DirecTV, Intel to connect DVRs with Viiv PCs

In case 80 cores doesn't get you going, perhaps this will: in other news to come out of the Intel Developers Forum, DirecTV and Intel are joining forces to produce the DirecTV Plus HD DVR -- which we first heard about all the way back at CES -- allowing viewers to check out content via the interweb when connected to a Viiv PC. In addition, there will be a new software update for DirecTV subscribers by the end of the year that turns subscribers' set-top-boxes into digital media adapters, the companies said in a press release earlier today. The new DVR, to be released later this fall, will capture 200 hours of standard definition programming or 50 hours of HD, or whatever combination of the two your little heart desires.

[Via CNET]

[Mr.Ortiz @ Sep 26th 2006 9:46PM]

Hey look, it's a Wiiiv! I smell a lawsuit.

[LittleJoe @ Sep 26th 2006 11:28PM]

ViiV ---> VVii


haha classic.

[Giltronic @ Sep 26th 2006 10:03PM]

so this is the mini killer we were expecting.
this isn't in the same market as the mini.

[Alex @ Sep 26th 2006 10:11PM]

I still don't understand what Viiv is.

[adam @ Sep 26th 2006 10:24PM]

viiv is simply a platform brand just like centrino

or at least thats how i understand it

[telepheedian @ Sep 26th 2006 11:12PM]

The HD DVR is already out. http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900025

[Droford @ Sep 26th 2006 11:38PM]

Directv's own HD-DVR is terrible from the accounts Ive read, and its ashame because the HD-Tivo is awesome (which is what I have). I dont look forward to the day I have to trade it in for their own one.

[Johan S @ Sep 26th 2006 11:40PM]

Isn't the future simply to download the shows u missed? Why bother with a DVR? Yea i suppose it's useful for the next 3-4 years until companies decide to put their stuff/and searchable show transcripts online. But I reckon DVRs'll be obsolete before even getting in vogue.

[Christopher @ Sep 27th 2006 12:25AM]

If it doesn't have TiVo, I'm not buying it.

[Rob @ Sep 27th 2006 12:36AM]

Droford, I have had ReplayTV, and currently own a TiVo and a DirecTV PVR. I actually think the Replay works pretty well, and the image quality is a little better than the separate TiVo. The main reason I prefer the TiVo is the way it guesses where you meant to stop when you fast forward or rewind. It's funny, because the feature doesn't seem like a big deal, but it really makes life easier. Oh, the DirecTV also has a brief delay in the audio when you start something -- seems like a very minor bug. Anyway the DirecTV is FAR from terrible -- and it was free (with a contract)!

[Jake @ Sep 27th 2006 12:46AM]

FYI, the linked CNET article said that DirecTv is only going to allow access to photos and music stored on your PC -- NOT web based video.

[Cyrus Farivar @ Sep 27th 2006 11:15AM]

"First announced at CES in January, the set-top box comes with hardware and software that lets television watchers access Internet-based content when connected to a Viiv PC."

[Steve Packard @ Sep 27th 2006 12:50AM]

What is Viiv? Viiv is...nothing. It's a "certification." But it actually doesn't mean anything. It's Intel's platform for PC and entertainment use. But what do I mean by "platform"? Well...if it has an intel processor and hardware/software which is made by intel or supports their features. Really the only thing that sets it apart from other hardware is that it is gaurenteed to have thier hardware-based DRM support. (In otherwords, it has deeply embeded stuff which reduces your abilities to enjoy your entertainment and strictly dictates what devices you can watch it on ect).

Of course, not all DRM (or even most of it) uses the Viiv crap, because most computers do not have it. But apparently this does. I, personally, avoid DRM like the plague. If I want a song I get a drm-free MP3. If I really like the album I buy and rip the CD. Okay...now I'm totally off topic. But more or less: Viiv is a name for a certification that gaurentees drm complience (which many other intel processors have anyway). I think this also has the super-hypro technology and the neutro-furturific-super enginer embeded. It also comes with mega-ultra logic and the wow-star-3000.

[yubastard @ Sep 27th 2006 1:45AM]

as long as DRM is not viral, then there's no problem if the hardware complies... no?

[Ferny @ Sep 27th 2006 3:25AM]

so viiv is still a flop?

[Toe TagR @ Sep 27th 2006 7:59AM]

Viiv is a cute little sticker for idiots that want something nobody has. The fact is Viiv is just like centrino...centrino is hardware that when pieced together saves electricity, and Viiv is a media center PC, and a desperate cry for help by intel.

[Cyrus Farivar @ Sep 27th 2006 11:52AM]

Sorry, in case that wasn't clear, that quote was direct from the CNET piece.

[Carlton Bale @ Sep 28th 2006 9:36AM]

Too bad they didn't enable similar functionality on their DirecTV TiVos two years ago. Or even enable it now after-the-fact. Because it's being developed by DirecTV and Intel, I have no hope for it being an attractive offering.

[londaria @ Nov 29th 2006 3:44AM]

I work as a customer service rep for DirecTV. The HD-DVR's suck. They're a pain to activate, a pain to reset, and almost every single time give me an error message when activating. So needless to say, i'm not looking forward to this product.