Hasta La Gadget!

An interesting new set-top box from Boxee has leaked today called the Boxee TV. According to the source who leaked the photographs, the set top box combines an over the air HDTV antenna and DVR functionality allowing users to record programs using free HD broadcasts in the area. The device is also tipped to feature support for web apps.

The set-top box is manufactured by D-Link for Boxee and looks more like a traditional set-top box than some of the company’s previous devices. Previously, Boxee offered the ability to view live TV by connecting a separately available external tuner to their existing products. The new Boxee TV supposedly has that TV tuner built right in.

It appears that the set-top box is available to beta testers right now, and one of those testers snapped some pictures and leaked them. The tipster notes that documentation included implies that you can watch the content recorded on the box on multiple devices. Presumably, that means using the Boxee smartphone app allows users to watch recorded programs on the go.

Other features of the new set-top box include the ability to stream full HD video within the home across a network. Interestingly, rather than the double sided remote control Boxee currently uses that has a keyboard on one side; the Boxee TV apparently uses a traditional single sided remote offering no keyboard control. Reports indicate that it may be a while before this device turns up for your average consumer to purchase, apparently the software the device runs is unstable and crashes frequently with updates promised from Boxee.

[via The Verge]

Leaked Boxee TV gets integrated HDTV antenna and DVR is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’ve been wondering “what will Boxee do next?” there appears to be an answer. A tipster has sent The Verge pics of a new set-top box, still built by D-Link, that ditches the original’s angular design for a more conventional shape and integrates live TV tuning support as well as DVR capabilities. There’s no word on the storage capabilities, but the box advertises an included antenna and remote (lightly refreshed, losing the QWERTY keyboard) and implores owners to “stop wasting money on stuff you don’t watch.” Boxee’s healthy support for internet content, both streamed and locally stored, is still intact and a survey suggests support for viewing content on mobile devices. Not mentioned? Cloudee integration or any cable TV support, encrypted, ClearQAM or otherwise. There’s a few more pics beyond the source link, we’ll start updating our CES watchlist now.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Boxee TV streaming / OTA set-top box and DVR pics leak out originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boxee already has its fingers in quite a few video streaming pies, and now the company has launched the Cloudee service into public beta to let your store and share your own movies. The iPhone or iPod app allows clips to be uploaded and shared with a select group of pals, while permitting commenting and liking in a similar fashion to Google+. The company has also introduced desktop uploading software for Windows or Mac computers, along with a website so your can manage videos “with more than just your thumbs.” In addition, the app is now optimized for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5, and lets you share footage with contacts and publish using Facebook or Twitter. All videos are now private by default and users will enjoy unlimited space to stock videos until Cloudee emerges from beta — at which point, Boxee may require an upgrade to its premium service to add additional content. So, if you’re interested in crossing the video sharing bridge while avoiding the trolls, check the source to see how to sign up.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software

Public Cloudee beta blows in with desktop uploader, new web interface, iPhone 5 optimization originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know News Corp is sinking a whole bunch of money into Roku, thus upping the stakes of the streaming media box war that’s brewing amongst companies such as Apple, Boxee, Western Digital, Microsoft and Sony. While all the boxes are similar, each has its own strengths and weaknesses, . Which one do you use? Which one do you think has the best shot at conquering streaming TV? More »

Comcast and Boxee are collaborating on a new system that could eventually replace CableCARD and allow third-party set-top boxes like the Boxee Box to access encrypted all-digital cable broadcasts. The two companies detailed the proposed approach in a joint FCC filing, initially using an external cable box that would hook up to STBs via ethernet, but eventually migrating to a licensed integrated digital transport adapter (Integrated DTA) that would provide a more streamlined solution.

Boxee and the cable companies have been at each others’ throats in recent months over proposals for encrypting basic cable channels. Such a move, the company argued, would unnecessarily prevent third-party media devices from accessing basic tier channels, forcing viewers into buying STBs directly from cable companies.

Those companies, of course, want to shift to full digital encryption as soon as possible, hence the proposed  two-stage solution to Boxee’s complaints. “The initial solution involves the development as soon as possible of a high-definition digital transport adapter with an ethernet connector (“E-DTA”)” the letter to the FCC says. “This solution would enable a customer with a third-party device to access basic tier channels directly through an ethernet input on such third-party device or via the home network, and to change channels remotely in the E-DTA via a DLNA protocol.”

Although swift, the external adapter could introduce issues around integration with other features in third-party hardware. So, a more longer-term system is also planned, around “the creation of a licensing path for integrating DTA technology into third-party devices (“Integrated DTA”). Such a device could access encrypted basic tier channels without the need for a cable operator-supplied DTA or set-top box.”

Both companies believe the solution is the best way to ensure cable channels are protected but not limited in their availability. In a key difference from current authentication systems, meanwhile, there’s no mention of CableCARD-based technology, with hints that this could eventually be the all-digital replacement to that system.

[via Zatz Not Funny]

Boxee and Comcast reveal cable encryption workaround is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.