Category Archives: TVs

Roku Hardware & Channel Update CES 2012

CES 2012, TVs

Roku I am a big fan of Roku. I currently have version one of the Roku 2 XS which I love and version 2 is even smaller. However both have the problem of being separate boxes which means more wires to run to the TV and another power cord to plug-in. Roku has an answer to this problem the Roku Streaming Stick. Ed from Roku showed off the product at CES 2012

The stick is a little larger then a regular USB stick and plugs directly into a HDMI port. It is Roku’s answer to smart TV. It has the same chip and ram as the Roku 2 XS with the same great performance. It is based on the MHL standard. The one problem I see is that for this to work the TV has to be MHL capable, which I suspect many TVs especially with the lower price models are not.

This may confuse consumers, Roku needs to make it clear which TVs this will work with or what to look for It will come with a motion control remote that has WiFi built-in. The remote control will have power and control out. The Roku Streaming Stick can also be controlled by the TV remote.

Roku Streaming Stick

The Roku currently has 400 plus channels. The channels are organized in the store by categories, including favorites, religion, sports, movies and more. Among the channels available in the Roku store are TPN.TV and the Blubrry Network. Roku is continuing to update the channel store, to improve its interface and usability. The Roku is currently in over 2 1/2 million households and is still growing. The Roku Streaming Stick should be available in fall of 2012 and run between $50 and $100 depending on model.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast network

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Vidtonic: Build Your Own Android TV

CES 2011, TVs, , ,

Todd Cochrane spoke to Jeff Cody and Matt Miller from Vidtonics a company that is just launching and will be providing a kit to build your own TV. Everything you need is included in the kit, the LCD panel(22-42 inches), the board and anything else you will need. They made it clear that there is no soldering involved, if you can build a computer you can use this kit. It is made for hardcore coders and those who like to tinker.

Both the hardware and software are open source. Because it is an open development platform it allows for and in fact they encourage customizations and mod-ding, They are hoping for a lot of community participation and contribution. It will have a Texas Instrument processors and will allow up to 1080P resolution. It also includes an expansion port for testing purposes and special uses. It should be available this summer on-line at Vidtonics, pricing is unknown at this time. If you like to build computers or tinker with things this maybe the product for you

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support our CES 2011 Sponsors.

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.
.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Dish Network TV Everywhere

CES 2011, TVs

Francie Bauer from Dish Network describes Dish Network devices that are enabled via Sling technology to allow consumers to watch their programming content from anywhere in the world via the Internet on computers and other mobile devices.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support our CES 2011 Sponsors.

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.
.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Samsung 950 3d Displays Stunning

CES 2011, TVs, ,

The upcoming Samsung 950 is not only 3D capable, but is also being billed by Samsung as their top-of-the-line 2D display as well. This set will even do 2D to 3D conversion. It has an ultra thin chassis and no bulge in the back because all of the electronic are built into the base. It’s LED display that has the thinness of an OLED panel. It will be available in two versions – a monitor and a combination HDTV and Monitor.

There’s no word yet about when the 950’s will hit the market, but they are saying that will likely be the first half of this year. Of course there is also no price as of yet, but you can almost always expect to pay a handsome price when you buy top-of-the-line gear.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

Please Support or CES 2011 Sponsors

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.
.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

RCA Launching Android TV!

CES 2011, TVs, ,

At CES 2011 RCA unveiled their version of Android TV – yes, a TV that runs not Google TV, but Android itself. It’s not available yes, but it’s well into development – far enough that they could show it off at their booth. In fact, they are talking about a possible Fall 2011 release. The big selling point for an Android TV is obviously apps. That’s what everyone found so lacking in the recent Google TV rollout – the lack of any apps to allow users to customize the devices.

Internet connected TV’s, on their own, are becoming more and more common and have certainly come a long way since the first ones that featured Yahoo widgets only a few years ago. Now with Android being ported to the big screen it could be a whole new step forward for the connected living room.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support or CES 2011 Sponsors

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.
.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Iomega TV with Boxee

CES 2011, TVs, Video

Iomega becomes the second manufacturer to offer a Boxee-based product with their brand new Iomega TV with Boxee. Available in two variants, one as a media streamer device with no storage, the other with up to 2TB of storage built-in. The devices also offer NAS features such as DLNA server, iTunes server and access to your Iomega Personal Cloud.

Available from late February at $229, $299 and $349 price points. You can register to be notified of availability at the link above.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support our CES 2011 Sponsors

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.
.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

LG Smart TV, Smart TV Set Top Box

CES 2011, TVs, , ,
lg
lg

LG is getting into the Over the Top TV game.

Well, in all reality, LG was already there. They were the first to put Netflix in Blu Ray players. Smart TV’s and Smart Blu Ray players with applications like Vudu let you do more. So getting into Smart TV is a natural progression.

LG also is adding great content to their boxes. All the applications you would find in other STB’s, but also a web browser for those shows you cannot get.

The remote is good, but if you got a smartphone, you can pull that out and have an extended remote control. The screen is more graphically intense separated into four groups. Games, entertainment, groups and more.

The Smart TV Set Top Box will be available Q2 for $129.99

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

Get your 14 day Free Trial of Audible Gold to start Listening to great Books!

GoDaddy services saves you money! New Customers Save 25% Promo Code CES25.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Lookee TV Desktop WiFi Internet TV & Radio Player

CES 2011, TVs

Ted Aguirre talks about the three models of Lookee TV (www.lookeetv.com), a table-top model, a portable model, and a set-top box model that connects to a TV. Lookee TV devices retail for about $150 and are available right now. Lookee TV receives over 30,000 streaming radio stations and over 1,000 streaming TV channels. The company maintains its own strategically-located international content servers. All the content carried on the Lookee TV devices is free. Lookee TV devices are especially useful for international travelers who want to watch foreign television content or listen to streaming radio from other countries.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support or CES 2011 Sponsors

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Igugu Internet TV

CES 2011, TVs

Mario Cisneros talks about Igugu TV (www.igugu.com), a hardware and software combination that turns your existing Windows-based computer into a TV set top box enabling you to easily get over-the-top television content from your computer to your flat panel television.

Igugu has three kit offerings, including $99 dollars for the remote control unit and software, $129 for the remote control unit, software, and miscellaneous wiring kit, and $249 for a wireless version.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Please Support or CES 2011 Sponsors

Save 25% on 4GH Hosting 1yr Subscriptions Save 25% Promo Code CES2.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More