Engadget HD Podcast 161 - 10.27.2009
It was Windows 7 launch week, so as you'd expect we talked plenty of Windows 7 Media Center. Like the new Netflix Watch Instantly interface, Internet TV, Digital Cable Tuner firmware and Utility delays and finally how to skip commercials. But before we got to that we covered our favorite new topic, 3D. After all that we got back on our older love, Blu-ray, where we talked about why the 360 will never get a Blu-ray drive and how what we really want is Managed Copies of our movies on our 360. Finally we made fun of Comcast and Verizon for their VOD spat, and told everyone how not to evaluate HDTV in stores.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Program
00:00:25 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 160
00:12:38 - Ready or not, the latest 3D technology is coming home
00:21:40 - Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3
00:26:21 - Windows 7 Media Center's upgraded Netflix Watch Instantly interface now available
00:33:55 - Microsoft officially delays Digital Cable Tuner firmware and Advisor Utility
00:37:42 - How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center
00:45:32 - Microsoft: 'We have no plans for Blu-ray on Xbox 360'
00:52:25 - Poll: What is the best Blu-ray player?
00:57:38 - Comcast has issues with Verizon's FiOS VOD claims
01:04:22 - Hulu might be looking to subscriptions to turn digital pennies into digital dollars
01:10:07 - Ask EngadgetHD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kenjix @ Oct 27th 2009 7:32PM
I only need to listen to Ben and Richard's response(spin) to the following sections, I know richard is not a fan of the PS3 and Ben can't stand the PS3.
00:21:40 - Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3
00:45:32 - Microsoft: 'We have no plans for Blu-ray on Xbox 360'
00:52:25 - Poll: What is the best Blu-ray player?
Big Sam @ Oct 27th 2009 11:13PM
I can't remember the last time I looked at VOD.
Brian @ Oct 28th 2009 4:16AM
The only VOD I use is Netflix when I am at work. But on the 360, I only watched a total of 2 movies and that's when it first came out.
Richard @ Oct 28th 2009 4:35AM
I reinstalled Vista Ultimate after Windows 7 Ultimate would not work with my ATI All-in-Wonder HD card's HD tuner, and LifeExtender commercial remover.
I will install W7 on my video editing computer.
Jason @ Oct 28th 2009 12:16PM
I wonder if Ben (and now Steve) would be willing to trade their Kuros in (next year) for an equivalently size 3D plasma from Panasonic. Are they willing to give up the Kuro's picture quality that benefit nearly every show today for the hopes and dreams of 3D? As a new Kuro owner myself, I often wonder if any "upgrade" in the next couple years will actually be a downgrade.
Mitchell @ Oct 28th 2009 1:35PM
Im glad Win7 was able to rip off a MythTV called TimeStretch.
Of course MythTV give you more options, such as controlling the speed: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3...2 (or as fast as you hardware can handle)
~Mitchell
GenKhan2 @ Oct 28th 2009 2:19PM
I've got a few questions for you gents after upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP this past weekend.
One, what mods or plugins for windows media center do you recommend? I'm primarily interested in OTA TV and playing movies (recoded or disk dumps).
Two, as a result of living in San Diego, about half of my OTA TV stations are Mexican. Windows media center doesn't seem to have any idea where to look for program guide info for these stations. Any ideas how to fix this?
Three, I installed the internet tv portion of windows media center. It looks like CBS is on board with providing content. What's up with the other guys? Alternatively, why wouldn't Microsoft push hard to make windows media center the hulu+netflix all in one? Seems like a great potential selling point to me. I mean come on, the alternative is paying Mr. Jobs per episode as if it's 1985 and you're just realized you can get VHS tapes from that amazing new Blockbuster place.
Keep up the good work!
joek112 @ Oct 29th 2009 4:19PM
Hi Ben,
Thanks for write-up and discussing DVRMSTOOLBOX and its benefits on the Media Center platform this week—the setup and configuration seems very possible and the benefits of skipping commercials are obvious and apparent.
But the simpler solution is Next Gen… I taught my 4-year-old to identify a commercial by scanning for flashing words and detecting excessive volumes, which enacts a response of depressing the 30-sec skip button a couple of times until the show returns. Readily configurable, adaptive, exited to touch the remote, saves on CPU cycles---- Brilliant!
Wiz @ Oct 29th 2009 4:57PM
Hey, Ben-
As joek112 said, thanks for writing up the various DVRMSToolbox articles. Any chance that you can update the MKV to DVR-MS one in light of the Win7 release? (Or an equivalent MKV to WTV writeup?) Can it now be done without transcoding?
Similarly, I've been looking for a TS_VIDEO to WTV (or DVR-MS) process. Have you seen any such thing? As you noted in the podcast, DTB is not really well documented, and the learning curve is pretty steep....
Patrick Moody @ Oct 29th 2009 7:14PM
Need a poll topic ?. I dont know about you but i would a appreciate a poll on the audio on the HD podcast. Fade out Richard's background noise when Ben speaks or leave the hiss on the entire postcast ?. The last two podcasts have been varied. Check it out. My vote, leave the hiss or get Richard a quieter PC or a better mic. Your Choice..... Paddy, London
trent @ Oct 30th 2009 1:35AM
Good topic!! Maybe not for a poll but for discussion here...I have tried out a couple of different methods to deal with background noise (we are working on a long-term solution, don't worry!) but yes, please, feel free to express your desire to leave hiss in the entire time or fade it out between speakings. Or any audio suggestions, really, you guys are our best directors. This information will help me serve you BETTER - either post here or email me directly, and thanks.
alkie4life @ Oct 31st 2009 5:28PM
Ben, have a mac mini from early this year running as a HTPC with EyeTV as my DVR software. Can't stand EyeTV. Buggy, missed recordings, clunky, etc. Thinking about turning the mini into a Windows 7 box with boot camp. Thoughts? Does the mini have the 'oomf'? (I'd be using HDHomeruns for my tuners.) Would this work with extenders?
Thanks!
Eli (superflush) @ Nov 2nd 2009 2:27PM
I listed to part of the podcast in 2x on the iPhone. First time I tried. Ben is completely understandable. Richard is a bit harder to understand. I guess he talks a little faster than Ben in regular-speed life.
About the ads, I agree with Richard. Targeted ads are better ... I think people just would rather have no ads.
Eli (superflush) @ Nov 2nd 2009 2:30PM
listened*
Matt @ Nov 4th 2009 2:49PM
I can not find this 40gb kingston os ssd anywhere. Did it ever go on sale or was it just a proof of concept thing?