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Kaleidescape Cinema One - Review
HD DVD Home Theater Blu-ray

Kaleidescape Cinema One - Review

The Kaleidescape Cinema One is a 4TB media server priced at $3,995, capable of storing up to 100 Blu-ray-quality or 600 DVD-quality movies, with bitstream pass-through of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI. Testing against an Oppo reference player in a high-end home theater revealed that a default-enabled detail enhancement setting degraded image quality when used alongside a Darblet video processor, and AACS licensing requires the physical Blu-ray disc to be present during playback of imported titles unless a $3,995 DV700 vault is added. Factoring in hardware amortization, per-movie cost-of-ownership for Blu-ray collectors ranges from roughly $60 to $105 depending on system configuration, making the value proposition heavily dependent on collection size and usage pattern.

Rodolfo La Maestra •
Articles
Hauppauge Introduces Two New HD Video Recorders During CES 2013
DLP TVs 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.

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Kaleidescape Offers Industry's First Internet Delivery Of Movies That Match Quality And Extra Content Of Blu-ray Discs And DVDs
HD DVD Home Theater Gaming

Kaleidescape Offers Industry's First Internet Delivery Of Movies That Match Quality And Extra Content Of Blu-ray Discs And DVDs

Kaleidescape has launched what it claims is the industry's first digital movie download service delivering full Blu-ray-quality video and audio, including 1080p resolution, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless soundtracks, and 24fps progressive scan video. The service, backed by a multi-year Warner Bros. Digital Distribution agreement covering nearly 3,000 films, also includes complete disc extras such as director's commentary, deleted scenes, and alternate endings - content previously unavailable through electronic delivery. For home theater enthusiasts, this means no compromise between the convenience of digital downloads and the full-quality experience of physical media, managed through the kOS 5.0 operating system.

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DLP TVs Gaming Projection 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
Projection HD Streaming HD DLP 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
Projection HD Streaming HD DLP TVs

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
HD DVD Home Theater Gaming

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #465: McTiVia Review

The McTiVia ($230) is a compact wireless display adapter measuring 5.1 x 2.6 x 0.9 inches that mirrors a Windows or Mac desktop to an HDTV over HDMI, supporting up to 8 connected computers. Despite wired Ethernet delivering acceptable mouse responsiveness, audio output was limited to two-channel stereo even through an AV receiver, a notable shortcoming for a device at this price point. It performs adequately for web browsing and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, but falls short as a full Media Extender replacement.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
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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
DLP TVs 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.

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HD DVD Home Theater Gaming

Hauppauge Introduces High Definition Video Recorder Support for Windows Media Center

Hauppauge's HD PVR, a $199 high definition personal video recorder, now integrates with Windows Media Center via a free software update, enabling recording of premium cable and satellite HD content through component video at resolutions up to 1080i with 5.1 channel audio via optical connections. The device uses an IR blaster to automate channel changes on set top boxes, allowing the Windows Media Center electronic program guide to schedule recordings without manual intervention. Users of Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional can now build HD libraries of premium subscription content that was previously inaccessible to Windows Media Center.

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DLP TVs Gaming Projection 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.

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Mvix HDHome Converges Home Theater, Gaming and Home Computing Into a Single Device
HD DVR Home Theater PC (HTPC) Gaming

Mvix HDHome Converges Home Theater, Gaming and Home Computing Into a Single Device

The Mvix HDHome is a Windows 7 Media Center-based HTPC that integrates a slot-load Blu-ray player with PowerDVD, an embedded TV tuner, Wireless-N networking, and RAID-enabled hot-swappable HDD bays into a compact living room unit. Available in two configurations - the 2-bay HDHome S2 at $999 and the 4-bay HDHome S4 at $1599 - both models support true 1080p playback, HDMI output, optical audio, and Gigabit Ethernet. For buyers seeking a single device to replace a media player, BD player, NAS, and gaming PC, the HDHome presents a densely featured but premium-priced option worth examining closely.

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Kaleidescape Introduces Next Generation Movie Players
HD DVD Home Theater Blu-ray

Kaleidescape Introduces Next Generation Movie Players

Kaleidescape's new M500 and M300 Players, built on the proprietary M-Class architecture, introduce Blu-ray Disc support with 1080p/24fps video and bitstream pass-through of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The M500 copies Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs to a server for multi-zone playback, though studio compliance requires the source disc to remain present during Blu-ray playback. Priced at $3,995 and $2,495 respectively, these players integrate with an expanded Movie Guide of over 135,000 titles including 3,300 Blu-ray entries, making them a serious option for high-end home theater installations.

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

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.

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