GeekSugar

Picking Up a Blu-Ray Player? Consider the Samsung BD-P2550

GeekSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:03:06 -0800

Although I already have my Blu-Ray player squared away, I'm kinda excited about this Samsung high-def model instead. What sets the Samsung BD-P2550 aside from others is its features. Not only does it have HDMI, 1080p, 7.1 analog audio outputs, along with Dolby TrueHD decoding capabilities (which translates to amazing video and audio quality), but you can also stream Netflix On Demand movies and Pandora Internet radio right from the player.

Yeah, you can stream Pandora from your Blu-Ray player. Crazy, right? So if you assumed there would be an extra-special price tag to go along with all this "flair," you would be absolutely right. The Samsung BD-P2550 clocks in at $349 from Best Buy (and goes as high as $489 from Amazon), but I'm totally adding this to my Price Protectr list just in case.

The Ultimate TV Search Engine Opens Its Doors to the Public

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:57:34 -0800

Here's a word you're going to be hearing a lot of - Clicker! I know I often bombard you with the names of sites that stream TV shows and movies online, but now you can throw all of that knowledge out the window because a new streaming site called Clicker aggregates practically all of the shows across the web into one location.

According to TechCrunch, Clicker also pulls in Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix's Watch Instantly content (which you still have to pay for!). The site already has 400,000 full-length TV episodes (and growing), and its easy to use search feature toolbar is another reason to check it out.

Check Out the Fall Xbox Live Update This Monday

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:40:39 -0700

Get a sneak peek at what's in store for the Fall Xbox Live Update preview this Monday, where you'll get to check out all of the new fabulous features. Things like being able to change your Facebook and Twitter status straight from your Xbox 360, 1080p video streaming, the ability to create Netflix parties, free music from Last.fm, and a viewing of Games on Demand - coming in early August.

Just make sure you sign up here to get in on Monday's preview!

Netflix Raises Blu-ray Access Prices: Still Worth It?

GeekSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:02:25 -0700

I was quite peeved when I got an email yesterday from Netflix saying that the price for Blu-ray access was being raised from $1 to $3 for my two-at-a-time membership (check out a price breakdown).

I took it in stride when they upped it from being free to $1 per month last year - I love Blu-rays and with my HDTV, I only rent a DVD if it's the only format available. Netflix's reasoning - that the Blu-ray demand has gotten popular and Blu-rays cost more - makes sense, but it also feels like we're getting the shaft. I've been a loyal customer of Netflix for years, and started getting Blu-rays when I got my PS3. I'm bummed.

When Blu-rays eventually get cheaper, will the price be reduced? I understand this from a business perspective, but like I said, I'm bummed - and yet, I won't get rid of or downgrade my membership. It's still the best option I have for renting movies, so I'll take this and just have to accept it.

On the other hand, while the economy is the way it is, I'm taking a good hard look at my monthly expenses, and getting hit with a higher bill is not what I want to see.

What do you think? Is it still worth it to pay a couple bucks more for Blu-rays?

New Xbox 360 Dashboard Released Today!

GeekSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:00:23 -0800

Rolling out to Xbox systems everywhere today is the New Xbox Experience - Microsoft's dashboard update for your 360. What's the big deal, you ask? Well, it's only a big deal if you like customization, visual appeal, and an easier way to browse and stream those Netflix videos through your gaming console!

The new dashboard will feature a horizontal row of boxes to navigate through, instead of the previous side blades that acted as the menu screens for the different functions. You'll get boxes dedicated to Xbox Live, your games, music, photos, and media, as well as tabs dedicated to Xbox events, game and music marketplaces, and your friends. But what's my favorite part about the new dashboard? Find out when you read more.

My favorite (and the most newsworthy) features have to be the new avatars (which are highly customizable and I'll say it - kinda remind me of the Wii's Mii avatars), and the slick new Netflix viewer, which allows you to stream hi-def movies on-demand like you would on your computer. The New Xbox Experience is available today via a system update, but if you want a more detailed look into what you'll be jumping into, check out Joystiq's extensive look into the new dashboard in their video exposé.

Source

Daily Tech: Roku to Get Amazon's Video on Demand Service

GeekSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:10:42 -0800

The Roku Digital Video Player can already stream movies to your TV from Netflix, and it will soon add Amazon's Video on Demand to its movie streaming lineup. - Gizmodo
Steve Jobs admits that he has been suffering from poor health over the past year, and attributes it to a hormone imbalance, which he is now being treated for. - BBC News
The texting while driving ban in California is now in full effect. Texters will be fined $20 for the first infraction, and $50 for each subsequent violation. - Switched
A new buckwheat laptop pillow with a bamboo platform ($98) actually circulates the air quite well so your laptop doesn't get too hot. - Unplggd
Want to find free drinks in your city? A site called MyOpenBar will help you do just that. - Lifehacker

Netflix On TiVo - Almost As Good As It Sounds

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:00:47 -0700

You can now view or modify your online movie queue with popular DVD rental programs like Netflix, Blockbuster Online and even Amazon's Unbox by downloading a simple and free TiVo plugin.

This does not mean you can have your Netflix of Blockbuster films on demand on your TiVo or even download them, but it does give you easy access to your movie queue when you're sitting in front of the TV.

You can access, browse for movies by genre/category and keyword and update your Blockbuster or Netlix movie queue with TiVo and your online service. I'm in love with this feature because I only think about my Netflix queue when I receive reminder e-mails or when I am playing with my TiVo wishing I had a great movie to watch because 90 percent of the stuff I TiVoed enviably falls in the "TiNo" category.

As for Amazon Unbox, you can rent or purchase and download videos on your registered TiVo, watch video previews on TiVo ToGo enabled receivers, view or modify video preview queue and do regular searches by genre, category or keyword.

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Get the TiVo plugin for free.

94% of Americans Think Movie Downloads Are More Eco

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:31:13 -0700

Eighty-seven percent of respondents from a recent study believe renting DVDs at the video store or through mail services will become a thing of the past. I am not shocked at all considering what's available for download on iTunes, Amazon's streaming video, the fact that Xbox 360 streams Netflix movies, and the plethora of on-demand movie services.

The ecological positive of the trend is the fact that downloading movies is more convenient and eco-friendly than taking a drive out to the local video store. The survey, which was conducted by CinemaNow, reports that 94 percent of Americans believe that they make a bigger contribution to the environment by downloading a movie online than renting or buying at a video store. To check out additional findings, read more.

The poll found that consumer adoption of digital sharing features such as streaming to IP-enabled TV or loading content onto MP3 players still lags in comparison to burning DVDs. More than half (51 percent) of Americans say they’ve tried burning the digital movies onto DVDs versus 18 percent who have tried connecting them to set-top-boxes or cable box.

Have you shifted your download or streaming usage in this age of ever increasing and ridiculous gas prices?

Source

Daily Tech: On-Demand Video Store Coming to PSP's This Summer

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:05 -0700

Sony has teamed up with Sky in the UK to offer an on-demand video store for the PSP. - CrunchGear
Got Blu-Ray? Netflix will increase the price of Blu-Ray videos, since they cost more than standard definition DVDs to purchase. - Unplggd
Google StreetView can be quite revealing. For this unlucky kid, he was captured wiping out on his bike.- Switched
Blockbuster makes some changes to stores to lure in customers. Changes include opening earlier, selling cappuccino, and offering free WiFi and gaming sessions. - Gizmodo
TeamSugar user colormesticky has given us a heads up that Amazon is offering Gold Box and lightening deals on a Nintendo DS game today! - Technology & Gadgets

Vudu: Sneak Peek At New Movie Service And Device

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:30:45 -0700

Too lazy to go to the video store or update your Netflix queue? Tired of the limited number of movies available through cable services on demand? We recently got a sneak peek at Vudu, a small peer-to-peer video on demand device that will offer access to more than 5,000 HD videos directly to your TV, without requiring a PC or Cable TV service. While the product hasn't been officially announced yet, its company slogan ("the right movie. right now.") and vision are pretty innovative.

The device, which will be released sometime before the end of summer and cost less than $500, will give users the ability to buy or rent movies and download them via their broadband internet connection. It also features a clean user interface with a small remote that allows you to easily scroll through the lineup. Vudu has deals with seven major studios and numerous independent and international distributors so it will offer both mainstream new releases and smaller indie films. Unlike cable or TiVo there won't be a monthly fee, but rentals will cost 99 cents to $3.99 and video purchases will cost somewhere between $4.99 to $19.99. Your downloads will be stored on the Vudu box. Pretty snazzy looking, no?