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HdDvr posts

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

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Nov 10th 2009 at 12:01AM

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

BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 17th 2009 at 4:01PM

The reason Blu-ray recorders have migrated from Japan to the UK recently -- and why you'll likely never see them in the U.S. -- is all about the copyright holders. Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD, hit the blogs to break down the wheres and hows of the DRM changes associated with bringing FreeSat disc HD DVRs like the Panasonic DMR-BS850 and Humax FOXSAT-HDR to market, basically meaning users are allowed one HD copy of a show, which can be played back on protected devices and connections only (transfer to portable players is planned to the future.) Follow the flow chart for the details, and figure out if it'd be worth it to make your own BD-R DVR backups so easily.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

Is your DISH Network DTVPal DVR having issues?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 26th 2009 at 3:51PM

Crickey! DISH Network's hotly anticipated DTVPal DVR -- which, by the way, is the first standalone OTA HD DVR to come out in years -- seems to be causing all sorts of frustration amongst owners. So much, in fact, that DISH now has engineers trying to replicate problems and issue firmware updates; in the meanwhile, the box has suddenly "sold out" from the DTVPal website. A whole swath of users over at AVSForum have reported erratic freezing, reboots and scheduling gaffs, and DISH is candidly admitting that replacement units are apt to have the same issues. In other words, those experiencing quirks have little choice but to wait things out until a solution is found and an update is distributed. Have you run into any issues with your box? Everything humming along smoothly? Tell us, dear readers.

[Thanks, Joshua]

Sony boosts capacity of its mountable, high-def, BRX-series DVRs

by Tim Stevens posted Jan 19th 2009 at 8:35AM

Those used to recording dozens of hours worth of SD video on DVRs with just a few gigs of storage often have a bit of a surprise when they move into the HD realm; a couple episodes of Pushing Daisies and Lost leave no room for any other prime-time drama. While not matching TiVo's capacious 1TB HD XL, Sony is doing its part with a larger, 320GB version of its BRAVIA BRX-series DVR, the BRX-320. It can tackle about 90 hours of HD content yet is small and light enough to be mountable directly on the back of many Sony displays. No word on what price tag will be affixed when this releases in about a month, but the 250GB model is going for about $300, so you can make your own guesses. Oh, and since that earlier version hasn't made it to US shores yet, don't hold your breath on this one.

[Via AV Watch]

HD roundup on the floor of CES 2009

by Darren Murph posted Jan 10th 2009 at 1:10PM

CES 2009 didn't seen any new size records in terms of diagonal size, but it was still a huge year for high-def. 3D was absolutely everywhere, Blu-ray players were impossible to miss and the internet finally found its way to the HDTV. For a look at all of the hands-on coverage that didn't make it over on this side of the slate, wade through the links below to get caught up.

Read - Engadget HD podcast: CES edition
Read - XStreamHD still kicking, showing off updated hardware
Read - WirelessHD hands on & recklessly-interfering
Read - Live from the '09 BDA press conference
Read - Sling Monitor in-home placeshifter hands-up
Read - TrueHD on an HTPC caught in action
Read - Eyes on Memorex's new MVBD-2520 Blu-ray player
Read - DISH Network ViP 922 HD DVR hands-on and video
Read - Hands-on with ZeeVee's ZvPro and ZvBoxPLUS
Read - Hands on with Dynaudio's updated Focus 220 II loudspeakers
Read - Video: Windows Media Center 7 with touch interface

DirecTV confirms HD DVR / receiver glitch, apologizes profusely

by Darren Murph posted Oct 8th 2008 at 3:58AM

So it's true -- hordes of DirecTV users weren't just dreaming about a glitch that required a painstaking reboot to start the week off. DirecTV has sent out e-mails to loads of affected users which were unexpectedly forced to mash the red "Reset" button located within a door on the front panel of their HD DVR / receiver in order to get things going again. Of course, even the mighty satcaster can't replace any missed recordings that were scheduled, but it is "sincerely" sorry for the inconvenience. You'll still be paying your full bill, though, so it's not that sorry.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Botched DirecTV software update requiring HR2X STBs to be restarted?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 6th 2008 at 4:21PM

Generally, we'd pass something like this off as just coincidence, but when over 95% of 1,000+ respondents confess to sharing the same issue, we simply can't turn the other cheek. It's assumed that DirecTV botched up a software update early this morning that affected a number of HR2X set-tops. Over at DBSTalk, the vast majority of readers who voluntarily took part in a poll affirmed that at least one of their HR2X units required a restart / reboot this morning. We know there's no real point in asking if you too were affected, but that aside, what was DirecTV attempting to send down? The world may never know.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

TiVo HD XL DVR hands-on at CEDIA

by Darren Murph posted Sep 5th 2008 at 5:36AM

Well, what can we say? Here we have a TiVo HD with a subtle "XL" logo there on the bottom left, a more capacious hard drive and a Series 3 remote. That being the case, at least the one parked at CEDIA was outstandingly shiny -- seriously, check it out over at Engadget HD.

TiVo HD XL DVR: 150 hours of HD recording, $599.99, available now

by Darren Murph posted Sep 4th 2008 at 12:01AM

Aw, snap. Not even 24 hours after we learned that a new DirecTV HD TiVo was on the way, in flies word from Denver that a new standalone TiVo is hitting even sooner -- like, today. The TiVo HD XL will become the flagship unit in TiVo's line by offering up 150 hours of high-def recording space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote and a bundled HDMI cable. As with the TiVo HD, this one boasts dual tuners for recording two HD programs simultaneously and a pretty similar design, but unlike the TiVo HD, this one will set you back a full $599.99. Those unaffected by the price tag can order one today from TiVo's website, and we're told to expect the box at various other retailers "as early as next week." Full press release after the break.

