ReplayTVBlog

SlingMedia has finally released a beta version of their SlingPlayer Mobile for PocketPC Devices. This beta version will expire on April 26 when they expect to release version 1.0. PocketPC Devices are the only portable devices supported in this version — they are projecting a release of the software that will include support for Smart Phones running Windows Mobile to be out sometime in the second quarter of 2006.

If anyone has a slingbox and a PocketPC mobile device that they can test this on, I would be curious to hear about their experiences. I’m not sure how good the experience will be on the small screen. Great idea in theory, but (kind of like the video iPod) in practice I’m not so sure I would really want to watch TV for an extended period of time on such a small screen. But then again, if it meant I could watch The Sopranos while I’m on the road, the small screen might not matter so much.

Technorati Tags: Slingbox, SlingMedia, SlingPlayer Mobile, PocketPC, Windows Mobile, iPod, Sopranos

Popularity: 4% [?]

More and more people are discovering every day how a DVR can change your life (at least your TV live), and apparently this trend will continue for a long time. A new study by Strategy Analytics predicts that DVRs will be in 130 million homes worldwide by the year 2010 with the US and Europe leading the way. According to the study, 12 percent of homes have a DVR in the US and they expect this number to increase to more than 50 percent by 2010.

Alot of this growth will definitely be attributed to the integration of the DVR into not only cable and satellite boxes but also Televisions and Computers — Windows XP Media Center Edition being the most notable addition to date. As PVR and DVR functions become a part of more consumer electronics devices, people will come to expect these features as standard.

Since we already have a refrigerator with a built in TV, can the refrigerator with a TV and DVR be coming soon?

Technorati Tags: DVR, PVR, Windows XP Media Center

Popularity: 5% [?]

Over on Flickr, User q240z has posted pictures of his latest project to the byopvr group — A 1952 Philco (Philips) TV Console that he has converted into a custom cabinet for his LCD TV and custom built PVR. The pictures are great — they document the project from the original cabinet (which looks great!) all the way to the finished product (which also looks great!)

For the actual components of the system, a 32″ Sharp Aquos LCD TV was used for the display and a custom built PC was assembled from parts for the DVR. The Aquos LCD TV had to be disassembled so it could be mounted in the cabinet and the components for the computer (motherboard, hard disk drive, dvd drive) were mounted directly to the cabinet. The computer is also water cooled so that it is almost silent and does not require any special ventilation for cooling.

It will be interesting to see more Mods and Conversions like this — I think I’ll have to come up with one of my own for the DVR I’m planning on building soon.

Technorati Tags: Flickr, PVR, DVR, Aquos

Popularity: 17% [?]

Sling has announced that they will be making a version of the Sling Player for the upcoming Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) from Microsoft that has been code named Origami.

Of course at this point, who knows when any type of UMPC will be released. But when (if) it is released, users who have a SlingBox will be able to use their UMPC anywhere they can get a high speed Internet connection to view their home video sources that are connected to the SlingBox. This means being able to control and watch your DVR (TiVo, ReplayTV, Cable DVR, etc.) from anywhere.

I know this is possible now with a laptop, but sometimes it’s really a pain to lug around a laptop and get it out, turn it on, boot into windows, start your sling player, etc. when a UMPC with the Sling Player installed would be much quicker and easier to use — In Theory!

Technorati Tags: SlingBox, UMPC, Microsoft, Origami, TiVo, ReplayTV, DVR

Popularity: 3% [?]

SnapStream has announced on their blog that they have officially launched the Firefly Mini Remote. The Firefly Mini Remote is an Infrared Remote along with an Infrared Receiver that connects to any computer through a USB port. The Firefly Mini does not require any drivers with Windows XP (it functions as an HID compliant device) and can be used to control not only SnapStream’s software products (Beyond TV) but also other programs including Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition.

This is in addition to the current remote offered by SnapStream, the Firefly. The main differences between the two remotes are that the Firefly Mini is smaller, has fewer buttons, and it is an Infrared Remote (the Firefly is a Radio Frequency (RF) remote). Because it is infrared, the functions of the Firefly Mini remote that control the Beyond TV software can be easily added to any Universal Remote that has a learning function.

