The British Film Institute plans to digitize and provide easier access to 10,000 British flicks as part of a new £500 million (approximately $800 million) "Film Forever" initiative. In addition to driving growth in the UK industry by investing in education, filmmaking and the like, the institute wants to put a mixture of free and paid content on its website, YouTube and VoD services. A BFIPlayer app will be providing a similar service to Samsung Smart TVs, PCs and mobile devices. Cinemas, DVDs and TV channels will also play host to the films, selected for digital rebirth by a bunch of experts and in part, by the general public. And, in the spirit of digitization, full details of the ambitious Film Forever enterprise (slated to run from 2012-2017) are available in e-brochure format at the source link below.

Continue reading BFI to digitize 10,000 British films as part of Film Forever investment plan

Filed under: Internet, HD

BFI to digitize 10,000 British films as part of Film Forever investment plan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Yahoo  |  British Film Institute  | Email this | Comments

Today, Netgear is unveiling three more Roku-troubling NeoTV boxes and Push2TV, a wireless display adapter letting you harness WiDi or Miracast to push content from smartphones, laptops or tablets to your TV. The trio of NeoTVs are so similar to the last generation that it's a little hard to tell the difference, except that the new flagship NeoTV MAX now comes with the long-desired addition of DLNA and a custom remote that has navigation buttons on one side and a QWERTY keyboard on the other. All four devices are available from today, the Push2Tv costing $60, while the new NeoTVs are priced at $50, $60 and $70, respectively -- and if you'd like to know more, then we've got some more info down below.

Continue reading Netgear announces Push2TV WiDi adapter and three new NeoTV units

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, HD

Netgear announces Push2TV WiDi adapter and three new NeoTV units originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Netgear is supercharging the Roku-troubling NeoTV 200 that arrived late last year. The NeoTV Pro adds Intel's WiDi tech to the tiny box, enabling you to wirelessly span your laptop's display onto the biggest screen in your house. It'll come with the same Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, YouTube and Pandora offerings you know and love, controllable with the stock remote or your smartphone. The hardware remains otherwise unchanged, packing the same 300Mbps WiFi, Ethernet, optical out and HDMI -- specs that are doubtless powerful enough for you to catch all of those glorious episodes of The Engadget Show again and again.

Continue reading Netgear's NeoTV Pro adds WiDi, makes any TV smart

Netgear's NeoTV Pro adds WiDi, makes any TV smart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sony is making some more definitive statements on its plans to bring Google TV across to Europe. According to financial paper, Les Échos, Sony France's marketing director said that two devices, a set-top box, priced at €200 ($266) and a Blu-ray player, selling for €300 ($399), will launch in France this September. The paper reports that it could launch across the UK, Spain and Germany at the same time. Sony's Stephane Labrousse added that remotes for the new devices would also include a dedicated Android Market Google Play button to access the Android progenitor's apps and media content. The Japanese manufacturer's own Music Unlimited service will also be baked inside. Phew. There's no word just yet on whether these are the older Intel-based models or the new, possibly cheaper, ARM range set to ship later this year. However, we expect to hear plenty more noise from Sony on its Smart TV intentions over the next few months.

Report: Google TV coming to Europe in September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink GigaOM  |  Les Echos  | Email this | Comments

Looking to get some unblocked Hulu or other Flash streaming action on your Sony Google TV hardware? It may be in your best interest to grab the cracked software right away The folks at GTVHacker warned an update blocking the security hole exploited by their downgrader tool would be on the way, and now it has appeared, sporting an ambiguous "operating system stability" reason for existing. Hit the source link to find out everything that can be achieved with a modified kernel and what it will take to get things running on your TV or Blu-ray player.

Sony Google TV update rolling out, if you want to root your time is now originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  GTVHacker  | Email this | Comments

In the olden days of CableCARD circa 2004, only a select few devices and software could leverage the card's power to watch premium cable TV, but not today. Today just about any adventurous dev can take advantage of the fact that an OCUR is a network tuner and access premium cable TV -- as long as the content is marked Copy Freely, that is. The latest to unleash that power is XBMC which also helps extend the functionality to iOS via GoodPlayer and Buzz Player as well as any UPnP client with the help of a Serviio media server. Essentially this custom code is acting as a middleman, but fulfilling the dream that any software could directly control and stream from a CableCARD tuner like the InfiniTV 4 is within reach. The only drawback left is that even with the current sale price of the InfiniTV 4 at $199, it still isn't as low as the cost of entry of something like a ClearQAM tuner.

