Ok. So I’ve been thinking about Blockbuster ONDEMAND. I’ve got to say… I’m not impressed with the company’s new service offering. I’ve been a happy and loyal Blockbuster Online subscriber for a few years now and I can’t justify buying a set-top, even though it’s being bundled for $99, if the movies I want to view start at $1.99. Here’s why: currently my monthly subscription is $19.99 for 3 at-a-time/unlimited with 5 in-store movie exchanges a month. Realistically in a month I get about 12 DVDs through the mail and exchange 5 of those for in-store movies — total 17 movies in a month (majority being New Releases within the past month or two). As such, if I wanted to watch 17 movies through the new ONDEMAND sevice, it would cost me a “starting” price of $33.83. I like convenience like the next guy, but value always wins out in my book. MORE »

Big news this morning if you’re a fan of Blockbuster. The company has announced the limited availability of a $99 on-demand video package that gets you 25 movie or TV episode rentals plus a FREE MediaPoint Digital Media Player by 2Wire. No word on how much the MediaPoint set-top by itself will sell for in the future, but I’m guessing this promo is gonna be around from quite some time. Rentals start at $1.99 with no monthly subscription plan required. Video quality will initially be rolled out at DVD resolution. However, the box does include HDMI, Component video outputs and is capable of handling HD video content, according to 2Wire’s press release (attached below). Lastly, the MediaPoint Digital Media Player, which can be connected to your home’s broadband network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, is capable of storing a movie selection for later viewing or on-demand with “progressive” playback instead of streaming for a more consistent viewing experience. Oh yeah… and Blockbuster is also making a big fuss that their latest on-demand selections are typically titles released within 30 days of their DVD release date (unlike the other guys). MORE »

It’s obvious the Marantz IS301 Wireless iPod Dock is going to be the next must-have device for iPod owners here in the U.S., if we can convince Marantz to import their uber A/V device to us next. Here’s why: users get a a stand alone dock that accepts all iPod models (sans the iPhone 3G for some reason) and transmits its audio and video feed wirelessly to a separate TV/Stereo receiver unit up to 32 feet away (provides RCA, S-Video, Component outputs). What’s more, the dock can pair with a Bluetooth A2DP compatible cellphone and playback a user’s selected media directly from the handset. According to the company’s press release, the Marantz IS301 will hit Japan in January ‘09 and retail for ¥26,250 ($271 USD). [via]

Thanks goes to my favorite Linux magazine, Linux Format, for informing readers that eXcito of Sweden recently launched a follow up to their popular Debian-based mini NAS called BUBBA|TWO. I’ve got to say… the new incarnation has got everything I wished the original had and then some. For starters, BUBBA|TWO now comes preloaded with a streaming media server app (supports iTunes DAAP, UPnP media players, and soon Squeezebox network music players), a file server with shared user access to folders and photo galleries, improved web 2.0 inspired web browser interface, a built-in router and firewall (just place between your broadband modem and PCs for easy LAN security), a more attractive enclosure (love the new black finish and blue LED), faster Power PC processor (previously ARM9), and SATA drive support including two external SATA ports for additional storage. Of course there’s more, but I’ll leave it up to you folks to discover. Configuration options: no drive €288.00, 80GB (+ 32.00), 500GB (+ 64.00), 1TB (+ 139.00) | Ships: worldwide. MORE »

The title pretty much says it all. So, Brian Binnerup has been busy adding new features and squashing bugs on his road to the official, non-beta release of My Movies for Windows Home Server. The two stand-out features in v1.02 users now get to play with is support for FLAC lossless audio CD rips and MPEG-2 DVD rips compatible with Media Center Extenders. Interestingly, in regards to DVD rips, users will now have four options to suit their needs: ISO file, VIDEO_TS Folder, MPEG-2 File, VIDEO_TS Folder and MPEG-2 File. Note: a copy of AnyDVD is required to perform DVD rips. Full change log below. MORE »

iPhone home automation apps have been all the rage of late, but INNOVUS Home Automation has found another compelling and fairly inexpensive platform to tie their service into… the Squeezebox Duet music system. With the MyHome Plugin and the accompanying INNOVUS House Control solution products, users can manage their music, control lights throughout the home, turn on/off electronic devices, open/close curtains, adjust room temperature, and more. Hat tip goes to Automated Home for posting the press details of the announcement (including the custom graphic presented above).

Now here’s a music subscription model I can endorse! Microsoft is announcing that it has made agreements with major and independent music labels to offer unlimited, on-demand access to its subscription music service, Zune Pass, for $14.99 per month. But the best part… each month subscribers will get to KEEP 10 tracks to add to their permanent collection at no additional charge. What’s more, according to the company’s press release (attached below), Zune will soon have 90% of its music collection available in DRM-free MP3 format. MORE »

It looks like Okoro Media Systems heard consumers’ calls for a more attractively priced HTPC. The company today announced availability of the OMS-LX100 low profile Windows Vista Media Center PC with a single CableCARD tuner for only $1,725 (add $300 for the dual tuner setup). At this entry price point the system packs some nice goodies: 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of system memory, 500GB / 7,200RPM SATA hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9300 video card with HDMI and 7.1 HD audio, dual-layer DVD burner, and a 20-foot range wireless keyboard. Buyers also have the option to swap the CableCARD tuner for a Dual OTA HDTV w/ Dual Analog SDTV Tuner Card at no additional charge. Good stuff. Full press release below. MORE »

This is exciting news! The Verismo VuNow PoD that we got a glimpse of back in June is really coming to market. The product seems to include everything that was mentioned in the video demo except for dedicated access to Hulu and Amazon Unbox/VoD (my guess it’s coming down the pike in the near future). However, what you will get on December 15th is still very impressive: MORE »

Earlier this month we told you about what Microsoft had in store for Windows Media Player 12 in Windows 7. Now, Long Zheng at istartedsomething.com has posted slides from a presentation entitled “Video Improvements in Windows” for WinHEC 2008. The slides clearly identify which codecs will be supported natively and their profile limitations (i.e. max bitrates, resolutions, etc.). The only thing that I’m not accepting as accurate from the blog post is Long believes Windows 7 will transcode media files on the fly when you drag and drop them from your desktop to a your portable media player. Unless the device is one that’s recognized by the OS, I can’t see that happening as easily as say transcoding a file for a UPnP media player that transmits to the server which file types it supports. I guess we’ll see. [via]