Final Major Network Blocks Google TV

Fox has become the latest to join in on blocking access to Google TV.  Every major U.S. TV network has blocked Google TV from accessing content on their websites and on their partner sites Hulu and PlayOn.  Users and TV providers will be locked in a game of cat and mouse finding ways to get around this blackout.  Until this dispute is resolved, Google TV will not be able to gain mass acceptance.

WD TV Live Hub Leaked

There is a great thread at the AV Science Forum detailing the currently unreleased Western Digital WD TV Live Hub.  Apparently, one forum member was able to purchase a unit when Best Buy mistakenly put the product live on its website.  The product has been pulled from both Best Buy's and Western Digital's sites, but can still be viewed via Google cache.  One of the biggest improvements over previous WD TV releases is the improved user interface and remote!

Unannounced product details

• 1TB internal hard drive


• Copy, move, delete files stored on internal, external, or network drives via WD TV interface


• Can stream content to WD TV Live, WD TV Live Plus, or other DLNA/UPnP devices


• iTunes server


• HDMI, composite, component connections


• Ethernet connection, optional wireless adapter


• Accuweather, Blockbuster, facebook, Flickr, live365, Mediafly, Netflix, Pandora, Youtube

Sony Unveils Their Google TV Lineup

Sony has unveiled their Google TV offerings dubbed "Sony Internet TV". Sony has two approaches delivering Google TV to consumers.  The first approach is the integrated experience with four sizes of TVs, 24", 32", 40", and 46".  The second approach is in a Blu-ray player with integrated Google TV.  This device may be a good fit for consumers wanting physical and streaming content.  Both the integrated TV and Blu-ray player come with an awful looking remote that reminds me of a Brother P-Touch labeler.  As with the Logitech unit, consumers may want to wait for more devices to come to market.

Suggested Retail Prices:

• 24" Integrated TV $599


• 32" Integrated TV $799


• 40" Integrated TV $999


• 46" Integrated TV $1399


• Blu-ray player $399

Logitech Revue Now Available For Preorder

Logitech has unveiled their first Google TV product, the Revue and I can't stop looking at the price tag.  The Revue will set you back a whopping $299!  This is triple the cost of the high-end Roku and Apple TV boxes and twice the amount of the best WDTV box.  Let's see what we get for this price.

Specs:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports


• HDMI in & out ports


• Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n


• Ethernet 10/100 Base-T


• Android or iOS remote app


• Keyboard controlled with integrated remote, compact keyboard and touchpad


• IR mini blaster


• HDMI cable


• Additional accessories available

This all of information we could find published by Logitech. If you are interested in Google TV, you may want to wait until more vendors release devices.

Logitech To Unveil Their Google TV October 6th

Engadget reports Logitech will unveil their Google TV stand alone box this Wednesday, October 6th.  This will beat out Sony for their October 12th unveiling.  Digital Copy Room will have full details of the product, so stay tuned.

Roku Refreshes Product Line

Roku has refreshed their entire line of set-top TV boxes with prices ranging from $60 - $100, depending on model.  The high-end Roku XD|S will even play content from a USB connected hard drive (via free software update available in November).  At this time, the Roku XD|S will only be able to playback video in mp4 & m4v (H.264) formats.  This product line should give both the WDTV and Apple TV products a run for their money.  Also, we should hear some more details about the upcoming Google TV any day!

Roku currently has deals with the following companies to stream content to their products

• Video: Netflix, Amazon Video, Flixster, ChannelLive, and more


• Sports: UFC, MLB.TV, MCC, AFL, GAA


• News: Twit.TV, Revision3, Mediafly, TechPodcasts.com and more


• Music: Pandora, MP3Tunes, radiotime, MOG, and more


• Social: vimeo, SmugMug, facebook photos, BREAK.com, flickr, and more 

Below is a quick reference guide for choosing the Roku that is right for you.

Roku HD

• Works with any TV


• 720p video (Composite & HDMI)


• 802.11g WiFi


• 10/100 Ethernet


• Price $59.99 

Roku XD

• Same as Roku HD but adds


• 1080p video (Composite & HDMI)


• Instant replay button


• 802.11n WiFi


• Price $79.99 

Roku XD|S

• Same as Roku XD but adds


• Dual-Band WiFi


• Component video & optical audio


• USB ports for content playback (via software upgrade)


• Price $99.99 

Netflix Streaming Coming To Canada?

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Netflix will announce access to their streaming service tomorrow.  This would be the company's first market outside the United States.  The rumor states there are no current plans for mail order DVDs.  

MPEG LA Makes H.264 Royalty Free For End Users

In a move that should help HTML 5 adaption, MPEG LA has decided to allow H.264 video playback to be royalty free.  H.264 is one of the proposed specs for HTML 5 video for streaming online content.  Unfortunately, for-profit content providers will still need to pay licensing fees to use this technology. 

