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Super Bowl XLVII Will be Streaming From CBS[teaser]Verizon customers can get more postseason games streaming on their phones to boot. [/teaser] The Super Bowl is the most watched single game sporting event there is. Football fans look forward to the event all year and people that don't watch sports tune in for the game, the spectacle and, yes, the commercials. Last year, the NFL streamed the game for the first time and it seems like they like how it turned out, because it's streaming again in 2013. The stream will be handled by CBS and will be available both on the CBS and NFL websites. You'll also get to check out the Wild Card Saturday Doubleheader and the Pro Bowl, all of which are also streaming this year. Verizon customers get an added bonus – they can stream all four games on their cell phones and not just their computers. That's a definite boon if you happen to be travelling on the big day. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Dec 20, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Home Theater Connections: Year-End Wrap Upby Daniel Hirshleifer High Def Digest is dedicated to bringing you the best coverage of Blu-rays that you can find anywhere on the net, but no matter how great a disc is, it won't shine without a great home theater setup. People might balk at the thought of the time and cost involved, but we're here to tell you that updating your hardware doesn't have to be a painful experience. With that idea in mind, we proudly present a new column: HDD Home Theater Connections. We'll comb through all the new technology and present the best of it right here, month after month. [teaser]As 2012 comes to its end, we thought it appropriate to look back on a year of tech and select the best displays, players, accessories, gadgets, and anything else that caught our eye. We're going to focus our coverage on items that are generally affordable, so while there may be really great high end products on the market, those won't be what we're highlighting. Instead, we will focus on the best affordable tech, in the hopes that people who don't have unlimited funds will find it useful.[/teaser] Best TVs of the Year For the longest time, it seems like the focus for HDTVs was to get them slimmer, lighter, and cheaper. Within the last few years, manufacturers have reached many of those goals, meaning that now they can spend their time on design and picture quality. This year, there have been some great TVs in multiple categories that justify an upgrade without breaking the bank. When it comes to flat panels, LCD and LED have grown by leaps and bounds, but to my mind, the leader in picture quality remains plasma. And when it comes to plasma, no one does it better than Panasonic. This year saw many strong televisions from Panasonic, including the top of the line VT50, but the PST50 is the real winner, coming in at half the price of the VT but with nearly rival picture quality. The PST50 has top-notch black levels, color reproduction, and tackles bright lighting without breaking a sweat. The model has gotten rave reviews across the board, and even several professional calibrators have piped up with praise for this display. It's well equipped with three HDMI ports, and SD slot, and wifi with a suite of VIERA connect apps such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Pandora, and more. You can even download an app to control the TV through your tablet or phone and share content between devices. The one downside is that although the display does offer good 3D support, there are no glasses included, and the active shutter glasses that work with it are not cheap. Available in 50", 55", 60", and 65" models, the Panasonic TC-PST50 is simply the best bargain on the market, with the 50" currently going for just shy of a grand on Amazon. It's so good that I bought one for myself. Don't look at it as authorial bias, but rather a case of putting my money where my mouth is. I can tell you from personal experience that the PST50 is an absolute knockout of a television. If plasma isn't your thing, you should take a look at Samsung's EH6000 line. It uses LED backlighting uniformly throughout the display and offers a sharp and uniform picture. The black levels won't compare to the Panasonic, nor does it offer Smart TV options (although you can jump over to the EH5300 line for that if you don't mind having a 60Hz TV versus the 120Hz refresh rate that the EH6000 line offers). The unit does offer built-in media playing capability through flash drives, however. The Samsungs are cheaper than the Panasonics, with the 55" model going for the same price as the corresponding 50" plasma, so if you want a little more size for the buck, this isn't a bad way to go. And if you're not interested in 3D, then don't worry—these televisions don't offer them. If you've got a lot of space to fill, flat panels aren't going to do it. Oh, sure, manufacturers push massive flat screens, but they're prohibitively expensive, and mainly used for businesses. If you want a throw bigger than 65", it's probably time to start looking at projectors. Projectors start with a higher base price than a television, but given the sizes you can reach, the price per inch makes them a much better value. Also, by front projecting onto a screen, you get an experience that really puts the "theater" in home theater. The BenQ W7000 projector offers a pleasing picture at a 50,000:1 contrast ratio, with stellar 3D, and a good host of features often not seen on lower end projectors, and currently runs less than $2,000 on Amazon. Given that it can project up to 300 inches, that's an absolute steal. If you're just getting started in the world of projectors, you could do a lot worse than the BenQ W7000. 