Jason Unger

Is Internet TV Ready for the Living Room?

Posted by junger - 07/31/08 at 10:07:06 pm

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of watching video podcasts on my computer. It just doesn't make sense.

Even though I've got two screens running — one of which I use for "passive" applications (like IM, Twitter and podcasts) — having a video running while I'm working is awfully distracting (DUH).

This content needs to be on my TV. I didn't spend $2,500 on my Pioneer plasma to neglect it.

Of course, this is what Internet TV really is — using the Internet pipes to deliver video to your TV. It's NOT watching video on your computer.

We're starting to get there. Now that Netflix is coming via the Xbox 360 and LG's new Blu-ray player (called here first), the pipes are starting to get used to deliver content to the living room.

When any of those devices gets access to Hulu content, that'll be another big step forward.

In order to make the move into the living room, I've been thinking a lot about getting an Apple TV. I'm already locked into the iTunes universe. It's just one more step to my Apple-fication.

TV content is meant to be enjoyed in a passive setting, not when you're leaning over the keyboard.

How HBO Became Our Favorite Channel

Posted by junger - 04/04/08 at 09:04:33 am

We never had HBO until last year. We've always been big movie people, but it never seemed worth it to pay extra to Comcast for a bunch of flicks that we could have watched on DVD months earlier.

Then came The Sopranos.

Yeah, you think you know where this is going … but hold on.

We got started on The Sopranos way late. My dad was a fan, so for one of his birthdays we got him the first few seasons on DVD. As it turned out, we ended up watching them instead.

We finished the first five seasons (and a half? six? whatever) right before the final half of Season 6 and decided it was worth to subscribe to HBO — and haven't looked back.

From Big Love to Entourage to Curb Your Enthusiasm to Ali G, HBO has the best original series on TV.

We also watched this show Tell Me You Love Me, which was basically softcore porn with a plot.

Now we're watching John Adams, the mini-series based on David McCullough's book of the same name, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. It's a fascinating look into the birth of our country, no matter how inaccurate the depiction of their teeth.

(I'm kind of hoping Giamatti says something about merlot at some point during the series, but I'm not holding my breath.)

For people who watch a lot of TV — like we do, yes, I admit it — HBO is worth it. We've been entertained way beyond the $10 or $15 a month we're paying for it, and we haven't even started The Wire, Extras or Rome.

When you think about paying $30 for two people to spend one night at the movies, a month of HBO is a steal.

And that's how it became our favorite channel.

Veronica Mars, Leaving Me Hanging

Posted by junger - 03/24/08 at 10:03:02 am

Debbie and I finished the third and final season of Veronica Mars last night and SPOILER ALERT we were obviously disappointed.

We've watched all three seasons over the past few months (thanks, writer's strike) and really enjoyed it. But the haphazard ending, thanks to its cancellation left us unfulfilled.

When I tell people about the show, I compare it to a high-school version of Scooby-Doo (minus the talking dog). Veronica, the way overachieving high schooler, solves mysteries as a private investigator, and seems to run in to scandal and murder wherever she goes.

The show wasn't that realistic (seriously, can one person have so much death in their life and still crack jokes on a regular basis?), but it was well-written, and it spoke to a generation. The characters were mostly well-developed, and the plotlines were engaging.

It's too bad that the series finale left so much unanswered — and didn't get Veronica and Logan back together — but at least we get more Kristen Bell in Heroes.

If you have some time and enjoy serialized, California shows (24, anyone?), give Veronica Mars a chance.

24 Prequel Movie Coming Fall 2008

Posted by junger - 03/07/08 at 05:03:35 pm

"24" will be getting a two-hour movie that prequels Season 7 this fall, the Hollywood Reporter is reporting.

The movie, designed to bridge the two-year gap between Seasons 6 and 7, is targeted to air in the fall, leading to the January return of the real-time drama. On Wednesday, "24" producers began securing the show's core cast members for the film.

I guess Fox didn't listen to my idea for National 24 day, but this is pretty big news.

So, now that there is SOME news, let the speculation begin…

- Will it be a two-hour "real-time" affair? Or will it stray from 24's standard time model?
- Is this the 24 movie that was supposed to come out? Or is that still happening?
- What will the prequel bring that we don't already know about Season 7? Most of the times, the prequels on the DVDs don't do much at all for the season.

Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely looking forward to it. But is this just a way to "apologize" to fans for the lack of Jack Bauer in 2008? Or will it actually mean something to the show?

MASN to Broadcast 40 O's Games in HD

Posted by junger - 02/27/08 at 09:02:46 am

Welcome to the times, MASN.

According to my pals over at EngadgetHD, the morons at MASN have finally figured out what broadcasters in 28 other markets already knew — people want their sports in HD.

MASN will broadcast 40 O's games and 40 Nats games, sez the Washington Times. I'd like to think they heard my bitching about it, but I know I'm not the only one. (A number of people come to the site looking for MASN HD in Google.)

The schedule of HD games hasn't come out yet, but I know at least one I'll be seeing in Full HD – Opening Day.