Networking Audio Video

Apple Releases Version 2.2 Firmware Upgrade for Apple TV

2008-10-09T13:30:00Z

Apple TV owners listen up, you can finally download HD TV shows with a new firmware upgrade for Apple TV. There also quite a few new features with the upgrade which you can see from the screenshot below (click image to expand):

If you haven't updated your firmware yet, follow these steps (according to Apple's website):

Select Settings > General using your Apple Remote.
Select Update Software.

Select Download Now to start the download process.

To start the update process, select Update Now. During the update process, your Apple TV will conduct a restart which is followed by the Apple logo and a status bar.

Note:

After the final restart, your Apple TV plays the opening video and returns to the main menu.

At Apple.com

Apple TV at Amazon

Steam Music Throughout the House with WMP 11 and iTunes

2008-10-08T13:54:49Z

While there's a ton of tutorials out there to help you stream music throughout the house, we found a handy tutorial that shows you how to stream using both Windows Media Player 11 and iTunes. According to the tutorial at PCAdvisor.uk:

You've no doubt already fine-tuned your existing audio setup, but why stop at optimising the audio potential of just one PC? Connecting all your computers and audio devices on a wireless network does away with the hassle of transferring CDs between machines and re-downloading files.

Streaming media across a network used to require expensive and complex hardware. Not so today. Windows Media Player (WMP) 11.0 and iTunes have facilities for sharing music libraries. We'll show you how to use these services to set up a free media-streaming network.

If you've got more than one computer in the house and you aren't streaming, what are you waiting for?

At PCAdvisor.uk [image: PCAdvisor.uk]

Digital Foci Introduces the Image Moments 6 Digiframe

2008-10-07T13:46:15Z

While digital picture frames still haven't cracked the market the way manufacturers had hoped, the devices are getting more popular. What's making digital frames more noticable is all of the features being crammed into the frames. Take the Image Moments 6 Digiframe from Digital Foci for example. The base features are:

5.7" VGA (640x480) digital LCD with high pixel density of 140 PPI.
Leading technology LCD with LED backlight.
Superb, subtle color representation with high contrast ratio of 300:1.
450MB internal memory.
Built-in memory card slots provide native support for: CF, MD, MMC, SD/HC Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO, MS Duo, MS PRO Duo, and xD-Picture Card (also supports mini-SD and RS-MMC with adapter).
Copies photos directly from memory cards to internal memory without needing a computer.
USB 2.0 connection for transferring photos between your computer and device.
Memory Source Select allows concurrent selection of a single or multiple memory sources for playback.
File Management Features: Organize, copy, delete, rename files; sort files by name or date; create new folders; copy between memory cards and internal memory.

Overall, the IMT-063 is a pretty loaded digital frame that comes in at a reasonable $149. The Image Moments 6 begins shipping on October 13, 2008.

At Thomas-pr.com [via Engadget]

Netflix Streaming Coming to Mac?

2008-10-06T11:02:00Z

A few days ago we told you that Netflix was now offering Starz content to "watch instantly". We also noticed at the Netflix blog, this cool little tidbit:

And, for all of you Mac users (of which I am one) we've been busy working getting a solution that will allow you to watch instantly on your Mac. So hang in there - we'll have something for you by the end of the year.

That's some great news for Mac users. We'll let you know when more details come in.

At Blog.Netflix.com

Netflix Streaming Now Offering Starz Content On-Demand

2008-10-03T10:56:00Z

There's been a lot of talk about how there's just not enough quality content being offered by Netflix to watch on the Netflix player. Well, that's all changed instantly with the announcement that brings Starz content to Netflix. According to the press release:

LOS GATOS, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), the world's largest online movie rental service, and Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the U.S., today announced an agreement to make movies from Starz, through its "Starz Play" broadband subscription movie service, available to be streamed instantly at Netflix. Access to the Starz Play service at Netflix will be included with Netflix members' current monthly subscription fee.
The deal adds significantly to a growing library of over 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly at Netflix. Netflix members who have unlimited subscription plans, which start at only $8.99 a month, will have full and unlimited access to approximately 2,500 additional movies and other choices from Starz Play as part of their current monthly subscription. That includes the opportunity to enjoy a live feed of the Starz TV network on their PCs and does not impact the number of DVDs members receive as part of their monthly plans.

The first of the Starz titles -- approximately 1,000 -- are available now at the Netflix Web site, where they are presented in a distinct area accessible by clicking on the "Watch Instantly" tab on the Netflix member home page. More titles will be added in the coming weeks.

Starz Play, Starz' collection of programming content for online distribution, features a wide variety of first-run hit movies, independent films and well-known movie classics, in addition to extreme sports, concerts, anime, Westerns and more. "Spider-Man™ 3," "Ratatouille," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "Superbad," "No Country for Old Men" and "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" highlight the movie offerings now available to be watched instantly. Starz Play also features new original content from Starz, including episodes of the upcoming dramatic series "Crash," from the producers of the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture "Crash," which remains the most-rented DVD in the history of Netflix.

Beginning today, Netflix and Starz Play will offer a sneak preview of the first full episode of "Crash" in advance of the Starz primetime premiere on October 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. "Crash" will remain a staple in the Starz Play programming mix and new episodes will debut day-and-date with new episode premieres.

How incredibly cool is that! We've looked and all the movies they claim are available are already showing up.

More at Netflix.com

First Nero LiquidTV Unboxing Hits the Web

2008-10-02T18:15:25Z

It's only been a few days since we told you about LiquidTV, a package that turns a Windows PC into a TiVo based TV recorder. So imagine our surprise when we heard EngadgetHD already got their hands on LiquidTV. We'll say wer'e a bit jealous. According to EngadgetHD:

Although we wonder how big the market is for yet another piece of DVR, HTPC software, we do want to find out if the $200 price point, and $99 a year for service, is worth it for a remote, IR transceiver, hybrid tuner, antenna and software.

Very cool! Be sure to check out the complete gallery.

At EngadgetHD.com (image: EngadgetHD)

Hollywood Finally Sues RealNetworks Over RealDVD Ripping Software

2008-10-02T14:11:00Z

Not too long ago we told you about RealDVD, the supposed "legal" way to rip DVDs. As expected, Hollywood is starting to question Real's definition of "legal" and has finally filed a lawsuit (we expected this sooner). According to Yahoo News:

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleges RealNetworks' RealDVD program, which launched Tuesday, illegally bypasses the copyright protection built into DVDs.
"The incentive for the consumer is obvious and all but overwhelming," the studios said in a request for a temporary restraining order. "'Why,' he or she may ask, 'should I pay $18.50 to purchase a DVD when I can rent it for $3.25 and make a permanent copy?'"

For $30, consumers can buy RealDVD and use it to copy DVDs to computers or portable hard drives, though the program prevents them from transferring the files to other users. The maker calls RealDVD "100 percent legal" on its Web site.

One of these days you think a company might come out with a questionable product and be a little more humble with their introduction. Instead of proclaiming RealDVD "legal", maybe Real should of said "We look forward to working with content providers and look forward to their input". Seems like the way to go but maybe we here at NAV are just a bit naive to the cutthroat world of big business.

At News.Yahoo.com

September 2008 Monthly Round Up for Networking Audio Video

2008-10-01T11:58:00Z

September flew by pretty fast. Some of the most exciting news of the month was the announcement of LiquidTV, software the turns your PC into a TiVo device.

We were also excited about the news that IMDb is now offering free streaming movies and TV shows. So kick back and relax with a little catch-up reading from Networking Audio Video.

Apple TV

Are HD TV Downloads Coming to Apple TV Soon?

Audio Devices

Audio Streaming

Game Consoles

Microsoft Drops Xbox 360 Arcade Price to $199

General

Home Theater

Panasonic Introduces the SA-BX500: HDMI Home Theater Receiver

Media Extender

Niveus Media's 2009 Pro Series n9 Media Server - 8 HD Tuners to Rock your World!

Media Routers

Niveus Media's 2009 Pro Series n9 Media Server - 8 HD Tuners to Rock your World!

Netflix Streaming

Coming Soon - Update your Netflix Queue from any Yahoo Webpage

Placeshifting

LiquidTV - TiVo to Your PC Has Arrived!

Roku Netflix Player

Speaker Systems

TrekStor's Wireless SoundBox Unveiled

Speakers

TrekStor's Wireless SoundBox Unveiled

TV Streaming

LiquidTV - TiVo to Your PC Has Arrived!

Video Recorder

LiquidTV - TiVo to Your PC Has Arrived!