2012 is also the last year that Mitsubishi will be manufacturing consumer televisions. I personally had a Mitsubishi rear-projection DLP TV for many years, and I am very sad to hear they will no longer be competing. Mitsubishi's departure effectively ends the presence of rear-projection DLP and laser televisions in the home theater market. If you're a fan of either of those technologies, you might want to grab a new Mitsubishi set before retailers run out of stock. Best Audio of the Year As we all know, great sound can make a movie. Imagine a shootout without bass-heavy gunshots, or a musical without warm, expansive mid tones. Without the right receiver and speakers, even the best movie is going to feel decidedly underwhelming. Receivers used to be a simple device designed to pass sound to a set of speakers. But with the advent of lossless sound, music streaming, HDMI cables, and other entertainment innovations, receivers are now essential hubs that connect the various elements of your home theater to make a cohesive whole. These days, choosing the right receiver can mean the difference between frustration and perfection. Budget receivers are frequently lacking in inputs, features, or both, but the Sony STRDN1030 is a powerful, full-featured receiver that comes at a reasonable price. This 7.2 receiver has 145 watts per channel, five HDMI inputs with 3D pass through and audio return channel. More importantly, it has built in wifi and Bluetooth for wireless streaming from other devices, as well as connecting to music services like Pandora and Slacker. Some reviews have noted that while the Sony is quite loaded with features, it has a poor user interface that can be difficult to navigate. The STRDN1030 normally retails for $500, but right now is going for $100 off at Amazon. Another alternative is the Onkyo NR line of receivers. Their wattage ratings are lower, but at the levels we're talking about you won't hear any appreciable difference. What you will notice is the difference in price. The TX-NR414 5.1 channel receiver goes for under $300, while the TX-NR515 7.2 channel model is currently available for a hundred less than the sale price on the Sony. These receivers don’t have built-in wifi, but you can buy a dongle that adds such functionality for $25. The one thing this won't add is AirPlay, which the Sony has built in, although the Onkyo has a USB port that you can plug your iPod into, and even is preset to control an Apple TV, which does offer AirPlay. The Onkyos do have more HDMI inputs than the Sony, and Onkyo is a generally well-regarded name in the A/V field, although their unit reliability could be better. Of course, once you get your shiny new receiver you'll need some speakers to pump out all that delicious sound. A lot of hay is being made about sound bars these days, which offer decent sound without requiring a receiver, but the convenience is more than outweighed by the loss of sound quality. To really bring your home theater alive, you need a true surround sound system. You might be tempted to buy a home theater in a box, which gives you a receiver and 5.1 set of speakers, but you'll almost certainly get a subpar receiver along with poor speakers. Instead, consider something like the Energy Take Classic 5.1 set of speakers. This $400 set of speakers has a small footprint, but large sound. It's the best-reviewed budget speaker set on the market for the price. $400 might seem a bit steep if you just spent a comparable amount on a new receiver, effectively doubling the price of your purchase, but if you don't get quality speakers, you might as well have wasted the money you spent on the receiver. All The Rest Now that you have all the big components in place, you'll need a few more items to really make things complete: Devices to play content, something to control all these devices, and cables to connect them all. There are more ways to view media today than ever before. For a comprehensive rundown of different devices, check out our article on streaming services. If you want to play Blu-rays, the Playstation 3 is a powerful, versatile system that allows you to play Blu-ray, video games, and use multiple streaming services. To keep prices down, you could skip the PS3 and go for a Panasonic DMP-BDT220, which offers great Blu-ray playback, wifi for access to streaming services, and 3D support. It's currently going for $100 at Amazon. If, like me, you have an ever-growing army of devices in your home theater, a universal remote is an essential addition to keep everything simplified. When it comes to