PVR UK: PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and DVR (Digital Video Recorder) news, reviews and how-tos for the UK (including Sky plus, TiVo, MythTV and Freeview)

Wing it with mobile TV

Hauppauge have released Wing, a software application for Windows that will record TV shows into the correct format for the Sony PSP, Apple video ipod and div/x player.

There are three ways to use Wing. If you use TitanTV to schedule your TV recordings, Wing will allow you to record in a mobile format with one click. If you schedule regular recordings (for example: Desperate Housewives every Sunday night), you can use the latest version of WinTV-Schedule which now includes the mobile video recorder. If you have TV shows which you recorded previously, Wing comes with converter program which will turn the MPEG videos into a mobile video format.

Wing is compatible with all models of the WinTV-PVR, including the WinTV-PVR-150, WinTV-PVR-250, WinTV-PVR-350 and WinTV-PVR-USB2.

Full information available on the Hauppauge Wing page.

Meedio PVR Software Launched

Meedio has announced the availability of the latest product in their line of digital home software. Meedio TV is a digital video recorder/personal video recorder (DVR/PVR) application that runs on Microsoft Windows XP computers and uses a TV tuner to enable users to watch, pause, rewind, and record live television broadcasts in a similar way to Window XP Media Center Edition.

Meedio TV also includes a free subscription to an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) which allows users to browse, search, and schedule upcoming broadcasts up to ten days in advance. Meedio TV is available for $39.99 at http://www.meedio.com/.

Read on for the press release...

Next XBox works with Windows MCE

Microsoft have unveiled their next generation XBox, called the XBox 360, due for Christmas. As well as being an impressive gaming system, it's been designed to work with Windows MCE (Media Center Edition). It will allow you to watch programmes recorded on your MCE box (or live) on the XBox 360, by streaming the video over your home network. There will be a free software update for Windows MCE 2005 to allow this.

Free Windows Software Update Will Make Digital Music, Videos, Photos, Standard and High-Definition Television and Movies Available Through Xbox 360 at the Touch of a Button

LOS ANGELES, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2005 in Los Angeles, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced it will release a free software update to Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition 2005 that will enable customers to take advantage of the Media Center Extender technologies built into Xbox 360(TM) gaming systems to access and enjoy digital entertainment anywhere in the home. Every Xbox 360 will have Media Center Extender functionality built in and available out of the box. The Media Center Extender functionality, coupled with the software update for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, will provide customers with seamless access to digital music, video, photos, and standard and high-definition television and movies on Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox 360 game console in the house.

"Microsoft continues to advance its vision of digital entertainment anywhere," said Will Poole, senior vice president of the Windows Client Business at Microsoft. "The combination of the world's most powerful gaming console, Xbox 360, with a Media Center Edition 2005-based PC results in an unprecedented home entertainment experience for our customers. By seamlessly integrating Microsoft's premium entertainment devices, we are greatly enhancing the ways in which our customers will experience entertainment in and around their homes."

Microsoft(R) Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 offers people around the world the widest range of entertainment experiences on the PC. Customer and industry support for Media Center Edition 2005 has never been stronger, with sales of Media Center PCs eclipsing the 2 million mark in April. In addition, there are more than 90 computer manufacturers and 7,000 system builders shipping Media Center PCs in 13 countries, with 20 additional markets planned by the end of the year. Media Center PC customers also can access more than 35 industry partner content and service providers across the globe via the Online Spotlight feature of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

Inclusion of Media Center Extender technologies in Xbox 360 represents Microsoft's latest effort to provide consumers with seamless access to the same great experience provided in Media Center Edition PCs on any TV in the house. The Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 experience will be accessible on Xbox 360 systems by pressing the green button on the new Xbox 360 remote control. And, for the first time ever, the extender technologies that are built into Xbox 360 will enable customers to enjoy high-definition entertainment. For example, Xbox 360 will let players stream high-definition TV and movies stored on Media Center PCs, allowing them to watch a high-definition sports event while they chat with friends in other parts of the country who are watching the same game. Or they can receive a friend's invitation to play a game while watching live television.

"By integrating diverse technology expertise and innovations across the company, Microsoft is able to deliver rich digital entertainment experiences that consumers have been asking for," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox(R) officer at Microsoft. "The Windows XP Media Center Extender technologies in Xbox 360 will make the living room a place where both experiences seamlessly converge and are easy to enjoy."   Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and entertainment system that places users at the center of the experience. Xbox 360 will ignite a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected, always personalized and always in high definition. Xbox 360, in addition to including Media Center Extender technologies, features the Media Blade, which will allow customers to select Remote PC to access the digital photos and music they have stored on any Windows XP-based PC.

Availability

The software update to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 that enables Media Center Extender functionality in Xbox 360 is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2005. It will be available as a free download to current Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 customers, as well as on new PCs. Xbox 360 is scheduled to be available this Christmas holiday season.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Shuttle launches first Media Center barebones PC

Shuttle have launched a new barebones PC aimed at media centre builders.

The XPC SB83G5M is Shuttle's first barebones rig designed specifically for Windows XP Media Center Edition, the company said. The unit employs Shuttle's Silent X cooling system for "unobtrusive" living room use.

The unit also features Shuttle's note Versatile Front-panel Display, which hooks into the OS to provide access to Media Center components without the need to show the full screen UI - handy if you're interested in building a music-oriented system, say.

Inside the familiarly styled box, there's an Intel 915G integrated chipset ready for Socket 775 Pentium and Celeron processors operating across an 800MHz or 533MHz frontside bus. There are two DIMM slots supporting up to 2GB of 400MHz DDR SDRAM.

Graphics come courtesy of the integrated Intel GMA 900 engine, but there's a 16x PCI Express slot to allow high-specced graphics cards to be added. The mobo features six-channel audio, with analog and digital SPDIF I/O.

The unit contains room for a single 5.25in drive and two 3.5in units, with a single ATA-100 header, twin Serial ATA headers and a floppy drive connector.

Connectivity is provided through a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Firewire 400 connector and two USB 2.0 ports.

Available immediately, the XPC SB83G5M costs around €369 (£252/$475).

Via The Reg.

Windows MCE: Update due later this year

Microsoft have announced that they won't be releasing a Windows MCE 2006 product this year, but will instead update the current Windows MCE 2005.

"It is looking more like it will be an update, not a new version," said Microsoft Product Manager Tom Laemmel. He added that the update would be "bigger than your standard Windows update, but smaller than a Service Pack". This should warm the hearts of users of MCE, as a new version has required users to buy a complete new copy in the past.

