Via ZatzNotFunny.com, I’m not sure what to make of the announcement TiVo have entered an agreement with Nero to license some of their technology to create a TiVo like experience on the PC. According to the Press Release:
Under the agreement, Nero will develop a software solution that will bring TiVo features to the personal computer. Capitalizing on the growing PC TV tuner market, it will answer the consumer demand for a trusted PC-based DVR experience for use with the estimated 50.8 million PC TV tuners that will be sold worldwide by 2011, according to In-Stat research report published in April 2007.
I wouldn’t mind running the TiVo software on my home server as a replacement for other DVR software (it’s MCE at the moment but I do like BeyondTV and SageTV as alternative commercial products), but I believe part of TiVo’s strength is its brand recognition and if they are serious about entering the retail market, I’m not sure why they don’t build out their own product and market it directly.
My guess is that this is less about collaborating on PC DVR Software but the beginning of TiVo asserting its intellectual property rights on its patents. My guess is that sometime soon, providers of software like BeyondTV and SageTV will get a note in the mail stating that they’re stepping on TiVo’s patents and they’ll need to pony up or get sued.
In a nutshell, it’s all about the XBox Live service as a digital turnpike for media according to this article in the NYTimes.
(Hat Tip and Discussion: SlashDot.org)
Via MissingRemote.com, the MediaPortal guys announced a new fully re-written version of MediaPortal that includes uPnP support so you can use it more as a Media Server as opposed to a standalone product.
I’m really looking forward to taking it for a spin.
Via TivoBlog.com, TiVo and Amazon are offering 20 free classic movies to help entice customers to try out the new Amazon Unbox service.
If you haven’t tried the Unbox service, there is no better time.
Missing Remote has the list and it’s a handy checklist to use on the spouse when she inevitably asks, “Why is there a computer sitting in our living room?”
I really hope it’s true. It would make life easier for streaming videos throughout the house. We should see pretty soon since rumors are that the XBox 360 fall update will it in early December.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/is-xbox-360-getting-divx-321004.php
It’s been reported here, here, and here that Tivo has started the lifetime subscriptions back for existing customers who purchase a new HDTivo or Series 3. It’s all very confusing to me, but thankfully, TivoLovers.com has a readable breakdown of the prices. It’s still pretty complicated to follow, especially if you want to replace a unit as opposed to add an additional unit. It’s a pricing strategy only a CFO could love.
Everyone from Sony to Apple to Microsoft are fighting to control the living room as it becomes the next battleground of the computer revolution, but I haven’t seen too many affordable computers I’d want to sit in my living room in my entertainment center. Sharp’s new product line, the Internet AQUOS, however, looks pretty awesome and adds the features that many have ignored in the past including a stylish wireless keyboard and mouse combo.
If the price is right, this product could very well.
(Hat Tip: Engadget)
Got a question about Multi-Room Viewing or TivoToGo on a HDTivo or a Series 3? User bkdtv of TivoCommunity.com has posted a great FAQ with lots of great info.
(Hat Tip: The Definitive TivoBlog.com)
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