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Roku Adds More HD Content

Dave — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:01:57 +0000

The folks at Roku have been busy lately. When the first Netflix-enabled set-top Roku Digital Video Player debuted last June, its singular focus, easy interface and $99 price tag made it a popular early choice for getting internet video on the big screen. As more and more people are turning to the internet to watch their favorite content on demand, we’re seeing more content sources online — and Roku is moving quickly to keep up. (more…)

Netflix on Xbox Live

Dave — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:22:03 +0000

With the new Xbox Live release, Netflix brings instant online movie access to the masses. Now anyone with a Netflix “unlimited” memebership and Xbox Live can quickly and easily stream movies on demand to their TV. (more…)

Blockbuster vs Netflix: Online Movie Rental Plans Compared

Dave — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:56:54 +0000

It’s been a couple years since we started renting movies over the web at our house. And while we’re having fun playing in the early stages of the full-video-access-over-the-web revolution, renting DVDs via the mail will probably be a vital part of our home entertainment world for a while to come. And even though the we’ve been satisfied with our current rental plan, every once in a while the age-old question pops up, and it’s as relevant in 2008 as it was four years ago: Which is better, Netflix or Blockbuster?

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Hulu opens its doors: Free streaming TV and movies for all

Dave — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:24:48 +0000

Hulu announced yesterday that they’re exiting the private beta stage of development and opening their free online video service to “anyone in the U.S. with a broadband internet connection and a computer” though there are workarounds for the “in the U.S.” part.

So now it’s easy access for all, and more content to boot. They’ve added a substantial amount of new TV episodes and full-length movies to the site. For what is essentially a brand new public site, there’s a wealth of shows worth watching — all in decent resolution. With its easy-to-use site search and navigation, Hulu’s hard to beat for free streaming TV and films.

Graboid: Laptop Video Speeds Ahead

Dave — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:46:55 +0000

We’re regularly testing a number of web TV solutions, looking for the best combination of video content (quality and variety), usability, speed and value. So far, one of the best all-around choices for accessing commercial movies and TV online is Graboid, a free video service which offers a huge selection of full-length content, available via streaming or viadownload at the fastest speeds available on the web.

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Hulu Keeps the Buzz Alive

Dave — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:59:11 +0000

Hulu looks to have smoothed out some of the bumps in the road in its current invitation-only beta version. They continue adding new content — having tripled the size of their library since opening last October — and they’ve improved their site navigation options, expanded their distribution into additional online sites, and have dialed in on managing capacity and demand.

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Side by Side: Apple TV and Vudu Compared

Dave — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:23:14 +0000

With Apple TV’s new upgrade and features, including online movie rentals and lower pricing, it’s getting easier than ever to bring high quality and high def movies from the web to your TV. And as much as we like Apple, we like to see a robust, competitive marketplace even more. Netflix recently announced their plans to develop a new set-top box.

Meanwhile, Vudu, which introduced its video-store-in-a-box just last October, has already had to slash $100 off the retail price and expand its hi-def library to keep competitive with Apple’s latest.

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DTV4PC: Beneath the hype, a few solid features

Dave — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:27:38 +0000

Smith-Micro recently introduced their DTV4PC software, promising to “turn your PC into a complete digital entertainment center”, and has been promoting it aggressively via email. According to the company, the software features include:

1056 live TV channels on your PC
No monthly charges
Thousands of worldwide programs
100% legal

Sounds good. But how does this $30 software product work, and does it live up to the hype?

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