Dave Zatz

Contrast Ratio Primer

Head on over to Gizmodo to read an excellent “contrast ratio” write-up: What is contrast ratio? Simply put, it’s the difference between the darkest and brightest spot on a display. This is expressed as a ratio measuring luminosity. A good way to think of contrast is like the volume on a stereo. You might have … Read more

Meta-Blogging: Dave Visits Verizon

Last week I journeyed into town and lunched with Verizon’s PolicyBlog founder and editor, John Czwartacki. We engaged in some interesting industry and blogosphere discussion. I was also reminded that I don’t miss the old-school DC dress code. Strangely, the PR group was sending out a release of top ten VCast Bee Gees downloads timed … Read more

Pandora Wants To Be Portable

The last time I quizzed my contact at Pandora on making their service portable, I commuted two hours a day and worked out of an office. With a new work-from-home lifestyle, my desire for portable Pandora has diminished… However, I still think this is a great avenue for them to explore (even being geographically challenged). … Read more

iTunes Movie Rentals and Music Subscriptions?

Let me tell you what I won’t do. I will not purchase a digital movie, whether via Xbox 360, Amazon Unbox on TiVo, iTunes, or anything else. I’m hooked on the Netflix paradigm of unlimited rentals not to mention I have no guarantees that the movie I purchase today will work on the device I … Read more

Digital Media Bytes: Capitol Hill Edition

Mark Cuban, YouTube, TiVo, and Sling Media hit the Hill yesterday, chatting up the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee. Congress gets earful on net neutrality, CableCARD, YouTube: Ars Technica Congressman-Cam Debuts on YouTube: NewTeeVee Hill-icon Valley: Washington Post

Top 5 TiVo Hacks (for non-hackers)

1. 30 Second Skip

tivo-skip.jpgReplayTV offered the consumer friendly Commercial Advance feature, which probably contributed to their court woes and ultimate demise. Fortunately, TiVo provides a “secret” (shh, don’t tell) code for enabling a 30 second skip. Press the ->| button 4-5 times to quickly bypass most commercial interludes. It’s not quite as cool as Replay’s feature, but hey TiVo is still selling hardware.

TiVo Platforms:

  • Series1, Series2, Series3/HD, DirecTV

Directions:

  • Play a TiVo recording
  • On your remote hit Select, Play, Select, 3, 0, Select
  • Live life commercial free

2. Expand Storage

drive.jpgOne of the easiest ways to increase the value of your TiVo is to enlarge your recording capacity by upgrading your internal hard drive with something a bit more roomy. You could do it yourself, but most folks will be most comfortable buying a prepped drive. You won’t find any bargains, but you’ll save yourself some time and energy.

TiVo Platforms:

  • Series1, Series2, Series3/HD, DirecTV

Directions:

  • Visit DVRUpgrade
  • Find your TiVo model, select your capacity, enter your credit card info
  • Record every episode of Stargate and Stargate Atlantis

Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: BBC iPlayer Given the Go-Ahead: WebTVWire Simple Convergence– Caller ID on the TV: Connected Home 2 Go If You’re Gonna Dig the Trenches: Connected Home 2 Go Waivers on the Eve of The Cable Show: Connected Home 2 Go