Keefer Madness

Best Buy Launches Insignia Connected HDTVs With TiVo (and Chumby)

// August 1st, 2011 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Tech, TiVo Bytes

Hmm, can someone explain to me why I would want the TiVo UI integrated into a TV without a DVR? What’s the last TV you’ve used and other than the initial setup, you ever see the UI again. I guess their argument is that the UI is more for the Internet-related applications built into the set, but TiVo to me, and a lot of other consumers is all about the best DVR experience—not for just its user interface.

Best Buy Launches Insignia Connected HDTVs With TiVo (and Chumby)

TiVo Prepping 4 Tuner HD DVR

// April 14th, 2011 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, TiVo Bytes

The newest TiVo survey (which I didn’t get) references some interesting hardware that would be very welcome in the Keefer household:

• A companion device for your DVR. It allows a second TV (in another room) to watch live TV (in HD) and also watch the recordings from your DVR.
• A 4-tuner high-definition DVR that allows you to record up to 4 shows at one time (and watch a 5th show that is previously recorded).

It’s just a survey, meaning it’s stuff TiVo’s contemplating, but it’d be great to see both of those come to fruition.

TiVo Prepping 4 Tuner HD DVR

Cutting the Cable

// December 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, TV Talk

More and more people I know are saying bye bye to cable. Between their rising rates, and their crappy service, the Keefer household too keeps teetering on the thought of sticking with Time Warner’s RoadRunner high speed Internet, but pulling the plug on cable. I’m tempted to just use rabbit ears, or something similar to get the local networks in their full uncompressed high definition glory, but sports and a few cable shows on the Food Network, History Channel and Discovery keep me second guessing. Anyone have any thoughts, solutions, etc?

I guess as a trial, maybe we should try an indoor HD antenna upstairs to see what reception is like. The HD TiVo (or our dual tuner SD TiVo) would continue to work without being tethered to cable. Maybe we should give it a trial run in 2011?

Must-Haves on Blu-Ray

// November 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Film, HDTV Bits, Movie Reviews, Reviews

I’m sure I’m not alone in over the years purchasing multiple copies of the same movies in multiple formats — VHS, LaserDisc, DVD and now Blu-Ray. Now obviously everything doesn’t merit going to the newest format, and especially not to the high definition blu-ray format. My general criteria for re-snagging on blu-ray means it has to be a big favorite of mine that’s dynamic, like an action flick, or scenic. There are plenty of big favorites of mine that don’t merit buying in high-def. “Clerks” is a long time favorite, but between it being in black and white and not shot with that high of quality to begin with, a blu-ray copy would be a waste.

Here’s my short list of movies I’ve already made the plunge to duplicate in the blu-ray format:
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Time Warner Rolling Out More HD Channels

// October 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Local (Raleigh Durham), TV Talk

Sweet — ore HDTV goodness to Time Warner Cable subscribers here in Central North Carolina. The channels will be rolled out on two dates during November 2010:
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TiVo Ups Its Wireless Speed

// April 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Tech, TiVo Bytes

Finally, the often rumored 802.11n adapter for the TiVo is out. It’s pricey at $90, but anyone that uses multi-room viewing (SD or especially HD). I first saw a press release, and it only mentioned the new Series 4 TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL. TiVo’s site itself clarifies that it’s compatible with all dual tuner standalone TiVo DVRs.

Sadly, going to 802.11n won’t help download those movies from Amazon and Blockbuster any faster, but seems like it’s essential for multi-room viewing across multiple TiVos in a household where Ethernet isn’t available or an option. Sadly, the more TiVos you have, the more of these you’d have to shell out. One of these days, TiVo will follow the lead of the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, a lot of blu-ray players and a whole bunch of other devices, and include the wireless networking adapter inside the DVR’s hardware. Till then, this is your best option.

TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter

TiVo Premiere: First Impressions

// March 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Tech, TiVo Bytes

Cnet just posted a first impression review write-up and video on the first Series 4 TiVo DVR, and it reiterates my gut reaction on the new product.

Basically, if you’ve been suffering through the digital video recording sector with one of the cable (or satellite) companies’ DVRs, the TiVo Premiere will be a huge step forward in usability, reliability and just general usage day-to-day.

If you’re already a Series 3 or TiVo HD customer, other than the HD menus, and the sped up search and Flash-based interface, at launch of this product, there’s not really a compelling reason for us to upgrade.

TiVo Premiere: First Impressions

Time Warner Cable Remapping Coming in June

// March 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Local (Raleigh Durham), TV Talk

This could be interesting — it seems Time Warner Cable is going to be remapping its channel lineups in the area over the next few months. This could either end up being a big nightmare, or a mere blip of inconvenience. We shall see.

Time Warner Cable Remapping Coming in June

The Final Four in 3D

// March 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Sports Stuff, Tech

Call me a typical Tar Heel, but with the Heels being banished to the NIT this year instead of the NCAA tournament, the tourney doesn’t hold as much excitement this year. But how excited can I get seeing the Final Four in three dimensions? OK, not a bunch, but I am a fool for new tech, and would love to sample this at least once. Unfortunately, as it stands now, there’s not any theater anywhere near us to sample it. If it were to come close by, I’d want to check it out, but it’s not worth it to me to travel. I’d also like to sample some other sports in 3D in a similar venue — football and baseball (pro and college for both)

Wanna Watch the Final Four in 3D? Better Have Wheels

CableCARD Replacement Due by Dec 2012, Bandaids By This Fall

// March 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // HDTV Bits, Tech, TiVo Bytes

Anyone who’s got a HD capable TiVo, television with a CableCARD slot or a CC multimedia PC knows how much fo an utter nightmare the cable companies have made the current “open” standard that is CableCARD. I love the fact that the FCC is consulting with companies like TiVo on its next attempt. I am also excited that satellite companies will be included in this next standard. Call me a cynic, but I’m pretty sure Time Warner, Comcast and others will find ways to screw this up!

CableCARD Replacement Due by Dec 2012, Bandaids By This Fall