Gizmodo: set-top

Sneaky Unconfirmed Dealzmodo: Free Verizon FiOS Set-Top Box for Whiny Customers

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:45:00 EST

We've got a Verizon tipster who let us know that starting today, Verizon is offering one free high-def or standard-def set-top box to new customers—but it's all unofficial, see? All you have to do is sign up for one of Verizon's 12-month commitments and kvetch and moan about the monthly set-top box's pricing being too high, and the ~~guy doing your installation~~ sales rep will offer you one of the boxes for free. Update: My mistake, it's not the installer you need to complain to but a telephone sales rep. Sorry for the confusion.

The box would eventually cost you $120 over the year of service, so it's a pretty sizable deal, but there's a caveat, as always. Don't mention that you know it's procedure, don't mention that it's a promotion, hell, don't even mention that you were reading Gizmodo. Just casually say that the monthly pricing is too much for you, and you'll be "immediately offered the free box." And hey, uh, if anybody asks, you didn't get this from me. Capiche? [Thanks, Anonymous!]

Neuros Releases the Link, an Open Source, Web-Savvy Set-Top Box

John Herrman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:07:22 EST

Neuros, who built their reputation with weird, chunky (but wonderful) modular MP3 players, has long since moved exclusively to the home entertainment field. Their latest attempt at eroding the Apple TV's market share is the Link, a set-top streaming box that will pull video from a wide range of online TV sources — Hulu, NBC, ABC, etc. — as well as stream local audio and video content from any USB hard drive. As is always the case with Neuros set-tops, the Link's software is open source and ready for modification. This time, mercifully, that might not be the box's biggest draw.

With the Neuros.TV interface, the Link does something simple but spectacular. Instead of pushing you through a clumsy series of web portals, it gives you a simple, unified interface for browsing online video content. With out-of-the-box support for nearly any video codec (courtesy of mPlayer and VLC, mainly), a solid interface and an included wireless keyboard/controller, it's a capable machine. At $299 (or $249 without the keyboard), it'll be tough to take on the $229 Apple TV, which in addition to having an included local hard drive and access to iTunes, supports most of Neuros.TV's features though Boxee. Spec sheet below. [Neuros via Zatz]

Technical specifications

* 1080p H.264 video playback
* HDMI (max resolution 1920x1200, 1080p) output
* High-definition 6-channel Audio output
* Optical S/PDIF audio output
* Gigabit Ethernet
* 802.11 g/b WiFi, up to 54Mbps
* Lots of USB 2.0 High-speed Ports (6 external ones today)
* Housing: 300mm x 90mm x 326mm (11.8" x 3.5" x 12.8")
* Noise: under 27dB
* Controller: 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard trackball controller
* Software:
o Seamless integration with Neuros.TV, a free service that lets you organize and watch Internet TV on your TV
o Neuros distribution of Ubuntu 8.10
o Open-source video players (MPlayer, VLC, Xine). A comprehensive list of formats, containers and media can be found on the above websites.

Vudu Update Brings 80 More HD Movie Titles, Other Goodies

Haroon Malik — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:35:19 EST

The Vudu software has just been updated to version 1.2, and with it comes 80 new HD titles for rent. The new additions will be in the price range of $3.99 - $5.99, but the upgrade will also bring added functionality, including instant HD, (an indicator that alerts the user broadband speeds are high enough for HD content downloads); speed limit adjustment control, (user definable bandwidth limits and recommendations based on the imposed limit) and a constant audio setting for high-end audio equipment compatibility. In addition the UI will also get a slight re-work. Apple TV, are you scared? Not even a little? [Vudu Forum via TV Snob]

Netflix Box Coming Soon (??)

johnb — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 11:53:59 EDT

Hear that? That's Blockbuster soiling itself. Netflix is hard at work on a downloadable movie set-top box that will allows users to download and watch movies without DVDs. Like the standard Netflix service, you will pay a flat fee to watch a certain number of movies per period. Add a new movie to your queue and the box downloads it overnight and you're the happiest boy in the world.

Speaking at an Independent Film & Television Alliance production conference in Beverly Hills, Besner said the business model is still being worked out, but the download service likely would be offered in return for the subscription fee members pay for conventional DVD rentalsrentals. Service could launch as early as this year.

Clearly, this is the way of the future and I'm absolutely thrilled Netflix is spearheading this. – John Biggs

Netflix thinks inside the box [Variety]