At this point I thought Tivo was all but dead in the water.  But surprise, today the company announced their Series 4 hardware and with it a new UI called the Premiere.  So what’s new in Tivo Premiere?

Well, for starters they’ve beefed up the processor, which apparently now handles searches at a much faster rate and the new Flash UI moves like butter.  When the units ship next month you’ll have your choice of two skus: a base model with 45 hours of HD storage (320GB) for $300 or a higher end THX certified model with 150 hours of HD storage (terabyte of storage) for $500.  If you were hoping that Tivo would lower their service fees, well, keep wishing; they’ve remained the same.  The new boxes consume less power than their predecessors, which probably won’t be reflected in your home’s monthly electricity bill, but it’s a nice peace of mind.  To cut some costs (on Tivo’s end) they’ve forgone the modem and S-video output, but there is a cable card on the rear of the box, but good luck wrestling one of those away from your local provider (I’ve hard it’s a nightmare to score one).

As for the UI, it’s a bit difficult to say without using the Series 4 box.  Also, I’ve never been a Tivo user so I’m at a loss to what is exactly new in this box.  There is a new Discovery bar at the top of the menu screen, which apparently is some sort of aggregation of online video and TV with tips and suggestions for shows – I assume it’s based on your previously watched program, an Amazon for TV and something Tivo has long been doing.   Zatz seems to think we’ll see advertising pop up in this location as well.

The new search we saw 2 years ago at CES apparently renders and works much more smoothly thanks to the increased horsepower under the hood, which should make finding Youtube and other online content a snap.  Also, suffice to say we should expect some apps to eventually roll out, such as Pandora and Netflix, which seem to be the catch all applications when any integrated device launches these days.

When the Series 4 boxes launch they’ll be a standard remote available, but the flagship box – perhaps available for a separate purchase or separate all together – will be a QWERTY keyboard remote that communicates over Bluetooth.  Early reports peg it as a bit chintzy in feel, but nothing is finalized at this point so hang tight while the brains at Tivo finalize the design.  As for WiFi there’s of course the step up to 802.11n for increased through put and range, but it’s a standalone dongle.  Surprisingly, it will have to be plugged into the wall in addition to the Tivo’s USB port to operate, but according to Zatz there is a built-in Ethernet cord for daisy chaining the adapter to other non-WiFi boxes, such as an Xbox 360.

So, as the title states, is this the Tivo we’ve all been waiting for?  I’ve never been a Tivo fan due to the high monthly cost.  At this point in the game I’ve ditched my cable and subscribe to Internet only.  I use a Mac Mini to watch all my content on Hulu and other sites, and the way I see it I’ll make my money back in 8 months.  Tivo’s new boxes are most certainly a step in the right direction, but unfortunately I think it’s too little too late.

Read

Despite losing a long standing contract with Timewarner, Moxi has announced plans for a new set top DVR box that includes 3, yup 3 tuners.  That means you can record CNN, Fox and BBC all at the same time and then review them later to see just how fair and balanced they truly are.

They’ve also updated their Moxi Mate box to now let you view live TV – before it could only access recorded or Internet based programming.  Lastly, Moxi, just in time for the holidays has dropped the price of their 2-tuner box from the ridiculous $799 to $499, which ain’t bad since these players can access the usual streaming Internet content (Youtube, Netflix, etc) and don’t have a monthly subscription fee such as Tivo.

New Three-Tuner Moxi® HD DVR and Reduced Pricing for Moxi Multi-Room Packages Unwrapped for Holiday Season
Under ARRIS Ownership, Moxi Continues to Innovate and Deliver New Features to Consumers

SUWANEE, GA – November 10, 2009 – As part of its first product update since acquiring the award-winning Moxi product line from Digeo, Inc. in September, ARRIS (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced the introduction of a three-tuner version of the Moxi HD DVR as well as reduced pricing for its two-tuner Moxi HD DVR and Moxi multi-room packages.

·         The new three-tuner Moxi HD DVR, which allows for recording of three channels simultaneously while watching a fourth recorded program, is available in a Moxi HD DVR plus Moxi Mate bundle for $799 MSRP.
·         The price of the two-tuner Moxi HD DVR introduced earlier this year has been reduced to $499 MSRP (formerly $799).
·         In addition, ARRIS is introducing a three-room multi-room bundle option—a three-tuner Moxi HD DVR plus two Moxi Mates that collectively serve three rooms for $999.

