Dave Zatz

Microsoft Attempts To Patent EPG

Microsoft has submitted a patent application encompassing the construction of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a variety of sources. For example, the DVR might grab guide info from multiple feeds and then compare it to scannable channels and build a lineup grid based on the results. Doesn’t sound much different than most other modern … Read more

Cisco Funds Disney’s MovieBeam

If you recall, MovieBeam was a Disney service similar to Akimbo offering pay-per-view rentals of downloaded movies via leased set-top boxes. After testing the service in a few markets, Disney shut it down and later spun off the company. Most, including myself, figured it was gone for good despite comments that service would be relaunched … Read more

DISH Satellite To Launch

Echostar plans to expand DISH Network bandwidth with Wednesday’s launch of satellite X. Adding an extra satellite doesn’t really impress me, but I am intrigued by the launch details. As with DirecTV and XM, Echostar has enlisted Sea Launch’s Odyssey platform — a vessel that motors out to sea for launch. Sea Launch will be … Read more

Wired Proclaims TiVoHD, Mac TTG Vapoware

Wired is out with their annual Vaporware Awards. As with last year, TiVo has made the list… this time placing tenth for failing to deliver a stand-alone HD model and a Mac version of TiVoToGo. While it’s true they didn’t surface in 2005, I’m hopeful we’ll see both in 2006. Wired says: High-def TiVo and … Read more

TiVo Analyzes Super Bowl

TiVo has released their annual Super Bowl analysis compiled from an “anonymous” sampling of data from 10,000 boxes. On average, TiVo viewers hit rewind, replay, or pause more than 100 times during the broadcast. Two of Pittsburgh’s touchdowns were replayed more than four times each and Ameriquest topped the most replayed commercials. Many of the … Read more

Echostar Backs Sling Media

On Malik reports EchoStar (aka DISH Network) has participated in the current round of Sling Media funding. Combined with Echostar’s investment in Archos, there’s a high potential for synergistic devices. I give them credit for aggressively investing in these unproven, peripheral technologies… then again, maybe that’s what a #2 needs to do in order to … Read more

LG’s Microsoft DVR Drops Guide Fees

That was quick! After only two months, Microsoft and LG have abandoned DVR guide fees. Furthermore, those who have previously paid are entitled to refunds. The fee structure was originally $9.99 a month or $249 pre-paid for an infinite subscription. At $599 a pop, the LG LRM-519 rivals the cost of some Windows Media Center … Read more

Instant Replay PIP Stored On Remote

Just about everybody and their mom has been applying for (bizarre) DVR-related patents lately. Today I’ll spotlight IBM, who wants to own the rights of presenting “instant replay” content within a window. But wait, that’s not all… if you order now, they’ll also store that video right on your remote control’s “non-volatile” memory! And I don’t know why…

IBM says: The invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for recording a television broadcast, and a retrospective section of the record. These enable a television viewer to use a television control to select and store a retrospective section of a recorded television channel, while watching the channel. The retrospective section typically comprises a section of the channel that has just been watched by the viewer, so that an immediate replay of the retrospective section corresponds to an “instant” replay. An example method includes the steps of generating a record of the television broadcast, and operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast, a retrospective section of the record. The method further may include storing the retrospective section in the television remote control.

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