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Panasonic again giving tru2way a boost at Cable Show '09

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 1st 2009 at 7:15AM


Panasonic has consistently been one of the companies backing tru2way with the most hardware, and this year's Cable Show is no different. First up, its tru2way compatible plasma HDTVs are now on sale in Atlanta, with additional rollouts planned for the rest of '09 -- put host city Washington D.C. on the list for sure, since since Comcast has hooked the booth up to a live feed for demonstrations as previously seen in Denver. Don't have the scratch for a whole new TV just to experience the new tech? Say hello to the PCH2180 Advanced Multi-tuner tru2way set-top receiver (pictured) that's now shipping, an HD-DVR ready for multistream CableCARDs and includes a DOCSIS modem, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1 compatibility plus MoCA networking capabilities. Panasonic's taken the time to tie it to a prototype Easy Touch multitouch remote (video embedded after the break) that we were digging at CEATEC and CES alike, with this kind of investment the NCTA might be able to make us forget January's disappointment.

Gallery: Panasonic EZTouch multi-touch remote

Continue reading Panasonic again giving tru2way a boost at Cable Show '09

Verizon gears up for FiOS rollout in 27,000 Aimco apartments

by Darren Murph posted Nov 25th 2008 at 6:24AM


It's incredibly obvious that one of Verizon's main opportunities for growth in FiOS TV is locking down contracts with housing facilities and apartment complexes, and while we've seen some small to medium-scale rollouts before, this one takes things to a whole 'nother level. Last year, the provider inked a deal with Aimco that would eventually bring fiber-based FiOS services to residents of some 27,000 apartments in 11 states across the nation. Now, 100 Aimco properties from coast to coast will be lit up with FiOS TV / internet / digital voice services prior to the onset of 2009, and that should make for quite a few happy tenants this holiday season.

[Image courtesy of Apts247]

Digeo readies two Moxi set-top-boxes for release

by Darren Murph posted Sep 17th 2008 at 10:30AM

Are you ready to believe? While Digeo's road to the present has been laden with mishaps, the latest word has it that the company will indeed be rolling out two new products in the very near future. Of course, we've seen the plug pulled at the last minute before, but if everything holds up this time, we'll see a Moxi set-top-box arrive later this month on Charter. Additionally, "a second MSO" will be offering the unit in short order, and a retail box should ship in January. Sadly, that latter device won't have tru2way capability (though it will support a multistream CableCARD), but it should be noted that Digeo is also prepping a Moxi PC interface as well as wares that could tie into home automation setups. Hit the read link for the full spill -- just don't get your hopes up too high until we see a shipping confirmation.

Verizon posts official FiOS HD channel rollout dates

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 10:42AM


Although Oregon received those shiny new high-def channels a few days back, everyone else (Ft. Wayne notwithstanding) is wondering when exactly they can expect 'em. Verizon has just posted up an official rollout schedule, which has New York getting them today, Northern New Jersey on July 30th and the rest of the gang sometime in August. Let us know if your town gets anything early (or late), won't you?

[Thanks, J]

DISH Network adds four more HD local markets

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 3rd 2008 at 1:45PM

DISH Network just keeps on cranking down the list of its 22 markets slated for an HD upgrade in the summer/fall, with four going on line today: Albany - Shenectady - Troy, NY; Chattanooga, TN; Lansing, MI; and Syracuse NY. Hope the recent thunderstorms didn't knock anyone's power out, because now you've got one more reason to stay inside. As usual, we don't know what city will be next, but we expect more markets to be added soon.

DISH Network gets official with summer / fall HD locals

by Darren Murph posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:30PM Breaking News


Remember those 20-some-odd cities we heard were getting HD locals via DISH Network earlier this year? Yeah, the satcaster has just now gotten around to confirming what we already knew, but it's good to have something to hold 'em to, regardless. As of today, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Memphis, Tennessee can both look forward to seeing their local channels in high-definition, while 22 other markets are on the clock. As for timing, all we know is that these 22 will be launched sometime during summer / fall of 2008, but it looks like you'll be waiting patiently to find out if your market is closer to going live now or later. Tap the read link for the full list of locales.

