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TiVo's QuickMode viewing feature hits all Roamio DVRs
Tivo's QuickMode option, which lets you speed up recorded shows with pitch-corrected audio, is available on every Roamio DVR as of today. The feature arrived last week for the TiVo Bolt, the company's latest set-top box, but it is now officially expanding to the entire Roamio family. TiVo says that, along with the release of QuickMode, it's also making other goods available in today's update. There's a refreshed look and feel in the TiVo Guide, as well as a new setting designed to make it easy for cord-cutters to get access to their content. Of course, the main attraction here is QuickMode -- TiVo says it can "shave a month of time each year" for people who want to watch shows at a faster pace.
Sky+ app gets Series Links just in time for them to become irrelevant
Demanding American consumers make sure that if a DVR app doesn't ship with global Spotify support or HDD-management capabilities, it's kicked to the kerb. Demure UK consumers command less respect -- we're happy if our software does anything useful at all. That's why Sky hasn't rushed in updating its Sky+ app for iOS and Android, but in December it'll finally enable users to add Series Links (like Season Passes, only shorter and with fewer filler episodes) at the push of a touchscreen. Sadly you don't get the option to stream from your home box, so don't uninstall that Sky Go app if you're looking for a profanity-laden dose of Deadwood at the grocery store.
New DirecTV Cinema Connection Kit hits FCC with wireless in tow
A new version of DirecTV's Cinema Connection kit has just sneakily hit the FCC filed under its OEM name of Wistron NeWeb Corporation. Unlike the current model which required a direct Ethernet connection to work, this unit can act as wireless receiver to connect your individual DirecTV DVRs or an entire whole-home network. That gives users the freedom to access the company's online CINEMAplus library of 4,000 movies and TV shows at no additional cost for the service (we're sure DirecTV will find someway to ding you at least for the kit though). To get a glimpse for yourself, check out the gallery below featuring internal and external beauty shots of the device included with the filing, along with key pages from the user manual. Otherwise, let's all give DirecTV a nice slow-clap for entering the world of wireless streaming at its own leisurely pace. %Gallery-115419%
Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late
If ever there was a moment Time Warner Cable deserved to be honored with an inspirational slow clap, let it be now. That's because it finally announced remote DVR service support -- a feature both Verizon FiOS and Dish Network subscribers have enjoyed for over a year. Intuitively dubbed Remote DVR Manager, it only works now via the web -- TWC iOS app teasers be damned -- and provides expected services like recording one-offs or scheduling entire series. Canceling previously scheduled recordings is also available, though deleting old content to clear more space for Glee isn't. There are plenty of other dubious caveats, like some services not being available to CableCARD users or on all TWC equipment, and remote DVR services not working on all mobile phones through its mobile optimized site. Furthermore, the service has only officially launched in five markets including: the Carolinas region, northeast region, New York city region, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego / Desert Cities. Come October 29th, the service will expand to include five more regions, with national coverage dragging until who knows when. For full Time Warner pat ourselves-on-the-back details and a PDF user guide, hit the source link below.
Shocker: Google hoping to lure more cable providers to cool Google TV side of the room
Considering all the recent hullabaloo surrounding Google TV, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Mountain View-based search titan has dreams of growing beyond its current de facto exclusive integration deal with Dish Network. Still, Light Reading reports that "a source whose familiar with those discussions" says Google is pushing the service hard to all cable TV operators. This is further corroborated by an exec with a "top US MSO" who confirmed specifically that talks are underway with Google on how the TV platform could be integrated with cable boxes. While opening up two-way control and surrendering the UI to its perceived over-the-top video-providing enemy could change pay-TV as we know it, the trade-off is Google TV compatibility could give 'em the competitive edge they need. It certainly wouldn't be the first time DVR functionality was touted as a reason to switch. We're definitely down with more options too, but without an acceptable two-way standard, a bit of wheelin' and dealin' by Google could just add more noise to the mess that is the connected TV market. Considering how tru2way failed though and the recent lukewarm FCC CableCARD rule changes, it would seem this is just the reality we live in. But please, Google, feel free to prove us wrong.
TiVo issues 30 for 30 interactive ad challenge to shift how brands buy advertising
The way TiVo sees things, advertisers shouldn't foolishly pay for ads no one is watching thanks to their DVRs, when they could use the same money to pay TiVo -- a DVR company -- for special ads DVR users are more likely to see. At least that's what we're getting from their recently announced 30 for 30 interactive ad challenge, which involves asking advertisers to move money from poorly performing prime-time 30-second TV spots and instead put it towards buying 30 days of ad exposure on TiVo. For those unfamiliar with TiVo's ad offerings, this exposure appears as clever advertisements shown in places such as the pause menu and home screen, or via special placements through fast-forward billboards and interactive tags that appear during regular commercials. While this may be bad news for TiVo's commercial-hating users who bought the device to avoid ads in the first place, depending on the trial's success, we're hoping TiVo could earn enough dough to drop the monthly subscription fee -- that is as long as VOD doesn't make the discussion moot. Sure the concept is crazy enough to make even Joseph Heller proud, but thankfully whatever happens, there's still HBO.
TiVo banking on the software business, delays DirecTV HD unit to 2011
It's been five years since TiVo first promised DirecTV customers an HD DVR and two years since the company reaffirmed that claim, so if you've been waiting patiently you probably know what we're going to say -- it's been delayed yet again. TiVo marketing VP Joe Miller told PC Magazine that the fabled DirecTiVo will actually appear "early next year," which should give you plenty of time to work out your rage. Before you storm off to your standard-definition video collection, however, there's another thing you might like to know: the executive also not-so-subtly suggested that TiVo's hardware business won't be a focus for long. In a series of increasingly telling quotes, Miller called software the company's "core competence," said it was "in our blood" and "the thing we do well," and even added that "the software is what we're all about." To be completely frank, TiVo has held the gold standard for DVR software for over a decade, but that's mostly because no one successfully stepped up to the plate -- not even TiVo itself, whose Premiere interface shipped the definition of half-baked. So when the company suggests that software is one of its strengths, please pardon a few chuckles from our corner of the room.
Sharp releases 8 new DVR-packing LED backlit LCD TVs into the wilds of Japan
Sharp's 46-inch Quattron LE821E caught our eye in the UK a few months back thanks to its addition of yellow at the pixel level and its integrated Freeview HD DVR. Now Sharp Japan has jumped in on the all-in-one action with their announcement of two new series of LED backlit LCD TVs. On the higher end, the DR series will feature built-in BD burners and 500GB hard drives, while supporting full HD in the 40-inch version -- but only 1366 x 768 HD resolution in 32-inch model. Similarly, the DZ3 series will come with USB HDD DVR features and sell in full HD sizes of 32, 40, 46 and 50-inches, while 20 and 26-inch sizes will only support 1366 x 768 HD resolution. These combo sets are scheduled to hit Japan later this year, but if you ask us, we'll be waiting for even more bullet point features... 3D, anyone?
3view launches first hybrid Digital/IPTV HD DVR with DVB-T2 tuners
Considering our frustrations with the closed nature of most DVRs stateside, now that 3view has started shipping pre-orders of its first £299 [$472] Hybrid Digital / IPTV HD DVR set- top box, we're certainly jealous. That's because for starters, it performs all of the basic functions of a 500GB HD DVR and provides viewers with access to 50+ TV channels, as well as all free OTA HD channels, thanks to partner MaxLinear's dual MxL5007T DVB-T2 broadcast tuners. There's also integrated support for YouTube and IPTV sources like BBC's iPlayer, with Sky Player slated to join the mix soon. If that wasn't enough to make you pity your recorder, UK owners can even view digital media content via the box's HDD, external USB storage, or DLNA networks, and easily rub in their gleeful media freedom via Twitter or Facebook. No, it may not be fair, but it seems remembering that we don't have to pay a license fee just to get basic national news is the only cheap shot worth clinging to for solace in this situation.
DISH Network's DTVPal DVR bites the dust after a short, troubled life
It's only a few days shy of 13 months since we released our mixed review of DISH Network's DTVPal DVR, and yet Zatz Not Funny reports that DISH will no longer offer the niche recorder. While it's not particularly shocking news given the device's performance issues and befuddling connection to the satellite provider, it does imply that finding an affordable, modern, and subscription-free solution for over-the-air recording will soon go the way of the dodo. So all issues aside, if you're in need of a ATSC dual-tuning HD recorder with 250 GB of space for $250, we'd suggest you snag one of the dwindling units available online before it's too late (or, as CNET notes, keep an eye out for its Channel Master CM-7000PAL doppelganger.) Otherwise, be prepared to either upgrade to the pricier world of full-fledged DVRs, or more unthinkably, dust off the VCR sitting in your attic. If you do choose the latter option though, for the love of humanity do not allow those taped episodes of Dragon Ball Z to ever see the light of day.
TiVo Premiere to receive yet another performance and stability update
Tweets by TiVo's VP of user experience hinting that the TiVo Premiere would receive its third software update to improve stability and performance have been officially confirmed by TiVo. This should be good news to users still frustrated by the Premiere's sluggish menu performance and tendency to lock up -- although we can't blame skeptics for remaining stoic considering these issues were supposed to be fixed in the last update. Unfortunately there's also no official word on when to expect the release, or whether it'll roll out in waves like other TiVo updates. While we're normally all for improved performance via software tweaks, we can't help but scratch our heads at TiVo's previous attempts to bring the Premiere up to a reliable and glitch free user experience. -- TiVo's hesitancy to advance the product through additions like the long awaited Pandora integration is also troubling. Here's hoping the trend gets bucked on both counts in this upcoming release.
Western Digital refreshes My Book DVR Expander
Western Digital's 1TB My DVR Expander has long been the sole option for TiVo owners looking to increase their storage, and it's just received a light refresh. Notable changes include an upgrade to WD's latest case style, USB 2.0 connectivity in addition to eSATA, and, most importantly, "verified" support for a wider array of compatible DVRs from Dish Network, Direct TV, and Scientific Atlantic, which have had issues with other unverified drives like the Apricorn DVR expander. Thanks to the USB 2.0 upgrade, Sony Blu-ray players, the PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360 are now also supported, and all for a price of $149, which is $50 less than its predecessor. PR after the break. *Update: Apricorn reached out to use to let us know that "Our DVR Expander is tested and verified to work with DirecTV, Dish Network DVRs as well as Scientific Atlanta 8300 and 8240 Series (just like WD's drive)" and that "Firmware updates with cable providers affect all DVR external hard drives, regardless of brand."
TiVo patent points to new sharing and interactivity built around closed captions
The rumors are already flying for that upcoming March 2nd TiVo event, but a recently granted patent gives us one idea of what TiVo's been up to of late. The basic idea of the patent is to use embedded meta data in TV broadcasts, primarily the closed caption text, to create "event identification data" that makes the DVR -- when synced up against related data online -- smarter about the content. Example uses include overlaying interactive ads from the content provider, creating "tagged" video files for viewing on a portable device, extracting tagged clips, or even "sharing" segments with other TiVo users. Some of this info, like the commercial detection, is already in use, but the opportunity to "share" a sequence with a friend would be a powerful workaround for existing limitations from broadcasting companies that don't want users sending copyrighted content to each other. Using the TiVo to merely "tag" the relevant portion of something already recorded by a friend (hopefully with the addition of our helpful "OMG" and "LOL" commentary) makes a lot of sense, and even if we don't see it in this upcoming revision, it could be a pretty nice win for TiVo in the ongoing war between the well dressed, successful people who create our content and us schlubs who are trying to consume it conveniently.
Sharp's new Aquos players mash Blu-ray and 1TB DVR together in unhappy marriage
The popular DVR / DVD combo trend continues with Sharp's new, just-released Aquos players. The three new combo machines -- updates from last fall's models -- pack Blu-Ray playback with DVRs of various sizes ranging from the 250GB BD-HDW22, to the 500GB BD-HDW25, to the 1TB BD-HDW30 big daddy of TV-recording doom. The Blu-Ray section looks pretty standard, but the DVR records in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 at three different bitrates - 4.8, 8, and 12Mbps. If you're thinking these will record from BD to HDD or the other way around, think again. The movie studios will have none of that.