SetTopBox
Latest
Comcast building a 500TB TV Warehouse to keep viewer data
As a part of its Canoe advertising collabo with other large cable operators, Comcast is apparently working out how to keep track of viewing statistics from 16 million households nationwide. Charter is already tracking several hundred thousand boxes in its Los Angeles, while the Canoe venture is looking to eventually track viewing metrics for 32 million households so it can deliver Interactive TV and targeted ads. Privacy groups are already up in arms about the plans, however if this kind of system could have persuaded someone to keep Pushing Daisies on the air, we'd be willing to consider it.
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.
BBC, ITV and BT look to collaborate on IPTV set-top-box
We've witnessed the union of both the BBC and ITV before on like-minded projects, but now it seems the duo has rounded up a third party for something a bit more ambitious. Reportedly, BBC, ITV and BT will be locking hands in order to develop a set-top-box that would "deliver IPTV over one's broadband connection to their TV set." Technologically, we're not talking about anything atypical here, but it would be something rather unique for the flagging European TV market. If approved by the BBC Trust, the box could theoretically bring all BBC iPlayer and ITV OD content to one's TV set, and hopefully, more high-def material. Obviously, the deal is just now beginning to form, so we wouldn't count on having anything substantial to swoon over in the short term.
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?
Switched On: Blockbuster box boxes blocks to bust
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. January 2009 will mark the first anniversary of Apple's switch in positioning Apple TV from something that transferred computer-based content to a PC to a video vending machine that allowed direct ordering over broadband. In doing so and cutting a few dollars off the price, the company became the leader in a small category of products exclusively focused on displaying networked content. However, it's been far from alone there. The installed bases of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which offer similar functionality, far exceed those of Apple's little box. Recently the long-delayed SlingCatcher came out of the gate, which -- with a little finagling on a PC screen-- can display virtually any video content available via broadband on a television using its SlingProjector technology.Vudu, a startup that had launched a similar a la carte device, has pushed deeper into the custom installation channel as of late. And CinemaNow, which had partnered with HP on its MediaSmart televisions and standalone device, was recently purchased for $3 million by Sonic Solutions. The acquiring company likely has designs on using the service to support its at-home DVD burning technology QFlix.And on the low-end from Roku -- the roots of which were as a developer of PC-stereo bridging products -- has come a nondescript box that streams movies from Netflix for $99. A year before MovieBeam finally had its plug pulled, its receiver device was available for even less than that.
UK Freeview channel update kills boxes dead
A few UK residents felt the pain Raid-style after the latest Freeview signal upgrade knocked certain receivers out of service last week. The upgrade has been rolling out in waves for the last month, unfortunately owners of some Daewoo, Labgear, Triax and Portland digital boxes have no choice but to buy a new box to keep getting television service. Hopefully our own digital transition doesn't end up with people trashing their box after a couple of years -- while Freeview says only a "minority" were affected by the enhancement, we're pretty sure it doesn't seem that way if your TV is one of the ones knocked out.
Akimbo streams out of business
We hadn't heard from struggling content-delivery service Akimbo in over a year, so it's not really surprising that the latest news isn't exactly cheerful: the company is shutting down, leaving only a "skeleton crew" behind to find a buyer for its remaining assets. Akimbo seemed like it was searching for a viable business model from the start (eventually leading the company to drop its hardware offerings entirely), and like other would-be set-top box vendors, it looks like the economics of content delivery were simply too skewed to wrestle into profitability. Any bets on who's next?[Via GigaOM]
Netflix targets the Apple TV
When I was a lad in Pennsylvania, renting a movie meant driving to Scranton Video (this is pre-Blockbuster, boys and girls) and crossing your fingers in hopes that something you actually want to watch will be among the four dozen VHS tapes they had in stock. Of course, the previous customer didn't rewind the tape before returning it.A few years later, Blockbuster provided a much larger collection of unwound movies I didn't want to see. Eventually, Netflix took the inconvenient travel out of the equation (except for us small-town folk with PO Boxes) by sending movies through the mail. And there was much rejoicing.Today, services like On Demand and Apple TV have eliminated the taxing walk to your mailbox by delivering movies directly to your television. Customers can rent, download and watch a hit movie faster than you can say "sedentary lifestyle." And Netflix wants a piece of the (in)action. Neflix and Roku have produced the Netflix Player, a $99US set top box that allows Netflix customers to stream any of the 10,000 available movies and TV shows. It connects via HDMI, composite, or component, and allows users to browse the library and make selections with the remote.At one hundred bucks, it's less expensive than an Apple TV, but it also does a lot less -- no iTunes or iPhoto synchronization, current trailers, etc. It's not a real threat to the Apple TV, but evidence that the set top box is here to say.[Via AppleInsider]
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 722 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]
Netflix has "three additional partners" launching hardware this year
Details surrounding Netflix's upcoming set-top box partnership with LG are still scarce, but that hasn't stopped it from announcing similar plans with four other unnamed hardware manufacturers that it expects will sell "millions" of devices per year. Feel free to guess, but the only details available are that the fourth company is a small one likely to launch sooner than Q4, while the other three (including LG) will turn on Netflix functionality in some of their devices in the fourth quarter. It's unlikely to wash away the bad taste of an HD price hike, but we like imagining that all the hardware needed to connect Netflix's all-you-can-eat streaming movie service to our HDTV is already in the living room (Xbox 360 & PS3, we're looking at you).
