The latest TiVo hack doesn’t actually require any hacking. Last fall, TiVo partnered up with Creston to integrate the Series3 into their home automation framework. While I haven’t heard anything since, it turns out the hooks are wide open (via Omikron) to any application or hardware on one’s home network – and possibly well beyond by implementing router port fowarding. Until something more polished is developed, the telnet protocol allows you to manually feed a variety of remote commands to a networked TiVo. For example, in the video above, I’m using a terminal application on my jailbroken iPhone as a rudimentary WiFi remote control. There’s some real interesting potential here…
TiVo
The NCTA State of the Union Call
After probably feeling some heat online in the last week or so (here and here for example), the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) rounded up a bunch of journalists (mainstream press and bloggers) for a conference call today. They presented a bit of CableCARD history in how we got here (SDV) and where we’re … Read more
TiVo Gets A Little Bit Social (On Facebook)
TiVo’s getting a little bit social (hey, it’s the thing to do) in launching “My TV” on Facebook. As you would expect, one can add, rate, and review all sorts of television programming. There’s also links to online scheduling (for us TiVo customers), but no integration with Facebook’s existing TV show favorites or a method to import your existing Season Passes, Now Playing list, etc. Interestingly, TiVo didn’t name the widget after themselves and clearly indicates one doesn’t need to be a TiVo owner to participate. Which is a smart marketing move. (via Gizmo Lovers)
Where’s the SDV Tuning Resolver?
So it’s Q2 and I’m probably not the only one wondering where the SDV Tuning Resolver is. If you recall, this product will allow unidrectional CableCARD retail devices to tune switched digital video channels – which would otherwise be unavailable for viewing. It’s unlikely older CableCARD devices like first generation TVs with slots would receive … Read more
Deal of the Day: Antec MX-1 @ $19.99
The highly regarded Antec MX-1 SATA hard drive enclosure is available at Buy.com for $19.99 after $25 rebate (PDF). Shipping’s free and if you’re new to Google Checkout, you can save another $10. Once you add your drive, simply attach this to a TiVo Series3 for additional storage… TiVo HD owners are going to have … Read more
Roxio Toast Update Process Problematic; TiVo Desktop 2.6.1 Released
The fun continues with Roxio Toast. As many us have experienced, there’s been a persistent OS X TiVoToGo issue related to audio/video synchronization. Well, I finally had a few free minutes to install the update and it didn’t go so well (see above). After deleting portions of the prior Toast application install (v8.0.3), the new … Read more
Blockbuster: Yet Another Set-Top Box?
Because we just don’t have enough set-top boxes to choose from, Blockbuster will be tossing their hat into the ring. According to the Hollywood Reporter: The home video giant is developing a set-top device for streaming films directly to TV sets and is expected to announce the offering sometime this month. The device is believed … Read more
TiVo Deploying Comcast & Stand-Alone Updates
TiVo has quietly started rolling out system software 9.3 to TiVo Series2 owners. In addition to what I suspect is under the hood bug squashing and some minor presentation updates, Megazone reports the replacement software adds progressive downloading (view Amazon Unbox and podcast content as it comes in) already available to Series3 and TiVo HD … Read more