DirectvNomad
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DirecTV adds more subscribers than ever, will push live streaming, HD UI, and multiroom DVRs
The numbers are in for DirecTV's third quarter and it looks like Deion Sanders isn't just a HOF shutdown corner, he's also an excellent pitchman. The satellite company had a net addition of 327,000 subscribers in the US, which it credited to offering free NFL Sunday Ticket for the first year as a lure. Going forward, CEO Mike White says the company plans to maintain momentum with "DirecTV Anywhere" bringing live-TV streaming and VOD to customer's mobile devices (as seen in its iPad app), as well as the launch of a new HD UI and HR34-based home media center. Not mentioned? The DirecTiVo. Check out the rest of the details in the press release after the break, we'll listen in on the earnings call shortly to see if any other gems are dropped.
DirecTV Nomad is ready to launch, transcodes DVRed shows for mobile viewing
It was just about a year ago that we initially heard rumors of the DirecTV Nomad, and after some lengthy intrigue it is finally ready to launch. While its product page on the company's website isn't live yet, the folks at DBSTalk have been testing it and already posted one of their detailed walkthroughs, revealing the box as a TiVoToGo-style transcoder. Plug the $149 box into your whole home DVR network and it snags recorded programs and prepares them for viewing on other devices. Currently that list includes PCs with 1.2GHz processors or higher (no Atom powered netbooks invited to this party) and iOS devices, although an app for Android is apparently on the way. Compared to Dish Network's Sling-powered TV Everywhere streaming approach, DirecTV's sideloading has the distinct benefit of offline viewing, but without access to live TV on the go. The iPhone app is already available in iTunes and some forum posters report they've already been able to preorder the unit, but check DBSTalk for their breakdown and the device's manual in PDF form before making a decision on your placeshifting future.
More DirecTV Nomad info uncovered, but details are still fuzzy
Even though DirecTV's website is ready to start doling out the information on its elusive Nomad TV box, a post on Gizmo Lovers digs through the available information to show just how much there is to know, and how much is still unknown. Between on a DirecTV satellite installer training video, a suggestive press release by fellow RVU member Morega and the long running rumor thread over on DBSTalk, the technology in play is certainly capable of both Slingbox style streaming and TiVoToGo sideloading, but what will actually be enabled is unclear. Once it rolls out, the Nomad will connect to multiroom capable satellite boxes via a wired network connection and transcode the video streams it pulls in for other devices like PCs and mobiles. All the other details are shrouded in rumor, regarding its use of h.264 and how much internal storage is available, but if you're wondering whether the long delayed DirecTV will really be able to compete with Sling, Monsoon and the flood of TV-streaming iPad apps available in 2011 then hitting the source link below is a good way to get started.
DirecTV's Nomad teaser page suggests a Slingbox competitor, but little else
It's been a while since we heard anything solid about the DirecTV Nomad unit, but a teaser page recently went live on the satellite company's website showing the device. The tiny pic isn't incredibly revealing, but other than "coming soon" the page also displays a laptop, phone and tablet -- likely targets for viewers to watch their TV broadcasts away from the satellite box. That MDR1R0-01 remains scarce, but hit the source link and keep your eye peeled on that URL for more information about DirecTV's competitor to the Slingbox / iPad apps being offered by other TV providers. [Thanks, Tyler]
