GadgetReview

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]

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Amazon has a killer bundle deal that includes select Samsung TV with a Tivo TCD652160 HD Video recorder.  This deal include the Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV + Tivo TCD652160 Video Recorder and it’s $1,274.99 + 209.98 – $300 coupon (SAMSTIVO) + free shipping = $1,184.97 shippped!

Don’t forget Amazon’s $300 coupon: SAMSTIVO (expires: 5/31)

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’ …Continue reading: Echostar T2200S Is The First SlingBox Loaded DVR Box For Cable

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]

J&R, via Amazon has the best deal online for the Apricorn ADVRE-1000 1TB DVR Expander.  They’ve got this DVR hard drive for $149.99 + free shipping = $149.99 shipped! Features include a 1TB hard drive, 7200 rpm spinner, whisper quiet operation, fans, eSATA and USB connectivity.

Newegg has a killer price on the Western Digtal WDAVN00BN TV HD Media Player.  The features for this device include playback of 1080 recorded TV, HDMI output and remote.  They’ve got it for …Continue reading: Western Digtal WDAVN00BN TV HD Media Player – $90 Shipped

Amazon has a combo bundle deal on the Archos 5 120GB Internet Media Tablet which includes a FREE Archos DVR Station. It’s $390 + free shipping = $390 shipped! Features of the player include 120GB hard drive, 4.8-inch touchscreen, WFi, video, music and photo playback + DVR records TV and lets you play it back on your Archos 5.