Coming soon: AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-T USB2.0 review

We have received an AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-T USB2.0 Freeview tuner for review. It's an external tuner for Windows PCs that connects via USB 2.0 (surprise!) and provides live TV viewing and PVR capabilities with an EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) on your PC. If you have any specific questions you'd like answering, just add them here and we'll delve into them over the next week or so.

The full spec and press release follow...

Press release

A world of digital TV in the palm of your hand.

With AVerMedia's' new pocket sized digital TV receiver, the DVB-T USB2.0, you can watch digital TV anywhere and anytime.

AVerMedia Technologies Inc. has today announced the launch of the highest quality TV Tuner card on the market - the DVB-T USB2.0.

Digital television is an excellent alternative to cable television - with cable TV, users are tied to one location, but digital television allows users to watch TV on their PC at any location. The AVerTV DVB-T USB 2.0 connects Digital TV with a PC or Notebook, allowing users to watch 'free-to-air' digital terrestrial television channels with no subscription to pay.

The pocket-sized device weighs next to nothing making it ideally suited for frequent travellers to carry around. Alternatively, housed in a sleek silver case, the box looks at home whether in an office or sat next to a home PC.

The new DVB-T USB 2.0 Plus supports HDTV (1080i), the first USB 2.0 TV Tuner on the market to do so, ensuring users are delivered a high-quality, crisp picture standard and better sound quality. Also supplied with a TV Aerial, the DVB-T USB 2.0 guarantees users the highest quality TV Signal on the market whether on the move or in one fixed location.

Offering an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) as standard, you can find out more information about the TV programmes you plan to watch before you watch them and with the introduction of Windows Media Centre Edition to the market, AVerMedia have designed the DVB-T USB 2.0 to be fully compliant with the latest Media Centre Edition software.

Besides the basic functions, such as play back, record, time-shift, etc. the DVB-T USB 2.0 includes the most advanced TV Tuner technology offering a feature that can auto power off a PC (switch the PC into Hibernate Mode to save power) after schedule recording.

"We believe the DVB-T USB 2.0 plus is the most advanced TV Tuner on the market," says Bentley Lo, Business Development Manager, AVerMedia Technologies inc. "The DVB-T USB 2.0 will set a standard for the next generation of Digital Terrestrial TV Boxes."

Availability

The AVerTV DVB-T USB is available now from www.mediaatlantic.com or www.maplin.co.uk. Price £84.99 inc VAT.

Specification. AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-T USB 2.0.

Key features

Watch high quality free-to-air Digital Terrestrial TV on a Laptop or PC
Fully Resizable TV Window (up to Full Screen)
Time Shift allows you to continue from where you pause a live show
16 Channel Preview
Auto-Scan and Full Channel Scan
Create your favourite Channel Group
Support 16:9 widescreen
Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
MCE Compatible
HDTV (1080i) ready

System requirements

SDTV:
Intel Pentium III 1.0GHz for Time Shift and Record in MPEG2
VGA card supports DirectX 9
128MB RAM or above
USB 2.0
Sound Card
Windows 2000/XP
HDTV:
Intel Pentium 4 1.7GHz
256MB RAM or above
USB 2.0
VGA Card supports DirectX 9 and DxVA
AC'97 compatible Sound Card
Windows 2000/XP

AVerMedia to unveil 10 MCE compatible TV tuner cards

Media Center PC World are reporting that AVerMedia will be utilising CTShow 2005 to officially unveil 3 of its 10 new certified MCE compatible TV Tuner Cards. The following will be on show:-

A169 - Dual Analogue TV Tuner card

AVerMedias A169 is a dual analogue PCI TV Tuner card designed for entertainment PC'S, turning any normal PC into a media center. As well as being fully compatible with Microsoft Media Centre it allows users to watch or record 2 TV channels simultaneously, or watch 1 and record another at the same time.

A16AD - Digital TV Tuner Card

Users can experience the newest features of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with the new A16AD, a digital TV Tuner card that allows users to receive free to air digital terrestrial TV Programs as well as digital radio broadcasts. Two cards can be run simultaneously to take advantage of Media Centers dual tuner capabilities.

A16AH - Hybrid TV Tuner Card

Users can experience the newest features of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with the new A16AH, a hybrid TV Tuner card that allows users to receive free to air digital terrestrial and analogue TV Programs as well as digital radio broadcasts and FM radio.

M150 - PCI TV Tuner with H/W MPEG II Encoder

AVerMedia's M150 is the choice for mainstream levels of Media Center Edition-based platforms. It supports worldwide TV systems - NTSC, PAL and SECAM. Besides watching analogue TV, it allows users to listen to FM radio.

Windows Media Center bloggers interview

Thomas Hawk has a managed to get an interview with some of Microsoft's Media Center bloggers over at eHomeUpgrade. It's in four parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4) and gives some insight into the way Windows MCE is heading.

Laptop with TV tuners

PC Pro have reviewed the Asus W1776Gc-LH laptop. Why is that of interest to us? It's the first laptop I've heard of with built in TV tuners - one digital, one analogue - and comes bundled with some basic software to make it useable as a PVR. Take a peek here.

6 Windows Media Center reviews

VNUNet has reviewed 6 Windows Media Center PCs: the Advent MC3040, the Evesham E-media Tower, the Hi-Grade DMS3000, the HP Media Center m1150.uk the Mesh Media+Cubex64 3500+ MCE and the Minicomputers Theatrino Base Unit - High End Packe 3. The PCs ranged from living room-friendly consumer boxes to PCs with tuner cards. Read more to find out their conclusions.

ATI announce "PVR on a chip"

ATI's Theater 550 Pro integrates five discrete funcions onto one chip:-

- Next Generation 12-bit Video Decoder that features 3D Comb Filtering for NTSC and PAL and 5-line 2D Comb Filtering that delivers absolutely unrivaled video quality

- Next Generation Hardware Video and Audio Encoder with new features such as Advanced Noise Reduction

- PCI Express X1 and PCI interface on a single device to allow PC companies the ultimate flexibility in form factor designs

- Digital IF Demodulation that improves video quality and reduces the overall solution cost by eliminating the need for expensive tuners

- Worldwide multi-standard Audio Decoder

The chip will go into PCI and PCI-Express cards, and ATI is working with a number of laptop makers to integrate the part with their products. So far Acer, Compal, Quanta and Wistron have agreed to use the part.

The level of integration should help in building PVRs, as there will be less space required to house the functionality compared to using seperate components, and the low power consumption should help make it possible to build a PVR with no fan, important when it's going into your living room.

Turn any PC into a High End TV and Personal Video Recorder With ATI’s Revolutionary Video Processor

THEATER™ 550 PRO delivers unmatched video quality on the PC

Tuesday September 14, 2004
MARKHAM, ON – Multimedia personal computers take a giant leap forward today, finally reaching the video quality levels associated with high-end $2000 consumer televisions. ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) is proud to announce and ship the THEATER™ 550 PRO video processor that delivers superb TV reception and Personal Video Recording (PVR) functionality for PCs through products such as add-in PC cards, motherboard-down solutions and notebook computers.

THEATER 550 PRO continues the THEATER™ family tradition of industry-leading video reception achieved by ATI’s consumer Digital TV division. THEATER 550 PRO integrates five discrete functions into one powerful chip to create a “PVR-on-a-chip” that revolutionizes video quality for PCs, allows for the creation of new small form factor computers and reduces production costs. Products featuring THEATER 550 PRO will be created by leading PC manufacturers including Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd., Info-Tek Corp., Micro-Star International Co., Ltd, Sapphire Technology Limited, Tul Corporation and YUAN High-Tech Development Co. Ltd.

“With the introduction of THEATER 550 PRO, ATI has leveraged its success in the consumer DTV markets to effectively change the landscape of the PC by enabling a new level of video experience,” said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President Marketing and General Manager, Desktop, ATI Technologies Inc. “THEATER 550 PRO sets a high bar for a new level of video quality standards that leads the way for PC manufacturers to create the Home Theater PC that surpasses most dedicated consumer electronic solutions in the market today. With solid Digital TV research and development combined with the innovative chip design of the THEATER 550 PRO, ATI is firmly set to lead the PC video revolution.”

THEATER 550 PRO integrates:

* Next Generation 12-bit Video Decoder that features 3D Comb Filtering for NTSC and PAL and 5-line 2D Comb Filtering that delivers absolutely unrivaled video quality;
* Next Generation Hardware Video and Audio Encoder with new features such as Advanced Noise Reduction;
* PCI Express X1 and PCI interface on a single device to allow PC companies the ultimate flexibility in form factor designs;
* Digital IF Demodulation that improves video quality and reduces the overall solution cost by eliminating the need for expensive tuners; and,
* Worldwide multi-standard Audio Decoder.

Consumers will benefit from the THEATER 550 PRO in a variety of ways including Microsoft’s Windows XP Media Center Edition. When combined with computers based on Windows XP Media Center Edition, THEATER 550 PRO delivers a PC that rivals the best television sets and consumer PVRs.

“Microsoft is thrilled with the work ATI has done to develop and deliver exceptional video quality for Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs,” said Kevin Unangst, director of Windows consumer marketing for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows division. “ATI’s video processor complements Microsoft’s innovative Windows XP Media Center Edition technology to provide customers with an unmatched entertainment experience.”

THEATER 550 PRO also supports ATI’s own award winning MULTIMEDIA CENTER™, Cyberlink’s PowerCinema and Intervideo’s WinDVRTM and Home Theater. ATI will continue to support other third party applications based on customer requirements.

Notebook original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Acer and original design manufacturers (ODM) including Compal Electronics Inc., Quanta Corporation, and Wistron Corp will also feature THEATER 550 PRO in their upcoming products. The THEATER 550 PRO also revolutionizes how TV on the PC is delivered by offering unique design features that were simply not previously possible. When building a home theater or mobile notebook PVR PC, THEATER 550 PRO offers many benefits:

* Low power consumption coupled with no need for heatsink or cooling fan that’s well designed for low noise environments; and,
* Small PC form factor integration is possible with THEATER 550 PRO as it takes less space than competitive solutions.

The THEATER 550 PRO is currently sampling and is ramping to production. Products featuring THEATER 550 PRO will be available from ATI and other manufacturers later this year.

“Customers demand the best visual quality for their consumer electronic devices and industry leader ATI has produced THEATER 550 PRO to meet that request,” said Calvin Wu, CEO of MSI Computer Corp., a subsidiary of Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. “Together, MSI and ATI can create a new class of high quality digital video consumer electronics.”

“Our PowerColor products will take on a whole new view with the addition of THEATER 550 PRO,” said Ted Chen, CEO, Tul Corporation. “ATI’s amazing new video processor will allow Tul to provide more innovative solutions for consumers.”

The THEATER 550 PRO integrates a flexible worldwide front-end analog 12-bit video decoder with a high-quality digital audio/video MPEG encoder to meet the needs of the fast emerging multimedia consumer PC market. THEATER 550 PRO delivers excellent quality at low video display bit-rates -- most noticeable in scene changes where other solutions will show ‘blockiness’ for a second or so after a scene change. THEATER 550 PRO features noise reduction for crisp clear image quality and adjustable noise reduction that intelligently detects noise and algorithmically removes it from video. The result is more efficient video compression. In addition, THEATER 550 PRO offers excellent audio quality for stereo separation and attention to even the faintest sound details in the video.

Creative Zen Portable Media Center review

There's an in-depth review of the Creative Portable Media Center over at Corey Gouker's Machine Inside the Mind. What's a Portable Media Center? It's Microsoft's answer to iPod-like devices, but designed to handle all types of media. It's heavily biased towards being used with a Windows Media Center Edition PC, letting you watch TV programmes you've recorded on it away from the home.

So how does it compare to the iPod and other PMP’s in terms of the coolness factor. Well, the Creative certainly doesn’t look as sleek and sexy as the iPod that’s for sure. It doesn’t have that Click Wheel which people seem to have a love/hate thing going with it. But it does have this massive screen with color and album art and all that. But like I said before, you can’t compare them directly. The PMC does so much more than an iPod. I honestly can’t say at this point whether I’d buy one or not. While the entire idea behind PMC’s has grown on me since using it over the past few days it still hasn’t won me.

V-stream Xpert DTV

The Inquirer has looked at a Freeview PCI card for the PC, which includes PVR-style capabilities:-

Freeview is fast becoming a must for many households. Basically, you pay for one receiver and you can enjoy many digital terrestrial channels and radio. Jetwat has introduced a PCI card which allows you to do that without having to buy a dedicated freeview box. The V-stream Xpert DTV DVB-T PCI card allows you to watch Digital TV with an ordinary UHF/VHF antenna without any ghosting. The killer app though is the Scheduled recording in Power On mode which will power on your computer to record a programme which you have chosen before even when you are not there. A fully featured remote control is also provided - it can be used to power off your computer.

Other features include compatibility with 16:9 wide format display, auto Channel scan and name recognition, multiple channel preview and TV video. It also supports timeshift and playback live TV program simultaneously as well as Digital Real Time Video Recording in MPEG2 format. Picture in Picture and still image capture in JPEG or BMP is also available. You can also connect other video sources as the card provides with four inputs.

A DVD burner software as well as a MPEG converter and editor is provided. At £46.21, it costs less than many freeview boxes which do not allow the essential PVR - personal video recorder function. Though it comes with some shortcomings like sticky remote buttons or some softwre bugs, it is still the cheapest digital terrestrial TV card available in UK and as such deserves a pat on the back. The card is also available under the brand K-World.

They also have a USB version.

DiVX to move 20 million CE devices by Christmas

El Reg has an article about the take-up of DiVX amongst CE-based manufacturers. It looks like the DivX format is gathering critical mass and will be a major player in future digital video consumer electronics.

The ultimate TV?

UK start-up Vivadi have put together a plasma TV (42" or 46") and a Windows Media Center PC in very stylish clothing to make the Saturn and Venus. The PVR component offers a TV receiver with interactive electronic programme guide, Dolby Digital surround sound processor, Personal Video Recorder for recording to hard disk DVD+RW recorder, DVI, VGA and Legacy outputs, USB & IEEE1394 (Firewire) digital connectivity, Music Server for MP3, CDA & WMA and full internet access. Vivadi say their all-in-one solution is different to others, in that it is designed to be upgradable - the idea is that as one component becomes outdated, you will be able to upgrade it by clipping in a new module. I'm not sure if I was spending this much on a peice of kit, I'd like to see the phrase "built-in obsolescence" on the web site though.

Microsoft's Personal Media Center on it's way...but when?

Amazon are listing a couple of Personal Media Center devices on their web site, but without any indication of when the pre-orders may arrive.

There's the Creative Zen Media Center

and the Samsung Yepp YH-999

both of which will retail for around $500.

TiVo versus Media Center

PVRBlog has pulled together a whole host of articles that compare Tivo with Microsoft's Media Center...

In both sets of tests, the Media Center Edition PCs prove to be a bit buggy and crash-prone, and the reviewers eventually give the final nods to TiVo with its bulletproof simple design and reliability.

Sounds like I'll be sticking with my Tivo for a while.

Read the full article here...

Anything on the PC tonight?

Charles Arthur's article in The Independant looks at TV tuners for the Mac and PC. He reviews Elgatos Systems' EyeTV and Hauppauge's WinTV PVR-350.

So how, you may be wondering, are these different from normal hard-disk PVRs like those I've written about here before? In two ways: archiving to disc, and allowing editing within programmes. You can snip out the ads or boring stuff from programmes you've recorded before you store them on to disc, or just leave them stored on your hard drive.

The benefits of combining your own disc burners with TV recording means that you don't have to worry about things becoming obsolete. And while I don't condone making dozens of copies for your friends, I think that it could make a difference to be able to take a DVD of a programme over to a friend's to share the watching experience.

Want to know more about Windows Media Center?

Then I heartily recommend Mark Salloway's An Introduction to Media Center 2004 and information for the United Kingdom. There's also an older article on Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows that's helpful. xpMCE.com - Everything About Windows Media Center Edition is a site that is dedicated to the subject.

Hauppauge Gives Away Thousands of DVDs in Massive Lord of the Rings Promotion

Hauppauge Digital is giving away thousands of copies of the new "Lord of the Rings" film, "The Return of the King", on DVD in an exclusive UK promotion starting this month. The new film, scheduled for release on 25 May, will be free to UK buyers of Hauppauge's PVR and MVP products until the end of July.

London, England (PRWEB) May 14, 2004 –- Free DVDs for buyers of PVR and MediaMVP products. Hauppauge Digital, the world leader in TV-on-a-PC products, is giving away thousands of copies of the new "Lord of the Rings" film, "The Return of the King", on DVD in an exclusive promotion starting this month. The new film, scheduled for release on 25 May, will be free to buyers of Hauppauge's PVR and MVP products until the end of July.

The promotion, which is exclusive to Hauppauge Digital in the PC marketplace, is expected to generate huge interest in the company's WinTV PVR-250, WinTV PVR-350 and MediaMVP products which add TV and VCR capabilities to PCs and allow playback through a network to a TV.

Buyers of the products, which start at £99.99 inc VAT, will receive The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - (Theatrical Version) - Two Disc Set, valued at £27.99 in exchange for their purchase receipt and the bar code from the product packaging. A rebate form is available at http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/promotions.html.

"We are delighted to be able to announce this exclusive promotion for PC owners," said Yehia Oweiss, Managing Director of Hauppauge Digital. "We are recognised as the world leader in TV entertainment for PC owners, with technologies that not only allow owners to watch TV on the PC, but to pause live TV and to schedule recording to disk. With eleven Oscars to date for the first two Lord of The Rings movies, it seems appropriate that we can offer this epic new DVD as the biggest promotion we have ever launched."

The DVD will be free with Hauppauge's WinTV PVR-250 (£129.99 inc); WinTV PVR-350 (£159.99) and MediaMVP (£99.99) products purchased between 14 May and 31 July 2004.

NVidia launch GeForce 5700 with PVR capabilities

NVidia have launched the new GeForce FX 5700 graphics card with their Personal Cinema software to give it PVR capabilities. The software includes an Electronic Program Guide and the recording capabilities allow you to record content directly to DVD, SVCD, or VCD without saving to your hard drive first, using the card's built in TV tuner.

Firefly freebies

Snapstream are giving away 5 of their Firefly PC Remotes each day until 12th May! If you fancy your chances, head on over there now.

Firefly is sleek, lightweight and designed to fit comfortably in the user's hand. It is an RF remote and can transmit signals through walls and up to 30 feet away. Five programmable media buttons provide instant access to music, TV, video, photos or DVD applications. Firefly's mouse mode adds control to applications that are not remote ready.

Firefly comes with its own media center software, SnapStream Media's Beyond Media(TM) Basic, but is also compatible with others such as Microsoft Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition. Beyond Media Basic is a PC entertainment gateway with included music, video and photos players. Users have the option to add other media applications to the Beyond Media Basic homepage for quick remote control access. Beyond Media Basic's 10-foot user interface is designed for easy viewing and across-the-room control.

ATI announces TV Wonder USB 2.0

The TV Wonder USB 2.0 from ATI is an external TV tuners that connects via USB 2 and offers full PVR capabilities with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). It will be available in the summer.