Blockbuster announcing streaming set-top box this month?
The Hollywood Reporter is stating in no uncertain terms that Blockbuster is developing a set-top box to stream video into the home. Now the real bombshell: it should be announced "sometime this month." The device is expected to make the most of Blockbuster's access to Movielink's 6,000 strong Movie catalog just as soon as the content is migrated to Blockbuster.com (sometime before June). While delivering movies into the home electronically certainly challenges Blockbuster's brick and mortar business, really, what choice do they have in the relentless face of progress.
Former Xbox Europe exec foresees the extinction of consoles
It's been nearly a year and a half since the beginning of the current console war, and supporters of the Wii, PS3, and 360 are still set deep in their trenches, fighting the good fight. Gallons of fanboy blood and immeasurable amounts of bandwidth have been spilled in this epic struggle -- and according to Sandy Duncan, former VP for Xbox Europe, it's all for naught. All gaming consoles, he claims, will "die out" within the next five to ten years.No, a console-corrupting pandemic isn't going to sweep the planet -- Duncan predicts that dedicated gaming devices will give way to digital distribution through cable and satellite set-top boxes and online gaming options (though considering his executive position with the web-based YoYo games, this could just be simple, doe-eyed optimism). This presents an interesting question: with no consoles to crusade for, what brave new enterprises will the fanboys move on to? Advertising? Public Relations? God help us -- politics?
Quanta teams with OoVoo on HD video conferencing box for your TV
Quanta, the OEM behind the OLPC and MacBook, just announced its move into home-based HD video conferencing. Quanta is teaming with OoVoo to produce the Quanta Video Messenger -- a 1,280 x 720 pixel / 30fps, multi-point-capable set-top box that plugs directly into your HDTV and home Internet connection (presumably via Ethernet or 802.11n, they don't say). OoVoo is also looking to integrate its wares in existing set-top boxes. The prototype STB is the size of a hardback book and does not currently include a webcam or mic -- those must be plugged into the device separately. They'd better bundle a webcam then, if they hope to generate mass market appeal across familial generations. Early tests of the H.264 video over an Internet connection capped at 512kbps upstream produced the occasional video sputter (when watching a fast moving object) in quality roughly equivalent to DVDs. Fortunately, Quanta and OoVoo have 9 months to sort out any issues as they don't expect to ship until "later this year" for a price meant to be "affordable to consumers." [Via MicroHoo News]
SRS Labs looking to infiltrate your next set-top-box
Apparently, SRS Labs is really lookin' to get its name out there. Barely a week after we heard that it was looking to bring surround sound to mobiles, the audio processing firm has now created a business unit with the sole purpose of developing "solutions for set-top-box applications worldwide." Apparently, the outfit will be working hand in hand with cable operators and STB manufacturers -- not to mention the likes of Conexant Systems, Broadcom, NXP and STMicroelectronics -- in order to "integrate SRS technologies into set-top box platforms." Of course, we've no idea how long it'll be before boxes start hitting cable carriers and store shelves with an SRS Labs emblem on 'em, but it certainly looks as if the wheels are already in motion.
Samsung's See'N'Search set-top TV / Internet box demo video
Samsung's See'N'Search set-top box that intelligently and automatically pulls content from the internet to match whatever TV show is on sounded nice enough, but we wanted to see it in action. Apparently the good people at Samsung have also perfected their wish-granting technology to match the unit's metadata scrapers, because here's a demo video. Check it out after the break, and be mindful of your thoughts, wouldn't want to distract Samsung's R&D from preparing that sandwich we just telepathically requested.
