tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-181340142011-12-14T19:58:05.143-07:00Blog of all things TV related. TiVo, DirecTV, Dish Network, Satellite TV, Cable TV. Oh what fun!garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1139880928771786162006-02-13T18:33:00.000-07:002006-02-13T18:35:44.613-07:00

According to a recent Associated Press story, consumers could save 13% on cable bills if they were allowed to pay for their cable/satellite tv service by channel instead of being forced to subscribe to 208 channels that they don't really want. In fact, the FCC is considering introducing legislation that would force providers to offer such services. Well that's not a big surprise to me. I think

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1139089719295592952006-02-04T14:48:00.000-07:002006-02-04T14:48:39.646-07:00

Despite their concerted efforts, Lifetime and the Lifetime Movie Network are still conspicuously absent from the Dish Network channel lineup. Lifetime claims that Dish is basically discriminating against women with the move, pointing out in a recent full page ad in the New York Times, that Dish carries something like 30 channels focusing on sports, and somewhere around 0 channels for women.

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1139089039239876192006-02-04T14:33:00.000-07:002006-02-04T14:37:19.550-07:00

According to a poll posted yesterday on PVRWire, about 40% of respondents will watch Super Bowl XL live. Another 27% will watch it delayed only by minutes on their PVR. Only 7% will watch it days later. This should make tv advertisers happy, who are still ponying up $2.5 million per 30 second spot for ads during the big game. Tags: super bowl, nfl, pvr, dvr, advertising, poll

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1135986552162804712005-12-30T16:30:00.000-07:002005-12-30T16:49:12.193-07:00

The latest and greatest from the world of mergers and acquisitions rumors is that AT&T may be taking steps to buy EchoStar, best known of course for their Dish Network satellite TV service. No details yet on what the terms might be, but EchoStar is valued at around $12 billion right now. This would really not be any great surprise. The whole world of entertainment and communications has

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1135297277741217412005-12-22T17:12:00.000-07:002005-12-22T17:25:28.316-07:00

USA Today reports that DirecTV is running into some problems with the new R15 DVR released last month. They have already sent out two software updates since the device was rolled out. "It's important for DirecTV, which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., to get things right: The new DVR — with software from Murdoch's NDS Group — will enable the No. 1 satellite company to offer

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1134681396132653572005-12-15T14:04:00.000-07:002005-12-15T14:26:07.750-07:00

WeaKnees is offering up to $25,000 to the first person who can hack the DirecTV R15 DVR to do at least some of the following: Add a second hard drive Move programming from the existing HDD to a larger drive Move settings from the existing HDD to a larger drive They are specifically not looking to disable the DRM on the device, or to get around paying for monthly service. They pretty much

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1134627478392080832005-12-14T23:05:00.000-07:002005-12-14T23:33:45.670-07:00

Yup, more fines for DirecTV. This time they're being slapped for violating FTC regulations regarding the national "do not call" list. That will cost them $5.34 million. If the settlement is approved, it would be the largest civil penalty in a consumer protection case. The FTC has stated that beginning in November 2003, it has received "thousands" of complaints that DirecTV had been

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1134518294280213292005-12-13T16:47:00.000-07:002005-12-13T16:58:27.873-07:00

AdJab reports that DirecTV has recently agreed to pay $5 million to 22 states as restitution for misleading advertisements and practices. Two years ago, these 22 states registered complaints against DirecTV, saying that some of the programming advertised by the company was not actually available in all areas, some local channels were not available, and reception was sometimes poor. In

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1133919503799553172005-12-06T18:34:00.000-07:002005-12-06T19:02:02.526-07:00

Good News from Dish Network. If you sign up for Dish service during the month of December, they'll give you a free Sirius Radio system for your car. All you have to do is pay for 3 months of Sirius service, and the hardware is free. You still get up to 4 rooms for only $31.99 a month, and you can still get the free DVR upgrade. Pretty sweet deal if you're thinking of switching. Sign up for

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1133480015711473472005-12-01T16:29:00.000-07:002005-12-01T16:41:09.126-07:00

Ed Milbourn has posted a review of the DirecTV HR 10-250 HD DVR. The thing has a massive 250GB hard drive, which will store about 200 hours of standard definition programming. Unfortunately that's only enough for 30 hours of HDTV. Still, that's no less than I can store in "Good" quality on my "80 hour" TiVo. Like previous DirecTV DVR's, it records the digital satellite data directly to the

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1133195999668280272005-11-28T09:38:00.000-07:002005-11-28T09:49:26.313-07:00

TiVo announced today that it would be firing up a new service in early 2006. You will now be able to tell TiVo what kinds of products and services you're interested in, and it will record targetted ads for you. TiVo has deals with many major advertising companies in the works already. Uh, ok. Sounds like we're moving in the right direction, but have sort of missed the point. In the last few

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132891457577836772005-11-24T20:56:00.000-07:002005-11-24T21:14:07.066-07:00

