Dish Network launches ViP722 DVR

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 by MegaZone

Dish Network has launched a new DVR, the ViP722. It is an improvement over the ViP622 in that it has a 500GB drive, giving up to 55 hours of HD content compared to 30 for the 622, and it is black, and… well, that seems to be it. Pretty much the 722 is a black 622 with a larger drive. Like the 622 the 722 has two satellite tuners and one ATSC tuner, and it can output two programs simultaneously – one HD and one SD.

If you already have the 622 there is no reason to upgrade since you can use the latest update to enable USB 2.0 storage to expand your capacity.

Picked up from PVR Wire @ TV Squad.

Posted in Dish Network, DVR | 1 Comment

TiVo HD receives another update: 8.1.7b2

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 by MegaZone

TiVo HD units are receiving another software update today, moving from 8.1.7b1 to 8.1.7b2

If you have a TiVo HD, check your Messages & Settings -> Settings -> Phone & Network screen. If it says ‘Pending Restart’ then your box has the new software. If not, then ‘Connect to the TiVo service now’ and it should download it. Once it says ‘Pending Restart’ go to Messages & Settings -> Restart or Reset System -> Restart the TiVo HD DVR to force a reboot, and it will install the software.

You don’t have to do this – it will automatically download it the next time it calls home. Then install it at the next 2AM window after that. This just helps you get it faster.

No word on just what it is – but it is a safe bet it is meant to help address the macroblocking issues. However, doing a spot check of my unit with the new software I’ve seen a couple quick flashes of macroblocking, but it does seem to be greatly reduced from the previous version. I’m not seeing the regular, severe macroblocking I was seeing before. First impression is that this is a real improvement. I’d love to hear what other people think and how much improvement you’re seeing.

I dropped an email to TiVo to see if they have an official statement on this update.

EDIT: TiVo responded to my email by referring me to a post on TiVoCommunity.com from TiVoPony:

As promised, here’s an update on TiVo HD.

We’re releasing a new software update later today for TiVoHD, you should see this download to your DVR over the next day or two. While our original update resolved issues for many people, this new update addresses some of the additional macroblocking issues people have reported.

Please continue to post and let us know if your issues persist following the upgrade (you can also post if your problems go away). :-)

We will continue to work through any additional issues that are uncovered. We appreciate your patience, as well as the valuable feedback you’ve all provided.

Thanks,
Pony

Posted in TiVo | 5 Comments

Roxio Popcorn 3 includes TiVoToGo support

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 by MegaZone

Previously, the only official TiVoToGo solution for Macs was built into Roxio Toast 8, which carries a hefty price tag of $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate). Well, now Roxio brings TiVoToGo support to their lighter-weight application ‘Popcorn’, in the new revision 3, as reported by MacNN.

New in this release, however, is TiVo to Go support, allowing you to automatically convert your TiVo recordings to the format of your choice.

Popcorn 3 is priced at $50 for new users or $30 as an upgrade and it will be available in late August or early September.

Posted in General Tech, TiVo | Leave a comment

Blu-ray actually leading HD DVD 3:1 globally?

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 by MegaZone

Blu-ray is regularly touted as leading HD DVD 2:1, but that stems from a focus on the US market. Apparently, the story is even better when you pull the camera back for a wide shot. Research from Media Control GfK International shows Blu-ray leads HD DVD closer to 3:1 on a global basis. OF course, the numbers aren’t really that huge compared to the hot US market. The research shows consumers outside the U.S. purchased approximately 650,000 Blu-ray Discs, valued at more than $23 million, while HD DVD sold only 240,000 units valued at roughly $8.5 million in the first half of 2007.

Picked up from VideoBusiness.com.

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

More PC’s feeling Blu this holiday season?

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 by MegaZone

DigiTimes is carrying a story about a rise it orders for Blu-ray burners for PCs from Taiwanese manufacturers. They’re seeing unusually high order volumes for deliveries going into the forth quarter – the holiday shopping season – from the retail channels. While a typically see “2,000-3,000 units for a single order”, these orders are much larger:

However, American and European retail channels have recently made inquires to Taiwan makers about OEM/ODM production of built-in BD burners and some of them have placed relatively large orders, as many as 20,000-30,000 units per order, the sources noted. These channels may plan to promote sales of BD-burner equipped PCs during the peak period prior to the 2007 holiday season, the sources pointed out.

The order volume is increasing so dramatically that there is some risk of the manufacturers being unable to fill all of the orders if the pace continues, or of there are any delivery issues in the supply chain, such as for the laser diodes.

Signs like this are starting to pop up, indicating there is a massive Blu-ray push shaping up for this holiday season.

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