Fifth Media courts home and biz users with AXIA HSDPA Multimedia STB
We know AXIA for the fairly boring Windows Mobile smartphones to which the brand is affixed, so while we trust Fifth Media to stick a radio into a device, we really never saw this coming. The AXIA HSDPA Multimedia STB is a do-it-all box and makes no bones about it. Inside its shiny black exterior is HSDPA, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0, with an embedded Windows OS for running entertainment, VoIP, kiosk and ePayment apps. Says Yogi Babria, Fifth Media Chief Program Officer, "We converge into a single device all the functions and desired applications required for business and home users." We weren't really aware that the market was in dire need of such an oddly converged product, but if you want an HSDPA WiFi router that can simultaneously get you onto Internet Explorer and do the SIP hosting for your VoIP calls, now you know where to turn. No word yet on price or availability, but we'll be seeing more of this one at CeBit next week.
Motorola's DCH3416 M-Card-enabled HD DVR
Tipster Cableric sent in a pic of the recently-announced Motorola DCH3416 set-top box, an all-digital HD DVR with a 160GB drive inside that also supports multistream CableCARD (M-Card) for viewing or recording multiple TV streams simultaneously (along with picture-in-picture). It also works with Motorola's "Follow Me TV" placeshifting suite, which allows users to move pictures, music, and recorded content around their home network to other compatible STB's. The software follows Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) middleware development standards, which should allow for easier updates and implementation of third-party tools. According to Cableric, the console includes the usual audio and video connections, in addition to HDMI, component video, Firewire, SATA, USB 2.0, and Ethernet. Should be good times for cable customers looking to replace the standard cable DVR.
NDS announces P2P-enabled DVR solution
While peer-to-peer sharing certainly gets its fair share of critics, the sharing, caring approach to distributing media definitely has its useful (and legal) benefits, and now NDS has announced "two new product enhancements of Synamedia Metro, the NDS IPTV middleware solution," which looks to bring P2P technology to the DVR. Distributed DVR allows for any hard drive on the home's network to act as the storage device for your DVR, theoretically eliminating the need to even include an HDD in the set-top-box and giving customers the unadulterated ability to scale their storage capacity to fit their needs. Furthermore, the ShareTV system "allows IPTV subscribers to legally share their stored TV content using peer-to-peer technology running in the Jungo Residential Gateway software," essentially opening up a new realm of recorded television to access just in case your forgot to schedule a crucial recording. Of course, all of the files would be laced in DRM, and only users of NDS' system would be able to share and access the recorded content, but having a nearly endless supply of DVR'd shows at your disposal sure sounds appealing. Now, who's game to pick this system up and distribute to the people?[Via PVRWire]
Microsoft partners with major players on IPTV Edition-powered SoC STBs
With Zune and Vista hogging all the headlines these days, you may have forgotten that Microsoft is also hard at work pushing its IPTV Edition software platform into living rooms around the world, so the software giant decided to take the Broadband World Forum Europe in Paris as occasion to remind us just how committed it is to TV over the internet. The major announcement to come out of the conference was the immediate availability of system-on-a-chip set-top boxes powered by Redmond from several of the major STB hardware manufacturers, including Cisco, Motorola, Philips, and Tatung. All of these boxes will provide the end-user with HD and DVR support and on-demand viewing as well as more advanced capabilities like multiroom streaming and home media networking. Most of the new offerings -- such as Tatung's STB2000 series, Philips' BT-bound hybrid IPTV-DTT STB, and Cisco's unnamed models -- use an SoC based on Sigma Designs' 8634 chipset, with Cisco also hitting up STMicroelectronics for its silicon. Moto, meanwhile, announced that AT&T would be be the first customer to take delivery on its new devices, which -- as we already knew -- will be heading into the homes of the few, the proud, the U-verse subscribers. So congrats, Microsoft, on another product category successfully infused with your special brand of software, but now that you've become a major player in this realm, remember to watch your back -- FairUse4IPTV could be right around the corner.
Apple iTV set top box announced: 2007
Apple is finally entering the living room with their long-awaited set top box, codenamed the iTV, due in Q1 2007. The box can stream video from a connected Mac/PC or directly from the internet. No word yet on HD content specifically, but with the component and HDMI jacks on the box it's certainly come to the high-def party with the proper attire. Besides that there are USB, Ethernet, RCA and optical audio connectors, plus included 802.11 "wireless component video". You can watch movies, podcasts, view photo slideshows all on your HDTV through an updated Front Row-style interface on this half-height Mac Mini lookalike, all for $299. Continue on for pics of the back and interface or check out Engadget's coverage of the event.Update: Engadget has a hands-on and close up photos of the unit and interface, it is tiny. Still no word on supported output resolutions.
