CableLabs allows digital cable content out of its box

Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 by MegaZone

CableLabs has approved the DTCP-IP content protection system for digital cable content, which allows the content to be moved between devices over IP networks.

Using DTCP (Digital Transmission Copy Protection)-protected secure links among consumer electronics devices, cable subscribers will be able to enjoy digital cable programming, including high-definition and VOD cable content, on consumer electronics devices and personal computers on digital home networks. The approval permits CableLabs licensees under DFAST, CHILA, and DCAS to protect pay-per-view and video-on-demand transmissions against unauthorized copying and unauthorized internet retransmission, while assuring consumers’ ability to record broadcast and subscription programming, in digital formats, for personal use.

So, you’d theoretically be able to move content from your digital cable DVR to a PC and thence to a hand held device. Or between DVRs in the home, etc. Well, that sounds a lot like TiVoToGo and TiVo’s Multi-Room Viewing, doesn’t it? TiVo has said they expect to bring TTG & MRV to the Series3 and TiVo HD later this year, and they’re digital cable devices. TiVo almost certainly was aware of this standard being worked on. I wonder if they’re implementing DTCP-IP on the Series3 platform, which is why they’ll be able to bring TTG & MRV to market. Interesting question, no?

DTCP-IP is an extension of the previous DTCP standard for protecting content on FireWire links, also known as ’5C’ encryption. This is used on cable boxes for protecting content on the FireWire port, which is what prevents PCs from capturing some of that content. As a minor point, Digeo has been planning to use FireWire over Coax to connect Moxi units within the home, and they told me they had no plans to support Ethernet or WiFi. The reason they gave me back at CES was that FireWire was the only protocol CableLabs permitted the protected content to be transferred over. Well, that seems to have changed – I wonder if they’ll stick with the oddball FireWire over Coax solution or if they’ll embraced standard networking protocols.

Spotted via GigaOM.

Posted in Digeo Moxi, DVR, General Tech, HDTV, TiVo | Leave a comment

The TiVo HD Referral Sweepstakes

Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 by MegaZone

TiVo just launched The TiVo HD Referral Sweepstakes. Entering is simple – every time someone uses you as a TiVo Rewards Referral when activating a new TiVo, you get another entry. So the first thing you’d need to do is sign up for the TiVo Rewards program. Yes, clearly this is designed to encourage people to get their friends to join the TiVolution – but hey, you get rewards points *and* a chance to win some loot.

Oh yea, the loot. TiVo is running this as three consecutive monthly sweepstakes and then one grand prize sweepstakes. The first sweepstakes began at 12:00 AM Pacific Time on August 23, 2007 and runs until 11:59PM PT on September 15, 2007. Then the second one begins and runs through 11:59PM PT on October 15, 2007. And then the third and final one begins and runs until 11:59PM PT on November 15, 2007 – and that is also the Grand Prize deadline. If I’m understanding the Official Rules correctly, each monthly drawing will be on the 20th of each month (5 days after the entry deadline), and the Grand Prize drawing will be January 20, 2008. Odd – I would’ve made it December 20, 2007 – then TiVo would be able to make press with a big Holiday Gift for someone.

Each month TiVo is giving away five (5) Flip Video™ Camcorders (60 minute model) valued at $149.99 each, for a total of 15 winners. The Grand Prize is a TiVo HD DVR ($299.99), a TiVo Wireless Network Adapter ($59.99), a one (1) year subscription to the TiVo service ($179.99), and a check for $2,500 – for a total of $3039.97. Yeah, OK, it says 50″ HDTV on the main sweepstakes page, but the fine print says:The HD Television portion of the Grand Prize shall be awarded as two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) cash in the form of a check made payable to Selected Entrant. Frankly, I’d rather have the check anyway. :-)

Of course, you could just see if you’re a winner now:10. WINNERS LIST. For names of the prize winners, available after June 30, 2006… Psst, TiVo, you might want to fix that typo in the rules.

TiVo Rewards Referrals for the site are always appreciated, even more so while the sweepstakes is running. ;-)

Picked up from TiVo Blog.

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Paramount and Dreamworks Blu-ray titles – get them before they’re gone

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 by MegaZone

While Paramount and Dreamworks recently announced that they’re going HD DVD exclusive, there are currently 32 individual titles from them released on Blu-ray, and one collection. They will not be recalling these discs, but once existing stocks are depleted they will not be re-pressed. So, if you want any of these on Blu-ray, buy them before they’re gone. There are a few here I’m thinking about picking up.

Posted in Blu-ray/HD DVD | 3 Comments

Unbox six movies for just 99-cents each

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 by MegaZone

This week’s 99-cent movies from Amazon Unbox are 300, Shooter, TMNT, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, Conversations with Other Women, and Mujeres Infieles / Unfaithful Women.

I saw 300 in theaters and enjoyed it, and will probably pick it up on Blu-ray. I checked out Shooter and TMNT via last week’s $.99 sale. Shooter was pretty good, TMNT was just OK. Hmm, this week… I guess I’ll check out the ATHF movie. For $.99, why not? It is worth it just for the Mooninite craziness in Boston.

And a last reminder, if you still have any of the $15 credit that TiVo and Amazon offered for sign-ups back when Unbox on TiVo was launched – remember that the credit is only good through August 31st, 2007. That’s next Friday. Use it or lose it.

Posted in Amazon Unbox, TiVo | Leave a comment

Two more TiVoCast channels

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 by MegaZone

Wow, TiVo is really on a roll lately with TiVoCast. On top of the recent addition of Channel Frederator, Fast Lane Daily, Pulp Secret, and Veracifier, today they’ve added Indy Mogul and ThreadBanger.

Indy Mogul is basically a site on how to make independent films. While ThreadBanger is about making your own fashion. You can find these on your TiVo under TiVo Central -> Find Programs -> Download TV & Movies or sign up via the TiVoCast website.

Picked up from the blog of E. Stephen Mack, Director of TiVoCast Operations.

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