While relations between DirecTV and TiVo have thawed (extended pact, do-not-sue agreement, software update), there doesn’t appear to be much momentum based on comments made during DirecTV’s earnings call:

I think we continue to see a few things — I think we have a constructive relationship. We are not doing a lot in all honesty but I think we have an honest dialog that I think is sincere about seeing if there are things that make sense for us. I mean, at our core, the heart of our business is going to continue to get driven by set-top box technologies we’ve developed that are at the core of the — as we launch VOD and whole home solutions and broadband connectivity and all these things, they are all tied into set-top box software that is deployed and operated by us. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things we can do with TiVo and if we can find a way to crack it, I think we’ve always been open to an intelligent relationship if there was one.

No mention of DTV’s ReplayTV IP play…

DivX reported their 1st quarter earnings on Monday and while I’m still waiting to read the actual 10k before digging too far into the numbers, I did want to comment on what I see as a significant shift in strategy. Over the last 7 years, DivX has done an impressive job of building an eco-system around a single file format. The first time that I came across a DivX file, I actually thought that it was some kind of a virus. It took me two weeks before I worked up the courage to download the DivX media player so that I could play the movie, but once I did, I realized that my fears were unfounded. The file not only offered a superior video experience, but it was a lot smaller than the MPEG files that I was used to downloading. Since I was on a dial-up connection at the time, every little byte made a big difference.

As the P2P networks developed, DivX and it’s open source cousin XviD, became an important resource for file sharers. Initially, my own interest in DivX was driven by it’s technological advantages over other video formats, as well as the wide availability of DivX content on the grey market, but as compression technology has evolved, my reasons for using DivX have changed as well. Since I’m no longer on a dial-up network, compression is less important then what I can actually do with my videos.

As DivX gained in popularity, they were able to forge agreements with consumer electronic manufacturers that allowed you to play DivX files on a wide range of devices. Even though, H.264 is a superior standard for internet video, I still prefer DivX files because I know that I’ll be able to play them on the hardware devices that I own.By creating an eco-system that supports portability, DivX has been able to lock me into their format in the same way that Apple has been able to use iTunes to keep their customers buying iPods instead of MP3 players.

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Sony’s announced their PS3 PlayTV accessory will be available this September for 99 Euros (~$150 USD). PlayTV consists of dual DVB-T tuners, enabling both PS3 DVR functionality and placeshifting to the PSP. Last100 raises some pertinent questions: Can television be recorded during gameplay? Can PS3 hard drive capacity be increased? (40-80GB won’t hold much HD content…) Sony hasn’t revealed plans for an ATSC (or other) model in the US market… Unlike the UK Freeview phenomenon, I’m not sure how much demand we have here for a purely OTA-based DVR.

NBC’s still got Steve and iTunes blacklisted (for now), though that hasn’t stopped them from making content available to Apple devices. Turns out NBC.com is providing iPhone owners video clips and full episodes (30 Rock, The Office) free, without commercial interuption. Video is selected via Safari and launched within the QuickTime player. Resolution isn’t high, but it streams well over WiFi and the price is right. Over EDGE, I had to wait (too long) for a suitable buffer to build - and I wouldn’t recommend it. But, no worries… the 3G iPhone is coming next month.

In other NBC video download news, content is now purchasable by Zune owners. Those very same Zune owners may also see their devices loaded with “copyright cop” software. OR maybe not.

(via Gartenberg tweet)

P2P Bill of Rights Deep-Sixed
After about three weeks, Comcast has abandoned their proposed P2P Bill of Rights in favor of collaboratively developing best practice guidelines within the Distributed Computing Industry Association. As I’ve said before, I’m glad to see them openly discussing these issues. Though, I’m not sure Comcast’s Net non-Neutrality stance has changed… Actions speak louder than words and it appears they’re still throttling BitTorrent traffic.

Pondering Bandwidth Caps
According to DSL Reports, Comcast is contemplating a monthly bandwidth cap of 250GB for residential broadband customers. Exceed the limit, and pay an overage fee, with periodical “slip up” forgiveness. Frankly, I think this would be a good policy change… when compared to their current opaque black ops methods. Though, I say that having no idea how much data I move in a given month and just prior to launching a several day ~40GB Mozy online backup. Supposedly a 250GB threshold would only impact 0.1% of Comcast customers.

SDV Shenanigans
Less clear than Cablevision’s SDV customer outreach, Comcast appears to be going down a similar path in southwest Florida. I haven’t confirmed this notice and it’s rather brief but, if accurate, probably indicates regional adoption of switched digital video (SDV):

Our records indicate that you have a Motorola Cable Card(s) that will no longer be compatible with our upgraded cable network as of May 31, 2008. Exchange your Motorola Cable Card(s) into an office today and we’ll give you HBO free and a converter free for 3 months.

No mention which specific portions of the channel lineup may impact this TiVo owner and no mention of the forthcoming tuning resolver… Just trade in your CableCARDs or else (FUD). I’ll wait for confirmation before providing additional commentary.

As much as I attempt to minimize cable clutter, I rely on wired headsets over Bluetooth for VoIP. A wired model provides equal if not better audio fidelity, without worrying about connectivity issues and a charged battery. My current work-provided headset got pretty banged up in my backpack recently and the mic’s become flaky. So, I just ordered this Logitech USB headset from Buy.com for $23 shipped (and after $10 rebate). I obviously can’t vouch for quality yet, but it looks comfortable and has a glowing red light.

Just when you thought it was safe to salvage your Moviebeam box for spare parts, there’s new hope on the horizon that Moviebeam may once again be coming to a television screen near you. Like a zombie from a bad horror flick, Moviebeam continues to rise from the dead feasting on the rotted brains of media moguls and venture capitalists with each new incarnation.

According to the Daily Bankruptcy Review, Movie Gallery has asked for bankruptcy court approval to sell their VOD service to Dar Capital Limited at a $2.25 million price tag.

Movie Gallery pulled the plug on its-on-demand movie service, called MovieBeam, in December as part of its restructuring under Chapter 11 protection. Dar Capital Limited has agreed to buy MovieBeam, which had about 1,800 subscribers at the time it was shut down. The service required customers to purchase a television set-top box that allowed them to order films for between $1.99 and $4.99. Movie Gallery said in court papers filed Thursday that it began shopping the MovieBeam business soon after shuttering the service and that 14 parties showed an interest in the company. Dar Capital is picking up MovieBeam’s remaining assets, which include certain trademarks and intellectual property associated with the business.

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Looks like we’ve got a new player in the PC extension business… Last last week, ZeeVee introduced the ZvBox - available for pre-order. The ZvBox transmits both PC VGA video output (up to HD resolutions) and audio (up to 5.1 surround via USB) over coax to televisions in your home. Re-using the existing coaxial cabling installed in most homes is an efficient way to move content, from the SD DIY AVcast to whole-home DVR products from vendors like Verizon FiOS TV and Dish Network. Unlike those solutions, however, ZeeVee doesn’t transmit control over coax - relying instead on a two-way RF remote with a reported range of 150′.

ZeeVee hasn’t yet indicated the exact requirements to receive the “Zv channel.” Can the signal be passed through a set-top box, or will the cable need to be split? And what about my older Panasonic CRT HDTV without ATSC tuner - am I out of luck? Though, the biggest hurdle these guys face isn’t technological, it’s pricing… At $500, I’d rather buy a small, dedicated computer to watch Netflix, Hulu, etc on my television. If they reduce consumer cost by 1/3 - 1/2, they’ll have a much better shot at success.

(Thanks for the tip, Ryan!)