Look out, Slingbox: Sony announces new LocationFree TV models

September 05, 2006

Sony's new LocationFree LF-B20 Base Station

Sony today updated its LocationFree TV product lineup with three new models due to hit stores in October. In addition to two new Base Stations, the $200 LF-B10 and $250 LF-B20, the LocationFree line will now include the $230 LocationFree TV Box, a first-of-its-kind receiver client that enables LocationFree broadcasts to be viewed on other TVs in the user's household--essentially creating a virtual cable or satellite box in any room within the reach of a home network.

Like the Sling Media Slingbox, Sony's LocationFree products enable viewers to view and control TV channels from their home cable or satellite boxes on any broadband-connected PC, be it elsewhere in the home or anywhere in the world. In fact, Sony's first LocationFree products--the LF-X1 and the LF-X5--were available a year before Slingbox's summer 2005 debut, but they were hobbled by high prices, the need for proprietary hardware, and a steep learning curve when it came to installation and setup. The company followed up with the improved LF-PK1, a simplified Base Station that let users watch TV with a PC software client or on the Sony PSP (so long as it was in range of a Wi-Fi signal), but that $350 device remained more expensive and harder to use than the Slingbox, which had since undergone a number of substantive firmware and software upgrades.

The LocationFree TV Box

But the third time may well be the charm for the Sony. On paper, at least, the latest LocationFree offerings offer a compelling mix of features and value, including some that trump the Slingbox. Both new Base Stations equal the Slingbox's ability to control one or two devices (a cable or satellite box plus a DVD player or DVR, for instance) that are connected via composite or S-Video inputs. But the new LocationFree boxes boast updated chipsets that can utilize H.264 AVC video encoding (the same efficient video compression used by the video iPod, as opposed to the older MPEG-2 version found on previous LocationFree boxes), and the LF-B20 incorporates 802.11a/b/g wireless, so--unlike the Slingbox and the otherwise identical LF-B10--it can interface with a home network via Wi-Fi without the need to connect an Ethernet cable. Moreover, Sony is expanding the ways in which you can watch LocationFree streams. Currently, the video from existing and future LocationFree Base Stations can be viewed on any broadband-connected Windows PC (using Sony's software); Mac OS X machine (using software from I-O Data); Sony PSP (just upgrade to the latest 2.50 or later firmware); or even one of the original LocationFree LCD tablets, such as the aforementioned LF-X1. The company is also working with Japanese software developer Access (owner of the Palm operating system) to develop a Windows Mobile client for handhelds and smart phones. But the introduction of the TV Box is a notable addition: the hardware client can turn any TV in the house into a LocationFree viewer. It can receive signals from the LocationFree Base Station via Ethernet or wireless (802.11a/b/g) networking, and you can use an onscreen soft remote to access the full functionality of the source devices.

If you're keeping score, the Slingbox can stream to software clients on all things Windows (PCs running Windows 2000 and XP, plus Windows Mobile PDAs and smart phones), and a long-delayed Mac client should finally be available before the end of 2006 (CNET's seen a working beta, and yes--it's a universal binary that works on older PowerPC and newer Intel OS X Macs). Slingbox beats the Sony offerings on price: it's available online for between $150 and $200, though you'll need to pay $30 extra for the Windows Mobile software--but the built-in wireless on the LF-B20, the TV Box client, and the PSP viewer are intriguing and worthwhile upgrades that Slingbox can't currently match. (When asked if the PlayStation 3 could act as a LocationFree TV client, Sony's answer was a curt "no comment.")

Of course, we have yet to actually test the latest incarnation of LocationFree TV, so it remains to be seen if it can approach the ease of setup, smooth operation, and overall polish found with the current iteration of Sling's software and firmware. Moreover, it's a safe bet that the Slingbox team won't take Sony's challenge sitting down. But the increased competition in the "placeshifting" market is certainly great news for consumers, who are getting more choices at more affordable prices.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TiVo cuts deal with Cox, hints at Series3 HD box

August 24, 2006

The Series3 box makes an appearance on TiVo's Web site

TiVo has partnered with Cox Communications to deliver a customized version of its DVR service. It's the second such deal for TiVo, which had previously announced a similar arrangement with Comcast. Under the agreements, TiVo will customize and deploy its software to existing DVRs already in the field. So, instead of running the existing ho-hum operating systems and user interfaces, customers will get access to the slick TiVo interface instead.

TiVo-branded service is scheduled to be available to Comcast and Cox customers (in "select markets") by the end of 2006 and the middle of 2007, respectively. The end-user details haven't been disclosed, so we're left to speculate what the service would be like for users. The Cox press release notes that viewers will get TiVo basics such as the Wish List, Season Pass, and Kid Zone functions, but--because the TiVo service is essentially a software upgrade--they'll be sacrificing the ability to access the sort of downloadable digital media and Web-centric features you'll find on a standalone Series2 TiVo. That said, they should also, in theory, retain existing conveniences of their old cable boxes, such as (for instance) dual digital tuner support, HD video, and access to video-on-demand and pay-per-view services, none of which are available through existing TiVo boxes. Pricing is also up in the air, but we'd bet that providers will assess a surcharge for the TiVo upgrade--and maybe for the privilege of owning a nice TiVo remote as well--splitting the profits with TiVo, of course.

Elsewhere on the TiVo front, the company is edging closer to the release of its Series3 boxes. The TiVo Web site now includes a prominent teaser link which allows you to submit your e-mail address for more info once it becomes available. Unlike the Cox/Comcast "software" TiVos, the Series3 box will replace your existing cable box. Based on information from its cameo appearance at January's Consumer Electronics Show, the Series3 box is said to offer dual digital tuners (the ability to record two digital or high-def channels simultaneously) in addition to all of the features available in current TiVo models. Because it utilizes two CableCard tuners, it should work with any digital cable provider in the United States.

Note: CNET Networks is one of several content providers for TiVo's TiVoCast broadband video service.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update: Federal court reverses injunction against Dish Network's DVRs

August 18, 2006

Dish probably won't turn its DVRs off, but it may have to deal.

A federal court today has temporarily blocked the injunction against satellite broadcaster EchoStar Communications, parent company of Dish Network, that would have required the company to cease sales and operation of its DVR devices. At the moment, Dish can continue with business as usual, according to the stay.

Yesterday a Texas judge ordered EchoStar to disable its DVR service within 30 days. The order would have affected "several million" Dish DVRs, nearly all of those on the market today. The judge further denied EchoStar's request for an injunction staying the order pending appeal.

I'm no legal expert, but I would be very surprised if EchoStar actually had to shut down any of its DVRs. EchoStar was strongly encouraged by the Texas judge to strike a licensing deal with TiVo, and fought back with appeals. Both DVR heavy-hitters Comcast and DirecTV have already inked deals with TiVo.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Slingbox software and firmware update now available

August 18, 2006

One of the skins that you can apply to the SlingPlayer.

Sling Media has quietly released the latest build of the Slingbox desktop software. Version 1.3.176, available at CNET Download.com, adds better speed and resolution when streaming on a home network, a conflict manager for disconnecting unwanted remote logins (the player remains limited to one viewer at a time), the ability to skin the software viewer, and an audio-only mode that maximizes by utilizing bandwidth that would otherwise be used for video (perfect for satellite radio fans). Additionally, the software can now easily toggle between standard (4:3) and wide-screen (16:9) aspect ratios.

A detailed list of feature upgrades is listed on Sling's Web site. (The software upgrade also updates the Slingbox firmware.) Some features are appearing for the first time, while others--such as the software skins--have been seen in earlier beta releases.