 

Press Release: 

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Tom O’Reilly MPEG LA, LLC Tel: 303.200.1710 Fax: 301.986.8575 toreilly@mpegla.com

MPEG LA’s AVC License Will Not Charge Royalties for Internet Video that is Free to End Users through Life of License

(DENVER, CO, US – 26 August 2010) – MPEG LA announced today that its AVC Patent Portfolio License will continue not to charge royalties for Internet Video that is free to end users (known as “Internet Broadcast AVC Video”) during the entire life of this License. MPEG LA previously announced it would not charge royalties for such video through December 31, 2015 (seehttp://www.mpegla.com/Lists/MPEG%20LA%20News%20List/Attachments/226/n-10-02-02.pdf), and today’s announcement makes clear that royalties will continue not to be charged for such video beyond that time. Products and services other than Internet Broadcast AVC Video continue to be royalty-bearing.

MPEG LA's AVC Patent Portfolio License provides access to essential patent rights for theAVC/H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) digital video coding standard. In addition to Internet Broadcast AVCVideo, MPEG LA’s AVC Patent Portfolio License provides coverage for devices that decode and encode AVC video, AVC video sold to end users for a fee on a title or subscription basis and free television video services. AVC video is used in set-top boxes, media player and other personal computer software, mobile devices including telephones and mobile television receivers, Blu-rayDiscTM players and recorders, Blu-ray video optical discs, game machines, personal media player devices and still and video cameras.

For more information about MPEG LA’s AVC License or to request a copy of the License, please visit http://www.mpegla.com/main/programs/AVC/Pages/Intro.aspx .

Convert Your Movies To Play On iPad & iPhone

Converting your favorite movie to play on your iOS device is easy.  The biggest hurdle in the process is the time it takes to convert the video to the correct format.  iOS plays H.264 mp4 videos using the m4v extention.  

There are 2 free software programs required to convert your videos and both programs are available for OS X, Windows, and Linux!  Although you need to install 2 programs, the only program you need to launch is Handbrake.  Handbrake handles all the video encoding, but it can also decrypt your videos using VLC.

 

 

Encoding your videos: 

• Install VLC and Handbrake


• Launch Handbrake


• Select video source (dvd or already ripped video files)


• Select your preset- In Handbrake 0.94, I found AppleTV Legacy works on my iPod Touch, iPad, computer, and WDTV)


• Sit back and relax, it may take a while.  Encoding a 2hr movie on my Core Duo iMac takes about 2hrs.  Newer computer are much faster but there is still plenty of room for speed improvements.

 

 One nice feature of Handbrake is its ability to queue video encodings.  To do this, you will need to have your video source files ripped ahead of time.  You can use any program you like.  For Mac OS X, my favorite program is RipIt. 

 

Now just import your encoded video into iTunes.  If you want, you can right click on the file in iTunes and select properties or Get Info (depending on your operating system) and click on the Artwork tab.  In this tab, you can paste your favorite movie poster or DVD cover into the file.

Sync your device and your all done.  Enjoy your movie anywhere you want!

Google Having Trouble Selling GoogleTV To Media Companies?

Extra Extra..... From the land of dinosaur media companies, Google having trouble selling the idea of GoogleTV!

We knew it would be difficult to negotiate content deals for GoogleTV.  The Wall Street Journal is reporting media companies are worried about cannibalizing the traditional broadcast model with online video.  Media companies are concerned because they currently earn less money with online advertising.  In addition, GoogleTV would enable more competition for content displayed on TVs.

I believe all video will be web based someday. Content owners that adapt to this new business model early will be in a better position to compete in this market.

QNAP App Allows Multimedia Streaming To iOS Devices

QNAP has launched an Application in Apple's iOS App Store that allows multimedia streaming from their NAS products.  To enable the feature, the NAS needs to have the QNAP v3.3 NAS management utility update applied to it.  The App is a free download, and allows you to stream your music, photos, and videos over WiFi or 3G.  QNAP also includes MyJukebox, a feature that enables browsing for playlists created on the NAS, without using iTunes. 

Source: Hot HardWare

Zombie TV Series Coming In October!

Finally, there will be a weekly zombie based TV series!  AMC will air the series The Walking Dead this October. Season 1 of The Walking Dead will be 6 hour long episodes.  Let's hope for a season 2!

DVD reVIEW: Hot Tub Time Machine

If you are looking for a good sci-fi based drama at the local redbox or for your Netflix queue, think about picking up Hot Tub Time Machine.  The movie stars Crispin Glover as Phil, a down on his luck bell hop.  A group of friends travel back to the 1980s in a hot tub to help right Phil's life.  Will the Motley Lou help prevent Phil from losing his arm, allowing him to provide the proper applause at his favorite opera?  Bring a box of tissues for this emotional journey.  Hot Tub Time Machine has a good supporting cast consisting of John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, and Chevy Chase.

 

If You Have Not Seen Idiocracy, Where Have You Been?

Seriously, you need to watch this movie.  Warning: Contains Crude Humor