The company also announced plans to deliver live TV on the Moxi Mate via the Moxi HD DVR. The Moxi HD DVR will receive the update automatically through a software download.  Additionally, the price of the Moxi Mate has been reduced to $299 (formerly $399).

“We’ve heard from consumers that they love the Moxi products but are looking for different price and component options to serve their individual needs,” said Marc Beckwitt, VP of CPE Video Business Development, ARRIS. “The recent acquisition by ARRIS brings the market presence and leverage required to drive cost out of the product, and consequently, we’re able to offer these very competitive prices to consumers.”

ARRIS continues to stand by the commitment to deliver the Moxi “all in”, with no monthly or lifetime DVR service fees. Moxi also has no in-menu advertisements.

The Moxi HD DVR is designed to appeal to the most demanding digital cable entertainment enthusiasts.  Some of its key attributes include:
·         A native HD interface and Emmy® award-winning Moxi Menu
·         Up to 75 hours of HD recording space or up to 300 hours at standard definition, and expandable to 6.5 Terabytes for up to 1000 hours of HD recording with an external eSATA drive
·         Access to many Internet services consumers already use, such as Rhapsody®, Flickr® and online video from Netflix®, Hulu™, and YouTube™ via DLNA server software such as PlayOn™ (currently provided at no charge) running on their PC
·         Multi-room viewing with the Moxi Mate and the ability to record three channels simultaneously while watching a fourth recorded program on the three-tuner version of the Moxi HD DVR
·         Remote and mobile browser scheduling to set recordings while away from home
·         MoxiNet for full-screen web browsing and SupertickerTM —a ticker widget that provides information, such as weather, sports scores and news along the bottom of the screen

The Moxi HD DVR makes it effortless for consumers to discover, experience and share high definition media from their digital cable provider, PCs on the home network, and the Internet.

Also scheduled for release later this month are additional software upgrades to Moxi, which include new search and record option menus. These software updates will enable users to specify preferred record settings that can be applied to any new recorded TV shows or TV series. The new menu structure delivers easier access and better visibility related to the DVR function of the Moxi HD DVR, such as available hard drive space and other Moxi HD DVR related recording and scheduling functions.

Software upgrades, which have been delivered each quarter since unveiling the Moxi at CES in January 2009, continue to be delivered to the consumer automatically and at no charge.

Taking advantage of ARRIS e-tail infrastructure, the company is also introducing payment via major credit card instead of the PayPal option previously offered. The new Moxi pricing and bundle options are available now at www.moxi.com.

For more details, technical specifications and screen images of the Moxi HD DVR and Moxi Mate, please visit: www.moxi.com. You can also follow Moxi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/moxi_hd or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moxi.hd.

About ARRIS
ARRIS is a global communications technology company specializing in the design, engineering and supply of technology supporting triple- and quad-play broadband services for residential and business customers around the world. The company supplies broadband operators with the tools and platforms they need to deliver, reliable telephony, demand driven video, next-generation advertising and high-speed data services. ARRIS products expand and help grow network capacity with access and outside plant construction equipment, reliably deliver voice, video and data services and assure optimal service delivery for end customers. Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, USA, ARRIS has R&D centers in Suwanee; Chicago, IL; Beaverton OR, Kirkland, WA; State College, PA;  Wallingford CT; Waltham, MA; Cork, Ireland; and Shenzhen, China, and operates support and sales offices throughout the world. Information about ARRIS products and services can be found at www.arrisi.com.

###

ARRIS, Moxi, and their respective logos are the trademarks of ARRIS. Emmy is the trademark of ATAS/NATA. Flickr and the Flickr logo are the trademarks of Yahoo! Inc.  Rhapsody is the trademark of RealNetworks, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Recording capacity times can vary depending on content type and bit rates utilized by the provider. Stated recording capacities are calculated in typical usage scenarios. Certain future services may be offered at additional cost.

