Video Hardware & Software's archive
Vudu Does HD VOD Big Time
Vudu, a startup that sells and rents movies via its Internet-connected set-top box, has boosted High-Definition library to 1,100 on-demand titles – for now, outdistancing any cable operator’s HD video-on-demand service.
To build what it claimed is the largest library of HD content available to consumers, Vudu added on average of 150 HD titles per week in October.
The service requires a minimum 4-Mbps connection for instant playback of HD titles.
Vudu is attempting to sell its $300 set-top to home-theater buffs by emphasizing the service’s broad content selection and navigation features. Movies on the service are available for 24-hour rental for between 99 cents and $3.99, and $9.99 to $19.99 for download-to-own.
As part of its strategy to target high-end consumers, Vudu last month began offering 65 feature movie titles for rental in 1080p high-definition video format, the highest HD format currently defined.
More at Multichannel News.
Tags: video on demand, vod, vudu
- Related Entries
- The Magic Four-Letter Word for VOD: Free -
May 15, 2006 - Downloaded Movies Were Meant To Be Free -
May 20, 2008 - I Want MyTVPal.com -
Dec 12, 2006
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Vudu Does HD VOD Big Time
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
PC Magazine Stops the Presses - Online Only
I grew up reading PC Magazine and I looked forward each couple weeks to picking up my copy of PC Magazine at the local grocery store. But today, Ziff Davis has announced that the legendary PC Magazine print publication is shutting down its print publication and focusing exclusively on online content. This is truly a sad day…
Hold on while I grab some tissues…
PC Magazine started the whole in-depth comparative reviews of PCs and Microsoft software. They expanded later to including gadgets, MP3 players, mobile phones, GPS, and other technology. PC Magazine offered insightful tech tips and great columnists like John C. Dvorak. Back in the 80s and 90s the print publication was 400-500 pages, making for hours of tech- reading pleasure. Today, it’s down to 150 pages and soon to be 0 (January 2009).
Well, I guess it’s “greener” that way. But I for one will miss my print copy of PC Magazine.
Tags: John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine
- Related Entries
- Moto Goes Soy for Cell? -
Nov 22, 2006 - How About a Mobile Phone without the Keys? Read On … -
Aug 23, 2006 - Apple Delays; Too Much Secrecy? -
Jun 29, 2006 - The Robot Hall of Fame -
Jul 12, 2006 - Robot Dog: New Fido on Its Way! -
May 04, 2006 - Back from the Gloom: V Chip Resurrection -
Mar 08, 2006 - A Really Useful Digital Camera Evaluation Guide -
Mar 01, 2006 - Nintendo DS Adds Web & TV? -
Feb 16, 2006
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: PC Magazine Stops the Presses - Online Only
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Xbox 360 as Internet-to-TV Portal
Hoping to provide viewers with an easy way to move Internet-based video onto TV screens, GridNetworks has announced a new service that would do just that by routing the content through an Xbox 360 gaming console.
The service is designed to work with any device that uses Universal Plug and Play protocols and, in the future, GridNetworks wants to be able to use Sony’s PlayStation 3 as the conduit as well.
More at Multichannel News.
Tags: gridnetworks, internet-based video, PlayStation 3, Sony, Universal Plug and Play, xbox 360
- Related Entries
- Life Got You Down? Buy a Video Game Console -
Nov 13, 2008 - Less Merry Xmas: Sony Keeping PS3 Pricing As Is -
Oct 13, 2008 - GTA IV for PC To Feature Expanded Multiplayer System -
Aug 08, 2008 - New Controllers Coming for Guitar Hero + Music Studio! -
Aug 01, 2008 - Sony PS3 Boo-Boo … -
Jul 03, 2008 - UK court rules Modchips do not circumvent copyright protection -
Jun 13, 2008 - Nintendo Wii Outsells Them All! -
May 16, 2008 - HD DVD RIP, Long Live Blue-ray! -
Feb 21, 2008 - PlayStation Phone Home -
Mar 07, 2007 - Sony PS3 haters video -
Feb 26, 2007
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Xbox 360 as Internet-to-TV Portal
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Pioneer Stores Coming to a Mall Near You
Don’t know why gadget companies want to open up their own unique stores, but Pioneer has opened its second U.S. retail store in Phoenix.
