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Microsoft gives Firefox an H.264 video boost

Mozilla is outspoken in its dislike of the patent-encumbered video technology called H.264, but Microsoft, an H.264 fan, is providing a plug-in that will let Windows 7 users use it anyway.

H.264 is a codec--technology to encode and decode video--that's widely used in videocameras, Blu-ray players, online video streaming, and more. It's built into Adobe Systems' Flash Player browser plug-in, but most people don't know or need to know it's there.

When it comes to the flagship feature of built-in video support coming to the new HTML5 specification for creating Web pages, … Read more

The 404 709: Where I touch it and it works (podcast)

"Stoopid Andy"--not as stupid as his name implies (TM)--joins us on the show today along with MTI, otherwise known as Mark Licea, to fill in for Justin, who again is enamored by a printer.

You may not realize this, but Stoopid Andy is a bit of a computer genius. We spend a good portion of the first half of the show talking about how he transcodes Blu-ray movies that he owns over to an MKV file in H.264 using a variety of pieces of hardware and software. He does this just so that he can watch his movies in HD and Dolby Digital surround sound anywhere in his house. Kind of cool. But I think most consumers would rather just watch it on Netflix or rent it from iTunes.

Speaking of iTunes, Apple has changed the home page of its Web site with a mysterious message that reads: "Tomorrow is just another day. That you'll never forget. Check back here tomorrow for an exciting announcement from iTunes." As much of a fanboy as Wilson is, he's got nothing when it comes to speculation other than the rumors that have already been floating around the Web. We're hoping for iTunes music subscriptions or more streaming-media services from the cloud. We're going to be really disappointed if it is just the already announced iOS 4.2 download or the iTunes 10.1 download.

Facebook's new messaging service press conference started just right after the show was over today, so we don't have much feedback on that, except that tweens will certainly embrace it. We also mention that Wal-Mart will be offering free shipping to all its orders between now and December 22, but it's a little odd for everyone in the studio because there isn't a Wal-Mart within New York City!

Finally, we don't have time to get to the voice mails, but Wilson does point out that Jeff is dearly missed, and will hopefully be making his return tomorrow! *fingers crossed* He may have just decided to stay in sunny Hawaii and finish playing Call of Duty: Black Ops. You can leave him a message by calling 1-866-404-CNET (2638) or e-mail us at the usual address. Oh! And tell your friends about the show!

Episode 709 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Supercharge your iPod's sound at home

Matthew Moskovciak recently wrote about AV receivers that play nice with iPods, but what about stereo receivers?

Teac now offers not one, but two iPod-friendly stereo receivers, the Reference Series AG-H380 ($499) and the Reference Series CR-H500NT ($799).

The CR-H500NT is a CD player/stereo (2x40 watts) receiver, and also offers Internet radio, an Ethernet port, wired and wireless LANs, high-quality phono input, subwoofer output, and best of all, a USB iPod Digital Direct Interface.

So instead of using your iPod's good-enough internal digital-to-analog converter, you'll be listening to the CR-H500NT's higher-quality 24-bit/192-kHz converters, which will … Read more

Google speeds its new Web video software

Google has released the first significant update to its WebM video software, bringing better performance and adding a duck-related code name.

The new software, called Aylesbury after the domesticated duck breed, is better at both encoding and faster at decoding WebM videos, said John Luther, Google's WebM product manager, in a blog post last week. Luther plans to detail Aylesbury this week at the Streaming Media West conference, which will include a detailed status report and a discussion of how it fits into the new HTML5 standard for Web pages.

More specifically, Aylesbury is between 20 percent and 40 … Read more

iOS 4.2 beta jailbroken for iPad

Jailbreaker iH8sn0w has released images of an iPad running the MobileTerminal jailbreak application, exposing the command line to users, suggesting that the iOS 4.2 firmware (still in beta) will be jailbroken upon its release this November.

This news is good for anyone who supports the jailbreak community and wants to have a jailbroken iPad running iOS 4.2 on day one.

Fifteen-year-old hacker iH8sn0w is a proven resource in the jailbreaking world, responsible for Sn0wbreeze, iReb, iDetector, and f0recast. iPhoneWorld has a nice interview with iH8sn0w if you'd like to learn more about him and his experiences in … Read more

Lexus CT 200h gets the F Sport treatment

Lexus' new CT 200h hybrid hatchback has only been on the road for for about a month, but Lexus is already heating it up with an F Sport package, which it debuted recently at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney.

For those unaware, F Sport is the Lexus analogue to Toyota's TRD division, producing performance accessories for Lexus vehicles. We've driven a few F Sport-kitted IS 350s and enjoyed the mild performance boost gained with the uprated parts, and we know that Lexus is trying to give the CT 200h a Honda CR-Z-esque performance bent, … Read more

Trendnet to ship USB 3.0 hub

Most existing computers don't have support for USB 3.0, and for those few that do, chances are the number of ports is limited to just two.

If you want to increase the amount of these blue ports without having to install another add-in card, Trendnet has something for you.

The company announced yesterday the availability of its four-port USB 3.0 hub, called TU3-H4, which turns one USB 3.0 port into four of them, allowing you to connect more USB 3.0-based devices to your computer at a time. The TU3-H4 hub also works with USB 2.… Read more

Zoom's Q3HD combines HD video with its audio abilities

Today Zoom announced the Q3HD Handy Video Recorder, a 1080p HD, stereo microphone, audio-centric pocket camcorder. Following up on the Q3 Handy Video Recorder, the new Q3HD combines HD video with Zoom's professional audio recorder technology. This is ideal for live performances among other subjects.

The Zoom Q3HD's video capabilities feature a new lens and imaging sensor that captures at either 1080p at 30 frames per second, or 720p video at 60 or 30 frames per second, in MPEG-4 H.264 (MOV) video format. There are three lighting settings: Auto, Concert, and Night. For playback you turn the … Read more

Amazon.com has the Acer H243H 24-Inch LCD Monitor for $218.98, after $31.01 savings.

Save $31.01 on the Acer H243H 24-Inch LCD Monitor from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $249.99 >> Sale price is $218.98 >> Savings $31.01 (12.40%) >> Click here for deal