I’m pretty sure I wrote the complete opposite story several days ago, but who cares, right? It’s cold and rainy and there’s not much else to talk about. So! As you’re probably well aware, Jay Leno’s new show isn’t doing too well. Why is that? Well, you can try to sit down and analyze if the show is any good or not (note: I haven’t seen the show), or if the show’s earlier time slot isn’t conducive to that type of show. You know, just try to examine what’s going on. That, or you can blame those damn DVRs for ruining everything. Let’s go with that one.

DVRs are now in one-third of Americans households. In the past year, according to Nielsen data, NBC has lost an average rating of 1.8. Simultaneously, DVRs use is up by a ratings point of 1.4.

Coincidence? Maybe, but that’s not how the powers that be are reacting.

Network executives are complaining that, yes, people can skip commercials when viewing shows via DVR. At the same time, they admit that they’d rather have DVR viewers than no viewers at all. That sounds like having their cake, and eating it, too.

Leno’s new show is an interesting one to study. It’s the first really big show to have launched in the DVR era, one that NBC put an awful lot of money behind. (Or don’t you remember all the ads for Leno when the show first debuted?) NBC wanted to make it a nightly show, as opposed to weekly like Saturday Night Live (which would have made it a lot easier to come up with material), so that it would be “DVR-proof.” Like, you can’t DVR the show because he’s talking about today’s news… today.

Only that didn’t happen at all.

If people know that a show is all about topical humor, why would they go back and watch Monday’s show on Thursday night (when they have two hours free)? Let’s assume that tonight Leno runs Tiger Woods jokes, but that on Wednesday, I don’t know, Rush Limbaugh slips on a banana peel while at a political rally. So, do you want to hear Tiger woods jokes or Rush Limbaugh banana peel jokes?

You know what I mean. Because the show is so tied to the day’s events, unless you watch it on the day of release it won’t be worth your while.

So, not DVR-proof but rather DVR cryptonite.

It’s one thing to watched a recorded sitcom a few days later, but a recorded, topical, variety show? That’s a hard sell.

This is before you even factor in that today’s 18-49 year-olds aren’t necessarily going to either A) sit down and watch some TV show live or B) a few days later on DVR delay. We live in an age of streaming Netflix movies, Spotify, iTunes, Xbox Live, PSN, Steam, Twitter, nook and Kindles, etc.

Believe it or not, people can entertain themselves these days without having to sit back and watch TV.

And here’s another idea: maybe Leno’s show just isn’t any good? Again, I haven’t seen it, but I can’t imagine it’s easy coming up with material five days a week, so maybe the product suffers? I never found Leno funny during his run on The Tonight Show, but I know he’s a funny guy. You have to play to your audience. He can’t exactly get away with comedy club-level content on NBC, now can he?

In conclusion, I’m not sure that DVRs, per se, have killed Leno’s show. That’s a gross oversimplification of what’s probably going on: people’s media consumption habits are changing, and NBC relied on people staying in tune with the old model.

But what do I know, I’m over here trying to figure out if I should go AMD or Intel with a gaming PC I’m very close to building.

Here’s a story I first heard on Figure 4 Daily last night while farming for mageweave (no, I’m not lying): not only have DVRs not ruined the TV businesses, as we had been led to believe for so many years, but it turns out that the delayed viewings, and more accurate ratings, have given the networks exactly what they’ve always wanted. That, of course, is the opportunity to squeeze more money out of their advertisers.

Some history: television networks had sued ReplayTV, once Tivo’s direct competitor before people even knew what “DVR” stood for, in 2001 because they felt its DVRs would let people skip commercials. There was also “share” function, which is bonkers considering the state of broadband in 2001.

The point is that the television networks hated DVRs since they thought people would record all this content (for free!), then skip the commercials. If people skipped the commercials then advertisers would become sad, and no longer hand over millions of dollars to the television networks for the privilege of airing commercials during The Office or some other hunk of junk.

Nielsen then stepped in and changed the way it measures viewership to include DVR viewings. The thing is, when you examine the data it turns out that people totally don’t skip commercials while watching DVR’d content.

