Zatz Not Funny!

When Unlimited… Isn’t

Sounds like our “unlimited” data plans may not be so unlimited after all… In two separate revelations this week, both Verizon and Comcast appear to have very specific limits in place (though Comcast isn’t disclosing a number). CybernetNews documents Verizon’s mobile broadband service agreement: We reserve the right to limit throughput or amount of data … Read more

Comcast DVR Ads Spread to Bay Area

Jeremy was disappointed to discover Comcast dropped banner ads onto his DVR this week:

I noticed I’d lost about 1/8th of my overall screen space to a new “advertisement slot.” Worse yet, I’ve lost 2 (of 6) lines of the visible grid area, meaning I have to spend roughly 1/3 longer than before just to scroll through channels.

Assuming he’s stuck with them, JT provides several interesting suggestions on how Comast (or is it Motorola?) might improve their ad-serving implementation. Until then, he wonders where that Comcast-Motorola-TiVo is… While he’ll get a better interface (one day), the ads won’t be going away:

make the TiVo(R) service and advertising capability widely available to Comcast customers

combine TiVo’s unmatched DVR features and innovative advertising capabilities with the power of Comcast’s advanced digital television services

TiVo and Comcast will make TiVo’s interactive advertising platform available across Comcast’s customer base

Patch WinDVD… Or Else

I can’t imagine there are gazillions of people currently watching HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs via PC… But the dozen of you who both watch AND use WinDVD better upgrade before InterVideo shuts you down. Their press release blames “hackers” though InterVideo forgot to mention they left the keys unprotected. WinDVD customers who are currently using … Read more

Gamefly Opening East Coast Distribution Center

Looks like Gamefly is phasing in an east coast distribution center next week. Given my prior mail rental experiences with these guys, I’ll probably continue to pass. Davis recently gave them a second chance, though he tells me: “Hard to believe that their service has gotten worse.” Doh! Starting next week, you may notice that … Read more

Punk’d by Borat

How my buddy Tim was punk’d… and Netflix wasn’t surprised:

I got the movie Borat via Netflix and it I was a little bitter that it was a bootleg copy. Looked like a consumer purchased DVD with the title inked on the surface with a Sharpie. So I report it to Netflix, being the good citizen that I am and this is the response.

We appreciate this opportunity to assist you with “Borat.” “Borat”, is a comedic social satire. In keeping with the tone of the movie itself, the movie packaging was intentionally designed by the studio to look like a “bootlegged” or pirated movie. We hope you enjoyed “Borat” and appreciate your inquiry!

Another BitTorrent Client Goes Legit (Yawn)

Following in the footsteps of BitTorrent, Azureus just launched Vuze with Showtime and the BBC onboard: Formerly code-named Zudeo, the site already attracts more than two million unique monthly visitors after only two months in existence. Vuze breaks new ground by offering a powerful tool set of enhanced features and functions that enable content providers … Read more

NY Times Grades TiVo’s Internet Features

I was just discussing yesterday that TiVo’s biggest challenge (in relation to One True Media movie sharing) is getting the word out and educating consumers on the features they offer above and beyond the typical CableCo DVR. Pogue’s large piece in the NY Times does a nice job explaining the basics of many of these … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs. Web Video and The Speed of Change: Connected Home 2 Go Networks in the CE Spotlight: Connected Home 2 Go Did MediaPortal steal WebGuide MCE code: Rakesh Agrawal Vyyo, How Cable Will Compete with Fiber: Connected Home 2 Go