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Gaming

Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013
Gaming

Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013

Hauppauge unveiled two HD PVR 2 models at CES 2013, both featuring a built-in H.264 encoder capable of recording up to 1080p30 via HDMI and component video inputs. The HD PVR 2 model 1512 targets home media users with IR blaster-controlled set-top box recording and Windows Media Center compatibility, while the HD PVR 2 GE Plus adds SPDIF surround sound capture and pass-through for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC gaming setups. Both models also include StreamEez for live streaming to Twitch and Ustream, making them versatile tools for capture and broadcast workflows.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Gaming Streaming HD

HDTV Almanac - Game Consoles: Not Just for Blowing Up Stuff

The Xbox 360 has evolved into a full entertainment hub, with Microsoft reporting that Xbox Live subscribers spend more than half their online time consuming video and music rather than playing games, across a service base exceeding 20 million paid subscribers. New additions including HBO Go, MLB, and Comcast on-demand join existing platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, expanding the console's role well beyond gaming. For consumers facing rising cable bills, this positions the Xbox 360 as a credible broadband-based alternative that could accelerate cord-cutting adoption in living rooms.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Streaming HD Gaming Smart TVs

HDTV Almanac - More TV for Wii

Hulu Plus is now available on the Nintendo Wii, bringing subscription-based streaming video to approximately 40 million U.S. Wii consoles for $7.99 per month. Unlike the free Hulu service, Hulu Plus removes the five-episode restriction on current TV shows and adds movie access, requiring only an existing broadband connection. For households already owning a Wii, this provides a practical low-cost path to streaming Smart TV functionality without purchasing new hardware, with Netflix streaming also available as an alternative on the same platform.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Streaming HD Gaming Sports

HDTV Almanac - NFL on PS3: It's More than Just Madden

DirecTV and the NFL are offering live NFL Sunday Ticket streaming directly on the PS3, giving non-DirecTV subscribers access to up to 14 out-of-market games per week for $340 for the 17-week season, roughly $20 per week. Existing DirecTV Sunday Ticket subscribers can add PS3 streaming access for an additional $50. This experiment could set a precedent for broader live sports and premium content distribution through online streaming platforms, potentially reshaping how rights holders approach digital delivery.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Streaming HD Gaming

HDTV Almanac - Disc-Free Online Netflix for Wii and PS3

Netflix has pushed software updates to the Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 that enable disc-free access to its streaming video service, matching functionality already available on the Microsoft Xbox 360. The update eliminates the previously required physical disc, and streaming remains free for subscribers on any plan that includes at least one rental disc per month. This expanded console support significantly broadens Netflix's installed base reach, accelerating consumer adoption of Internet-delivered movies and television programming.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Gaming

PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) System to Feature New Higher Capacity Hard Drives in North America This Fall

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced updated PlayStation 3 models featuring 160GB and 320GB hard disk drives, representing approximately 33 percent more storage capacity than previous configurations. The 160GB standalone unit is priced at $299.99 MSRP, while the 320GB model anchors a $399.99 Sports Champions Move bundle that includes a PlayStation Move motion controller, PlayStation Eye camera, and a Blu-ray demo disc. The expanded storage directly addresses growing PlayStation Network demand, where over 1 billion content downloads had been recorded as of July 2010, giving users more headroom for games, HD movies, and digital media.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Gaming Streaming HD

PlayStation®3 System the First and Only Console to Offer Hulu Plus(TM) in 2010

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that the PlayStation 3 became the first and only dedicated gaming console to offer Hulu Plus in 2010, with a preview launching July 14 for select PlayStation Plus subscribers at an additional $9.99 per month. The service delivers HD full-season TV content and movies from nearly 150 content providers, complementing the 23,000-plus titles already on the PlayStation Store. PS3 owners in the United States can expect general availability in the coming months, with expansion planned to Sony BRAVIA TVs and Blu-ray Disc players.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Streaming HD Blu-ray Gaming

HDTV Almanac - No Blu-ray for XBox

Microsoft has confirmed no plans to add a Blu-ray drive to the Xbox console, opting instead to pursue network-delivered HD content via Xbox Live and Netflix streaming on-demand. Having backed the failed HD DVD format, Microsoft is now betting on broadband distribution rather than physical media. With broadband adoption accelerating rapidly, consumers relying on disc-based HD playback may find that streaming overtakes Blu-ray as the dominant delivery method for HD movies and television.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Coming Soon: Netflix Members Can Instantly Watch Movies and TV Episodes Streamed to TVs Via the PlayStation(R)3 Computer Entertainment System
Streaming HD Gaming

