Digital Technology for Digital Living.
January 10, 2007
Apple Announces iPhone, Apple TV
Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. Apple, a company known for innovation, has been very fortunate in this regard. In 1984 they introduced the world to the first Macintosh and changed personal computing forever. Then in 2001 Apple introduced the first iPod and redefined the music industry.
Today Apple introduced 3 revolutionary products: widescreen iPod, mobile phone, and internet communicator. But there’s a catch… these revolutionary products aren’t 3 separate devices. They are all rolled into one product called the iPhone ($499 4GB, $599 8GB).
The iPhone (GSM+EDGE) has a touchscreen interface with multitouch capabilities. That means you can use multiple fingers at the same time. How can such a small device have an advanced multitouch interface? The iPhone runs the Macintosh operating system OS X. How did Apple fit an entire operating system into a tiny phone? I don’t know. Magic?
The iPhone syncs to your computer just like your iPod. All your media (music, videos, podcasts, etc.) as well as contacts, email amd calendars will sync to your iPhone. You can even add any any IMAP or POP email account. Yahoo users will like this next perk. Yahoo is giving all iPhone owners free IMAP email. You normally have to pay extra for this feature.
Web browsing on a mobile phone was probably one of the worst user experiences you’ve ever encountered. Well those days are over. The iPhone uses the Safari browser and can smoothly navigate complicated sites like Google Maps.
And if all this iPhone business wasn’t enough, Steve Jobs also announed Apple TV ($299) - a way to enjoy your media on your big screen TV. Anything you put into iTunes (content from iTunes, DVDs you’ve ripped, videos from YouTube, etc.) can be wirelessly transmitted to your Apple TV box.
The Apple TV has 802.11 WiFi (b, g + n) and will automatically sync from your PC.
More Apple TV specs:
- 40GB HD
- 720p HD video
- componet
- RCA
- USB 2.0
- ethernet
- WiFi
- HDMI
methodshop | Comments Off | PVR, Music, Wireless, Video, Digital TV, Software
September 13, 2006
New iPods, iTunes and iTV
Apple saved the music business with the iPod. Can they do the same for Hollywood?
In the five years since the iPod’s rollout, Apple has locked down the online music business. 1 in 5 Americans owns or has owned an iPod and consumers have downloaded more than 1 billion songs from Apple’s iTunes music store. Riding on the heels of that success, yesterday, Apple founder Steve Jobs fired his first shots in the battle to revolutionize the movie industry. In a special event called “It’s Showtime,” Apple unloaded new gadgets like it was Christmas morning.
In this single event, Steve Jobs announced the following new products and preannounced a new wireless video router called the iTV:
- new versions of both iTunes 7 and QuickTime 7.1.3
- bigger Video iPods including an 80GB iPod
- new multi-colored iPod Nanos that go up to 8 GB and don’t scratch
- a matchbook-sized iPod shuffle
The new version of iTunes (iTunes 7) sells more than just music and TV shows. iTunes now sells movies and games. The movies are priced starting at $9.99 and include new releases such as Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, as well as older classics. If you were disappointed at the quality of some of the iTunes videos you’ve downloaded in the past, then you will be happy to know that the video quality has also gotten an upgrade. Any movie you buy is at “near” DVD-quality, 640-by-480-pixel video, and in Dolby Surround sound.
WARNING: While I was writing this blog post, 4 MethodShop.com readers reported that iTunes 7 erased their iPod. So you might want to wait and backup your iPod before you upgrade to iTunes 7.
When you’re not watching movies on your iPod, you can always check out some of the new games Apple is selling in iTunes 7. Each game is in full color and uses the Click Wheel as a controller. The selection of games include addictive classics from Tetris and PAC-MAN to a few newer games like Vortex and Texas Hold’Em.
Games, movies and new iPods are nice, but what is going on with the iTV? In a major break in Apple tradition, Steve Jobs only preannounced a new wireless router product called iTV (screenshots). Apple usually likes to have products ready to buy the day they announce them, so this preannouncement caught everyone off guard. According to CBS MarketWatch, the iTV can attach to a television and wirelessly receive and play digital content from any computer (Mac or PC) running iTunes software. The iTV will also feature a HDMI port for high-definition digital televisions. You can expect to see the iTV sometime during the first quarter of 2007 for around US$299.
