Entertainment & HDTV Topic Center

Review: Groupie for iPhone

Brian Beam — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:19:00 -0700

This app, which tells you when and where your favorite musicians are performing, has a clean, simple, and effective interface. But it has some annoyances, too, like not always having the most complete information.

Setting up a Mac mini media center

Christopher Breen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0700

In this week’s Macworld Video, Chris Breen caps off a week of coverage with a video overview of what you can do to make your Mac mini a welcome member of the family AV center.

Mac mini media center: Is it worth it?

Christopher Breen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0700

All week long, Christopher Breen has show you how to assemble a media center using a Mac mini as the centerpiece. Now he turns his attention to the Big Picture: Is it worth the hassle? And how does it compare to an Apple TV?

DVD copying case: Why you should care

Christopher Breen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:15:00 -0700

RealNetworks and the major movie studios are squaring off in court over an application that lets users back up commercial DVDs. Here's how the outcome could affect you.

DVD-ripping court case begins

Daniel Ionescu — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:11:00 -0700

The RealNetworks case involving DVD-ripping software goes to court.

Controlling your Mac mini media center

Christopher Breen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:45:00 -0700

Once you've set up a Mac mini-based media center, you've got to come up with a way to control everything sans mouse and keyboard. Christopher Breen outlines some of the options, from iPhone software to universal remotes.

Up close with the Mac media center

Christopher Breen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:40:00 -0700

After devoting our last podcast episode to just about everything except the Macintosh, Chris Breen makes amends by discussing nothing but the Mac—specifically the Mac mini.

Using Netflix to feed your Mac media center

Jason Snell — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:08:00 -0700

Jason Snell on what's available on Netflix in order to feed your Mac mini-based media center.

Getting content on your Mac mini media center

Christopher Breen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:58:00 -0700

So you've upgraded your Mac mini to make it an effective media center. You've connected it to your AV components and even configured Apple's software. Now what about content? Christopher Breen shows you ways to get additional digital content and how to use third-party media applications to access it.

Amazon video service goes high-def

Jonathan Seff — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:06:00 -0700

Amazon Tuesday announced that it is supplying high-definition video content via its video-on-demand service.

Mac media center: Configuring Front Row

Christopher Breen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:14:00 -0700

Christopher Breen’s effort to turn a Mac mini into a media center continues, as he hooks up the computer to his AV system and configures the built-in media applications.

Next3D 3D movie player coming to Mac, PS3

Peter Cohen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:37:00 -0700

Next3D says it plans to bring its 3D movie player technology to the Mac and PlayStation 3.

Turn your Mac mini into a media center

Christopher Breen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0700

With the release of the new Mac mini as well as several intriguing new programs, it's time once again to investigate the possibility of using a Mac as the hub of your home digital-entertainment world.

Adobe's new Flash can stream Internet content to TVs

Elizabeth Montalbano — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:47:00 -0700

Adobe developed a version of its Flash multimedia streaming technology that allows entertainment programming to run to television sets from the Internet.

Report: Hulu planning iPhone app

Dan Moren — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:51:00 -0700

Video-streaming site Hulu may be in the process of developing its own iPhone application, according to reports.

YouTube adds movies and shows, goes after Hulu

Daniel Ionescu — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:15:00 -0700

Google is bringing movies and TV shows to its YouTube video-sharing service, inking deals with Sony, CBS, MGM, and others.

How to buy a camcorder

Amber Bouman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

This video features a general overview of what to look for in a new camcorder. Learn about the different camcorders available, features to keep in mind, and the different technologies used.

Airfoil Speakers Touch streams audio to iPhone, iPod touch

David Chartier — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:57:00 -0700

Rogue Amoeba's new Airfoil Speakers Touch lets your iPhone or iPod touch double as remote Airfoil speakers, streaming music from your Mac or PC.

The Macalope Weekly: It's not dead yet

The Macalope — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:04:00 -0700

The economy may be down on its luck, but not everything's in trouble: Microsoft's bringing back the Zune, Forrester's un-turned its back on the iPhone in enterprise, and there's a bright side to the latest Mac sales numbers.

OutCast outdoor speaker gets a little sibling

Dan Frakes — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:33:00 -0700

Soundcasts' OutCast Jr. is a smaller and less-expensive version of the company's outdoor speaker system for iPod and computer audio.

DivX 7 video software released for Mac

Peter Cohen — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:14:00 -0700

Divx 7 is now available for the Mac, supporting HD .MKV video files.

Cable and the costlier future

Christopher Breen — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:44:00 -0700

When you control both cable TV and broadband in large markets and manipulate one to affect the other, what's that spell? Gimme an M....

German iTunes Store adds movie purchases, rentals

Dan Moren — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:44:00 -0700

Apple announced on Thursday the availability of feature films for purchase and rental in the German version of the iTunes Store.

More Zune HD details emerge

Daniel Ionescu — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:31:00 -0700

More unconfirmed technical specs of Microsoft's planned iPod touch rival have emerged, PC World reports.

Hands on with Sony's new X-series Walkman

Martyn Williams — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:25:00 -0700

Martyn Williams of IDG News Service gets a chance to play with the very iPod-like X-series Walkman from Sony.

Report: iTunes price hike hurts sales

Peter Cohen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:36:00 -0700

iTunes changed to a variable pricing structure last week, and a new report from Billboard.biz reports that the effect was immediate on some song rankings.

HD camcorders: Buyer's guide

Christopher Breen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:08:00 -0700

The time is right for switching to HD, but how do you know what kind of camera to get? Our guide will help you sort out the fact from the fiction and find a high-definition camcorder that suits your needs and your budget.

Review: Fandango for iPhone

Ben Boychuk — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:10:00 -0700

Fandango's app for the iPhone and iPod touch is pretty solid, but it lacks the news features of the Fandango.com Web site and it puts limits on the theaters from which you can buy tickets. Those limitations hamper the app's convenience and ease of use.

Two NBC shows rib Steve Jobs

Dan Moren — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:11:00 -0700

Steve Jobs may be on a leave of absence, but his presence is clearly still felt. Two separate NBC shows made references to him in this past week's shows.

The Macalope Weekly: It’s the ruination of X as we know it!

The Macalope — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:13:00 -0700

Forget global warming and the economy. The real reason the world is in danger is simple: software bundles, variable music pricing, and subscription services. In times like these, we turn to the Macalope.

TrainPlayer virtual railroading app improves RailModeller support

Peter Cohen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

TrainPlayer, the virtual railroading app, gets RailModeller support in the new version.

Report: Sprint working with Barnes & Noble on e-reader

Matt Hamblen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:17:00 -0700

Barnes & Noble, Sprint Nextel, and an unnamed manufacturer are reportedly teaming up to build an e-book reader to compete with similar devices from Amazon and Sony.

Review: MLB At Bat 2009 for iPhone

Jason Snell — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:46:00 -0700

MLB At Bat 2009 is a no-brainer for any baseball fan with an iPhone and a love of baseball on the radio.

Review: Bloom for iPhone

Beau Colburn — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:50:00 -0700

This generative music experience is gorgeous visually and an ideal source of ambient sounds for when you need to get some work done.

MLB in social media stumble with MLB.TV blog

Juan Carlos Perez — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:17:00 -0700

Major League Baseball has wiped clean a blog it used to inform customers about technical issues with its MLB.TV service.

Variable pricing hits Amazon MP3, Walmart, others

Dan Moren — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:40:00 -0700

The iTunes Store shifted to variable pricing on Tuesday, but Amazon MP3, Walmart, and other music download sites weren't far behind.

Blockbuster may shut retail stores

Brennon Slattery — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:17:00 -0700

In an SEC filing, the video rental giant says it may permanently close its retail stores, as it faces increasing pressure from services like Netflix.

Baseball season opens with Web video problems

Juan Carlos Perez — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:44:00 -0700

Major League Baseball is having technical difficulties with its MLB.TV webcasting service in the first days of the season.

DRM-free iTunes: What it means for you

Christopher Breen — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:18:00 -0700

Tuesday was Go Day at the iTunes Store, as music at Apple's online store became unshackled from the bonds of digital rights management. Christopher Breen outlines what's changed now that iTunes tracks are DRM-free.

iTunes 8.1.1 adds HD rental support

Dan Moren — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:33:00 -0700

Apple has released iTunes 8.1.1, adding support for renting HD movies as well as bug fixes.

Review: DXG-567V HD camcorder

Christopher Breen — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Inexpensive pocket camcorder is a poor performer.

Steve Wozniak, Lord of the Dance

Dan Moren — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:25:00 -0700

If you thought Woz's elimination from Dancing with the Stars meant he'd performed his last tango, think again.

Vuzix offers ‘Works with iPhone’ cables for video eyewear

Peter Cohen — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:46:00 -0700

Vuzix is now offering "Works with iPhone" cables for its video goggles.

Sony announces new HD camcorder with GPS

Roman Loyola — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:39:00 -0700

Sony's new HDR-TG5V is a pistol-grip style high-definition camcorder that comes with a GPS receiver and can geotag recorded videos and still photos.

Woz Weekly: Booted

David Dahlquist — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:01:00 -0700

We all knew it would happen sooner or later. After four weeks of consistently receiving the lowest score on the show, Woz has finally been eliminated from ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

iTunes discovery download features the sound of silence

Dan Moren — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:38:00 -0700

The iTunes Store features the first movement of John Cage's classic work, 4'33", as its Discovery Download of the week.

Party down with iTunes DJ

Kirk McElhearn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:03:00 -0700

iTunes 8 comes with a rejiggered Party Shuffle feature called iTunes DJ. It works this way.

Woz Weekly: 'It's about dance'

David Dahlquist — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:58:00 -0700

To the surprise of many, Steve Wozniak is still going strong on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, despite the many obstacles that have arisen in his path.

Report: Disney and YouTube close to content deal

Ian Paul — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:28:00 -0700

Google-owned YouTube is reportedly pressed for an exclusive content deal with Disney.

Review: Guitar FX apps for iPhone

Brian Beam — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:25:00 -0700

TrialAndErrorDevTeam’s trio of Guitar FX apps take the sound of your acoustic guitar and add effects to make it sound electric. For what these apps do—and if you’re willing to spend quite a bit of time experimenting with their settings—the Guitar FX programs are fun novelties.