May

Vizio sues Funai for patent infringement, seeks to stop TV imports

Richard Lawler on May 20th, 2009

In the latest episode of this ongoing saga Vizio (now feeling its oats enough to claim the “Number One Shipper of Flat Panel HDTVs in the USA” title) is again suing Funai for patent infringement and seeking an injunction barring Funai from importing and selling its HDTVs. Just in case that wasn’t etherous enough, Vizio cofounder Laynie Newsome chimed in with a line to make Funai’s soul burn slow, pointing out that unlike some companies, Vizio’s patent portfolio has not been rejected by the USPTO. We don’t know how realistic it is that shipments of Funai’s Sylvania, Philips, Magnavox and other branded products could be stalled by the action — note Funai’s so far ineffective action on Vizio’s products — but hopefully this latest strike brings things closer to a resolution and more cheap televisions for all.

Vizio sues Funai for patent infringement, seeks to stop TV imports originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 20 May 2009 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May

Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

Richard Lawler on May 20th, 2009

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers, Internet

Good news, Vista Media Center PC users will soon find a new option under the TV+Movies tile, as Netflix Watch Instantly streaming access is added directly to the interface. The soul crushingly bad news? A post on The Green Button informs that this does not apply to Media Center Extenders, so cheapskates hoping to get around the Xbox 360’s Gold Xbox Live subscription requirement are still going to need those plugins and workarounds. This should go over much better than the InternetTV beta 2, but we’re disappointed Microsoft’s vision of TV on Your PC (as pointed out on its accompanying blogs, videos and assorted paraphernalia indicates) doesn’t allow users to stretch their PC back to the TV at will. ’til that changes, check the gallery and after the break to see what awaits in Media Center once the update rolls out over the next 48 hours.

Update: We checked with Microsoft, and confirmed that, at least for now, this streaming only includes the same content as the browser experience – so no HD. As far as Windows 7 and / or RC1 support? No word yet.

[Via The Green Button]

Gallery: Netflix on Vista Media Center