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Bleeding Edge TV 319: Apple TV 3.0 walkthrough

Yesterday, released 3.0, the first “major” release for the device in about two years. The company has often referred to the Apple TV as a hobby, as opposed to a real business. That said, there are a few nice additions that can be found in the Apple TV 3.0 update, so we give you a full walkthrough of the device, giving you a sampling of some of the new hotness.

Some of the standout features are the obviously redesigned home screen. Instead of the centered grid, you get a full screen menu that makes it easier to navigate right to the content that you want. I mean, it’s nice, but it seems to be the biggest visual upgrade to the device, which we think is in need of a hardware refresh. You also score Genius DJ playlist abilities, nice for parties and such, but I rock a system, so it doesn’t really appeal to me personally. Same goes for Internet radio, but it is there as a feature, and it’s nice. The one we like is the addition of iTunes Extras and iTunes LP content. We are fans of the iTunes LP, so being able to see it on an HDTV, which is where we think it shines, is also “nice.”

If you are picking up on a trend, you win. This whole 3.0 business is, in a word, “nice.” It isn’t anything more than that. It brings the Apple TV in line with other Apple products, allowing it to do things that other devices can do, and it gets a UI refresh, and the Helvetica font. All well and good, but let’s hope that next time around we get some decent new hardware. In any event, hit the play button for the full tour.


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Bleeding Edge TV 315: Zune HD hands-on Interface Preview

We were able to spend some quality time with the a couple of days ago, and we put together this video walkthrough of the interface on the device. Unfortunately, we weren’t connected to Wi-Fi, so we weren;t able to show web browsing, downloading from the Marketplace, or Social, but this gives you a really good idea of what to expect when you get pick up your Zune HD (available for pre-order now) come September 15th.

Our favorite feature? I’ll probably be using the pinned items on the side quite a bit, especially for the recently synched stuff. Quick access to things like that have been much needed on touch devices. A runner up would have to be the quick scroll in the music browser. Again, it saves you on just quickly swiping a bunch of times, hoping to get to the right spot.

All in all, we’re impressed. Of course, we will have a full Zune HD review when we get our own device. For now, be sure to read up on everything we know about the Zune HD.


Bleeding Edge TV 312: Xbox 360 August 2009 Dashboard Update Walkthrough

A few days ago we did a quick post of our Xbox 360 August Dashboard Update video, promising that we’d publish the actual video podcast version later. Well, here it is. In case you missed it, we give you a 35-minute full walkthrough of the upcoming Xbox 360 dashboard update, giving you a look at the new features, Avatar Marketplace, Games on Demand, Indie Games, and more. Go ahead and give it a look for all the goods. Definitely a nice, solid Xbox 360 update.


Bleeding Edge TV 311: Hauppauge HD PVR 1212 review

We got our hands on the Hauppauge HD PVR 1212 personal video recorder, and we bring you a review of this unit in this episode. The Hauppage HD PVR 1212 connects to your peripherals using component cable, and then goes out to your display over component as well. It captures the video output live, and records it to a computer, which will then let you edit that video. It is fantastic at recording video game sessions in full HD resolution, as we demonstrate in the video. Take a look, and if you want one, you can pick up the Hauppauge HD PVR 1212 on Amazon.


Bleeding Edge TV 308: Win our 52-inch LG Scarlet Series HDTV!


So, remember that LG Scarlet Series HDTV that we gave you a look at the other day? Well, now we are giving it away to one of you, in conjunction with ExpoTV! That’s right, you have a shot at walking away with this 52-inch beauty. Want in? Here’s how it works:

  1. Head on over to the contest page on ExpoTV
  2. Hit the sign up button at the bottom of that page
  3. Submit a video review of any electronic device you have access to. For each review, you get one entry into the contest. For every LG product that you review, you get five entries. There is no limit to the number of devices you can review. Heck, if you want to, submit 10 a day.
  4. Anytime someone on ExpoTV marks your review as “Helpful”, you earn an extra entry.

