Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

TiVo Thumb Buttons To Rate The Voice Finalists

Perhaps another benefit of the TiVo 20.3.8 software update is a framework to tabulate in-show tenor by repurposing those iconic TiVo thumbs up/down remote buttons (versus their original purpose to rate programming as a means of generating suggestions). Classified as an “experiment” by “TiVo Labs”, select customers have been recruited to test this new functionality:

If you’re interested in helping out, here’s what to do:

Watch The Voice episode “Live Final Performances,” airing Monday, 12/16 at 8 PM/7 Central.

As you watch the episode, please use the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons on your TiVo remote throughout the episode to rate the contestants’ performances.

Really loving it? Press Thumbs Up! Totally hate it? Press Thumbs Down!

You can use the Thumbs buttons as many times as you want throughout the episode.

You can use the Thumbs buttons more than once on the same performance.

Feel free to fast-forward, pause, and rewind as usual.

You don’t have to watch the episode live as it airs, but if possible, please try to watch the episode on Monday night. Sound interesting? Just watch and click — that’s all you have to do. There’s no online survey, just “vote with your remote.”

While TiVo’s collected this sort of behavioral data before,

TiVo Software Update 20.3.8 Rolling Out

TiVo software update 20.3.8 has started rolling out to Premiere, Roamio and Mini boxes, including these notable enhancements:

new transparency options for Closed Captions
support for new apps (some of which may start appearing next week)
support for “low battery” message for new RF remotes
fixed an issue where the grid Guide didn’t keep its place after scheduling a recording
now will retry tuning requests after a Tuning Adapter fails to respond
improved some issues related to transferring shows between Series4 and Series5 DVRs

While this doesn’t ship with the prime billing that the Fall Update did, it’s rather significant in a few ways.

TiVo Founders Reunite, Prep Qplay TV Adapter

Shortly after TiVo co-founder Jim Barton resigned from the DVR maker in 2012, he reunited with his former DVR compatriot Michael Ramsay to found InVisioneer. While the Kleiner-backed company is somewhat shrouded in secrecy, descriptions from their recruitment efforts provide some insight (1, 2):

InVisioneer is building a product that sits at the nexus of exciting trends in video, mobile, and social.

We’re building a compelling new way to discover and play media that will become an integral part of people’s lives.

Scouring the web for clues has turned up a variety of intriguing LinkedIn profiles and other social mentions, including an early survey and what appears to be a test Twitter account… with one very familiar follower. Of course, given the headline and imagery above, you’ve already discerned that InVisioneer sent some hardware through the FCC in the form of a Qplay TV Adapter.

Chromecast Update Arrives, Vevo & Plex Streaming In Tow

Chromcast update 14651 has arrived. And, with it, a refreshed TV home screen that does away with the WiFi signal strength meter. Under the hood, we find the requisite bug fixes plus an enhanced SDK to support new curated partners and their apps. Of the 10 new streaming partners, you need only concern yourself with … Read more

PlayOn Upgrades To High Definition Streaming

One of PlayOn’s perennial dings has been the lack of high definition streaming. But, starting this month, both new and existing customers can upgrade from 480p to 720p… at a cost – both in terms of fees and required quad core processing capabilities. As a refresher, PlayOn lives on your home PC (sorry Mac owners) and … Read more

TiVo Premiere To Receive Updated Netflix App

#TiVo Premiere customers who love #Netflix – today is a good day to get on the list for the next update: http://t.co/MV97tjMdAF — TiVo Margret Schmidt (@tivodesign) December 9, 2013 We were quite surprised when the big, Fall Update hit TiVo Premiere units without without an updated Netflix app… as we had solid intel indicating a … Read more

Channel Master CM-7500 OTA DVR Nears Release?

Originally scoped out last summer via FCC docs, it seems safe to assume that the Echostar-produced Channel Master OTA DVR nears release given web store references uncovered by AVS Forum members.

While the July government filing referred to a pair of units, at this point we only see reference to a single fee-free $250 dual-tuning model – alternately referred to as the CM-7500 and DVR+… that may require external storage for DVR capabilities given the 500GB ($70), 1TB ($95) & 3TB ($125) Seagate hard drive accessories (in addition to a $40 wireless option). Sadly, the product page (which has been pulled), didn’t include glamour shots or detail on which over-the-top Internet services might be included.

Sling Prevails; Monsoon Placeshifters Barred From US Shores

Having settled with Belkin back in June, Sling Media’s placeshifting intellectual property was further bolstered today when the International Trade Commission closed out the case against Monsoon Multimedia via a US import and sales ban of products that infringe upon 6 Sling patents.

The Commission has determined that the appropriate form of relief in this investigation is a limited exclusion order prohibiting the unlicensed entry of electronic devices having placeshifting or display replication functionality and products containing the same that are manufactured abroad by or on behalf of, or imported by or on behalf of, the Defaulting Respondents by reason of infringement of one or more of claims […] The Commission has also determined to issue cease and desist orders directed against Monsoon and C2 Microsystems, which prohibit, inter alia, the importation, sale, advertising, marketing, and distribution of covered products in the United States by the Defaulting Respondents.

Over the years, Monsoon has marketed various streamers including