More info is available from the SnapStream Web Site and the Firefly Mini Remote product page.

Technorati Tags: SnapStream, Firefly, Remote Control, Beyond TV, Windows XP Media Center

Popularity: 4% [?]

ShowShifter was one of the first DVR / PVR software packages available for the PC and it is now one of the first to go. They have apparently gone out of business and the whole enterprise is up for sale, including the employees and the ShowShifter software product itself.

I don’t think this bodes well for ReplayTV’s recent exit from the hardware business to move into the software only business. With the explosion of Windows XP Media Center on retail shelves, it’s going to be an uphill battle for any company trying to sell a software DVR or PVR package for windows based PCs. At this point, manufacturers such as HP, Compaq, Gateway, and eMachines are putting Windows XP Media Center on almost every computer they make — including laptops! ReplayTV will end up facing the same problem in the software DVR market that TiVo currently faces in the hardware DVR market — if people are already getting DVR software on their computer from Windows XP Media Center for free, why would they pay more money for another piece of software that does the same thing?

Without some killer feature that Windows XP Media Center doesn’t have, I don’t think any software PVR or DVR can succeed against the Microsoft juggernaut.

Technorati Tags: ShowShifter, DVR, PVR, Windows XP Media Center, ReplayTV, Microsoft, TiVo

Popularity: 3% [?]

As reported last month, TiVo has announced a new pricing plan for their DVR units. Under the new plan, there will no longer be a lifetime subscription fee available. But, buyers will not have to buy a TiVo anymore – they only have to sign up for an annual contract and pay a monthly fee. TiVo contracts will be available in lengths of one, two, or three years with the monthly fee being $19.95 a month for a one year contract, $18.95 a month for a two year contract, and $16.95 a month for a three year contract. Initially, the new pricing plans will be available only to customers who sign up on TiVo.com with retail store customers still getting the old pricing. Eventually, TiVo plans to also change retail stores over to the new plans.

Switching to these “no money up front” pricing plans is something TiVo had to do. Since Cable companies offer their DVRs for free — the monthly service charge is the only cost — most people saw no reason to pay for a TiVo unit and then still have to pay a monthly service fee when they could get the same thing for free from their cable company. While Cable Company DVRs and TiVo DVRs are definitely not the same thing, most people don’t understand this and see absolutely no value in getting a TiVo over any other DVR.

Even though TiVo may be trying to win the battle by differentiating themselves from the Cable Company DVR boxes, in the meantime they are losing subscribers to the Cable Companies. TiVo needs to get their boxes into more homes now and this is one good way to do it.

Technorati Tags: TiVo, DVR, Cable

Popularity: 4% [?]

TiVo announced today that they have a deal with Verizon Wireless to enable Verizon cell phone users to control their TiVo from their Verizon cell phone. The new service, called TiVo Mobile, will give TiVo subscribers the ability to schedule recordings while away from home through their cell phone — provided that it is a Verizon Wireless cell phone, that is.

It’s good to see TiVo adding new features like this that help to differentiate TiVo from all of the “generic” DVR units that are now available from Cable and Satellite providers. This is the only way that TiVo is going to survive — if they are the same as all the generic DVRs, why would anyone buy one if they can get it for free from their Cable company?

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Verizon, Cell Phone, DVR

Popularity: 3% [?]

As the DVR becomes more common in todays households, Nielsen has realized that they need to include DVR viewings of TV shows in their ratings. As a result, they have added a new type of rating they call live plus seven day ratings. In essence, this means that these ratings include not only live viewings of TV shows but also a show that is viewed within 7 days on any DVR device (TiVo, ReplayTV, etc.).

I think this is a good sign. For a while now I’ve been worried that some shows ratings may be affected adversely by DVR usage. For example, I have two DVR units in my house (a ReplayTV and a Comcast HD DVR) and I rarely watch live TV anymore. If my household were a Nielsen Ratings Household (which it is not ), the TV shows that I watch on my DVR would not be included in the ratings for my household. This would include the TV shows that deserve my ratings the most, since I make sure that my favorite shows are always recorded on my DVR. I think this is the case for any Nielsen household that has a DVR, so including these DVR viewings in the ratings will only help to make the Nielsen ratings a more accurate representation of the number of viewers of a TV show. It’s also a sign that the DVR is here to stay — which is also a good thing!