universal remotes, there's only one name you need concern yourself with: Logitech. The Logitech Harmony line of remotes has ruled the roost for years. In fact, their products are so thoroughly entrenched as the industry leader that they haven't updated their selection in quite a long time. In October they released the Harmony Touch. While previous remotes like the Harmony One, the Harmony 900, and Harmony 1100 all had touch screens, the Touch is designed to maximize screen space and reducing physical buttons while maintaining a traditional form factor. The touchscreen is more advanced and interactive than previous Harmony remotes, and you can finally program it without plugging the accessory into a computer, a great boon that will save you a lot of time. However, at over $200, the Harmony Touch and other similar remotes can be a price you don't want to pay after spending so much to overhaul your system. And it's a price you may not need to pay. A lot of smart phones and tablets have apps that can interact with the various devices in your home theater. A 7-inch Samsung Tab is cheaper than most Harmony remotes and can do much more than just interact with your TV. If you subscribe to streaming services, you can view them on your phone or tablet when you're not at home, or in another room. The downside is that not every device will have a remote app, so you may still have to use the supplied remotes every once in a while. Finally, let's not forget cables. Most new TVs and players will have built-in wifi, so you probably won't have to deal with too many Ethernet cables. HDMI is the standard connection for home theaters, as it passes HD sound and picture in one cable. If you're planning on having a 3D setup, you'll want to make sure you have HDMI 1.4 all the way along your connection chain. One interesting new wrinkle in the HDMI game is the introduction of Redmere technology. Redmere cables are much thinner than normal HDMI cables, about as thick as a USB cable. This is great for cable management, as HDMI cables can normally be a pain to organize. This is even more important if you're using long runs of cables, because HDMI cables need to be thicker as they get longer, but Redmere cables can stay just as thin at any length. Of course, they aren't as cheap as normal cables, but if you need thin cables, the technology is now available. This past year has seen a lot of great technological releases. Who knows what we'll see in 2013? What we do know is that if it's gear, and if it's good, you'll be hearing about it at HDD Home Theater Connections!Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012 at 01:10 PM PST by: -
LG Introduces a new Magic Remote that Understands Natural Language[teaser]The new remote also brings the ability to control other devices, so there’s no need to keep switching remotes. [/teaser] The LG Magic Remote has gotten another update and this time it brings with it a few pieces of much needed functionality, namely the ability to control multiple devices instead of just your TV. It may not be the flashiest addition, but it sure does make the thing that much more practical. Another new addition is the addition of Natural Language support. With Natural Language you can speak more, well, naturally. LG’s example: “users can simply say "Show me Gang-nam Style video" and the new Magic Remote will understand.” Other users can finally be over the whole Gang-nam Style thing and move on to one of the myriad other K-Pop sensations. LG hasn’t detailed individual availability or pricing, but they will be showing off the new Magic Remote at CES this year. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Dec 19, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Emotiva Launches an Entry-Level Preamp[teaser]The $699 amp features 7.1 channel audio, a room correction system, and support for a variety of codecs. Special holiday pricing gets you the amp for $599. [/teaser] If you’re ready to take your audio to that next level, a preamplifier is a good way to start and Emotiva wants you to start with their brand new UMC-200. It’s the latest preamp from the company and its priced at an entry level price of $699. The UMC-200 offers 7.1 channels of audio processed by a pair of Twin Cirrus 32-bit dual-core fixed-point DSPs. It packs Emo-Q Gen2 automatic multi-channel room correction to make it nice and easy to set up your speakers and sub. You’ll also find some video options, like Xpressview, which makes switching between HDMI sources take significantly less time. One other cool function of the UMC-200 is that when the preamp is in standby, it still passes audio and video through to your TV. While this may not sound immediately impressive, it does allow for TV viewing without having to turn on your full system, which means the kids can play games and watch shows without needing to turn the system on. The UMC-200 retails for $699 but is available from Emotiva for $599 as a special holiday price. Source: EmotivaPosted Wed Dec 19, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