MARKHAM, Ontario – ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) today announced the TV WONDER™ USB 2.0 – a high quality, low cost external TV tuner solution that easily plugs into both desktops and notebooks. The key features include quick setup, TV viewing with full personal video recorder (PVR) capabilities, and video capture for editing. Available this summer in North America, TV WONDER USB 2.0 will be offered in two versions: TV WONDER USB 2.0 REMOTE CONTROL EDITION with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of USD$149 and TV WONDER USB 2.0 with an MSRP of USD$100.

“The unique combination of ATI’s industry leading THEATER 200 chip with the critically acclaimed MULTIMEDIA CENTER software, plus the high-speed bandwidth of USB 2.0, deliver industry leading ALL-IN-WONDER visual quality and advanced features not available in any other external video solution,” said Godfrey Cheng, Director of Marketing, Multimedia Products, ATI Technologies Inc. “TV Wonder USB 2.0 brings industry leading TV and video capture features to desktops and notebooks quickly, easily and without having to open the PC.”

Powered by ATI’s industry leading MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ software, TV WONDER USB 2.0 includes full PVR capabilities enabling users to watch, record and pause live television with ease. The product also features a fully-searchable interactive electronic program guide (EPG) that displays the schedule for TV shows for immediate or future viewing. In addition to video capture functionality, TV WONDER USB 2.0 features the EAZYLOOK™* distance user interface that enables remote access from the couch, bedroom or dormroom when used with ATI’s REMOTE WONDER™ remote control (provided with the Remote Control Edition).

TV WONDER USB 2.0 is able to deliver high quality images and sound via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) -- a high-speed communications standard that makes it easy to connect peripheral devices to desktops or notebooks. USB 2.0 is up to 40 times faster than USB 1.1. This remarkably fast speed makes it possible for TV WONDER USB 2.0 to deliver much higher quality TV images on desktops and notebooks. The USB 2.0 connection allows uncompressed digitized video and audio to be sent directly to the computer for a pristine live preview without any delays. The video can then be compressed using ATI’s ALL-IN-WONDER® Encode to allow the customer to record the video for later personal viewing.

*Requires RADEON™ 8500 or higher graphics support.

PVR cards for your PC

A quick round-up of PC PVR cards and software from USAToday.

Unlike TiVo or other similar television recording services, there is no monthly subscription fee. Plus, storage capacity is limited only by the size of your hard drive. If you need more storage, simply add another hard drive. Or, save favorite shows on DVDs.

Turn Your PC Into a Personal Video Recorder

PCWorld has a step-by-step guide to help you get going. Here's how to create a PVR cheaply by installing an add-in card and appropriate software in your PC.

It's easy to get "gizmo envy" if you've seen the latest generation of personal video recorders (PVRs) from ReplayTV or TiVo. These boxes act as sophisticated automated video recorders that use a hard drive instead of tape for storing video, and they have a raft of unique features.

But these stand-alone boxes are expensive and often hard to find because they're so popular. There is a lower-cost option: Assuming your PC has a decent-sized hard drive, you can turn it into a PVR by installing an add-in card and software.

PC PVRs let you easily browse and choose which TV shows to record on your PC's hard drive using an on-screen program guide. Also, they can pause a live show when you get interrupted and can then continue from where you stopped watching. PC PVRs can create transcripts from closed-captioning, or watch for certain phrases in the captioning and automatically start a recording. That's just the beginning. If you have a CD-RW drive or a recordable-DVD drive, you can even create your own classic TV show collection. You can also play back shows you've digitized and record them on a standard VCR.

Halfway to multimedia PC paradise?

The Scotsman's Nick Clayton is putting together a multimedia computer that will allow him "to play DVDs and CDs; record TV programmes, including digital Freeview; play games and internet radio, as well as using it for all the normal functions of an internet-connected PC. " Find out how he's getting on.

Intel wants PCs to double as VCRs

Intel is encroaching on video-recorder and network-hub manufacturers' territory with its plan for desktop PCs to assume multiple functions

Intel wants desktop PCs to double up as network hubs and video recorders, in a move that could make life tough for the companies that produce those standalone products.

The chipmaker will begin midyear by adding wireless networking technology Wi-Fi to an upcoming pair of desktop chipsets. When manufacturers choose a specific version of one of the two new chipsets, they will be able to add the foundation for a built-in Wi-Fi access point nearly for free.

"Consumers want all their devices to connect and communicate wirelessly," said Louis Burns, an Intel vice president. "Content delivery must be a high-quality audio and video experience."

At the same time, the company is developing the Entertainment PC (EPC), a desktop design based on Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system, which manufacturers can use to create more entertainment-oriented PCs that come with features such as digital video recorders.

Intel sees the addition of those features to its PCs as a vital push to make playback of multimedia content and home networking essential elements in consumer desktops. It predicts that a number of future products, including televisions and stereo equipment will be able to access wireless networks. But the strategy, which lowers the price of gadgets and is a boon to consumers, could leave some companies out in the cold.

Similar strategies traditionally have driven some competitors out of markets. The chipmaker's decision to add graphics to its PC chipsets in 1999, for example, preceded a major consolidation among graphics chipmakers. The number of companies working on graphics chips shrank from around 40 in 1998 to today's handful. The motherboard market and other industries have experienced similar threats.

Likewise, as PC makers such as Intel begin adding Wi-Fi access points to desktops, consolidation is expected to occur among Wi-Fi gear makers. Currently, PC users who want to set up a Wi-Fi network typically purchase an access point that is installed between the DSL (digital subscriber line) or cable modem and the computer. The wireless access point allows laptops and other desktop computers to share the Net connection. Under Intel's plan, the access point would be incorporated with Intel's chipset, eliminating the need for a separate device.

Intel's EPC initiative also could put the squeeze on digital video recorder (DVR) makers like TiVo, analysts said.

"When Intel enters a market, competitors either scramble for the exits or entrench for the storm," said Richard Doherty, an analyst with research firm The Envisioneering Group.

Competitors agree, but assert that it's not a knockout punch.

"This is low-hanging fruit for Intel, and it makes a lot of sense... as they look to sell more chips for desktops," said Kevin Allan, a director of product management at NetGear. "Will it dramatically impact our business? I don't think so. We welcome their entry, because it will help to grow the market the same way Centrino did."

Intel has even joined industry groups, such as the Digital Home Working Group (DHWG), to connect consumer products to networks. The goal of the DHWG is to allow consumers to use a network to access and share resources on home devices in the same way they share a printer or broadband connection at work.

