As some of you may recall, I recently moved across the Potomac from Maryland into Virginia. In addition to picking up a new stand for our plasma, we also inherited a new cable provider. With a new set of challenges. I’ve mostly come to terms with that multi-hour CableCARD install ($30 per set) and general, … Read more
Multichannel received word this spring that Comcast intended to bring remote web DVR scheduling to customers in 2009. And if www.comcast.com/mydvr is any indication, they’re nearly ready to pull the trigger. Not only does this “MyDVR” service appear to support Comcast’s stock (Motorola) DVR hardware, a variant may also launch for Comcast-issued TiVo units. I … Read more
I realize I’ve been a bit critical of TiVo lately and they’ve got a fine, new retail competitor in Moxi. But we want TiVo fans to know ZNF still has love for you. This TiVo schwag prize package I’ve collected over the last couple months consists of a window cling 3-pack for your car(s), a … Read more
DISH has joined other DVR vendors (DirecTV, Verizon, TiVo, Moxi) by (officially) launching online scheduling. While TiVo was a pioneer in this space, they’ve begun to lag as others provide a direct connection for interactive conflict resolution and to view listings of recorded shows or scheduled recordings. As DISH now offers broadband-connected ViP 612, ViP … Read more
After a pretty big splash at CES 2008, there’s been relatively little movement on the tru2way retail front (other than a limited release of Panasonic’s tru2way-capable HDTVs in Comcast’s Chicago and Denver markets last fall). As a refresher, tru2way is the evolution of OCAP and designed to provide a common framework (middleware) for MSOs, their … Read more
Back at CES, EchoStar came clean with their Sling Media acquisition intentions in announcing the “SlingLoaded” platform – part DVR, part Slingbox. The first model is headed to DISH Network as the DISH VIP 922 and now Echo has unveiled digital cable-enabled tru2way SlingLoaded hardware. Unlike the previously demo-ed satellite version, these tru2way devices would … Read more
In addition to purely reporting on singular CES product announcements, we’ve also attempted to identify industry trends and themes. And while the promise of Vista SideShow has never materialized, that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from pursuing unique secondary displays – several of which we saw in Vegas. At CES Unveiled we fought the crowd to check … Read more
Mari and I have made it back to the east coast (but her suitcase didn’t) with quite a backlog of content. In fact, I forgot to mention my most valuable tools in the blogging gear of CES writeup: a comparatively archaic notepad and pen. Paper is still the most efficient and reliable method for jotting … Read more