RIM and Tivo announced the availability of the Tivo app for BlackBerry devices. Yeah, you probably perked up and exclaimed, “Wow!” but the app only allows you to view the program guide and schedule shows to be recorded. Sorry to be a downer but like most of you I was expecting to…

To continue reading “Tivo Blackberry App Now Available For Download” head to PhoneDig

Tivo’s suit against Dish Network, the one that won them $103 million in royalties, might do more than fatten their bank account.  It might provide them with the necessary leverage to either sell the company to a Pay TV service provider or establish contracts with DirecTV, TimeWarner cable and others to utilize their DVR technology.  In fact, TimeWaner’s CFO said on a June 11th conference call that TW is in talks with Tivo to provide their DVR boxes to their 13 million subscribers, although Tivo wouldn’t confirm.  Of note, Tivo already has a contract with Comcast, which I believe is the largest cable provider in the US.

Personally, I can’t stand Timewarner’s current DVR offering, a POS Motorola cable box that often freezes, records ‘repeats’ even though the option isn’t selected, and lacks some painfully obvious features that many DVR users have come to expect.  Even if TW does sign with the DVR company, it will be probably more than a year before customers like me see the box in our homes (tear).

Sound off below if you have some thoughts on the whole DVR offering from cable/satellite companies.  Does Tivo rock or suck? Would you pay extra for the service? What do you think of TimeWarner/Comcast?  You know I can’t stand their DVR box.

[via Giz]

Read

In an attempt to keep things fresh, at least from what I can tell, Lacie has changed the name of their Lacinema Black MAX as well as introduced a lesser but comparable counterpart.  Now called the LaCinema Black RECORD, it still performs the exact same functions at the Black MAX, which includes TV recording with EPG, as well as streaming media over WiFi or Etheret from UPnP network connected computers.  Its less counter part, the LaCinema Black PLAY performs the same streaming capabilities as well as storage and upscaling, but lacks the DVR functionality.  Both players are available in 500GB and 1TB capacities and should be available soon with prices starting at $429.99.

Update: Lacie just reached out and clarified that the Black MAX is the exact same product, it’s just the EU version.

Read

Digeo issued a software update for their flagship Moxi HD DVR today that will let them more closely compete with the likes of Tivo.  The update is as follows:

• PlayOn – This media server software currently provides access to Internet videos from YouTube, Hulu, CBS, Netflix, CNN, ESPN and more through the Moxi HD DVR from a PC on the home network. Video formats are automatically converted so Moxi users can watch Internet video directly on their widescreen HDTV.
• Rhapsody® – The leading on-demand digital music service is now available through the Moxi HD DVR, allowing users to easily listen to any one of more than 7 million songs from all the major record labels and hundreds of smaller independent labels. Rhapsody delivers complete control over the music experience, helping users to easily find and play full length tracks, build playlists of favorites or listen to Rhapsody’s professionally programmed genre & artist channels. Starting today, Rhapsody and Digeo are bringing music without limits to every user of the Moxi HD DVR.
• Media Link – Certified to support the DLNA home networking standard, Media Link connects the TV or home entertainment system to PCs on a home network. Moxi users can easily stream digital movies, videos, music and photos from their PCs for viewing or listening from the comfort of their home entertainment environment.
• eControls – Moxi users can now manage their home entertainment environment through the Moxi menu to set the mood. Users can adjust most Z-Wave-certified products such as lighting (e.g., turning sets of lights on, off or dimming), control volume and power on AV devices, as well as monitor IP baby-cams or outside cameras, all from the remote control.
• Mosaic – A new browsing feature for the Flickr® online photo service available through the Moxi menu, Mosaic allows users to rapidly scroll up, down and across their photos as they are displayed as mosaic tiles on the display.
• MoxiNet –Moxi registered users can now bookmark their favorite websites at Moxi.com and browse them on their home entertainment display using the Moxi remote as a virtual mouse. This expands upon MoxiNet’s quick access to news, sports scores, movie times, weather and other information from the Internet.

Echostar unveiled their latest box with built-in SlingBox and DVR functionality yesterday, the T2200S.  Unlike previous Echostar boxes, though, this one will work with cable (Echostar owns Dish Network) and includes a DOCSIS cable modem, a 1TB hard drive and dual-tuners.  So, for those that invest in this mighty DVR, you’ll be able to enjoy your recorded or live programming from any where in the world assuming you’ve got a high speed Internet connection and a laptop or cell phone.