Attention U-verse users: 2 HD / 2 SD rollout schedule gets leaked

by Darren Murph posted Jun 12th 2008 at 12:17AM Breaking News


Up until now, AT&T's rollout of 2 HD / 2 SD -- which, for those unfamiliar, enables U-verse users to record two high-def programs at once rather than just one -- has been hit or miss. Now, however, we've received a list of locales coupled with dates that gives a little rhyme and reason to the sporadicalness. A number of cities will be seeing the service activated in waves (or so it seems), and while some folks should be noticing the change at any moment, others could be waiting for a good while still. We won't keep you wondering any longer -- head on past the break for the entire list.

[Thanks, TRHC]

Continue reading Attention U-verse users: 2 HD / 2 SD rollout schedule gets leaked

DISH Network's summer HD locals rollout gets revealed

by Darren Murph posted May 23rd 2008 at 9:22PM


With April and May almost behind us, there's only one place left to turn our attention to: summer. During a recent DISH Network Retailer Chat, a snapshot was captured showing a list of locales in which the satcaster will hopefully flip on HD locals in the next few months. According to Satellite Guys' Scott Greczkowski, DISH will be turning the new list of cities on "as soon as it has them setup and running," and a number of those listed would have already been live if not for "technical delays." Ready to see if your town made the summertime cut? Head on past the break for the full list.

Continue reading DISH Network's summer HD locals rollout gets revealed

Forthcoming BD-Live rollout gets inspected

by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2008 at 6:21PM


Our favorite database of Blu-ray statistics has gone above and beyond the call of logging data and has detailed the forthcoming rollout of BD-Live titles. Granted, we already knew of -- and played with -- some BD-Live-enabled films, but this list goes beyond Saw IV and War and touches on flicks landing anywhere between next week and later this summer. Let's just hope designers come up with something a touch more riveting than Yakuza Fighter. Hit the read link and dig in!

Cox deploys SDV solution in Virginia, hopes to expand HD offerings

by Darren Murph posted Aug 24th 2007 at 9:44AM

Those following the inner workings of Cox Communications ought not be too terribly surprised here, but the company has reportedly selected BigBand Networks to provide a switched digital video solution. Better still, the cable operator also announced that it has "begun to deploy the solution in its Northern Virginia market." James Kelso, vice president of video engineering for Cox, was quoted as saying that "BigBand's SDV solution gives us the ability to dramatically expand programming -- particularly high-definition channels -- at a low cost-per-subscriber." Regrettably, there's no mention of what other locales can look forward to SDV next, and while Cox doesn't exactly say what new HD channels we can expect to see utilizing this newfound bandwidth, we'll be waiting in tense anticipation.

[Via MultiChannel]

Comcast's digital transition in Chicago rolls on, new HD channels launched

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2007 at 11:03PM


Shortly after Comcast made the bold move of yanking 38 analog channels from its expanded-basic analog tier, customer complaints unsurprisingly began to pour in. Thankfully, those chapped by the move have apparently learned to deal, as Comcast has witnessed a steep decrease in the amount of griping here in recent months. Better yet, the firm has decided to launch four new HD channels -- A&E HD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, and National Geographic Channel HD -- in the Windy City with the bandwidth it freed up. Kudos Comcast, way to get your priorities in order.

BT Vision quietly launches V-Box, IPTV services

by Darren Murph posted Dec 16th 2006 at 9:08PM

Although it's likely being overshadowed by the Queen's recent HDTV spending spree, the UK's BT Vision has quietly launched its own set-top box (dubbed V-Box) and IPTV service in hopes of carefully gauging response during the first few months. The company asserted that it wanted to avoid the manufacturing backlogs and "embarrassing supply delays," so it was waiting until "next Spring" to hit the ad campaign in full force. Nevertheless, the V-Box and its subsequent services are live and ready to go, and the pricing structure is quite desirable indeed. The IPTV package brings the entire suite of Freeview channels to the viewer at no cost, and the V-Box (capable of holding "about 80 hours" of content) is also delivered gratis save for £90 ($178) of connection / installation fees. The business model relies on users not being satisfied with the free programming at their disposal, and instead indulging in the plethora of on-demand movies, music videos, sports, and TV shows / replays at their fingertips. While we doubt this launch will steal too many customers away from Sky and NTL (soon to be Virgin Media), this price is most definitely right if you're content with free.




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