EPG
Latest
Sky's new program guide will recommend you new shows to try
If Sky has a problem, it's that there's simply too much material for anyone to quickly and easily find what they want in a short space of time. In a world where people are very comfortable just choosing the first thing that Netflix recommends for them, it could become a very serious issue. That's why the company's latest software update for its Sky+ boxes is designed to ensure you've always got something new to watch. The first new feature is smart series link, so if you've previously told your box to record every episode of a TV series, that instruction will carry over to subsequent seasons. That way, you'll never miss the premiere episode of a returning show, even if you don't have access to your setup for some reason.
Sky's new program guide fuses live TV with online content
In an effort to put more content at the touch of viewers' fingertips, Sky's bringing together live TV and online content as part of a new 'Homepage' rollout for Sky+ boxes. As part of the update, the company has combined Catch Up TV, Sky Store, and Sky+ Planner for the first time, giving them equal prominence in its new tile-based electronic program guide (EPG). The reasons behind the change are clear: Sky recognized the importance of online streaming and on-demand television early on and has developed various services that can compete with Virgin Media, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Apple's iTunes in their own right. Now it wants people to use them more. To mirror the changes on its set-top boxes, Sky says the Sky+ app will also receive an update, in which it will gain an option to turn Sky+HD boxes on and off from a mobile device. While the new Homepage will be available from today, it may take until the end of May for it to become available for all.
Arris brings Moxi HD DVR sales to an end, plans to cut off guide data after 2013... maybe
While Moxi may live on in spirit as a white label multiroom HD DVR for cable companies, parent company Arris announced on its website this week the retail boxes and extenders are no longer being sold. Initially, a note on the company's home page indicated tech support and guide data would come to an end at the end of 2013 as noted by Zatz Not Funny, but references to that have since been removed. Potentially abandoned users on AVS Forum have already started looking for alternative ways to keep the guide data flowing and possibly get help from Arris in prying open the code to do so. We've contacted Arris for more information but haven't received a response yet -- we'll update you when / if we do. In the meantime Digeo's baby is still operational, so owners can enjoy however much time they have left, we'd recommend studying up on the stages of grief so you'll understand how to handle them over the next several months.Update: Arris has updated its page, claiming the discontinuation notice was an "error", and that it has "no plans" to discontinue service. Satisfied?[Thanks, Alfred]
DVBLink v4 out of beta, brings live TV, EPG and remote recording on the go
That Boxee client update we saw recently wasn't the only thing brewing over at DVBLogic. It was part of a wider refresh of the company's DVBLink products, including the final release of its Connect! server software that can stream live TV from a network-connected tuner out to Android, iOS and WP client apps with EPG and remote recording. Other improvements include the ability to connect up to eight virtual tuners to Windows Media Center, the promise of less painful WMC setup, as well as a DVBLink Remote API that will allow third parties to create clients for other devices. Check out the full PR for pricing and other details after the break.
ReplayTV escapes the executioner's blade, guide data to continue flowing
We don't know why you're still using a ReplayTV, but if you are then we say congratulations, since you can just keep right on going. Tomorrow was supposed to be the last day guide data would be provided but as shown in this picture from satpro on AVSForum its parent company has reversed course and decided to continue EPG services. As ZatznotFunny points out, there's probably a few TiVo Series 1 owners in the UK hoping for a similar change of fortune, but wile we admire their steadfastness we're still wondering why they won't just switch to something HD.
ReplayTV guide data comes to an end July 31st
DirecTV has carried on the "resurrection" of ReplayTV for a lot longer than we thought it would since purchasing the ancient DVR brand back in '07, but everything comes to an end next month. Zatz Not Funny points out the website has been updated to inform users EPG data will cease July 31st, leaving any stragglers to either find their own sources or to schedule recordings manually. If any users are thinking this is the time to switch (and not, say, anytime in the last decade) we'd suggest SageTV as an option but, you know...
Ask Engadget HD: Best remote with WiFi & EPG?