Technorati Tags: Nielsen, DVR, Ratings, ReplayTV, Comcast

Popularity: 3% [?]

For everyone who has a TiVo, here’s your chance to cast your vote for the Academy Awards and possibly win a 60GB Video iPod! TiVo is currently running their Golden Statuette Contest where TiVo Series 2 owners will be able to submit their picks for the Academy Awards. By making your picks on your TiVo, you are automatically entered in the contest to win the Video iPod.

You will need to have your TiVo connected to a network (not sure why, but on the TiVo blog this is listed as a requirement) and you have to make your votes by Sunday, March 5th at 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (right before the Oscars start). The winner will be the person who has the highest number of correct picks. But be sure to vote soon — in the case of a tie, the user who voted first will be the winner!

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Oscars, Academy Awards

Popularity: 2% [?]

This just in from Sky Plus, the UK Digital Satellite Service. They have just added a new feature to their combination satellite receivers and DVR units — the ability for users to schedule a recording from a trailer or promo!

While watching trailers or promos for certain TV shows, users will be able to schedule a recording for the show by just pressing the record button during the promo. This is a great idea! Sky Plus has definitely one upped Tivo with this one. Usually, Tivo is the leader when it comes to new and innovative features, but this is one time they have been beaten to the punch. This is such a simple but great feature that Tivo definitely needs to copy. It would be one more unique feature that would definitely put them ahead of all the other American DVRs on the market.

Technorati Tags: Sky Plus, Tivo, DVR

Popularity: 6% [?]

With the ever increasing competition from Cable Company DVR units, which have no upfront costs for the consumer, Tivo is considering offering it’s DVR boxes for free but with a higher charge for the monthly service. According to Tivo CEO Tom Rogers, the company will soon be offering a range of pricing options, including plans with no upfront costs (free!) and one with all upfront costs — no monthly service charge!

Tivo has tried offering free DVRs before for a limited period of time. During the 2005 holiday season, 40 hour units were available for free but you had to sign up for a plan with a higher monthly charge — $16.95 per month versus the usual $13 per month when you buy the unit. I’m assuming that since they are considering offering this option on a permanent basis, it must have been successful when they offered it last year.

To be successful, Tivo needs to increase their subscriber base, which is currently approximately 4 million subscribers. While offering the Tivo units for free will definitely help them compete with Cable companies that do not charge for their DVR’s (they only charge for the monthly service), I’m not sure that this is a good long term solution for them. If they have to charge a higher price for the monthly service fee than the cable companies, the customers they are trying to get by offering the free Tivos will probably still go to the cable companies. Tivo may be better, but the cable set top boxes are catching up and their is nothing to buy and the monthly charge is less! If Tivo is going to succeed, they need to concentrate on making people believe that a Tivo is better. Otherwise, they will all just be generic DVRs and the cheapest box will win!

Technorati Tags: Tivo, DVR, Cable

Popularity: 3% [?]

What the heck is Intel Viiv Technology? This is a question that everybody seems to be asking, but nobody seems to have a definitive answer. While it seems like it is some great new multimedia convergence technology for computers, I just don’t think that’s the case.

Browsing Intel’s website and reading what they say Viiv is (they should know — it’s their technology, after all), at first you get the impression that this is some new technology involving the new Pentium D (Dual Core) processors that will allow you to download and watch movies, music, and TV shows on your PC and share them throughout your house. It gives the impression that you won’t be able to do these things without Viiv and that you will have to go out and buy a new computer with Viiv to get these capabilities. But I can do these things on my computer now and I don’t have Viiv!

In reality, Viiv appears to be nothing more than a specification from Intel for a “Media Center PC”. From Intel’s website:

Your Intel® Viiv™ technology-based PC:

Processor
Dual-core processing power means smooth performance and complete control of your digital media.

Chipset
Advanced technology works in harmony with Intel® drivers for vivid graphics, smooth video playback and supports up to 7.1 channel surround sound.

Operating system
Windows XP Media Center Edition makes it easy to control and enjoy your digital media.

