Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world’s first native 4K TV show

Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world's first native 4K TV show

3net, the joint venture from Sony, Discovery and IMAX that’s a 3D channel and more recently a production studio, is ready to announce its first slate of content. While so far the channel has mainly sourced content from the three partners, the new slate of projects, with one that it says is the world’s first native 4K project for TV. Called Space, it combines 3D and Ultra HD footage to explore the universe. Of course, at $20k~ a pop for Ultra HD TV sets and a lack of anyone broadcasting in the format so far it may be a bit early, but it will probably air in standard HD/3D at first and when the tech catches up, it will be ready. Other shows in the works include Marksmen, a 3D motion comic, documentary Frozen In Time: Our History in 3D, Wingsuit Warrior: Jeb Corliss vs. The World and travelogue series Daydream. Anyone that scrounged for HD in the early 2000s is probably familiar with this type of demo-ready content, and if you’re one of the first with a 4K set, it will probably be in your library for a while before Hollywood is ready to sell you the same movies again, just in higher resolution.

Continue reading Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world’s first native 4K TV show

Filed under: ,

Initial projects from 3net Studios include the world’s first native 4K TV show originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 07:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  source3net  | Email this | Comments

Vudu brings HDX 1080p streaming and downloadable movies to PCs

Vudu brings HDX 1080p streaming, downloadable movies to PCs

While HDX video has been a trademark for the Vudu service for years, when it launched streaming and Vudu-to-go downloads for PCs last year, they were limited to standard definition. That’s been corrected recently, as the service is now offering 1080p or 720p HDX video via the web. What you still won’t get on the PC unfortunately is higher quality sound as it’s still limited to stereo audio for now, and in our tests we weren’t able to access the Flash streams on a phone or tablet. Just log into the website and you should be able to try it out for yourself, however you will need adequate internet speed and an HDCP-compliant display — check out the details at the link below.

Filed under: ,

Vudu brings HDX 1080p streaming and downloadable movies to PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVudu Support  | Email this | Comments

Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer (video)

Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer video

We’re still a few months away from the debut of Netflix’s new series House of Cards, but the streaming company has posted a trailer on its service and on YouTube giving us an early peek. You can check it out after the break, or head to the Netflix site and see the new page it’s whipped up to promote the show that’s accessible whether or not you subscribe to the service. That’s also where it plans to add behind the scenes content, reviews and other promo material as the February 1st launch approaches. The trailer is brief, but the style and everything we can see of star Kevin Spacey as Congressman Francis Underwood has the feel of a high quality production. This path is already well worn by AMC, HBO, Showtime and others trying pump up value by adding exclusive new shows (Lilyhammer also aired on Norwegian TV) on top of existing catalog movie offerings. We’ll see if the critics and subscribers put it on a par with shows like Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Dexter or Breaking Bad, and how viewers react to Netflix’s strategy of making all the episodes available at once.

Continue reading Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer (video)

Filed under: ,

Netflix original series House of Cards gets its first trailer (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNetflix, YouTube, Netflix Blog  | Email this | Comments

XBMC 12 ‘Frodo’ Beta 1 appears, includes support for Android, Raspberry Pi, HD audio and more

XBMC 12 'Frodo' Beta 1 appears, includes support for Android, Raspberry Pi, HD audio and more

Development of the XBMC project has continued to roll along since Eden launched officially earlier this year, and now the first beta for v12 Frodo is live. Those who dive in will experience a slew of new features that have been trickling out in monthly builds recently, including support for HD audio formats like DTS-MA and Dolby TrueHD, live TV and PVR access plus versions for Android and Raspberry Pi. There’s a long list of features to check out — and known issues, this is a beta after all — check out the official blog for all the details and to try it out yourself.

Filed under: ,

XBMC 12 ‘Frodo’ Beta 1 appears, includes support for Android, Raspberry Pi, HD audio and more originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceXBMC.org  | Email this | Comments

Star Trek: Enterprise Blu-ray release next year tipped as fans pick box art

Star Trek Enterprise Bluray release next year tipped as fans pick box art

As Star Trek franchises go Enterprise may not be TOS or TNG, but it was the first one to be broadcast in HD way back in 2003. The Digital Bits points out that StarTrek.com is letting fans pick box art for Season One and Two sets that will see a release next year, and notes rumors all four seasons could ship before 2014. Since HDTV broadcasts didn’t start until the third season this should be an extra treat for devoted followers, however the juiciest rumor listed is the possibility of an X-Files Blu-ray set next year from Fox — stay tuned.

