Remember Infinitec? Tricky question, no? The company came to us at CES 2010 with a product that had big -- nay, huge -- aspirations. It was a simple USB stick that promised to enable ad hoc streaming, claiming to bring "infinite storage" to PC users. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly seamless in operation, and the company's been radio silent ever since. Until today. The Dubai-based outfit is officially getting back in the consumer technology game starting right now, and as it seems that all the cool kids are doing these days, it's going the Kickstarter route in lieu of more conventional capital raising.

The new product is an Android-based HDMI dongle -- not entirely unlike a few others we've seen -- which is being dubbed Pocket TV. Just as Tim Cook stated last night at D10, the TV industry is an interesting one, and it's obvious that people want something different than they have today. Plug this guy into your television, and you'll be able to Skype from the big screen, show PowerPoint presentations without a laptop connection and tap into files you've got hosted on Dropbox (or any other cloud-based Android app). Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is onboard, and it'll ship with a gyro-equipped keyboard remote that allows control via one's hand motions. Thinking of giving these guys another shot? Hit that source link below and put your money ($99 or more) where your mouse is.

Infinitec returns with Android 4.0-based HDMI dongle, Kickstarts the Pocket TV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redbox's website has gone through several facelifts in the last few months, but the most recent (3/23) change is the addition of ratings and review to movies. As seen in the screen above, the placement, style and star ratings are very reminiscent of Netflix's system and may indicate the reasoning behind the addition. Redbox is preparing to enter the subscription movie streaming arena soon, and just as the Netflix Prize focused on finding out what particular users like so it can find relevant selections within its limited catalog, the movie kiosk company will likely travel a similar path. We don't know when the streaming component will launch, but whenever Redbox and its unnamed partner flip the switch, you'll probably want to have a few ratings in the chamber so it knows what you like.

Redbox adds Netflix-style movie ratings, star system originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most of what we're seeing on the WHDI front has to do with getting basic HD video playback off of the laptop or out of the den and onto the TV, but video games are people too -- don't they deserve the same treatment? Galaxy seems to think so, and it's building Amimon's WHDI tech into its upcoming Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 WHDI Edition video card. A receiver adapter for plugging into your TV is of course included, and perhaps the mixed incentive of Blu-ray and DRM'd content streaming (WHDI is HDCP 2.0 compatible) and 1080p 60fps big screen shoot-em-ups will be exactly what PC gaming needs to sneak into the living room. We doubt it, but we appreciate the effort all the same. The card ships in October for an undisclosed, totally radical price.

Continue reading Upcoming Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 card to support WHDI streaming courtesy of Amimon

Upcoming Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 card to support WHDI streaming courtesy of Amimon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't have the NFL Network but still want to catch every single pre-season NFL game in HD? Well you finally have an option with NFL Preseason Live. It'll cost you $40 for the over 50 live broadcasts, as well as on demand access, but what is particularly cool is access to either team's radio broadcast (we assume it is synced up to the video) as well as enhancements like Big Play Markers -- whatever that is. If you click through you can get a taste of what it's like by watching last year's Super Bowl, looks good up to 3Mbps. Now before you get all excited about the idea that this is a prelude to regular season games coming to the internet, just hold on there. The pre-season games are night and day when compared to regular season when you're talking licensing rights. While the regular season rights are part of some of the biggest TV deals ever, the pre-season rights are usually sold to local affiliates; which always makes it fun to see the quality of the broadcast with considerably smaller budgets.

NFL to stream every pre-season game in HD for $40 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that there was any doubt left, but we're getting numerous reports of users seeing the "HD" indicator appear while watching Netflix streams through the Silverlight player for PCs and Macs. Also, a special queue indicating the subset of content available for off-TV HD streaming is live now so users can see what is and isn't on the list (the HD is available boxart popup notifications are there as well, but don't appear to be entirely accurate.) Media Center streamers are in luck as well, as posters on The Green Button have noticed, although there's no indication within the client or queue itself in the WMC frontend the 3800kbps HD streams come through just fine. Unfortunately, we don't recommend anyone else watch Lost season one right now -- after last week's Beyond the Sea debacle it's just too painful.