Premium cable TV comes to XBMC, GoodPlayer and more via InfiniTV 4 tuner originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Digital Lifestyle  |  XBMC Forum, The Digital Media Zone  | Email this | Comments

Everybody has to have an app these days and telecom companies like Verizon are no different. Apps on smartphones and tablets, apps on game consoles and even apps on HDTVs or Blu-ray players. The latest app from Verizon is the FiOS TV App, which will be coming to LG's Smart TV Platform in the first half of 2012. In addition to 26 live channels, like Verizon's Xbox 360 app, LG HDTVs and Blu-ray players will also have access to video on-demand, including the 10,000 Flex View titles. As excited about this as we are, our enthusiasm is quickly tempered when we realize all the live channels that're missing, this makes it very far from being the set-top boxless solution we dream of.

Continue reading Verizon FiOS TV app to deliver VOD and live HD to LG TVs

Verizon FiOS TV app to deliver VOD and live HD to LG TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Your love of discrete surround sound holding you back from enjoying the fruits of the modern streaming? No longer. HBO has licensed Dolby Digital Plus for HBO Go which will enable HDTVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3 to enjoy 5.1 (or more) channel discrete surround sound. A quick reminder, Dolby Digital Plus is the newer version of Dolby Digital -- that we've loved since 1997 -- and is capable of 5.1 or more channels and at a lower bitrate than its older brother.

HBO Go adding 5.1 surround sound with help of Dolby Digital Plus originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

If you picked up one of Vizio's new HDTVs or Blu-ray players lately you may already know this but for those who haven't, Vudu is proud to announce it's scored its own one-touch button on the remote as seen above. It's sitting right next to the Netflix button we'd heard about last year that's popping up on more and more models, and if you like the company's HDX style, should make it even easier to get to. Of course, this will be much more interesting if Walmart ever decides to take Vudu the subscription route and competes directly with Netflix, but we'll take it one step at a time. Check after the break to see the list of models with the button.

Continue reading Vudu has a one touch button too, on some Vizio remotes

Vudu has a one touch button too, on some Vizio remotes originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 23 May 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

If you're not interested in buying one of Panasonic's 3D televisions and snagging a copy of Avatar on Blu-ray 3D via the company's exclusivity deal, there is now a solution that doesn't involve downloading a rip, heading to eBay or opting for HBO's VOD version. Starting today, Panasonic has officially announced the offer extends to its 2011 3D Blu-ray players and HTIB systems, and invites all those who purchased one as early as March 1 to obtain a copy via the time honored tradition of a mail-in coupon. There's more details in the press release after the break or at the source link, unless you're looking for an in depth discussion of the properties of unobtanium, which would not be found at either of those locations.

Continue reading Panasonic extends Avatar Blu-ray 3D promotion by giving away copies with new Blu-ray players

Panasonic extends Avatar Blu-ray 3D promotion by giving away copies with new Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Of course, it's not all about new TVs, as Panasonic also took the opportunity today to bust out MSRPs for a slew of other home theater products. As it mentioned at CES, the connected features of its 2011 Blu-ray players are taking center stage, with Skype access through Viera Cast, while they also claim to feature the industry's fastest playback, measuring at half the booting and loading time of the 2010 lineup. One other key feature is the ability to use an iPhone as a WiFi connected remote and load movies, music or pictures onto the phone then play them on the HDTV. The top of the line DMP-BDT310 should arrive in May while the rest are already making their way to store shelves, check the press releases after the break for full details on those, a soundbar and a few HTIB systems.

