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Samsung BDP-UP5000 Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player Available this Fall
One quick way to end the high definition DVD format war is to offer a drive that plays both HD-DVDs and Blu-ray. LG has already shipped such a drive, which is available on HP’s m8010y media centers for about $500 extra. It looks like amsung is going to offer a similar dual format drive, albeit […]
Continue reading...Over the Air HD Broadcasts | Snapstream Gets Rid of Cable
23. June 2007
I frequently talk about how over the air high definition broadcasts of network TV are free. A media center is a great way to watch these broadcasts. Not only can you ditch your cable company, but you can record anything you want in high definition. All you need is an antenna and a tuner. The […]
Continue reading...HD-DVD vs Blu-ray Format War Survival Guide
19. June 2007
Most consumers have not made the plunge of purchasing the next generation of high definition DVDs, either Blu-ray or HD-DVD. With prices of Blu-ray and HD-DVD drives dropping all the time, it is becoming more tempting to take the leap to HD. However, the competing formats have muddied the water. I have no idea who […]
Continue reading...Broadcom Media Center PC Solutions Offer Cheap HD Playback
10. June 2007
Cheap media center PCs capable are needed to drive mainstream adoption. Broadcom has announced new media PC solutions that enable playback of high definition (HD) video content for low end computer systems. Broadcom hardware will reduce the CPU utilization required to playback HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies. From the press release: By lowering CPU utilization, and […]
Continue reading...Alienware needs 3 essential items for HD media centers
9. June 2007
Right now, there are three essential items for any computer that costs over $3,000 and is a media center: Two digital cable tuners to record one HD program while watching another A Blu-ray or HD-DVD drive to watch HD movies NVidia 8500/8600 GT video card to optimize performance of HD content A couple days ago […]
Continue reading...Alienware’s Hangar 18 launches with a thud
6. June 2007
Alienware, which is now owned buy Dell, anounced the release of its Hangar 18 HD media center. I had high hopes for this system based on its stylish design and hopefully low price point compared to the marketplace. After releasing the specs for the system, the Hangar 18 media center appears to be all flash […]
Continue reading...Where are the Vista Media Center Remote Controls?
2. June 2007
Over the last release Micrrosoft has released some images of Vista media center remotes, with the latest iteration actually looking quite nice. Long Zheng recently published this little tidbit in a post: On May 29 (today, for those of you living in a black hole), Microsoft has been granted the design patent for a Media […]
Continue reading...Are Pika and Media Center Extenders delayed by Xbox 360?
30. May 2007
The Xbox 360 will be the only viable media center extender until this holiday season. For those of you not familiar with media center extenders, Microsoft explains them as follows: Windows Media Center Extender Technology (or “MCX Technology”), code named “Pika,” is platform-independent software that will enable home network connected consumer electronics devices to deliver […]
Continue reading...Consumers are confused about media centers and CableCards
29. May 2007
Engadget recently had two articles about its writer’s experience with a Vista media center with CableCard support. One writer had a promising installation experience while the other was mired in CableCard hell. While the articles are interesting and worth the read, the comments on the articles left by readers prove to be even more interesting. […]
Continue reading...Is HD-DVD, Blu-ray Managed Copy Dying?
25. May 2007
Ars Technica posted a fairly positive story on the future of Managed Copy. For those of you who have never heard of Managed Copy, it is a specification in digital rights management of HD-DVDs and Blu-ray discs that that will allow users to make copies of HD DVD and Blu-ray movies. The article indicated that […]
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6. July 2007
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