TV, research shows, is still primarily a passive medium, That is, you’re sitting on your couch just watching. You’re not picking up your remote control to change the channel, you’re not pressing fast-forward to skip any commercials. TV = sitting down and not lifting a finger, it seems.

So the television networks were freaking out over nothing. Now they can turn to their advertisers: “See, even more people watch this junk then we ever thought! Pay us, please.”

Previously, subscribers were very upset at the television providers. They were sick of being put on hold, of getting crappy picture quality, and the lack of HD. Plus, who doesn’t hate their cable (or satellite) company.

Amazingly, the companies listened. They seemed to have actually turned the corner, and now satisfaction has jumped back up a more reasonable level. There is still room for improvement however. It’s interesting when you look at the numbers, the IPTV providers seem to really be doing the best out of all of them, with satellite providers coming in second, and cable third.

The most interesting model is the RD-X9 (pictured above), which not only boasts a 2TB HDD but also supports external HDDs (via USB) in case you have that many video files to handle. The usual DVD formats are supported, too. There is another USB port, which is reserved for USB keyboards, Toshiba says. The RD-X9 will be available in Japan starting next month (price: $1,300).

The RD-S1004K (see above) is one of two “standard” DVRs Toshiba unveiled today. It features a 1TB HDD and lets you store video on DVDs and an external USB HDD, too (price: $950). The RD-S304K features an HDD that stores just 320GB, but it also comes with a USB port, just in case. This model costs $750 and is pictured below.

Both the S1004K and the S304 are available in Japan from next month. Toshiba is yet to say if these DVRs will ever be sold outside this country, too.

Instead of disabling the DVRs, EchoStar uploaded a new OS onto them, which, according to this judge, isn’t what they were ordered to do. The company had an option to modify the original judgement to include that option, but they didn’t file for the change. Now EchoStar was ordered to pay TiVo $103 million. That figure could reach $190 million once interest is tacked on. Well, if you can’t pay, don’t play.

Ever wonder what it’s like to race around Laguna Seca on a crotch rocket? Well, thanks to a BulletDVR shot video, you can ride along. The onboard racing system broke cover a few years ago and thanks to these Vimeo videos, it finally makes sense. Watch the clips after the jump for it in action.

3x PiP Windows w/ Laptimer OSD + Stereo Mic from Bullet DVR on Vimeo.

PlayOn notably brings Hulu and Netflix support to the DVR. It’s too bad that the DVR doesn’t get native support, but at least Digeo is throwing in the $40 PC software. Rhapsody has also been added, including the free 30-day trial of the music streaming service.

The DLNA update brings a simple browser interface to the box for streaming network local content to the box. Now, this isn’t a Boxee or XBMC type interface, but it essentially gets the same results. Expect a very simple file system structure-type layout. At least it still brings the Wolverine workprint to the big screen though.

Oh, there is more. Flickr support gets added in a swanky “Mosaic” view. Digeo even threw in a taste of home automation with Z-Wave devices and various IP cams. Plus, there is MoxiNet that lets you bookmark your fav websites – like CG – and browse them on the DVR.

Overall the huge update is a step in the right direction for the $800 DVR. The high price tag for the 500GB DVR must be a big turn off when the similarly priced TiVo comes pack’n a 1TB storage system. Yeah, it’s got a monthly fee, but even 1TB isn’t enough storage in high-def land. If Digeo can develop a XBMC-type media browser for network-stored files, the Moxi will win over a lot more buyers. That’s what I need.

Digeo® Releases Major Enhancements to Flagship Moxi® HD DVR

Moxi® Entertainment Experience Gets Even Better with PlayOn™ Internet Video; Rhapsody®
Music; Home Theater Controls; and Enhanced Photos, Internet Services and DLNA-Certified™
Home Networking

KIRKLAND, WA – April 09, 2009 – Digeo, Inc. today announced new features and enhancements to the
Moxi® High Definition Digital Video Recorder (HD DVR), further advancing the world’s best DVR. The
Moxi HD DVR has new services available directly from the on-screen menu including Internet video from
YouTube, Netflix, Hulu™ and more streaming directly to the TV through MediaMall Technologies’
PlayOn™ media server software as well as the streaming digital music service from Rhapsody®. The
Moxi HD DVR also now includes eControls, a home automation feature that allows users to customize the
home theater experience by adjusting lighting and other Z-Wave supported products. The Flickr® online
photo service and MoxiNet Internet browser were also enhanced, and Moxi is now certified to support the
DLNA® standard for improved home networking.

