Hasta La Gadget!

We haven’t heard a lot about TiVo’s Stream transcoder since it was officially unveiled in May, but today emails went out to winners of a Facebook contest informing them they can pre-order one for $129 (plus shipping) and receive it on September 5th. In case you’ve forgotten what its capabilities are, the notice shown above from Zatz Not Funny also includes a description of its capabilities which include streaming shows to up to three different mobile devices (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) in the home at once, streaming a show to your mobile as it’s recorded, or wirelessly transferring shows to the device to view them on the move, TiVoToGo-style. Those interested will of course need a Premiere series DVR that’s hard-wired to a router, but with that it’s just a one time fee to easily cut the tether on TV content. Interestingly, a few TiVo Community posters report being able to preorder from the listed number without being in the contest, so if you’re already intending to jump just pick up the phone and give it a shot.

[Thanks, @BrennokBob, Joe]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

TiVo Stream DVR-to-iOS transcoder box pops up for $129 pre-orders early originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just yesterday a report from The Wall Street Journal suggested that Apple was in talks with cable companies to provide a set-top box capable of watching live TV while mixing in custom apps. The publication has now further detailed the plans in a second report, suggesting that the company is planning to simplify the methods of watching content. Apple ultimate goal is to “erase the distinction between live and on-demand content.”

Apple is pitching the idea of users being able to watch any show at any time by storing content in the cloud, not unlike its current iTunes service. The company is taking the idea one step further, however, believing that users could start watching a show just a few minutes after it’s officially begun on live TV, functionality which closely resembles Time Warner’s Start Over service.

The crucial detail for Apple is the simplification of the user interface. Just like the Apple TV or iPad, users would be presented with a series of icons and apps rather than bars and context menus found on current set-top boxes. The Wall Street Journal notes that the design may be different than what we’re used to, but the interface will be expressly intended for ease of use over current cable and satellite boxes.

The most interestingly detail is that Apple could tie in social features to the new box: users may be able to share what they’re watching via Twitter or other social networks. Apple hasn’t had a great deal of success when it’s come to social networks in the past, but its tight Twitter and Facebook integration in iOS and Mountain Lion plus this latest information means the company is taking such networks seriously. Finally, The Wall Street Journal indicates that Apple would hope to take content from the box and make it available across other Apple products like the iPhone and iPad.

Apple’s rumored TV box to include cloud DVR, simple UI is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

After being teased earlier in the year, v4.0 of the Sky+ app for iPad has arrived in the UK and brought a number of new features to subscriber’s tablets. Now, it can be used as a remote control to change channels or select DVR functions, as well as view scheduled recordings and add to or change them, or just browse the TV guide’s new look. Even with the changes however, Sky has more planned for later this summer when it will integrate zeebox technology to bring second screen features and data to accompany live TV. The free app is up in iTunes now, however customers will need the latest HD guide upgrade on their cable box that’s connected to the same local network as the iPad to make it all work. There’s a quick demo video of the new features embedded after the break plus more official information on the Sky website.

Continue reading Sky+ iPad app update brings remote control and DVR scheduling

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs

Sky+ iPad app update brings remote control and DVR scheduling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo owners who’ve wanted to record any more than two shows at a time or use more recent technology like MoCA have had to look towards the wallet-busting Premiere XL4, at least if they didn’t happen to rely on a cable provider bundling the Premiere Q. Thankfully, TiVo has told Zatz Not Funny that a more affordable Premiere 4 option is on the way. The new DVR will still require QAM digital cable or FiOS TV for its tuners to sing, but its 500GB of space will likely lead to a significant price cut versus the 2TB-touting XL4 — if also a whole lot of deleted old shows. MoCA, an eSATA port and a single CableCARD slot will carry over, so there’s few other penalties in store for those who pass on the XL4 flagship. We don’t have any official word on the launch strategy so far, although one loose-lipped rep has floated the rumor of a release within the next one to two months at $250 price tag. If true, the Premiere 4 will go a long way towards satisfying TV junkies who are more concerned about catching every show in a crowded prime time slot (and a lower cost) than digging through months-old archives.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony has confirmed its rearranged launch plans for the nasne networked media recorder, having been forced to postpone sales last month after hard-drive faults were discovered in the first batch. The PS3-lookalike PVR will arrive in Japanese store shelves on August 30, alongside the similarly-delayed PS3 update and a new VAIO TV with nasne app for Sony laptops.

There’ll also be new software for Sony Tablet users, plus those with a PSP or PSP Vita ; they, along with their VAIO PC counterparts, will be able to remotely access the nasne and stream live and recorded digital terrestrial and satellite content across their network. Sony’s gadget also supports standard DLNA streaming for non-Sony devices, such as Microsoft’s Xbox 360 or Smart TVs.

nasne packs both a terrestrial tuner and a satellite tuner, along with a 500GB hard-drive and a B-CAS card slot for paid broadcast access. It allows for live streaming and recording, as well as remote access from outside of the home network, pausing live TV, and sharing photos and music as with a regular NAS.

Originally, nasne was intended to go on sale on July 19 in Japan, but at the last moment Sony identified an issue with the SATA drives believed to be down to issues in how they had been transported. The PVR box is priced at 16,800 yen ($214), and Sony is yet to announce any international launch plans.

Sony nasne delayed PS3 PVR ships August 30 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.