Video Streaming

Wireless Music

David Weiner Ventures Unveils the Art.Suono Wireless Music Transmission System

Wireless Speakers

iPod Streaming

Logitech Announces the Pure-Fi Line of iPod Docks

Netflix Player Hack To Force 2.2 Mbps Streaming

2008-09-30T11:51:00Z

Got a little extra bandwidth just lying around the house? If you do, you might just want to force your Netflix player to use that bandwith with a little hack at the Roku forums that sets your player from automatic to 2.2Mbps. According to Mark12547 at the forums:

Using the remote, hit Home Home Home Home Home Rewind Rewind Rewind FastForward FastForward (that's 5 Homes, 3 Rewinds, 2 FastForwards), keypresses about 1/2 second apart. You may have to try several times and the trick is to make the keypresses spaced out far enough. (Remember, the last two are <<< Rewind and Fast Forward >>>, which are on the bottom row of buttons, not the < and > keys to the side of the select button.)

There's a lot of debate whether ayone even needs to do this since the "automatic" setting keeps everything in line. We here at NAV has used our Netflix Player everyday for months and have almost always had the top stream speed using the automatic setting. So unless you have issues, you may want no want to mess with your settings. Don't you love it when someone gives you a hack and tells you not to do it?

At HackingNetflix.com

LiquidTV - TiVo to Your PC Has Arrived!

2008-09-29T17:23:34Z

The day we've been waiting for (since have nothing better to do!). The wonderful TiVo interface is finally going to be available for your home-grown media center. Basically TiVo Inc. and Nero AG of Germany have announced software called LiquidTV that turns a Windows PC into a TiVo based TV recorder. According to the Wall Street Journal:

The kit will cost $199 when it goes on sale Oct. 15, and includes a remote and a TV tuner that plugs into the PC. The interface on the computer screen looks just like the one on a TV equipped with a TiVo box.
It isn't the first software that allows TV recording on the PC. That has been possible for years on computers equipped with TV tuners, and some versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Vista operating system include the necessary software. But it will be the first time that both the TiVo interface and functions have been replicated on a PC.

It really sucks that Oct. 15 is still 2 weeks away. We'll definitely be standing in line for this one!

At WSJ.com

Google Founder Pushes to Open White Spaces Spectrum

2008-09-25T12:57:00Z

Someday, we here at NAV envision a time where no matter where you are, WiFi will be available and it'll be free. We even image you won't need a wireless router at home because the free signals will be floating around you all the time. Google co-founder Larry Page is trying to help my our dreams a reality with his push on Capital Hill to open up the white spaces spectrum so it can be used as an affordable, nationwide, high-speed broadband connectivity network. According to Wired.com:

The unused portions of the TV spectrum are attractive because signals can travel greater distances at lower power and are less susceptible to obstructions than the frequency bands used for current wireless technologies, like WiFi. Availability of the broadband service could allow for low-cost devices, both licensed and unlicensed, to access this network.
But that's where the hitch lies. Unlicensed personal devices searching for wireless connectivity on the spectrum could potentially interfere with high-end wireless audio gear that uses that band, say wireless equipment manufacturers. TV broadcasters are also resisting the move to open up the white spaces, which they regard as an important buffer zone, or "guard band," between channels.

According to the article:

Google has been lobbying hard to get regulators on its side in this issue. Last month the company launched a "Free the Airwaves" campaign with a website and a petition lobbying the FCC to open up the spectrum.

Be sure to check out Google's website: Free the Airwaves and get involved.

At Wired.com

AT&T Introduces the Home Manager Smart Touch Panel

2008-09-24T15:42:00Z

It seems that every new electronic device we plug in at home, the lights get just a bit dimmer. We figure we have just enough juice left in the house to add the AT&T Home Manager Smart Touch Panel . The device is basically a mini touch-screen computer designed to integrate with your home phone service. Here's a breakdown of the device from AT&T's website:

So much more than just a phone, AT&T HomeManager™ is a revolutionary new device for the home.

Easy communication
The latest technology makes for simple, one-stop access to your address book, voicemail, Yellow Pages, email and more.

Make instant calls using your address book, call logs, and Yellow Pages online directories.
View recent messages and select the call you want to listen to first with visual voicemail.
Read and respond to emails without having to go to the computer.
The handset and frame even have built-in intercoms for room-to-room communication.

Quick access to the information you need.
Internet snacking! The touch screen serves up all the tidbits you need, quickly and easily.