Your TV
Enjoy the benefits of dual-core power from the comfort of the couch. Access verified entertainment services that are optimized to fit your TV for an outstanding experience.

Viiv is nothing more than a fast computer running Windows XP Media Center Edition that may or may not contain a TV Tuner and remote control. But by marketing this as an “Intel Technology”, people are going to believe that they need to have an Intel Dual Core Processor and an Intel Chipset and Motherboard, when really any computer with the right hardware will work.

Viiv is marketing hard at work for Intel. And now that ReplayTV is no longer making hardware but only selling their software for computers, they are going to have a hard time competing with the Intel / Microsoft marketing juggernaut. If computers are being sold with Windows XP Media Center Edition pre installed, why would anyone buy a copy of the ReplayTV software? They already have everything they need to watch, download, and record TV and, according to Intel, they need XP Media Center Edition and Viiv to do these things.

It’s definitely going to be an uphill battle for ReplayTV. The only way they will be able to compete with Intel and Microsoft is to somehow make users see the value in their more powerful and mature solution, which is not going to be easy. Right now, most people don’t even know what ReplayTV is!

Technorati Tags: ReplayTV, Viiv, Intel, Microsoft, Windows XP Media Center Edition

Popularity: 2% [?]

Over at Tivo Central, their current most watched shows list is dominated by the Olympics. I guess this is no surprise, although I’m still not sure what this list means — is it shows that have been watched live or recorded by Tivo users? There is a seperate list for the most recorded shows, so I’m assuming that this is the shows that were watched live.

Although it may not be a surprise for most to see the Olympics dominating this list, for me I just don’t seem to care. These Olympics seem very boring to me — no controversy, no real underdog stories, just boring. Maybe there might be some interest in the Womens Figure Skating competition with the whole Michelle Kwan and Emily Hughes debacle but I just can’t seem to find a compelling reason to watch.

On a related note, I’m surprised to see The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on this list not only once but twice. Are that many people really watching The Daily Show? I’ve never really seen it, but apparently I’m going to have to try and watch it — I must be missing out on something good …

Technorati Tags: Tivo, Olympics, Figure Skating, Michelle Kwan, Emily Hughes, The Daily Show, Jon Stewart

Popularity: 8% [?]

TiVo has released an updated version of their desktop client for the Mac, v 1.9.2. The previous version would not work on OS X 10.4 (Tiger). If you tried to install it, the installer would crash at the end of the installation. There was a user created fix that would make it work but of course most people were probably not even aware of this solution.

Version 1.9.2 is fully compatible with OS X Tiger, although you have to wonder why it took so long for them to release this fix when TiVo users were able to fix the problem much faster!

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Apple, Mac, OS X Tiger

Popularity: 4% [?]

It seems like at some point during every new season of American Idol, someone starts a rumor that Comcast is blocking DVR functions during American Idol. Well, it’s happened again. There are various rumors floating about the Internet that Comcast is blocking certain DVR functions like fast forward during some Fox shows including American Idol.

It’s just not true.

I currently have a Scientific Atlanta HD DVR from Comcast (and I have had it for multiple seasons of American Idol) and I have never had any issues using any of the DVR functions with American Idol or any TV Show. I think people are so paranoid that someday they won’t be able to fast forward through commercials (which may happen) that they think any problem or glitch with their DVR is a conspiracy to make them watch the commercials!

I’ve definitely had my share of problems with DVR units from Comcast and I think that’s what is going on here. Most likely, somebody had a problem with their DVR malfunctioning during American Idol and they’ve mistaken it for Comcast intentionally disabling the DVR.

If anybody has proof that they have been blocked from using their DVR with American Idol I would love to see it — while it’s possible, I just don’t think it is happening.

Technorati Tags: American Idol, DVR, Comcast, Scientific Atlanta

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rumors have been flying around the net that Cisco may be looking to buy Tivo. CNet is speculating that since the announced acquisition of set top box maker Scientific Atlanta by Cisco, this may not be so far fetched.

