Post by dkennedy on Aug 25, 2005 4:38:47 GMT -5
Exclusive First Look: The New DIRECTV DVR
The satcaster's answer to TiVo will have some new bells and whistles, according to a manual obtained by TV Predictions.
August 24, 2005
By Phillip Swann, TV Predictions
Washington D.C. (August 24, 2005) -- Should TiVo be worried about the new DIRECTV Digital Video Recorder? In a word, yes.
DIRECTV announced recently that it will launch a new DVR in October and stop marketing its current DVR from TiVo. The two companies are winding down a long-term marketing agreement to sell the TiVo service. To date, more than two million DIRECTV-TiVo DVRs have been sold.
However, DIRECTV has decided to now market a DVR from the company NDS, which is owned by the same corporate parent, News Corp. (DIRECTV will continue to provide service to existing TiVo customers.)
TVPredictions.com has obtained a copy of the manual for the new R15 DIRECTV Plus DVR, which will not be available until October. The set-top has the usual features found on most DVRs, such as pausing live TV and fast-forwarding and rewinding at high speed. But it also has some new bells and whistles that could make even the most loyal TiVo owner consider a replacement. For instance:
Live Buffer
Like TiVo and most DVRs, the DIRECTV Plus receiver will automatically save a program to your hard drive while you watch. This enables you to fast-forward, rewind and pause live TV. However, the DIRECTV Plus will permit you to back up 90 minutes if you haven't changed the channel while watching. TiVo and most DVRs only have a 30-minute rewind feature. The 90-minute rewind feature will come in handy if you join a 60-minute or 120-minute show in progress.
Cruise Control
The set-top will display a program frame-by-frame if you
hit the Fast Forward button after you hit Pause. This could be a hit with sports fans who want to take a closer look at a controversial call.
Bookmarks
You can set a "bookmark" in a selected program by pressing Pause and then the "Green" button on the remote. This enables you to instantly return to a certain part of a show after you have recorded it.
The On-Screen Programming Guide
The programming grids include a symbol for when a show is broadcast in the widescreen format or if you have set it to record.
Caller I.D.
If you have a Caller I.D. service, you can view on-screen the numbers of up to 25 phone calls you've received. The Caller I.D. notification service can be turned on or off.
DIRECTV Active
The Active channel, which will have its own channel in the lineup, will provide daily weather forecasts, lottery results and other interactive features such as channels that will have multiple screens so the viewer can watch several shows at once. DIRECTV Plus subscribers will be able to access those features with their remotes.
DIRECTV has also hinted that its new DVR will have a Video on Demand feature for Pay Per View movies; viewers could watch a PPV film at any time, just like cable's on demand service. However, the manual for the R15 model to be released in October says you would have to wait until the PPV film airs regularly before you could watch it.
It's likely, though, that DIRECTV will add the VOD feature later.
TiVo and other DVR services are certain to offer the same features -- and more -- in the coming months. But, at first glance, it appears that DIRECTV will be ready for battle starting in October.
The DIRECTV DVR monthly subscription will be $5.99, not including the cost of the hardware.
© TVPredictions.com
The satcaster's answer to TiVo will have some new bells and whistles, according to a manual obtained by TV Predictions.
August 24, 2005
By Phillip Swann, TV Predictions
Washington D.C. (August 24, 2005) -- Should TiVo be worried about the new DIRECTV Digital Video Recorder? In a word, yes.
DIRECTV announced recently that it will launch a new DVR in October and stop marketing its current DVR from TiVo. The two companies are winding down a long-term marketing agreement to sell the TiVo service. To date, more than two million DIRECTV-TiVo DVRs have been sold.
However, DIRECTV has decided to now market a DVR from the company NDS, which is owned by the same corporate parent, News Corp. (DIRECTV will continue to provide service to existing TiVo customers.)
TVPredictions.com has obtained a copy of the manual for the new R15 DIRECTV Plus DVR, which will not be available until October. The set-top has the usual features found on most DVRs, such as pausing live TV and fast-forwarding and rewinding at high speed. But it also has some new bells and whistles that could make even the most loyal TiVo owner consider a replacement. For instance:
Live Buffer
Like TiVo and most DVRs, the DIRECTV Plus receiver will automatically save a program to your hard drive while you watch. This enables you to fast-forward, rewind and pause live TV. However, the DIRECTV Plus will permit you to back up 90 minutes if you haven't changed the channel while watching. TiVo and most DVRs only have a 30-minute rewind feature. The 90-minute rewind feature will come in handy if you join a 60-minute or 120-minute show in progress.
Cruise Control
The set-top will display a program frame-by-frame if you
hit the Fast Forward button after you hit Pause. This could be a hit with sports fans who want to take a closer look at a controversial call.
Bookmarks
You can set a "bookmark" in a selected program by pressing Pause and then the "Green" button on the remote. This enables you to instantly return to a certain part of a show after you have recorded it.
The On-Screen Programming Guide
The programming grids include a symbol for when a show is broadcast in the widescreen format or if you have set it to record.
Caller I.D.
If you have a Caller I.D. service, you can view on-screen the numbers of up to 25 phone calls you've received. The Caller I.D. notification service can be turned on or off.
DIRECTV Active
The Active channel, which will have its own channel in the lineup, will provide daily weather forecasts, lottery results and other interactive features such as channels that will have multiple screens so the viewer can watch several shows at once. DIRECTV Plus subscribers will be able to access those features with their remotes.
DIRECTV has also hinted that its new DVR will have a Video on Demand feature for Pay Per View movies; viewers could watch a PPV film at any time, just like cable's on demand service. However, the manual for the R15 model to be released in October says you would have to wait until the PPV film airs regularly before you could watch it.
It's likely, though, that DIRECTV will add the VOD feature later.
TiVo and other DVR services are certain to offer the same features -- and more -- in the coming months. But, at first glance, it appears that DIRECTV will be ready for battle starting in October.
The DIRECTV DVR monthly subscription will be $5.99, not including the cost of the hardware.
© TVPredictions.com