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VuNow 3.0 update: Now with AC-3, NTFS, PAL & more
Found the Verismo VuNow's previous iterations lacking? Take another look, because the company says it's gotten all more and better on us, with even more live TV channels, websites, and now Shoutcast Internet radio bringing additional content to the box. On the hardware side it can finally read NTFS formatted drives, not just FAT-32, plus 802.11n support with WPA2 and WPS security, Dolby AC-3 audio, PAL and other tweaks. Check out the full press release after the break and see how $149 for a VN1000HD Hi-Def POD strikes you now that its added even more services (though unfortunately not Hulu, from what we can tell.)
VUDU to debut as an embedded service on Entone IPTV boxes
After being "bombarded by inquiries" about integration the first lucky dance partner for VUDU as a service is Entone, maker of IPTV set-top boxes. Entone's CEO is a little over the top in describing the VUDU + (whatever service provider is first to offer this combo) as the first time two competing visions come together in one unified service (Amazon VOD + TiVo, Xbox 360 + Netflix, we could go on) but it would be an original twist for customers to get the box directly from their TV operator. Expected to launch this summer, it could get VUDU's HD and HDX movies into customers homes without dropping $149 on a single use additional box, but until one of Entone's 50+ telco carriers actually opts for the service it's all just a (good) idea.
Move Networks snaps up "virtual set top box" IPTV provider
Just in case someone wants their own IPTV streaming entry, Move Networks has apparently moved beyond mere browser plugins, after powering the video for ABC, Fox ESPN and others, it is acquiring Inuk Networks, most notably the developer of an IPTV platform built to deliver a "TV experience" to PCs and anything else connected to the Internet. The idea is to give viewers all the features -- DVR, VOD, EPG & more -- that they expect on TV, on a PC or Mac. Of course, cable operators already seem to be building their own similar solutions, but we don't doubt we'll be seeing someone busting out this platform sooner rather than later.
AT&T trumpets U-verse gains in Q1
AT&T's U-verse service just keeps on growing, with Q1 subscriber additions beating out those record Q4 numbers from last year, and up significantly from last year's 148,000 to 284,000. Now 1.3 million strong, it looks like offering dual tuner HD, 100 HD channels and Total Home DVR is having some effect. No word on plans for the future, although even with plans to more than double availability having slipped to 2011, we wouldn't be surprised to see the service rolling out in new areas soon. Now, about that Xbox 360 IPTV...
Qtv launching IPTV service on ... PlayStation 2
Qtv unveiled plans to push its "all-in-one" streaming media player to home consoles at the National Association of Broadcasters trade show (NAB 2009), held yesterday in Las Vegas. While other streaming services exist in the current console market, Qtv will begin testing the service in the U.S. using the PlayStation 2 as its base platform, with plans to move to newer consoles at a later time.Included in the Qtv package is access to YouTube and other streaming video services, as well as Internet radio. The Qtv media player will also allow users to grab and share content -- such as pictures, music and videos of various formats (DivX, h.264, XviD and more) -- from other compatible devices. With the service set to launch later this year, Qtv plans to turn PS2 users into HDTV set-top owners for "less than $50." An interesting proposition ... if we could remember which of our younger relatives we gave our system to.[Via Engadget]
Qtv launches console IPTV platform on the PlayStation.... 2
In one of the more unexpected developments from NAB 2009, Qtv is pushing its streaming media player platform for consoles. Not an altogether radical idea we know, but what's different here is a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later. From the makers of the Qcast technology behind the GameShark Media Player, Qtv includes YouTube and access to streaming video from other sources, plus pictures, music and video (DivX, h.264, XviD & more) from USB devices or networked computers. The PS2 may not be the first HD set-top box we thought of, it does have the highest installed base. The Qtv player launches later this year and will be available on Mac and PC as well for "less than $50," although thanks to the free 30-day trial the hardest part may be remembering where we left our PS2s.
Motorola building Android-based cable boxes for Japan's KDDI?
Don't know why the Motorola rumors are flying hot and heavy today, but right on top of that connected GPS whisper comes word that the struggling device manufacturer is being tapped to build a new version of KDDI's multifaceted Au Box set-top unit that runs Android instead of the previous custom Linux build. The Au Box, if you'll recall, is a trick little IPTV box with a DVD drive that can rip audio and video and transcode it for transfer or streaming to your cellphone -- kind of like a more flexible Slingbox that costs $3/month for KDDI subscribers. Definitely interesting, especially since Android could make browsing and email extremely easy to implement as well -- hey Moto, maybe you want to ditch your current garbage Stateside cable box lineup and start shipping these things at home?Update: Turns out there's no Android here at all, according to Moto. Instead it's running on KreaTV platform. Is it just us or did this thing just lose about 50 megafonzies on the cool-o-meter?[Via CNET]
Is your cable company of the present your IPTV provider of the future?