The DHWG is meeting later this week to work on creating guidelines to network devices and determine if a new name for the group is needed. But old habits die hard, and Intel's proactive behaviour has rankled some in the group, according to sources. The chipmaker developed its own home networking guidelines and is proposing them for adoption by the DHWG.

The road ahead Intel will add Wi-Fi to desktops through a version of the Grantsdale or Alderwood chipsets that come with a special input/output controller chip, called the ICH6W. That chip, along with an add-in card that includes radio gear such as an antenna, turns a desktop into 802.11b or 802.11g Wi-Fi access points, Intel said.

Technically, Wi-Fi access won't be free because it will cost PC makers to add it to new computers. But it will likely be less than an independent access point. Additionally, PC makers have shown they can often absorb the price of new features.

The chipmaker said these desktops will provide a relatively easy-to-use access point that allows notebooks and other wireless devices to share a broadband Internet connection and files. Thus, a consumer or a small business that purchases a PC with the built-in Wi-Fi access point will not need any other gear to create a basic Wi-Fi network.

While the concept is attractive, it will take time for these features to migrate to mainstream PCs. The features will mostly be used in higher-end systems in the $1,000 (£541)-plus range. Lately, the average selling price for a desktop purchased at retail has hovered around $700, according to market researcher NPD Techworld.

PC-based access points have some potential limits as well, including location. While it's generally best to locate an access point centrally, that might not be convenient for PC owners, analysts said.

Secondly, a PC would have to be turned on all the time so that client devices could connect to the network. That uses a lot more power than a stand-alone access point.

Indeed, while some PC manufacturers have expressed interest in building Wi-Fi access points and EPC-style machines for consumers, it's not a universal desire at the moment. Some manufacturers will also offer the access points on small business PCs. But at least one PC executive said he isn't yet convinced. The Intel gear will have to be easy to configure -- or else consumers won't be able to use it, he said.

In the meantime, gear makers are focusing on products that connect to a wireless network established by an access point. Manufacturers have already begun offering routers that have storage-sharing features as well as devices that allow consumer electronics devices, such as stereos, to connect to wireless networks.

Meanwhile, EPCs will be fitted with Pentium 4 chips, will provide a vault for storing music and video, and won't require additional monthly service fees, executives from Intel and Microsoft have said.

But DVR pioneer TiVo, for one, says it's ready for a fight. It is moving to make its DVRs cheaper and easier to use with new models, price cuts and rebates. The company believes that the device that's the easiest to use will prevail.

"The PC folks are trying to make a PC not look like a PC," said Ted Malone, director of product marketing at TiVo. "There is still a consumer perception problem that [an EPC] is still a PC and can you get it to work [as easily as a] TV."

Used with permission from CNET Networks UK. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.

SnapStream BeyondTV review

Software to Turn Your PC Into a Digital VCR

People love PVRs (or "personal video recorders") for tailoring TV to their schedules and not the other way around.

With SnapStream's Beyond TV 3.4, a PC (sorry Mac fans) can perform the same tasks as a set-top PVR such as ReplayTV or TiVo — plus a few extras.

ABCNews reviews this bundle of Hauppauge's WinTV-PVR-250 TV tuner card, a remote, and Beyond TV 3.4 software. Although it doesn't supply a UK EPG out of the box, it can be made to use XMLTV listings for the UK - more info in this discussion forum.

Microsoft has designs on your TV

Media Guardian has an interesting article about how Microsoft is planning to take their Media Center PC design forward...

Two weeks ago, Microsoft announced the rollout of what it is calling the Media Centre Extender which, when it starts selling in Europe early next year, will let consumers wirelessly connect their Media Centre PC to their TV. Next year, Microsoft's Xbox console will include "Extender" functions too. Also unveiled at the Cebit technology fair in Germany earlier this month was a portable version of Microsoft Media Centre (MMC) that lets you organise all your digital media (from DVDs to music to information downloaded from the internet) and take it with you.

The digital cognoscenti have already given this portable product, which should be on sale at the end of this year, the nickname "iPod killer". Not only does it do all the things that the iPod does - download, store and organise music, plus synching with your PC calendar and contacts list - it has a screen as well, so it will play DVDs and other video. So far there is no crossover announced between the forthcoming portable Media Centre and Microsoft software-powered digital smart phones, but it would be a logical next step.

There's also a useful comparison between the Microsoft, Sony and Sky views of PVR functionality.

ShowShifter review

VNUnet review ShowShifter, PVR software for Windows...

Microsoft might have grabbed the headlines with the launch of its Media Center edition of Windows XP, but it's not available for all of us who want to build our own media PCs. Fortunately, we enthusiasts are catered for by a range of companies including Showshifter, which has been in this market for years. The latest version, Showshifter 3, now includes support for digital video cards in the DVB version, although a cheaper analogue version is available.

They give it 4 out of 5, and conclude

Overall, Showshifter misses out on the simplicity of a Microsoft Media Center. However, it doesn't require you to buy a whole new PC to get this functionality. It's a little trickier to set up, particularly with TV guides for the PVR.

If you like tinkering with home theatre PCs, though, it's the perfect piece of software. It's very configurable and doesn't force you to opt for specific hardware or services. As such, it's the perfect counterpart for a compact barebones PC, and for anyone who has the time to build a home theatre computer to suit their specific needs.

Read the whole review.

Press Release: Hauppauge and Home Media Networks partner to offer "Ultimate Media PC Experience"

- Industry leaders integrate Showshifter and Hauppauge WinTV cards
- Discounted Hauppauge/ Showshifter packages
- Free and discounted software for Hauppauge owners

Hauppauge Digital, the world leader in analogue and digital TV cards, and Home Media Networks Ltd, authors of Showshifter, the best-selling home entertainment software, have joined forces to offer the "ultimate media PC experience" with free software, discounted software and bundled hardware/ software packages for UK buyers.

Free and discounted software
Hauppauge will include "ShowShifter SE" free with all its analogue TV tuner cards, and has made ShowShifter SE available for free download from www.hauppauge.co.uk. Showshifter SE is a special edition of ShowShifter, for Hauppauge users, that includes most of the facilities in the full version, such as scheduled record/ playback/ pause live TV facilities.

In addition, owners of Hauppauge's analogue TV tuners will be able to upgrade to the full version, Showshifter 3.0, for $39.99 inc VAT, a reduction of $20 from the regular price. The software can be purchased via www.hauppauge.co.uk. Pricing is in dollars and includes VAT.