Sounds like EchoStar will sell the T2200S wholesale to the cable companies who will subsequently lease them to consumers for a monthly fee.  Although mass production of the box starts in Q4 of this year I wouldn’t expect to see them offered from your local cable operator until mid 2010, if not later.

Full release after the ‘leap’

ECHOSTAR UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST SLINGLOADED HD DVR
FOR CABLE

EchoStar Technologies Creates tru2way™-based Set-top Box to Support
Cable Customers Seeking Entertainment Anytime, Anywhere

Englewood, Colo., March 30, 2009 – EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and Sling Media,
Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today
unveiled the EchoStar T2200S, the world’s first SlingLoaded™, tru2way™-based, multi-
tuner, HD DVR set-top box designed specifically for the cable TV industry. The
announcement was made in advance of this week’s National Cable and
Telecommunications Cable Show ’09 in Washington, D.C. EchoStar will demonstrate the
T2200S at booth 917 in the Washington Convention Center April 1-3.

The T2200S integrates Sling Media Inc.’s award-winning placeshifting technology,
empowering cable TV subscribers to realize their dream of watching their home TV,
including live TV, DVR and VOD content, on almost any Internet-connected device,
such as the PC, Mac, mobile media players or mobile phones. The SlingLoaded
capabilities also enable remote video diagnostics which lets subscribers opt-in to receive
remote troubleshooting from an MSO’s tech support. This is just one of many
SlingLoaded features enabled by the T2200S that can help reduce the operator’s call
volume and truck rolls. EchoStar can also offer MSOs the power of SlingGuide™, giving
customers a powerful online search engine for their TV, the ability to schedule online
timers and to manage their DVR away from home.

The T2200S features a massive 1 terabyte hard drive for up to 1,000 hours of storage and
supports external storage via USB or an optional eSATA port. As a tru2way-based device,
the T2200S is proven to integrate with multiple OCAP electronic program guides and
will be fully functional for tru2way-enabled cable systems, including M-Card support,
embedded cable modem, DOCSIS Set-Top Gateway for two way communication, and
OCAP middleware.

“EchoStar and Sling engineers have created one of the most powerful set-top box devices
ever made for the cable industry, with the ability to watch content anywhere in the home
or anyplace in the world,” said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.

The SlingLoaded T2200S also provides the following features:
• Supports MPEG-2, H.264 (MPEG-4) and VC1.
• 1GHz tuners to support expanded network bandwidth.
• Connect to the home network via Ethernet, WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter) or
Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA™).
• Picture-in-Picture
• Supports advanced resolution formats up to 1080p24.
• Individual branding opportunities for MSOs.
• Supports Macrovision and DCS analog copy protection.
• Features an attractive, capacitive-touch, backlit front panel with clock display.

The T2200S will be available for testing in MSO labs in June 2009, with volume
production rolling out in Q4 2009. Consumers interested in this product should contact
their local cable company.

MSOs seeking more information should visit www.echostar.com or email cable-
sales@echostar.com.

About EchoStar Technologies
EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation
(Nasdaq: SATS) spans 25 years of delivering innovations in TV entertainment, advanced
set-top boxes, and end-to-end video delivery systems. EchoStar designs and engineers
products for satellite, IPTV, cable, terrestrial, and consumer electronics markets
worldwide by combining engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and service into one
company. With more than 2,000 employees worldwide, EchoStar provides customers
with competitive business strategies, practices, and reduced product and operational costs.
Visit www.echostar.com.

About Sling Media
Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:
SATS), is a leading digital lifestyle company whose products include the acclaimed,
Emmy award-winning Slingbox™  that allows consumers to watch and control their
living room TV shows at any time, from any location, using PCs, Macs, PDAs and
smartphones. Sling Media also introduced SlingCatcher™, a universal media player that
seamlessly delivers broadcast TV, Internet video and personal content to the TV. Sling
Media also provides a video entertainment web site, Sling.com, offering consumers a
variety of popular TV shows, movies and other entertainment free for viewing online or
on TV using SlingCatcher. For more information, visit www.slingmedia.com. To watch
your favorite TV shows and movies, visit www.sling.com.

Tru2way and OCAP are trademarks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.

DirecTV released an iPhone app today that allows its subscribers to control their DVR box any where there is an Internet connection.  DirecTV subscribers can search for programs up to 14 days in advance of airing, schedule one episode or a series to record, browse by channel, date or time and access detailed info about the program.

[iTunes via iLounge]

While Moxi is probably still far from unseating Tivo as the number one DVR company, the companies latest offering is most certainly a refreshing choice in the buy and subscribe world.  For $800 you get the Moxi MR-1500T3 HD Digital Video Recorder, an EPG, no monthly fees, a CableCard slot and 500GB of storage.  And much like Tivo’s HD box you can record up to two programs at once, access files from PC and a few online services.

Unfortunately – this is why the Moxi MR-1500T3 HD Digital Video Recorder will never sell -  Tivo’s EPG guide is far superior, you can access a variety of online video sites including Amazon’s On Demand service as well as Netflix’s streaming service and all at a lower price (Moxi does offer a larger HDD, though).   Do the math: the Tivo HD box is $300 + $400 for a lifetime service = $700.  That makes Tivo $100 cheaper.  Sorry Moxi, you’re great alternative to Tivo via Time Warner (cringing while saying that), but that’s about it.

[Amazon via eHomeupgrade]

Swimming in the deep end with concrete feet and sharks circling is how I envision Blockbuster these days.  Today, in the hopes of staying afloat, they struck a deal with Tivo to offer movies on demand via the DVR company’s set top box.  But will it work?  I seriously doubt it.  Tivo, which already lets Netflix customers stream movies from their database of 12,000 movies and TV shows on their award winning DVR, will also benefit from the deal by obtaining Blockbuster store shelf space in attempt to sell their DVRs to movie renters. (Do you remember the last time you went into a Blockbuster and actually bought, not rented something?)

The Blockbuster Movie On Demand service is compatible with TiVo’s Series 2, Series 3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs.  Rented movies, which will last for 25 hours will cost $4 and purchased movies will cost $20.  10,000 movies are currently on demand and Blockbuster says their On Demand Movies will be available before cable’s Pay Per View service.  Rumors are circulating that Blockbuster is in talks with Apple, but I don’t see that happening.

[CNN]

The streaming set top box battle is most certainly heating up.  Yesterday, Netflix announced that the Roku box is now compatible with Amazon’s Video on Demand service.  Today, Zillion TV unveiled its set top box that provides streaming, on demand content in exchange for watching ads.  But not just any ads.  In fact, you select the ads you want to see.  Don’t want ads?  Then just drop some cash.  I’ll go with ads, though.

Zillion TV has agreements in place with not only content creators (Disney, Universal, etc), but with ISPs, such as Comcast and Timewarner.  Smart, because one of the inherent challenges that Netflix and those of the streaming type are sure to face is opposition from the ISPs who will cap and ultimately control how much bandwidth a subscriber receives, hence the whole Net Neutrality battle that has been going down.

So what is exactly Zillion TV?  They’re essentially a VOD TV service.  That means instead of tuning into 30 Rock (one of my favorite shows and big props to Lemon) you ‘demand it’.  Simple, clean and easy.  As mentioned, you’ll have to watch a preroll ad, or something to that affect, in exchange for the content.  Sure, advertisers won’t get to hit you with ads every 7 minutes, but since you’ll select the ads types that you want to see they’ll be much more targeted and even better, at least for the ad companies, guaranteed to play – they’ll also be able to glean your watching habits into their ad targeting.  Of note, the ISPs are now facilitating ‘ad skipping’ thanks to the millions of DVR boxes that have flooded the market so it only seems right politically savvy to offer a solution to the ‘fast forward’ button.

As for the technology behind the Zillion TV, you’re guess is good as mine.  But, one very notable accessory included with the device is a motion sensing remote courtesy of Hillcrest Labs.

Currently, the Zillion TV VOD service (I think I’m coining it ‘TOD’ from here on out) boasts over 15,000 titles, which includes both movies and TV shows.

If you’d like to be notified of when the service is in your area just hit their site and sign up.  I’ve got mixed feelings about the whole thing since signing onto this type of service might negate Netflix streaming.  Then again, Netflix doesn’t offer live TV shows, so the Zillion TV service very well could be complimentary, assuming you exclude movies from the equation.