It didn't make waves at the Cable Show, but the New York Times reports further off than the CableCARD and streaming solutions of the present, cable's future could be in delivering Internet video directly to your PC or other devices. Delivering IPTV would be far more efficient than current video delivery systems, and could offer higher quality than current Internet streaming services. Of course, the glacial speed of current technology rollouts doesn't engender confidence we'll see any of these advances very soon.
Microsoft, AT&T plug PlayReady / Silverlight DRM into U-verse without saying why
Microsoft's PlayReady DRM hasn't exactly set the world on fire since first popping up over two years ago on a bevy of wireless carriers, so we were surprised by today's news that it's being integrated into the MediaRoom IPTV platform, specifically AT&T's U-verse service. A Microsoft exec quoted saying "Through the power of software such as PlayReady and Mediaroom, AT&T will bring its customers an exciting new range of services and content" doesn't help, since that power has lead to very little over the last two years with one exception. This is the same Windows Media Player 10 compatible DRM used by Silverlight plugins, like the ones for Netflix and Sky Player TV, so while we'll make the leap of dreaming about Instant Watch coming to AT&T set-top boxes, reality is probably not only something entirely different, but also considerably more like the Xbox 360 IPTV fantasy & other Mediaroom features that have yet to see any release.
Comtrend's wireless video adapters based on Celeno HD WiFi chip
Earlier this year, Celeno and Cavium teamed up to pump out a WiFi-based wireless HDMI Solution, and now the former company has notched yet another partner in its quest to spread the joys of wireless video the world over. Announced at the IPTV World Forum, Comtrend has selected Celeno's HD WiFi chips for its wireless video adapters, which are available now for service providers worldwide. Their purpose? To distribute multiple HD IPTV content from any Ethernet-equipped home gateway or DVR to IP set-top-boxes. In other words, the solution ensures reliable IPTV home networking, providing whole home coverage without any new wires. There's no specific word on where we'll see this stuff roll out, but those over in London can check it out in person starting tomorrow. Full release is after the break.
AT&T and DirecTV launch partnership, offer up quad-play bundle
AT&T joined up with DirecTV for TV services months ago, but the partnership is now retail-official, and AT&T reps should be fully versed in how bundling services can save you some dough. What's really interesting, however, is the "quad-play" that the new partnership is offering over cable by adding wireless service to the TV/phone/internet trio. In this arms race that threatens to catch up the blades-per-razor contest, expect to see connections between content on your TV, PC and cell phone in the future (assuming you're in a market that receives all four services). Sounds like echoes of Homezone all over again, doesn't it? Of course, cable has similar plans in the works, especially cable companies that picked up some space from last year's 700MHz auction; but still, a first is a first.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]Read - AT&T selling DirecTV Read - AT&T/DirecTV quad-play
Pelicola aims to bring HD online programming to Philippines
Right, so the online content generated and hosted by Pelicola.tv would theoretically serve the world, but it's hoping to produce localized content that would appeal specifically to Filipino internet users. The online TV portal has voiced its intentions to create "a series of local web shows in high-definition video quality," targeting a specific niche of online viewers who appreciate the higher quality. Reportedly, many in the Philippines tap into the web to get their programming fix, thus making the idea extra luscious in that part of the world. The site is expected to fully launch next month, and we can only hope that it not only thrives, but gives others in various countries 'round the globe similar ideas.
Daewoo introduces DIS-E100 HD IPTV set-top-box
It's pretty much impossible to say where Daewoo's DIS-E100 HD IPTV set-top-box (not pictured) is headed in terms of operator adoption, but one's thing is for certain: SecureMedia's Encryptonite ONE will be making sure no pirates can plunder with content running through it. In all honesty, little is actually known about the aforesaid STB given that it's SecureMedia that's doing the outing, but we wouldn't be shocked to see this filter out to the handful of IPTV providers operating in the States. Now, if only this thing had an HDD in it, we'd really be in business. Full release is after the break.
