Satellite TV Archives - Page 15 of 23

Field Trials of DirecTV on Demand

DirecTV’s Internet-connected pay-per-view service is now in beta. Like Amazon Unbox on TiVo, a networked set-top box (HR20 in this case) can pull from a library of content via the Internet. Download speed is variable (obviously) but media can be played back while coming in, and some content does expire. Hit this DBSTalk thread for … Read more

All Kinds of Sirius

Sirius unveiled a whole slew of new devices and services yesterday. Three in particular caught my attention:

Stiletto 2

I’m a gadget guy and I like portables, so the WiFi-enabled Stiletto appeals to me. I found the first generation slightly too large, so this 25% size reduction has resulted in a sleeker package. Both Stiletto models outshine my XM Helix in the beauty department, and more importantly, they offer a couple of home docking solutions. Interestingly, Steven Chalker, the only person I know who regularly used a Stiletto intends to sell it and stream Sirius to a TMobile MDA instead. (Was Zing was involved with v2? Surely not v3…) Expect the Stiletto 2, with souped up Altec Lansing headset, to ship this fall @ $350.

TiVo v EchoStar, Part XVII – He Said, She Said

Speaking publicly on the recent Patent Office decisions… Both TiVo and EchoStar appear to hope for the best while appeasing (or is that calming?) their stock holders via the press. TiVo: “The patent office affirmed the majority of the claims of the patent including two that the jury found that EchoStar infringed,” he said. “The … Read more

TiVo v EchoStar, Part XVI – Revisited

One TiVo stockholder’s take… The USPTO action finalizes the first phase of the Patent Office reconsideration of TiVo’s patent. The enforceable part of a patent is a series of “claims” (basically descriptions of part of a thing or process). Some of the claims of TiVo’s patent were validated, some were rejected. The claims that were … Read more

TiVo v EchoStar, Part XVI

Those of you with a vested interest (stock), probably caught news earlier this week that the US Patent and Trademark Office has completed the reexamination of a TiVo patent at play in the EchoStar case. Several claims were confirmed (software) and several were rejected (hardware). What does this all mean? Hard to say at this point, especially with oral arguments on hold until October. One thing you can bank on: This case is far from over (within both the courts and the Patent Office) unless a settlement is reached. Another thing you can bank on: Skittish investors dumping TiVo stock.

TiVo Needs Cable… Or Do They?

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News wrote a thoughtful piece summarizing TiVo’s challenge in reaching a critical mass: It’s easier to get a DVR from your cable company. And most people prefer to rent, not own, a set-top. Indeed, most DVRs in use today are already supplied by cable companies, according to a Carmel Group study. … Read more

If Money Grew On Trees: DirecTV Sat-Go

I think we’ll be starting a new column: If Money Grew On Trees. There’s quite a bit of interesting and useful tech out there… if only I had unlimited sources. First up is the innovative DirecTV Sat-Go which bundles a DTV tuner, antenna, remote, and a 17″ LCD into a large briefcase for $1499. Without … Read more

Updated DVR GUIs On The Way

It’s pretty amazing when you stop to think that the TiVo interface has been around since the 90s, yet the ease of use coupled with some powerful functionality still hasn’t been matched in a set-top box. So I’m always interested in seeing what others are planning… Gemstar intends to release an updated personalizable My TV … Read more