Yesterday, we took a look back at 2006 and concluded high definition reaching a critical mass was the story of the year. For 2007, instead of forecasting the obvious (everyone gets HDTV - for less, digital media is everywhere) or making a bunch of wild predictions (Comcast buys TiVo), Mari and I wanted to focus on two notable dates.

March 1

Come March 1, all televisions and “TV receiver equipment” produced must include a digital (ATSC) tuner. The reason this date is more significant (and more intriguing) than last years deadline to include digital tuners in large TVs is because it encompasses DVRs and placeshifting devices. In 2002 the FCC first proposed staggered tuner deadlines as we transition to DTV and published the final order (PDF) in 2005:

By this action, the Commission is modifying its rules to advance the date on which new television receivers with screen sizes 13-24″ and certain other TV receiving devices such as VCRs and digital video recorders must include the capability to receive broadcast digital television signals from the current date of July 1, 2007 to March 1, 2007. The Commission is also amending its rules to apply the digital television reception capability requirement to new receivers with screen sizes smaller than 13″ on this same schedule. The DTV reception requirement, which also often is termed the “DTV tuner requirement,” is being implemented under an approach that applies it first to large screen receivers and then progressively to smaller screen receivers and other devices over a period of several years. The modifications made herein affect the final step of this phase-in plan. With these changes, the scheduled implementation plan will provide for all new TV receiver equipment to include digital reception capability as of March 1, 2007.

Now there may be some wiggle room in this mandate… Read the rest of this entry »

Obviously the consumer electronics industry is huge and quickly evolving, so there are numerous products, services, and trends to reflect upon for 2006. Sure we could talk about Apple adding movie downloads from iTunes, the various mergers and acquisitions, PDA phones for the masses, etc… But for me, the real momentum was in the realm of high definition. (And “You” are not the person of the year.)

The major development was the plummeting cost of large screen HDTVs. Plasmas, LCDs, and DLP rear-projection sets all dropped while we simultaneously grew more comfortable with higher price points. When non-geeks have larger, better units than I do (as observed in 2006), it’s safe to say this technology has gone mainstream. (Although, not everyone knows how to get HD programming.)

Also in 2006, the next generation of optical disc technology was released in the form of Blu-ray and HD-DVD. However, neither supplanted DVD last year and it isn’t likely they will in 2007 — due to high prices and a fragmented market. Perhaps hybrid disc technology, such as Warner’s Total HD or LG’s offering, will change the landscape… but not last year and probably not this year. Read the rest of this entry »

As a die hard HDTV aficionado, I normally love reading about anything that has to do with the HDTV experience. With it’s crisp picture and it’s unmatched sound quality, HDTV has the power to make even bad television entertaining. Even when I’m not watching TV, I still love researching and learning about the technology, but when I came across a recent post by the Technology Evangelist, it sent shivers down my spine. (warning: link is not safe for TV enthusiasts)

It’s New Years eve. My wife and I are snuggled up on the couch watching the ball drop. 10! 9! 8! 7! KABLAM!!! Our micro-projection HD set turns off with a loud popping noise. Immediately I fear the lamp has shattered, but I think that maybe I just sat on the remote and shut it off. Looking at the remote on the table I realize my fear came true.

As someone who watches my fair share of TV, I worry about the day when my tube finally does give out. Reading through the post, I can’t help but imagine how horrible it must have felt to suddenly know that you can’t watch anymore TV without spending the time and money to get repairs done. Right now I’ve been living without my Xbox 360 for a few weeks while repairs are being made and that has been bad enough, without my daily fix of HDTV, I’d be a raving lunatic. (or at least more raving than normal ) Read the rest of this entry »

A periodic roundup of relevant news…

• TiVo Series3 Lifetime transfer (for $199) extended: TiVo Lovers
• Mac TiVo Decode Manager 2.0 released: David Benesch
• TiVo finances need a tweak: The Street
• DirecTV TiVo recording issues: DVR Playground
• New TiVo rebates good through 2/17: PVRWire

My one month trial of Xbox Live (Gold level) expired last week… Since they hooked me, I started looking for membership deals. Xbox Live Gold is the fee-based service that allows you to compete online, download movie trailers, chat with folks, compare online stats, etc. 12 months of Gold membership retails for $50 — you can buy online through the Xbox or via a retailer.

At the time I ordered, I wasn’t able to find any discounts. However, I did notice the Gold subscription plus web camera for $65 at Amazon (versus the $80 list price). The bundle also includes Robotron and Uno game downloads, a headset (I already have one), and 200 points (~42% of an HD movie rental) — Including the webcam, these seemed like decent bonus items for only $15 over the annual subscription.

The 360 supports video chat and allows you to add your face to some games, such as Uno and the new Rainbow Six. Though… the biggest bonus of all turns out to be the Vision camera (which retails for $40 without Gold membership) also works under XP. Installation is a breeze: Plug it in, then let Windows find the driver online. It’s definitely not a high-end cam (and it has no microphone) but the price is right. The hardware is simple, though it does rotate and pivot — and, surprisingly, it also balanced fine on my LCD. I had fun making faces testing the video with Skype last night (and you can see that I still haven’t shaved).
Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s mystery: Why is TiVo.com selling Slingboxes? Interesting… I checked in with both TiVo, Inc and Sling Media yesterday. When asked about the relationship between the two companies, TiVo responded with “nothing formal.” My Sling contact is doing some research and will get back to me. If it is indeed nothing formal, what’s the goal here? Is TiVo just trying to make a few extra bucks selling products or is this a case of some back scratching? They’d probably move quite a few units if they added the Slingbox AV as a TiVo Reward. Hm!

UPDATE:  I’ve heard back from my Sling source: Sounds like this is a minor “co-sales agreement.” Nothing major in the scheme of things, but it’s pretty cool to see these two innovative companies collaborating. Should we start the buy-out rumors now?

Third party developer Access will be releasing a Pocket PC software player in the US designed to support Sony’s LocationFree placeshifting hardware (LF-B20). The NetFront LocationFree Player (2.0) should be available any day now for about $20 through Handango and Pocketgear. (For comparison, Sling Media’s PPC player runs $30 direct.)

NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC is an application that supports TV or DVD programs on a Pocket PC device when connected to Sony Corporation’s LocationFree base station via wireless LAN or router. NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC allows you to enjoy TV programs both at home and while you are away from home via the Internet.

In addition to supporting images from external devices such as DVD recorders and video cameras, NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC rev. 2.0.0 also features advanced remote functionality, which allows users to operate external devices through their device screen, including playback, stop, or fast-forward.