Continue reading TiVo HD XL DVR: 150 hours of HD recording, $599.99, available now

TiVo quietly removes Series3 from its webstore

by Darren Murph posted Jul 30th 2008 at 9:35AM

Break out the tissues -- the rumors were true. Or, at least it sure looks that way. As of right now, the only two TiVo units available on the outfit's webstore are the TiVo HD and the Series2, and even if you do a bit of digging and find the still-active Series3 page, you'll notice a glaring Out of Stock notification. Of course, you can still find leftover inventory hanging around at various resellers, but all signs are pointing to this being the final hurrah for the S3. Any touching moments you'd like to share in comments as we all bid the device a fond farewell?

[Thanks, Tim]

TiVo lets users buy stuff from Amazon on their TV, all three QVC fans go wild

by Darren Murph posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 10:23AM

Back in May, TiVo's VP of product marketing got all of our hopes up that the next announcement involving it and Amazon would include HD Unbox content. As you can very clearly see, this is most certainly not the case. Instead, we have the immense pleasure of informing internet-connected Series2, Series3 and TiVo HD owners that they can now buy wares from Amazon without leaving their couch. If browsing through Amazon's extraordinarily huge store with just a remote sounds appealing to you, you're in luck (and mildly insane). Also of note, the new Product Purchase feature will enable advertisers to "market products sold through Amazon on any broadcast or cable network, any TV show, or via any of TiVo's extensive interactive advertising features." In other words, next time you see Dwight using that iconic shredder, you can buy that bad boy right then and there. Take that, Staples.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

TiVo's Tom Rogers speaks of "whole home model"

by Darren Murph posted May 30th 2008 at 11:00AM

During his sit-down at D6, TiVo's head honcho Tom Rogers was grilled with a flurry of questions. Aside from a lengthy back-and-forth over the DVR's ability to skip through ads, we finally got to some real meat. First off, Mr. Rogers noted that he was "hopeful" that TiVo would be launched in the UK "soon." Secondly -- and probably most interestingly -- was the notion that TiVo was working up a "whole home model" in order to solve the problem of needing multiple boxes to service an entire house. Sadly, that snippet is all Tom uttered, so we're left to ponder what's really going on behind the tightly sealed doors at TiVo. Here's to hoping we know more by the time CEDIA rolls around -- you listening, Mr. Rogers?

[Via Electronista]

Seagate reveals Showcase external HDD: for media centers and DVRs

by Darren Murph posted May 19th 2008 at 11:24AM

Great, just great. Soon after Western Digital made a fool of itself by introducing an external hard drive "certified" for use with DISH Network HD DVRs, along comes Seagate to further fuel the hype machine. Announced at this year's Cable Show (after being mentioned at CES), the Showcase storage solution is "designed" to extend storage capacity of DVRs and media centers. In a similar vein, the outfit's newest drives are "compatible with Motorola's s-SATA-capable HD DVRs," and they also come with USB 2.0 ports and up to 1TB of space. No word on a price or any of that jazz, but those who can't figure out that an external hard drive is an external hard drive can look for 'em to land in Q3.

WD's 500GB My DVR Expander drives certified for use with DISH HD DVRs

by Darren Murph posted May 16th 2008 at 2:20PM

From what we can tell, this is just marketing hoopla to get you to buy a drive "certified" for use in a particular application; in all actuality, users can connect any USB 2.0 external hard drive to their DISH Network HD DVR and expand their storage capacity for a one-time fee. Nevertheless, Western Digital has just let loose its 500GB My DVR Expander, which "more than doubles" your available recording hours by storing up to 300 hours of SD content and 60 hours of high-def goodness. As predicted, the drives work with the satcaster's ViP family of HD DVRs, and WD is apparently looking to expand the brand to other carriers as soon as they get with the program and enable USB storage. Those willing to fall for this ploy can procure the half-terabyte drive for $149.99, but considering that the port activation fee is still charged, we can't imagine looking elsewhere first.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

TiVo gets official with Desktop Plus 2.6, enables web video viewing

by Darren Murph posted Mar 18th 2008 at 8:00AM

Well, what do you know? TiVo's delivering as promised with this one, as Desktop Plus 2.6 is indeed going live in March -- just like we were told back in January (and nary a week after TiVo promised YouTube access later this year). Truth be told, there's not a whole lot here that you didn't already get a taste of in our hands-on at CES, but here's the skinny. As of today, TiVo users can grab hold of the latest version of Desktop (Windows only, we're afraid) and "enjoy a broad range of web entertainment available directly from their TV." More specifically, these customers "can choose web videos downloaded on the home PC using web browsers, RSS video clients such as iTunes podcasts, or other video download software to automatically copy to their TiVo DVR's Now Playing List alongside recorded broadcast and cable TV shows." In case you couldn't tell, Desktop Plus 2.6 can be downloaded today for a one-time fee of $24.95, but consider that waived if you're upgrading from an earlier version. Click on through for the full release.

Continue reading TiVo gets official with Desktop Plus 2.6, enables web video viewing