New software appearing on TiVos – v9.1.L5

Users at TiVoCommunity.com have begun reporting receiving new software, apparently the ‘Fall 2007 update’, which is v9.1.L5. And TiVoJerry confirms it in this post:

You’ll have to wait for the software upgrade. We are doing the measured portion of the roll out right now to select units. We do this for every release.

After two weeks, we determine the impact to the call center and roll out the software to the rest of the units at the appropriate speed (usually several weeks). It’s at this point that a priority list would become available.

The first thing people noticed is that the previously announced ‘Advanced Wishlists’ is part of the update. Also, the Setup & Support ‘Using Wishlist Searches‘ page has been updated to reflect the new capabilities. And there is more – the Getting Started with Multi-Room Viewing page has something quite interesting:

~ Both DVRs must be Series2 and/or Series2 DT DVRs.
(Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs will support Multi-Room Viewing from November 2007.)

~ The DVRs must have software version 4.0 or later. If one of the DVRs has software version 9.1 or later, the other DVRs must also be running software version 9.1 or later. To learn more, see Software Version Troubleshooting.

It sounds like MRV changes have been incorporated into 9.1 which makes it incompatible with the older software – which is probably laying the groundwork for enabling MRV on the S3 and HD in November. There are also changes to how the Series3 and TiVo HD handle Emergency Alert Message interruptions to recordings or live TV. These are welcome changes. However, here’s a little insider tip – if you put your TiVo into ‘Standby’ when you’re not using it, it will not be forced to tune an EAM and so you’ll never have a disrupted recording while you’re not using the unit. (Since the video output is disabled the CableCARD rules don’t require the unit to jump to the message when in Standby. A little expert user trick – and TiVo has confirmed that is how it works. ;-) )

This software also has the Crestron integration that was recently announced, and, unfortunately, it does seem to be limited to just the Series3 at this time. (No S2/S2DT or TiVo HD support.) I do hope that they extend this to more models. Even more, I hope they release the protocol – or someone can reverse engineer it.

Since it is just trickling out as a test release now, don’t hold your breath waiting for it. But in a couple of weeks we should see the floodgates open and the priority sign up page will go up for 9.1, if TiVo follows their normal release pattern.

If you’re one of the lucky ones and you find something else new or changed, please post a comment.

Posted in TiVo | 6 Comments

Yet another TiVoCast channel – Metal Chik

Another channel has joined the TiVoCast lineup, according to E. Stephen Mack. Metal Chik is all about DIY jewelry. You can subscribe on your TiVo via TiVo in TiVo Central -> Find Programs -> Download TV & Movies or on the TiVoCast website.

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Sling Media helps power DirecTV’s Supercast

Sling Media powers DirecTV's Supercast

Check out the image, see the logo centered under the video image? No? Well, try the larger version of the image. See it now? Yeah, that’s the Sling Media logo. DirecTV is working with Sling Media in their NFL Supercast.

I’ve emailed some tech questions to Sling, but I’m going to presume SlingStream is being used for the streaming technology, and perhaps some of the SlingPlayer software is embedded in the Supercast client.

I heard back from Sling so I’ve updated this. Sling built the front end, the UI, and the entry way, and they’re continuing to work with DirecTV to enhance the Supercase experience.

Another update – Sling Media’s Dave Zatz posted some info over at SlingCommunity.com:

Supercast is an online destination provided to DirecTV’s SuperFan subscribers. Each Sunday, most NFL games will be streamed live. In addition to the live games, replaybale game highlights plus real-time scores and stats are also provided. We at Sling are responsible for hosting the service and for the user interface – which we intend to further enhance as the season progresses. Technologically speaking, Supercast is purely a web-based service, requiring Internet Explorer within Windows. (I can tell you from first-hand experience it works great in Parallels too.) Supercast does not require a Slingbox or utilize our SlingStream technology.

Personally I avoid Internet Explorer at all costs. And the only reason I don’t remove it from my Windows systems is that I do web development and need to test in IE for those people who still use it, and to check out things like this for the blog. I really hope that Sling does something to bring this to non-IE and non-Windows platforms. Be it Flash, Java, or even Silverlight – or some native viewer.

Posted in DirecTV, Sling Media | 4 Comments

Microsoft to begin licensing ‘HDi’ logo

Microsoft was the primary developer of the HDi (HD interactive) technology that is mandatory on all HD DVD players. (It was originally codenamed ‘iHD’, I guess that sounded too much like an Apple product.) Microsoft has created a trademarked HDi logo and is now licensing it for use on HD DVD players and media, according to TWICE magazine. The logo will begin appearing on products in the fourth quarter.

HDi was standardized, along with the rest of the HD DVD specifications, through the DVD Forum. It is officially known as ‘Advanced Navigation’. Blu-ray uses the Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-J) standard for the same functions. The BDA’s rejection of a late proposal to include HDi in Blu-ray is the primary reason for Microsoft backing HD DVD and not BD.

Posted in Blu-ray/HD DVD | Leave a comment

Sony pushes PS3 as a Blu-ray player

The Financial Times is reporting that Sony will be stepping up marketing for the PlayStation 3, emphasizing that is is a Blu-ray player. Kaz Hirai, President of Sony’s games unit was interviewed for the article.

“The PS3 is first and foremost a video games machine but we want to say – by the way, it’s a great Blu-ray player as well,” Mr Hirai said. Marketing efforts in the US, Europe and Japan would highlight the PS3 as a Blu-ray disc player as well.

I’ve said it before, this holiday season is going to be an all-out slug-fest between the BD and HD DVD camps.

Posted in Blu-ray/HD DVD, Gaming | 1 Comment