Continue reading Panasonic puts pricetags on 2011 Blu-ray players, HTIB & soundbars

Panasonic puts pricetags on 2011 Blu-ray players, HTIB & soundbars originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Despite the legal hoopla related to its DVD ripping practices, Kaleidescape is still releasing high-end media servers designed to save the rich (and now their spawn) from the hassle of opening a movie box. The Cinema One is its latest and most affordable creation to date, but still costs a hefty $4,999. For the most part, the server is just a cheaper replacement to 2009's Mini System, that can store up to 225 DVDs or 2,500 CDs for instant access. It also sports the same hassle-free setup, but adds a new wrinkle in the form of kid-friendly features. Specifically, a junior remote is included in addition to the standard version, which triggers a simplified system UI anytime it's used. While we're all for toddlers being able to watch their favorite content too, at this price we'd have rather seen support for Blu-rays and dare we say Netflix streaming. Then again, we aren't in the best position to judge the value of a digital babysitter. For more shots of the kiddo UI and remote check out the gallery below, otherwise read the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Kaleidescape releases Cinema One DVD movie server, appeals to the toddler film buff set

Kaleidescape releases Cinema One DVD movie server, appeals to the toddler film buff set originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

To the last person on Earth (that reads this site) who can't already stream Netflix to their home theater in at least four different ways: if you have a 2010 Panasonic HDTV or Blu-ray player your sometime is now, as the video streaming widget originally promised way back during CES should have recently shown up in a software update. You'll find it in the VIERA Cast menu next to existing tools like Amazon VOD, Skype and Pandora (pictured above) unless of course you're sporting one of last year's models, which are sadly and inexplicably left wanting. If there's any confusion, peep the press release after the break to make sure your specific model made the cut, we'll be double checking for a 5.1 audio option on any of our Watch Instantly movies, again.

[Thanks, Justin]

Continue reading Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players

Panasonic finally adds Netflix streaming to VIERA Cast equipped 2010 HDTVs & Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

We're excited about the Boxee Box, and the new-look Apple TV is intriguing, but no single box is as good as a box that doesn't exist yet does the same stuff. Confused? Sit down, let us explain. That's the point Plex is making in announcing its new partnership with LG, which will integrate Plex software into its 2011 Netcast HDTVs and Blu-ray players. Plex enables the same sort of functionality as those smart little boxes mentioned above, letting you serve content from a machine running OS X and push it to your TV or to a mobile device (iPhone and iPad right now, Android coming). Plex also supports all the major online streamers, like Netflix, Hulu, and even the BBC iPlayer. Lack of PC support is something of a bummer, but a Windows version is said to be coming, so even your beige box can soon get in on the box-free fun.

Continue reading Plex announces paternship with LG, pledges to beat Boxee Box and Apple TV for free

Plex announces paternship with LG, pledges to beat Boxee Box and Apple TV for free originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung's new portable Blu-ray player has been mostly a special order item since its unveiling last month, easily available at online shops but not so much offline. If you'd like to feel the cardboard box in your hands before dropping $499 on a 3D-ready, WiFi-packing, Samsung Apps enabled clamshell then stop by Best Buy where one of our readers spotted this unit, despite it being listed as online only / ship to store for ordering on the website. Of course, if you're that kind of instant gratification nut you'll probably be using the Netflix streaming instead of discs, but that's your choice.

[Thanks, BBY Guy]

Samsung's portable BD-C8000 Blu-ray player spotted slumming it at retail originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Worldwide Blu-ray player shipments are expected to more than double between 2009 and the end of 2010, and the numbers from ABI Research forecast continued growth next year, for a total of more than 62.5 million shipments in 2011.

The world needs another network media player like it needs another eight billion barrels of oil floating around in the Gulf of Mexico, but if you're somehow still struggling to decide on one of the many, many options available to you, ViewSonic has an alternative up for consideration. The new NexTV VMP75 is a rather compact set-top box, donning a glossy black finish and proud support for streaming Netflix Watch Instantly content. You'll also get local and network playback of whatever content you've got laying around on your nearby hard drives, and around back, you'll find an Ethernet socket (WiFi is optional), eSATA / USB combo port, a dedicated USB socket (for connecting thumb drives and external HDDs), a S/PDIF audio port, HDMI output and an AV aux plug. ViewSonic claims that you can also stream content from YouTube, SHOUTcast, Flickr and Live365.com, and there's even an inbuilt web browser if you take pleasure in (presumably) torturous experiences. All you? If so, it's up for pre-order right now at Amazon and Newegg for $129.99.