[ZillionTV via Newteevee]

Last week we saw the launch of Lacie’s D2 Blu-ray burner with an 8x write speed.  Keeping things rolling along, Lacie launched the LaCinema Black MAX, which appears to be a direct competitor to Western Digital’s TV HD Media Player.  It’s basically a NAS storage device with a proprietary UI that can connect to your HDTV (HDMI and component) and output a 1080p signal. Much like may of today’s DVR, you can record shows and rewind live TV.  The LaCinema Black MAX comes standard with either a 500GB or 1TB hard drive, but Lacie is quick to point out that this capacity can be expanded courtesy of its USB 2.0 inputs.  Yes, there is an EPG (electronic programming guide), although I’m not sure of the source, and the Blackmax will require an HD tuner of some sort to get up and running.  The Blackmax can even upscale your home movies (or any other video content) and pull movies, music and photos over WiFi or Ethernet from networked computers.

Expansys-usa currently sells the Lacie Blackmax with a 1TB drive for $650, but makes no mention of an actual ship date. Lacie on the other hand, sells the 500GB version for 479,00€ ($617 US) and is presumably shipping now.

[Lacie]

Sony seems to be constantly adding new components to their line of Bravia televisions.  Today they announced the BRX-A320, a DVR with a 320GB hard drive.  It can be mounted to the rear of the compatible TV and record up to 27 hours of HD video or 55 hours in SD mode.  No word on the EPG, but the BRX-A320 DVR is compatible with the following TVs:  X7000, X5050, X5000, W5000, V5000, V3000, J5000, J3000, XR1, X1, W1, F1, V1, J1, V5 and J5-series.

The BRX-A320 will go on sale in Japan on February 20th for about $550.

[Electronista]

During our time at CES, Echostar saw it fit to announces some pretty astounding and cool news: they unveiled a DVR box with a built in Slingbox, called the VIP 922.  What’s this mean?  Those who sign up with the satellite TV service provider (they’re competitor is DirecTV) will not only get access to an HD DVR box with a 1TB hard drive, but a DVR box whose content can be accessed from any where in the World.

You see, thanks to the built-in Sling technology and hardware, the die hard TV fanatic will be able to tap into their box at home and stream their recorded media to a myriad of devices (laptop, iPhone, Blackberry) anywhere they’re located assuming they have a broadband connection.

Without seeing an on hand demonstration it’s hard to say, but it sounds like Echostar has also thrown in a remote with a UI and form factor which is similar to Panasonic’s Easy Touch Remote Control; something we saw at CES.

The Dish Network VIP 922 will be available later this Spring.

Check out the other features offered:

• News feeds located on the home screen, giving viewers instant access to national news, weather, sports, and stock quotes.
• Ability to organize channels by channel name or number.
• 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480i and 480p support.
• Internet-delivered DISH On Demand including 1080p content.
• Ability to move one day in the guide while browsing full screen EPG or partial EPG.
• Connections to home networks via Ethernet, HomePlug Turbo (the next generation of HomePlug that allows for faster in-home transfer of content using home power lines), or WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter).
• Powerful search capability across all available video sources, including IP, VOD, satellite or DVR.
• Intuitive timer creation and DVR management, allowing users to categorize programming by groups (video source, title, genres) or by content description (date, length, ratings and more).
• Ability to load photos, MP3s and selected Internet content.
• Future upgrades such as photo sharing, movie ticket purchases, family calendars, instant messaging, streaming audio, and the ability to transfer content within a home network.

[Ehomeupgrade]

What is it: Order Domino’s Pizza on your Tivo + paused TV ad functionality

Features: See the progress of your pizza as it is being made, multiple preparation options such as half shrooms, half bacon, etc., charges to your Tivo account.

Availability: Now

Price: Depends on pizza

Tivo just added a search function, but it’s currently only available for their HD boxes. Hit the videos to get all the details and walk through.

So if streaming Sling Player’s media to your laptop isn’t enough, then you’ll be glad to hear that Sling Player Mobile for the iPhone is almost ready for your VOD consumption.  Echostar, which owns the Sling Player, will be showing off a prototype version of the player at MacWorld 2009 and expects to submit the app to Apple for certification sometime this quarter.  The app will work on both a WiFi and 3G data connection and also includes the same DVR controls Sling users have come to expect.