While this is just a rumor, the combination of Cisco, Linksys, and Tivo would create a home media networking powerhouse. Right now, trying to integrate a Tivo into your home network is a daunting task. It’s difficult enough to find a wired usb network adapter for a Tivo and you can just forget about making your Tivo wireless — even if you can find a compatible wireless adapter, you also need to have updated to the latest Tivo software.

If Cisco were to acquire Tivo, Linksys routers and wireless adapters could be made to integrate seamlessly with Tivo units. It would even be possible for the router to recognize the Tivo unit and be able to prioritize it’s traffic so that streaming video from your Tivo over a wireless network would be much more consistent.

To Dream for the Ultimate Home Media Networking Setup …

Technorati Tags: Tivo, Cisco, Linksys

Popularity: 5% [?]

Apparently, Microsoft has decided to go the route of Google and try the “throw it against the wall and see if it sticks” method of product marketing. The Microsoft Program Guide, a subscription TV guide service for owners of the LG LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder, is now free for all users of this LG product. Currently, the LG LRM-519 is the only DVR that uses the Microsoft Program Guide for it’s TV listings and it used to cost $9.99 a month to subscribe.

By making the Program Guide free, Microsoft is trying to see if they can get any attention brought to this product and to try and get DVR makers to use their software. If it gets popular, I’m sure they will find more ways to make money from this product — add on services, premium listings, etc. If this doesn’t work, it will just go away — hey, it’s a free product and you can’t really complain when they won’t give you something for free anymore!

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, LG, Program Guide, DVR, Tivo, ReplayTV

Popularity: 2% [?]

Variety is reporting that various TV Networks and Studios are unhappy with TiVo’s recent announcement that they are adding support for downloading shows from your TiVo to the Video iPod and the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP). NBC is actually making some vague legal threats:

“TiVo appears to be acting unilaterally, disregarding established rights of content owners to participate in decisions regarding the distribution and exploitation of their content…”

Sounds to me like NBC is none too happy with TiVo. I would think that ABC would be even more upset than NBC considering their deal with Apple. Since ABC is selling shows through iTunes for use on the Video iPod, this will directly compete with their offering — and it’s free! While the number of people who own a TiVo, Video iPod, and have a home network that will let them use the TiVoToGo software to transfer shows to their iPod is currently relatively small, this might make the purchase of a TiVo more attractive — imagine being able to record any TV show and transfer it to your iPod for free.

While this is a great feature for TiVo owners, I think that we’ll be hearing more from the TV Networks on this one — especially in court.

Technorati Tags: TiVo, PSP, iPod, NBC, ABC, TiVoToGo

Popularity: 2% [?]

Reality TV, remakes of an old favorite, and repeats of a new favorite highlight what’s on my ReplayTV today:

• The Outer Limits – SciFi is showing The Outer Limits all day today. This isn’t the original Outer Limits but remakes of the show from the mid nineties. While these aren’t quite as good as the black and white originals (are any remakes as good as the original?) I still enjoy them — probably because I’m a sucker for any Twilight Zone type of show.
• The Sopranos – HBO is still showing repeats of The Sopranos. This time it’s the fifth season finale, All Due Respect. For some reason, I never get tired of The Sopranos. While I’ve probably seen this episode three times (and I’ll see it many more times on DVD), any time I see the Sopranos on my ReplayTV, I start watching and I’m hooked. All I want to know is When will the new season start?
• The Biggest Loser – This is the season finale where the winner will be revealed and I can’t stop myself from watching. Every time I talk about this show, I just can’t believe that I watch it, no less actually record it. It’s embarassing. I actually know the names of the people on the show. But I guess in a way, this show is actually good for these people — it’s helping them to lose weight and get healthy.
• Law and Order: Special Victims Unit — I’m still a fan of this show, but what’s up with the seperation of Benson and Stabler? It seems like every episode this season has focused on one or the other and we never see them working together anymore. Is there a reason for this? Did they have a falling out? I’ve searched on the Internet and have been unable to find an explanation for this. Everybody has noticed it, but nobody knows why they really aren’t on screen together anymore. SVU definitely works better when Benson and Stabler are actually partners and work together on cases.

Technorati Tags: ReplayTV, The Outer Limits, The Sopranos, The Biggest Loser, Law and Order

Popularity: 16% [?]