SageTV Confirms Hauppauge HD PVR Support

Obviously, the current hot topic in HTPC land is Hauppauge’s upcoming HD PVR… And I just heard back from multi-OS SageTV CEO, Mike Machado regarding their integration plans: We’re working to support the HD PVR as soon as we can. We expect we’ll support it at or near launch. I didn’t probe too deeply (hey, … Read more

Hauppauge HD PVR Specs Revealed

Hauppauge has released details and announced timing for their USB HD recording device. The HD PVR records from component and optical inputs at up to 13.5Mbps in H.264. Additionally, AVCHD recordings can be burned to DVD for Blu-ray STB playback (via bundled ArcSoft application suite). Shipping is expected to begin May 1, and a pre-order … Read more

CRTC Rejects Independent HD Broadcaster

Text of Decision In yet another example of Canada’s broken broadcasting policy, Canada’s national broadcasting regulator, the CRTC, has denied John Bitove’s (XM Canada’s founder) HDTV Network Inc’s application for an eight city Canadian HDTV broadcast network. The network was to be backed by Microsoft founder and Charter Communication’s chairman, Paul Allen. Most Canadian cities … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… that Dave hasn’t had time to cover while attending CTIA: XM now available on Blackberry: Orbitcast PlayStation Store 2.0 coming soon: PC World HP introduces 500GB $300 Linux NAS: Gizmodo Is Comcast increasing HD video compression: The Consumerist Roxio Toast update fixes TiVoToGo audio/video sync: Mac Observer Nokia N810 … Read more

Verizon Launches HD VOD

While most of the industry is focused on the wireless world at the moment, Broadband Reports has the news that Verizon has apparently launched HD VOD in some areas. It’s a good application for the telco’s fiber network. Lots of bandwidth drain. Any ZNF readers enjoying VZ HD VOD yet?

Best Buy’s Too Good To Me

First, Best Buy automatically upgraded me to a newer (more pricey) HD DVD model at no extra cost when their stock was depleted. And now, it looks like I’ll be getting a $50 gift card for my troubles. Despite representing 50% the original value of my player which actually sold on ebay for more than … Read more

Panasonic Plans Tru2Way Sets

Looks like we’ll really see a resurgence of CableCARD televisions later this year. Unlike the first generation of one-way communication and single tuning sets, the new generation will employ OCAP tru2way. According to Home Theater Magazine: all Panasonic PDP and LCD sets incorporate ATSC tuners and some will soon incorporate OCAP two-way cable cards allowing … Read more

Gefen DVR Records HD via HDMI

We’ve discussed this unit a few times in the comments, and I finally managed to get my hands on the Gefen HD PVR ($999). It was announced last summer, and Gefen intended to ship prior to the end of 2007. I’m not actually sure if they made their target, but they’re definitely shipping now in … Read more