The 3,200 square-foot store showcases Pioneer’s state-of-the-art products in a comfortable home environment with six vignettes, each featuring unique themes and different technologies, as well as a revamped mobile electronics section bringing an interactive shopping experience to customers.
Well, I guess I do know, but don’t think that Pioneer ranks up their with Apple or Bose as a big draw.
But maybe I’m wrong.
Would you rather shop at an all-gadgets retailer like Best Buy or head to a unique manufacturer-only site?
Or are you comfortable doing both?
Tags: apple, best buy, bose, mobile electronics, pioneer
- Related Entries
- Let’s See How Crazy Black Friday Gets This Year! -
Nov 12, 2008 - Buying an iPhone at Best Buy -
Sep 08, 2008 - Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi: Why? -
Mar 07, 2006 - MacBook Mini on Its Way? -
Nov 07, 2008 - Circuit City Dimming Its Lights -
Nov 03, 2008 - Fab Four Heading to Rock Band; Can iTunes Be Far Behind? -
Nov 04, 2008 - Best Buy Blows Guitar Hero WT Launch -
Oct 27, 2008 - Wow! A Quick Boot PC — About Time! -
Oct 27, 2008 - Here Comes the BlackBerry Apps Store … -
Oct 22, 2008 - How Low Can Blu-ray Go? -
Oct 22, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Pioneer Stores Coming to a Mall Near You
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
How Much Is That HDTV in the Window?
New consumer research has found that 34% of U.S. households have at least one HDTV set, double the percentage of households that had such TVs two years ago.
The growth of HDTV sets has largely been driven by on-going consumer purchasing of TV sets coupled with a dwindling supply of lower-end non-HDTV sets being sold, according to the Leichtman Research Group.
Overall, 22% of all households purchased a new TV set in the past 12 months, with 43% of this group spending more than $1,000 on a new TV.
These findings are based on a survey of 1,302 households throughout the United States.
Now if we could just get the other two-thirds to pick up a HDTV set we’d be all better off … would that help the global economy or what?
More at Multichannel News.
Tags: hdtv
- Related Entries
- Top HDTVs under $1000 -
Nov 07, 2008 - HDTVs Sales Single End to STVs -
Oct 24, 2008 - Economy Down, HDTV Sales To Pick Up? -
Sep 03, 2008 - NYC Now with the Most HD via Verizon’s FiOS -
Jul 28, 2008 - Economy Ticking Upward, Buy a Gadget This Weekend -
Jul 25, 2008 - CNET’s Tech Tips Can’t Be Beat -
May 12, 2008 - SyncTV Streaming HDTV -
Jan 07, 2008 - HDMI over CAT5 Network Wire Receiver Works up to 50m! -
Nov 19, 2007 - Grand Cinema C3X 1080 Projector or Ferrari? -
Sep 28, 2007 - A New Big TV for the Big Game? -
Jan 31, 2007
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: How Much Is That HDTV in the Window?
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Wal-Mart Getting Jump on Black Friday Deals
An upcoming Wal-Mart sale will offer Black Friday-like deals, including a notebook for $298 and 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $798.
Just as it did last year with a sale that lured shoppers into its maze of fluorescent lighting for $350 laptops, Wal-Mart will once again begin its holiday sales early with a one-day shopping event to precede Black Friday.
The company’s sale will include several high-profile deals, including a laptop for $298, a 46-inch Sanyo LCD HDTV for $798, and a PS3 that comes with a $100 gift card.
Specifications on the $298 laptop, a Compaq CQ50-139WM, have moved up significantly from the models offered as last year’s doorbusters. Though it will still get a single-core Intel Celeron M processor clocked at 2GHz, the CQ50 also gets 2GB of DDR2 RAM a 160GB hard drive, and Intel’s 4500MHD media accelerator.
More at DigitalTrends.
