Dave Zatz

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: The Motorola CableCARD Q&A: Connected Home 2 Go DivX Thrives, DVD Continues To Die: Davis Freeberg’s Digital Connection Netflix Watch Now Download Hack Surveillance: Brent Evans Geek Tonic FiOS TV Gets HD: Connected Home 2 Go Sage 6.3.1 Beta Released, HD Extender Support: Brent Evanas … Read more

TiVo and Roxio Acknowledge TiVoToGo Troubles

Both TiVo and Roxio have acknowledged what many of us have known for some time (PVRBlog, TiVo Community, Roxio Support Forums, several emails): TiVo’s fall software update (9.1/9.2) included some sort of change which impacts a percentage of TiVoToGo file conversions and DVD burning from Mac Roxio software. So I checked in with both TiVo … Read more

Pandora Lands on AT&T Handsets

Forgive me if I’m a little behind, but I’m not used to receiving two Pandora announcements in one week. In addition to beefing up their online web services, Pandora has announced a partnership with AT&T to stream personalized music selections to handsets. AT&T customers will need a supported phone, a data and to pony up $8.99/month… which makes Sprint’s $2.99/mo Pandora offering look like a bargain. It’s great to see online services expand beyond the browser, but is AT&T setting themselves up for failure?

Windows Home Server Arrives

After months of semi-public beta testing, Microsoft’s Windows Home Server is finally arriving in retail. HP’s MediaSmart Server is up first and the companies are offering live informational webcasts – including one today at 4PM EST: In addition to a live demonstration, consumer technology industry experts such as Rob Enderle/The Enderle Group, Rick Doherty/Envisioneering, Paul … Read more

Best Buy Delivers HD DVD

I slept in last Friday and missed out on Walmart’s $99 HD DVD player. However, John tipped me off to a similar online deal through Best Buy for Business and I pulled the trigger. Between the stagnant order status page (“In Process”) and seeing 90,000 HD DVD units move last weekend, I figured I’d be … Read more

TiVo Resurrects Lifetime Service (for a time)

Through February 2nd, TiVo is offering Lifetime Service subscriptions to existing customers at a cost of $399. Mathematically, only you can decide if this is a good deal. Adding a lifetime of standard definition service (TiVo DT, Series2) doesn’t make sense to me, but it could be entirely reasonable on a TiVo HD or Series3. … Read more

Pandora Adds Interactivity and Community Features

Last night I heard from (free) online music provider Pandora founder Tim Westergren that his service is beginning to roll out supplemental features. “Pandora Extras” intend to compliment music with additional content, interactivity, and community features. A summary of the initial batch of Extras launched today:

Real time song and artist info with recommendations for similar content and listeners
Pandora buddy lists
100 finely tuned genre stations
“Pandora Presents” series of original audio and video programming

When I get home from NYC and have some time, I’ll give them a spin… The editorial content and pre-programmed stations look appealing, though I have no need for more online social networking. (In fact, I’d appreciate it if LinkedIn and Facebook would merge.)

ESPN Content Lands on Xbox

ESPN and Microsoft have announced Xbox LIVE downloads:

Effective immediately, fans of all ages can access a growing catalog of marquee sporting events and timely programming, including full-length NCAA college football and basketball games, Summer X Games 13, “World Series of Poker,” “The Contender,” “Madden Nation” and much more on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the leading high-definition video download service.

I obviously support additional partners and digital downloads, but I wonder how many will pay for a game 48 hours after broadcast? As a college football fan, I know the outcomes of all the meaningful games and have no interest in watching old sports programming… for a fee. Especially, since the first batch of games (above) are SD only. However, what I might pay for is something like DirecTV’s Superfan “Short Cuts” — an entire game condensed into 30 minutes or less. Get creative, people!