Skip to Content

New to the Mac? Check out TUAW's Mac 101
AOL Tech

Forget HDTV and 3D, when is Ultra HDTV / Super Hi-vision coming home?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 4th 2009 at 3:39PM


Not willing to make predictions about the future of HDTV with all the other analysts, In-Stat has jumped ahead with its latest report, a peek at the future of Ultra High Definition (though the kids are calling it Super Hi-Vision these days.) We'd heard the 8K / 4K broadcasts could flip on as early as 2015, but this report pegs 2017 - 2022 as a more likely time period, with the expectation that 28.2% of European households will be sporting the 22.2-channel audio spec by 2025. Of course, if you must be first on the block with it, there's always JVC's $175k DLA-RS4000 available right now.

AT&T CruiseCast satellite service halts activations, will refund customers

by Donald Melanson posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 3:51PM

It wasn't too hard to see this one coming after reports of "financial difficulties" and a potential early demise starting cropping up last month, but it looks like AT&T's CruiseCast in-car satellite service is now officially done for. According to RaySat COO Mike Grannan (AT&T's partner in the service), all new activations have now ceased, and existing customers will soon apparently be able to get a refund for the cost of installation, de-installation, equipment and service. For those keeping track, the service just launched in June of this year and, while no installed base numbers seem to be available, it doesn't appear to have caused much more than a blip on the radar, with it hindered in part by a hefty $1,300 up-front cost.

Analyst: More HDTV owners getting a steady diet of high definition for every day viewing

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 2:43PM

Last seen belatedly dubbing HDTV "game changing" for 2008, analytical firm Knowledge Networks is back with its latest breaking observation, finding owners are 65% more likely now than they were two years ago to say they are watching HD programming daily. Up from 26% in an '07 survey to 43%, we sadly noted that amount of people that always check for the high definition feed instead of SD rose only slightly from 61% to 68% among the 510 surveyed. Seeing fair and balanced numbers on the appeal of stretch-o-vision (we already know how you feel about it) would have been nice, but check the press release to see the stats networks and advertisers are probably checking before deciding to spring for HD specifically broken down across genre and gender.

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter will take your Mac mini to HDMI town

by Tim Stevens posted Oct 5th 2009 at 9:03AM

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter will bring your Mac Mini to HDMI town
Your Mac mini cranks out its video via DisplayPort and audio via a mini Toslink. Chances are your home entertainment system doesn't like either of those. It will, however, like the Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter, which can turn a DisplayPort video signal into a 1080p signal over HDMI, and will even integrate either digital or analog audio into the mix. It's USB powered, so there's no need for a clunky power adapter, and while $70 isn't particularly cheap for a chubby cable ($50 for the USB analog audio model), it's about the cleanest way to get your Mini pumping tunes and vids through your system.

[Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog]

Livestream Livepack: a 'satellite television truck in a backpack'

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2009 at 5:44PM


"Game changing" is thrown around way too frequently these days, but man, this thing just might be. The Livepack is being described as "a satellite television truck in a backpack" by creator Livestream, and for all intents and purposes, it is. Put simply (or as simply as possible), the pack includes everything one would need to stream "HD quality" footage: encoding hardware, a Firewire cable and the real kicker, a built-in wireless connection with six load-balanced 3G modems over three carriers (AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint if you have to know). Users simply provide their own camcorder, mash a button when it's show time, and out goes the signal. The Livepack can currently be rented for $2,500 per month (includes 30 hours of streaming) or $1,500 per month if you commit to a year-long agreement. So, who's up for showing the world their high school prom live in HD? Demo vid is after the break.

