Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

TiVo Guru Guides Hit The Box

While Guru Guides have been available for some time, registration has been handled solely via TiVo’s web site. With this week’s update, TiVo subscribers can now opt-in to a variety of Guru Guides direct through the TiVo interface.

Guru Guides refresher:

TiVo Guru Guides are lists of television programs hand-selected by experts like Vogue and Sports Illustrated to help you discover and automatically record the best TV programming in various categories like cooking, sports, fashion, home & garden, and more. You can record all shows in a Guru Guides list or choose just the shows that interest you most. Guru Guides generally deliver 3-10 hours of programming every week and are updated regularly, as new shows air, so you’re always sure to be watching the freshest, hottest, most interesting programs on TV!

Toshiba’s SED TV Derailed

Wanna guess what Mari and I won’t be seeing at CES next month? Toshiba’s new SED TV. SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter display) TVs are hyped as LCD/Plasma replacements — similar cost and form factor, but with CRT picture quality. Unfortunately Toshiba’s partner in this technology, Canon, is involved in a licensing dispute with Nano-Proprietary. (Is their … Read more

The ZNF Festivus Update

Well, it’s getting to be that time of year — No, not the Festival of Lights… The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is nearly upon us! However, being the holidays, Netgear has gifted me with an all-expense paid trip to Vegas plus $2k to blow on showgirls and gambling side trips to museums and the Hoover … Read more

Xbox Video Marketplace Adds (Not Enough) Content

The recent addition of video downloads pushed me into Microsoft’s Xbox 360 camp for this next generation console war. While showing potential, I documented several shortcomings of the Video Marketplace that MS needs to tighten up before this takes off. As soon as I voiced my lack-of-new-content complaint, a variety of video was added — … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… Philips cranks out Windows Vista Media Center remotes: Chris Lanier BBC to offer free show downloads for the US: BBC Hands on with Akimbo’s new RCA box: GigaOM Walmart bundles adult content with Zune: Fox Chicago Arrington dumps Netflix for Blockbuster: TechCrunch Purchase a TiVo Series3 for as low … Read more

Hands On With HAVA

First seen at CES last January, the HAVA place shifting device began shipping in August. Initially Monsoon Multimedia offered one box with WiFi to stream your home television feed, but they’ve since changed gears and are now offering two cosmetically redesigned boxes: one with WiFi @ $250, one without @ $200. Unlike competitors Slingbox and Sony’s LocationFree, Monsoon is also licensing their technology as an OEM to Pinnacle Systems.

For the last several months, I’ve spent some time with two loaner HAVA boxes. When reviewing any placeshifting technology, the obvious comparisons to market leader Sling Media must be made. With that in mind, here’s what I found given the comparable video quality:

HAVA Pros

Built-in WiFi and component connections.
Ability to record live stream.
Sleek software GUI with simple setup.

HAVA Cons

Limited software functionality.
Windows-only for the moment.
Could not receive feed over EVDO. (Tech support blamed Sprint’s upload speeds…)

So what’s the bottom line? If you’re a Windows-only user with a need for built-in wireless or unscheduled recording: HAVA’s worth looking at. Though… I’d probably suggest waiting a few months until Monsoon works out some of the software kinks and adds functionality to better compete with Sling Media’s more mature player.

Check out some pics after the break and hit me with questions in the comments.

CinemaNow One-Ups iTunes

When I first read that CinemaNow has added new programming via deals with Showtime and A&E, I didn’t think too much about it. After all, iTunes already already offers the same programming and, generally speaking, buying television shows at $2 a pop doesn’t appeal to me. However, CinemaNow must have some sort of exclusive deal … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… DirecTV HR20 DVR implements home media features via Intel Viiv: DBSTalk TiVo settles gift card shenanigans for up to $120k: Davis Freeberg BluOnyx WiFi & Bluetooth enabled portable drive coming soon: WebTVHub Peerflix modifies DVD-swapping model: TechCrunch …and acquires online barter patent: eHomeUpgrade