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Blockbuster On Demand is Live on Over 100 Devices[teaser]It may not have the reach of Netflix, but Blockbuster On Demand is on the way up. [/teaser] While Blockbuster's retail stores are struggling, the On Demand service just may be picking up. After a slow start, it's now available on over 100 different devices, including TVs, Blu-ray players, phones and even the new Samsung Galaxy tablet. "By providing access to the newest movies across the widest range of electronic devices, we are helping customers get the movies they want any time, any place, and any way they want it," says Blockbuster On Demand VP. "We'll continue to work with our partners to bring entertainment to the masses in ways that meet their lifestyle needs." In addition to the Galaxy tablet, Blockbuster On Demand has recently launched on a large number of Samsung devices, including the BD-C8000, BD-C5900, BD-C6800 and BD-C7900 Blu-ray players as well as C-5930W, C-6900W, C-6600, and C-9950W home theater systems. Source: Street InsiderPosted Thu Dec 2, 2010 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Italy is the First to Broadcast Backwards Compatible 3D[teaser]Italian viewers will be able to enjoy the free over-the-air content in 2D or 3D. [/teaser] One of the big problems with advances in television is that older gear just doesn't work with the new stuff. Take that 4:3 television you've still got sitting in your basement – no matter how good it was at the time, it just can't cope with today's tech. 3D is a lot like that, and there's a distinct possibility that owners of 2D televisions will miss out on content created only in 3D. A new format created by a partnership of both private and public parties in Italy aims to solve that. Rather than side-by-side or top-and-bottom, the group used a new format they're calling 3D Tile. It integrates a pair of 720p frames into a single 1080p frame, which allows reconstructed images to maintain their original resolution. More importantly, it lets viewers with traditional 2D televisions watch 3D content. Source: PR Newswire UKPosted Wed Dec 1, 2010 at 01:50 PM PST by: -
U-Verse Customers Get HBO Go and Max Go Access[teaser]1,200 hours of programming from the premium channels are now available to subscribers.[/teaser] If you're a U-verse customer that subscribes to HBO or Cinemax, you'll be glad to know that you've now got unlimited access to HBO Go and Max Go, the online versions of HBO and Cinemax respectively. "This latest U-verse enhancement is just one more way we’re giving U-verse TV customers access to hit TV shows in more places," says content president Dan York. "We’re proud to deliver more value to U-verse TV subscribers by offering compelling content from HBO and Cinemax online." You'll be able to scroll up HBO and Cinemax shows and movies on your computer, accessing them whenever you like. You'll have to access the content from the HBO Go and Max Go sites, but they'll be plugged into U-verse Online in the near future. Source: AT&TPosted Wed Dec 1, 2010 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Toshiba and Vizio Rumored to Join in on Google TV[teaser]An official unveiling of Google TV products from both companies is expected at CES. [/teaser] The folks over at Bloomberg say they've got some inside information on Google TV offerings from Vizio and Toshiba. According to their source, both companies will be unveiling Google TV devices at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. If this information is correct, it could be huge for Google TV and the streaming video industry alike. Google TV has been running into quite a bit of trouble with streaming content thanks to blocks from the networks, but with enough large companies behind it things could change greatly. As with Samsung, Vizio and Toshiba have not yet confirmed the information. "Google certainly is a key partner for us on the PC side and will likely be key for us on the TV side as well," says Toshiba's Jeff Barney, walking the line smoothly. Nothing is yet set in stone from any of the aforementioned companies, but you can expect to hear more this January. Source:Posted Wed Dec 1, 2010 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Microsoft May Offer An Xbox 360 Based TV Service[teaser]The subscription based service would offer a la carte channels for customers. [/teaser] Things are really starting to get interesting in the world of television, and Microsoft wants in. The company is planning to launch a virtual cable network that would give subscribers access to all the basics like ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS. Those that want to upgrade will be able to add the channels they want, like HBO or Showtime. Customers setting up a significant amount of extra channels will be able to select from premade packages, just as with normal cable providers. According to Reuters, Microsoft's service may not see the light of day until this time next year. There's no information yet as to whether programming will be live or on-demand, and whether Xbox owners will be able to use their devices as DVRs. There's also no word on pricing quite yet. Source: Yahoo NewsPosted Wed Dec 1, 2010 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Notice of Public Auction Wichita, KS[teaser]NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION[/teaser] PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on