Comcast, Panasonic showing off portable DVR

Admit it -- you've got a continual backlog in your DVR that you never get through. Welcome to the downside of massive storage. Until someone invents a longer day, Comcast and Panasonic are making it so that you never have to be parted from your content as a stopgap measure. The Comcast AnyPlay Portable DVR does normal duty as your home HD DVR. But presto-change-o, the P-DVR can be removed from its dock and strapped to the AnyPlay P-DVR TZ-LC100, allowing you to view your content on a 8.5-inch LCD (not HD, it's safe to say). The module also gives you 60GB of recording room for filling up on the go. If this is just what you've been waiting for, say thanks to the now officially renamed tru2way.

[Bob @ Jan 7th 2008 12:50PM]

If Comcast is involved, we won't see it for at least 12 more years (Comcast Tivo, anyone?)

[enderzero @ Jan 7th 2008 12:52PM]

Problem is - if I have this thing with me on the go, then it isn't at home recording my shows. Fundamental design flaw?

[whatishalo? @ Jan 7th 2008 12:58PM]

Is that thing really portable? Seems more 'luggable' than portable unless it is smaller than it seems in the picture.

[ewoijoweijr @ Jan 7th 2008 1:04PM]

About the AnyPlay P-DVR

What It Looks Like: Resembles a portable DVD player with a built-in folding 8.5” LCD video screen and speakers.

Recordings: Records programs with its 60GB hard drive. It also plays back many conventional DVDs and audio CDs.

On the Move: Docks onto a companion docking station that functions as a standard DVR set-top box. The docking station lets customers watch and record their favorite programs on their television sets.

Standalone: Can also be used as a television with its built-in screen and can be taken out of its docking station so recorded programs can be watched anywhere on the AnyPlay P-DVR. An audio headphone jack also supports personal viewing.

Power: Has its own internal battery and the docking station also acts as a battery charger. When away from home, the undocked player can be connected to another TV via an AV cable for program playback. On the road, the P-DVR can be powered by an auto adapter when used in autos and RVs.

Formats: Supports a variety of popular digital video and audio formats.

What Makes it Tick: Is enabled by tru2way technology, formerly known as the OpenCable Applications Platform, and is a common software platform that enables cable companies, content developers, network programmers, consumer electronics companies and others to extend interactivity across a variety of consumer electronic devices.

[Paul @ Jan 7th 2008 1:52PM]

That thing is hideous.

[Ernie Oporto @ Jan 7th 2008 1:53PM]

If the thing were a device with mirrored drives, then ejecting one part would break the mirror, allowing you to be on the go, and would sync back up when you arrived back home. Not so far fetched since most of these devices are usually linux based and drive mirroring is a really old RAID 1 technology that can just be done in software.

[wolf @ Jan 7th 2008 3:24PM]

they're overthinking this. just give the set-top DVR a slot for a storage card and the ability to transfer recordings over to the card. pull the card, put it in a laptop, PMP, portable DVD player with SD slot, etc. then the recorder stays home to do its recording. you don't need the whole drive with you.

[Gordy @ Jan 7th 2008 3:29PM]

fugLEE!

[The_Steven @ Jan 7th 2008 4:59PM]

In which test market? Where, When, and how much?

[Matt @ Jan 7th 2008 5:43PM]

How about the ability to sync to our existing smaller and less hideous portable media players?