Gizmodo Gets Scoop on New ReplayTV Gadget

I have a soft spot for ReplayTV, having gotten an early Panasonic version of the company’s hardware back in 2001. However, there’s been virtually no word of the DVR pioneer since ReplayTV moved to a software-only business model last year.

Now Gizmodo reports that the company is launching a new product – an HD/DVR tuner for your computer. These types of gadgets already exist, and in fact I got a Pinnacle stick for Christmas last year. Unfortunately, I haven’t found much use for the product-type… yet.

First HDTV on my laptop ain’t that exciting. Second, with a USB tuner I’m not getting any content different from what I already receive and digitally record on my living room TV. I can, however, think of two scenarios where the ReplayTV gadget could come in handy:

1. For use with a large-screen computer display that could do justice to the HD
2. For use with a media extender for anyone who wants to digitally record over-the-air content (on the cheap) and doesn’t have TV service from a cable, telco or satellite provider

The problem is that both of these scenarios seem unlikely to occur for the general viewing public, which means the buying audience is very niche tech geek. Probably not going to create a great revenue stream.

Gizmodo says an official announcement from ReplayTV is due out on Wednesday.