8 p.m., Medium at 9 p.m. and Numb3rs at 10 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Law & Order at 8 p.m.
  • MyNetworkTV (1080i) has WWE: Smackdown at 9 p.m.
  • HBO (1080i) has the season finale of 24/7: Pacquiao/Cotto at 9 p.m.
  • Starz (1080i) brings Crash at 10 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) airs Stargate Universe at 9 p.m. and Sanctuary at 10 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Lobstermen at 9 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Say Yes to the Dress at 9 p.m. and Battle of the Wedding Planners at 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has an NBA doubleheader with Hawks/Celtics at 8 p.m. and Lakers/Nuggets at 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has West Virginia/Cincinnati college football at 8 p.m. and Dynamo/Galaxy MLS action at 11 p.m.

YouTube going 1080p, already?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 12th 2009 at 7:37PM


A year removed from adding 720p streams to its repertoire, YouTube Director of Product Management Hunter Walk hit the stage at NewTeeVee Live and mentioned, among other things, that over the next few days it will be rolling out 1080p video, including going back and re-encoding all previous videos uploaded at that resolution. While other streaming services have offered 1080p for some time now we weren't exactly expecting YouTube to flip the switch just yet. With an eye towards improving quality for its 10-foot experience and moving beyond just the computer screen, clearly an upgrade was necessary, though Blu-ray or even VUDU quality is probably out of the question (though if the company jumps in the online rental biz all bets are off) the commitment is for your uploaded content to "look as good or better than the source quality." Check the video after the break for more tidbits about what's next for the site, including YouTube XL.

Continue reading YouTube going 1080p, already?





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