The Comcast Video Wall Reloaded

A meeting at Comcast HQ this past week gave me the excuse to check out the latest updates to the video wall in the lobby. You may recall when Comcast installed the IMAX-like experience last summer. It’s quite a hoot to watch people react to a bunch of wood panels that suddenly become a gigantic … Read more

Do you want Twitter on your TV?

For more than a decade manufacturers have been trying to bring the Internet to the television. And while many ventures have been quite meaningful (online gaming, video streaming), most text-based content has been out of place. In most cases, it’s just not suitable for the 10′ lean-back, couch-based experience. Not only can it be hard … Read more

ZNF ‘Round The Web

Leaving comments across the blogosphere… For Plasma TVs, Being Better Isn’t Enough You talk as if plasma is a company or brand. Most manufacturers of plasmas also offer LCDs as you mentioned, including Panasonic. And it’s pretty easy for any of these guys to slap their brand on someone else’s hardware until they ramped up … Read more

The Operating System Updates of 2009

As all Apple aficionados know, Mac OS X Snow Leopard was released yesterday. Upon receiving a marketing email promising free delivery on day 1, I pre-ordered my copy online via the Apple Store. Unfortunately, as the tweets started accumulating, my account indicated delivery was scheduled for September. I wouldn’t say I’m a Mac fanboy. But … Read more

WiFi Roku Remote? There’s an App for that.

I didn’t realize that my little Roku ($99) video streaming box has an open network interface. Like TiVo, one simply needs to telnet into port 8080 of the Roku from a LAN to issue commands. The first practical implementation, which I discovered over on Hacking Netflix, is the 99 cent iPhone/Touch DVPRemote app which allows … Read more

A Tale of Two Receivers: XM Skydock vs XM Onyx

Sirius XM announced two new XM receiver devices this week – the Skydock ($120) and the Onyx ($80). Both are scheduled for a fall delivery and, I’m guessing, they’re targeting different audiences. While choice is good, I’m not sure the Skydock will be worth the 50% premium over the Onyx for most. The XM Skydock … Read more

Should Media Center Be Decoupled from Windows?

Screencap via EngadgetHD Charlie Owen, who previously worked on the Microsoft Windows Media Center team, has been sharing his MC thoughts over the past week or so and it’s definitely been interesting. His latest post asks the following question: Do you think it was the correct decision to keep Windows Media Center as a feature … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: The Future of the DVR DVRs will continue to evolve in ways that consumers like and don’t like; in ways that will continue to support industry growth and the big business of content production and distribution; in ways we can’t envision now, but might in … Read more