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Roku HD-XR Hands On: Where's Roku Going With This?
Dealzmodo: Liquid TV TiVo Software and Tuner Card for $60
Windows 7 Media Center Internet TV Delivers CBS Shows and Zune Video Podcasts
Streamlined Netflix Experience Now Available On Windows 7 Media Center
Ceton's CableCARD Solution Has Six Tuners In One Slot
Zone Pro Hands On Part 2: Copy Freely and Windows 7
Normal People Can Now Install CableCARD Tuners On Windows 7 PCs
Windows Media Center Opens Up DRM Restrictions on Shows, Allows More Copying
Review: Niveus Zone Pro One-Ups The Zone
DLNA Media Center Software, Compiled and Simplified

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Chimaera
10/27/09

In reply to Roku HD-XR Hands On: Where's Roku Going With This?
Re: Roku Channel Store

Revision3 has already been announced. Pandora and Flickr were leaked in the process.
TWiT via MediaFly has also been announced.

Until the usability of the USB port is defined, it's hard to justify $30 for WiFi-N. #rokuhdxr
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salviati
10/27/09

In reply to Roku HD-XR Hands On: Where's Roku Going With This?
I'm glad to see that the Roku hardware is still being developed, but these two offerings seem disappointing to me.

First of all, I see no market for the Roku SD model. Composite video is OK for folks still using old CRT monitors -- but then again, how many of those folks would have any idea what a Roku was anyway. And by saving $20 now, anyone would be locking themselves out of being able to upgrade the to HD if they upgrade their TV in the future.

As for the HD-XR, $30 is way too much extra to charge for just the wireless-N card. In fact, this should have been the minimal replacement for the original Roku HD at the same price point. I don't know if Roku intends to keep the HD and the HD-XR on the market simultaneously for long, but it seems like the HD should be dis-continued now. I'll have to wait until the firmware upgrade to see what the HD-XR is really bringing to the table, but right now I feel silly for anxiously awaiting this upgrade.

What would really seal the deal for me would be access to streaming media from a NAS or home server. Maybe then I could finally replace my aging XBOX (original) running XBMC (but probably not!)
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met2art promoted this comment Edited by salviati at 10/27/09 9:22 AM salviati was starred salviati was unstarred

met2art
10/27/09

@salviati: Only slightly over a third of U.S. households have an HDTV currently, according to Nielsen figures and other industry estimates. As for "how many of those folks would have any idea what a Roku was anyway"... Netflix was aggressively marketing the device in the mailer envelopes with every DVD they mailed. My mother, who is by no means a techie or gadget geek, bought her Roku, set it up herself and was watching content within minutes.

There's something to be said for simplicity and hardware that doesn't aim over the heads of the populace. The $20 saved on buying an SD model (for an SD TV owner) is a little over two months of Netflix membership.

The Roku fills a sweet spot for people who want more content but may not have the knowledge, or need, for HTPCs, NASs, extensive codec support, etc. Even a lot of SD content via the Roku is better than a pile of confusing equipment and acronyms for someone who, like my mom, just wants to enjoy episodes of British comedies, Law & Order and a few movies now and then. She is among those that might eventually have to buy an HDTV, but actually couldn't care less about 720 or 1080, and just wants to enjoy the content. I strongly suspect that there are a lot of folks out there in that demographic who are capable of setting up a Roku, and who would not scoff at a selection of SD content. #rokuhdxr
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salviati
10/27/09

@met2art: Sorry if my comment seemed snarky towards people who are perfectly happy with SD content. I am no HD snob. My sole TV is actually an older 480p plasma and I am perfectly happy with it - albeit with component video rather than RCA.

However, it seems silly to me for Roku to devote resources to create a crippled version of their standard device for such a small cost savings. One of the great things I though Roku did was to release a single device with known abilities rather than sectioning up the market, causing confusion. Now, instead of just talking to someone about the 'Roku box', they will have to specify which box. I would have prefered a direct replacement upgrade of the Roku HD with the HD-XR rather than expanding it to a series.

As far as cost goes, $20 is a minimal savings. But what you loose is the ability to integrate the box into an HD or fully-digital system in the future. Instead, you would have to spend a fresh $100 (or $130). Right now, I can easily integrate the $100 Roku box into my home theatre with analog inputs, with the knowledge that when I upgrade my TV next year to HDMI, I won't have to buy a new box to go with it. Perhaps the Roku SD makes sense at ~$50, but not at $80. #rokuhdxr
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met2art
10/27/09

@salviati: Those are good points. I would prefer to see an SD Roku box as a subsidized option with an upgraded Netflix account, and the new HD-XR box as a premium option. I think they'd dramatically increase ownership, and then people would have the incentive to buy the premium box for HD and extended features. But, the existing box at $50 would probably sway a lot of people as well. Netflix streaming is pretty popular now with so many devices supporting it, I don't think they are hurting for sales. #rokuhdxr
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davezatz
10/24/09

In reply to Dealzmodo: Liquid TV TiVo Software and Tuner Card for $60
Audi5000 most cards these days handle HD, at least ATSC OTA. Maybe clear QAM (with appropriate drivers/software) as well. However, I can't recommend this package over Windows Media Center. #tivo
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5h17h34d
10/24/09

@davezatz: Of course you can't if you have never used it. #tivo
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davezatz promoted this comment 5h17h34d was starred 5h17h34d was unstarred

davezatz
10/27/09

@5h17h34d: Uh, actually I have used it. And it was so uninspiring I couldn't blog anything more than an unboxing. Here's the link:

[www.zatznotfunny.com] #tivo
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
10/22/09

In reply to Windows 7 Media Center Internet TV Delivers CBS Shows and Zune Video Podcasts
So, you're saying it's like Hulu. Only crappier? #internettv
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Andrew Dickerson
10/22/09

@Lite: hates Illinois Nazis: only better. It integrates your music, pictures, and videos into a nice UI. Netflix direct streaming. And more channels than hulu. I am sure it's a short matter of time until they move the Hulu add-in over to Win7 MC to combine to their UI as well. #internettv
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis promoted this comment Andrew Dickerson was starred Andrew Dickerson was unstarred

Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
10/22/09

@Andrew Dickerson: by Crappier I meant quality of streamed video shows (Not Netflix or subscription content...) #internettv
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JonThomasDesigns
10/20/09

In reply to Streamlined Netflix Experience Now Available On Windows 7 Media Center
DL'd it .. it looks horrible : ( .. unless you like stop motion Legos then it would look great .. I have a 50 Mps Comcrap connection .. so its just the way they have it ... to bad .. great selection of internet tv shows .. they just need HD now #windows7mediacenter
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philibuster promoted this comment JonThomasDesigns was starred JonThomasDesigns was unstarred

philibuster
10/20/09

@JonThomasDesigns: Perhaps it's your slow computer. #windows7mediacenter
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UnderLoK
10/20/09

In reply to Streamlined Netflix Experience Now Available On Windows 7 Media Center
Still haven't updated my HTPC to W7... Maybe this weekend. #windows7mediacenter
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theRealMikeyG
10/20/09

@UnderLoK: I've found the WM7 interface to be much more responsive than the Vista MC was.
It also has a much more modern look and seems to me to be much better overall.
The major complaints i've seen with it are mostly for people in europe using dvbt tuners, which doesn't really affect US users. #windows7mediacenter
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UnderLoK promoted this comment theRealMikeyG was starred theRealMikeyG was unstarred

UnderLoK
10/20/09

@theRealMikeyG: I just haven't gotten around to it... I intended to, just haven't ;) #windows7mediacenter
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ripfire
10/20/09

In reply to Streamlined Netflix Experience Now Available On Windows 7 Media Center
Yes!!! #windows7mediacenter
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bagseed
09/11/09

In reply to Ceton's CableCARD Solution Has Six Tuners In One Slot
that'll be good for catching all of those episodes of ow my balls
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G.O.B.: Come on! promoted this comment bagseed was starred bagseed was unstarred

G.O.B.: Come on!
09/11/09

@bagseed:
- "And I object!"
"What are you objectifyin' on?"
- "I object that he interrupted me while I was watching Ow My Balls! That is NOT OK!"
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G.O.B.: Come on! was starred G.O.B.: Come on! was unstarred

IN THE FACE!
09/11/09

In reply to Normal People Can Now Install CableCARD Tuners On Windows 7 PCs
Anyone know anything about this company/product? The info on their site is a little sparse, looks like the best option provided it's not vaporware and the price isn't astronomical...

[www.cetoncorp.com]
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aec007
09/11/09

In reply to Zone Pro Hands On Part 2: Copy Freely and Windows 7
Just think of it!.... What a bunch of idiots CableLabs CEO, CFO,CMO and everyone else have been.
They've lost a good 8 to 9 years to a PC Windows faithfull crowd that would have set a consumer base, boosterrevenue and development.

And when they finaly realize their mistake... Full HD Internet TV is almost around the corner to bury the hatchet once and for all....

What a bunch!
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Jason Chen promoted this comment aec007 was starred aec007 was unstarred

Xeno
09/11/09

In reply to Zone Pro Hands On Part 2: Copy Freely and Windows 7
I'm really happy to hear about the user CC installation in Win 7. This means that When I finally want to stop using the 360 as an extender I can build a PC and still use my tuners! Now that files can also be shared between computers I could have several PC's and have them sharing media off of a server. So many possibility's!
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HeartBurnKid: Agent of R.O.A.C.H.
09/10/09

In reply to Normal People Can Now Install CableCARD Tuners On Windows 7 PCs
This is good news indeed.

Now let's see some Linux drivers, so I can use one with MythTV.
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Xeno
09/10/09

In reply to Normal People Can Now Install CableCARD Tuners On Windows 7 PCs
I absolutely recommend Cablecard tuners with WMC. I currently have 3 ATI tuners on my Media Center and I can't imagine going back to any other solution. I believe each card is $2 a month and the functionality is light years ahead of all cable boxes.
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axiomatic
09/10/09

In reply to Windows Media Center Opens Up DRM Restrictions on Shows, Allows More Copying
About f-ing time Cablelabs...

BTW, you guys still suck.
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IN THE FACE! promoted this comment axiomatic was starred axiomatic was unstarred

IN THE FACE!
09/10/09

In reply to Normal People Can Now Install CableCARD Tuners On Windows 7 PCs
THIS I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!! Of course it comes at a time when I won't be able to afford to buy any of those ATi Tuners for at least a few months... but oh well.

Its still fantastic that CABLElabs finally managed to remove that tree-stump from their ass!
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