Time Warner Cable is proud to announce today that they have released a new TWC TV app for Samsung’s Smart TVs. The app will provide video on-demand only at the moment. The company plans to have it stream live TV by the end of the year. But if you don’t own a Samsung TV the device isn’t exclusive. Time Warner plans to release apps for other compatible platforms like Xbox 360, Android, and more. The company did not state how much this app will cost to use at this time.

[via Engadget]

HD Nation delivers the latest news on HD content and devices. This week, the hosts talk about the announcement that Samsung and Panasonic have collaborated to create the next generation of Blu-ray disks. The new disks are expected to hold up to 300GB of data and will be for professional only at first. But the hosts are hoping that the 300GB disks could usher in 4K movies into the mainstream. The big concern though is if the new disks will be supported by current Blu-ray players. In going with the 4K theme, the hosts then answer a question from a viewer who says that they saw 4K movies already available on Amazon. The truth of the matter though is that the movies were only “Mastered in 4K.” This means that the original video was remastered to a 4K resolution and the condensed into a Blu-ray full HD format. The movies on the disks are not actually showing in 4K. One of the major segments this week was a hands on review of the Google Chromecast. This is the new HDMI dongle that can turn any TV into a Smart TV quick and easily. The hosts announce that they plan to show a more in depth review in a few weeks. But for first impressions, the writers were happy with the simple design. They would have liked to see some more detailed specifications about the device, but Google refuses to release them at this time. The hosts were surprised to see how fast the device could load content from a variety of devices and still be a cloud based device. The other big segment this week was a review of the new Samsung UN55F6400 HDTV. This 55 inch model uses LED technology, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and has the usual Smart TV and 3D features. The hosts state that the TV is definitely one of the better value models it has the sleek new look of the high-end TVs but doesn’t have as many features which helps keep the price down. Probably the highlight of the TV was the remote control that includes a quick and simple touch pad, voice commands capabilities and Bluetooth connectivity.

[via YouTube]

One of the new HDTVs from Samsung is the PN60F8500. This TV comes with full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, a 60 inch screen, and 3D technology. The TV was recently reviewed by the writers from Big Picture Big Sound. They were very impressed with the TV’s picture quality with both 2D and 3D content. They did notice that 3D glasses aren’t included in the package, which is a little annoying. The big highlight was the Smart TV and its ability to download additional apps and upgrade existing ones. The writers were not happy though with the remote control. They thought that it was rather complicated and difficult to use at times. The final comment the writers made was, “Buy the F8500 for the picture quality, including the ability to provide a pleasingly bright, detailed image in virtually any lighting condition. And if the high tech control features and extensive streaming options add to the appeal for you, then consider them icing on the cake.”

[via Big Picture Big Sound]

Last week, Google unveiled their new Chromecast HDMI dongle. It will give any HDTV with an HDMI port access to online content through a wireless Wi-Fi connection. This week it was revealed that online hackers have already found a way to gain root access to the hardware. One hacker in particular has already released a package that will erase the existing / system partition and instead install a new system image. The hackers have found out that the hardware doesn’t run an offshoot of ChromeOS but instead it runs a modified version of a Google TV. Click the link above to see the package in action.

[via Gizmodo]

The Toshiba 50L2300U HDTV is one of the company’s new models this year. It has a 50 inch screen, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and LED backlight technology. Today, the writers from Ecoustics released their review of this particular device. The writers were impressed with the image quality and highlighted the display’s color reproduction and thought the images were incredibly sharp. The TV doesn’t include any of the big features like 3D. This helps keep the retail price low and affordable for everyone. The writers didn’t like the black levels though and thought they could have been improved significantly. The final conclusion the writers made about the 50L2300U was, “At $650, Toshiba’s attractive 50L2300U definitely offers some cheap HD real estate, providing accurate colors, a sharp image, and marginal motion judder across its large screen. However, with its slim feature set, we expected more from the TV’s overall performance. Poor black levels, weak shadow detail, and a lackluster interface keep us from placing it on par with our favorites from the segment, like the Vizio E0I series, which offers better performance, and a lot more features at the same price. While Toshiba’s 50L2300U isn’t a bad option, it simply didn’t bring enough heat to stand out as a top contender in this wide LCD field.”