Tags: black friday, compaq, intel celeron m, sanyo, wal-mart
- Related Entries
- An Early Peak at ‘Black Friday’ Ads -
Nov 08, 2006 - Circuit City Dimming Its Lights -
Nov 03, 2008 - Wal-mart Lowers Music Download Prices -
Oct 29, 2008 - How Low Can Blu-ray Go? -
Oct 22, 2008 - AT&T Calls on Wal-Mart, Circuit City for Triple Play -
Oct 13, 2008 - Do We Need Another Format? Try slotMusic — Soon -
Sep 22, 2008 - AC/DC & Wal-Mart? Go Figure … -
Aug 19, 2008 - Dell’s New Line Makes Like Apple -
Jul 29, 2008 - Voodoo PCs Undergo HP Mumbo-Jumbo -
Jul 24, 2008 - 40GB PS3 Going Bye-Bye? -
Jul 09, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Wal-Mart Getting Jump on Black Friday Deals
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Top HDTVs under $1000
Want to know the top HDTVs & LCDs under $1000? Well, Amazon has a sweet round-up of the top HDTVs that won’t break the bank. My 480i/480p/1080i 65″ rear-projection TV is getting a bit old, it’s bulky, and it doesn’t support 1080p, so might be time for me to buy one of these or add it to my Christmas wish list. 
Read: Amazon’s Top HDTVs under $1000
Tags: 1080i, 1080p, 480i, 480p, HDTV, LCD, television, top HDTVs
- Related Entries
- Grand Cinema C3X 1080 Projector or Ferrari? -
Sep 28, 2007 - ViewSonic Takes on Vizio and Westinghouse with Low-priced 1080p LCDs -
Jan 08, 2007 - HDTVs Sales Single End to STVs -
Oct 24, 2008 - Sling Media SlingCatcher and Slingbox PRO-HD Available -
Sep 10, 2008 - LCD Still Moving, but Is a Slowdown Ahead? -
Aug 12, 2008 - Looks Like 1080p is Coming -
Jul 31, 2008 - Look Ma, No HDTV Wires! -
Jul 10, 2008 - Freebox France offers VoIP, HD TV, and Internet for just 29.99 €/month -
Jul 08, 2008 - CNET’s Tech Tips Can’t Be Beat -
May 12, 2008 - SyncTV Streaming HDTV -
Jan 07, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Top HDTVs under $1000
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Roku Streaming HD from Roku — Before Year End
Roku representatives have responded to rumors on its online forum board regarding when it will launch streaming HD services and announced, earlier than they’d like, that it will team up with Netflix to bring HD content to its subscribers.
Compared to the recently announced Xbox and Netflix tie-up that will also see streaming HD content to the Xbox, Roku will use different Advanced Profile encoding to deliver the HD content at significantly lower bit-rates.
In related news, CNet reports that Netflix has decided to stop selling used DVDs to its customer base, instead deciding to focus its attention on its rental by mail and Watch Instantly services.
“As you know, our core business is delivering great movie rentals to you on DVD by mail and instantly to the computer and TV, so we’ve decided it makes sense for us to focus exclusively on that,” the company stated in a Netflix blog post.
More on the streaming from Electronista (and thanks for the photo).
Tags: CNet, netflix, roku, streaming HD, xbox
- Related Entries
- Is There More to Netflix/Roku Than Meets the Eye? -
Jul 02, 2008 - Downloaded Movies Were Meant To Be Free -
May 20, 2008 - Movie Rentals? Try a DVD Kiosk Near You -
Sep 11, 2008 - Xbox Now Cheaper than Wii (But for How Long?) -
Sep 05, 2008 - Teaching an Old Blockbuster a New Trick -
Aug 05, 2008 - UK Bans Adult Video Games from Its Prisons -
Jul 25, 2008 - In Today’s News - the XBox 360 pwns the Sony PS3 -
Jul 14, 2008 - ‘Look Ma, No Hands’: Bluetooth Converts? -
Jul 07, 2008 - New iPhone the BlackBerry Killer? -
Jun 10, 2008 - When One Less Gadget Is Better — Set-Top Boxes Going Bye-Bye? -
May 27, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Roku Streaming HD from Roku — Before Year End
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
WB Goes for Legal Movie Downloads — In China Only
In an attempt to make headway against rampant film piracy, Warner Bros. will distribute newly released films online in China.
The studio struck a deal with Union Voole Technology in China to offer new movies as well as those that have never been seen in Chinese theaters at rental prices ranging from 60 cents to $1.
The inexpensive video-on-demand service seeks to entice China’s estimated 253 million Internet users to pay for Hollywood fare rather than download illicit copies.