According to a recent article in The Age, time shifting TV shows and skipping ads with your TiVo/DVR is no real threat to advertisers. The articles cites a study done by research group Arbitron. Apparently the company used "portable people meters" to track the viewing habits of DVR users. I'm a little afraid of the term "portable people meter". Sounds like something out of The Clockwork

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132635811437444162005-11-21T22:01:00.001-07:002005-11-21T22:14:06.396-07:00

Just in case you just can't get enough of this stuff on network TV, Dish Network will soon be serving up the new Fox Reality Channel for your viewing pleasure. "Reality TV is extremely popular and has become a programming mainstay in U.S. households," says Eric Sahl, Senior Vice President of something-or-other at Echostar. The network will offer reruns of popular reality shows like "Joe

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132634818435212002005-11-21T21:44:00.000-07:002005-11-21T21:54:11.500-07:00

TiVo announced today that it would begin testing a new feature that would allow users to easily transfer recordings from its devices to iPods, PSPs, and other portable video devices. If you've been keeping up with such things, you'll recall that this has already been figured out by the geek sector. Instructions on how to transfer video from TiVo to your iPod. This, however, is a move to make

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132372869664870752005-11-18T20:49:00.000-07:002005-11-18T21:01:09.676-07:00

For users of the new r15 DirecTV DVR, NBC will offer commercial free shows for download, at 99 cents per episode. The downloaded episodes will remain on the DVR for one week before self-destructing. Robert Marsocci of DirecTV says deals with other networks are in the works. Expect similar announcements in the coming weeks. ABC is currently offering shows via iTunes for $1.99. This, for much

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132364726549754092005-11-18T18:38:00.000-07:002005-11-18T18:47:25.610-07:00

According to ABC News, TiVo is losing ground among DVR users. Brandimensions, which conducted the study, found that TiVo is failing in two major areas. First, it can't record two show simultaneously. Second, it can't play back in high definition. Indeed, the Series 2 TiVo is several years old now, putting in the class of "elderly" in tech terms. I acquired my first HDTV about two years ago.

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132363713906035612005-11-18T18:18:00.000-07:002005-11-18T18:28:33.926-07:00

You may have heard that Dish Network made a very interesting offer recently. For any town willing to change its name to "Dish", Dish Network would give all residents free Dish satellite tv service for 10 years. Well, it seems Clark, TX recently took the bait. Its two person council voted unanimously, Clark will now be Dish, TX, effective immediately. Seems like a pretty good for Dish, says

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132184129297835952005-11-16T16:34:00.000-07:002005-11-16T21:09:42.476-07:00

Ok, I admit, the title makes it sound more exciting than it is. The deal is, it's a new feature length documentary featuring Robin Shou, whom you of course remember from the Mortal Kombat movie. Uh, you don't? Ok I don't either. Anyhow, if you are the lucky owner of a series 2 box with a broadband connection, you are eligible to have your trusty TiVo download this kung fu action tour de force

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132103781816776182005-11-15T18:06:00.000-07:002005-11-15T18:16:21.850-07:00

Back in January, DirecTV announced plans for a new "Home Media Center" beast, to be released in 2006. Well, 2006 is nearly upon us, and they've taken the wraps off a preproduction version at the Electronic House Expo. The thing is supposed to allow you to access DirecTV content (video, music, photos) from anywhere in the house. Users will be able to watch live and recorded content from any

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1132007982931932922005-11-14T15:22:00.000-07:002005-11-14T15:39:42.953-07:00

"Earl" has posted an extremely detailed (maybe just a touch too detailed) review of the new DirecTV r15 DVR on the tivocommunity forums. This includes pictures of the unit, both inside and out. He also posts screenshots of pretty much everything the unit will do. I'll give you some highlights: Lots of copy protection. Seems right from the startup screen, the output is protected. Earl hooked

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1131986120906954892005-11-14T09:28:00.000-07:002005-11-14T09:42:24.713-07:00

If you pay attention to the little messages your TiVo tries to send you, you may have noticed that the latest and greatest TiVo service update arrived recently. This introduces a new, highly requested feature to make the lives of the TiVo community better all around. Let's review the problem. The networks, as you have undoubtedly noticed, have started screwing with start and end times of

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130909492293749622005-11-01T22:31:00.000-07:002005-11-01T22:43:49.016-07:00

As reported on HD Beat, DirecTV is set to give Dish Network a trouncing in market share for HD. According to research from Kagan, DirecTV, which is currently the leader in total satellite tv subscribers, will maintain this lead even as more subscribers switch to HDTV over the next 10 years. Kagan reports that by 2015, 94 million people will subscribe to HD services, which will equate to more

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130694752486414812005-10-30T10:41:00.000-07:002005-10-31T22:53:10.486-07:00

Earlier this week, TiVo announced the launch of the Official TiVo Blog. Hopefully this will lead to a little more open communication between the TiVo team and the TiVo community. In the past, TiVo has been rather notorious for ignoring the comments and suggestions of the community. So far only one post, but it's a start. I'm sure the whole TiVo following is hoping they'll actually use this to

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130540610911086472005-10-28T16:53:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:58:13.696-07:00

Due to a seemingly simple squabble over who has how many viewers of something or other, EchoStar decided last week to yank Outdoor Life Network (OLN) from the Dish Network lineup entirely. Normally no one would care except for the 12 people who sit glued to their TVs during the Tour de France every year. The problem is, OLN recently acquired the rights to show NHL games from ESPN. Don't know

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130378592065203752005-10-26T20:03:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:54:02.470-07:00

On November 15th, DirecTV will begin offering XM radio broadcasts to their 14.6 million customers, replacing the current MusicChoice service. Subscribers will receive a subset of the full XM lineup, up to 65 channels, depending on the DirecTV package they have. Competitor Dish Network has been offering satellite radio from XM's biggest competitor, Sirius, for about a year now. This makes a

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130359311277407492005-10-26T14:41:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:55:20.106-07:00

Don't know how many American Idol fans there are out there. Oh wait, it's only the hottest show ever on TV, so probably most of you are. The ratings on this show are insane. Apparently last season American Idol on Tuesday night was the #1 watched show. Guess what the #2 show was! American Idol on Wednesday. People are really getting antsy about having to wait until January for the next

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130209921894611932005-10-24T21:12:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:51:10.746-07:00

I'm Learning something new every day here... You can apparently download and run custom apps on your Home Media Option enabled TiVo. And you don't even have to get your geeky nephew to bring his torx screwdriver over, crack your TiVo open, void your warranty, etc. You just punch in the IP address of the apps.tv server into your TiVo, download one of the apps, and you're off. Step by step

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130106750550823852005-10-23T16:21:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:56:29.443-07:00

Now I'm just annoyed. I've spent the last hour and a half or so trying to locate another real Satellite TV blog. Go to Google Blogsearch, and type in "satellite tv". Oh look, a list of 5 "related blogs". That should be helpful. Click on any one of these related blogs, and you get nothing but a giant pile of crap. These sites are designed solely to be ranked highly by Google, and to promote

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130095563402571492005-10-23T13:26:00.000-06:002005-10-31T22:57:28.996-07:00

According to some sources (which may or may not be reliable), Comcast may be beta testing their new TiVo DVR's in certain parts of the country. Nothing has been made public yet, but I guess it isn't unusual for cable companies to be secretive about new technology. Here's a thread from the rumor mill: Comcast Tivo Beta? - TiVo Community I highly recommend tivocommunity.com, for all your TiVo

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130082100246725302005-10-23T09:23:00.000-06:002005-10-31T23:00:15.246-07:00

I may be severely behind the times, but I just noticed that Dish Networks is giving away a bunch of equipment. If you sign up with them now, you get a free Dish, free installation, and you get free DVR upgrades. Now that's cool. In case you're new to this stuff, a DVR is a digital video recorder. A DVR does basically what TiVo does. You record your shows and movies digitally, and can play

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1130017792668164302005-10-22T15:28:00.000-06:002005-10-31T23:02:24.083-07:00

A while back DirecTV announced they would be giving TiVo the proverbial boot, and coming out with a brand new and improved DVR, the R15 DirecTV Plus DVR (shown here). This shiny new beast will record up to 100 hours of DirecTV video. The service will cost $5.99 a month, same as what they charge now for TiVo service. I just read today from one source (Multichannel News), that the new DirecTV

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1129952982881088902005-10-21T21:49:00.000-06:002005-10-31T23:04:09.570-07:00

The new iPod plays video. You all know that I'm sure. So what kind of video can you put on it? Apple is hoping, obviously, that you'll download TV shows and short films from the new Videos section of iTunes. (Maybe iTunes should be rebranded iMedia or something). So you pay Apple $1.99 and you have your video. TV shows will be available the day after they air on TV. Seems like a decent

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1129933870449821202005-10-21T16:16:00.000-06:002005-10-31T23:05:59.623-07:00

DirecTV just sent out a press release yesterday. Apparently LG will be making new MPEG-4 set top boxes for them. As I mentioned in my previous post, this is a highly good thing. Right now there aren't any MPEG-4 DVR's in production, but they will undoubtedly be on the way. When they do appear, they'll be able to hold something like 3 times as much video as your standard MPEG-2 recorder.

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1129926327791152032005-10-21T14:10:00.000-06:002005-10-31T23:07:30.753-07:00

I just discovered that Dish Network is releasing a new "Pocket Dish" device, and it looks incredibly cool. Comes in three different sizes, with progressively bigger screens and hard drives. You can transfer video directly from your Dish DVR to the Pocket Dish, and away you go. Can I have one please? Also apparently does music, photos and games. Prices apparently range from about $300 for the

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18134014.post-1129916526296349642005-10-21T11:39:00.000-06:002005-10-24T13:48:22.610-06:00

If you are reading this, you've somehow managed to find my TV & TiVo blog! Well done! Here I will ramble incessantly about all things TV related. TiVo, as you likely know, is the best thing ever to happen to TV. Makes sliced bread look like chopped liver. I also plan to ramble somewhat about other TV related items. DirecTV, Dish Networks, Satellite TV, Cable TV. There is just so much to

garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436840835814253722noreply@blogger.com0