[Via Red Ferret]

Continue reading Livestream Livepack: a 'satellite television truck in a backpack'

Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba and Sony align on Mobile High-Definition Link

by Darren Murph posted Sep 29th 2009 at 10:19AM

Say it with us now: "Yippee!" Why such joviality? We'll tell you why. Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and Silicon Image have all teamed up to create yet another new connector, with this one hoping to forever harmonize the strained relationship between mobile phones / PMPs and high-def displays. The so-called Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group is seeking to create a new "industry standard" for connecting handsets and other portable consumer electronics to HDTVs and displays, though we're still wondering why exactly we need a replacement for HDMI, DisplayLink and the forthcoming Light Peak so soon. As with most of these things, details about the actual product(s) are slim, but trust us, they're working on it. And they're working hard.

GoPro releases first footage from 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 29th 2009 at 8:51AM

GoPro releases first footage from 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam
GoPro announced its 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam earlier this year, back when people were jumping off of high things and speeding around other things whilst wearing helmets. Now the summer adventure season is drawing to a close, the winter one is starting to develop, and the company has released a series of high-def, high-adrenaline clips to show what that camera can do -- most filmed when the days were still long and the sun still high. Sadly the videos are not embeddable, but click on that read link for your morning dose of speed. The company has also released a good bit of information about the cam, that it's 30fps at the full 1080p or an optional 60fps mode at 720p. 720p footage is recorded at a particularly wide 170 degrees, while 1080p footage is slightly less wide (though still rather broad) 127. Also, the company promises that the microphone will actually be usable at speed, a rarity in this sort of device. It's all slated to ship this fall, and we look forward to putting one through its paces then.

International HD news roundup

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 29th 2009 at 5:12AM

Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days (or few weeks,) let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, Totsiens!

Read - TSN AND TSN2 ANNOUNCE 2009-10 NHL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Read - Beijing to become first Chinese city to upgrade digital cable TV network
Read - China starts SD-HD simulcasting
Read - Beijing TV to roll out high definition program by end-Sept.
Read - Victorian Football League Grand Final Goes Live Across Australia In High Definition
Read - 'Hole' wins Venice 3-D film prize
Read - Canal Digitaal to Launch New HD Channels on ASTRA 23.5 Degrees East
Read - UK Broadcasters Want Freeview HD DRM'd To Tackle PVR Piracy
Read - Telecom New Zealand To Sell TiVo DVRs
Read - Foxtel to launch download service, 12 new channels
Read - Fox Sports 1, 2 and 3 head in to the High Definition era (Australia)
Read - MTS Allstream launches next-gen HDTV service (Canada)
Read - Freeview viewers reminded to retune (UK)
Read - Virgin Media brings Living content in HD (UK)
Read - Numericable launches MTV Box HD (France)
Read - GlobeCast deal delivers HD Champions League
Read - BBC Freeview DRM: The slightly less inflammatory truth

Blockbuster announces cable VOD tie-ups, expanding CinemaNow OnDemand deal

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 22nd 2009 at 9:26AM

As a part of its "transformation to a Multi-Channel Brand" Blockbuster continues to use its name recognition to reach new markets, simultaneously trumpeting the success of a partnership with CinemaNow, resulting in Blockbuster OnDemand on Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, as well as other hardware and soon, Motorola phones, while also easing into the cable video on-demand arena. In deals with Suddenlink and Mediacom via their VOD provider, Avail-TVN, they'll start off slowly by rebranding parts of their VOD service under the Blockbuster name, do some cross-promotion and then eventually take their relationship to the next level by allowing customers to search the rental giant's Blu-ray and DVD library for movies that might not be on VOD right now. The old dog seems willing to try anything to get back on top, but alone or all together, it's tough to see these strategies restoring the customer base Netflix and Redbox continue to eat away.

Read - Blockbuster Enters Strategic Alliance With Cable Operators Suddenlink Communications and Mediacom Communications

Continue reading Blockbuster announces cable VOD tie-ups, expanding CinemaNow OnDemand deal

RealD figures designer glasses might help the acceptance of 3D

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 18th 2009 at 3:01PM

The solution to consumers gripes over ill fitting and odd looking 3D eyewear? Offer up polarized lenses in designer frames, or even prescription strength for glasses-wearers. That's what some execs have suggested at the 3D Entertainment Summit, revealing plans for Gucci and other frames to hit stores ahead of the launch of Avatar in December. We're still anticipating serious sticker shock when 3D comes home next year, tacking on ultraexpensive options above the already hiked theater price seems like the perfect way to stop any momentum this trend has gained.

