Oh, brother. Here we go again. Just over a year after Nintendo's own Reggie Fils-Aime denied the existence of a forthcoming Wii HD, the bigwig is having to make that very same denial again. Naturally, a few new rumors of an HD-enabled Wii have surfaced since that fateful day in October of 2008, and with the recent price drop, it made sense to think that the Big N might actually be looking ahead. Instead, it seems that it's perfectly content selling hundreds of thousands of consoles that want nothing to do with modern amenities like "HDMI," "1080i" and "things that the PS3 and Xbox 360 have offered since day one." The man's exact quote?

"I don't know how forcefully we can say there is no Wii HD."

And Reggie, we don't know how much more forcefully you can continue to break our hearts.

[Via Joystiq]

Oh what a wonderful week it is now that baseball is officially over -- enjoy it while it lasts though as we heard that spring training was going to start in December this year. Big college football game this weekend as two top ten teams meet in Alabama and we'll all get to see if Alabama deserves its number three spot. Also this week are a few NFL divisional games as the Ravens take on the Bengals and Dallas travels to Philly, both of which are playing really good right now.

CFB
# 9 LSU at #3 Alabama CBS 3:30 Sat
# 16 Ohio State at #11 Penn State ABC 3:30 PM Sat
#24 Oklahoma at Nebraska ABC 8:00 PM Sat

NFL
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 PM CBS Sun
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles 8:20 PM NBC Sun
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos 8:30 PM ESPN Mon

NHL
Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Vs 8:00 PM Mon
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins Vs 7:00 PM Tues

NBA
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers TNT 8:00 PM Thurs
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers ESPN 10:30 PM Fri

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.

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[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

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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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.

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[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

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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So the biggest movie of the year has come to Blu-ray and is behind us, but there are plenty of hot new releases left on the docket this year -- just not this week. This week we are planning on getting a couple of movies for our kids as well as checking out the latest Battlestar Galactica movie, The Plan. Other than that we're looking forward to checking out Larry David in a Woody Allen movie, we mean how could that not be funny?

• Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (Universal)
• Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (Fox)
• Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (Walt Disney)
• Night of the Creeps (Sony)
• Whatever Works (Sony)
• Orphan (Warner)
• Nothing Like The Holidays (Anchor Bay)
• Stan Helsing (Anchor Bay)
• Beast Stalker (Tai Seng)
• Expedition: Africa (A&E)
• The Prisoner (A&E)
• Il Divo (MPI)
• The Living Dead At Manchester Morgue (Blue Underground)
• Look For A Star (Tai Seng)
• Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown (Cinevolve)
• Monty Python: Almost The Truth - The Lawyer's Cut (Vivendi)
• Stargate: 15th Anniversary Edition (Lionsgate)

Opening the podcast this week is the biggest question on our minds: n that the U.S. mobile DTV standard is officially official, how much bandwidth can we expect it to steal from HD stations? From bitrate counting broadcasts we move on to uncompressed HD streaming and whether it means anything for viewers, the impending online and FiOS launch of Epix HD and whether an SSD upgrade makes sense for HTPC owners. Cheaper and much more easily justified is ATI's Radeon 5750 with bitstreaming audio support, and this week's question for the readers, where do you buy your Blu-ray discs? Closing things out is discussion of the new Transformers flick available today, and you know we had to squeeze in some 3D to close things out.

Get the podcast
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[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:00 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 159
01:45 - US Mobile DTV standard finally approved
08:00 - Level 3 delivering end to end uncompressed video from Broncos home games
13:20 - Epix HD queues up Iron Man, Madonna and Eddie Izzard for online & FiOS launch October 30
17:20 - Ask Engadget HD: Would an SSD upgrade help my HTPC performance?
25:28 - ATI Radeon HD 5750 brings HDMI bliss to HTPCs for $110
29:03 - Poll: where do you buy your Blu-ray discs now, if you buy them at all?
35:07 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu-ray debuts October 20, check out one of the special features now (Video)
43:25 - 3D cable TV to be demoed at Cable-Tec Expo next week
45:45 - Samsung showing off 55 inches of 240Hz 3D LCD glory
48:00 - Hitachi exhibits 10-inch glasses-free 3D display

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Oh man do we just love this time of year, not only are the super hot days of summer over, but Football is here and now the big blockbuster movies are hitting Blu-ray. And of the big movies for 2009, none is bigger than Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which hits Blu-ray tomorrow -- actually if you really can't wait, you can go to Best Buy at midnight tonight and pick it up. We can't say we blame 'em, but the rest of the studios pretty much let Paramount make this Transformers week as there really isn't anything else out there to get excited about. That's ok though, because in the next 12 weeks there should be plenty to choose from.

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Paramount)
• UFC 100: Lesnar vs. Mir (Starz/Anchor Bay)
• Waterworld (Universal)
• Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (Fox)
• Blood: The Last Vampire (Sony)
• Easy Rider (Sony)
• The Crew (Image)
• Ichi the Killer (Tokyo Shock)
• Monsoon Wedding (Criterion)
• The Secret of the Nutcracker (BFS)

Podcast musical chairs continues, as Richard returns this week Steve steps out, but never fear -- unless of course you have an intense physical reaction to discussions on 3D, Blu-ray and analyst predictions. In that case, it might be time to reach for the Xanax, or at least skip well ahead to our discussions regarding upcoming home theater upgrades, what setup might go best with your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, and what exactly can be done to take care of loud commercials. Finally, we take a minute to see what new fall programming has stuck in our viewing rotation (not much.)

Get the podcast
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[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
01:00 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 158
08:25 - A 1998 Forrester Research prediction about HDTVs wasn't even close
17:58 - Timeframe for the 3D infiltration? 3 - 4 years, says Panasonic president
20:10 - Panasonic's 50-inch 1080p 3D plasma spotted, watched at CEATEC
24:27 - Pixar talks about what it took to upgrade Toy Story to 3D
27:30 - Blu-ray outpacing DVD adoption, will never reach its penetration
30:35 - Wal-Mart cutting back DVD and Blu-ray display area
33:38 - Poll: What part of your home theater is getting upgraded this holiday season?
40:15 - Ask Engadget HD: Best home theater setup for gaming?
42:26 - It'll probably take an act of congress to ban loud commercials

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It's Monday, and we know that getting the week started can be tough. We're here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to tape on Monday, October 12th at 6:30PM ET. Think of it as a kind of time machine that will help you power through your day by reviewing what happened in the week HD-wise. Embedded Ustream tools and a list of topics after the break.

We kick things off with a trifecta of 3D news -- whether you've seen it or not, whether you think it's the next big thing or just a gimmick, it's coming; and not a moment too soon for former 3D naysayer Ben. He's full of surprises this week as he also was smitten by the VUDU HDX black magic on the LG BD 390 Blu-ray player. Maybe it's the integration with a top-notch Blu-ray deck, or maybe he's just easier to please during football season, but it's hard to fault the picture quality and -- thanks to Dolby Digital Plus bitstreaming -- the audio. For sure, HTPC video cards have a little ways to go before they can deliver the same ease of use at everyman prices. Speaking of what's not easy to use, we also talk about CableCard's failure to deliver a world of premium content flowing freely across wildly imaginative devices.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:01:34 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 157
00:07:00 - Survey says consumer won't pay that much extra for 3D
00:15:50 - Poll: Would you rather see live 1080p or high quality 3D from your cable / satellite provider?
00:27:10 - Sony single lens 240 fps camera is great for 3D (& 2D) sports
00:29:24 - New Digital Copies on the actual Blu-ray Disc from Sony exclusively for the PSP
00:35:07 - VUDU on the LG BD390 review
00:49:10 - ATI Radeon HD 5870 is the first video card to bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD
00:53:28 - Only 443,000 CableCARDs deployed into consumer's equipment
01:00:59 - Ask Engadget HD: How do I hook up surround sound without cables running everywhere?