ITV programming made available to Virgin Media subscribers
While BT Vision is currently cooking up a way to bring major UK programming to one place via IPTV, Virgin Media is already taking things one step further by bringing thousands of hours of ITV on-demand content to subscribers. The agreement will, in essence, give ITV its largest ever potential on-demand audience -- you know, now that Virgin's 3.5 million customers can view hours upon hours of ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 material at their leisure. We're told that hit shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be "made available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service," and there will even be a small subset of HD VOD programming to choose from. Not a raw deal at all for existing / to-be VM subs.
BT Vision's IPTV Project Canvas begins to solidify
We heard back in December that BT Vision was looking to link up with BBC and ITV in order to push out a revolutionary IPTV box, and unlike the ill-fated Project Kangaroo, this here initiative is starting to grow legs. Codenamed Project Canvas, the massive IPTV rollout would theoretically bring together major UK broadcasters in one location in order to provide on-demand content for free. BT Vision CEO Dan Marks is already calling this "one of the most important developments that [the UK] has seen in IPTV," and better still, he's locked onto a 2010 launch date. At first, the service will roll out in conjunction with BT Broadband, though Mr. Marks has assured the world that it will eventually be available to "any ISP that fulfills the technical criteria." There's still no definite word on how much high-def material is planned, but we certainly like the sound of all this, resolution be darned.
Move Networks streams over 100 million hours of HD video in 2008
Move Networks has a pretty amazing statistic to share with the world: in 2008, it streamed over 100 million hours of high-definition content, and that's compared to 180 million hours of total content. Additionally, it experienced a 100% growth in the amount of people watching internet television, and if you're wondering why figures from this company are notable, have a listen. It's responsible for streaming 60% of the most popular TV shows and 11 or the top 20 primetime TV shows including Fringe, Lost, Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty. Even Bill Bradford, Chief Product Officer of Fox Digital Media, noted that it has seen "tremendous growth in its audience since partnering with Move Networks to deliver its programs online." No wonder TV manufacturers are champing at the bit to get online video portals on their sets.
IPTV on the 360 still in test, not totally dead
Xbox 360 IPTV, a feature that was announced back in 2007 and has been on the back burner since, is still in the works and may still see a worldwide launch. Zatz Not Funny! is reporting that IPTV is going through "multiple carrier field trials" and that U.S. 360 owners may be able to get IPTV access through AT&Ts U-verse. Though, that's only speculation. As far as Europe goes, BT is still the go-to IPTV carrier, but official launch details are still up in the air. All said, we wonder if anyone is still interested in IPTV functionality on the 360. Anyone?[Via Gizmodo]
Xbox 360 IPTV dream not dead yet
Remember Xbox 360 IPTV rollout? Though the wonderful fantasy of replacing our stodgy cable DVRs with an all-in-one Left 4 Dead playing / channel surfing beast has dried up like a raisin in the sun, Dave Zatz confirmed with Microsoft booth reps that BT is (still) planning on deploying the service, and despite the NXE the UI will retain the look of the current Motorola boxes pictured above. Now that U-Verse has delivered Total Home DVR and upgraded beyond 1 HD stream at a time, maybe they can get to work on this deployment next?
Microsoft unveils all new time shifting, interactive features for Mediaroom IPTV
Throwing some more features towards your local IPTV provider (U-verse this means you), Microsoft's upgraded the Mediaroom platform with Restart Anytime, Live Anytime and Download Anytime network DVR features, making sure silly things like "when something comes on TV" or "whether or not you remembered to schedule the DVR recording" get in between you and your content. Restart shamelessly copies StartOver, restarting a show at any point in its progress, even if you just turned the box on, while Live lets you scroll backwards through the program guide and pull down previously aired TV from the provider's VOD server. Finally Download Anytime pulls in shows or movies ahead of time satellite VOD-style so they can be watched later, despite potentially limited bandwidth. Beyond that, various interactive TV apps will be on demo in the booth this week including Visual Voicemail and TopGear.com but really, we've seen what we need to see.
Panasonic gets official with four PZ850 VIERA IPTV plasma HDTVs
We've long since known about the 50-, 58- and 65-inch versions of Panasonic's internet enabled PZ850 VIERA plasmas, but the company is finally getting official with the whole line today -- which, as it so happens, includes a 46-incher for those looking for a smaller big screen. Hailed as the industry's first IP-enabled televisions, the plasma foursome includes 1080p panels, a Pro Settings Menu, native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, SD card slot, RS-232C socket, four HDMI ports and a PC input. Sadly, no pricing or release information was given in the release hosted after the break, but Panny shouldn't be holding out on us too much longer.