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Handbrake's video conversion app update was 13 years in the making
In the fast-moving world of modern app development, users can often wait days or a small number of weeks for an update. However, if you're the team behind Handbrake -- one of the world's most popular video conversion apps -- years can pass before you're ready to show off what you've been working on. Well, 13 years to be exact. After more than a decade in development and available as a beta release, the Handbrake team has released version 1.0.0 of its transcoding software, which delivers a much-needed set of new features.
TiVo's new Roamio DVRs include six tuners, streams your favorite TV anywhere
The dream of watching whatever we want, wherever we want, just got one step closer with the new "Roamio" DVR platform from TiVo. Also known as the Series 5, the Roamio family includes a revamped user interface, up to six tuners and 3TB of storage. That's certainly enough space and tuners to record almost anything you might want, save for maybe the 4K director's cuts of Lord of the Rings. Perhaps more exciting, though, is the addition of out-of-home streaming. The Roamio Plus and Pro both include integrated TiVo Stream functionality, except it's not limited to the confines of your home network any longer -- an update will bring this to the existing TiVo Stream first, while Roamio customers will have to wait a bit longer. The other new update -- also coming to existing hardware -- is the long-awaited dynamic tuner allocation for the TiVo Mini, which frees up more tuners for recording and expands the new room limit to nine. What to Watch Now is coming to TiVo Central and there are new guide filters to help you find stuff to watch. Last but not least, there's a new HTML5 engine that powers a fresh YouTube app and Netflix app has received a minor update as well. All three models also include a new RF remote as well as WiFi (finally!), but only the top two feature MoCA. You can pre-order the Roamio, Roamio Plus or Roamio Pro now for $199, $399, and $599, respectively (plus service). If you want to know more, then don't miss our full review.
TiVo Series 5 'Roamio Pro' and 'Roamio Plus' DVRs pop up in FCC filings
It has been more than three years since TiVo's Premiere platform launched, but it appears the company is finally readying a successor. A pair of FCC filings referring to new TGN-TCD8465 shown above) and TGN-TCD8400 (after the break) models have appeared, revealing a couple of design pictures and the shocking confirmation that they are DVRs. The TGN-TCD8400 documents apply for two different models: the TCD848000 and an TCD840300, that differs only by capacity of the disk drive, and the addition of MoCA and a transcoder that could reference built-in Stream capabilities. An earlier post on ZatzNotFunny points out a MoCA certification from June that adds the Series 5 tag, and a separate FCC listing for a new remote. It also speculates on a "Roamio" name or codename, with three new boxes on the way including one base 4-tuner box and two 6-tuner models. The TCD8400 and TCD84030 are referred to in these documents as the Roamio Pro and Roamio Plus, respectively. We couldn't find any other details on specs or a name for the TCD8465, but with cable companies like Cox launching six tuner, 2TB DVRs and even Comcast offering more options on its X1 / X2 platform, advances in all areas (app, recording, second screen and multiroom features) are necessary to stay a step ahead.
TiVo Stream transcoder review: TiVo is bringing streaming to mobile devices, starting with iOS
More Info Updated TiVo Netflix, YouTube interfaces and iPad streaming hands-on TiVo Stream DVR-to-iOS transcoder box pops up for $129 pre-orders early TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129 Back when we first reviewed the TiVo Premiere for iPad app, there were folks who complained about not being able to stream content. It seems, though, that TiVo was one step ahead of us: back at CES the company teased a transcoder -- a device that would later be known as the Stream. As its name suggests, this little box streams recordings from your TiVo Premiere to as many as four iOS devices with the help of your local network. You can also use it to transfer shows for on-the-go viewing. So is it worth the additional $129? Let's find out.%Gallery-163753%
TiVo Stream transcoder officially set to go on sale September 6th for $129
A bit of early access for pre-orders blew the surprise, but TiVo has officially announced that its Stream transcoder device will hit stores on September 6th. Priced at $130 the feature set should be familiar by now: plug it into a home network that also has a TiVo Premiere series DVR connected to it, and it takes in live or recorded programming and reformats it for viewing on a mobile device. Currently those mobile devices are limited to the iOS family, but TiVo says Android access is coming. According to the company, the Stream is the first device to allow streaming and recording to as many as four devices without interrupting what's currently being viewed on the TV. Comparing it to the others, live streaming or VOD in and out of the home on mobile devices is a feature several cable / satellite companies offer, Dish Network has tight Sling integration for streaming in multiple locations, and both DirecTV's Nomad and the Monsoon Vulkano boxes do place-shifting, the a combination of features plus a familiar TiVo UI puts the Stream in the lead, at least on paper. We're testing one now and should have a better handle on its strengths and weaknesses soon -- we'll have a comprehensive review for you soon.
