TiVo Desktop 2.3 Released!

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First announced in November, TiVo Desktop 2.3 has finally been released! This software update is notable for two major enhancements (maybe they should have versioned it 3.0). First, the Desktop software adds support for scheduling of downloads in a Season Pass-esque fashion. Second, if you upgrade to Desktop Plus (at a cost of $24.95) you gain access to TiVo-licensed codecs for MPEG-4 conversion. The PSP and iPod are supported, as they both play MPEG-4s out of the box. Additionally, the licensing fee includes an MPEG-2 codec for PC playback if you happen to need one. You could overpay foreign hackers to slap a custom GUI on ffmpeg, or you could pay TiVo less for more. Support for Windows portable devices (phone, PDA, PMC) is still present and free of charge.

Stay tuned as I dig around in the new software… I’m interested in discovering if previous (unsupported) conversion methods still work, what sort of quality and speed we can expect with the new conversion tool, find out what (if any) changes have been made under the hood, etc.

UPDATE: Some new info…

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UMPC Slingplayer Preview

If you looked closely at Monday’s NYC pictures, you might have noticed something interesting running on Kevin Tofel‘s Samsung Q1. Using Dave Ciccone‘s Slingbox feed, we previewed Sling Media’s UMPC skin via SlingPlayer 1.2 (beta) and several classified files hidden on my person. To support the UMPC’s touch screen, Sling provides oversized UI elements for … Read more

Skype On Your Set-Top Box?

Oregan Networks has produced a Skype CallerID widget. While this hasn’t been deployed anywhere, Oregan produces Internet-connected CE device software — such as code and infrastructure powering PS2’s online functionality.

Netflix May Or May Not Have A Box In Development

Netflix also may or may not be collaborating with TiVo. However, they’ve earmarked a sizeable 5 to 10 million dollars in 2006 on digital movie distribution R&D. As Netflix isn’t prepared to discuss this further until 1/07, it’s safe to assume the launch of something is not imminent. Variety says: Netflix VP of original programming … Read more

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… Cable giants sued for VOD patent infringement. (Engadget) DirecTV to launch $7500/yr everything-and-the-sink high roller service. (DirecTV) The EFF smacks down Apple’s embrace of DRM. (Boing Boing) Free DivX codec adds “sharpening” feature. (DivX) XM to develop crank radio and I don’t know why. (Orbitcast)

Thousands Of Free TiVos For Father’s Day

In honor of Father’s Day (and publicity), TiVo has partnered with Minor League Baseball and will be giving away up to 1,000 S2 units (via voucher) per market. Agree to a year of service, get a single tuner TiVo free. Add 30 bucks and upgrade to a dual-tuning model. Additional promotions (TiVo raffles) seem to … Read more

TiVo Applies For DVR PPV Patent

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The USPTO has just published TiVo’s Method and apparatus for secure transfer of previously broadcasted content and Method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content patent applications. Within the documents TiVo describes several methods to authenticate customers and securely distribute content via the internet for DVR and portable device playback. I’ve been pleading for some sort of VOD/PPV functionality, so the subscription and billing scenarios are particularly exciting. Content can be flagged by type (free, subscription, PPV), which in turn may specify or limit distribution and viewing. Interestingly, TiVo differentiates their DVR service from the content service/provider. Also of interest… it looks like they’ve documented the TiVoToGo MPEG-2 encryption/decryption keys as SHA-1 of your DVR network adapter’s MAC address. ;)

In another embodiment, whether through the DVR interface or through the website of Service Provider 106, a payment structure can be built into the system such that the user is charged each time a previously broadcasted program content is received by DVR 101. Thus, an additional screen requesting billing or payment information may be displayed to the user to enter in the appropriate information. This information is then supplied to the Service Provider 106 as part of the request for content. Alternatively, the billing or payment information may have been previously supplied to and stored by the Service Provider 106, such that any subsequent request for previously broadcasted program content is automatically processed without presenting another screen to the DVR user.

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