How about a “Coming to America” version for all of us over here?
More at the Los Angeles Times.
Tags: movie downloads, warner bros.
- Related Entries
- Downloaded Movies Were Meant To Be Free -
May 20, 2008 - Do We See a White Flag in the DVD Format Wars? -
Jan 04, 2007 - Now It’s Time Warner’s Time -
Nov 29, 2006 - Wal-Mart Goes to the Movies (Back to the Future?) -
Nov 28, 2006 - The Next Gen DVD Format War Is Over (Maybe, Maybe Not) -
Sep 27, 2006
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: WB Goes for Legal Movie Downloads — In China Only
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Watch Two TV Programs at Once on Same TV!
It sounds like an offer out of the back of a comic book, but Texas Instruments (TI), the maker of the DLP Cinema chip, is developing technology that might make it possible to watch two programs on one TV at the same time.
The company recently outlined some of its early developments that use 3-D technology for home entertainment at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers Technical Conference and Exhibition in Hollywood, CA.
One development, which TI expects to begin to preview at year’s end, is processing technology that if incorporated in a third-party home entertainment system could allow for 2-D, 3-D or “dual view mode” on the same TV. Dual view mode, similar to 3-D, combines two images, but they are two different images.
Yes, and you can expect to wear special glasses, too …
More at the Hollywood Reporter.
Tags: 2-d, 3-d, dlp, texas instruments
- Related Entries
- Microchip Celebrates 50th Today! -
Sep 12, 2008 - Enkin combines GPS, Camera, Google Maps, 3D and Live Video -
Apr 21, 2008 - More 3D Avatars -
Dec 20, 2007 - Is DLP Going the Way of the Dodo? -
Jan 03, 2007 - Mobile DTV Alliance Wants You! (To Watch!) -
Jan 23, 2006
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Watch Two TV Programs at Once on Same TV!
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Multi-Channel Election Night Coverage
If one channel just enough during election season, Dish Network is offering a mosiac channel with six simultaneous feeds of news channels.
It started Tuesday, Oct. 28, and will run through Nov. 7.
For those 11 days, you can turn to Channel 100 and catch Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, CNN Headlines News, C-SPAN and C-SPAN 2.
(At least the remote control will get some rest …)
Since May, Dish has offered Dish Decision 2008, an interactive application with news and information about the presidential candidates, plus state-by-state news, information and polling about congressional and gubernatorial races.
Dish rival DirecTV is also offering an Election Day mosaic channel, in this case an eight-channel offering called Election Mix.
Thanks to TV Technology.
Tags: directv, dish network, election day
- Related Entries
- Looks Like 1080p is Coming -
Jul 31, 2008 - Android G1: What’s the Story? -
Oct 16, 2008 - DirecTV Screws Fast Forward -
Dec 31, 2007 - AT&T U-Verse Chance Encounter - What are the odds? -
May 07, 2007 - AT&T U-Verse offering 1 Year FREE of DISH Network -
May 04, 2007 - Number Portability problems -
Sep 05, 2006 - NFL On Dish: SD & HD -
Jul 13, 2006 - Dish Network Adding Dish Games -
Jun 16, 2006 - Up, Up & Away: Another Dish for the Network -
Feb 17, 2006 - The Dish on DISH, Texas -
Dec 12, 2005
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Multi-Channel Election Night Coverage
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Anybody Buying Blu-ray?
There are ads for them all over the place as everybody seems to be pushing Blu-ray as the better version of DVD – much like DAT was the new audio cassette (but at least that’s digital vs. analog, not better digital vs. digital) and we know what happened to DAT …
And who can argue with 1080 lines of resolution (BR) vs. 480 (DVD), but we the consuming universe just don’t want to shell out $30 for a BR title when we are quite happy to pay less (often much, much less) for a regular, good old DVD.
(And DVD are not really that old, are they?)
In a sign that there is than one of us out there with the same way of thinking, as of last month, only 4% of U.S. movie disc sales were Blu-ray, according to Nielsen VideoScan. Many consumers remain happy with mainstream DVDs, surveys show. 