Filed under: ,

Star Trek: Enterprise Blu-ray release next year tipped as fans pick box art originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Digital Bits  |  sourceStarTrek.com  | Email this | Comments

Sony to release XAVC 4K video spec, licensees include Apple, Adobe

Sony to release XAVC video format SDK to 4K developers

Sony has announced that it’ll release an SDK to 4K developers this month for its recently launched XAVC video format used by the new F5 and F55 CineAlta camcorders. The new specification uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression, which allows up to 12-bit color depth, 60 fps shooting speed at 4k and 180 fps in HD. So far, fourteen companies including Adobe and Apple have signed on as licensees, and Sony says the format may come to consumer products as well. Details of the program along with an SDK will arrive this month, just in time for a possible Ultra HD onslaught.

Filed under: , ,

Sony to release XAVC 4K video spec, licensees include Apple, Adobe originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AV Watch  |  sourceSony (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Dish Network’s Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features

Dish Network's Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features

If recording satellite television using one of Dish Network’s Hopper systems left you longing for something a little more terrestrial, there’s good news: the firm just unveiled an off-air digital tuner that’s compatible with its marsupial-themed hardware. For those eager to record broadcasts picked up with an antenna, the OTA dongle is already available for $30 from Dish’s online store. A freshly released software update not only adds support for the hardware, but also brings a raft of new features to the Hopper. With the update, users can now pair Bluetooth audio devices with the DVR, gaze at album art on SiriusXM channels and recover deleted recordings from a recycle bin that saves nixed footage for 48 hours. The box’s “Prime Time Anytime” feature now supports standard definition local channels, and a new “What’s Hot” section clues users into what other folks are watching locally and nationwide. For nitty gritty details, screenshots and impressions of the OTA module, tap the source links below.

Continue reading Dish Network’s Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features

Filed under: ,

Dish Network’s Hopper gets an off-air digital TV tuner, software update packing new features originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSatelliteGuys (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)  | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 324 – 11.13.2012

Engadget HD Podcast 320 - 10.16.2012After a relatively quiet week, we can take our time on topics like AT&T’s U-verse expansion and news that Netflix is accounting for 29 percent of North American internet traffic. We’ve also got some executive movements at Sony, new HDTVs from Hitachi and the launch of new TiVo features on Virgin Media. For a peek into the future, look no further than a list of theaters supporting 48fps 3D showings of The Hobbit, and the premiere of the new Battlestar Galactica prequel on YouTube before it hits cable and Blu-ray.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[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 (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

05:43 – AT&T to spend $14 billion over the next three years on broadband
10:22 – Hulu adds Kids section for little streamers, updates PS3 app with renewed remote support
12:05 – Sandvine: Netflix up to 29 percent of North American internet traffic
17:33 – Advanced ticket sales for The Hobbit start, 450 theaters are ready for 48 fps 3D
23:45 – Sony Network Entertainment prez Tim Schaaff retires
25:53 – TiVo TV Anywhere app, multi-room streaming launch for Virgin Media viewers
27:45 – Hitachi intros UltraVision LED TVs with Roku-ready HDMI
31:55 – Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome is coming home any way you want
39:49 – Must See HDTV (November 12th – 18th)

Hear the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Filed under: ,

Engadget HD Podcast 324 – 11.13.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sky+ app update brings remote control features to iPhone, iPod touch

Sky app update brings remote control features to iPhone, iPod touch

It’s been a few months since UK TV operator Sky added remote control features to its iPad app, and now there’s a similar refresh for the iPhone and iPod touch. The v4.2 update gives users brings remote control with support for gestures, DVR scheduling and management, a new guide as well as revamped navigation and search on the smaller screens, as long as they’re connected to the same WiFi network as the box. The Android app is still without the new features, however they’re promised to arrive there “in the coming months.” As usual the update app is available at no charge via iTunes, hit the link below to check it out, or check out the press after the break for more details along with a demo video of the iPad version.

Continue reading Sky+ app update brings remote control features to iPhone, iPod touch

Filed under: ,

Sky+ app update brings remote control features to iPhone, iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments

Louis CK to offer HBO show as DRM-free download, chip away at cable content deals

Louis CK to offer HBO show as DRMfree download, chip away at cable exclusivity

With certain exceptions, HBO has developed a reputation for being protective of where and how its content goes digital. That makes Louis CK’s plans for a 2013 comedy special a slight jolt to the system, even though it’s not his first digital release linked to the channel. While HBO will get a first crack at airing the show, which will be recorded during Louis’ ongoing tour, the comedian now plans to post the production online a few months afterwards using the same successful formula that has become his calling card: $5, no DRM and no region restrictions. The offering doesn’t overhaul the industry, but it undoubtedly wrests control from the network as soon as the download link goes live. Think of Louis as making a small crack in cable TV’s content wall.

Filed under: , ,

Louis CK to offer HBO show as DRM-free download, chip away at cable content deals originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink New York Times  |  sourceLouis CK (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments