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Foxtel gets official with quad-tuner iQ2 HD DVR
Foxtel's HD+ services may have launched a few days back in Australia, but that's not stopping OpenTV from pushing out a release trumpeting the arrival of the iQ2. As you could likely guess, the set-top-box is powered by OpenTV's Core2 middleware, but frankly, that's not the part we're interested in. Merely hearing the words "quad-tuner" just gets our juices flowing, and with nearly "double the recordable capacity" of the current Foxtel iQ, we'd say it's a surefire winner for Aussies looking to delve into the beautiful world of high-definition.
TiVo Series 3 coming to Australia next month
Great news, Aussies -- you too can enjoy the same box Americans have been using for eons starting next month. Yep, as of July, the TiVo Series 3 will go on sale via Seven for $700, and while Harvey Norman will sell the device exclusively for three months, it'll filter into "all major electronics chains" shortly after that window of time closes. Of note, Seven claims that it is not attempting to compete with Foxtel and its newly announced iQ2 box, and that it is instead aiming for subscribers who want the functionality of a DVR without the costly Foxtel subscription fees. If whispers prove true, you folks can expect to see this on sale in late July following a July 1st media launch.
Sky's new HD EPG gets peeked
We already received confirmation that Sky would be freshening up its universally frowned upon EPG with something a bit sweeter, and now UKers are getting a first look at what to expect. Reportedly, the new guide will be entirely in HD and launched in August -- unfortunately, the image above may be the only tease you get (from Sky, anyway) all summer.
TiVo's Tom Rogers speaks of "whole home model"
During his sit-down at D6, TiVo's head honcho Tom Rogers was grilled with a flurry of questions. Aside from a lengthy back-and-forth over the DVR's ability to skip through ads, we finally got to some real meat. First off, Mr. Rogers noted that he was "hopeful" that TiVo would be launched in the UK "soon." Secondly -- and probably most interestingly -- was the notion that TiVo was working up a "whole home model" in order to solve the problem of needing multiple boxes to service an entire house. Sadly, that snippet is all Tom uttered, so we're left to ponder what's really going on behind the tightly sealed doors at TiVo. Here's to hoping we know more by the time CEDIA rolls around -- you listening, Mr. Rogers? [Via Electronista]
Poll: Are you waiting for a Tuning Adapter?
With the looming Tuning Adapter practically stealing the limelight at The Cable Show 2008, we can't help but wonder: how many of you are actually waiting in tense anticipation to snag one of these rascals? Is your CableCARD-equipped TiVo not pulling in all of the HD channels that are being delivered via switched digital video? Are you holding off on buying a set-top-box until tru2way DVRs hit the market? Let us know just how important this stuff is to you. %Poll-14649%
Macrovision to scrutinize Sunflower Broadband in-guide advertising
With Disney creating a dedicated lair for biometric testing of advertisements and Backchannelmedia pushing its own TV-to-internet ad platform, we aren't too surprised to see Macrovision teaming up with Sunflower Broadband to gauge the effectiveness of yet another advertising alternative. As part of the collaborative effort, EPG usage patterns of an "anonymous sample of Sunflower customers" will be collected and scrutinized in order to "gain insight into how consumers use i-Guide and interact with their DVR, on-demand services and in-guide advertising." In essence, the data will be used to "develop more effective consumer marketing tactics" and understand how subscribers "engage with interactive guide advertising." In-guide advertising? We hate to even think it, but really, what's next?
AT&T quietly enables 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in more cities
Since activating dual HD streams in St. Louis earlier this month, AT&T has seemingly enabled the functionality in a handful of other cities without even an official peep. According to user reports stemming from Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia and certain sections of Michigan, they too are enjoying the luxury of recording one high-def program while viewing another live. We fully expect the carrier to spread the 2HD / 2SD service to more of the country here soon, but until it decides to open its own mouth, we'd highly recommend keeping an eye on your box for a certain surprise.
Seagate reveals Showcase external HDD: for media centers and DVRs
Great, just great. Soon after Western Digital made a fool of itself by introducing an external hard drive "certified" for use with DISH Network HD DVRs, along comes Seagate to further fuel the hype machine. Announced at this year's Cable Show (after being mentioned at CES), the Showcase storage solution is "designed" to extend storage capacity of DVRs and media centers. In a similar vein, the outfit's newest drives are "compatible with Motorola's s-SATA-capable HD DVRs," and they also come with USB 2.0 ports and up to 1TB of space. No word on a price or any of that jazz, but those who can't figure out that an external hard drive is an external hard drive can look for 'em to land in Q3.
DISH Network's forthcoming DVRs get detailed: hints of Sling all over
Although DISH Network's previous quarter wasn't anything to write home about, it sounds like the satcaster (EchoStar, technically) isn't going to allow its set-top line to grow stale in the process. During the recent Team Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, DISH's CEO Charlie Ergen reiterated that it would be beaming out "more than 100 national HD channels" by the end of 2008, and he also made mention that the EchoStar 11 satellite would lift off in July. Most interesting, however, was all the talk about the new STBs. The forthcoming ViP 722s will be the first HD DVR from the outfit with loads of Sling technology built in -- not too shocking considering the recent acquisition. Additionally, the box is said to feature an all new interface and the ability to browse to (select) websites, double as a SlingCatcher and even handle Clip & Sling duties. There's plenty more where this came from, so be sure and hit the read link when you've got some spare time for reading.[Via GizmoLovers]
WD's 500GB My DVR Expander drives certified for use with DISH HD DVRs
From what we can tell, this is just marketing hoopla to get you to buy a drive "certified" for use in a particular application; in all actuality, users can connect any USB 2.0 external hard drive to their DISH Network HD DVR and expand their storage capacity for a one-time fee. Nevertheless, Western Digital has just let loose its 500GB My DVR Expander, which "more than doubles" your available recording hours by storing up to 300 hours of SD content and 60 hours of high-def goodness. As predicted, the drives work with the satcaster's ViP family of HD DVRs, and WD is apparently looking to expand the brand to other carriers as soon as they get with the program and enable USB storage. Those willing to fall for this ploy can procure the half-terabyte drive for $149.99, but considering that the port activation fee is still charged, we can't imagine looking elsewhere first. [Via FarEastGizmos]
Dream Multimedia launches DM 800 PVR in Europe
We know, you've been waiting ages for Dream Multimedia to finally launch a product in the DM 8** series, and we're elated to see that your suffering has at long last come to an end. The European satellite receiver boasts a 300MHz MIPS processor, Linux operating system, OLED front-panel display, MPEG-2 / H.264 hardware encoding, DVB-S tuner (DVB-C and DVB-T are optional), a SmartCard reader, RS-232 port, Ethernet, DVI, two USB 2.0 sockets and an eSATA hookup for external storage. Sadly, we're not savvy on a price, but you can dig into the read link for a breakdown of the technical specifications should you be so inclined.[Thanks, Rob]
TiVo brings back $399 Lifetime Service plan
Hard to say if this is just another fling that will expire as soon as some TiVo exec feels that it should, but for whatever it's worth, interested users can now purchase a Lifetime Service plan for their TiVo. Those operating sans a TiVo HD DVR can actually still take advantage of the Blue Moon special, but for everyone else, you can snag the Lifetime package for $399 (or $299 if adding it to your second, third, fourth or twentieth TiVo box). Remember, however, that the "Lifetime" subscription only applies to whatever deck you currently have, and with all this talk of tru2way, we might suggest holding off and letting the dust settle before pulling the trigger.[Via Zatz Not Funny, thanks MegaZone]
Sky launching HD service, MySky HD DVR in New Zealand
How's this for keeping a promise? Nearly two years back, Sky revealed plans to roll out HD service in New Zealand during the early part of 2008, and sure enough, all systems are go. The pay-TV operator is putting the finishing touches on its new high-definition satellite service, which it will use to beam out Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport 2, Sky Movies and Sky Movies Greats in HD this July. Users will also be able to rent the all new MySky HD DVR, which was "developed in conjunction with Sky's Australian sister company Foxtel, which will sell the same box under the iQ2 banner." It's noted that the timing of the two launches is purely coincidental, and the unit itself will boast a 320GB hard drive, four tuners, an HDMI output and an Ethernet port for a "possible video-on-demand service over broadband." Pricing information has yet to be divulged, but that tidbit should be surfacing real soon.
Portugal's ZON intros ZON BOX HD DVR
ZON TVCabo, a leading programming provider in Portugal, has introduced an all new HD DVR for its users: the imaginatively titled ZON BOX. The unit boasts a 160GB hard drive, USB 2.0 port, gigabit Ethernet and HDMI / component / S-Video / composite jacks for good measure. We're also informed that the box will come in handy here soon, with National Geographic HD (which recently launched on rival Portugal Telecom), MOV HD and possibly SportTV HD going live. The latter two channels would be dedicated to movies / TV series and sporting events such as Euro 2008, respectively. Unfortunately, we weren't able to solicit pricing information, but feel free to give the carrier a call and see what this gem will run you.
Australia's Foxtel preps HD+ service, iQ2 HD STB for June launch
For Aussies counting down the days until Foxtel's HD+ service goes live, here's a bit of good news to tide you over. That iQ2 HD set-top box is apparently right on schedule, with company bigwig Kim Williams stating that he was "very confident" that customers would be able to use said unit to access the looming HD+ service "well before June 30." Also of note, ongoing technical trials have been going quite well, with the last of the quirks reportedly ironed out just last week. Mr. Williams also confirmed that Foxtel's immediate plan after the iQ2 launch was to "deliver high-bit-rate, high-contention video (HD channels and HD VOD)," but sadly, he failed to mention specifics.
TWC gets official with Navigator rollout in Raleigh, NC: hands-on
Our hopes fears are true: Time Warner Cable is indeed initiating a rollout of its new Navigator interface -- at least in the greater Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina region, anyway. According to a note sent out to select subscribers in the area, it's only a matter of time before their set-top-box also becomes overcome with the Navigator. As beautiful as it may look, however, the UI is quite dreadful in actual use. Screen changes are noticeably slower, unmodifiable fade effects are utterly annoying and the black flash that occurs each time you activate / deactivate the menu screen could certainly stand to be omitted. Of course, there are a few additional Parental Control features, but really, we're finding a lot more negatives than positives in the upgrade. How do you see things, dear TWC customers? Are you digging the new Navigator? Do you despise it? Chime in below! [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, krithren] %Gallery-21917%
NHL chooses Bell ExpressVu HD PVR for video replay during playoffs
Shortly after Sharp's AQUOS HD Netcam took the ice in a Rangers / Devils matchup, the National Hockey League has announced that it will be utilizing a certain carrier's own HD PVR for instant replays during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. Apparently Bell Canada's dual-tuner 9242 -- which can hold up to 30 hours of HD / 200 hours of SD content -- will be used throughout the playoffs in order to view instant video replays, but details beyond that are scant. High-def aficionados up north who'd like to get ahold of the same box being used by the NHL can procure one for a stiff $599 (one-time fee) or rent one for $20 per month.
TiVo gets official with Desktop Plus 2.6, enables web video viewing
Well, what do you know? TiVo's delivering as promised with this one, as Desktop Plus 2.6 is indeed going live in March -- just like we were told back in January (and nary a week after TiVo promised YouTube access later this year). Truth be told, there's not a whole lot here that you didn't already get a taste of in our hands-on at CES, but here's the skinny. As of today, TiVo users can grab hold of the latest version of Desktop (Windows only, we're afraid) and "enjoy a broad range of web entertainment available directly from their TV." More specifically, these customers "can choose web videos downloaded on the home PC using web browsers, RSS video clients such as iTunes podcasts, or other video download software to automatically copy to their TiVo DVR's Now Playing List alongside recorded broadcast and cable TV shows." In case you couldn't tell, Desktop Plus 2.6 can be downloaded today for a one-time fee of $24.95, but consider that waived if you're upgrading from an earlier version. Click on through for the full release.
TiVo still working on a DVR with two-way features like VOD
Hi-def and DVRs go together like peanut butter and jelly, but even with all the great DVRs available today, none are perfect. TiVo offers the best overall user experience and features, but lacks a few fundamental features that most cable STBs have -- like VOD, for starters. Although this isn't TiVo's fault, when it comes down to figuring out what's right for your family, it really doesn't matter. During Tivo's earnings call yesterday, it was reaffirmed that TiVo is working one step closer to making the ultimate cable DVR by including two-way functionality using the latest CableLabs standard tru2way. For those who haven't been keeping track at home, tru2way has undergone an identity crisis, and if you go back long enough, you'll find that it was called CableCARD 2.0 -- by someone. The way this would work is that you'd have a way on a TiVo to access the cable company's UI, so good or bad, when you're accessing VOD content, you'd see the same thing as if you were using a Moto or SA Cisco box. What isn't known is if current HD TiVo owners, with the help of a tuning resolver and some software, would have access to the same features. We don't see why not, but this stuff is already way more complicated than it should be, and at this point we wouldn't put anything by CableLabs.
Verizon running low on FiOS TV HD boxes?
Yeah, we've seen shortages caused by unexpected upticks in demand before, and unfortunately, it's new FiOS TV customers that'll be feeling the pain this 'go round. Shortly after hooking up its one millionth customer, the carrier is now being forced to tell consumers that they won't be able to get a Motorola HD receiver or HD DVR right away. According to a number of user reports, company reps have been informing folks that the wait could be as long as a month, but a Motorola spokeswoman has reportedly said that it's working closely with the company in order to relieve the shortage. We know FiOS TV has been spreading its wings of late, so we're curious to know: have you been affected by said shortage, or did you get in just under the wire?[Via Multichannel News, thanks Jonathan E.]