Full release below

Sling Media to Demonstrate SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and Slingbox HD Streaming on the Mac at Macworld

San Francisco – Macworld – January 6, 2009 – Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is demonstrating a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone being developed for the iTunes store at this year’s Macworld. Sling Media will deliver a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone to Apple for certification in Q1.

Sling Media is also unveiling a prototype of a new SlingPlayer for Mac HD which allows Slingbox PRO-HD users to stream HD to their Mac desktop or laptop computer. The new SlingPlayer for Mac HD is a web-based version of the SlingPlayer software that will be accessible from Sling.com, Sling Media’s recently launched video entertainment web site.

“SlingPlayer Mobile is ideally suited for the iPhone’s large touch screen display and I know iPhone users are eagerly anticipating the application’s availability,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. “Add to that HD streaming support for Slingbox PRO-HD customers and live TV support on our video entertainment site, Sling.com, and you can see Sling Media is committed to delivering great solutions for Mac users.”

SlingPlayer Mobile gives consumers their entire home TV experience, including local channels, local sports teams, video on demand, pay per view, etc. Any program that you can watch on your sofa back home, you can now watch via your iPhone using a standard network connection (3G Cellular, WiFi). In addition, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone users can also control their home digital video recorder (DVR) to watch recorded shows, pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV, or even queue new recordings while on the road.

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone will be submitted to Apple for testing and approval in Q1. The price has not been determined at this time. SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be available for free via the web-based SlingPlayer within Sling.com later in Q1. Mac customers will be able to use either Safari or Firefox web browsers to get both HD streaming and Live TV within Sling.com.

About Sling Media
Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is a leading digital lifestyle company offering consumer services and products that are a natural extension of today’s digital way of life. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox™ that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones and the revolutionary new SlingCatcher™, a universal media player that seamlessly delivers broadcast TV, Internet video and personal content to the TV. Sling Media is also the company behind the video entertainment web site, Sling.com, offering consumers a wide variety of popular TV shows, movies and other entertainment free for viewing online or on the TV using SlingCatcher. For more information on Sling Media, the Slingbox or the SlingCatcher, visit www.slingmedia.com. To watch your favorite TV shows and movies, check out www.sling.com.

Picture courtesy of Engadget

This holiday just wouldn’t be complete without yet another device with a built-in iPod dock. The only difference is that this device, the MivxPVR, looks a bit more titillating than the usual set of offenders.  Aside from its ability to play back content from your iPod the Mivx PVR can also record content from any digitally connected device (cable box, camcorder, etc), output up to 1080p video, 5.1 digital audio and download files from Bittorrent.  Cord clutter is reduced thanks to the built-in WiFi, and media can be distributed to it via your home’s network or USB device.

No word on price but keep in mind there are two versions: one with a hard drive, one without.

Product page here

[eHomeupgrade]

Last week we brought you the leaked images and info about Netgear’s latest device, the Digital Entertainer Elite EVA9000.  Spec wise it’s a relatively robust setup top box home media entertainer, especially when compared to the Apple TV and those of the same ilk.  Unfortunately, and as we thought, it’ll cost you a ‘pretty penny’.  Four hundred smackers ($400) to be exact.  Take it or leave it, but perhaps the price will drop once they officially announce the device.  Or much like Tivo’s first HD box, they’ll come out with a slightly water downed version.

[Wired]

Bated breaths no more. 3 years in development and with nothing to show DirecTV has canceled the HDPC-20, a tuner that was designed to integrate the satellite service with Windows Media Center. As stated by a company spokespersons:

“DIRECTV has suspended the development of the HDPC-20 tuner project that was designed to integrate DIRECTV service into Windows Media Center after assessing the impact of missing the August 2008 release of Windows Media Center update and considering timing of the next release. Both DIRECTV and Microsoft understand the desirability of offering consumers an all encompassing DIRECTV programming solution via Windows-based PCs. We are continuing to explore ways to integrate DIRECTV service with Windows-based PCs in the future. The HDPC-20 tuner that appears on the driver list of a pre-Beta build of Windows 7 is an artifact that was listed prior to the decision to suspend the tuner project. As our plans progress toward a Windows Media Center-compatible product, we will make an announcement at the appropriate time.”

[Gearlog]