Channel Master’s fee-free, over-the-air DVR+ is set to receive a massive infusion of online content. Company reps emphasize that what we’re looking at are not “apps” that require configuration and interaction, but rather the direct integration of linear streaming content into the guide for channel surfing alongside those HD antenna broadcasts. Available channels can be added and removed from the guide, as your viewing tastes dictate, and are transparently powered via a custom-built local player that relies on a sort of dynamic DNS service hosted by Channel Master — which points to the online feed, in addition to providing the relevant logos and metadata. Beyond streaming, Channel Master also hopes to introduce pause and record features to this online content, but they’re not certain that will be ready at launch in a month or so. Not to mention, I wonder how many content providers would be willing to play ball.
All in all, this will be nice bonus for Internet-connected DVR+ units and compares favorably to the $15/mo TiVo Roamio OTA … but I’m more looking forward to Channel Master’s whole home functionality, expected in Q3 or sooner.
Some of the online channels being demonstrated on DVR+ at CES:
Bloomberg
Al-Jazzera America
WGN
WeatherNation
Daystar
Almavision
NASA
BBC World News
Sky News
France 24 (France)
NHK World (Japan)
CNN World
QVC
Home Shopping Network
TV Mas (Mexico)
Vevo TV
360 North (Alaska)
Outdoor Cooking Channel
DW (Germany)
JewelryTV