Bundles
The full version of ShowShifter for Hauppauge is available for purchase with a Hauppauge product now from the showshifter web site www.showshifter.com. Showshifter 3.0, which includes its own remote control, can be bought along with a choice of Hauppauge analogue and digital terrestrial (Freeview) cards from $79.99 inc VAT.

"Showshifter has long been recognised as the best third-party home entertainment software and we are impressed with their PVR (Personal Video Recorder) technology," said Yehia Oweiss, Managing Director of Hauppauge Digital. "We are pleased to be working more closely with Home Media Networks, particularly in the development of the TV technology."

Home Media Networks CEO, John Croft, echoes this, "Hauppauge is the undisputed world leader in TV technology for PCs and we are delighted to be working with them to offer Showshifter/ Hauppauge packages for UK consumers."

The technology has matured considerably in the last 24 months, say the companies. The introduction of Windows XP Media Center PCs has also provided a boost to sales of WinTV products in general, fuelled by consumers' desire to put the PC in the living room, but wary of the high prices of the Microsoft products.

Bundled packages available for purchase at the ShowShifter web site include Version 3.0 of ShowShifter. The award-winning home entertainment PC software allows users to watch, record and time-shift (pause) TV, play DVD videos and listen to radio, CDs and MP3 music files all through one interface, providing a unique entertainment experience. The ability to control Showshifter with a remote control enables the consumer to use the product from anywhere in the room, as with conventional home entertainment products.

Consumers can choose between Hauppauge's WinTV tuners, which include analogue tuner and a digital terrestrial tuner (to receive Freeview). The analogue tuners adds the "traditional" five terrestrial TV channels to the PC. The digital terrestrial (DVB) tuners add over 30 digital TV channels and over 20 digital radio channels to the PC (check www.freeview.co.uk for area reception).

When combined with a Hauppauge DVB card, Showshifter provides an integrated electronic programme guide (EPG) searchable by programme, actor or keyword ensuring that users never miss a show again.

A choice of internal tuner card (PCI) or external tuner box (USB) is available. Pricing for the bundles is as follows:
Showshifter 3.0 + Hauppauge WinTV Express (analogue) $79.99
Showshifter 3.0 + Hauppauge WinTV USB (analogue) $99.99
Showshifter DVB 3.0 + Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T PCI (Freeview) $199.99
Showshifter DVB 3.0 + Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T USB (Freeview) $249.99

Dollar pricing includes delivery anywhere in Europe but excludes VAT.

Home Media Networks Ltd is a company focused on the fast growing digital entertainment sector, producing software that runs on standard PC platforms to allow the user to watch, record and pause TV, play DVDs, and listen to radio, CDs and MP3 music files. Its solution, ShowShifter, allows the user to pause a TV show to be replayed later and can be controlled remotely using a standard infrared remote control. Through unique FarView technology interaction works equally well close up or at a distance from the screen. Showshifter is a replacement for TV, VCR, DVD and CD players in a traditional household, thus introducing numerous cost savings for the consumer. Home Media Networks Ltd is headquartered in Edinburgh, UK.

Hauppauge Digital is the world leader in desktop TV products, with a range covering PC and Mac, analogue and digital, satellite television broadcast, teletext, FM stereo radio, Dolby surround and video capture. In addition the company has recently moved into the set-top box market with the Freeview receiver range. Prices range from 29.99 to 199 inc VAT.
www.hauppauge.co.uk

WinTV and DEC Product is available online and on the high street, from Amazon, Comet, Dabs, eBuyer, Inmac, Insight, John Lewis, Light Computer Systems, Maplin Electronics, MicroDirect, MicroWarehouse, Micro Anvika, PCUpgrader, PC World, Procom Direct, RS Components, Savastore.com, Scan, SMC Direct, Staples, Technomatic, Time Computers.

Press Release: InterVideo Unveils New PVR and DVD Burning Capabilities for InstantON PC/CE Convergence Technology at CeBIT 2004

Single Software Solution Enables PCs with CE-like Access and Remote Control for Watching TV and Recording Straight to Disc, Playing Videos, Listening to Music

HANNOVER, GERMANY, March 22, 2004 -- InterVideo®, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII), a leading provider of middleware solutions to tier-one consumer electronics and PC manufacturers worldwide, announced today that it has added new Personal Video Recorder (PVR) capabilities and DVD burning functionality to its innovative InstantON technology. InterVideo will be demonstrating the power and versatility of its newly enhanced software at CeBIT 2004, Booth A42, Hall 22 this week. InterVideo InstantON is a modular solution that brings the benefits of a consumer electronic (CE) device to a PC, turning it into a cost-effective home entertainment center. A new concept in PC/CE convergence, InstantON delivers TV, radio, music, videos and burning to DVD with the fast, CE-like access and the remote control consumers prefer. With the new PVR tools that have been added, InstantON can also be used for time-shifting capabilities that allow users to pause and replay live TV and record favorite shows for later viewing. The enhanced capabilities of the DVD burning feature allows users to quickly burn TV programs and videos directly to DVD to be enjoyed in their living room, on their laptop or shared with family and friends.

InterVideo InstantON's dual-boot configuration allows a single PC to be used for both computing tasks and entertainment. After a brief boot-up in LinuxÒ (about 10 seconds), all of the multimedia activities consumers have come to expect from a complete home entertainment center can be accessed using a remote control, similar to a CE-device. When consumers want to use the PC to access their work-related files or the Internet, they can easily move into the Windows mode (which requires the full Windows load time).

InterVideo InstantON builds on the reliability and power of InterVideo WinDVD®, and LinDVD™ the playback/navigation software selected by industry leaders for their PCs and high-end CE devices. In addition, the PVR functionality is based on InterVideo's award-winning WinDVR™ and LinDVR™ products for viewing TV on a PC with time-shifting functionality, giving the user complete control of their TV experience.

By including remote control support for the multimedia features, InstantON makes moving from one entertainment application to another as fast and easy as changing the channel on a TV set. Users simply push the Play button to watch DVDs, VCDs, and home videos with outstanding clarity; listen to music with rich surround sound; and watch or record TV programs--all from the comfort of their living room couch.

With InstantON's new PVR and DVD burning features, consumers can record TV programs directly to DVD or to their PC's hard drive and can view them at their convenience. By using the time-shift recording capabilities, consumers can avoid missing part of their TV program if there is an interruption. They can also use the PVR capabilities to pause playback at any time, fast forward/backward, or instantly replay a segment.

