PVR Wire

Review of the Samsung DVD-R130

Matt Crape — 2006-09-30T11:22:00+00:00

The gang over at Good Gear Guide has posted their review of the Samsung DVD-R130 and they seem to have given it a fair score, but that's not to say that it is without problems.

The main problems that they point out are the lack of digital tuner, no built in storage (you can only record directly to DVD-R and DVD-RW) and the lack of HDMI - which some people can overlook.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a device that can only record to DVDs. Sure the quality would be better than VHS, but you are still stuck with the problem of constantly switching discs and shuffling them around. A PVR with DVD burning capabilities would be a better fit - that way you choose to archive recording on a more permanent basis.

Even if you aren't considering this particular model, the review is still a decent read because it may bring out aspects to look for in other models.

Via Good Gear Guide.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NDS's Synamedia Metro IPTV middleware to be used in Samsung DIB-H570N

Chris Tew — 2006-09-12T10:22:00+00:00

Filed under: Samsung

NDS has its middleware solutions in a lot of DVRs across the globe. Last week Astro, one of the leading Pay TV operations in Asia, announced it would be using NDS's MediaHighway solution.

The new Samsung IP set-top box, the DIB-H570N will also use NDS middleware. The DIB-H570N will use NDS's Synamedia Metro IPTV solution, which is built upon the NDS MediaHighway.

There are no details on a release date for the Samsung DIB-H570N but it does promise to enable IPTV operators to use their existing network to offer consumers HD quality and more TV channels.

Other specifications include IP multicasting reception, Video on Demand, and Advanced EPG, Caller ID, Dolby Digital Support, USB2.0 Host and HDMI (with HDCP) connectivity.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PVR Wire CES roundup

Martin Conaghan — 2006-01-09T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, DirectTV, Time Warner Cable, TiVo Series 1, TiVo Series 2, Microsoft, Humax, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Media Center Edition, TiVo, Site News, Sky+, BSkyB

As we stated last week, no one from PVR Wire was able to attend CES 2006, although the Weblogs Inc. Network was there in force in the shape of the mighty Engadget team, and myself and Todd did our best to keep track of all the latest PVR-related developments at the gadget expo.

It's no real surprise that the big news at CES this year centered around video, and in particular PVR devices, both for use in the "digital living room" and on the move. For us, the most significant news centered around four main things: the Toshiba Gigabit S, Google's Video Store, the BSkyB-Microsoft deal and the sneak preview of the Series 3 TiVo.

Here's a roundup of everything we blogged over the course of the event, in case you missed any of it:

And the only thing left now is for Apple to release a Mac Mini PVR tomorrow at MacWorld...

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung releases handheld PVR

Martin Conaghan — 2006-01-08T13:59:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Microsoft, Samsung, Mobile

According to PC World, "the first hand held capable of direct-from-TV recording" was introduced by Samsung this week, but we're presuming they maybe haven't heard of the Archos range of portable players/recorders.

Nevertheless, the YM-P1 seems moderately impressive. It has a 20GB hard drive, an AV-in connection, TV-output, an SD card slot, a voice recorder function and displays video on a 4-inch TFT-LCD screen -- with a reported battery life of up to six hours.

It supports MP3, WMA, OGG, AC3, MPEG4, DivX, Xvid, AVI, WMV, JPG, BMP -- and text files -- and supports Microsoft 'Plays For Sure Audio and Video Download', whatever that is.

It should be available in February for around $399.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments