CES: The Smallest HTPC Keyboard I’ll Never Use

It’s not that I don’t appreciate Logitech’s diNovo Mini keyboard and trackpad. It’s just that I can’t think of a use for this little guy since dismantling my HTPC(s) and projector 2.5 years ago. Back in the day, I settled on a Gyration set – less for mousing through the air, and more for the … Read more

The HDHomeRun Giveaway

Well, it’s still that time of year… The news is slow and giving gifts is good. DVRUpgrade, generally known for providing TiVo hard drive upgrades (and a ZNF sponsor), let me play with the HDHomeRun ($~170) for the last few months and now we’re giving it away. The HDHomeRun is a pretty clever dual-tuning HD … Read more

SageTV HD Media Extender Review

Many Home Theater PC users have been clamoring for a silent, easy-to-setup media extender that can handle High Definition video – a plug & play box that lets users remotely access their HTPC content from any TV in their home. Today, SageTV is answering their customers desires by delivering a new HD Media Extender ($199) … Read more

Snapstream Unleashes Godzilla PC DVR For Big Business

With access to four tuners and 1.5 terrabytes of storage, I thought that I had the ultimate DVR setup. However, after seeing Snapstream’s Enterprise PC DVR in action, I’m envious of its capabilities and my home entertainment system suddenly seems wimpy. I don’t know how much Snapstream is charging, but if money grew on trees, I’d be all over this in a heartbeat.

With 10 tuners, one won’t worry about programming conflicts. And with 2 terrabytes of storage, it would mean that one can record 10 different channels, 24 hours a day for at least 8 days before worrying about archiving. Even, if one needed to save old content, the software enables video backup onto DVD.

While the specs had me drooling, the search capabilities were what I found most impressive. By taking advantage of the closed captioning system, SnapStream is able to search the transcripts of any program you record. This allows you to record a lot of junk and filter it for the information that you care about. Unlike the DVR in your living room, this isn’t limited to one monitor. SnapStream has designed the DVR to act as a server, allowing multiple users to search and stream videos from anywhere on a network.

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Wanna Beta Test Moxi?

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Just when I thought we’d enter a period of tech news radio silence leading up to the holidays and prior to CES early next month, Digeo is out recruiting for two betas. One product we knew about, the other we didn’t…

First up is the Holy Grail for us geeks – public recruiting for a hardware beta: The Moxi Home Cinema HD DMR, which I previewed a few months ago, was originally slated to launch in retail this year and has been slightly delayed. But it looks like we’re getting closer…

With a single box – and a single remote – this Moxi HD Digital Media Recorder brings it all together: movies, TV shows, music, games, photos and MP3s. Plug your speakers directly into your Moxi Home Cinema HD DMR for full surround sound. A digital surround sound amplifier is built right in – and Dolby® Digital is included – so you don’t need a separate receiver. By participating in this limited beta, you will get to preview and help us test Moxi Home Cinema HD Digital Media Recorder as we get ready to release to the general public.

I’m still not entirely sure if there’s a market for a higher-end retail DVR without CableCARD support. However, I do appreciate fully supported clear QAM and an integrated receiver – if additional devices can be connected.

But wait. There’s more!

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TiVo & Nero Collaborate on PC DVR Software

This can’t be good news for Beyond TV, SageTV, and ReplayTV… TiVo’s entering the PC software DVR market (!) with Nero at an unspecified time and price. A few years ago, perhaps before current CEO Tom Rogers took the helm, PC DVR software was alluded to at a conference call – But I had assumed … Read more

SageTV HD Extender STX-HD100 Details Emerge

After months of hearing their customers clamor for more juicy information and photos of the upcoming SageTV HD Extender, SageTV posted many STX-HD100 media extender details on the forums yesterday.Like Microsoft’s Media Center extenders that were sold for the old XP version of Media Center, the STX-HD100 is made specifically to stream content from a … Read more

SageTV 6.3.2 HTPC Software Beta Released

The latest SageTV beta version (v6.3.2) was released last week. Notable features included within this build: 125 new online services (check it out above) Hauppauge HVR-950, ElGato EyeTV Hybrid, and HDHomeRun support for Mac Various bug fixes & performance optimizations Enhancements included in beta v6.3.1 Remember, this is a beta where the kinks get worked … Read more