Get weather info, the latest news, movie show times, previews and reviews, sports scores, stock quotes, recipes, lottery numbers, horoscopes and more.
View interactive maps of your YellowPages search results.
Admire and share photos from your latest trip right on the color touch screen.

Stay more organized -- in less time.
Cutting edge technology helps keep you more organized than before.

Use the calendar to get appointment information at a glance and remember every engagement with automatic reminders.
Innovative address book keeps your mobile and home contact information for friends, family and coworkers in one easy-to-access spot.

The basic specs:

Frame specification:

7" screen, 800x480 resolution
Battery duration during operating: 2 hours. Standby duration: 24 hours.
24-bit color (16.7 million colors)
Internal storage of 256MB
Additional external storage via SD memory card and/or USB flash drive (not included)

Frame and handset specifications:

Full-duplex speakerphone
Cordless DECT 6.0 handset and frame
Battery charge time: 5 hours for frame and 15 hours for handset

The Home Manager sound like a handy device, but we're not sure if anyone's going to pay $299 for it. If you have the Home Manger, let us know what you think.

At AT&T.com

Engadget Reviews the ZvBox from ZeeVee

2008-09-24T11:16:00Z

We here at NAV recently gave you an unboxing of the ZvBox from ZeeVee. We're still working on a full review but we wanted to pass along Engadget's review. Overall, Engadget loves the technology but they wonder if consumers are ready to dish out the dough for it. According to the review:

So the question really comes down to how much are you willing to spend to eliminate the box next to your TV,without running extra wires through your house -- we suspect, not much? We are, however, really impressed with ZeeVee's technology and can imagine many similar devices that we would easily pay $500 for. Personally, we'd rather have a ZvBox with component and toslink input and a built in IR repeater so we could easily hide any STB we wanted in a remote closet, without running any wires in our house, but that's us. So the bottom line is that if the ZvBox is just what you've been looking for to watch Hulu on your HDTV, and you wouldn't even blink an eye at spending $500 to do it, then it's perfect, but the rest of us can keep waiting.

You'll want to read the full review and since we're working on our own, we won't comment on Engadget's review yet. We'll roll out our take of the ZvBox from ZeeVee soon.

At Engadget.com

David Weiner Ventures Unveils the Art.Suono Wireless Music Transmission System

2008-09-23T17:07:00Z

If you're into artsy electronic toys, you might want check out the Art.Suono Wireless Music Transmission System from designer David Weiner. According to SlipperyBrick.com:

Design house David Weiner Ventures has unveiled a wireless music broadcasting device which is iPod friendly. It is called the Art.Suono Wireless Music Transmission System and iPod Dock and it will be available for around $1,500.

Doesn't the Art.Suono look a lot like one of those explosive devices bad guys slide along the floor like in movies like Diehard?

We'd really be interested in the sound quality of such a small device. If we get a chance to check out the Art.Suono, we'll let you know.

At SlipperyBrick.com

Panasonic Introduces the SA-BX500: HDMI Home Theater Receiver

2008-09-23T13:58:07Z

A properly wired home just isn't complete without a super-duper home theater system. Pansonsonic has just announced the SA-BX500 HDMI Home Theater Receiver which is the starting point for that super-duper system. The system sounds pretty sweet and according to BigPictureBigSound.com:

For multi-channel sources, the BX500 offers HDMI 1.3a-compatible HDMI audio decoding, with support for PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio. If you're limited by your listening environment to only five speakers, but you still want to reap the benefits of 7.1-channel surround, the BX500 can create virtual rear channel or virtual side channel speakers using proprietary 7.1ch Virtual Surround technology. Of course, the receiver also features support for true 7.1-channel mode, with all seven channels driven at 130 Watts/Channel An optional wireless kit (SH-FX67) allows you to add wireless speakers, either to the surround speakers or to a separate room

We're really jazzed about the fact that the SA-BX500 comes with 3 HDMI connections. Sounds like a pretty capable system that has a sweet price-point that comes in under $800.

At BigPictureBigSound.com

Review: Logitech Squeezebox Boom - Big Sound in a Little Package

2008-09-22T13:32:25Z

Last month, we let you know about Logitech's announcement of the Squeezbox Boom. Well a review has already hit the streets and overall the Boom got high marks. According to the review at Engadget:

Let's address the most important point first: this is an excellent sounding radio. The R1000 was lauded for its sound quality, too, and while the Boom might (emphasis on "might") come just shy of the R1000 for bass response, it's still got a beefy low end and a crisp, full delivery across the range. You won't mistake it for a Transporter connected to $50,000 worth of amps and speakers, but for a diminutive radio chilling on your nightstand, it'll give you more volume than you need (and besides, if you're bleary-eyed enough to be in bed, do you even care how precise the sound is?). Anyone absolutely demanding more bass is in luck, anyway -- the 3.5mm jack on the Boom's backside can be switched between headphone and subwoofer out.