Continue reading Netflix turns on HD indicator, queue for PC (including WMC) & Mac Watch Instantly streamers

Netflix turns on HD indicator, queue for PC (including WMC) & Mac Watch Instantly streamers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 17 May 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not that we're in love with DRM, but if you enjoy any rental video services online it's an inescapable part of the deal. The good news from Widevine today is a number of new features added to its platform in version 4.4.4 which could help change the way we use services from its customers like CinemaNow. DVD-style chapters, live streaming, progressive downloads, and adaptive streaming features are all great features we've seen before in various forms, but the most anticipated one around these parts is multichannel audio. Netflix has mentioned its use of WMDRM as a reason behind the lack of surround sound on Watch Instantly streams, but as a new customer mentioned (alongside Blockbuster) in the press release, a shift in solutions will likely coincide with the feature arriving later this year.

Widevine DRM upgrade enables new features (multichannel audio) on streaming services originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You picked up an Okoro media PC last month, didn't you? If you're nodding up and down in a worried fashion, you're probably better off ignoring everything else we'll say in this post. For the rest of you HTPC hounds, the boutique outfit has something that's very likely to pique your interest (and kick that upgrade itch into high gear). Announced today, the company is adding Core i3 and Core i5 processors to its 2010 media center PC lineup, and as if the extra horsepower weren't enough, users will also find native bitstreaming of TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio on every system save for the Q100. You'll also get a 64-bit copy of Windows 7, up to 8TB of internal storage space, optional Blu-ray playback, quad CableCARD support and the new holy grail of transfers, USB 3.0. You can hit up the outfit's webstore now to configure your dream machine, and if you so desire, you can check out its dedicated trade-up program that'll last through May 31st.

Okoro Media Systems upgrades HTPC range with Core i3 / i5 CPUs, bitstreaming and USB 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is no secret that we're big fans of Vudu's HDX streaming around here, in fact it is the only internet delivered HD we've ever enjoyed. At the same time we're not big fans of Wal-Mart because no matter how cheap the prices, we've had a number of issues with the level of service. So we're not exactly sure how we feel about the possibility that the two might be getting together. We really don't see the upside here either as Wal-Mart is so big, why would it want to buy Vudu. The only thing we can think of is that Vudu isn't sustainable on its own, so it needs a big brother to funnel money into it. So yeah, we don't relaly get this one, so hopefully it just remains a rumor.

Is Wal-Mart interested in buying Vudu? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube has announced that support for watching 1080p HD videos in full resolution “is on its way.”

Starting next week, YouTube's HD mode will add support for viewing videos in 720p or 1080p, depending on the resolution of the original source, up from our maximum output of 720p today.

It's been a long wait for PS3 users, who had to look on in envy as their Xbox 360 counterparts kicked back and started streaming Netflix as of July last year. Well, the wait is finally over, as PS3 instant streaming discs are being sent out to Netflix users (who've requested them) as we speak. Looks like our friend Jonathan here has a Friday delivery in store for him, while the lazier ones among us hunker down for an XMB software update late next year to let us stream Netflix to the PS3 disc-free, in keeping with the natural order of things.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Netflix shipping out PS3 instant streaming discs! originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Media streamers, Others, Internet

Continue reading Microsoft temporarily suspends Sky Player for Xbox 360

Microsoft temporarily suspends Sky Player for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Netflix – the two of the fastest growing home entertainment brands in the U.S. – are joining forces to make movies and TV episodes from Netflix available to be streamed instantly to TVs via the PlayStation3.

The streaming via the PS3 system will begin next month at no additional cost to Netflix members in the United States who have a PS3 system.