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Broadband, PVR, Music, Portable, Video, Digital TV, Software
July 20, 2006
Slingbox for Mac Goes Beta
What if you were able to access your home television system wherever you went? The World Cup in your cubicle. Your local news station from overseas. Dirty Jobs in your backyard. Even Emeril Live in your kitchen. Now what if you could do all that without a television, cable box, satellite dish, or subscription fee (screw you TiVo)? If you want to start “placeshifting” your TV viewing habits, then all you need is a Slingbox.
The Slingbox is a fantastic product. Any computer with an Internet connection will allow you streaming video access to your home TV system. My boss has one in his office so he can watch the in-house cable TV feed at home. But as a Mac user, I have one major problem with the Slingbox… It’s not Mac compatible.
Well that limitation may soon be coming to an end. Sling Media VP Jeremy Toeman posted a request for Mac beta testers in the Sling Media forums. If you are interested, sign up now. The online application will only be online until 07/26/06.
“We are now taking applications to be part of the Mac private beta program. The application will be live for the next 2 weeks (14 days - it closes on 07/26/06)… due to the expected high number of applicants, you will only hear from us if you are selected. Finally, you must be able to sign an NDA/non-compete with the company in order to be part of the private beta pool. “
When could Apple users see a final version of the SlingPlayer for Mac OS X? Probably in Q3 2006 according to the Wikipedia Slingbox page.
Now we just need a high-definition version of the Slingbox…
methodshop | Comments (1) | General, PVR, Video, Software
March 12, 2006
Battlestar Galactica Killed Broadcast TV
According to Mindjack.com, Broadcast TV died on October 18th, 2004. So what’s so special about that date?
That evening, the Sci-Fi Channel’s remake of Battlestar Galactica premiered on the SkyOne channel in the UK. It wasn’t slated to air in the US until January 2005. NBC Universal, the company that produces the show, wanted to wait until January in the US because that’s normally a slow time of year for American television.
However, it only took a few hours for the UK premiere of Battlestar Galactica to become a global premiere thanks to peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent. In general, Sci-Fi fans are pretty geeky. Recording and distributing Battlestar Galactica became a global past time for many Sci-Fi fans. Torrent tracking websites like TorrentSpy have an entire Battlestar Galactica listing with 94 different files.
If you want to learn more about using BitTorrent, please check out this in-depth BitTorrent tutorial.
methodshop | Comments (1) | General, PVR, Digital TV
May 11, 2005
Government to extend “fair use” copyright
The Federal Government is calling for submissions from the public on extending the “fair use” exceptions in the Copyright Act.
The What?
Let’s put it this way: Say you record a show on your VCR to copy it later or record songs from a CD onto an MP3 player. In both cases, you are technically breaking the law in Australia. The US and other contries have exemptions for things like time shifting TV programs and copying to other media for personal use.
So, the government is having a look at this with a view to expanding our “fair use” rights. They are accepting public submissions on the issue, so if you want to make your opinion clear, read the Issues Paper and make some comments to the government.
See the Attorney General’s Media Release as well.
And what do you think should be fair use? Let’s have a discussion here in the comments.
Graeme | Comments (2) | General, PVR
April 15, 2005
Electronic Program Guide Comes To Australia (Finally).
You’ll remember that we posted about IceTV last year. Well it seems that they’ve launched their service in Melbourne and Sydney.
iceguide is the first of many ice services which make TV viewing a more user-friendly experience.
iceguide provides an on-screen TV guide that shows you what is on for the coming week on all free-to-air channels.
iceguide works with digital set-top-boxes, personal video recorders, or media centre computers. It is an electronic program guide that allows you to schedule recordings by simply highlighting the names of the programs you want to record and clicking your remote control.
It is an inexpensive subscription service that can be delivered to your home via the Internet.
Not exactly the service they talked about launching last year, but still, nice and compelling for those that want or have a Topfield TF5000PVRt (IG4TF), Showshifter (IG4SS), MythTV (IG4MT), or other PC-based PVR (IGXML). A 12 month subscription costs $156, or as the image suggests, a special bundle for $1099 to include the TF5000PVRt, which usually lists around that price.
Gadgetman | Comments (5) | PVR
February 22, 2005
HiDef 160GB PVR.
We mentioned last November that Toshiba was due to release a High Definition PVR, with 160GB Hard Drive, to the Australian market. Well the details have been confirmed, and it does include two tuners, ideal for recording two shows at a time, or watching and recording one.
The HDD-J35 incorporates the uncompressed, digital audio & video connection HDMI which provides the best interface between the set-top box and the high definition compatible televisions. In addition, the Time Slip functions give you the flexibility of recording, pausing live programs, as well as starting the playback from the beginning of a program currently being recorded without disrupting the recording. With a built-in twin tuner, HDD-J35 is even capable of recording 2 programs at the same time!
More at HDD-J35 Product page.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Digital TV
February 21, 2005
Foxtel iQ Due In March.
Foxtel has finally announced its Personal Video Recorder (PVR) option for their digital service, Foxtel iQ. For a once off install fee ($AU100), a once off access fee ($AU395) and a monthly service fee ($5.95), unless you’re a Platinum customer, you’ll get the new swanky set top box that’ll allow you to record two shows at once. The price’ll vary if your yet to subscribe to Foxtel Digital.
As with all PVRs they allow pausing of live shows buy recording the channel you’re currently watching, and because it’s a Foxtel product it accesses the electronic program guide (EPG) so you can set recording times and view schedules. You can also check online for a place to get a sneak peak.
Gadgetman | Comments (8) | PVR, Digital TV
February 18, 2005
Aussies Do Their Bit With Bittorrent.
AUSTRALIA and Britain have been revealed as the world’s biggest markets for pirate TV downloads.
The trend is being driven by tech-savvy fans who are unwilling to wait for popular US shows such as 24 and Desperate Housewives.
Australia ranked as second largest downloader of TV programs after Britain in a study of the phenomenon by UK technology consultancy Envisional. The US was in third position.
Not surprising really, given the lag in TV broadcasts for the popular US shows. Might this mean a rethink in rating seasons? Doubtful.
From Australian IT.
Gadgetman | Comments (5) | PVR, Digital TV
February 17, 2005
Foxtel’s PVR Next Week.
Pay TV operator Foxtel will unveil its personal digital recorder (PDR) next week at special showings at Myer stores.
The PDR, billed as the next “must have” in home entertainment accessories, is tipped to end forever the dilemma over what to watch and what to record when two enticing programs are on at the same time.
Details of just how many programs the soon-to-be-launched Foxtel PDR can record, or store, will be revealed next Monday (February 21).
The following day, Foxtel’s clients will get their first glimpse of the new technology that will allow them to skip advertisements and record multiple programs simultaneously.
Select viewings of the PDRs will kick off next Tuesday night at Myer’s city and Parramatta stores between 6pm and 8pm.
Entry is reserved for Foxtel subscribers and Myer One cardholders who will be offered discounts on sales of the PDRs.
The general public will also get their chance to check them.
Dedicated demonstration areas will be set up in 46 Myer stores to show off Foxtel’s digital services and the new PDR - which will be available for sale in a few weeks.
From smh.com.au. Perhaps it’ll be similar to their Sky+2 device from Pace in the UK.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Digital TV
January 07, 2005
When A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings In Washington, Millions Download Media Worldwide.
We always wait to get our copy of Wired in the mail, but this article, available online, has been pointed out by a regular Gadget Lounge reader. Given the stream of article we’ve had about eXeem recently, it’s worth mentioning that Wired has an article all about BitTorrent and its inventor, Bram Cohen.
For Cohen, it’s all a little surreal. He gets up in the morning, helps his wife feed their children, and then sits down at his cord-and-computer-choked desk to watch his PayPal account fill up with donations from grateful BitTorrent users - enough to support his family. Then he goes online to see how many more people have downloaded the program: At this rate, it’ll be 40 million by 2006.
“I can’t even imagine a crowd that big. I try not to think about it,” he admits.
So he does what he always does. He narrows his focus to zoom in on the next thorny problem, the next interesting technical challenge. Like our game of Amazons.
For sentimentalists, like ourselves, this wired should arrive in the mail shortly, or you can read the article online, The BitTorrent Effect.
Thanks for the pointer Ben.
You can also find more of Bram at his Live Journal site, here.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, PVR, Video, Digital TV, Software
December 17, 2004
D-Link’s Image Of The Home Hub.
In the enterprise computing world there is an all out bun fight about where storage software should be run. In the servers, the switches or the disk. Each vendor has a better idea, depending on which of these they manufacture. It seems D-Link sees the same thing in the lounge room. The only difference is, they just might be on to something.
Companies like Dell and Hewlett-Packard, and software behemoth Microsoft envision the PC to be the cornerstone of digital home entertainment, capable of everything from video recording to wirelessly streaming music and pictures from desktops to stereos and televisions. On the other hand, firms like Sony and Panasonic are increasingly adding Wi-Fi connectivity and storage features to TVs, DVD players and Hi-Fi sets in their quest for living room dominance.
Both camps have their inherent weaknesses, Kao said. Given his firm’s expertise in networking products, it is of little surprise his key to unlocking the digital home rests in a “box” which combines the functionalities of many of today’s Internet-related appliances.
“There should be a box with everything in it. It acts as a firewall, router, switch, wireless access point, and can handle not only data but also voice, images and videos,” he said.
Now D-Link, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. It isn’t that hard to converge these functionalities.
Story and interview with the D-Link CEO, Ken Kao, at CNet.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, Broadband, PVR, Video, Digital TV, Console, VOIP
December 10, 2004
Zensonic Z500.
Finally, a company that gets what convergence really means, almost. Zensonic has announced they’ll release a DVD player that is networkable, via wireless or gigabit, and can play a range of media via optical disc or via a USB 2.0 hard drive (like the Apple iPod). Codec support includes Windows Media Video 9, DivX XviD, MPEG-4, QuickTime MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, JPEG, TIFF, RAW, high definition FLAC lossless compressed format, OGG, AAC, MP3, Windows Media Audio 9 (including digitally rights managed WMA9), and CD Audio.
In addition it also supports HighMAT (High Performance Media Access Technology). HighMAT is a standard way of organising digital media files on burned discs for easy browsing and playback through a DVD player or other digital player. It is already implemented in Windows XP, Ahead Nero and other popular CD/DVD writing products and solves the problem of confusing, unordered lists of files on burned discs, instead presenting easy to navigate interfaces.
The Z500 server software is not only available for Windows, but also Mac OS X and Linux.
The only missing feature is DVD recording in the unit and perhaps a tuner card so it can record straight from TV. Ah well, perhaps the next unit.
Slated to be available in March for $AU429.
Details thanks to Digital Connect News.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Music, Wireless, Video, Digital TV
November 24, 2004
Broadcatching TV How-To.
We mentioned RSS TV a few months ago, and since then someone’s come up with a much cooler term and called it Broadcatching. In their normal style, Engadget have created a how-to document for anyone with a PC or Mac. So, if you’re sick of waiting for an Australian version of Tivo, disappointed with Microsoft’s Media Centre, then you might like to give it a try. One caveat is, this type of internet use, beside being illegal in Australia, can consume an obscene amount of bandwidth. So you’ll need broadband, and you should monitor your usage, unless you’re on unlimited.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, Broadband, PVR, Video, Digital TV, Software
November 23, 2004
Panasonic’s Versatile DVD Recorder.
Australia is creeping toward the ability to do some true home entertainment networking with Panasonic’s latest toys. ARNnet details the DMR-E500H which is a DVD Recorder with a 400G-byte hard drive that provides the ability to store up to 709 hours. The catch is the obscene price, $AU3,299.
It’s so feature rich that no single article really articulates just how powerful the machine is.
“The DMR-E500H features an Ethernet jack enabling connection to other components with a single straight cable, offering an easy way to create a network. Using the Ethernet, the DMR-E500H lets you create a Home Network. By connecting all the components in your home via a network, you can use your PC to view still pictures and video clips stored on your DIGA DVD Recorder, or watch programs recorded on the DIGA DVD Recorder in your living room while relaxing in your bedroom.”
It is also slated as being incredibly quick when writing to the DVD from the Hard Drive. According to Digital Connect News, “transferring a program lasting one hour (EP mode) from the HDD to DVD-RAM (5x) can be done in as little as 1.5 minutes, or alternatively to DVD-R (8x) in less than 1 minute”.
Included is a SD Card and PC Card Slot (Type II) reader which allows a user with a Digital Camera that takes different formats, SD Memory Card, i.e. : xD Picture Card, MicroDrive, MultiMedia Card, Compact Flash, Smart Media, or Memory Stick, to play videos or images direct from the card. It also allows the reverse. Transferring video or images to the card to be viewed in a compatible devices.
Gadgetman | Comments (3) | PVR, Video
November 22, 2004
Foxtel Reaches 500,000.
The internet hasn’t killed TV yet. Not with more than 500,000 people in Australia willing to pay $AU600 or more a year for Foxtel. That’s the news this morning from SMH. Foxtel’s offer for free installation of Digital, and the run up to Christmas has seen an increase in people subscribing or upgrading. We’ll see what happens next year when they start selling their Personal Video Recorder service.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Digital TV
November 20, 2004
Fast Forward Improves Message Memory.
PVR Blog points to a soon to be released study by CBS that shows people who fast forward adverts have a higher retention rate for the commercial messages that people who don’t. When someone is fast forwarding their attention is on the screen for close to 100% of the commercials, where as when they are playing at the standard rate people will take a break or day dream.
While were on the topic. There has been plenty on news in the U.S. about Tivo (the most popular Personal Video Recorder) planning to show banner ads while users use the fast forward feature. Engadget has the latest on the story, with a Tivo executive trying to clarify just what they are planning. What many companies are failing to see is the balance of power is finally shifting from consumer electronic companies to users. Tivo could wake up one morning to realise that by alienating their community, they’ve lost control, and the brand is down the toilet.
We’ve been keeping an eye on IceTV, the Australian PVR that uses digital radio to broadcast program transitions so adverts can be skipped completely at the time of recording. It’s not looking likely, certainly not this year. News has dried up and even the web site has become unavailable. If anyone has heard any news, we’d love to know.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Video
November 02, 2004
HDD-J35, HDTV STB With 160GB HDD (Any More TLAs Available In A Title?).
SmartHouse is reporting that Toshiba (or rather their distributor Castel Electronics) are ready to release a new High Definition Set Top Box with 160GigaByte Hard Drive. “HDD-J35 HD DTV Box with 160GB HDD, priced at $1599 (RRP). Claimed as the first STB in the market to record High Definition the 160GB disk holds up to 17 hours. A comprehensive selection of output & input connections (including RS232C), a universal remote and the ability to up-convert SD broadcasts sets a new standard for PVRs.”
The question is, does it only have one tuner? Two of course is almost mandatory so you can watch and record at the same time.
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | PVR
October 14, 2004
Windows Media Centre Launched.
As PC World reports, after two years of availability in the U.S., Windows Media Centre has been released to the Australian market. Unfortunately the initial releases will still be in a PC type form factor, Gadget Lounge is looking forward to the more consumer appliance form factor to integrate neatly into the lounge room.
The software currently comes pre-installed on a PC or laptop which can be connected to a TV or projector for viewing photos, TV, and recorded media such as video or audio. It can also be used with a remote control to act as a digital video player or recorder.
“Acer and Optima will initially offer one model each, although the latter expects to have a machine that looks more like a video recorder on the market early in the New Year. HP has announced three flavours while Toshiba has launched two Qosmio notebooks at the top end of the spectrum. The 17-inch model sells for $5999.
Creative used the launch party to announce its new Zen Portable Media Centre. It runs Windows Media Player 10 to bring users MCE content while on the move.
The major brand MCE machines will initially be sold almost exclusively through the mass market retailer channel, although Acer is going through the Leading Edge group of independent resellers and Optima plans to let its dealer channel jump aboard next month.
MCE 2005 has also been released to 1500 system builders around Australia so that they can build their own versions of the digital consumer hub.”
“Microsoft said it had no plans to sell the operating system as a boxed product”, probably to protect the hardware vendors that are supporting the application.
As we previously point out, the Electronic Program Guide is not available in the Australian release. Microsoft suggested this is due to major media companies not being able to agree on a standard. More likely, the national networks don’t want you to skip adverts, their main revenue stream.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, PVR, Software
October 11, 2004
Windows Media Connect.
Windows Media Centre isn’t quite out in Australia yet, and even when it is it won’t be fully featured because it won’t include the Electronic Program Guide which allows for auto-recording like Tivo, it sounds like the future is promising some interesting features. Channel9 has some news about a product they call Window Media Connect (video demo included). The concept is that Window’s PCs will be able to transfer files, like music, photos and video to other media devices in the home like set top boxes, music players or dvd players. This’ll make it easier to keep your PC in another room and share the content to the lounge room. Much nicer than a PC in your TV stand. Unfortunately, because it has it’s own name, our guess is that it’ll incur another price tag rather than be bundled.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, PVR, Music, Video, Software