Availablility
InterVideo InstantON is currently available from InterVideo only to OEMs for evaluation and integration and is not sold as stand-alone retail software. The modular nature of the product enables OEMs and middleware developers to create customized solutions and to incorporate only the features that are required for a particular device. InstantON, includes the OS, BIOS, drivers, modules (engines), applications, user interface and remote controller. InterVideo also offers consulting services to assist OEM InstantON customers with product planning and customization, hardware driver fine-tuning, inter-company software integration, planning test procedures and product updates.

About InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo is a leading provider of DVD software. InterVideo has developed a technology platform from which it has created a broad suite of integrated multimedia software products that allow users to capture, edit, author, burn, distribute, and play digital video. InterVideo's software is bundled with products sold by the majority of the leading PC OEMs. The company is headquartered in Fremont, CA with regional offices in Europe, Taiwan, China and Japan. For more information, contact InterVideo at 510/651-0888 or visit the company's Web site at www.intervideo.com.

Press Release: MainConcept releases PVR software for Windows

Aachen, Germany – March 15, 2004 – MainConcept, a world leader in codec and video editing technology, today announced the immediate availability of MainConcept PVR, full-featured Personal Video Recorder software for Microsoft® Windows®. The PVR uses MainConcept’s fast, high-quality MPEG codecs to record material from television via a video card. Commercials and other unwanted portions can be easily removed, and the material can be burned directly to a DVD, Video CD or Super Video CD.* MainConcept PVR includes a user-friendly interface with many powerful features:

* Compatibility with a wide variety of video capture cards
* CD/DVD authoring/burning engine; lets users record material directly to DVD, VCD or SVCD format
* Full MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 support
* Timeshifting; allows playback of clips while recording
* Compatibility with numerous worldwide video standards
* Powerful recording timer and playlist support
* Automatic ad detection and deletion

"The MainConcept PVR marks our entry into a new category of software" said Markus Moenig, founder and CEO of MainConcept. "By combining our acclaimed codecs with an innovative interface, we offer a fun-to-use product which can replace the need for hardware encoding cards."

MainConcept PVR is now available for purchase and immediate download at http://www.mainconcept.com/pvr.shtml for the low price of just US$39.90. A free demo version is available. The product is also available for OEM bundling.

About MainConcept

MainConcept is a worldwide leader in codecs and video editing technologies for personal computers, set-top boxes and other devices. The company’s Motion JPEG, DV, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 codecs are used in products from Microsoft TV, Adobe Systems, Sony Pictures Digital, Discreet, Sonic Solutions, Sorenson Media, Ulead Systems and many more leading companies. An H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) codec will be released soon. MainConcept offers SDKs which make it easy for companies to implement codecs and other multimedia features with minimal research and development. The company also has a line of innovative end-user video editing and compositing software which is also available for OEM bundling.

MainConcept AG is headquartered in Aachen , Germany , where it was founded and has operated for more than 10 years. The U.S. subsidiary, MainConcept LLC, was established in 2001 in Beachwood , Ohio .

Additional information is available from MainConcept’s general site at http://www.mainconcept.com/ and from the developers site at http://developer.mainconcept.com/.

SnapStream Beyond TV 3.4

TechTV has a review of this software to turn your PC into a PVR...

People love PVRs for tailoring TV to their schedules and not the other way around.

With SnapStream's Beyond TV 3.4, a PC (sorry Mac fans) can perform the same tasks as a set-top PVR such as ReplayTV or TiVo -- plus a few extras.

As you'll see on this week's "Fresh Gear," Beyond TV gives you even more flexibility for watching and recording your favorite programs.

ATI delivers HDTV reception and PVR capabilities on the PC

An ATI press release reports

Crystal clear HDTV broadcasts can be enjoyed on the PC with the new HDTV WONDER™ announced today by ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY, NASDAQ:ATYT). North American customers will be able to tune in and watch high-definition television (HDTV) programs on the PC without having to purchase an expensive TV that could cost more than $2,000. HDTV in North America offers up to 5.5 times the pixels (dots that comprise the screen) as standard TV resolution resulting in amazing picture quality.

In addition to supporting analog NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) cable, the HDTV WONDER add-in video card allows consumers to experience the new ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) digital, free-to-air HDTV broadcasts without having to subscribe to cable or satellite subscription services. HDTV WONDER offers the best advanced personal video recorder (PVR) on the PC today enabling consumers to watch, pause and record both analog and HDTV programs -- powerful features beyond the capabilities of most current consumer and PC-based appliances. Additionally, HDTV WONDER leverages the PC’s capabilities by offering the ability to archive content directly to DVD for personal use. HDTV WONDER complements ATI’s RADEON™ line of video cards that deliver the industry’s only full HDTV decoder and display capabilities.

“ ATI is simply unrivaled in the analog PC TV space,” said Godfrey Cheng, Director of Marketing, Multimedia Products, ATI Technologies Inc. “In 2004, ATI will continue to perfect our analog technologies and introduce new digital television (DTV) products such as HDTV WONDER – concrete proof of how ATI’s investment in television and video technologies is coming to fruition. By leveraging our core DTV technologies and the power of the PC, ATI has delivered a PC product that has more functionality than many of today’s more expensive consumer electronics devices.”

Consumers in the home and office can now receive DTV content in more places than ever before. Popularly rated TV programs, such as major league sporting events, soap operas, and prime-time shows, are all broadcast in HDTV. The National Association of Broadcasters (www.nab.org) reports there are currently 1,155 DTV stations on air in 203 markets, serving 99.42 per cent of United States’ TV households.

HDTV WONDER incorporates ATI’s own NXT2004™ VSB/QAM receiver designed to receive off-air DTV signals in a wide variety of challenging terrestrial signal reception environments. NXT2004 integrates features such as advanced multipath cancellation, tuner control and all-digital carrier recovery circuitry that eliminates the need for any other external components. When combined with the award-winning software application suite, ATI’s MULTIMEDIA CENTER, ATI can deliver a product that will simply revolutionize the PC and the North American TV market.

Starting this spring, HDTV WONDER will be available as a bundled purchase with selected ALL-IN-WONDER video cards and separately on ATI.com followed by broad distribution in retail stores. Additionally, HDTV WONDER will be offered in Hy-Tek’s Tekpanel 300HD and the Tekpanel 370HD (http://www.tekpanel.com), wide-screen all-in-one multimedia computers for home or office. The Hy-Tek solutions offer state-of-the-art 30-inch diagonal WXGA TFT/LCD, full-color, wide screen displays to showcase the digital detail found in HDTV broadcasts.