Coming Soon: Netflix Members Can Instantly Watch Movies and TV Episodes Streamed to TVs Via the PlayStation(R)3 Computer Entertainment System

Sony Computer Entertainment America and Netflix announced PS3 streaming support, enabling Netflix's library of movies and TV episodes to reach the console's nearly 9 million U.S. installed base at no additional cost beyond the $8.99 monthly subscription. The initial implementation requires a free BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray disc mailed to members, which activates the Netflix interface on the PS3 via Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. This positions the PS3 as the only platform combining Blu-ray playback, PlayStation Network downloads, and Netflix instant streaming in a single device.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Gaming

New Slimmer and Lighter PlayStation(R)3 to Hit Worldwide Market This September

Sony Computer Entertainment unveiled the PlayStation 3 CECH-2000A, a redesigned slim model featuring a 120GB HDD, Cell Broadband Engine CPU, and approximately 250W power consumption - roughly two-thirds that of the original 60GB launch unit. The completely overhauled internal architecture, including new semiconductors and cooling mechanism, reduces both volume and weight to approximately two-thirds of the original, while adding BRAVIA Sync via HDMI 1.3a and system software version 3.00. Launching September 1, 2009, at US$299, the new model offers a more accessible entry point for consumers seeking Blu-ray playback and PlayStation Network access.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
3DTV Gaming

NVIDIA Announces 3D Vision-The World's First High-Definition 3D Stereo Solution for the Home

NVIDIA 3D Vision, launched at CES 2009 for $199, is a wireless active shutter glasses system powered by GeForce GPUs that automatically converts over 300 PC games into full stereoscopic 3D without requiring game patches. The solution pairs with 120 Hz LCD monitors from Samsung and ViewSonic, Mitsubishi 1080p DLP HDTVs, and DepthQ HD projectors, delivering flicker-free 3D imagery with up to 40 hours of battery life per charge. Gamers can experience stereoscopic 3D across existing titles immediately, with full support for NVIDIA SLI, PhysX, and DirectX 10.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
OLED TVs Home Theater Events & Trade Shows

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #343 - CES 2009 Preview

A CES 2009 preview podcast outlines eight anticipated consumer electronics developments, including large-format OLED displays beyond Sony's 11-inch, $2500 panel and a viable home 3D LCD solution to replace the DLP-based workaround that requires precise viewing angles. The hosts also flag built-in wireless HDMI across source and display devices, whole-house audio/video distribution, and flexible prototype displays as key trends to watch. Readers interested in home theater upgrades will find this a useful benchmark for evaluating which 2009 product announcements delivered on pre-show expectations.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Gaming

PlayStation(R)Home Beta Service Will Become Available to All Users on December 11

Sony Computer Entertainment launched PlayStation Home as a free open beta on December 11, 2008, for all PS3 users worldwide via the XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface on PlayStation Network, which had surpassed 15 million registered accounts at the time. The 3D social gaming platform supports real-time avatar customization, voice and text chat, mini-games, and high-definition virtual environments tied to specific game titles such as Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Far Cry 2. Users gain access to a persistent online community at no base cost, though premium content and club ownership require additional purchases.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
IPTV Gaming

HDTV Almanac - Xbox Gets Nova

Microsoft's Xbox LIVE service, already hosting over 8,500 hours of video content and reaching more than 10 million Xbox 360 installations in the US, has partnered with PBS to add nonfiction programming including Nova, Wired Science, and Scientific American Frontiers. The deal reflects strong audience demand for nonfiction content on the platform, with Microsoft noting the category has performed particularly well. As broadband-connected households grow accustomed to streaming television through their gaming consoles, the appeal of traditional scheduled broadcast programming continues to erode.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Home Theater Gaming Streaming HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #294 - Playstation Movie Downloads

Sony's PlayStation 3 video download service launched with HD rentals at $5.99 and purchases at $14.99, competing directly against Vudu and Apple TV. At launch, only 53 HD movie titles were available, audio was limited to Dolby Pro Logic II rather than Dolby Digital, and no TV content was offered in HD. Vudu holds a clear edge in content depth, preview availability, and search features, though the PS3 store's ability to transfer purchased content to a PSP offers a portability advantage no rival currently matches.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts