DVR
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This new HDHomeRun DVR makes life easier for cord-cutters
If easy access to a DVR is the only thing keeping you from cutting the cord, then the latest HDHomeRun devices could be just the push you need. While SiliconDust has previously built well-regarded tuners, a software suite that manages your TV experience and even expanded with a $35 per month 'Premium' streaming TV service, now it has an all-in-one DVR. The HDHomeRun Scribe Duo is similar to its Connect Duo DVR, but with the addition of a 1TB hard drive inside and a year of free DVR service (normally $35).
Tablo's newest over-the-air DVR automatically skips ads
If you'd rather just watch Netflix and catch TV over the air for free, while still being able to skip ads, Nuvyyo's Tablo Quad DVR might be for you. It packs a 4-tuner DVR, letting you find, record, store and stream up to four live antenna TV channels at once. More importantly, Tablo has caught up to TiVo's Roamio, letting you skip OTA commercials automatically via a beta feature. It uses a cloud-based system that marries algorithms and machine learning to help you enjoy an ad-free experience without lifting a finger.
YouTube TV's DVR lets you skip ads on NBC, FOX and others
A common complaint from YouTube TV users is that the service's DVR feature often forces you to watch commercials. In many cases, the service requires users to watch the video-on-demand version of an episode rather than a recording of the broadcast, and with those, ads can't be skipped over. It's an annoying feature, and one that could make rival services like Hulu with Live TV more appealing. But YouTube has been working to change that feature where it can -- Android Police reported back in May that some channels were beginning to let users choose the recorded version. And now, the service has announced that it has made deals with a handful of major networks to bring DVR playback, and, therefore, skippable ads to more channels.
TiVo targets cord-cutters (again) with the Bolt OTA
What happens when you take TiVo's latest Bolt Vox DVR, remove the cable functionality, but keep just about everything else? You've got the new Bolt OTA, the replacement for the Roamio OTA box, which gives cord-cutters access to all of the TiVo DVR features they know and love. It features four separate tuners for recording multiple shows at once, a voice remote, Alexa integration, and it can store up to 150 hours of HD video on a 1TB hard drive. While there isn't any 4K over-the-air content yet, it supports 4K HDR for streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. The only downside, as usual, is the price: $250 for the hardware, and either $7 a month or $70 a year service plan. You could also go all in with TiVo and pay a flat $250 for lifetime service.
Dish adds dual tuners to AirTV Player through an adapter
Dish's AirTV Player is an intriguing mix of an over-the-air player with streaming services, but that single tuner has made it difficult to recommend if you want to both record and watch live broadcasts. You won't have to make that compromise from now on, though, if you're willing to pay. The company has launched a dual tuner adapter that enables simultaneous recording and viewing, or recording for two channels if there are two must-see shows you're going to miss.
Fire TV Recast offers both DVR and streaming on the go
At Amazon's launch event today in Seattle the company announced its first DVR called the Fire TV Recast. There's no cable TV tuner built-in, so the channels available will be the ones you can access with a connected over-the-air antenna (like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS or the CW). Also, since the Recast doesn't plug directly into a TV, you can place it anywhere in your house to get the best reception, which the app can also help you determine. It then beams your recorded shows or live TV anywhere through your home to an Echo Show, Fire tablet, mobile device (iOS or Android with the Fire TV app) or a Fire TV device. You can also take your recordings on-the-go with the Fire TV app.
Amazon is reportedly working on a TiVo-like DVR for live TV
Amazon is working on a new device to record live television in a bid to compete in a market dominated by TiVo, a source told Bloomberg. The ecommerce titan's Lab 126 R&D division is reportedly building the DVR, which is internally called "Frank" and will connect to Amazon's Fire TV box.
Fox turns ad breaks into dramas in bid to fight ad skipping
There's little doubt that TV's commercial breaks are on the decline. How do you get people to watch ads in an era of ad-skipping DVRs and commercial-free streaming services like Netflix or Hulu? Fox Networks has an idea: turn ad time into mini dramas you might want to watch. Variety has learned that Fox will will start running Unbreakables, or short, sponsored films that highlight people who've overcome adversities like cancer. It's hoping that they'll be less disruptive than conventional ads while giving relevant brands (like insurers, pharmaceutical giants and sportswear makers) a chance at "storytelling."
Plex's grid guide gives cord cutters a traditional TV look
Plex has offered DVR features and live TV viewing in its app for a few years, but now it's making it easier to surf through channels with a traditional-style grid guide. Over the years I've noticed that every "new TV" platform makes a show of using box art and personalized filtering as a better way to navigate video options, but for scheduled live television and audiences that grew up before streaming, things always come back to the old grid.
DirecTV Now's revamped apps open up access to cloud DVR
AT&T is acting on its promise to roll out next-gen DirecTV Now service in the spring. The telecom giant is launching a revamped experience that not only includes new apps, but an updated beta of its cloud DVR service that's available to everyone. All subscribers get 20 hours of recordings that last for up to 30 days. If you need more, an extra $10 per month gives you 100 hours of video that lasts for up to 90 days.
