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HDD's 2012 Oscars Live-Blog Is This Sunday![teaser]Yes, we’re doing it again. Join us this Sunday, February 26th for The Bonus View's second annual Oscars Live-Blog! You supply the refreshments, we'll deliver the prizes![/teaser] There are many reasons to join us. Wit, prizes, world weary wisdom, prizes, film trivia, prizes, priceless snark, and did we mention prizes? With last-minute replacement Billy Crystal hosting for the 74th time, not to mention a huge assortment of behind-the-scenes fiascoes with the production, the ceremony itself promises to be yet another overlong, self-important, and generally boring slog, if not an outright clusterfrack. We'd settle for nothing less! We will do our best here to liven up the proceedings by making fun of them and giving away lots of free Blu-ray goodies! Don’t miss out!Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 12:20 PM PST by: -
Comcast Will Launch Xfinity Streampix to Compete with Other Streaming Services[teaser]It's a $4.99 monthly charge, but it's only for Comcast customers, so add that on top of your current monthly charges. [/teaser] Comcast has announced they'll be launching a streaming service known as Xfinity Streampix this week. It's going to include the kinds of shows and movies you've come to expect from streaming services, but details on just what's going to be available aren't available yet. The catch with this $4.99/mo service is that only Comcast customers will be able to access it, which makes the inexpensive pricing seem much less like a deal. Some Comcast packages will include the service for free - the higher end stuff of course - which should make a lot of customers sort of happy. Depending on the selection and quality of the streams, this may convince Comcast customers to drop Netflix or Hulu in favor of the new service. These company specific services don't seem like the kind of thing that could bring the giants down, but they just might make a visible dent. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Google TV Patent Shows Voice Control is on the Way[teaser]You can also control your set when you're away from home, getting the TV ready for you when you walk in the door. [/teaser] The Google TV platform is constantly improving thanks to both Google and 3rd party developers. The latest innovation comes directly from Google and will prove to be really interesting if it works out. According to a patent filed with the Patent and Trademark Office, Google will be working on voice control for Google TV devices. You won't need a new TV or a webcam to make it happen - voice control will happen through your Android phone. No word yet on whether other devices will work or not. The app will use your GPS data, time and date to get you the most accurate information and predict what you're looking for. If you ask what time football starts, your device will show you results for your local team. Finally, the app will allow you to control your Google TV from up to a quarter of a mile away. This allows you to get your favorite show ready to go before you get home, or as PC World's John P. Mello Jr. puts it, "for setting a romantic mood when you arrive home with a special friend" (or a special sandwich). Source: PC WorldPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Over-the-Air TV is Gaining in Popularity[teaser]"Every time that Hulu and Netflix enhance their services, our phones light up," says Antenna Direct president Richard Schneider. [/teaser] Cord cutting is becoming increasingly popular - not just because of the cost of cable service, but because consumers are becoming more familiar with the alternatives. Netflix and Hulu are household names, but the unexpected effect of streaming content popularity is the resurfacing of antennas. Richard Shneider of Antenna Direct says that sales are increasing greatly. He sold 400,000 antennas in 2010, 600,000 last year and expects to double that in 2012. Adding to his already impressive sales will be a recent agreement that puts Antenna Direct products in Walmart stores. The more aware people are that the old-school seeming antenna is a valid option for getting HD content, the more they seem to sell. "Many consumers don't realize they can get these channels over the air in HD for free," says Boxee's Avner Ronen. Source: Wall Street JournalPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
HBO Go Available on Samsung Connected TVs Except Through Comcast and Time Warner Cable[teaser]The service is also blocked by those providers if accessed through Roku players. [/teaser] Samsung has announced the availability of the HBO go streaming service on its internet connected TVs, letting HBO subscribers check out all their favorite content streaming whenever they want. Most, but not all Samsung TVs can handle the app, but Samsung was not specific as to which cannot. Don't get too excited if you're a Comcast or Time Warner subscriber though. You'll find the app blocked. Both companies have disallowed HBO Go on connected TVs and devices like the Roku Player as well. The reasoning behind this decision is unclear, and neither company has had much to say on the issue, but we're gonna go out on a limit and guess it's a matter of $$$$...$! A representative from Comcast was quick to point out that you can get all the HBO Go content via the Xfinity TV app, though that doesn't do much good for Samsung subscribers without Xfinity. Source: Multichannel NewsPosted Wed Feb 22, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Will Spin Off Its LCD Business From Main Company[teaser]Samsung Display will focus on LCDs and LCDs only. [/teaser] LCD TVs are big business for Samsung. With the full acquisition of their former joint venture with Sony, the business got even bigger. To help better manage the massive TV business, Samsung is splitting it off into a company of its own. The soon-to-be formed Samsung Display is set to be launched in April with $6.6 billion to play with. This move will not only make the business of displays easier to deal with, but will make it easier for Samsung to make changes to LCDs and adapt to the industry with speed and efficiency. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Feb 22, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
DirecTV Gains Subscribers in U.S., Massive Jump in Latin America[teaser]Customer retention is now the main focus for the U.S. side of the company. [/teaser] DirecTV managed to avoid losing customers this past year - most television providers weren't so lucky. The satellite TV company added 125,000 subscribers in the U.S., which doesn't live up to expectations but is certainly better than losing those folks. Latin America is where DirecTV is going really well. They're up 590,000 subscribers as compared to the 378,000 from last year. According to Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffett, "Latin America is now the core business." DirecTV has increased spending in the U.S. with a focus on retaining customers. If analysts are right, we can expect to see more of that in 2012. Source: Wall Street JournalPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Sharp Launches Sound Bars That Split into L/R Speakers[teaser]It's a unique design that Sharp hopes will catch some attention. [/teaser] Soundbars are interesting components. They're designed to add high quality sound - far better than TV speakers at any rate - while keeping down the clutter. They sit just in front of your TV, rather than positioned around the room. Of course, when you decide to upgrade to a proper surround system, that soundbar is out of the picture. Sharp's latest release helps to bridge the transition. While the HT-SL75 and HT-SL77 both function in the way you'd expect soundbars to function, they offer a feature you won't find elsewhere. The soundbar can be split into two pieces that are used as left and right speakers. You can go with whatever style you prefer based on the room and the look of the speakers. Plus, when you decide on an upgrade - bam - L/R speakers right there. Both the SL75 ($329) and SL77 ($449) are 2.1 channel systems that come with the soundbar, stands for vertical positioning and a subwoofer. The 77 ups that to a wireless subwoofer. Source: eCousticsPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Blockbuster On Demand Being Pulled from TiVo[teaser]This isn't the first device to lose Blockbuster on Demand recently - the install rate has shrunk rapidly. [/teaser] Blockbuster has just announced that its On Demand movie service is being pulled from TiVos, stating that the newly updated platform will no longer work on TiVo systems. The list of supported devices is shrinking and it looks like Blockbuster On Demand is on the way out. Of course, this doesn't mean that Blockbuster is quitting the streaming game. The new Blockbuster @Home service that's been rolled out to Dish subscribers could well be on its way to the rest of us. Priced right, this alternative could make Netflix look pretty weak, considering how few 28-day release windows Blockbuster deals with. The other alternative, of course, is that Blockbuster really has created a version of the Blockbuster On Demand platform that doesn't work with any of the devices currently on the market. Since Blockbuster and Dish seem to like money, we're guessing that's not it. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Puss in Boots' Comes Back to Theaters February 20th[teaser]A $5 ticket gets you $5 off the Blu-ray or DVD, an art print and a 3D showing of the film. [/teaser] You've still got a few days before you can pick up 'Puss in Boots' on Blu-ray, but if you want to see it again in theaters, or check it out for the first time, AMC is giving you another chance. On February 20th, select theaters will be showing the Oscar nominated film again. For $5, you'll get to see the movie in 3D, receive an art print and a $5 off coupon good for the Blu-ray or DVD. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be going to the Will Rogers Institute, a program designed to help research and treatment of lung diseases. The institute is also the leading provider of neonatal ventilator equipment. Source:Posted Mon Feb 20, 2012 at 06:30 AM PST by:
