HTPC

Yahoo Go TV, The Future Is Now

Om’s got the scoop on Yahoo Go TV being released a mere week after Meedio announced they had been acquired. They weren’t kidding when they said they’ve been working on this relationship for awhile…

Here are some pics after my initial install. Don’t expect a comprehensive review anytime soon, I’m having too much fun playing. Will this be a Windows MCE, BeyondTV, or Front Row killer? At the very least the price of zero dollars makes it very competitive.

Yahoo says: Take back your TV

Now you can see all your Yahoo! stuff, such as photos, video clips and music videos, up on the big screen. Plus, your own DVR gives you the freedom to record and manage all your TV shows – no set-top boxes or monthly fees required.

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Never enough time… TiVo cofounder Jim Barton broadcasts the revolution. (ACM Queue) Netflix quarterly conference call doesn’t mention TiVo. (Internet Stock Blog) Save fifty bucks on a Slingbox and get 2000 United Airlines miles. (Sling) Details on Clear Channel’s digital radio plans (aka HD) to compete with satellite. (MarketWatch, Business Week) Sony releases PSP firmware … Read more

Firefly Mini HTPC Remote

SnapStream, the BeyondTV folks, has added the Firefly Mini to their arsenal. Unlike the original RF Firefly, the new remote is IR and button presses trigger keyboard commands to control many common software apps without requiring configuration or the installation of any drivers. Both Firefly remotes fully support BeyondTV and other SnapStream software, but it’s … Read more

ShowShifter Has Died

You knew it was coming… Once Microsoft entered the space with Media Center Edition, it became inevitable many multimedia software pioneers would be killed off. On the other end of the spectrum from MCE, you’ve got MythTV which is both full featured and free. That doesn’t leave much room in the middle… It will only … Read more

HD CableCARD Coming To Windows MCE

Thomas Hawk got the scoop on Microsoft providing HD CableCARD support for the Media Center Edition (MCE) of Windows Vista in 2006. Even though they’re using the existing one-way standard, this is very exciting news which extends encrypted digital cable beyond the TV. It makes me wonder if TiVo is sitting on the sidelines waiting … Read more

SageTV Adds HD, Expands Guide

With the release of Media Center V4, SageTV has added over-the-air (OTA) HD support. QAM is not supported, though BeyondTV also lacks that functionality in their upcoming v4 offering. Fully integrated European and Canadian guide data has been added to the upgrade, along with additional media and playlist support. SageTV says: With the addition of … Read more

Front Row, Mac as HTPC

Apple introduced Front Row, a media management application, and minimalist iPod Shuffle-esque six button remote to be bundled with new iMac’s – allowing you to control music, photos, and videos from the couch. While it’s no DVR (see Eye TV) and you’re limited to the iMac monitor as a display device (for now), it’s definitely … Read more

BeyondTV4 Exclusive Preview

BeyondTV4Soham Mehta, Director of Product Development at SnapStream, and I spoke about the forthcoming BeyondTV4. As with BeyondTV3, BTV4 is a PC-based DVR application.

SnapStream’s biggest news is the ability to record over-the-air (OTA) HD broadcasts with BTV4, including support for an unlimited amount of tuners. Also important is what’s not included: DRM. SnapStream is monitoring digital rights management within the industry, but is committed to empowering their customers. Having said that, BTV4 provides unencrypted DivX output resulting in high-quality video with smaller file sizes. Additionally, many set-top DVD players support the DivX format providing another means of archiving content. Based on customer requests, SnapStream has integrated FM time shifting into BTV4.

The new software has been under active beta testing since early summer, with hundreds of participants helping SnapStream polish this release. In regards to future development, Soham emphasized they are “reactive to hardware” and thus seek “synergy” with manufacturers to add features based on customer feedback. Soham indicates BTV4 will be released this year, “before the holidays.” The current pricing model will remain the same, with discounts offered to those upgrading.

Primary New Features:

  • HD tuner support
  • DivX output
  • FM time shifting

Additional Features:

  • Enchanced show search options
  • Revised interface
  • Support for unlimited tuners at no additional cost
  • Live TV buffer for back-recording

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