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DISH Network ViP 922 HD DVR hands-on and video
DISH Network was on hand at CES in order to demonstrate its first SlingLoaded DVR, the beefy ViP 922. We stopped by to give the set-top-box a look, and while it was a touch large for our tastes, the front panel did look pretty attractive. We even got the oh-so-kind booth attendant to run through the menus for a few minutes (which won't be backwards compatible with other DISH DVRs, by the way), and while the Sling icon and a few internet connected apps weren't operational on the demo unit, we figure you'll get the point. Have a look at the gallery below / video above!%Gallery-41416%
DISH Network's ViP 922 and SlingGuide unveiled: first "SlingLoaded" HD DVR
We heard way back in May of last year that DISH Network's next major wave of DVRs would have hints of Sling all over. Guess that played out alright, huh? The company has just announced its first SlingLoaded DVR, the ViP 922 HD DuoDVR. For those still scratching their heads, here's the skinny: this is the industry's first high-definition digital video recorder that incorporates placeshifting technology. The device packs five video sources including satellite, broadband and optional OTA tuners, and the 1TB HDD can hold up to 1,000 hours of content before tapping into external drive space. The box comes bundled with an innovative touchpad remote, and it can be controlled using the all new SlingGuide, which enables users to control their TV viewing experience over the web. No word on a price or release date, but boy, it'll be hard to resist regardless. The full release for both the DVR and the SlingGuide are just after the break.%Gallery-40979%
Dream Multimedia unveils dual-tuner DM 8000 HD PVR in Europe
Not to be confused with the similarly named DM 800, the DM 8000 HD PVR is finally shipping overseas. The Dream Multimedia DVR comes with a 400MHz processor, MPEG-2 / H.264 decoding, an Ethernet jack, an OLED display, twin DVB-S2 tuners (DVB-C / DVB-T optional), a pair of SmartCard readers, S/PDIF audio output and all sorts of other ports. According to a local, the potent box is on sale now for €989 ($1,369), and just in case you're having trouble deciding if the inkling you're having is true: yes, that's absurdly expensive.[Thanks, Rob]
Verizon FiOS HD DVR Review
Now that DVRs have really hit critical mass, just about everyone and their brother makes one. But for the most part, people don't get to choose which one they use. Sure, you can select a provider just based on the DVR, but seriously, who does that? When it comes to reviewing such a device, we tend to focus on it in comparison to a TiVo or Windows Media Center, because in reality we think that is the decision that most are faced with. The following review is based on that perspective and is intended for someone with FiOS TV that is trying to find the best DVR solution. %Gallery-39249%
DISH Network's ViP222k HD receiver now available
At first glance, DISH Network's ViP222k HD receiver seems like something worth yawning over and forgetting forever. But there are a few unique tidbits that we feel are worthy of consideration. For starters, the box packs an Over The Air Tuning Cartridge which enables the viewing of two separate OTA HD (ATSC) broadcasts on two separate TV sets. Furthermore, it comes bundled with the new DISH two-way learning remote, and for those willing to attach external USB storage, you can theoretically record four HD programs at once so long as two are via OTA antenna. It's shipping as we speak for $289.99 (or $30 less for those who don't want the ATSC Tuner Cartridge).[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks J.D.M.]Update: Here's an animated look at the OTA module in the 722k. Thanks, Vanbrothers!