We've always preferred our program guides up on the screen where our eyes already were, but having a list to skim over without squeezing the action into a corner or hiding it behind text is too appealing for some to give up. So what do you do if you're like Jorge stuck using a remote rendered useless without its EPG info from Philips? "My Philips WiFi RC9800i remote's screen EPG service was terminated on 03/01/2010. I can't find the tvCompass remote for sale anywhere, which in theory has the same feature, so I was wondering, is there any other remote control, current or recently discontinued, that includes an EPG feature? Is there a remote with an EPG updated from TitanTV?" We spotted the tvCompass ESPN branded remote in stock at Target for a smooth $299, but is that really the best alternative? We guess there's always an app or two available for your mobile device of choice, but universal remote functionality would likely still be missing. So, outside of buying a high end Samsung TV or waiting for Sling's Touch Control 100, what's the best option?
HD channel expansion roundup
Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say! Read - Comcast ending analog format for 40 channels (Denver) Read - Hot Springs Village receives additional HD TV channels (Arkansas) Read - Cox Communications announces price increases (Las Vegas) Read - GVTC adds 15 new cable channels (San Antonio) Read - Comcast gearing up to offer more HD and other channels this summer (Arizona) Read - 2010 Olympics? Not in high-definition on local cable (Utica, NY) Read - Verizon Unveils More Interactive FiOS TV Features, Including Navigational Shortcuts, in Mid-Atlantic Markets Read - Time Warner changes high-def channels (Akron, OH) Read - Verizon Brings Customers NBC Universal's Coverage of 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Read - Verizon Expands Its Award-Winning FiOS TV Service to More Than 5,300 Households in Munhall, Pa.
Rovi TV Guide widget debuts on Samsung HDTVs
The agreement between Rovi (formerly Macrovision) and Samsung for EPG data has taken an odd turn with the debut of the TV Guide widget for Samsung's Yahoo! Widget enabled HDTVs. Check the pictures to get an idea of what it looks like, though with host of these televisions likely hooked up to satellite or cable boxes, the usability of these abbreviated "what's on" listings when another click of the remote would bring up a guide that will actually tune to those stations. Still, check the pics for an example of the flexibility of the widget platform, including the option to load up Daily Hotlists from Rovi's editors daily, complete with personal profiles but aren't exactly satiating the appetite we've developed for the Liquid guide demoed earlier this year.
Samsung signs up to use Rovi EPG technology
What this means for consumers is yet to be announced, but with any luck that cool new guide called Liquid, that we saw last month from Rovi, could be coming to Samsung HDTVs. Where all of this fits in with tru2way still remains to be seen as well, but with more and more TVs coming equipped with network connectivity and thus access to accurate guide data and VOD services like Amazon and Netflix, makes us wonder if tru2way will even matter. We suppose this CES will be the real indicator, when we see if CableCARD makes a comeback and if tru2way is a part of it.
International HD news roundup
Here at Engadget HD, we'd prefer not to just focus on high-def happenings in the US of A. Thus, we round up the best of the best from the international front each week and present it here, bundled together in a single, easy to digest list. If something went down in your corner of the globe over the past seven days, let the rest of the world know it in comments. 'Til next week, até à próxima!Read - Sky HD EPG relaunched Read - Fox Pan American Sports Establishes Its First HD Platform on the Intelsat Network Read - Portugal goes for Zen Read - Movies debut on German iTunes store
Sky could open up HD launch queue
DigitalSpy is reporting that Sky (no relation, we're told) is currently "studying the technical feasibility of opening a new electronic program guide launch queue for high-definition channels." In October of last year, the operator closed up its launch queue -- which is what channels use to secure a new slot on Sky's EPG -- after finding that many SD receivers had serious memory constraints. Now, however, Sky is pushing out a software update that "differentiates between those boxes and the HD ones," and it's hoping that these SD units will eventually cooperate while HD services are added. All fingers crossed for everything to pan out.[Image courtesy of MediaUK]
New i-Guide for Comcast, other cable ops, slated for second half of '09
StartOver, switched digital video support, TiVo-style searches and prompts to make sure you're really watching an HD channel are coming to Comcast and other services using the i-Guide software in the second half of '09, hopefully bringing the much-loathed Motorola set-top boxes (& tru2way HDTVs) up to par with other modern DVRs. Multichannel News reports SDV support was originally planned for this year, but got pushed back to the next major release due to glitches. If our early preview at CES '08 was any indication there's a lot to love in the new software, except for the wait until it's released.
