Stop staring at the plastic wrapped pics from our pre-CES tour and have a look at Samsung’s absolutely uncovered 1.5-inch thick Blu-ray player. The BDP4600 is sure to kick off an all new battle of “thin for thin’s sake” amongst CE manufacturers, but honestly, given the emphasis on design or complete lack thereof on most Blu-ray hardware so far, this can’t come a moment too soon. What does it do? Your guess is as good as ours, until Samsung decides to let loose with the specifications.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Samsung’s skinny Blu-ray player uncovered originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It was really only a matter of time, but instant streaming from Netflix is finally getting piped straight to the tele. Until now, users needed an HTPC or a set-top-box / motion picture player that supported Watch Instantly, but we’ve received word that LG will debut the world’s first Netflix-enabled HDTVs this Spring. Details are pretty light, but we’re told that both plasma and LCD models will be unleashed; unfortunately, it’s not entirely clear if HD Netflix will be included and if the sets will / won’t be WiFi-enabled. Keep it locked here for anything more, we get the feeling we haven’t heard the last about these beauties.

Update: The AP is suggesting that the inclusion of the Netflix streaming feature (or, “broadband abilities,” as it were) could add around $200 to $300 per set. That’s a pretty hefty premium for ditching the box.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

LG to release first HDTVs that instantly stream movies from Netflix originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After slowly sneaking its branding onto its Linksys devices, and welcoming us to the non-defined “Human Network” with ubiquitous GE-style feel good advertising (above), Cisco is finally ready to make a real play for our hearts and pocketbooks with a new wireless audio streamer — among other consumer-friendly products — to be unveiled at CES next week. The products so far are vaguely defined, but it seems like a Sonos-type device in the cards, with a video streamer for use with a Television (and that handy Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem) and eventually a TV-based videoconferencing device both in development. The latter would be a full-HD setup, in the vein of the company’s $40k+ Telepresence rooms currently available to corporations and inexplicably rich comic book heroes, but dramatically cheaper of course. Unfortunately, that won’t be available for a year or two, and in the meantime we’ll have yet another vaguely useful media streamer on our hands — we can’t wait!

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless

Cisco to invade homes next year with new wireless music streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP’s 1.5TB MediaSmart Server ex487 (and its smaller 750GB sibling, the ex485) were just announced hours ago, but that hasn’t stopped a few lucky reviewers from putting their hands-on photos and impressions online for the world to pore over. The biggest knocks that seemed to really grate the nerves of critics were that the single eSATA port wasn’t port-multiplier aware, and despite the bump to 2GB of RAM, the TwonkyMedia and Remote Media Streaming software were still deemed “quirky and in need of some polish.” Those gripes aside, the newfangled unit was pretty well adored. In fact, WeGotServed flat-out called the device “stunning,” praising HP for its tightly integrated applications that worked fairly well on top of Windows Home Server. For those eying a simple-to-use media server, it looks like HP finally produced one that can be purchased sans regret; the real question, however, is will the outfit push these delectable new features down to existing ex470 / ex475 owners?

Read - MediaSmartServer review
Read - WeGotServed review / hands-on

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Storage

HP MediaSmart Server ex487 gets hands-on love and full-blown review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that this debut is anything shocking (thanks, FCC!), but we’re still stoked to see ASUS get all official with its AIR3 sound system. Sure, it’s not exactly treading on new ground, but for those looking for a touch more functionality in their iPod sound system, the internet radio inclusion is one that’s much appreciated. ASUS speaks pretty big about the device’s audio prowess, noting that it utilizes a Texas Instruments Class-D amplifier and HDSS (High Definition Sound Standard) certified drivers. Also of note, the unit includes S-Video / composite video outs and supports UPnP sharing via 802.11b/g WiFi or Ethernet; if that’s not enough to catch your eye, there’s also a useful auxiliary input and built-in weather forecast display that pulls down updates from the world wide web. As ASUS always does, we’re left hangin’ sans a price or release date, but we suppose it’s teaching us a lesson in patience… or something.

[Via iPodNN]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

ASUS officially launches iPod-friendly AIR3 world wide web radio originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know we couldn’t let the holidays pass us by without doing a tiny giving, and the snow shoveling crew over at Engadget HD have put down the Egg Nog just long enough to host up a lovely giveaway (one of two, in fact). Rumor has it that a Sling Media Slingbox PRO-HD fell right out of Santa’s sleigh and into an open window at the EHD headquarters, but don’t worry, Mr. Claus has a stout insurance policy. Head on over and register to win!

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Engadget HD’s Holiday Giveaway: win a Slingbox PRO-HD! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We actually pondered aloud where all the standalone OTA DVRs were in this wild world earlier this year, and at long (long!) last, we finally have a new entrant into the all-but-dead niche. DISH Network’s DTVPal DVR, which was known in a former life as the EchoStar TR-50, has finally started to ship out to anxious buyers. For those who’ve forgotten, this box acts as a digital-to-analog converter and an HD DVR, capturing up to 30 hours of HD OTA material or 150 hours of SD content. Check the read link for a slew of in the wild / interface shots.

[Thanks, TOTA]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

DISH Network’s DTVPal DVR now shipping, caught in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just in time to snag some of that cash you’re sure to have showing up right about now via greeting cards from around the world, Verismo Networks is officially launching its diminutive VuNow PoD. We’ve seen the device evolve quite a bit since June, but with a smorgasbord of competitors already grabbing market share left and right, we’re left to wonder if this one won’t be sitting on the outside looking in. The web Television streamer hooks directly to one’s Television and internet connection in order to deliver web content (YouTube, of note) to the tele. While specifics are conveniently omitted, we’re told that users will have access to “a broad choice of on the web video content — from movies, global Live TV channels, to user-generated content and viral videos.” It’s available now for $99, but can you stand yet another set-top-box beneath your flat-panel?

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Verismo officially launches $99 VuNow PoD with YouTube support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We already gave VHS a proper burial after JVC became the last firm to close the door on VHS player production, but there was still one nail in the coffin that wasn’t quite hammered shut. This day, it all ends. The last notable distributor of VHS films — Distribution Video Audio out of Palm Harbor, Florida — has shipped its final truckload of tapes, probably to a small town library or a mom ‘n pop shop in a place you’ll never hear of. According to co-owner Ryan J. Kugler: “It’s dead, this is it, this is the last Christmas, without a doubt.” An unceremonious way to exit, sure, but we have a sneaking suspicion that it’ll one day be able to state it made it longer than practically each other physical film format that succeeded it. Here’s one last tear for the format that was — now, time to plan a trip to the local flea market.

[Via CNET]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

VHS distribution grinds to a stop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good thing Netflix / Roku got those finicky quality issues ironed out, as the latest firmware update is all about clarity. Version 1.5, which is evidently being pushed out in waves, is allowing individuals to stream high-def Netflix content. So, for those of you lucky enough to have the new firmware already, how do things look and sound? Are you pleased? Not really? Talk up below!

[Thanks, TheManTheyCallJayne]

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Roku v1.5 firmware update brings HD Netflix streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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