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TiVo's Bolt Vox DVR jumps into the future with voice control
Stop us if you've heard this one before: TiVo is updating its Bolt DVR lineup with a new remote, a new UI and a new name. The TiVo Bolt Vox (and TiVo Mini Vox) are easy to spot thanks to the remote's new bright blue button that is the key to the extra characters in their name. Following a trail blazed by many other media setups lately (Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Roku -- just to name a few) voice control is a central feature of the new hardware. TiVo has had universal search across platforms including broadcast television, cable TV and streaming for quite a while, but it's not just adding a microphone.
Plex can beam Live TV broadcasts on Roku
With the launch of Live TV and DVR in June, Plex took a big step toward becoming an all-round media replacement. Since then, it's wasted no time in introducing the feature to more platforms, including Android and Apple TV. Not to be left behind, Roku devices are now getting Plex Live TV, too. But there's a catch: You can't yet schedule recordings through Plex DVR on the streaming player. Plus, the perk is still reserved for Plex Pass subscribers (who pay $5 per month, $40 per year, or $120 lifetime for a bunch of extras). To soften the blow, Roku owners will be able to watch recordings from other supported platforms, including iOS, the Plex web app, Android, Android TV, Apple TV and iOS. The release is currently in beta, and is expected to roll out to all Plex Pass subscribers next week. All you need to get set up is a compatible tuner connected to a TV antenna or cable jack, and you can leave the rest to Plex.
Plex pushes Live TV broadcasts to Apple TV, Android
It hasn't been that long since Plex launched live TV and DVR support, but now it's officially out of beta testing. While it's still a premium feature tied to the Plex Pass subscription ($5 per month, $40 per year or $120 lifetime), it's available on a few more platforms via the Plex app. Already out for iOS and Android TV devices, now Apple TV Plex users can tune into live TV, while on Android they can do that plus create a DIY DVR to record shows just by connecting a TV tuner. Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and the Plex Web App are now on deck for live TV features, and at this pace we'd expect to see them join the fold rather quickly.
Tablo easily turns Android TV boxes into standalone DVRs
If you already have a TV antenna and an Android TV box like the NVIDIA Shield, then you're very close to having everything you need for a DIY Tablo DVR. Instead of picking up one of the company's boxes that can start at $180, now you can simply add its $70 USB dual-tuner device, install the free Tablo Engine app and start watching TV. At first, tuner buyers will get access to six months of guide data for free. Once the introductory period is over, however, while they can watch live TV and view up to 24 hours of guide data without a subscription, accessing 14 days of the guide and getting a one-click record option will come at a cost. The price is $4 per month, or $40 paid annually.
Sling TV extends cloud DVR to iOS devices
Sling TV's cloud DVR service is now available for iPhone and iPad. The streaming service's DVR "First Look" option costs an additional $5 per month and gives you 50 hours of DVR storage. The iOS devices now join the growing list of DVR-supported systems, which includes AirTV players, Amazon Fire TVs and tablets, Android TVs and mobile devices, Apple TVs, Roku™ streaming players and TVs, Xbox consoles and Windows 10 devices.
Sling TV’s improved DVR won’t delete your recordings
You asked, and Sling TV answered. By popular demand, the live TV streaming service's Cloud DVR now lets users protect shows from deletion and added the ability to record content on Fox channels. Plus, you can watch and manage recordings from your Xbox One.
Comcast might have to pay TiVo after losing a patent dispute
Comcast may be feeling a twinge of regret for hyping its X1 set-top boxes to the Moon and back. TiVo has won an International Trade Commission dispute accusing Comcast and its hardware partners (Arris and Technicolor) of violating patents through the X1 platform's approach to DVR recording and search. The case had originally covered six patents, but this still means Comcast could be on the hook for licensing fees if it wants to avoid a sales ban.
Tablo's new Dual DVR is ready to record right out of the box
The original Tablo box debuted in 2013, pitched as a DVR for cord-cutters that could stream TV nearly anywhere, and now the company is back with a second generation version. The Tablo Dual is redesigned to fit everything in a smaller case with no fans for quieter operation, and also manages to squeeze in 64GB of memory. That means new users can start recording TV right away, without needing to plug in extra storage (although it does support to 8TB).
Plex Live TV and DVR launches for subscribers
Last fall Plex started beta testing a DVR feature for its popular media server setup, and now it's making the next big step by offering live TV and DVR for all Plex Pass subscribers. They will need to bring their own tuner(s), connected to a TV antenna or cable jack, but Plex will do the rest, providing the necessary guide data as a part of the Pass subscription if you live somewhere with DVB-T or ATSC (North America) broadcasts. . As of today, it not only supports more kinds of tuners, it's also ready to stream live TV to iOS or Android TV, with Android mobile devices and Apple TV next up.
Ask Alexa to play your favorite shows on a Dish Hopper DVR
If you're a Dish subscriber, it just got ridiculously easy to control your TV. The satellite provider has introduced an Alexa skill that lets control any Hopper DVR or Wally using an Amazon Echo. You can ask the set-top box to tune into a specific channel, search for shows (including on Netflix) or directly control playback without touching a thing -- you just need your voice. You can't record shows, alas, but this could be worthwhile if you want to change channels from the kitchen.
