Engadget HD Podcast 162 - 11.03.2009
The Cable-Tec show was a source of much news this week, whether you're dreaming of the perfect NAS-based multiroom DVR setup, new DVR hardware (we're talking about you, TiVo) or old standbys 3D and tru2way. This week's Ask Engadget HD question gives TiVo another dose of attention, while we celebrate another step forward in eradicating loud commercials. The EpixHD launch is big news and was probably lots of fun for FiOS subs...unless you use Media Center. After the latest analyst poll results we take it to the readers to break down the most highly anticipated Blu-ray of the year (Warning: Star Trek movie spoilers within,) the Apple TV 3.0 update and what the FCC might have planned for digital TV spectrum.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Program
00:00:40 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 161
00:12:25 - Pace and Rovi work together to make a standard set-top a true multi-room DVR
00:20:15 - Broadcom's new DVR chip could make all our dreams come true
00:25:23 - Comcast should be tru2way ready by the end of the year
00:28:26 - Details of 3D cable demo at Cable-Tec emerge
00:33:50 - Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo?
00:43:32 - Members of the ATSC agree on measure to curb loud commercials
00:51:46 - EpixHD celebrates today's FiOS launch with weekend movie streaming passes for all
00:57:00 - Analyst: More HDTV owners getting a steady diet of high definition for every day viewing
01:00:30 - Poll: What's the biggest Blu-ray disc still due to arrive in 2009?
01:11:28 - Apple TV 3.0 software update is out, with iTunes Extras, LP & Genius in tow
01:16:30 - FCC keen on commandeering TV spectrum for wireless broadband
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian @ Nov 4th 2009 7:37AM
Am I the only one who thinks the Tivo UI is fine? It looks great. I will say once you get outside of the basic UI it sucks. What I mean is if you try to use the Amazon interface, or YouTube, etc...those are horrible. But the basic UI, the on screen guide, Recorded TV, etc...all look fine.
And OLED is pronouced O-L-E-D. Not O-LED (o-lead). Just like LED is pronouced L-E-D, not LED (lead).
Philip S @ Nov 4th 2009 1:31PM
"It's a gunshot, it's supposed to be heard throughout the whole house." EXACTLY! Loved that line.
Big Sam @ Nov 5th 2009 12:13AM
I won't be interested in 3D tvs unless the next generation of game consoles do something really innovative with it. If 3D sports are as cool as you say, that will just be a bonus.
Joe @ Nov 5th 2009 4:08PM
OT: Hey Ben, awhile back you mentioned on a podcast that you use an online service for your home security system. What's the company's name again? Thanks.
harvey saad @ Nov 6th 2009 12:49AM
Just wondering if anyone at Engadget HD has tried xbmc. Lifehacker had a post about building an xbmc powered media center on a nettop (Acer AspireRevo). I've been considering the Apple TV but this might be a better alternative. (better codec support, better UI, cheaper, open source)
Jamert Bickmore @ Nov 6th 2009 4:44PM
Since I lost the sight of my left eye to shingles, 3D really doesn't interest me. That is until one-eyed 3D becomes available LOL.
normychas @ Nov 14th 2009 10:20AM
regarding the comments on tivo i agree with some of Ben's points
regarding the dated ui. However you can now look at the guide while
watching a recorded tivo. This was a feature added close to a year
ago. I am a person who has really outgrown tivo but i often wonder
why Ben a person who only really watches tv and doesn't archive his
movies prefers media center. Granted the 4:3 interface is hideous but
Ben often talks about the out of the box 160 gig hard drive on the
tivo which isn't really a fair criticism for tivo since its so easy
to add a 1 terabyte hard drive with a small amount of hacking. I
realize that this requires a bit of hacking and would be considered a
work around but so does setting up commercial skip and auto convert
for dvrms toolbox. I'm not saying that media center isn't more
capable for somebody that spends hours writing dvrms toolbox profiles
i feel like its not fair to say that tivo comes with a 160 gb hard
drive as though it just cant be changed. Another advantage to tivo is
dual live buffers, something which no amount of hacking can fix. In
terms of added functionality I love the netflix ui another something
that media center cant really say that it has. Another thing i never
hear mentioned is stability. Stability is a major concern from me and
its the number one thing that makes me hesitant to make the jump to
media center. At any rate i agree with most of Ben's criticism of the
tivo ui but wanted to point out that it can now pull up the guide
while watching a recorded tv.