[via Ecoustics]

The LG 55EA9800 TV is the world’s first curved OLED screen to enter the retail market. It measures 55 inches, diagonally and comes with full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Today, the company decided to publish a video that shows the design team for the TV and details the design process and the complications of designing a curved TV. The TV is already available in Korea and is supposed to be available very soon in the USA. The retail price is currently set at just under $15000.

[via OLED Info]

One of the new LG HDTVs is the 55LA8600. This 55 inch screen features full HD (1980 x 1080) resolution and 3D capabilities. Recently, Gizmodo released their review of this particular device. The first thing they writers note is that this is one of the flagship models to come from LG this year. The writers were very impressed with the TV’s performance. They highlighted the image quality as its biggest strength. More specifically the writers were impressed with the bright colors that were vibrant and accurate. The only major problem the writers had with the TV was the remote control. LG has been incorporating their Magic Remotes that allow users to point the device at the TV and use it like they would a Nintendo Wii controller. The writers noted that trying to flip between using the magic remote and a normal remote was difficult and frustrating. They also noted that calibrating the magic remote was annoying because one misstep and you could accidentally exit the calibration. The final comment the writers made was, “The LA8600 isn’t all that that different from LG’s next highest-ranked LED set, the LA7400, in terms of features, save for the built-in camera. If you don’t use your TV for Skype conferences on the daily, save yourself $500 and go with that instead. Samsung’s F7100 is a reasonable alternative and about a grand less to boot. That’s not to say the LA8600 isn’t an impressive television, it is. It just isn’t $2600 impressive.”

[via Gizmodo]

If you were one of the supporters of the new M-Go streaming service then you will be happy to know that Vizio will now support the streaming service nationwide. M-Go will be available on all of Vizio’s Smart TVs and provide pay-as-you-go rental and buy services for movies and TV shows. M-Go also provides 24/7 customer support and standard definition shows can be rented for as low as $.99.

[via Engadget]

Google announced this week that they will be releasing their very first HDMI dongle called the Chromecast. This tiny device is essentially a set-top-box that connects directly to an HDMI port and is small enough to be hidden out of sight. The dongle provides Smart TV capabilities to any TV that it can connect into, allowing for online streaming. Probably the most appealing aspect is the low retail price of $35. This makes it one of the cheapest set-top-boxes on the market, making it competitive against other device like the Apple TV and Roku. The Chromecast is already available now.

[via HDTV Test]

This week’s HD Nation starts off by talking about how to organize the rat’s nest of cables behind your HDTV. They first recommend purchasing short cables that provide the necessary connection without the bulk of extra cable collecting dust. They also suggest making sure that your cables isn’t crammed against a wall and the device and instead having a nice roomy arch between devices. The reason is so that it ensures a long life for the cable and keeps it from breaking. If you do have to use longer cables, the hosts recommend zip ties to help keep them together and off the floor. Another major segment this week, the hosts talk about Over the Air antennas. This is a good way for people to receive live broadcasting without the use of cable companies or satellite providers. Before you go out and purchase one though, the hosts recommend checking to see which antenna would work best for you. This can be done with the help of online websites devoted to providing that information. The hosts then state that it’s a matter of connecting a suitable antenna to receive the OTA content. The major subject this week though talks about the most expensive quality headphones, the Beats by Dre headphones vs a $23 pair of headphones from a small online website. The hosts state that the Dre version are a triumph of marketing not sound quality and then go into saying how there are several headphones on the market that sell for a fraction of the cost of the Dre model. The $23 Monoprice 8323 headphones are among those. The hosts couldn’t believe that the headphones included a replacement cord, a mobile cord, and a home theater cord. They did note that the construction is a little flimsy and almost entirely plastic, which would explain the low price. But for audio quality, the hosts simply call them amazing.

[via YouTube]