Nov 10

AVerMedia Turns Your PC Into a DVR

Posted in: dvr, Today's Chili

AverMediaHD-DVR.jpgWhy get a separate DVR when you already have a computer? That’s the idea behind the just-released AVerTV HD DVR. This PCI Express card lets you record high-def video from your cable or satellite set-top box with two HDMI inputs. Use the included software to schedule recordings, and use the included dongle to input video from component, composite, and S-video connections, as well.

While the card records 1080i H.264 video, it does so at a 320-by-240 resolution, so it isn’t right for playing back on a big screen. The company is billing it more for use with portable devices, such as the iPod, iPhone, and PSP. Gamers can record their game sessions and post them online, and anyone can burn their recordings to DVD. The card works with Windows 7, Vista, and XP computers. Pick up the card from AVerMedia’s site for $99.

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Nov 09

Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model

Posted in: dvr, Today's Chili

Although Moxi hasn’t really taken a piece of our heart, it has kept its promise of updates with the third one due just before the holiday season. The most notable news today from Moxi’s new owner Arris though is a new three tuner HD DVR, which we believe is the first to break the two tuner barrier (that isn’t PC based). The new model is only available bundled with either one, or two Moxi Mates for $799 or $999. You can still buy the dual tuner version by itself which now retails for $499 instead of $799 — don’t forget, Moxi doesn’t charge service fees — and the Moxi Mate itself is now $299 instead of $399. The bad news it that the no interest payment options are off the table. The best news for existing Moxi owners is that the Fall update brings Live TV streaming to the Moxi Mate as well as new recording defaults, but we continue to wait for the ability to customize the Recorded TV list. All in all, Moxi has made much progress since we did our review, but our biggest gripe goes unaddressed, but then again we really didn’t expect Moxi to redesign the entire UI just because we didn’t like it.

Continue reading Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model

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Moxi Fall update comes with a lower price and a new 3 tuner model originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 02

Are DVRs actually going to save the network TV model?

Posted in: dvr, Today's Chili

Stay tuned for the network’s latest DVR strategy: acceptance. Armed with the latest Nielsen data, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are rushing to tell advertisers that even with a set-top box and its bevy of pauses, fast forwards and 30 second skips at the ready — we’re guessing this doesn’t apply to Media Center users on automated setups — most viewers simply settle in and watch the commercials anyway. The New York Times breaks down the commercial-plus-three ratings system the networks initially opposed that could end up saving shows like Heroes from cancellation — though a return to the old way of thinking might be worthwhile if it means an end to that show’s now pitiable existence.

Are DVRs actually going to save the network TV model? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 30

Media Manager for Mac enables iPhone / iTunes media streaming to FiOS TV DVR (video)

Posted in: Apple, dvr, iPhone, itunes, Mac, os x, OsX, Software, stream, streaming, Today's Chili

We’re hearing that the PC version of this here software still beats out the Mac counterpart, but equality is slowly but surely becoming a reality. The main new feature over on the OS X side, however, is a good one: the ability to stream iPhone and iTunes media directly to your TV via your FiOS TV DVR. Fire up an iTunes playlist and watch the fun roll by on your home TV, and there’s even support for photo slideshows and the like. It’s available to download right now from the read link, and those still skeptical can catch a demonstration vid just past the break.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Continue reading Media Manager for Mac enables iPhone / iTunes media streaming to FiOS TV DVR (video)

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Media Manager for Mac enables iPhone / iTunes media streaming to FiOS TV DVR (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 13

Blockbuster On Demand goes live on TiVo boxes

Posted in: content, dvr, Movies, tivo, Today's Chili

We knew good and well it was coming, and now the deed has been done. As promised, Blockbuster’s On Demand movie rental service has gone live on a bevy of TiVo boxes, enabling Series2, Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs to watch all sorts of releases without needing to purchase another set-top-box or tap into their cable company’s VOD system. We’re told that most rentals will range from $2.99 (for the classics) to $3.99 (for new releases), with the film catalog expected to expand over the coming weeks. HD aficionados will have to wait a tick before seeing any movies available in high-def, but those looking to pick up a new TiVo can now saunter into any Blockbuster retail location in order to claim one. Eager to get in on the action? Fire up your box and hit the “Video On Demand” screen from TiVo Central.

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Blockbuster On Demand goes live on TiVo boxes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 23

Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house

Posted in: cable, dvr, Features, intel, Today's Chili

Look, Moblin and MIDs and USB 3.0 are all well and good, but the real highlight of IDF is hiding in plain sight: it’s Intel’s CE 3100 Media Processor-based Tru2way DVR server, which has three digital cable tuners that can be streamed over a regular gigabit Ethernet or MoCA to any number of clients, ranging from other 3100-based set-top boxes to DLNA devices like laptops and even the PS3. It’s seriously cool — the clients all see the server’s tuners as their own, so the experience is seamless, and since it all runs on the Tru2way stack, it doesn’t matter what kind of client you plug in — the three clients on the show floor were running interfaces from Intel, Comcast (Rovi), and Digeo. Of course, since it’s a DVR, you can actually add more clients than tuners and have them play back recorded content while your other boxes use the tuners — Intel was demoing XBMC on a Sony laptop connecting over DLNA and streaming a recorded program while a PS3 nearby ran a photo slideshow, all while the three cable clients streamed uncompressed HD video from the tuners. Intel says a number of cable companies are interested in deploying this stuff and that we should see things on the market in the next year — we honestly can’t wait. Check a video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house

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Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 22

Digeo purchased by Arris, promises continued Moxi development, sales and support

Posted in: dvr, set-top-box, Today's Chili

After a post-CES “streamlining” resulted in layoffs and left highly anticipated products like the Multi-Room HD DMR to never see the light of day the future of Moxi DVR builder Digeo has remained in doubt, but that’s all behind us as it has been acquired by ARRIS. Promising not only continued support for current Moxi customers but also plans to continue to develop and market the line of products, it appears the communications company sees this as a way to expand its own networking expertise. The cost to snap up Digeo’s IP, 75 employees and other assets? A mere $20 million cash – we expect to find out more details via conference call tomorrow, any questions you want answered about the future of Moxi? Let us know in the comments, whether this means the UI will get a makeover is already on our list.

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Digeo purchased by Arris, promises continued Moxi development, sales and support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 08

Apple Exec Dismisses Idea of DVR-Equipped Apple TV

Posted in: Apple, apple tv, dvr, Media Players, rumors, Television, Today's Chili, videos

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Have you ever dreamed of an Apple TV featuring a TiVo-like digital video recorder? We have. But unfortunately an Apple executive has squashed any possibility of that ever happening — and with it, he’s probably also killed any chance Apple TV had of becoming a major success.

Apple’s chief financial officer Tim Oppenheimer told investment bank Caris and Company that Apple killed the idea of a DVR-equipped Apple TV because it doesn’t fit in with the company’s business. That makes sense: Apple sells movies and TV episodes via iTunes, and a DVR certainly wouldn’t help with sales.

Then again, if you want an Apple-branded DVR, you can always get a Mac Mini, load on Boxee, and connect one of those Elgato TV tuners. Bonus: The Mac Mini includes a DVD player, so it can even play your Netflix discs — something Apple TV can’t do.

We never thought an Apple TV with DVR was going to happen, but we hoped. Now we’ll just let it go and dream about something else. An official Google Voice app for iPhone perhaps? Hah!

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Photo: nialkennedy/Flickr


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Sep 08

Apple CFO says DVR, CableCARD not coming to Apple TV

Posted in: apple tv, cable, dvr, set-top-box, Today's Chili

Although Apple has always referred to the Apple TV as a “hobby,” there’s been a lot of speculation regarding the future of the box recently — it was first introduced nearly three years ago, and although the interface has since been upgraded, it’s still essentially the same product, leading to whispers that Apple was working on a new DVR-enabled model with CableCARD tuners that would replace your cable box. Awesome, right? Not so fast — according to analysts at Caris and Company, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer “pretty much killed” that idea when they asked him about it, saying it didn’t mesh with Apple’s business. Yeah, it’s sad, but it makes a lot of sense — Apple probably doesn’t want you to record for free what you can buy from the iTunes Store, and we can’t imagine anyone at Apple looking back at their experience with AT&T and deciding that partnering up with Comcast or Time Warner Cable was the next logical move. Still — doesn’t it seem like it’s time for something to happen with the Apple TV? Who know, maybe we’ll find out tomorrow.

[Via iLounge]

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Apple CFO says DVR, CableCARD not coming to Apple TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 27

Sony introduces five new feature-packed, confusingly-named Blu-ray DVRs

Posted in: blu-ray, dvr, sony, Today's Chili
Sony introduces five new feature-packed, confusingly-named Blu-ray DVRs

Now that Toshiba’s getting in on the Blu-ray train, Sony needs to up its game. Enter a quintet of new players, each packing TV recording tech, overlapping feature sets, and seemingly nonsensical names. Starting at the low end is the BDZ-RS10, which sports a measly single digital tuner and 320GB worth of storage. Next up is the BDZ-EX30, adding a second digital tuner and a Blu-ray recorder into the action. Then the BDZ-EX50 moves up to 500GB of storage and adds PSP support, the BDZ-RX100 goes up to a full 1TB, and the BDZ-EX200 2TB. All but the lowest two support DLNA and can spin an hours worth of video to a PSP or X-1000 in under two minutes, meaning you could sync the entire Battlestar Galactica series in just over two hours and get your Cylon fix wherever you like.

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Sony introduces five new feature-packed, confusingly-named Blu-ray DVRs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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