The biggest concern in the review is that the Boom is totally network based. Being the Boom is designed to be a bedside alarm, if you lose your network overnight you might have a problem in the morning. Still if you need internet radio in a small package, you might want to check out the Squeezebox Boom.

At Engadget.com

Logitech Squeezebox Boom at Amazon

IMDb Now Offering Free Streaming Movies and TV Shows

2008-09-19T14:16:47Z

Since we here at NAV spend so much time on IMDB, it only seems logical to watch content from the site instead of just reading about it. Well now that's possible since IMDB is now offering downloads of over 6,000 movies and TV shows for free.

It looks like most of the content is coming from Hulu. We're off to catch some "T.J. Hooker" so be sure to check it out today.

At IMDb.com

Are HD TV Downloads Coming to Apple TV Soon?

2008-09-18T12:52:48Z

We've never had any doubt that HD TV shows would eventually make it to the Apple TV but MacNN states that Mac is working on how to deliver the content:

Apple is already at work on an update to deliver HD TV shows to the Apple TV, anonymous sources claim. The release of iTunes 8 brought with it HD-quality shows, which can be viewed either on a computer or an Apple TV; the latter device cannot download HD shows directly however, despite supporting the option for movies. A software update for Apple TVs is said to be in progress, which may be necessary for multiple reasons.

We'll keep you posted when we here any more news on streaming HD to your Apple TV

At MacNN

Apple TV at Amazon

Watch Movies till your Eye's Bleed - Win Netflix Subscription and $10,000

2008-09-17T13:46:36Z

Who out there hasn't wanted to be in the Guiness Book of Records? We'll 8 ~~insane~~ lucky people will get their chance by seeing who can watch movies the longest. The previous winner set the record at 120 hours and 23 minutes. Wow, even thinking about five days of non-stop movie watching hurts my brain. According to the Netflix press release:

LOS GATOS, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Their eyes may be glued to the screen, but all eyes will be on the eight competitors who will participate in the Netflix Movie Watching World Championship: The Quest for the Popcorn Bowl. Hosted by Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), the world's largest online movie rental service, the grueling movie watching marathon will begin on October 2nd in New York's Times Square and is expected to last until a new Guinness World Record®, for most consecutive hours spent watching movies, is set five days later on October 7th.
At stake is the undeniable notoriety associated with holding the title of world champion, a $10,000 cash prize, a lifetime subscription to Netflix and the first-ever Popcorn Bowl trophy.

Featuring some of the world's most accomplished endurance enthusiasts, the Netflix Movie Watching World Championship challenges contestants to watch a continuous run of movies in an effort to eclipse the existing world record of 120 hours and 23 minutes held by Ashish Sharma of Mathura, India. Mr. Sharma will be on hand to defend his title. Netflix will also give everyday people a chance to participate by inviting the submission of video auditions at http://www.facebook.com/ (keyword search: Netflix Movie Watching World Championship). Additional information, including contest rules and other mesmerizing tidbits, can also be found there.

Maybe if you start now, you can be ready for next years competition.

At Netflix.com

Logitech Announces the Pure-Fi Line of iPod Docks

2008-09-16T13:36:51Z

There's currently about 8 billion iPod docks on the market, so it doesn't hurt to add a few more. Logitech has announced two new Pure-Fi iPods Docks. According to iPodNN:

The Express Plus works with all fourth-generation iPods, iPod minis, and later dockable Apple devices up to the very latest models and the iPhone 3G; an aux-in jack supports nearly all other portable media players. It surfaces in October for $100.
Logitech is also making its move into higher-end clock radio docks via the Pure-Fi Anytime. Apart from its new iPhone support, the AM/FM stereo also draws heavily upon motion sensing to simplify many tasks that would either require more light or awkward input. The backlight will only invoke when the user is close, guarding against having to turn on a nearby lamp; owners can also wave a hand over the Pure-Fi to trigger snooze mode rather than hit a button. A sometimes uncommon recessed dock design prevents users from hitting the iPhone or iPod in the morning.

