The DirecTV HDPC-20 in action on Windows 7

Curious about those DirecTV tuners coming for Windows 7 Media Center? You know, the ones everyone was told would arrive for Vista eventually…  Well, Ben Drawbaugh of EngadgetHD is in Seattle visiting with the Microsoft eHome offices and got a bunch of photos of those DirecTV HDPC-20’s in action. For those of you interested (this … Read more

DirecTV Tuner Support in Windows 7

After years of stringing Microsoft’s Media Center users along from XP Media Center to Vista Media Center to the much-less-then-expected Fiji, we’ve been promised a CableCARD-like DirecTV tuner. Fast forward to Ed Bott’s DirecTV HDPC-20 USB tuner driver discovery within a pre-release of Windows 7. This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a HDPC20 device at the … Read more

DirecTV Streams DVR Content To PC (LAN)

DirecTV subscribers will soon be able to stream recorded shows to PCs within the home. While the DirecTV2PC documentation is light and the beta download is broken, it’s probably safe to assume this requires a HR20, HR21 or HR22 DVR receiver and applies to Windows only… As DirecTV2PC is powered by PC video company Cyberlink. … Read more

BREAKING: EchoStar & DISH to (finally) pay TiVo

After knocking around in the judicial system for a few years, it looks like TiVo is finally going to receive some cash now that EchoStar & DISH’s Supreme Court patent infringement appeal will not be tackled by the Supreme Court.

Digital Media Bytes: TiVo Edition

A periodic roundup of relevant news… Nero teams with TiVo for PC DVR software: Gizmodo Is TiVo testing a new user interface: Engadget The complete Tom Rogers interview from All Things Digital: GizmoLovers Stay up to date with TiVo/DIRECTV partnership: TiVoBlog

No Resolution In Texas (TiVo v EchoStar)

TiVo v. EchoStar (or would that be DISH Network?) patent litigation carries on… The parties reconvened in Texas yesterday for a contempt hearing held at TiVo’s request. EchoStar DVR functionality has been found to infringe on TiVo’s patents. And instead of shutting down their units as court ordered, DISH applied a software update which they … Read more

JetBlue (DirecTV) versus Virgin America (Dish)

Over the last two years, I’ve flown probably 20 round trips between the DC Metro and Bay Area. My choice of airlines with non-stop flights is limited to United, JetBlue, or Virgin America. United offers the most favorable rewards program, especially considering their global reach (when cashing in). However, they’re usually the most pricey and I’ve become hooked on in-air live TV. Which leaves JetBlue and Virgin America.

While both airlines offer seat-back entertainment and services, for this post let’s focus on the free television programming experience. JetBlue provides DirecTV programming, while Virgin America “Red” serves up DISH Network. JetBlue clearly offers more channels than Virgin America, perhaps twice times as many. Additionally, JetBlue offers some of the “locals” – such as NBC. And a portion of channels you think Virgin America might tune brings up a post-installation DISH video or subscription screen – surprising after a year in service. So, on the content front, JetBlue provides more choice and a better viewing experience.

In terms of control, JetBlue television interaction is limited to a fixed panel on an armrest… which a seatmate may accidentally lean on, adjusting your volume or screen brightness. By way of comparison, VA’s armrest controls reside in a cubby mostly protected from inadvertent elbow channel changes. Additionally, the controller is tethered and can be removed from the armrest. However, VA provides a more natural way (in this day and age) of interaction by providing a touch-sensitive screen. Regarding those LCDs, JetBlue’s appear to be 4:3 while Virgin America uses a larger widescreen. Add in Virgin’s programming grid guide and VA wins on the interaction front.

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