URC's New Remote Controls up to 200 Devices[teaser]The $499 remote can handle one-way control of home theater components and lighting. [/teaser] If you're using the remote that came with your TV or cable box than you've probably noticed that you've got more devices than it can handle. The latest from URC makes sure you'll never have that issue again by having the capability of controlling up to 200 devices. The MX-890 gives you an array of buttons as well as a two inch LCD color touchscreen that gives you plenty of freedom in programming and control. It can handle multi-zone controls and not only operates A/V products but lighting as well. "URC offers the most comprehensive full-color remote control lineup in the industry," says company SVP Doug Cole. "With this latest addition to the Complete Control series, our dealers can choose from a variety of full-color remotes that perfectly suit any installation scenario, client need or budget they may encounter.” Source: Electronic HousePosted Tue Dec 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Spotify Comes to the TiVo Premiere[teaser]If you've a Premiere TiVo and a Premium membership with Spotify, you can enjoy slick streaming options. [/teaser] Spotify is an impressive service, offering the convenience of cloud based music with a seemingly infinite selection of tunes. Those paying for the $10/mo Premium service already have access to it on a variety devices, which now include the TiVo Premiere. It sounds like non-paying users will be able to use the Spotify Radio functionality too. "Integrating Spotify with the TiVo interface brings a more seamless user experience to Spotify fans, and introduces TiVo fans to a new way to listen to millions of songs for free," says Spotify's Pascal de Mul." You can pick up a free trial of Spotify if you're so inclined at Spotify.com/TiVo and check out all the streaming options for yourself. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Dec 18, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
The Gold Standard: Neo Geo X Gold LEThe Gold Standard: Neo Geo X Gold LE [teaser]Tommo and SNK Playmore release a trailer for the new gear that sets the standard. [/teaser] If for whatever reasonable or unreasonable circumstance, the following video does not provoke an interest in the Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition, the viewer is suggested to imagine another piece of slick, slick gear. The latest press release for the new, throwback system, provides full details on the system and its content. "NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition Set to Release This Week All-New Trailer to Celebrate Launch and 20th Anniversary of NEOGEO "Los Angeles, Calif. - December 17, 2012 - Tommo, Inc., in partnership with SNK PLAYMORE, today announced that the NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition entertainment system will be available through select online retailers across North America and Europe this week. And to help celebrate the release of the NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition and the 20th anniversary of the NEOGEO, Tommo has created an epic trailer to support the launch of the highly anticipated system. "The wait is finally over. The NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition is finally here! A two-in-one system that doubles as both a handheld and a home arcade entertainment system, complete with the NEOGEO X Arcade Stick and the NEOGEO X Station - a replica of the NEOGEO AES console that allows memorable NEOGEO titles to be played on a big screen or monitor via HDMI or composite cable, for the ultimate classic gaming experience! "The 'NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition Launch Trailer' can be viewed on the official Tommo YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/GIWsdUaAA2E. "'The NEOGEO X Gold Limited Edition is a system I have always dreamed of making a reality, said Tommo CEO, Jonathan Wan. 'That dream has now come true, and it is something that can be shared and enjoyed by fans all over the world. We here at Tommo would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday, filled with friends, family and classic gaming for all!' "The NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition includes: The NEOGEO X Handheld - 4.3" LCD screen, stereo speakers, 16:9 and 4:3 display options The NEOGEO X Station - Houses NEOGEO X Handheld for charging and audio/video output capabilities via HDMI and composite cables (for a true 'classic' experience) - A system within a system! One NEOGEO X Arcade Stick - Authentic arcade experience, for use with the NEOGEO X Station 20 Pre-Loaded Classic NEOGEO® AES games: 3 COUNT BOUT ART OF FIGHTING ALPHA MISSION II BASEBALL STARS II CYBER LIP FATAL FURY FATAL FURY SPECIAL THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95 KING OF THE MONSTERS LAST RESORT LEAGUE BOWLING MAGICIAN LORD METAL SLUG MUTATION NATION NAM 1975 PUZZLED REAL BOUT - FATAL FURY SPECIAL SAMURAI SHODOWN II SUPER SIDEKICKS WORLD HEROES PERFECT Limited Edition Bonus: NINJA MASTER'S NEOGEO X Game Card About the NEOGEO X GOLD: Following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console, the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system provides players with all of the features of a home arcade