Hyundai brings AH-3110 satellite / OTA HD DVR to New Zealand
Barely a week after the MyFreeview HD emerges, in swoops some competition to keep things level. Hailed as New Zealand's first combo satellite / terrestrial HD personal video recorder, the Hyundai AH-3110 enables users to record Freeview or Freeview HD (sat or OTA) content with full EIT EPG support. Oddly, the box doesn't come with an HDD within, so you'll be required to connect your own hard drive via USB 2.0. You'll find an HDMI port, seven-day EPG, MPEG-2/4 compatibility and component / S-Video / S/PDIF sockets. The good news? It's slated to ship on December 15th. The bad? It's NZ$579 ($319 in US bucks), and remember, that's without an internal hard drive.[Via DTVForum]
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]
Nearly half of American households to have a DVR by 2014
So, what? 2012 is too close now, so we're moving the target date for all consumer electronics-related estimates to 2014? All jesting aside, a new study from Magna asserts that by the end of 2014, some 44% of US households will have a DVR of some kind. Also by that time, the DVR will be responsible for a 4% erosion in total viewing impressions across all dayparts, but those primetime spots will become that much less important when users can simply make anytime their own personal primetime. The report also expects around 68.8 million homes to receive video-on-demand (up from 40.4 million in Q3 2008), while the number of US domiciles with broadband internet access will rise to 86.2 million from 68.3 million now. Ah, the beautiful scent of progress.[Image courtesy of AT&T]
Mediacom seeing high demand for HD DVRs, adding more HD in Springfield, MO
While we genuinely feel for the HD junkies in Springfield, Missouri who are on a 200-person deep waiting list for an HD DVR, we can't help but smile at the news. Even during these bizarre economic times, the value in high-def programming is obviously shining through. Mediacom Region Operations VP Larry Peterson was quoted as saying that HD DVRs "are the holy grail right now; we've got three different manufacturers we use to try to get the boxes available and it just seems as soon as we get them in, they go out." In related news, the carrier will also be adding in eight new high-def channels on December 17th: WGN, TBS, CNN, SciFi, A&E, History, HGTV, and Food Network. Might explain the uptick in demand, wouldn't you say?
MyFreeview HD recorder heading to New Zealand
The Freeview service (or the HD aspect, at least) isn't having the easiest time gaining traction in New Zealand, but we're elated to see that there's enough dedication to the service to create this. As of December 11th, Freeview HD viewers in the country will be able to snap up a MyFreeview HD recorder, which holds a whopping 80-hours of HD footage or up to 240-hours of high-def content. It utilizes an eight-day EPG and contains twin tuners for watching one live show while recording another, but we still don't see any signs of fresh high-def channels to load it up with. Baby steps, baby steps.[Via NZHerald]
+Le Cube HD DVR brings a touch of class to Canal+
Apparently not happy with standard DVR offerings, Pace France delivered the slick +Le Cube exclusively for Canal+ and CANALSAT subscribers this month. Canal+'s first internal hard drive-packing HD DVR coming with 320GB of storage, Ethernet for downloading VOD and a 128 x 128 exterior LCD that senses if the unit is standing up or lying down and adjusts accordingly. Promising near-silent operation, multiroom streaming, catch up service and recommendations make sure it's got substance to go with style as Canal+ rolls out new offerings. Like the time it takes to change channels, we're not sure if the design of a STB is enough to change services for, but peep our gallery and imagine how that'd look next to your Armani HDTV.%Gallery-38035%
EchoStar's DBS-7100HD HD DVR comes to Cyfrowy Polsat
Poland's largest satellite provider, Cyfrowy Polsat, has just hammered out a deal that will make EchoStar Europe's DBS-7100HD HD DVR available to some 2.4 million subscribers. The box features an HDMI port, Ethernet jack and plenty of silicon to process those delightful high-def feeds. Speaking of -- when can Polish customers expect more than a handful of HD options? No need for a new box if there's no material to take advantage, right?[Via Multichannel News]
Humax's 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR now on sale
Humax told us that its awfully cute 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR would be on sale this month, and sure enough, it's filtering into quality retailers across the UK. According to T3, users looking for "free" high-def via Freesat+ can waltz on into John Lewis, Comet, Argos or Dixons in order to trade £299 for the box you see pictured above. From there, you'll also need to grab a dish, an HDTV and an installer, but those are just details, right?
Singapore's StarHub rolls out HubStation HD DVR
High-def programming and DVRs -- they just go together, don't they? Like peanut butter and jelly. Like Romeo and Juliet. Like $150 Blu-ray players and Black Friday. And now, like StarHub and HubStation HD. Yep, the Singaporean cable provider has launched the aforementioned HD DVR for customers looking to record SD / HD content and watch later, and considering that you can't possibly watch everything on HD5, National Geographic Channel HD, Discovery HD, The History Channel HD and Sports HD at once, we suspect this will come in handy. Now, the only issue is finding the S$14.98 (US$10.02) every month to pay for it.[Via CNET]
DirecTV's HR23-700 HD DVR gets an early look
Ah, the pains of progress. Not even two full months after DirecTV's HR22 began filtering out to eager users, in flies a first look at the forthcoming HR23-700. But don't fret -- there aren't too many differences here. It looks as if the HDD of the HD DVR is the same size as that in the HR22, with the major changes being a few cosmetic tweaks and internal swaps that could amount to better picture quality. It still looks as if there's no OTA tuner, and it'll be sporting the same wide band tuners as in the H23. Check the read link for the full writeup, and trust us, there's a lot in there to digest.[Thanks, Anthony]
Humax announces 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR for UK market
Humax's FOXSAT-HD FreeSat receiver was perfectly fine for those with no need for timeshifting, but for the throngs of others who just can't live without some sort of DVR functionality, your day has finally come. The aforementioned company has today launched its Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR, which packs two FreeSat HD digital TV tuners (which can also access analog channels), support for radio / interactive channels, a 320GB hard drive for storing up to 80 hours of HD material or 200 hours of SD content and an HDMI port to boot. The downright sexy set-top-box also includes Dolby Digital audio output, two SCART sockets, a bundled remote, radio recording, split recording and the ability to "live pause" with instant rewind. Get ready to grab yours next month for £299 ($487).[Via Digital Spy]
DIRECTV2PC actually goes live, for real this time
Heads-up, DirecTV users. That DIRECTV2PC software that you've been waiting so anxiously for is finally available for download. Like, for real this time. Just as a refresher, the CyberLink software enables PC users to stream HD recordings from their DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver to a connected computer in the home, and if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, may we encourage you to hit the read link and follow the steps to downloading. Oddly enough, the direct URL to CyberLink's site only seems to work when you connect through DirecTV's site, but we're hoping a fix is in the works.[Thanks, Albert]
BendBroadband deploys Digeo's Moxi HD DVR 3012
Digeo never hit the home run it probably wanted to with its family of DVRs, but at least it's netting a few deals with MSOs. Last month, the outfit announced that some of its wares would be deployed by Charter, and it also mentioned that an elusive second provider would be following suit shortly. Enter BendBroadband, a smallish cable company in Oregon that will begin doling out the Moxi HD DVR 3012, which includes the Moxi Menu user interface, multi-stream CableCARD support, remote web scheduling, external storage options and twin tuners. Sadly, the box won't ever be down with tru2way, but those not deterred can get one of their own later in Q4.
Tata Sky gets with the program, launches PVR service in India
Tata Sky may be ready for HD broadcasting, but it can't really expect to topple Dish TV and friends without its own PVR service. At long last, the Indian satcaster is finally enabling its 2.7 million subscribers to enjoy the unbelievable bliss that comes with timeshifting. As for pricing, you'll be asked to hand over Rs 8,999 ($189) for the HDD-packed set-top-box, though current users who choose to upgrade can get ahold of one for "a discounted rate." In related news, managing director and CEO Vikram Kaushik has also expressed his desire to net "at least" 8 million subs by 2012 -- get some serious high-def material rolling and we'd say you can snag 10+ million with ease.
DIRECTV2PC launches in beta form, brings HD recordings to your local PC
It's no HDPC-20 PC tuner, but it is a new way for DirecTV subscribers to enjoy content. As of now, the DIRECTV2PC beta has been opened, giving mettlesome souls the ability to stream HD recordings from their DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver to a connected PC in the home. Unfortunately, this isn't a Slingbox-type application, as the programming can only be slung within your local (read: home) network, but thankfully, high-def recordings are transmitted as high-def. You'll need a potent PC to play things back smoothly, and you can watch shows on your PC while live or recorded shows are being viewed on the TV. Have any of you given this a go? If so, drop in your initial impressions below.[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks Vanbrothers]Update: Seems the link still isn't working -- c'mon DirecTV, what gives?