Hulu Live TV beta launches: $40 for 50+ channels and DVR
A year after announcing its plans, Hulu is finally ready to start streaming live TV with a beta that's opening up today. Hulu with Live TV is a $40 bundle combining 50+ channels and 50 hours of cloud DVR space with the company's existing streaming service, ready to take on incumbents like Sling TV, PlayStation Vue and DirecTV Now in the battle for cord-trimming customers. In "many markets" that includes the local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) complete with live affiliate programming, but all customers can expect six individual profiles and up to two simultaneous streams at once. Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins announced the launch this morning during the company's annual Upfront presentation, mentioning that it will feature channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, FX, USA, Viceland, CNN, Fox News and more. Extra cost add-ons include boosting the cloud DVR with 200 hours of storage, or "unlimited screens" streaming that lets users watch video simultaneously on as many devices as they want at their home, as well as up to three devices anywhere else. Both features cost $15 per month on their own, or they can be had together for $20. Beyond that, no commercials on the Hulu library is still $4, while Showtime is a flat $9 add-on and other premium channels are "coming soon."
Sling TV's Cloud DVR records your guilty pleasures on Apple TV
Two weeks after Sling TV rolled out its Cloud DVR feature to Android and Roku users, the streaming service is now doing the same for people who own an Apple TV. "First Look," which was introduced last November, lets Sling TV subscribers get 50 hours of DVR storage by paying an extra $5 per month. Any recorded TV shows or movies can be watched across different devices, regardless of platform, and they never expire from an active account. It's great for those of you who decided to cut the cord completely, since features like this have traditionally required a pay-TV subscription or some sort of third-party hardware.
YouTube's live TV service is here
Google announced YouTube TV at the end of February, and now the live TV streaming service is ready to launch. It's available today on your phone and computer in five markets: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. If you hadn't heard yet, the $35 monthly service offers live streams from all four major broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC) and a host of other networks like ESPN, FX, the CW and many others. All told, YouTube TV is launching with 39 stations, but 10 more (including AMC, IFC and BBC America) will arrive soon.
TiVo appears to be testing cloud DVR recording
While a few companies have tried on network/cloud DVR features, TiVo has always been associated with storage that's sitting right in your living room. Previous leaks pointed to a new TiVo box, codenamed Mantis, that might do network recording of OTA channels, but now Dave Zatz posted this picture, showing that there may be similar features in the works for the existing Bolt DVR.
Sling TV debuts cloud DVR to combat PlayStation Vue
While Dish's Sling TV impressed us as a streaming television alternative for cord cutters (and it's gotten even better over time), rival service PlayStation Vue has had one major advantage from the start: cloud DVR. But that won't last for long. Sling TV announced today that it'll begin beta testing its own cloud DVR service next month with Roku users. And, notably, it won't have a 28-day limit on your recordings like PS Vue.
Xbox One gets over-the-air DVR through a set-top box
Just because Microsoft has ruled out an Xbox One DVR feature doesn't mean that you're without choices. Nuvyyo has introduced an Xbox One (and Windows 10 Anniversary Update) version of its Tablo app, letting you watch and record over-the-air TV streamed from the company's networked set-top box. You'll get the "majority" of features you see on other platforms, including a TV guide as well as options to pause live shows and skip ads.
EE TV now highlights what shows are trending on Twitter
Ever feel like your colleagues are speaking an entirely different language when you're eavesdropping around the water cooler? Who is this Greg guy with the insatiable appetite they keep bringing up? Well, if you happen to have an EE set-top box sitting under your TV at home, then prepare to up your small talk game. As part of the platform's first major update since the ability to download recordings to phones and tablets was added, EE has today brought various "Watch with Twitter" features to its TV service after partnering with the social network.
Google Fiber TV finally gets an interface overhaul
While Alphabet ponders switching its high-speed Google Fiber service to wireless, those subscribers already on the bandwagon are getting the biggest update to their TV box since the network went live in 2012. As Google's Fiber team notes today, the Fiber TV interface has been redesigned to add more helpful information, a reorganized DVR and new recommendation functions.
TiVo combines its biggest, fastest DVRs to make the Bolt+
As soon as TiVo unveiled its Bolt Unified Entertainment System last year, the company's biggest DVR fans started asking "what about us?" That's because despite its new design, 4K streaming and updated features, there was no option with enough tuners and storage to match the top of the line Roamio Pro DVR. Now TiVo is filling that hole with the $499 (plus service fee) Bolt+, which takes the styling and power of the Bolt then adds the ability to record up to 6 channels at once onto a built-in 3TB hard drive.
DirecTV now streams many more channels on your phone
AT&T is pushing hard to get you streaming DirecTV on your smartphone. An update to the DirecTV iOS and Android apps mean you can now stream many more of the TV channels you can get at home. In The Verge's testing, the only big exceptions were 4K content, adult channels and pay-per-view. Oh, and you now have an easy way to watch recorded shows -- you can either download them to watch offline or stream them directly from your DVR.