If you're looking for an iPod dock, we still lean towards a wireless dock like the Mint 220.

At iPodNN.com

Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus at Amazon

Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime at Amazon

Coming Soon - Update your Netflix Queue from any Yahoo Webpage

2008-09-15T13:32:20Z

We here at NAV prefer Google as our homepage but we might consider using Yahoo's homepage based on an announcement from Yahoo. According to BizJournals.com:

Yahoo Inc. plans to let other businesses like Netflix Inc. and Apple Inc. run applications on its Web pages.
The Sunnyvale, Calif. Web portal (NASDAQ:YHOO) will permit widgets from Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), for example, that allow Yahoo users to see and tinker with their queue of movies from that company without leaving the Yahoo page they're on.

Very cool. If they're isn't one yet, we're pretty sure someone will figure out how to create a Google widget to view our Netflix queue.

At BizJournals.com

Scan Images from your PC to your Toast - Heaven at Last!

2008-09-12T14:14:02Z

We're not sure if the is the coolest invention concept ever or the most useless invention concept ever, but we love. This is currently in concept form from designer Sung Bae Chang right now but there's the possibility of scanning images and text to your toast. According to Gizmodo:

Each module can move 30-degrees vertically, realigning to burn out the image of your choice. That means you could read the news and eat breakfast in one compact fiber-filled unit. The Scan Toaster concept was good enough to make it as a finalist in the 2008 Electrolux Design Lab competition but, unfortunately, I don't see it popping up in my kitchen anytime soon.

Can you image running out the door with your news conveniently package on your toast. Awesome!

At Gizmodo.com

IOGEAR Announces the Powerline Whole House Audio System

2008-09-11T11:15:00Z

Just in case you don't have enough electronic devices sucking up all of the power in your house, you might want to check out the Powerline Whole House Audio System. According to Blastmagazine.com:

The Powerline Stereo Audio System uses existing electrical lines within the home to stream music to any room, creating a full-house multimedia network without the need for expensive audio cable installation," the companies said in a statement. "Arkados' HomePlug powerline technology and its Direct-to-Speaker software provide reliable connectivity and the highest quality digital sound from the audio source to the speakers for the system."

We're really interested in the quality of audio over power lines. If you've used this system, let us know what you think and in the meantime we'll work on getting a review unit.

At BlastMagazine.com

Powerline Whole House Audio System at Amazon

A Completely Freeware PC Minus The Windows

2008-09-10T12:12:00Z

Okay, this is slightly off topic but pretty cool. We found an article that shows you how to build a Windows PC completely with freeware with the exception of the Windows OS. While you could find all of this software on your own, this list makes that task a lot easier.

At Jatex.Wordpress.com

Niveus Media's 2009 Pro Series n9 Media Server - 8 HD Tuners to Rock your World!

2008-09-09T23:25:00Z

If you're looking for the mother-of-all media servers, you'll want to check out the Niveus Media's 2009 Pro Series n9 Media Server. The n9 comes with 8 HD tuners and 10 media extenders. Nope, that's not a typo and according to EngadgetHD:

"Niveus has nurtured the digital cable functionality and compatibility since early 2007 and is proud to be one of the first to support both eight CableCARDS and ten extenders," states Tim Cutting, Niveus CEO and Co-Founder. "By doubling the performance of the Niveus Media Server, we can now support even the largest installations."
The ability to access a robust DVR library and distribute all live and recorded HD content to eleven independent zones will be supported by Niveus' most powerful media server, the Pro Series n9, set to be released in Q4 2008. The n9 will feature a next-generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, for the ultimate in high-definition, multi-zone entertainment.

Pairing the n9 with four Niveus Digital Cable Receivers, an external, dual CableCARD tuner device, allows cable subscribers to simultaneously view and record eight standard definition or HD programs. Leveraging the increasingly popular Extender for Windows® Media Center platform, users can now stream these eight digital cable signals along with ALL other HD content in up to eleven zones.

We doubt there's enough electricity in our house to run this sucker. No word on price but we do know the last n9 with 4 tuners came in at $15,000 grand so be ready to take a second or third job for the pleasure of owning the n9 powerhouse.

At EngadgetHD.com

RealDVD from RealNetworks- The Answer to Legal DVD Ripping?

