Are you one of the many anxiously awaiting Hauppauge’s new HD-PVR? Hauppauge’s website still indicates the HD-PVR will begin shipping on May 1st, 2008. But, there is new information that says that isn’t the case.
Unfortunately, I have confirmed with Hauppauge that the first shipments didn’t begin on May 1st. Instead, the earliest, expected shipment dates are mid-May. I’m a little disappointed, but not all that surprised. I’ve heard from representatives of SageTV and Snapstream (Beyond TV) and both of them seem to be as ready for the device, but word is Hauppauge’s still working on the drivers to get them just right. If this means the drivers will work better with the software, then it is certainly the best decision to get things right before putting it in the hands of the users.
If you’ve already pre-ordered, according to Hauppauge, here’s how to determine your expected shipment date:
- For those with an online order # of 32700-33600 you’re first in line – your HD-PVR should ship by Mid-May 2008
- For those with an online order # of 33601-34600 you’re second in line – your HD-PVR should ship by the end of May 2008
- If you’re order number is after 34600, it will likely be after May 2008.
Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.
Maybe this will give Vista Media Center time to catch up and support it.
I blame the delay on *whoever* that dude was who pulled a part a pre-production one and blabbed all over the internet how it worked on his blog! ;)
Todd, the link didn’t make it through (typo?) but I’m wondering if you’re referring to the Gefen “DVR” I took a look at. If so, that wasn’t pre-production. Though the encoding chip manufacturer is the same.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9898065-1.html
http://blogs.snapstream.com/2008/04/07/the-hauppauge-hd-pvr-in-the-lab-at-snapstream/
“Driver” issues? Since when does that delay hardware shipment? Every vendor everywhere ships with the expectation that the disk included in the box won’t be used and that current software and drivers will be downloaded.
I am pretty sure there is something else going on here. Could be a real glitch with the product they are working to fix (drivers, I suppose) but I will bet that someone from the MPAA has whispered in the ears of Hauppauge execs that there will be DMCA problems with allowing capture of SCMS protected dolby digital streams through the digital audio input. I’ll be they’re scrambling to allow only analog/stereo capture of the unprotected portion of the audio stream.
With CD ripping, we all forgot about SCMS didn’t we? Well I have read that it can be contained in the AC3 stream over SPDIF.
I was wondering when we’d see the MPAA/RIAA/DMCA/FCC conspiracy theory appear… ;) Delays in this industry are nearly universal. That’s the price of pre-announcing new technological solutions. The truth is, these sorts of delays are rarely related to such issues. I have no insider info in this case, but I seriously doubt a tiny company like Hauppauge has been noticed by any of these “oversight” agencies. If they have have great commercial success, maybe… But now, I seriously doubt it.
Not so much a conspiracy theory as the thought that recording the Ac3 signal if it indeed has the SCMS flag set might be a DMCA problem, and if anyone pointed this out to Hauppauge, their lawyers might think twice about putting this on the market without firmware that honors the flag. I hope it records the dolby surround signal, since most hobbyists won’t be happy with their new hi-def capture device requiring a downgrade in audio.
My source at Hauppauge said there was a “production delay on the plastic cases.”
There’s no doubt something else is “up” with this. I was told the story about cases too, but theoretically, if this device can record ANYTHING with a component-out, then it seems as though Blu-Rays could be vulnerable as well.
I bet the studios and movie companies are up in arms over this. I agree they are pushing for some protection. Hauppauge is NOT that small, and since this device was showcased at CES 2008, you can be sure that the MPAA, RIAA, DMCA, and FCC were on hand to see it too.
CES is huge, thousands of companies are represented. I cover this space and I never even found Hauppauge there. Gefen would be more of a target, possibly violating HDMI/HDCP licensing… and even that doesn’t seem to have gotten much attention. Brent says a batch of final product has arrived at Hauppauge – so, perhaps delivery will start soon.
I’m waiting for the actual production units to be reviewed before I jump on this one. Everything seems to look Ok for now.