Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Western Digital has just unleashed their My DVR Expander external hard drive.  This WD drive is certified to work as an external storage device for Dish Network DVRs.

The hard drive line sports 500GB of storage, which in TV terms, is 300 hours of standard definition content and 60 hours of high definition content.  The drive will definitely work with the Dish set top boxes.  However, on top of the device’s $149.99 price, you will have to pay a fee to activate the USB port on your set top box.

Western Digital is hoping to expand the compatibility of such external drivers to other TV providers.

Via [CrunchGear]

Aigo is coming up with a new PMP dubbed the Patriot MV5920 MP5 player. This latest PMP is being touted as a breakthrough device for its dual-core technology that allows HDTV playback at 720p (1280 x 720 pixels). The device also has Wi-Fi and mobile TV support aside from its 160GB hard drive capacity. It’s also categorized as an MP5 player, which is what PMPs are typically called in China.

For around $429 you’ll have this uber-cool looking piece of hardware that comes with other powerful features including a 2.0-megapixel camera, 4.3-inch color display at 16:9 (480x272 pixel) resolution, MP3 player that supports various digital music formats and an integrated DVR recording function. And yes, it’s still portable at 6.14 x 3.23 x 0.78-inches, despite its many features.

The only question left for all of us now is when will it be available in the international market?

Via PMP Today

It’s the latest Hollywood cliffhanger: how will you spend your economic stimulus check?

If the New York Times, NPD Group and other leading-indicator-watchers are to be believed, you’ll head right down to Best Buy, Game Stop or Costco and use that money to buy a shiny piece of consumer electronic hardware.

Two Times stories in the last three days have mentioned how sales of HDTV’s, video game consoles and software, DVD players and other home entertainment devices have been rising during the economic downturn. It seems that when hard times hit, most people will be content to cocoon in front of their 42-inch LCD’s, watching high-def newscasts full of talking heads holding court on the cost of gasoline and food.

Hollywood uberblogger Nikki Finke says Hollywood is paying attention to this mashup of commerce and technology because “Iron Man” is about to launch in multiplexes nationwide - waving the green flag for the summer movie season - and the videogame “Grand Theft Auto IV” just came out and it’s getting the kind of reviews you usually see for a Coen Brothers film. Sure, you spend $60 bucks for the game, but how many hours of 1080p gameplay (plus cinema-worthy storytelling) does that buy you vs. the 126 minutes it will take to watch Robert Downey Jr. blow stuff up? Do we even need to mention related spending/downtime like parking, pre/post-movie dining, babysitters, etc?

MORE »

TiVo just announced today that downloaded video content can now be viewed directly on TV sets. As the leader in digital video recorders or DVRs, TiVo continues to deliver a broader range of entertainment from Web that can be easily accessed from the tube.

TiVo updated their Desktop Plus PC software to enable the users to search for new video content easier. TiVo users can now check the newest video content available through RSS feeds. You know, like RSS the website way. But making the TiVo now better than satellite and cable channels is the app that allows users to access niche and specialized video content. 

MORE »

TiVo currently has a new special going for the TiVo HD DVR. For a limited time you can now get a refurbished model for just $199.99. That price does require a one year service obligation which will run you an additional $12.95 a month or $129 for the full year. As we mentioned this is just for a limited time and the offer will end on April 2.

Read [TiVo] Via [Boy Genius Report]

Rumor has it that TiVo is planning on killing off it’s higher-end Series3 model in favor of concentrating on it’s more affordable HD TiVo. The Series3 came to market less than two years ago and it seems as though they’re ready to kill it off. The details of how this is going to happen are still pretty fuzzy, but it make sense that series three would be biting the dust. While it’s a pretty impressive unit, it comes with more recording space than the HD TiVo model, an OLED display and a backlit remote but the $800 price tag kept many customers away. Those that are still interested can currently score one from TiVo for less than $500.

Read [TV Squad]

DirecTV is set to offer an excellent new feature for DVR customers. Remote recording will allow you to log into the mobile DirecTV site (m.directv.com) from your phone and set up recordings on your DVR while you’re away from your couch. This feature is coming stock on the now shipping HR20-700 DVR model, but it will also be available on the older workhorse-like TiVo HR10-250 model. The official rollout of this feature is slated for next month and is bound to be a big hit will all the poor saps (present company included) that spend as much time traveling as they do watching the tube.

Read [DBS Talk]

TiVo is currently running a nice HD DVR special, with the purchase of a 1-year monthly service plan they will give you your first 3-months of service for free.

The offer expires on February 17, 2008 and includes the TiVo HD DVR with 1-year of service at $12.95 a month. You will get the 3-months of free service and also get free shipping on the DVR for just $299.99.

A little confusion with the ad, but the deal will actually give you the first 3-months of service for free, so your $12.95 a month service plan will not actually come into effect until the fourth month. Sounds like a good deal for those looking to get into an HD TiVo setup.

Product [TiVo] Via [TV Snob]

James Bond had Q to make all his spy gear function and fashionable.  It seems one company has figured out the functional part.  Meet the Ajoka Buckle Cam, which slips around your waist and transforms itself from a mundane belt holding up your pants into a full color, sound-enabled digital video recording device (DVR).

While the fashion police would probably arrest you on the spot, no one else will

MORE »

The Tivo HD takes most of the Series3 features but packs them in a lower priced model. The HD has the ability to record up to two HD programs while watching a third, via CableCards, cable, or over the air signals. It can record a maximum of 20 hours of HD or 180 hours of standard definition with the built in hard drive, though you can bump up the storage with additional/external hard drives. The HD also skips commercials :30 seconds at a time (an intuitive feature that other manufacturers should roll out). Unlike most other DVRs the TiVo connects to the internet via ethernet or WiFi (with an adapter) to access Amazon Unbox movies, TiVoCast videos, Rhapsody subscription music, online scheduling, photo and music streaming and firmware upgrades—with additions such as TiVo To Go and Multi-Room viewing.

MORE »