These new services will be available automatically to customers with a Moxi HD DVR via a software
upgrade at no additional charge from Digeo.

Additionally, as part of this new functionality, the company is offering existing and new Moxi customers a
PlayOn® license key (value $39.99) free for a limited time, as well as a free 30-day Rhapsody trial (value:
$12.99).

“In the current economic climate, people are more focused on at-home entertainment options and on
getting the most out of their HD investments,” said Greg Gudorf, CEO, Digeo. “The world’s best HD DVR
now delivers even more valuable entertainment services for the best home entertainment experience.”

The Moxi HD DVR is designed to appeal to the most demanding digital cable entertainment enthusiasts.
With its native HD interface and Emmy® award-winning Moxi Menu, dual tuners, and up to 75-hours of HD
recording space (up to 300 hours at standard definition, and expandable well beyond with an external
eSATA drive), the Moxi HD DVR makes it effortless for consumers to discover, experience and share high
definition media from their digital cable provider, PCs on the home network and the Internet.

Adding to an extensive list of advanced features and services, the enhancements announced today as
part of the Moxi HD DVR Spring 2009 software release include:

• PlayOn – This media server software currently provides access to Internet videos from YouTube,
Hulu, CBS, Netflix, CNN, ESPN and more through the Moxi HD DVR from a PC on the home
network. Video formats are automatically converted so Moxi users can watch Internet video
directly on their widescreen HDTV.

• Rhapsody® – The leading on-demand digital music service is now available through the Moxi HD
DVR, allowing users to easily listen to any one of more than 7 million songs from all the major
record labels and hundreds of smaller independent labels. Rhapsody delivers complete control
over the music experience, helping users to easily find and play full length tracks, build playlists of
favorites or listen to Rhapsody’s professionally programmed genre & artist channels. Starting
today, Rhapsody and Digeo are bringing music without limits to every user of the Moxi HD DVR.

• Media Link – Certified to support the DLNA home networking standard, Media Link connects the
TV or home entertainment system to PCs on a home network. Moxi users can easily stream
digital movies, videos, music and photos from their PCs for viewing or listening from the comfort
of their home entertainment environment.

• eControls – Moxi users can now manage their home entertainment environment through the Moxi
menu to set the mood. Users can adjust most Z-Wave-certified products such as lighting (e.g.,
turning sets of lights on, off or dimming), control volume and power on AV devices, as well as
monitor IP baby-cams or outside cameras, all from the remote control.

• Mosaic – A new browsing feature for the Flickr® online photo service available through the Moxi
menu, Mosaic allows users to rapidly scroll up, down and across their photos as they are
displayed as mosaic tiles on the display.

• MoxiNet –Moxi registered users can now bookmark their favorite websites at Moxi.com and
browse them on their home entertainment display using the Moxi remote as a virtual mouse. This
expands upon MoxiNet’s quick access to news, sports scores, movie times, weather and other
information from the Internet.

For more details, including details of the PlayOn license key offer, technical specifications and screen
images of the Moxi HD DVR expanded feature set, please visit: www.moxi.com. You can also follow Moxi
on Twitter at www.twitter.com/moxi_hd or on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/c9vuxf

Moxi DVR

Digeo finally has made their next-gen HD DVR somewhat available. Amazon has a soft launch of the $799 box and as much as I dig the Moxi’s UI, I hope it has the right stuff to justify spending $200 more than a 1TB TiVo HD XL. True, you don’t have the monthly subscription with the Moxi box, but it’s half the storage for HD Desperate Housewives recordings. Eventually TiVo will get off its ass and produce a comparable user interface ’cause that’s the one thing Moxi has going for it. But if you have $799 to spare and want to own a DVR without the monthly fees, this Moxi might be for you.

We feel for soldiers stationed abroad. It’s hard enough to watch Desperate Housewives without the Misses, but it also comes on at a weird time ’cause of the time difference. Allied Telesis Capital is helping our soldiers with a gigantic time-shifting device that will broadcast U.S. television programs at the right time on the right day kind of like a super TiVo.

Exact details aren’t available – probably classified super-top secret – but the system shifts 33 TV stations nine hours so it has to be loaded with data storage. Currently, the system is only in place at the Yokota Air Base in Japan, but hopefully, an even bigger, super-duper time shifting device will one day provide all of our soldiers with metabolism-killing American TV programing.

Interestingly, in the press release it promises “The capability to back up and distribute DVDs and Blu-Rays to various video zones,” but in the FAQ it helpfully states “There are a multitude of software options available for individuals to purchase that allow archiving of DVD content to their personal computers.” In other words, you’re on your own — but we won’t ask any questions. A safe position, I guess, but it would have been nice to have that capability on board. Watch the demo video here if you’re curious.

The Apple DVR poll’s results have been tallied and it turns out the vast majority of you (62%) would buy an Apple DVR – as long as the price is right. Knowing Apple, its DVR wouldn’t be the cheapest on the market, but it should be one of the most innovative.  FYI, a TiVo HD DVR is $299 and the 1TB edition goes for $599. So what is the right price?

There is murmuring around the Internet watercoolers that Apple’s next product announcement isn’t a new MacBook Pro, but rather some sort of DVR/Apple TV thingie. Supposedly, this product is going to have all the classic DVR ingredients with some iChat video conferencing thrown in probably powered by Apple’s DVR interface patents. The question isn’t what the next Apple product might be, but rather if it turns out to be a DVR, would you ditch your TiVo or cable DVR for a Cupertino made version? What if it had a killer interface, gave you the ability to see your ‘rents – or girl – across country, and gave you seamless iTunes interaction? I might.
n

The Pinnacle Video Transfer is a $99 device that promises easy one-touch recording to a myriad of devices including USB memory sticks and external hard drives as well as direct recording to the Sony PSP and iPod Video, Nano, and Classic devices.

In short, it’s super easy and it works well.

Overview and Features

The Pinnacle Video Transfer system records video at up to 720×480 using the H.264 codec. It’ll do 320×240 and 640×480 as well. There are composite video inputs as well as an S-Video input on one end of the device and a USB port on the other end of the device. You plug in your cables and your USB stick or external hard drive, select your quality setting, and hit record. There are only two buttons: Mode and Record.

When you’re all done recording, plug your USB drive or external drive into your computer and play your video. Easy as that.

I didn’t get a chance to try out the direct-to-device recording function as I don’t own a PSP and my iPod is an iPod Touch, which isn’t supported. The Video Transfer device will auto-sense which device you have hooked up and select the appropriate bitrates. For example, if you plug in your PSP, all quality settings will be at 320×240 resolution and run from 512 kbps to 768kbps to 1 Mbps depending on the mode you choose. If you’re using a flash drive, though, you’ll choose between 320×240, 640×480, and 720×480.

Pros

The Pinnacle Video Transfer device is really, really, really easy to use. It’s great for pulling stuff quickly off of your DVR and getting it on to your computer. At $99, too, it’s not all that expensive. Setup takes under a minute and you’re literally watching the video you recorded in the amount of time it takes you to plug in a USB flash drive.

Also, the video quality is quite nice. The H.264 codec does a good job of grabbing smooth, rich video over plain old RCA cables.

Cons

There’s no video throughput. So, for example, I did some videos using my Nintendo Wii but since the Wii only has one output, I had to basically split the cables from the Wii to the Video Transfer system and to my TV – otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to see what I was doing. So the device works best with video sources that have multiple outputs. My cable box goes to my TV using HDMI and I use the RCA cables to push video out to the Video Transfer box. It’s not a deal-breaker but you’ll have to rig up some extra wires to make pulling video off of your console while you’re playing.

Recommendation

If you need an easy, inexpensive way to grab video from your DVR, then the Pinnacle Video Transfer is tough to beat. If you want to be able to grab video from your next-gen console while you’re playing, then the Video Transfer is still a good choice at $99 — you’ll just need to pick up some splitters first.

Pinnacle Video Transfer [PinnacleSys.com]

Like this video? View more here…

Speaking of TiVo and DVRs, it looks like the company has begun shipping its HD XL DVR. The $600 device has a 1TB hard drive; off-the-shelf 1TB hard drives can be had for as little as $150 by my count.

As you might guess, TiVo is going to be pushing the HD XL at hardcore TiVo users, the high-end folk who need to record every single episode of Degrassi and whatever else it is people watch these days. It’s also worth noting that the HD XL is THX certified.

But, if you’re TiVo thorugh and through and need “more power,” as Tim Allen would say, then yeah, the HD XL would be the way to go. Hope your job pays well enough.

Alviso, CA — September 04, 2008 – TiVo Inc., the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), announced today the launch of the TiVo® HD XL Digital Video Recorder. Available online today, the TiVo HD XL box offers more recording capacity than any other DVR available, be it satellite or cable. Boasting 150 hours of high definition television recording capacity, the HD XL has enough space to appease even the most devoted entertainment fans. The TiVo HD XL is also THX® Certified to ensure it delivers accurate and exceptional sound and video playback in your home theater.

“With so much HD content now available, we felt it was vital to offer consumers an easy way to record as much television programming as they’d like to watch at a later time without ever having to worry about capacity,” said Andrew Morrison, Director of Product Platforms at TiVo. “What is great about the XL is it gives content lovers plenty of room for all the programming they love, saving them from having to decide if they need to prematurely delete a favorite movie or a big game memory when space gets tight. Satellite or cable DVRs simply can’t match it.”

On top of increased recording capacity, the TiVo HD XL DVR offers all the innovative broadband features that TiVo lovers have grown accustomed and addicted to. Users can download thousands of movies & TV shows directly to the TV, browse and watch endless YouTube videos, listen to thousands of songs from Rhapsody, or view hundreds of music videos from Music Choice.

Features exclusive to TiVo HD XL include the 150 hours of HD recording space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote control and an included HDMI cable.

Similar to TiVo HD, dual tuners allow subscribers to record two different shows in HD at the same time, while watching a third pre-recorded show. The TiVo HD XL is designed to fit seamlessly into the most discerning home theater systems, compatible with HD digital cable, analog cable and over-the-air digital HD (ATSC).

As with the TiVo HD, the TiVo HD XL box delivers the best in high definition entertainment, allowing the consumer to experience TiVo’s acclaimed service features, such as Season Pass(tm) recordings, Universal Swivel Search and WishList® searches, in sharp, vivid high definition images. Extensive video analysis and performance testing by THX ensures content will always record and playback at the maximum quality and resolution.

“TiVo pioneered the DVR category, and they are maintaining that position with the new high performance, high capacity TiVo HD XL,” said Dr. Michael Rudd, Chief AV Architect at THX. “As more consumers adopt high definition programming, they will expect their recorded content to reflect the same level of quality and consistency as the original broadcasts. With a Terabyte hard drive, the TiVo HD XL lets users enjoy more HD movies, sports and other programs in high definition than ever before, and THX certification ensures that the quality is always superb.”

The TiVo HD XL box joins the existing TiVo product line, and is available online today for $599.99 at www.tivo.com. Other retailers that will unveil TiVo HD XL as early as next week include Magnolia Home Theater, Amazon, and various other high-end retailers and customer installers.

This product will be shown at CEDIA in booth 1083 from 9/04/08 – 9/07/08.

DVRs aren’t just good for watching Conan O’Brien at a decent hour. Nope, it turns out that they can also improve your relationship. That’s what a new study claims, at least.

The study, carried out by NDS (a big manufacturer of DVR “technology”), shows that 79 percent of respondents said that the little device actually improved their relationship. Additionally, the DVR is now the second most “can’t live without” device out there, trailing only the cellphone.

Cellphone I can see, sure. DVR? I imagine it leads to less fighting over who sees what and when. Which, in turn, I guess would improve your relationship.

I guess I’m most surprised that, for all we’ve heard, the TV is still to central to so many people’s lives.

Fact: I’ve never had a DVR.

Cablevision, a regional cable provider found primarily in New York, can go ahead with its network DVR, a U.S. court has ruled. Several entertainment studios had said that the DVR, which remotely stores content on Cablevision’s servers rather than a local hard drive, violates their copyright. No idea why they’d think this, but we all know the studios are allergic to new technology.

The DVR, which is officially called the Remote Storage Digital Video Recorder, is supposed to be faster and cheaper than traditional DVRs.

While the appeals court said it was OK with the DVR, all proceedings have been sent to the U.S. District Court in New York.

So, a step closer to see it released.

If the MPAA had its way, your DVR would be nothing more than a hunk of useless metal and plastic, unable to record and pause live television. Steps are being taken to ensure that it gets its way.

The fun-loving association is pushing hard for a technology called selectable output control, or SOC, which allows content providers—movie studios and the like—to prevent material from being recorded. It does this by blocking the so-called analog hole, making it impossible for you to, say, plug in standard 3.5mm audio jack and record sound to your computer.

I know that sounds evil and all that, but the idea behind this isn’t exactly unreasonable. Movie studios want to be able to let cable companies get an earlier crack at showing movies on-demand (for example), but are worried that folks will simply exploit the analog hole and record the movie long before the studio ever releases the DVD or Blu-ray version. If consumers could copy and record movies long before their DVD date, why should the movie studios even bother to produce a DVD?

Now, that’s completely not my problem, how the movie studios make money, but at least there’s a proper reason for their policy this time around.

Note that the FCC has so far said no to SOC, so there’s still some legs in this story.

Iomega wants to make sure you never run out of DVR space with its just announced DVR Expander Drive, a 500 gigabyte external hard drive that plugs right into your DVR, thus expanding your storage. Compatible with eSATA Scientific Atlanta DVRs, the drive should be of use to people with Comcast, Time Warner, Cablevision, Rogers and Cox. The 500 drive can store some 300 hours of standard def programming, or 60 hours of high def programming. Things to record: the remaining games of the NBA Finals, Euro 2008, Good Eats, etc. Live life like its your last day, you know?

Note that because of DRM you’re not able to take the DVR’d shows and simply transfer them to your computer. I mean, maybe you can through some hacking around, but it’s not supported out of the box nor endorsed by Iomega. No one wants to get sued.

So yeah, a qucik and easy way to expand the storage of your DVR; it looks like it’d fit right in with most home theaters, aesthetics-wise. Look for it later this month—it’s shipping in the next coming days—for $200.

Want to hear something crazy? I don’t even have a DVR!

Iomega

The Motion Picture Association of America wants to release movies to TV, pay-per-view, on-demand, and premium movie channels before releasing them for sale on DVD. Sounds good, no? There’s a little catch, though. The MPAA wants to block these early releases from being recorded on your DVR.

Traditionally, new movies get released into theaters, then get shown on airplanes and in hotels, then are made available on DVD and over the Internet, then on-demand/pay per view, then premium movie channels like HBO, and finally to regular broadcast TV. The whole cycle typically takes about three years. Well, the industry now wants to get its movies onto people’s televisions a whole lot sooner, before the movies are released on DVD, even.

The problem, however, is that the MPAA is asking that the FCC allow it to selectively block high-definition movies from being recorded on our DVR systems. This process is called Selectable Output Control, and is currently restricted by the FCC, and, according to Ars Technica, “The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) wants a waiver on that restriction in the case of high-definition movies broadcast prior to their release as DVDs.”

MPAA argues that, in addition to getting first-run movies to the public sooner, giving movie studios a break on this issue could also aid the DTV transition. The enhanced service "will encourage the purchase of HDTV sets by consumers, and thereby ensure that a greater number of citizens have the necessary equipment to receive broadcast digital programming by February 17, 2009."

The FCC warns that consumers expect their high definition digital televisions to work correctly and that Selectable Output Control flies in the face of that expectation.

I’m all for being able to watch movies on TV before they’re released on DVD, but the idea of not being able to record them or skip past commercials leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This just seems like a plan by the movie industry to get us to pay twice for the same movie, either by renting it on-demand or sitting through commercials first, and then buying it again on DVD because we couldn’t record it before.