Continue reading ViewSonic streams Netflix, other stuff with NexTV VMP75 networked media player

ViewSonic streams Netflix, other stuff with NexTV VMP75 networked media player originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

It looks like TiVo's freshly minted Premiere hardware will soon be setting sail eastwards as The Daily Telegraph is reporting Virgin Media's next generation set-top box will be built around it. Loyal readers of Engadget HD will already be aware that TiVo and Virgin hooked up last November and this latest news relates to the first hardware to be spawned from that relationship. According to TiVo CEO Tom Rogers, the Premiere will "heavily inspire the development work" going into Virgin's next TV appendage, which may or may not mean that the cable company will simply rebadge the well-received new boxes. What's assured though is much greater integration with online content, with search linking you out to Amazon, BBC's iPlayer, YouTube or good old standard broadcast channels. The whole thing's about unlimited choice, apparently, and should be showing up on the Queen's isles by the end of this year. We can wait, but we'd rather we didn't have to.

TiVo returning to the UK thanks to partnership with Virgin Media originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Still growing in its fourth season, The Metropolitan Opera is reporting a record high number of viewers for its live telecast of Carmen last Saturday. 240,000 worldwide sat in movie theaters for the high definition broadcast, with numbers expected to grow to 320,000 in tape delayed versions. We're still just Met Player online streaming fans, have any of you opted for a trip to the moviehouse over the PC monitor or a trip to New york to see things in person?

Bizet's "Carmen" sets record viewer mark for The Met: Live in HD originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Warner, now Disney, we're wondering if any of you are actually interested in any of these DVD trade in programs? Besides the issues of availability & selection there's whether or not you get to keep your old discs, and the simple hassle of participating. Still, clearly the studios think there's a market for these programs to get people jumping into Blu-ray discs and players, so let us know, are you biting?

View Poll

Poll: Do you plan on participating in a DVD to Blu-ray trade-in? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Media streamers

Look, we're all for competition, but it's about time for some of these guys to stop copying and start innovating. As if your noggin' wasn't already spinning enough as you attempt to whittle down your laundry list of HD media streamers, in flies PrimeDTV with yet another hopeful. The PHD-HM5 looks to be fairly standard in terms of features, with HDMI / component outputs, a lengthy list of supported formats, an Ethernet socket and a pair of USB 2.0 ports. You won't find WiFi or any internal hard drive, and you'll have to live with the fact that this thing is akin to some lackluster AV component from the early 90s. Oh, and then there's the chore of actually finding one for sale (not to mention an MSRP), which should probably be just enough to push you towards Popcorn Hour.

PrimeDTV further saturates HD media streamer segment with PHD-HM5 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Look, we're all for competition, but it's about time for some of these guys to stop copying and start innovating. As if your noggin' wasn't already spinning enough as you attempt to whittle down your laundry list of HD media streamers, in flies PrimeDTV with yet another hopeful. The PHD-HM5 looks to be fairly standard in terms of features, with HDMI / component outputs, a lengthy list of supported formats, an Ethernet socket and a pair of USB 2.0 ports. You won't find WiFi or any internal hard drive, and you'll have to live with the fact that this thing is akin to some lackluster AV component from the early 90s. Oh, and then there's the chore of actually finding one for sale (not to mention an MSRP), which should probably be just enough to push you towards Popcorn Hour.

Filed under: Media streamers

PrimeDTV further saturates HD media streamer segment with PHD-HM5 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO INTERVIEW. “After watching Blu-ray video or other HD content, you will never go back to Standard Definition,” assured Konstantin Dyshlevoy, Chairmain of HDI Dune, interviewed by Biz-news.com at IFA 2009.

During this year’s Berlin exhibition HDI Dune was showing its new versions of hybrid Blu-ray/HD media players that have been recognized as “IFA 2009 INNOVATION”.

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

It sure took 'em long enough, but QNAP has finally come around and delivered its NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player here in the States. If you'll recall, we actually toyed around with one way back at CeBIT, and while those camped out in Osaka have been enjoying the spoils for months now, the Yanks in attendance have been forced to wait. According to QNAP, the DLNA-compliant media streamer is now shipping in America, though a quick look around our favorite web stores has turned up nothing. We're sure that'll be remedied in short order, though.

[Via HotHardware]

QNAP ships NMP-1000 Network Multimedia Player originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Swiss brand nvp3D introduced the FreeD Multi-Media Player – the first portable autonomous 3D monitor for viewing without glasses.

The device is autonomous, that means there is no need of a computer connection to view. The content – videos and photos - is displaying on 7-inch monitor from the SD card. Autonomy of the player is limited by the battery to approx. 2 hours.