Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

Gefen DVR Records HD via HDMI

We’ve discussed this unit a few times in the comments, and I finally managed to get my hands on the Gefen HD PVR ($999). It was announced last summer, and Gefen intended to ship prior to the end of 2007. I’m not actually sure if they made their target, but they’re definitely shipping now in … Read more

Deal of the Day: “In Treatment” @ $0

If you’re looking for ~6 hours of premium content for your PC or TiVo, Amazon Unbox is giving away the first 15 episodes of HBO’s “In Treatment.” I assume HBO is bankrolling this promotion in hopes that we love the series and end up subscribing to service via our cable or satellite provider, and/or they’re … Read more

Deal of the Day: Refurb TiVo HD @ $185

If you’re in the market for a TiVo HD (MSRP $300), I doubt you’ll find a better deal than this any time soon: $185 shipped via Woot. Keep in mind it’s a refurbished returned unit… However, for several years, my primary (problem-free) TiVo was a Humax DVD-burning refurb. In addition to the hardware savings, TiVo’s … Read more

Vudu Releases IR Receiver & Software Update

As efficient as the Vudu RF remote with scroll wheel is, many folks would prefer to control their home theater via a single remote. So, Vudu’s introduced an IR Receiver Kit today at $39. In addition to the pricey IR dongle, the pricey Vudu XL ($999) with additional storage and IP-based home control hooks is … Read more

Navigon Introduces FreshMaps

Always a challenge for the obsessive GPS owner: How to get the latest maps and at what cost? I assume a “live” GPS service like Telenav has the most current maps, however the last two times I used them (navigating from JFK into NYC, and in the Bay Area to a friend’s home) Telenav failed … Read more

The Future Of Digital Music

Follow the digital music space and available March 11th at 1PM EST? If so, I highly recommend tuning into a free webcast by Michael Gartenberg and David Card of Jupiter Research: Will digital music ever save the industry? Are downloaded singles replacing CD sales? Who are today’s customers, and how is that likely to change … Read more

Amazon Does Linux; Nine Inch Nails Does Download Discount

This time we’ve got real, as opposed to potential, Amazon news… They’ve released a Linux MP3 Download Manager for their DRM-free music service. Ubuntu 7.10, Debian 4, Fedora 8, and OpenSUSE 10.3 systems are covered. While you don’t necessarily need the software app to download individual tunes from Amazon, the Downloader provides an efficient interface and supports downloading entire albums. As you can see from the screengrabs, I’ve gone ahead and installed it on Ubuntu and purchased the new Nine Inch Nails “album” (36 tracks) for $5.

Amazon Ponders The Future of Unbox

Netflix isn’t the only online video service quizzing customers… Amazon’s also looking for input – to presumably guide future Unbox offerings, or perhaps to validate their existing (HD) intentions. Of course, it’s the theoretical scenarios that seem to get folks into a frenzy. So, without further ado: Free Video Streaming with ads â The ability … Read more