Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve been waiting for more information on DirecTV’s next generation multiroom DVR hub, and here it is, courtesy of the folks at DBSTalk. They’ve gotten an early look at the HR34 and all of its five-tuner RVU blasting capabilities and report it is just the HR24-on-steroids you’d thought it would be, with a 1TB hard drive and support for 100 Series Listings and 3 remote sessions, either RVU or whole-home DVR, at once. Of course, if we’re really going to eliminate the cable / satellite box anytime soon then hardware is going to have to hit the streets, both form DirecTV and third parties like Samsung. Don’t bother calling DirecTV to get one yet as they’re in extremely limited release, but we’ll let you know once they’re widely available. In the meantime, hit the source link for a quick preview, and if you’re looking for more info on the placeshifting Nomad box then you’re in luck, since its product page is (finally) live on DirecTV’s site.

DirecTV’s five tuner, RVU-ready HR34 DVR revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  DBSTalk  | Email this | Comments

Don’t expect Comcast to stop its Xfinity VOD streaming to the living room rollout with just the Xbox 360 this Christmas, as executive Sam Schwartz promised during a CTAM panel that it plans to develop apps for the PS3, Wii, Roku and other connected TV platforms. Multichannel News reports it doesn’t plan to roll out streaming to as many platforms as Netflix, so we’ll have to wait and see where this initial venture into IPTV stops. Think big cable is scared of over the top services? Maybe not yet, since Comcast claims Netflix subscribers tend to be the most voracious users of its VOD. Also in Comcast’s future is its completely revamped Xcalibur guide software with internet and social media tie-ins (check out our early sneak peek here), which Schwartz reiterated would be available nationwide at some point next year.

Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Multichannel News  | Email this | Comments

Syabas has released a torrent of details about its next media streamer. The forthcoming Popcorn Hour A-300 houses the latest Sigma 800MHz CPU and Real Media decoder support, plus USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connections to ensure dizzying transfer speeds. Like its predecessor, the aluminum-encased streamer is entirely fanless, broadcasting your favorite content in stoic silence. The A300 will be available starting October 18th, direct from Syabas. You can prepare yourself by checking out the source link below for a plethora of detailed videos and screengrabs of the A-300’s interface in action.

Continue reading Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video)

Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Missing Remote  |  Networked Media Tank  | Email this | Comments

It was just about a year ago that we initially heard rumors of the DirecTV Nomad, and after some lengthy intrigue it is finally ready to launch. While its product page on the company’s website isn’t live yet, the folks at DBSTalk have been testing it and already posted one of their detailed walkthroughs, revealing the box as a TiVoToGo-style transcoder. Plug the $149 box into your whole home DVR network and it snags recorded programs and prepares them for viewing on other devices. Currently that list includes PCs with 1.2GHz processors or higher (no Atom powered netbooks invited to this party) and iOS devices, although an app for Android is apparently on the way. Compared to Dish Network’s Sling-powered TV Everywhere streaming approach, DirecTV’s sideloading has the distinct benefit of offline viewing, but without access to live TV on the go. The iPhone app is already available in iTunes and some forum posters report they’ve already been able to preorder the unit, but check DBSTalk for their breakdown and the device’s manual in PDF form before making a decision on your placeshifting future.

DirecTV Nomad is ready to launch, transcodes DVRed shows for mobile viewing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  DBSTalk, DirecTV, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

LG wants to bring the world of Adobe Flash to your living room. Yes, 2012’s lineup of Smart TVs, theater systems and Blu-ray players are all set to arrive with support for both Flash Player and AIR 3, and the Korean manufacturer is keen to get developers signed up for its next-generation Smart TV SDK. The new software development kit will include a simplified dashboard, the ability to render 2D apps in 3D and even “console-quality gaming.” Throw in Adobe’s new Game Input API, and we could see tablets, joysticks and even LG-made smartphones used to control on-screen action. LG has informed us that these upgrades will be limited to next year’s catalogue — your 2011 purchases won’t support the new software, and will have to make do with the slightly weedier Adobe Flash Lite. New Smart TVs will also be compatible with the Wiimote-esque Magic Motion Remote, bringing gesture-based awkwardness to menu selection.

Continue reading LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers

LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments