Gizmo Lovers Blog » Pocket-lint

Virgin Media Drops Cisco for Samsung as TiVo Hardware Supplier

MegaZone — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:40:57 +0000

Pocket-lint is reporting that Virgin Media will no longer be sourcing the hardware for their TiVo service from Cisco. Instead they’ll be turning to Samsung for the next generation of their TiVo hardware. This may be the first fruit of TiVo’s deal with Samsung, announced a year ago, on 9/11/2010. The Samsung hardware will begin deployment later this year. Details of the box are sparse as Virgin Media and Samsung haven’t officially unveiled it yet. That is expected to happen today, 9/9, at the IBC Expo in Amsterdam.

Pocket-lint managed to obtain the following image of the new box. You can see it doesn’t differ greatly from the current Cisco hardware, pictured above.

Via Pocket-lint.

CORRECTION: Virgin Media is not dropping Cisco after all, just adding Samsung as a second source. See my followup post.

Sling Media SlingCatcher Now Shipping

MegaZone — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:34:46 +0000

As with the Slingbox PRO-HD two weeks ago, since I work for Sling Media now it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to review it, but the SlingCatcher officially shipped yesterday. Instead of reviewing it, here’s a roundup of coverage I’ve seen:

Sling Community – Blog
Sling Community – Review
Sling Community – Review: SlingPlayer for TV
Sling Community – Review: MyMedia
Sling Community – Review: SlingProjector
ZatzNotFunny
Engadget
EngadgetHD
Gizmodo
CNET – Crave
CED Magazine
Obsessable
SlashGear
NewsFactor Network
HD Update
SFGate
Wired
Register Hardware
TG Daily
Stuff.tv
TechWhack
Electronista
Silicon Alley Insider
Electronic House
Pocket-lint
PC World
BLORGE
BroadcastNewsroom
Sci-Tech Today
Gearlog
TrustedReviews
Coolest Gadgets

Both the Slingbox PRO-HD and SlingCatcher MSRP at USD$299.99, but the best deals I’ve seen on both are from PROVANTAGE – currently Slingbox PRO-HD for $241.70 and SlingCatcher for $240.47.

Onkyo To Re-Enter HD Disc Market With Blu-ray

MegaZone — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:17:04 +0000

Consumer electronics vendor Onkyo announced that they will release their first Blu-ray player later this year, according to Pocket-lint. Onkyo had been one of the few CE vendors to support HD DVD, but they dropped their HD DVD support in February – shortly before Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD completely.

Onkyo’s move into Blu-ray could be interesting. They shook up the AV receiver market by introducing receivers with fairly low prices yet a lot of features, causing competitors to slash prices and revise their lineups to retain market share. (Coincidentally I ordered an Onkyo TX-SA606 receiver to replace my suddenly dead Pioneer unit just yesterday.) If they follow the same with with their Blu-ray players, it could shake up the market. Onkyo pledges full support for Blu-ray’s audio and video capabilities, which would seem to indicate they’re player will be Profile 2.0 / BD-Live capable.