TV Articles

Should you care about built-in AirPlay on your AV receiver?

If you're buying an AV receiver these days, one of the main decisions you'll need to make is whether or not you care about built-in AirPlay. It's an easier call if you don't have any iOS devices, but if you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, you'll definitely want to think about how you'll be using Apple's wireless music-streaming platform with your AV receiver.

It comes down to this: is built-in AirPlay a must-have feature on an AV receiver or should you just add AirPlay functionality through a $100 Apple TV? It's a tougher question than it seems on the surface, as each method has its advantages.… Read more

New site calls for cable-free HBO Go option, but it's an uphill battle

With "Game of Thrones" now the most pirated show on the Internet, a site has sprung up calling for HBO Go to become available without a cable membership, but unfortunately it's unlikely to work.

The site, started by Web programmer Jake Caputo and called Take My Money, HBO!, is designed to convince HBO to sell individual memberships to HBO Go to reduce piracy.

In response, several sites have pointed out why this strategy is doomed to fail. Even the company itself seems happy with its current domestic situation: in response to my request for comment, a HBO spokesperson instead pointed me to this tweet, which links to a TechCrunch article detailing why "HBO doesn't want your money."… Read more

Meet In2uit's stylish portable electrostatic speakers

TAIPEI, Taiwan--The Filo speaker is a portable, battery-powered external speaker that weighs just 1.5 pounds. Instead of the usual magnets, the Filo uses electrostatic technology to create sound. We've seen such technology used in clothes for wearable speakers back at CES.

In2uit's approach differs by making its electrostatic speakers stylish and trendy. The unit has an internal battery that will last 10 hours on a full charge. You can play music by streaming it from your smartphone using Bluetooth, or through the 3.5mm audio jack. The Filo will be available in July in various countries for the cool price of $249. … Read more

New Google TV box will feature Android 4.0, AirPlay-like streaming

A new Google TV box powered by Android 4.0 is coming this summer from Honeywld Technology, according to a story from IDG reporting from Computex.

The new set-top box will apparently feature AirPlay-like capabilities, allowing Android phones to stream media directly to a TV. However, unlike AirPlay, users will need to run a separate app to stream content, which doesn't sound quite as integrated as AirPlay is on iOS devices. (Honeywld also claims that its Android 4.0-powered Google TV is custom software, which implies these new features aren't official Google releases.) The boxes are also said … Read more

Samsung announces Cloud Gaming TVs

Samsung has announced a partnership with cloud gaming service Gaikai to provide console-free streaming to flagship 2012 LED TVs.

Samsung Cloud Gaming will soon accept beta signups for users with ES7100, ES7500, and ES8000 LED TVs, but has yet to announce if other TVs will be supported.

The service offers free trials and full versions of games such as "Mass Effect 3" and "Need For Speed: The Run" streamed to the televisions with gaming pad support.

The announcement follows rumors last week that Sony would be the one to announce a partnership with Gaikai.

Samsung representatives … Read more

Active 3D vs. passive 3D: What's better?

CNET reader Taher asks:

I'm trying to decide between two 3D TVs: a Panasonic that's active 3D and LG that's passive 3D. LG has all these international certificates for the best 3D picture and claims it's full resolution, but you and others claim Passive 3D is half the resolution of a real 1080p. Is there is a way for me to really tell the difference between an active and a passive 3D?

There sure is.… Read more

Sony HX850: Early candidate for Best LCD TV of 2012

Though plasma is still a firm favorite with reviewers and videophiles, it's overwhelmingly LCD televisions that most people actually buy. And if you want to know what the best LCD TV released in 2012 will be, then we may already have an answer for you: the Sony HX850.

Until the arrival of the excellent HX850, Sony looked to be in dire straits with a massive debt and an anemic TV lineup compared to companies like Samsung and LG. Sony's second-best new-for 2012 TV, the HX750, did nothing to quell our concerns, with picture quality far below what we … Read more

Simple.TV launches Kickstarter project, offers $300 Roku/antenna bundle

Simple.TV's innovative take on the over-the-air DVR made a splash at CES 2012, winning CNET's Best of CES award in the home theater category. Now the company has turned to Kickstarter, looking to raise $125,000 before the product launches this summer.

While Simple.TV's concept of streaming and recording over-the-air TV hasn't changed (read my initial CES story for more information), Kickstarter is making some attractive bundles available to project backers. For $200, you'll get the Simple.TV box, a full year of advanced EPG data and remote streaming capabilities, a Mohu antenna and a Simple.TV T-shirt -- a pretty good deal, considering the Simple.TV box itself will sell for $150. For $300, Simple.TV will also throw in a Roku XD and a lifetime premium subscription.

… Read more

How are you streaming? (Poll)

Streaming video, with its instant access and wide selection, has exploded over the past few years. Whether it's Netflix, which despite some recent fumbles still remains hugely popular, or other services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and so on, more services and content have become available. Even better, the number of devices capable of streaming that content continues to grow.

With so many options available to stream Internet content, what's your pick?… Read more