Panasonic's tru2way-enabled TH-50PZ80Q plasma lands in Chicago retailer
We were told yesterday that Panasonic's 50-inch VIERA TH-50PZ80Q plasma had made landfall in Chicago at Abt Electronics, and here we have the images to prove it. America's first live commercial tru2way deployment is underway, and this is the spot if you're looking to be among the first to indulge. All yours for $2,299 (the HDTV, that is) -- enjoy the pics below if you're far, far away from the Windy City.%Gallery-34758%[Thanks, Mark]
Panasonic reveals first tru2way HDTVs in Chicago and Denver
We already saw Panasonic's 50-inch TH-50PZ80Q plasma doing the tru2way thing at CEDIA 2008, but the official lever has just been pulled in Denver and Chicago. As of today, Comcast's tru2way platform is active in the aforesaid cities, and the very first tru2way-capable HDTVs are arriving to retail. Eager consumers in the Windy or Mile High City who are ready to ditch the set-top-box altogether without sacrificing VOD and such can polish off their wounded credit cards, as both a 42-inch (TH-42PZ80Q; $1,599.95) and 50-inch (TH-50PZ80Q; $2,999.95) VIERA plasma will be on sale by "late October." As for the rest of the US anxious to dip in the cool, cool waters of tru2way? A few undisclosed locales should be going live with the service "in the coming months," though your guess is as good as ours as to what exactly that means.
Panasonic holds live tru2way demonstration on TH-50PZ80Q plasma
They said they were going to do it, and do it they did. While Samsung's tru2way "demonstration" was barely more than a hack job used to show off what the technology was about, Panasonic demoed the real deal at its CEDIA booth. The 50-inch TH-50PZ80Q plasma contained a real CableCARD (yes, we checked) and was receiving a live signal from Comcast. Denver is just one of a few markets where tru2way is theoretically ready to rock, and according to a Panny rep, the set we saw today is a production unit that will ship sometime "later this year." The idea here is to provide buyers with the ability to insert any CableCARD from any carrier (if you move, for example) into an HDTV, thus eliminating the cable company's stranglehold (best known as a "carrier-issued set-top-box") on you. The demo we saw went over very well -- everything was responsive and image quality was excellent. See for yourself in the gallery at Engadget HD.
Panasonic & Comcast to demonstrate "real" tru2way at CEDIA
Those heading to CEDIA, keep your eyes peeled for something never before seen: a Panasonic tru2way plasma connected to the local Comcast cable system. Despite some differing opinions on the two-way cable standard, actually seeing it working off of the same line that could be running to your living room is a big step. On deck for CEDIA is a display of the Comcast EPG and TV on-demand. The downside is all that functionality could add up to a $300 or so premium over non-tru2way HDTVs, although cable companies could help pick up some of that tab with promotions and rebates. We'll get to decide if it's worth it soon, Panasonic VP Bob Perry told CEPro we can expect the 50-incher on display to hit shelves in time for the holiday season.
Sky's new HD EPG gets peeked
We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.
Macrovision to scrutinize Sunflower Broadband in-guide advertising
With Disney creating a dedicated lair for biometric testing of advertisements and Backchannelmedia pushing its own TV-to-internet ad platform, we aren't too surprised to see Macrovision teaming up with Sunflower Broadband to gauge the effectiveness of yet another advertising alternative. As part of the collaborative effort, EPG usage patterns of an "anonymous sample of Sunflower customers" will be collected and scrutinized in order to "gain insight into how consumers use i-Guide and interact with their DVR, on-demand services and in-guide advertising." In essence, the data will be used to "develop more effective consumer marketing tactics" and understand how subscribers "engage with interactive guide advertising." In-guide advertising? We hate to even think it, but really, what's next?
TWC gets official with Navigator rollout in Raleigh, NC: hands-on
Our hopes fears are true: Time Warner Cable is indeed initiating a rollout of its new Navigator interface -- at least in the greater Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina region, anyway. According to a note sent out to select subscribers in the area, it's only a matter of time before their set-top-box also becomes overcome with the Navigator. As beautiful as it may look, however, the UI is quite dreadful in actual use. Screen changes are noticeably slower, unmodifiable fade effects are utterly annoying and the black flash that occurs each time you activate / deactivate the menu screen could certainly stand to be omitted. Of course, there are a few additional Parental Control features, but really, we're finding a lot more negatives than positives in the upgrade. How do you see things, dear TWC customers? Are you digging the new Navigator? Do you despise it? Chime in below! [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, krithren] %Gallery-21917%
