comcast Archive

  • Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House pick up Coke Zero 400 3D broadcast

    Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House pick up Coke Zero 400 3D broadcast

    Posted on June 25, 2010 | No Comments
    Looks like Turner Sports has no problem sharing its first NASCAR 3D broadcast, and as a result Comcast, Bright House Networks and Time Warner are all on board for the July 3 Coke Zero 400 race. Already announced for DirecTV and internet streaming, the night race will have two feeds, one of trackside cameras and one on the pits and feature the network's "Wide Open" format, promising more unobstructed race action free of national commercial breaks. Of course, we'd like to know what the next big 3D event is more than just a couple of weeks ahead of time, but if you're one of the few with the necessary hardware, we're sure any content is welcome no matter how it arrives.

    Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House pick up Coke Zero 400 3D broadcast originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Comcast to roll out more MPEG-4 starting with 3D

    Comcast to roll out more MPEG-4 starting with 3D

    Posted on June 18, 2010 | No Comments
    Motorola MPEG4 set-top box
    And you 3D haters thought that nothing good could come of 3D technology, then we find out that Comcast is finally putting its 10 million MPEG-4 compatible set-top boxes to use -- although ESPN is only sending out ESPN 3D as MPEG-4, the Comcast's Media Center is sending out two streams -- the original and the transcoded MPEG-2 variety -- to its facilities around the country. The local Comcast office picks which to send out your way for now (which caused lots of issues on launch day since most didn't realize their MPEG-2 only box wasn't compatible) but that changes in August when all 3D signals will be sent via MPEG-4 and those with older boxes will just have to upgrade to enjoy their new 3DTV -- so much for the benefits of frame compatible 3D. MPEG-4 is a win win for consumers and the cable provider, as it takes less bandwidth on the providers network and uses less space on those pitiful 160GB cable DVRs.

    Comcast to roll out more MPEG-4 starting with 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Comcast adds TiVo Series 3, Premiere boxes to the 3D compatible list

    Comcast adds TiVo Series 3, Premiere boxes to the 3D compatible list

    Posted on June 15, 2010 | No Comments
    Last week ESPN 3D launched, and Comcast's information indicated many users with older cable boxes wouldn't be able to get on the action without an upgrade. The good news for TiVo owners is that information has since been updated and now TiVo Series 3 / HD and TiVo Premiere units are on the approved list for 3DTV broadcasts. We're not sure exactly what the hangup might have been and how it was resolved, but if you've got one of those DVRs hooked up to a 3DTV and Comcast service, it's definitely time to get on the phone and have the channel activated so you can watch the World Cup properly.

    Comcast adds TiVo Series 3, Premiere boxes to the 3D compatible list originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Exclusive: a look around ESPN’s 3D Master Control room

    Exclusive: a look around ESPN’s 3D Master Control room

    Posted on June 11, 2010 | No Comments
    Not sure if you knew, but today marks the launch of ESPN's first dedicated 3D channel, predictably titled ESPN 3D. For now, the channel will only be active whenever 3D sporting events are being aired, starting with a full 25 FIFA World Cup matches from the Republic of South Africa. It's a pretty monumental launch for the world leader in broadcast sports, and it's obviously taking a pretty big leap with only a smattering of 3D sets available and an obviously limited amount of content at its disposal. That said, there's hardly a better way to enjoy 3D content than to see sports in the third dimension, which makes the appeal of this new station that much stronger. We're here live at the company's kickoff event in Bristol, Connecticut, and we'll be bringing you lots of coverage from behind the scenes.

    One important piece that has yet to be revealed to the public is exactly how this material is getting from the field to the consumer, with Comcast, DirecTV and AT&T (U-verse) signed on from day one. During our shooting for The Engadget Show (don't worry -- we'll be cutting it up and getting it live as soon as possible!) we were able to stop by ESPN's 3D Master Control room, a box no larger than the average American kitchen but infinitely important in the grand scheme of things. Amazingly enough, the room pictured in the gallery below didn't exist six weeks ago, and in an insanely short period of time ESPN has managed to create a control room that sucks feeds in from all over the world, adds graphics (along with a specialized ESPN 3D "bug"), ensures that everything is aligned properly and then pipes it out to the aforesaid carriers.

    Gallery: A look inside ESPN's 3D Master Control room

    Continue reading Exclusive: a look around ESPN's 3D Master Control room

    Exclusive: a look around ESPN's 3D Master Control room originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol

    ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol

    Posted on June 11, 2010 | No Comments
    It's official, one of the most popular networks in the US (if not the world) kicked off its 3D branch in style today, and we made the trek to ESPN's campus in Bristol, Connecticut to experience it first hand. Put simply, the campus is any gadget or sports nerd's paradise; technology is oozing from every corner of every building, including the one we gathered with other press today in order to witness the start of a monumental three-dee journey. At the front of the large conference room was a 72-inch Samsung DLP, which was delivering the 2010 FIFA World Cup kickoff in 3D from Johannesburg, South Africa. It should be noted that none of the 25 World Cup matches that'll be delivered in 3D are being shot by ESPN; instead, FIFA has contracted HDS to shoot and distribute a "world feed." We didn't notice too many glitches during the opening match, but ESPN assures us that native transfers will look even better once they kick things off here in the homeland with the MLB Home Run Derby from Anaheim on July 12th. As for the tech side of things, ESPN was taking in the 1080i50 side by side 3D signal and converting it to the US-friendly 720p 60 side by side, and since DLP sets expect the checkerboard 3D format, a RealD POD was used to make the link between the cable set-top-box and the TV. The glasses were supplied by XpanD, but not the same universal shutter glasses that we expect to be available at retail soon.

    Afer we took in the setup, we sat down to enjoy the match, which was opened with a handful of pristinely shot 3D commercials -- of course. A Sony spot kicked off with a soccer team practicing, and naturally ended with a goal exploding in slow motion; without a doubt, this was one of the more spectacular uses of 3D that we've seen, though we're guessing that the budget for the ad was somewhere near the stratosphere. The other commercials weren't any less impressive, with another trio concerning a Gillette razor, Toy Story 3, and a downright comical 'This is SportsCenter' ad where Niel Everett gets a little too close to a pricey 3D camera with his trusty Louisville Slugger. We'll be bringing you more coverage from here in Bristol as the day continues, with the grand finale coming in a special Engadget Show segment that should go up next week. For now, head on past the break for a few impressions from the 1-1 draw.

    Gallery: ESPN 3D launch: live from Bistol, CT

    Continue reading ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol

    ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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