and the convenience of a handheld gaming device. A variable system within a system! The NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition is set for a worldwide release in December, 2012 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 (USD). The NEOGEO X GOLD Limited Edition is currently available through amazon.com, gamestop.com, bestbuy.com, target.com, walmart.com, ebgames.ca. For the latest news as it is released, and for additional information regarding the NEOGEO X GOLD entertainment system and the NEOGEO X Handheld, please visit: www.NEOGEOX.com. "About Tommo, Inc.: With over 20 years of experience in logistics and sales, a knowledgeable staff and sales representatives available nationwide, Tommo Inc. is one of North America's largest distributors of video gaming merchandises. Founded in 1989, Tommo has grown from a wholesaler of imported video games to becoming one of the nation's main suppliers of video gaming content to national retail chain stores as well as independent retailers. "About SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION: Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION (SNK) develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1978, SNK is one of the largest privately held interactive entertainment content providers in the world. "Known for such franchises as THE KING OF FIGHTERS, METAL SLUG, and SAMURAI SHODOWN SNK continues to be an industry leader by focusing on their rich arcade history. More information on SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION can be found at www.snkplaymore.co.jp SNK PLAYMORE USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION." © SNK PLAYMORE "NEOGEO" is a registered trademark of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION. Used under license from SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION. Source: JoystiqPosted Tue Dec 18, 2012 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
Nielsen and Twitter Combine Efforts for Social Media TV Ratings[teaser]The new metric for measuring popularity of TV shows will focus on Twitter conversation rather than the traditional Nielsen box. [/teaser] The Nielsen system for judging the reach and popularity of television shows is something that's always been debatable, and the advent of things like the DVR and streaming video has brought the system into question even further. The company has a new method to help them determine a show's sway, and that is Twitter. "Twitter has become the world's digital water cooler, where conversations about TV happen in real time," says Twitter's Chloe Sladden. "This effort reflects Nielsen's foresight into the evolving nature of the TV viewing experience." The Twitter rating will take into account all of the conversations being had about the show using the social media site. Presumably, this will only include mentions of the title of the show and not characters and other aspects. It's imperfect of course, because the makeup of the Twitter audience is different from the broader US TV audience and because it specifically targets people that use one piece of social media, but the number should prove interesting, especially when compared to Nielsen's established rating system. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Dec 18, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Best Buy Founder Richard Schulze Delays Bid – Stocks Continue to Drop[teaser]Waiting until after the holiday season will allow for a better fiscal analysis and will benefit stockholders, according to Best Buy. [/teaser] Best Buy has been floundering in recent years, and the company's founder is taking it upon himself to put the company back in the right direction. He intends to make an offer on Best Buy that would put him back at the helm and make the company private again – no shareholders involved. At this point it seems very likely that a deal will go through, especially with Best Buy now allowing more time for Schulze more time to gather funds and submit his bid. While the company says that there are no guarantees that a bid will be accepted or even offered, there's no doubt of Schulze's interest. The big question now is how long he'll wait. If shares of the company continue to drop, so will the price to Schulze. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Dec 17, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Amazon Prime Video Finally Comes to the iPhone[teaser]The app is lacking though, in both AirPlay capabilities and streaming over a cellular network. [/teaser] Amazon has come a long way with its streaming service over the last year and now Amazon Prime has come to the iPhone. The service has been available on the iPad for some time, but the update makes it available on smaller screens. Although it's nice to see Prime available on another device, the service is still lacking in some of the functionalities that you might expect to be available in an iPhone app. Amazon Prime is unable to be streamed through AirPlay, and unable to be used through a cellular network – it's Wi-Fi or nothing. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Dec 17, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by:
