Engadget HD Podcast 177 - 02.09.2010
Leading off the podcast this week is breaking Netflix Watch Instantly news (only to find out after recording that 5.1 and closed captioning features would be available this year, but not 1080p) before trying to figure out exactly what Comcast was thinking with its new Xfinity brand name. After that we get elbow deep in the NBC/Boxee standoff, even more Netflix numbers and Blu-ray player sales projections. Of course we've got some 3D news from the last few weeks to recap, from the HDMI spec going public to Comcast's 3D efforts, Sky's inaugural soccer broadcast and Samsung's BD-C6900 showing up momentarily on Amazon. Of course we had to dicuss Panasonic's plasma revelations, before closing out with the new (& cheap) ATI HTPC video card and a few poll results.Get the podcast
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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Program
00:01:25 - 1080p, 5.1 surround sound coming to Netflix Watch Instantly in 2010? Update: No, yes (and closed captioning)
00:06:48 - Comcast smears the XFINITY brand across all its services
00:11:53 - NBC's Jeff Zucker talks about Boxee with congress, Boxee talks about The Facts with Jeff Zucker
00:19:50 - Netflix celebrates Q4 success of 1 million new subscribers and eyes bigger growth ahead; Roku too
00:30:50 - In-Stat sees Blu-ray players closing in on DVD sales in 2013
00:33:37 - HDMI 1.4's 3D spec publicly released
00:43:39 - Comcast CEO not sure 24x7 3D is in our future
00:48:40 - Inaugural Sky 3DTV soccer broadcast received warmly, hooligans opt for Michael Jackson & the Grammys instead
00:52:52 - Samsung's 3D Blu-ray player available for preorder on Amazon: $399 - Update: Not anymore
00:54:35 - Panasonic cops to rising black levels in its plasma HDTVs, but questions still remain
01:00:59 - ATI Radeon HD 5450 focuses on multimedia features, neglects gaming
01:03:48 - Poll: How did you watch Lost?
01:09:55 - Poll: Best HD sporting event this month?
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Sorry UStream folks, Just when we were getting back into our stride we've got to cancel on you for today. We'll definitely be back on the air soon to talk as much HDTV (and of course, 3DTV) as we can stand. Until then, follow the twitter account
No guests this week, but there's still plenty of HD related topics to talk about. Of course that includes 3D, but after that we had time to discuss a new Blu-ray player from Oppo, future possibilities for digital distribution and exactly what we're expecting from NBC's costly Winter Olympics coverage. After that the talk turns to the legal aspects of the latest action from the FCC, and Microsoft's patent infringement lawsuit. We wrap things up with an evaluation of DirecTV's multiroom beta, and just what happened to all the hype over connected HDTVs in 2010.
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 Monday the 25th at 6:30pm. 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.




