Tablo launches more affordable over-the-air DVR with cloud storage
Nuvvyo's over-the-air Tablo DVRs are potentially big bargains if you want the convenience of recording shows without a pricey cable package, but the up front cost (dictated in part by the built-in storage) can make them daunting. The company has a simple solution to that: release a DVR that lets you pick your own drive. Its newly launched Tablo Dual Lite includes the same dual-tuner recording as before, but ditches the 64GB of built-in storage in favor of a lower $140 price (down from $220) that lets you get only the USB drive you want. And importantly, that local storage will soon be optional.
Alexa's DVR controls will finally let you record a show
For all the recent talk of using Alexa to control DVRs, there's been a conspicuous inability to record to a DVR using the voice assistant. That won't be a problem for much longer: Amazon has bolstered Alexa's Voice Skill programming kit with recording features. Tell the AI helper to record a favorite show or sports extravaganza and you'll capture the show without having to touch a remote or your smartphone. You'll have to wait for TV and set-top providers to take advantage of this, but DirecTV, Dish, TiVo and Verizon are already lining up to provide support "soon."
Alexa now controls your FiOS TV set-top box
Verizon's FiOS TV boxes haven't lived on the cutting edge of technology, but they're catching up in an important way: voice control. Big Red has quietly introduced an Alexa skill for its FiOS Video Media Server set-tops, letting you change the channel (by name or number) and steer DVR playback with spoken commands. You'll need Multi-Room DVR Enhanced or Premium service, but this makes life a little easier if you happen to have an Echo speaker (or any Alexa device) and would rather not find the remote buried between the couch cushions.
Plex adds DVR scheduling to its Apple TV app
Halfway through 2017, Plex started offering live TV and DVR features for users willing to cough up $5 a month. They still needed a tuner of their own, to avoid any Aereo-like shenanigans, but it was still great for cord-cutters. Now, Plex is adding more features to the Apple TV app for its DVR system, enabling users to schedule recordings and view closed captions.
Hulu's Cloud DVR adds more control over what episodes to record
Along with 60fps support and some new options for Olympic viewing, Hulu is also improving its cloud DVR. Mimicking other DVR platforms, now Hulu TV subscribers will have more choices of what to record when they add a show to "My Stuff" for automatic recording. Instead of simply recording new episodes, viewers can tell it to stash reruns too, or just bookmark the show without recording episodes at all. For shows already in MY Stuff, users can go in and adjust the settings as they prefer. The new feature is rolling out on iOS, Apple TV (4th gen.), Xbox, Amazon Fire TV devices, Nintendo Switch and 2017 Samsung Smart TVs now, with other devices coming soon.
TiVo DVRs will take commands from Alexa and Google Assistant
You won't have to use TiVo's in-house voice control to steer your DVR in the near future. TiVo has unveiled plans to add smart home integration, including voice control through Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant. If you have a supporting device like your phone, an Echo or Google Home, you can control your DVR without reaching for the remote. PCMag describes the functionality as different depending on which voice assistant you choose. Alexa is more about straightforward navigation control while the Google Assistant support is more about searching for shows and tying in with other devices (such as dimming the lights when you're ready to watch). However, it's also adding IFTTT support that could deliver a lot more when combined with speakers and other smart home devices.
Dish DVRs will soon work with Google Assistant
Never mind using Google Assistant on your TV -- Dish thinks you should talk to your set-top box instead. In the wake of Alexa support, the satellite TV provider is promising Google Assistant control for its Hopper DVR, Joey client and Wally receiver. You can soon search for shows, change the channel (by name or number) and control playback just by talking to your phone or a smart speaker like a Google Home. There's no mention of recording, but that limitation is present with Amazon's AI helper as well.
Plex on Android now works more like a 'real' DVR
Plex recently turned your devices into virtual DVRs through its live TV update, but there have been limitations: you couldn't timeshift to replay an important moment, and watching a show while it recorded required a second TV tuner. Not much of a replacement for a real DVR, is it? The situation just got much better, however, as Plex has updated its Android app with support for both timeshifting and, as you might expect, watching a live show while in mid-recording. If you missed a crucial play in the big game or just want to repeat what someone said, you can skip back just like you would with a conventional DVR.
Plex DVR can now automatically remove commercials
Plex, the service that collects media and streaming channels into one application, has been fine-tuning its offerings with new features that have recently improved viewing quality. But its next addition came with little fanfare: Enabling its DVR, which it launched back in June, to automatically remove commercials.
TiVo's revamped interface is available for existing DVRs
If you've been craving TiVo's interface overhaul ever since it was unveiled last year, you now have an opportunity to try it without buying a brand new device. As of October 29th, you can visit TiVo's website and request an upgrade to your Bolt, Mini or Roamio set-top box. It'll take "2-3 hours" before you can force the download, but you don't have to wait for TiVo to push the new design on its own. Think carefully before you make the leap, though: while the interface is a leap into the modern era, you may lose functionality in the process.