TiVo Stream DVR-to-iOS transcoder box pops up for $129 pre-orders early
We haven't heard a lot about TiVo's Stream transcoder since it was officially unveiled in May, but today emails went out to winners of a Facebook contest informing them they can pre-order one for $129 (plus shipping) and receive it on September 5th. In case you've forgotten what its capabilities are, the notice shown above from Zatz Not Funny also includes a description of its capabilities which include streaming shows to up to three different mobile devices (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) in the home at once, streaming a show to your mobile as it's recorded, or wirelessly transferring shows to the device to view them on the move, TiVoToGo-style. Those interested will of course need a Premiere series DVR that's hard-wired to a router, but with that it's just a one time fee to easily cut the tether on TV content. Interestingly, a few TiVo Community posters report being able to preorder from the listed number without being in the contest, so if you're already intending to jump just pick up the phone and give it a shot. [Thanks, @BrennokBob, Joe]
TiVo's Stream transcoding box and IP connected extender make their debut at Cable Show 2012
Now that TiVo has delivered updated software for its Premiere boxes its focus is turning to some new hardware accessories, including the TiVoToGo-style transcoder we saw at CES, now dubbed Stream (top), and the IP extender set-top box mentioned earlier this year (bottom). According to TiVo's press release, both boxes will be available at retail and via the various cable operators that are offering its DVRs to their customers, while availability will be announced "in the coming months". The Stream transcoder reformats live and recorded video from a Premiere DVR for viewing on mobile devices or tablets (including sideloading for offline viewing away from the home), and TiVo says it's the first to stream or download shows simultaneously to multiple devices like iPads or iPhones without interrupting what's being watched. The IP box on the other hand is all about multiroom, designed to pull in either live or recorded video from a Premiere Q plus cable VOD and internet content, similar to the existing Preview but without the CableCARD tuner. A press release follows after the break, while Zatz Not Funny has a few pics of them on the floor at this week's 2012 NCTA Cable Show.
TiVo releases Q4 results, announces transcoder and IP set-top box on the way
Today TiVo announced its earnings for Q4 2011 and the full year, however the most interesting note was word of a few new boxes on the way. From the sound of things, the company will deliver a four stream transcoder similar to the one we saw demonstrated at CES (pictured above) capable of dishing out video to multiple devices (phones, tablets, etc.) within the home simultaneously. Also on the way is an IP set-top box coming to retail that sounds very much like the TiVo Preview multiroom extender, however it could include access to internet video services as well. As mentioned on Tech of the Hub, CEO Tom Rogers' statements indicate the transcoder will enable both live streaming and DirecTV Nomad-style "high speed" sideloading of recorded content for offline viewing. More concrete are its positive numbers from the partnership with Virgin Media in the UK, and progress on a plan for Pace to develop TiVo-compatible set-top boxes for cable operators here and abroad. The Comcast partnership is also apparently progressing, with VOD access in beta trials and preparing to launch "soon" in the San Francisco area.
HandBrake 0.9.5 released, adds presets and more for easier DVD ripping
It's been over a year since the amazing free DVD ripping software (also known as a "video transcoder"), HandBrake, has been updated. Life is good, and Handbrake 0.9.5 has now been released. There are a ton of changes in this release, and you can get into the details in the change release notes. For the Mac version of the software, the biggest news is that PowerPC is no longer supported. If you're still holding on to an older Mac, it's time to either consider a hardware upgrade or you'll be using HandBrake 0.9.4 for the rest of eternity. Other Mac changes include VLC detection in both the /Applications and ~/Applications directories, a new Audio Panel supporting more than four audio tracks and support for multiple instances running simultaneously. I noticed that the update wasn't accessible through the "Check for Updates" feature in version 0.9.4, so you'll probably want to go to the HandBrake website and just download the installer in order to update. Thanks to Adam for the tip!
Motorola showcases USB-powered Media Mover
We didn't think much of Motorola's MCU3E (MCUBE) wireless transcoder when it was launched as a prototype late last year, but obviously Moto's got dreams of seeing this in homes around the world. Showcased at this year's Cable Show, the rechristened Media Mover is a USB-powered device that not only transcodes media on your DVR, but also broadcasts said media (transfer or streaming) locally or remotely via WiFi or Bluetooth. Dave Zatz reported that the quality was actually pretty stellar, and while the company wasn't exactly forthcoming when it came to hardware specifics and availability, we don't suspect it'll be too long before the company comes right out with those very details. Check the read link for a few more hands-on shots.
