Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

Hands On With Roxio Toast

My review copy of Toast 8 Titanium arrived this week. Unfortunately, my only Mac is still running 10.3.9… and is not supported. I expect to have this rectified (running Tiger on something) in the next few weeks. Until then, check out iLounge’s review of the TiVoToGo features. Jeremy seemed generally pleased with Roxio’s ability to transfer TiVo shows for burning and playback, though he took issue with conversion times and the 320×240 output (same as Windows TTG) when converting for the iPod and PSP.

Toast 8 Titanium lists for $100, though prices are coming in under $50 after rebate in many cases — it pays to shop around. If you buy in, be sure to download the TiVo DVD menu theme. I’m still holding out hope that the TiVo Transfer portion of the app will be given away by TiVo/Roxio at some point. Though, for those who want to save a few bucks, the unofficial TiVoDecode Manager is free and will transfer, decrypt, and convert.

USB Memory Stick Giveaway

I’m doing a little house cleaning today and discovered a collection of USB memory sticks in need of a good home. Memory cards and sticks are often given out to press preloaded with vendor info. We’ve got two 256MB sticks courtesy of ShowStoppers, and 64MB each from Nortel and TiVo. Just leave a comment indicating … Read more

Time Warner Cable Out Of HD DVRs?

I’ve heard cable companies have occasionally been short on CableCARDs, but this is the first time that I recall reading about low DVR stock! An ABC affiliate writes: Time Warner is all out of high-definition DVR boxes. If you pick up a regular box and put your name on the wait list for a DVR, … Read more

Question of the Day: Stream Netflix Video Via Wii?

Today’s question was lifted straight from the ZNF comments. And I promise this will be the very last mention of Netflix movie downloads for quite some time. In regards to getting Netflix content onto a television screen (rather than a PC monitor), Josh wondered:

Couldn’t you do this on a Wii?

I don’t have a Wii (yet), so I again enlisted the help of my buddy Matt…

I tried to stream a movie through the trial version of Wii’s beta Opera browser (Internet Channel), but to no avail. I thought I could get a movie up and running on a television in front of a couch, but video isn’t enabled… at least for now. Regular sites/content/pics work surprisingly well, but no video. It will be interesting to see if we’ll be able to get video content when the final pay version is available this spring. I’ll keep you posted…and will look around a little more on this.

I was wrong. Just a few weeks ago I speculated that we wouldn’t be able to purchase a next generation hybrid disc player in 2007. Heck, I even saw a glass enclosed model at CES but refused to believe it would make it to retail any time soon. But the rumors started that LG Blu-ray HD-DVD hybrid players (BH100) would be available at Best Buy 2/4, then a unit showed up in someone’s home, and yesterday Gizmodo posted a hands on review.

I had figured this project (and others like it) would be derailed, that to sell a device like this a vendor would need endorsements from both consortiums — something I didn’t see happening this early in the game. However, it looks like the player is in stores despite the lack of support for many HD-DVD interactive features. I suppose Toshiba’s HD-DVD camp could try to block this, but I dont’ see them stuffing it back into Pandora’s box.

I’ve got two Skype items for you this month…

Skype 3.0 was released out of beta mid-December and while it’s generally been a smooth upgrade, I noticed a few quirks. One was the alignment/layout of certain elements seemed slightly out of whack, another was duplicate time-delayed text messages, and finally this week I experienced a spectacular implosion of hundreds of rapid fire Windows access errors before Skype committed hara-kiri. Honestly, I can’t say I’ve seen a crash like that in Windows production (as in non-beta) software in years — Fortunately, Skype didn’t take down my OS with it. Hopefully I have some good news: Version 3.0.0.205 is out (replacing 3.0.0.190). Skype Journal has itemized the bug fixes and linked to the download. FYI A current 3.0.0.xxx client will not recognize this incremental upgrade and the Check for Update option will indicate your are current. So, you’ll need to download the complete package and overwrite your existing install.

James Kim Memorial Fund Charity Raffle

Stephen (aka TiVoStephen, aka Director of TiVoCast Operations) and I were deeply moved by the Kim family ordeal and the tragic death of James while trying to find help for his wife and children. I thought it would be worthwhile to leverage ZNF to raise money for the James Kim Memorial Fund, and I approached … Read more

Dave Gets Netflix Downloads

I’ve been actively trying to get access to Netflix’s new online movie service. My first email response from customer service:

I appreciate you inquiring about âWatch Nowâ? feature, at this time we do not have any information on this feature. I have enclosed the list of plans that are available.

Their response to my second query a few days later:

We appreciate your interest in our new instant viewing feature. At this time, we are enabling members to the program in stages. This is to ensure the best possible experience for all participants. We currently plan on making instant viewing available to all Netflix subscribers by June of 2007. We are currently unable to add subscribers to this program on demand.

Frankly, this irks me. Not because I’ll frequently use this service, but because it’s less than ideal customer service — either enable everyone who asks, or call it a beta and let folks apply. Well, it looks like I got the back-door blogger hookup through their PR department because I’m live now. Though, I suggest everyone who wants access to keep the pressure on Netflix Support to encourage a shift in policy.