The Metropolitan Opera's HD broadcasts still growing in season four

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 15th 2009 at 4:27PM

Successful since it started a few years ago, The Metropolitan Opera is coming back with the fourth season of its The Met: Live in HD series. Starting October 10, this year's series expands to "nearly 500" theaters across the U.S. experiencing live and prerecorded high definition feeds several days a week. We'll probably just check out Aida via the streaming player at home , but for the full experience, hit the read link to find out where it's showing near you.

Will Apple announce anything for HD snobs today?

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 9th 2009 at 11:49AM

Apple Rock n' Roll event

Sure, it is The Rock n' Roll event, but an HD snob can only hope there will be something for everyone in today's event. It isn't like there haven't been any rumors either. First up was the Blu-ray support in iTunes 9, then there was the updated Apple TV and the most recent is from a Harmon Kardon press release where we learned that the latest Bridge III iPod / iPhone dock and AVR 2600 and 3600 receivers can "play back HD video from iPod or iPhone products." You'd think at least one of these would have to be true -- especially with the Zune HD hitting the streets in less than a week. Personally we have our hopes up for Manage Copy support in iTunes, but we admit that we are just dreaming.

New WiFi IR emitters from Global Cache´ get us excited about home automation

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 9th 2009 at 9:23AM

iTachWe've written about Global Cache´ before and we're sure anyone who's done a little home automation around the house has ran across them; but with the new iTach line just announced today, we'd bet the a whole lot more of you will get excited about the little company. While emitting IR or controlling an RS-232 device over the LAN is an old trick for this company, the latest line really takes it to the next level. The first thing we noticed was how much smaller the box was -- comes in handy when there isn't much room behind the TV -- but we quickly said who cares when we learned that WiFi was built-in. But even if you already have a network drop behind your TV you'll be happy to hear that the new line also offers PoE. Those two features alone are enough to get us excited, but the fact that an IR learner is now built-in (used to be an extra $75) and the device is no longer limited to a single connection (so you can have up to eight iPod Touch remotes now). Top all that off with a lower starting price, and being user upgradable, and you have our home automation gears working in overdrive.

Microsoft and Tesco strike up 'virtual DVD' partnership

by Vladislav Savov posted Sep 9th 2009 at 6:24AM

Starting this autumn -- which is sort of like now -- Tesco stores in the UK will be offering "virtual DVDs" to customers who purchase certain home video titles. Promising no less than a "DVD-equivalent" experience, the new service will be replete with all the menus, copyright warnings and extra bits you'd find on the disc itself, plus additional exclusive content and movie viewing parties with online chat. We're not entirely sure films need all the added interactivity Microsoft has cooked up, but ambitions are to expand the bonus content and to offer the service in other markets "eventually." And hey, seeing as it's based on Silverlight, all that good stuff will be available on Mac too.

CEDIA 2009: Super 3D Special Platinum Series Edition

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 8th 2009 at 7:18PM


This year for its 20th Anniversary CEDIA shifts from Denver to Atlanta, and we're already on the ground ready to let you know what this show is bringing to the consumer electronics world. Think info on new televisions, receivers, speakers, high end custom install equipment and everything in between is something you'd be interested in? Keep an eye on Engadget HD, though we had to nix the live podcast this week, we'll be bringing booth tours, hands ons as well as live coverage of Microsoft's press conference Wednesday night and any other surprising updates we find out about. Let us know in the comments if you've got a particular point of interest, some time in the next four days we'll be able to swing by and get your questions answered.




AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Joystiq Xbox
Autoblog
Big Download
Fanhouse NFL Blog