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No epic TV reviews / previews this week (though we did have time to mention The Cleveland Show leaving Family Guy behind and moving to HD in a pretty cool way, it's embedded after the break), but there's still some post-CEDIA discussion to be hashed out. Before we get to that, Panasonic's 3D effort is one step closer to a real product with its 50-inch protype model that debuts next week, are we ready for the 3D onslaught? Then we get into a few more thoughts about the Popcorn Hour C-200, Pioneer's new upscaling receivers and whether Best Buy's all-in-one LCD & Blu-ray player could be a good deal. Then comes the CEDIA discussion and plenty of CableCARD, FCC and related discussion before moving on to Intel's sweet IDF demos. Last up is the possibility of 1080p from your cable provider, the good news Top Gear is finally coming over to HDTV, and of course, our fabulous 3rd birthday celebration.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:00:43 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 156
00:01:30 - Panasonic's 50-inch 3D plasma announced, seeks fine family home
00:12:50 - Popcorn Hour C-200 hands-on
00:17:10 - Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers
00:23:06 - Best Buy bringing value priced all-in-one 32-inch LCD & Blu-ray HDTV to stores "soon"
00:26:04 - PS3 3.0 / 3.01 firmware update making Blu-ray drive unusable?
00:27:45 - Microsoft Media Center CEDIA predictions wrap-up
00:41:07 - A first hand look at SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center
00:55:50 - Cablevision asks FCC for a waiver to encrypt all Clear QAM channels
01:01:40 - The CEA asks the FCC if CableCARD is helping to spur competition
01:06:08 - Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house
01:13:25 - Motorola's new pro encoder makes 1080p cable broadcasts a breeze
01:17:10 - BBC confirms Top Gear is filming this season in HD
01:21:17 - Happy 3rd birthday Engadget HD!


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It's Monday, and we know that getting the week started can be tough. We're here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to tape on Monday, September 28th at 6:30PM ET. Think of it as a kind of time machine that will help you power through your day by reviewing what happened in the week HD-wise. Embedded Ustream tools and a list of topics after the break.

It's been a really slow week in news, but we got together with the Ustream crowd to talk about some HD. Whether it's over an open data pipe, walled garden marketplace, networked Blu-ray player, or an all-consuming media tank, having choices for getting entertainment into your eyeballs and eardrums is a good thing. With that in mind, we talk about the FCC's first steps towards 'net neutrality, Zune Marketplace content playback on MCE, VUDU on LG's BD390, and Popcorn Hour's C-200. Choice is something you'll have less of if you're sticking with Blockbuster as it closes down stores, however. After a brief dalliance in a fantasy world of designer 3D glasses, we come back to reality with a good, long review of this season's new TV shows -- there's enough good stuff in there that even antenna-heads should be able to keep their DVRs nicely stocked with HD this year. We apologize ahead of time if you notice any audio glitches in this week's 'cast, there were a few technical issues but we should have them ironed out be next week.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). p
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Steven Kim, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:43 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 155
04:37 - FCC chairman formally proposes net neutrality rules
11:55 - Zune Marketplace HD videos will play on Extenders for Media Center
16:25 - Vudu on the LG BD390 will bitstream Dolby Digital Plus
23:23 - Blockbuster plans to part with 960 retail stores by end of 2010
28:30 - RealD figures designer glasses might help the acceptance of 3D
39:15 - The Popcorn Hour C-200 media streamer makes its way into the wild
42:10 - Ask Engadget HD: 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound audio for beginners?
48:57 - Time to set your DVRs for the Fall season

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Oh yes, it's that time a year, time to make sure you have your DVR set to record all the Fall premiers. Now of course we'll continue to have the latest and greatest shows listed on our daily listings post, but with a week like this with so many premiers we also like to head over to Geek Tonic to see the entire week summarized in a single post. It gives us a chance to see which new shows we might want to record, or just to go through the old series recording list and check it twice. So if you love HD programming as much as us, head over and be sure to let us know what you'll be watching this season.