2008-09-09T11:40:00Z

Ripping DVDs to your PC is obviously nothing new but now RealNetworks say you can do it legally with the RealDVD software. According to CNET.com:

RealNetworks will soon let users rip DVDs to their hard drives--legally. The company will be unveiling the RealDVD software at Monday's DemoFall conference in San Diego, but CNET got an early look at the software. Our hands-on impressions follow: Operation is simple and straightforward. Once the RealDVD software is installed, just pop a DVD into your PC, and the program will copy the entire disc to your hard disk.
Depending on the read speed of your computer's DVD drive, the operation will probably take 15-20 minutes (for dual-layer discs that house 7 to 8.5GB of data). You can copy as many as your hard drive will hold, and the program's browsing screen gives you the cover art and relevant metadata (cover art, stars, directors, plot summaries, ratings).

Whether you're at 37,000 feet or you're accessing the program on a home theater PC hooked up to your TV, you need only click on the movie you want to watch, and it'll start straight away. (We say "movie," but RealDVD works just as well for TV shows on DVD as well.)

While the software rips the DVD like most other software, the key is that it leaves the DVD copy-protection but allows you to play the DVD on one PC.

Here's a short video from RealNetworks of RealDVD in action:

The CNET article goes into more depth about the RealDVD software so be sure to check it out.

At CNET.com

JBL Announces the WEM-1 Wireless Speaker Transmitter

2008-09-08T22:22:00Z

Wireless speaker systems like the Mint 220 are pretty awesome but what if your looking to turn your existing home theater sytem into a wireless system? Well you might want to check out the JBL WEM-1. According to Dvice.com:

The new WEM-1 from legendary speaker company JBL transmits two channel audio up to 70 feet over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, allowing you to send music to a second room, or to connect the rear speakers in a surround rig without snaking wires. The transmitter has RCA, mini-jack and speaker level inputs, while the receiver has a 50 watt per channel amplifier, and a subwoofer output. A remote lets you control the volume, or switch to a local input like an iPod in the second room.

The WEM-1 will hit the streets later this month at a price tag of $359.

At Dvice.com

Netflix Hires Video Streaming Pro to Grow it's Streaming Business

2008-09-08T10:12:00Z

We here at NAV are firm believers that with more content and more marketing, Netflix will be the leader of streaming movies and tv. It was evident with the introduction of the Roku Netflix Player, Netflix was serious about being competive in the streaming market. Now there's signs that Netflix is heavily investing in streaming media with it's recent hiring of Bill Holmes, a streaming media professional. According to HDTV.biz-news:

Netflix has hired Bill Holmes, a five-year veteran of digital-media company DivX, to help build its video-streaming business.
Holmes is to head its business-development efforts as it continues to try to boost sales from its video-streaming service.
His appointment is the latest in various moves by the company to build on its 8.4 million subscriber base with it's streaming services.

It has entered onto a partnership with LG to produce a new Blu-ray Disc Player with direct internet access to the Netflix film catalogue.

Netflix, the largest U.S. movie-rental service via mail, said that it brought on Holmes to help embed software into more devices that will allow customers to stream content from Netflix

Pretty impressive news! It won't be too long till we have Netflix in our toasters (hey, we can dream can't we?).

At HDTV.biz-news

NFL To Stream Redskins / Giants Tonight

2008-09-04T17:26:40Z

In July we told you about NBC's plan to stream 17 regular season NFL games. Well, that comes to pass tonight with the opening of the NFL regular season game between the Redskins and the Giants. Be sure to catch it at the link below.

Watch at NBCSports.com

Microsoft Drops Xbox 360 Arcade Price to $199

2008-09-03T22:35:46Z

Woo Hoo, it finally happened! The Xbox 360 has finally fallen below the $200 mark. According to CNET news:

One of the the biggest selling points of Nintendo's Wii video game console since its launch nearly two years ago has been that it was the lowest-priced of the trio of next-generation machines that also includes Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.
To date, the Wii costs $249, while the lowest-priced Xbox, the so-called "Arcade," retails currently for $279. An 80GB PS3 sells for $400.

But Microsoft said Wednesday that it will drop the price of the Arcade on Friday to $199, breaking through what some have said is the all-important psychological price level of $200. At that price, industry observers say, the market opens up to mass levels of consumers.

Microsoft will also drop the price of its 60 GB Xbox to $299

We bet you just bought an Xbox 360 last week? Oh well, they're getting so cheap you can buy one for the bedroom now.

At CNET.com