Netflix Comes To Tivo, AppleTV, and … Linux !

Tivo announced a few days ago that, if you are a subscriber to Netflix and Tivo services, then you can start receiving many Netflix titles on your Tivo box for no extra charge.




Unfortunately, this is only available to subscribers with TiVo HD, TiVo HD XL and TiVo Series3 DVRs. The majority of Tivo's subscribers are still Series 2 owners, so they will be forced to “upgrade” if they want this new service. The switch won't be that easy for those of us on satellite. Tivo's current model lineup does not really offer a solution for satellite subscribers. The HD and HD XL are cable only and there is no sign of the Series 3 on their site.


Think different: Netflix is coming to Apple TV and Linux

Linux PC and AppleTV users are about to gain the ability to stream Netflix's movies and TV shows directly to their systems. Although Netflix's instant watch service only officially supports Windows and Mac, Boxee expects to release Netflix streaming support to the Ubuntu version of its free A/V media center software within a couple of days, and says that adding Netflix streaming support to AppleTV asap is its top priority.

EyeTV Tuner - The Third Generation

If you're tuned into Macs more than Windows and have been using Elgato's EyeTVhardware and/or software, the new 3.0 version expands your options in a big way, enabling you to:

1. Watch, pause, fast-forward and rewind live television on your Mac, at your desk or in the comfort of your living room.
2. Search the Program Guide using any criteria.
3. Record hours of television.
4. Create subscriptions to TV series and topics of your choice.
5. Manage saved episodes, and organize them in Smart Playlists.
6. Edit unwanted content from your recordings
7. Put them into iTunes in one easy step.
8. Export for current media types and playback devices or burn to DVD.
9. Share EyeTV recordings with other Macs on a local network
10. Play back using Wi-Fi Access on an iPhone and iPod touch and selected smartphones.

Here is what Jeremy Horwitz, Editor-in-Chief of iLounge says:

"What's great about EyeTV is the incredible scope and generally smart, intuitive functionality of the software: what you get here is now officially leagues beyond what TiVo and its many lesser competitors offer in today's digital video recorders.

Warning: BubblePly Does Not Bubble on Macs

Following up on my December 20th post, I had an excellent discussion with Yoni Silberberg at PlyMedia on January 2. While it looks like we are in the small leauges for them, he suggested we check out BubblePly.com that anyone can use.


Anyone with a PC running Windows, that is. Unfortunately the site doesn't work with any of the Apple Mac browsers: Safari, Firefox, or Opera.

We are a Mac shop, so we need BubblePly/SubPly work on our platform. They do have a unique solution to add value to online video that we would want to use.

I sent Yoni an email with a request to let us know when their site is ready to work with Mac / Linux browsers.

UnBox TiVo and Find CreateSpace on Amazon

... continued from my post of Sept. 21:

Can you see the small TiVo logo below?



Yes, Amazon Unbox is now offering downloads to your TiVo box, in addition to your PC and Xbox 360 console. That obviously leaves out Mac and Linux users. We don't count anyway, so that's OK, till Microsoft eats Amazon's lunch....

Equally cool, for those of us cursed with some creativity and production skills is that Amazon UnBox has partnered with
CreateSpace to sell your masterpiece. The quickest and easiest way to submit your content to them is on your authored DVD. They can also use your tape to archive a master-quality file, then encode and author your DVD master.

Now all you have to do is ...

1. Create your blockbuster
2. Market the living daylight out of it
3. Sell it through Amazon UnBox, iTunes, CinemaNow, Netflix, Blockbuster,

etc. Easy ... except maybe the marketing part ....

Another Webcam Bites The Pixel Dust

Ebay to the rescue? I bid for and won another cam with great specs: 4 MP resolution, built-in microphone, digital zoom, guaranteed to work with Skype video, etc., etc. all for about $35! See the pix here:



All right, overseas shipping cost just as much, pound for pound, if you know what I mean.

Installation is almost a charm - everything works except voice input. Bam! BAM!! BAM BAM!!! Can't even start the webcam app next day - it just crashes and crashes...so does Skype. A frantic emailing session and new driver download later the same sequence of events repeats. Yuck!!!!

While I do make a point of buying from or supporting small vendors like myself, there comes a time when I can't be a guinea pig anymore. I must say, on the other hand, that the seller, UK Tech has proved to be very helpful in trying to make this thing work and accepting its return for a refund. I can heartily recommend them - but not for Mac gear....

P.S. The saga continues...the Microtek MV500 combo camcorder/webcam is already on its way!

Ezonics Webcam Zones Out

You want to upgrade your webcam or get a new one? Avoid any webcam from Ezonics. We are just returning our brand new iContact Pro II unit. It is advertised as "Mac compatible," which to them means:

1. It does not work with iChat
2. It's microphone (a separate Bluetooth device) does not come with a Mac driver

Their customer service will tell you that. After you point out that their their own web site and catalog say it works with iChat (never mind the mike), they just shrug it off. No "We are sorry about the wrong information, your troubles, etc." No remorse. No customer service. Just plain arrogance.

MT: Avoid Ezonics. They don't owe up to their own word. Fortunately, I bought the unit at Provantage. Although they mark webcams as "Non-returnable," they immediately offered to take it back after hearing about my travails. What a great service - and great prices too!