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Moxi's 500GB HD DVR now available en masse
Moxi's 500GB HD DVR went on sale to a limited number of individuals back in December of last year, but after pumping itself up at CES, we're finally seeing the real-deal, bona fide launch party. As of now, anyone with a CableCARD can roll over to Amazon and lay down $799.99 for the company's subscription-less MR-1500T3 HD Digital Video Recorder, which can hold over 75 hours of high-def programming or over 300 hours of SD material. So, are you taking the plunge?Update: Moxi pinged us to say these have indeed been shipping beyond the limited first run.[Thanks, ganjagadget]Read - Moxi's websiteRead - Amazon order page
CableCARD diagnostic tool gets previewed at Media Center University
Say hello to some of the first screens from the Digital Cable Tuner Diagnostics (DCTD) tool, courtesy of CE Pro, who got a peek as it was shown off during the Media Center University currently underway at EHX Spring. It can check individual channel strength, whether you're properly paired and provisioned with the cable company and that you've been set up with all the channels you're paying for. The bad news is you probably won't be doing any of this, unless the software leaks or something changes, since it's only going to be available for the ($500 membership fee required) Media Center Integrator Alliance. For those who've dropped coin on a high end custom media center installation, it should cut the time and heartache installed significantly, but detailed help for the rest of us is in another castle.
New CableCARD diagnostic tool for Windows Media Center makes installation slightly less frustrating
Let's be honest, getting a CableCARD to work with Windows Media Center is far, far, far from a smooth process. Thankfully, the Media Center Integrator Alliance -- this sort of the things is its bag, naturally -- are set to show off a Digital Cable Tuner Diagnostics tool at next week's Electronic House Expo. It'll provide all kinds of information on your tuner and CableCARD, including modulation type, format, frequency, carrier, PCR Lock, encoding level, and authorization -- and if all that goes way over your head, there's an option to export the data to XML and send it to someone who can help. No word on when we'll see an official release, but no matter what, it won't be soon enough.
TiVo inks VOD-related deals with SeaChange and Alticast
While many are still eagerly awaiting their tuning adapter for utilizing tru2way on their existing TiVo box, said company has announced two partnerships today that look to solve issues with cable carriers that don't currently have an OCAP / tru2way deployment plan. The tie-up with SeaChange will enable those lagging carriers to bring cable VOD services to the TiVo HD DVR experience, giving them the option to highlight offerings on a TiVo guide, for instance. The second partnership involves Alticast, and while details are a tad fuzzier here, we get the impression that TiVo's looking to possibly push its heralded interface out onto other devices, such as embedded within a Blu-ray deck or other set-top-box. Or as Joshua Danovitz, Vice President and GM of International at TiVo puts it: "[We need to make] the TiVo experience available on a broad range of platforms, both in the United States and around the world." Hit the read links for more on each, and don't be surprised if you dig the vibes you get.\[Via Yahoo! / PC World]Read - Alticast partnershipRead - SeaChange partnership
Aspen Media Products intros 2009 HTPC lineup, includes DIY model
Aspen Media Products is probably even less known than the relatively unknown Okoro Media Systems, but it's hoping to break through somewhat with its stout 2009 HTPC lineup. The most interesting newcomer is unquestionably the AMP CL-1058DIY, which is supposedly aimed at the DIY crowd and starts at $949. For that, you get a chassis, a CableCARD tuner, optional 5.1 or 7.1 amplifier and freedom of choice when it comes to options such as processor, memory, storage and adding an additional CableCARD tuner. Think of it as partial barebones, we guess. The CL-1058BD (pictured) and CL-1058BDH are there for folks not looking to touch any silicon, and those can be ordered up right now starting at $1,049 and $1,349, respectively.[Via Electronic House]
S1Digital intros P500 Media Center, updates ProLine Series of HTPCs
It's been a hot minute since S1Digital tickled our attention with a new media center, but the outfit is hitting back this year with a new machine along with updates to a number of its ProLine Series rigs. The new kid on the block is the P500 Media Center, which is available with up to four CableCARD tuners (plus a QAM / ATSC tuner), support for internal RAID5 storage, HDMI / DVI, 7.1-channel audio output and Intel's latest Core 2 Duo processors. As for the refreshed bunch, you can catch the S800 and P600 with Blu-ray drives as standard, quad CableCARD tuners and support for home automation integration with Crestron, AMX, RTI, HAI and PC based-touchscreens over IP or RS-232. Every machine mentioned here can be ordered up now, with the new P500 starting at a staggering $5,999 sans tuners.
CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs
Yes we know this is not news, but you'd think it was based on the various stories around the web like this one from Yahoo Tech. We don't mean to pick on this one specifically because honestly it is a very common mistake -- although this particular article is way off as the newer Macs do support HDCP -- but as draconian as CableLabs and the AACS can be, the analog hole is still open. Now that doesn't mean these DRM requirements aren't crazy or that this protected path we always hear about is a joking matter, but it is all for naught when the HD signal hits the analog outputs -- the digital outputs do require HDCP though. This means you can watch any Blu-ray Disc or digital cable program recorded with an ATI Digital Cable Tuner at full 1080i via VGA or component -- Blu-ray Discs can be played back at 1080p via VGA but component doesn't support it. Now we're not trying to say this will always be the case, as both technologies support down-rezzing via analog outputs, but as it stands now these bits have never turned on. Now to the main point of this particular article, which is why Macs don't have a CableCARD option. Our best guess would be that Elgato doesn't want to pony up the $200k for the CableLabs certification process and honestly we don't blame 'em.
Poll: Have you received your DTV tuning adapter?
We've received reports from one side of the country (New York) to the other (Hawaii) from locals that have just received their long anticipated DTV tuning adapter. This week's poll question is quite simple, really: have you received yours? If so, how long did it take to arrive, and what carrier are you using? If not, chime in below with how long you've been waiting, where you are and what operator is being lazy on you. %Poll-25790%
Zodiac and Alticast to power Cisco / Scientific-Atlanta tru2way set-top boxes
There stands a good chance that you've never heard of Zodiac Interactive nor Alticast, but if a Cisco / Scientific-Atlanta tru2way set-top box ends up in your abode in the near future, there's an even better chance that those two firms will play a crucial role. The duo has just announced plans to plant its embedded software within tru2way STBs, with the combined solution enabling cable providers to "deliver interactive services and applications including next-generation interactive user interfaces, guides, messaging and advanced VOD." Additionally, MSOs will be able to more easily offer subscribers "advanced services such as TV widgets," though there's currently no timetable for when a completed box will be made available. Did we mention that the widget race was officially on?
The state of tru2way according to CES
If you were waiting for CES to see all the great new tru2way devices then you probably noticed that there really weren't any. In fact we spent some time towards the end of the show looking for tru2way and was very surprised to see that there was actually less tru2way this year then last. %Gallery-42489%
Ace Computers promises $999 CableCARD HTPC at CES 2009
HTPCs may still be a niche market, but getting one equipped with a CableCARD for under a grand could do great things for adoption. Little-known Ace Computers will reportedly debut such a rig at CES, and the machine will be known as the LMS 250. It'll be made available in a few configurations, one of which includes a triple-core AMD Phenom X3 and one that houses an Intel Core 2 Duo E7300; the former will be built around AMD's Maui entertainment platform, while the latter could quite possibly be the last to use Intel's own impossible-to-understand Viiv technology. Prospective customers with fatter wallets can upgrade the baseline rigs with a Blu-ray burner, but even the $999 edition will include 2GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD, internal ATI Digital Cable Tuner and between 8 and 12 USB ports. Sadly, we're not tipped off on a release date, but hopefully we'll learn of that -- along with many other delicious, heart-healthy tidbits -- in just a few days.
Ask Engadget HD: Best CableCARD-equipped HTPC?
Here we are. The final Ask Engadget HD posting of the year two-thousand and eight. And if you thought you were getting off easy here on New Year's Eve, you thought wrong. "I am looking to purchase a HTPC with CableCARD and bitstreaming audio via HDMI. Normally I would build my own computer, but since you can't get a CableCARD device after the fact (actually, you can), I am stuck buying one already made. I am looking for one in a home theater case that can sit in my rack, not a tower. Any suggestions?" For those of you who've splurged on a pre-fabricated media PC with CableCARD capabilities, how do you like yours? Any major gripes? Thumbs up / down? Make sure Jordan doesn't start 2009 off with a sour purchase, alright?Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Funai planning tru2way dual-tuner DVR / set-top-box
Check it, timeshifters. Funai is about to make a serious play in the advanced DVR space at CES next month, as word has arrived that it will be showing off a "combined DVR / tru2way set-top-box" in Las Vegas. For those unaware, Funai is the company behind Sylvania, Magnavox, Philco, Symphonic, and Emerson, and if all goes to plan (read: if CableLabs gives the green light), it should start mass production on said boxes in Q3 of next year. At least initially, these two-way-enabled devices will be sold via "retail outlets and MSO partners," but it's going to wait and witness demand before moving the tru2way technology directly into its TV sets. Of note, there are also whispers of a tru2way-enabled BD player somewhere down the line from these guys, and we don't suppose we have to detail our inner excitement on that one.
Cox subscribers in Northern Virginia now receiving tuning adapters
Cox Communications was one of the first cable carriers to openly admit that it would be handing out tuning adapters to those negatively affected by switched digital video implementations (read: CableCARD users) sans a fee. Now, it seems like the floodgates are officially open across the industry. On the same day that TWC users in Austin, Texas began scooping up tuning adapters of their own, we're seeing multiple reports from Northern Virginia that consumers are finally able to claim one from their local office. It doesn't seem as if installation is totally a breeze for everyone, but Cox has evidently trained its CSR staff to handle quirks quickly judging by positive vibes felt on the TiVoCommunity boards. Moral of the story? Your carrier just might have a TA with your name on it, but you may never find out without giving 'em a ring.[Thanks, Phillip]
500GB Moxi HD DVR now available, really
Someone's on a roll, after starting out this year the wrong way with layoffs and product cuts, Digeo appears to have its second new DVR ready for your home theater. The Moxi HD DVR is now available, promising its 500GB, dual-tuner multistream CableCard support to anyone with $799.99 to spare. Why opt for this over the 1 TB TiVo HD XL? Hopefully the MR-1500T3's remote web scheduling, news & weather browsing, Flickr / Finetune support and DLNA access to your PC's stored MP3 collection can tip the balance in its direction. Congratulations Moxi, you've beaten the skeptics and made your product available, now to decide if it's time to jump on this or wait for tru2way.Update: Via Dave Zatz comes word that this is a soft launch with a limited number of boxes available on Amazon, and we should expect an official reveal next month at CES, so decide fast if you want one early or all the other kids will be telling you how great theirs is when they come back from break.[Thanks, Mike]
Cable One makes some HD channels viewable only with CableCARD / STB
At first glance, we assumed that Cable One had relegated a number of channels to switched digital video, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Instead, company officials have proclaimed that "cable programmers like Discovery HD, Nat Geo HD and ESPN HD have requested their signals to be scrambled," meaning that subscribers will now need to fork out for a CableCARD or cable company-issued set-top-box in order to see all 24 high-def stations offered in Sioux City, Iowa. Ah well, you've been looking for a valid reason to make the leap to a carrier with a real dose of high-definition anyway, right?
Okoro Media Systems ships 2009 OMS-LX100 HTPC
2009 isn't even here yet (at least on the right coast of Planet Earth), but Okoro's being exceptionally proactive by announcing that its '09 OMS-LX100 is already shipping. The system, which is a revamp of the original that popped out in 2006, is situated in the outfit's "low profile" range of HTPCs, and it brings to the table a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo E2200 processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a front-panel display, optional 7-inch touchscreen, dual-layer DVD writer, up to 2TB of HDD space, NVIDIA's GeForce 9300 with 512MB of RAM, an ATI Digital CableCARD tuner, 7.1-channel audio output and an OTA HDTV tuner. Power users can certainly push the $1,725 base configuration well north of two large should they choose, but good luck explaining that to the SO.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Time Warner Cable planning free Tuning Adapters for all in need
Confirming that the plan for free Tuning Adapters isn't just for San Antonio, Time Warner Cable has posted a website for customers to sign up for info on when the boxes will be available in their region (like after the current tests are finished.) Of course, if this had been done prior to TWC changing some areas to switched digital video, cutting off CableCard users from certain channels, they probably could've avoided the whole FCC fine thing and gone straight to the "more HD capacity" part of the plan. Still, better's late than never as it follows Cox's lead, so if you plan on keeping to CableCard setup head over to Time Warner's official site to get on the list first. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via Cable Digital News]
Verizon pushes VueKey as an alternative to CableCARDs
At this point it's old news that Verizon is not down with tru2way, but we're glad that instead of just complaining about it, Verizon is pushing for another technology. So instead of a physical card that plugs into the back of your TV or TiVo, VueKey is a downloadable conditional access system that would be downloaded to your equipment. The thing that has us scratching our head is what does this have to do with tru2way? The way we see it is while CableCARD controls the access to the programming, tru2way is for the user interface. Either way, on one hand the idea of plugging a card into a device just to authenticate it seems silly in this day and age, but at the same time we don't want to go out and replace all of our CableCARD devices just of the conditional access of the month.
Poll: Are you planning to get tru2way?
It's official, folks. tru2way is live -- in Denver and Chicago, at least. As is the first official tru2way-compatible HDTV. Now, the only question remaining is this: are you planning to buy in? Be it a tru2way set or just a set-top-box of your own with tru2way support, we're curious to find out how many of you are really planning on ditching that cable company-provided set-top once this technology really starts to take off. Converse below -- after all, that's what comments are for. %Poll-21099%