Filed under: Internet

Sky TV has made its arrival on the Xbox 360 today in prompt fashion, with live streaming and on-demand video available, and the keen lads over at Electric Pig already have a preview of the service in action. Their immediate reaction was that the Sky Player interface was "ultra-speedy" and easily navigable using the 360 controller. Streaming at the high-quality setting (alas, there's no HD on offer yet) was also no problem on a 4Mb broadband connection, though they reserve their highest praise for the on-demand content which was pumped through within a couple of seconds of selection and benefits from an "astonishingly well-designed interface." For the full impressions of the subscription-based service, which starts out at £15 per month, hit up the read link below.

Sky Player on Xbox 360 receives first eyes-on analysis originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Media streamers

"Game changing" is thrown around way too frequently these days, but man, this thing just might be. The Livepack is being described as "a satellite television truck in a backpack" by creator Livestream, and for all intents and purposes, it is. Put simply (or as simply as possible), the pack includes everything one would need to stream "HD quality" footage: encoding hardware, a Firewire cable and the real kicker, a built-in wireless connection with six load-balanced 3G modems over three carriers (AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint if you have to know). Users simply provide their own camcorder, mash a button when it's show time, and out goes the signal. The Livepack can currently be rented for $2,500 per month (includes 30 hours of streaming) or $1,500 per month if you commit to a year-long agreement. So, who's up for showing the world their high school prom live in HD? Demo vid is after the break.

[Via Red Ferret]

Continue reading Livestream Livepack: a 'satellite television truck in a backpack'

Livestream Livepack: a 'satellite television truck in a backpack' originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Akamai Technologies has launched the Akamai HD Network, its next generation video delivery offering and the first platform to deliver HD video online to viewers using Adobe Flash technology, Microsoft Silverlight, and to the iPhone, at broadcast-level audience scale.

The new HD Network combines Akamai’s patented HD EdgePlatform, adaptive bitrate streaming and DVR technology. It supports live and on-demand HD streaming.

There are already more digital delivery devices connected to HDTVs in US homes than Blu-ray players, thanks largely to the Xbox 360 and the likes of TiVo, Roku, AppleTV and Vudu.
Yet despite the numerical supremacy of players capable of streaming HD content, digital downloads are not expected to be a serious competitor to the Blu-ray format anytime soon.

Networked video game consoles are the most used devices for bringing web video to the TV in the US - and look set to remain so until 2013, according to an In-Stat report.
It found that 29 per cent of US 25 to 34 year olds with game consoles already use the devices to watch streaming video off the Internet.

LG is introducing the first HDTVs capable of streaming Netflix movies without the need for an external device such as game console or set-top box.
The online movie rental service will be available in North America on LG's new 47-inch LCD HDTV LH50 and 50-inch plasma HDTV PS80.

Filed under: Media PCs, Internet

HDGiants files BK, lays off everyone but the CEO and support staff originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 31 May 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG has launched the first DivX HD 1080p certified Blu-ray player.
The BD390 - originally displayed at CES in January - has an 802.11n WiFi module and support for DivX streaming from a DLNA server.

Microsoft Vista users can now stream films from Netflix through the Windows Media Center.
The development comes after Microsoft announced that it has expanded its partnership with the movie service.

Epix plans to offer full-length HD movies over the Internet using a dynamic-streaming feature from Akamai Technologies' content-distribution network.
The movie service, created by Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate, previously said it was launching as a broadband-video service in May, followed by the linear cable channel in October.

Millions of viewers already watch Internet video on their TVs but that number is set to climb dramatically, according to In-Stat.
It forecasts that by 2013 web-to-TV video streaming services will drive nearly USD $3 billion in revenue.

FutureSource Consulting has produced an interesting chart that highlights the gulf between HDTV ownership and the penetration of Blu-ray disc players in Europe.
It shows that there are 69 million HD-ready TV sets but just 8 million Blu-ray players,including PS3 consoles - prompting the title: "61 million TVs starved of HD content".

Blockbuster is to be the latest online video-on-demand service to appear on TiVo DVRs.
The pair announced today that they are working to make Blockbuster's service available on all TiVo Series2 and Series3 DVRs (including the HD and HD XL models) in the second half of 2009.