December 28, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., Wichita, Kansas time, at the offices of Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson and Kitch, L.L.C., 1900 Epic Center, 301 N. Main, Wichita, Kansas, a public sale of the personal property, including all tangible and intangible assets (collectively, the “Assets”), of Quvis, Inc., a Kansas corporation, shall be conducted. The bidding and auction process will be governed by that certain Second Amended Notice of Proposed Bid Procedures filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Kansas on November 19, 2010 as Doc# 443-1, Case 09-10706 (the “Bid Procedures”). All bids will be due by December 20, 2010. There will be no warranties or representations of any kind, nature or description in connec- tion with this disposition. Interested parties who would like additional information regarding the Assets or a copy of the Bid Procedures should contact Jamie Donelan by e-mail at [email protected], by telephone at (978) 750-1308, or facsimile at (978) 750-1301.Posted Wed Dec 1, 2010 at 05:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Demos 3D in Malls Across America[teaser]The tour kicks off on the 1st and runs through the 12th. [/teaser] This probably won't come as a surprise, but Panasonic loves 3D. They want you to love it too, and are kicking off a nationwide multi-mall tour on December first. Panasonic is bringing everything they've got to the Unwrap 3D tour, including a VT25 and a GT25 3D TV. Blu-ray players and 3D glasses will be on hand as well as Panasonic's 3D camcorder and the Lumix GH2 digital camera with interchangeable 3D lens. You can probably guess what movie they'll be showing on all the 3D displays they'll have with them. While Panasonic doesn't specify, they do say they'll be showing scenes from "the world's most successful 3D movie." Yes, that means 'Avatar' The first leg of the tour stops in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco between December first and fifth. The second leg runs from the 8th to the 12th and hits Boston, Washington DC, Miami, Minneapolis, Houston, Phoenix, and Seattle. Hit the link for a full rundown of specific malls, times and dates. Source: PR NewswirePosted Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Sony Says HD Capabilities Becoming Important to Phone Buyers[teaser]Though the company doesn't offer HD screens on its phones, it boasts HD recording capabilities. [/teaser] A total of 34 percent of cell phone owners use their mobile devices to record video, according to a survey from Pew Internet. That's a 15 percent increase over last year, and shows a huge growth in interest. More anecdotally, the folks at Sony Ericsson say that HD recording quality is something that customers have been asking for. After all, if you're going to put that video from your phone on YouTube or just watch it on your TV, you'll want the best recording quality possible. According to that same Pew Internet survey, 20 percent of cell phone owners use their phones to watch movies, TV shows and other videos. While HD isn't here yet for cell phone displays, there has been a move to higher resolution displays and even HDMI outputs for HD video. Source: PR NewswirePosted Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Safretti Launches a Hanging HDTV and Fireplace Combo[teaser]It falls somewhere between amazing and awful, but it's definitely unique. [/teaser] The folks at Safretti are known for creating some of the most interesting fireplaces of all time. They're wall-hanging, and don't require a gas line to be hooked up – they run on refillable bio-alcohol and run for six to eight hours on one fill. The latest from the luxury fireplace company is the Double Vision, a wall hanging fireplace with a TV directly above it. You can pick it up in either a 37 inch or 46 inch size, though pricing is a mystery. The television included is from the TV-M line from Ad-Notam. It boasts a variety of inputs, though only two HDMI ins, and can be equipped for RS232 control. The biggest feature is an aesthetic one – it mounts flush to the unit that holds it. The Double Vision may not be for everyone, but it's an incredibly cool decoration for a room. It also presents the opportunity to burn a fire below and watch the fireplace channel above, just because you can. Source: Safretti (via Engadget)Posted Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
GRilli3D 3D Brings Glasses-Free 3D to iPhones, iPads and iPods[teaser]Content is limited but the content is exciting. [/teaser] Watching 3D without having to use special glasses seems high on the list for consumers and a company called GRilli3D wants to give it to you. The company has created plastic sheets, known as GRillis, that attach to your iPod, iPhone or iPad just like a normal screen protector. They create barrier lines between your eye and the image, giving you 3D without the need for glasses. Content is extremely limited at the moment, with only a few demo images and videos, but the company is hoping to partner up with some 3D content providers. It's an incredibly exciting concept, but until these make their way into the wild we won't know just how effective they are. You can get a GRilli3D for your iPad for just $29 while the iPhone and iPod Touch models run $15. Both will be available Friday, November 26. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Nov 29, 2010 at 11:00 AM PST by:
