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)

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

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?

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:

• Back to the Future trilogy – This is the most recent addition to out small blu-ray collection, and is my favorite movie trilogy by far. The first film is pretty close to perfect in my mind, and holds up well 25 years later. Just as the DVD remaster looked wonderful, the digital reproduction takes the quality on blu-ray to another level. I never got to see the first movie in the theater, but the quality of both sound and picture of the second and third surpass what I saw in theaters. Most movies I don’t care about extras too much, but for my favorites, I eat up every little tidbit and piece of trivia. While a lot of the blu-ray extras are duplicates from the DVD boxed set, there are some new bits as well.
• Top Gun – While this movie doesn’t hold up as well 24 years later, it’s still a classic. All the F-14 shots look great in high def. First time seeing it on blu-ray, I remember really noticing how the reds and blues throughout the film really pop. Sadly, the extras are pretty lacking in the newest format. Maybe they’ll revisit the film for a 25th or 30th anniversary, where just like movie companies have done on DVD — they’ll get you to purchase multiple copies of the same film for new features. Sadly, I’ll probably buy said edition.
• The Shawshank Redemption – Another classic that I’ll buy again and again. The movie has some great dynamic light and dark scenes, and panoramic views. This one looks great in high def. Looks alone make this one worth a blu-ray purchase.
• Cars – Animation really looks great in the blu-ray format. The colors just look wonderfully deep. Anything Pixar is going to have a quality transfer to blu-ray, but Cars looks and sounds especially great.

In the future, as movies come out, and they’re going to become a part of the Keefer movie library, blu-ray’s the obvious choice, especially for action flicks, but other than a few others, it’s hard to justify too many other duplications.

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:

November 4, 2010

• WEPX HD (1155)
• Comedy Central HD (1304)
• Hallmark Channel HD (1218)
• MTV HD (1450)
• Nickelodeon HD (1205)
• Spike TV HD (1310)
• Nat Geo Wild HD (1254)
• DIY HD (1356)
• NHL Network HD (1526)
• Showtime On Demand HD (1762)

November 23, 2010

• HSN HD (1371)
• QVC HD (1370)
• BET HD (1308)
• VH1 HD (1454)
• The Hub HD (1211)
• Cooking Channel HD (1353)
• Disney XD HD (1202)
• Fox Soccer Plus HD (1536)
• Smithsonian On Demand HD (TBD)

Time Warner Rolling Out More HD Channels

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

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

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

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

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