The giveaway starts now, and ends on May 8 at 11:59 PM EDT. We will announce a winner, drawn at random, by May 15th. As always, there are a couple of things we can’t get around, mostly due to the law. As such, this giveaway is open to legal US residents only, age 18 or over.

With all that out of the way, it’s time for you guys to start getting your entries in. Go ahead and review anything you can get your hands on. Seriously, fire up your webcam or digital camera and record a review of your cell phone, your game console(s), television, computer, etc. The more you participate and submit, the greater chance you have
of walking away with these 52 inches of LG goodness.

We will be highlighting entries that stand out to us over on the Gear Live Twitter account, so be sure to follow us there for all the updates. Good luck!


Bleeding Edge TV 307: LG 52LG60 Scarlet Series HDTV


The Scarlet Series aims to add a touch of flair and style to your environment, all while bringing you that 120Hz, 1080p goodness. The front is finished in a glossy piano black, the LCD panel has a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and is ISFccc capable. The speakers are hidden in the bezel, which is a nice touch, and it’s got 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs, along with component, composite, and USB.

We give you a rundown of this 52-inch television set in this episode, and also give you a few details on our upcoming giveaway, where one of our viewers will walk away with this very item.


Bleeding Edge TV 258: Mustek DV520HD high definition digital video camera


If you’re into High Definition technology, check out the DV520HD from . It records videos and photos in 1080i high def. This makes it easy to point-and-shoot, hook up to your entertainment system, and easily enjoy. You can now re-live those lovely vacation sunsets on your . Available this month for $199 USD, which isn’t bad for an ultra-portable high definition camera at the consumer level.

As for the rest of the stats, the device also has a 5.0MP CMOS, 2.5” Swivel LTPS LCD, 2X Digital Zoom, USB 2.0, and 46MB Internal Memory. Yeah, for HD recording, we are thinking you might want to pick up an extra SD card or two.


CES 2008 Video: SlingCatcher demo and a look at SlingBox PRO HD


We chat with the Sling Media crew and take a special look at the newly announced PRO HD. The PRO HD allows you to beam HD to any device, and if you have the upload capacity, to do so with no down-conversion. The PRO HD will be available in Q3 and will retail for $399.99. Coupled with the , you’ll be able to beam HD-anything to another TV in your house straight up.

Further, the SlingCatcher will function as a standalone device that will allow you to pull a screen or web video stream from a host computer to your TV. For now, you have to coordinate and control it from the host PC, and it still needs to play on the host PC, but the ability to push the video up to your TV without plugging anything additional in is pretty tempting. The Sling Catcher also features 2 USB ports, to allow it to play from external storage. The SlingCatcher will be available around the same time for $249.99 and can push out over HDMI or component. Check the video out for all the grisly details and some great close ups of the Slingers in action.


CES 2008 Video: The new Sharp AQUOS LCD HDTV line


We visited at and checked out their TV specifically for gamers. It’s the GP3 Series of 1080p LCD TVs, with a 6 millisecond response time, which reduces lag time between your beloved console and the TV. It’s even available in 3 cool colors: Red, White or Black. Available for $1500. We also checked out their D64 Series of LCDs, 20% lighter and thinner than the previous D62 Series. Sizes range from 32” - 65” and are available now.

We loved AquosNet, an internet service in which up-to-the-minute, customizable information (weather, stocks, sports, traffic, Hollywood news and more) appears on the side of the TV screen at the push of a button. AquosNet is free with the SC94 and D74 Series.


CES 2008 Video: All about Blu-ray


Sony showed up in force for CES 2008 with a bevy of Blu-ray players in tow. Check the video above for a good run down of the Blu-ray technology. Some of the new interactive features are sure to impress, although many of the features have been available within HD DVD for some time.

Take note of the awkward cut that occurs when we ask them about the whole format war thing and the fact that studios are jumping over to Blu-ray left and right. That is when they stopped and told us they didn’t want to talk about that subject. We pushed the issue a bit, but they wouldn’t budge, so we just cut that portion out. Not sure what the big deal was though, I mean, it seems victory may be at hand for the Blu-ray side of things.


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