So let me hear your arguments about going over the blu side …
Tags: audio cassette, blu-ray, dat, DVD, Nielsen VideoScan
- Related Entries
- Blu-ray in Your Plans? -
May 05, 2008 - Blu-ray Buy 2 DVDs, Get 1 Free Promotion -
Jul 15, 2008 - Blu-ray DVD - Buy 2 Blu-ray DVDs Get 1 Free on Amazon -
Apr 09, 2008 - How Low Can Blu-ray Go? -
Oct 22, 2008 - Less Merry Xmas: Sony Keeping PS3 Pricing As Is -
Oct 13, 2008 - Is It Time for 3D TV? -
Oct 06, 2008 - Make Mine Memorex: Nice Blu-ray for $269 -
Sep 19, 2008 - Microchip Celebrates 50th Today! -
Sep 12, 2008 - We Keep Doin’ the Gadget Redo … -
Sep 05, 2008 - Only Another 5 Years for Blu-ray? -
Sep 03, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Anybody Buying Blu-ray?
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Sears Wants Your Old Gadgets
Sears is offering VenJuvo’s Trade4Credit program to Sears.com shoppers that will allow you to earn Sears store credit in exchange for trading in pre-owned gadgets that have been determined to still hold value.
The program, which offers free recycling and shipping, will accept a variety of gadgets, including iPhones, digital cameras and camcorders, MP3 players, GPS systems and gaming systems.
To use the service, simply have to log onto www.sears.trade4credit.com, select your gadget and then enter the specifics about it so the system can calculate an estimated trade-in value. Once the value is established, the user can print out the prepaid mailing label and send the device to VenJuvo.
After the device is received, VenJuvo will validate the value and within three days you will be able to collect a Sears gift card for that value.
A quick look at the site tells me the product categories are narrow and the prices low. Now, wouldn’t eBay be a better choice in some cases?
More at TWICE.
Tags: ebay, recycling, sears, trade4credit, twice, venjuvo
- Related Entries
- TRU Going iPod Crazy!!! -
Oct 15, 2008 - Cell Phones Will Take over GPS Market -
Sep 26, 2008 - NuTsie Streaming iTunes to Your Phone -
Sep 25, 2008 - Going Green with My Gadgets -
Sep 15, 2008 - Samsung’s Green Gadget Returns Mean Free for All -
Sep 05, 2008 - Economy Down, HDTV Sales To Pick Up? -
Sep 03, 2008 - Happy 5th Birthday Skype! -
Aug 29, 2008 - What’s Wrong with Second-Hand Video Game Sales? -
Aug 28, 2008 - What Economy? TV Sales Surge Anyway -
Aug 18, 2008 - CloudBlue for Recycling Gadgets -
May 30, 2008
TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Sears Wants Your Old Gadgets
Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog
HDTVs Sales Single End to STVs
Shipments of High-Definition televisions this year surpassed that of standard TVs, according to iSuppli, a leading market researcher.
Significant price reductions and the increasing availability of content over multiple distribution channels are the key drivers behind HDTV sales.
And don’t all sports events look better in HD? ![]()
As a result, HDTV shipments are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 20% from 97.1 million units last year to 241.2 million by 2012. In 2008, HDTV shipments will reach 124.2 million units, while non-HDTV shipments fall to 86.6 million.
With the technology everywhere these days — on broadcast television, cable, satellite and the Internet, you can’t escape hearing about something being broadcast in HD or getting the most out of your HD receiver or the most HD channels available.
Shipments of standard definition TVs (STVs), on the other hand, are expected to decline at a rate of 27% from 114.8 million units in 2007 to 23.1 million units by 2012, iSuppli said.
More at InformationWeek.
Tags: HDTV, high-def tv, iSuppli, STV
- Related Entries
- NAB: Broadcasters Get Together To See the Future -
Apr 04, 2006 - CNET’s Tech Tips Can’t Be Beat -
May 12, 2008 - SyncTV Streaming HDTV -
Jan 07, 2008 - HDMI over CAT5 Network Wire Receiver Works up to 50m! -
Nov 19, 2007 - Grand Cinema C3X 1080 Projector or Ferrari? -
Sep 28, 2007 - I’ll Take My Super Bowl at Home, Thank You -
Jan 16, 2007 - Sharp’s 108″ LCD: Now That’s Big! -
Jan 09, 2007<
