EDITION: U.S.
CEDIA
DirecTV shows off high end HR21 PVR
by Brad Linder, posted Sep 8th 2007 11:59AM

The HR21 Pro will be a rack mountable unit capable of recording 100 hours of HD programming in MPEG-4. It also packs an optical HDMI port for running long fiber optic cables without signal loss.
But for some reason or other, DirecTV has left out any ATSC tuners, meaning you won't be able to record over the air HDTV signals. DirecTV is rapidly adding HDTV channels to its lineup, so this might not be an issue in the long run. But for now, if you've got $1000 burning a hole in your pocket, you might be better off picking up a Series3 TiVo. Or better yet, get a TiVo HD and donate the rest to a good charity.
Microsoft announces Media Center support for 4 CableCards
by Brad Linder, posted Sep 5th 2007 6:01PM

Microsoft has announced that Windows Media Center machines will now be able to support up to 4 CableCards, allowing users to record 4 HDTV cable shows simultaneously. This from the company that for years wouldn't include support for more than 2 standard definition TV tuners.
As you would expect, a machine capable of recording 4 HDTV shows is not going to come cheap. Niveus and Exceptional Innovation are the first two companies to offer support for quadrupling your pleasure. Neither company is known for making entry level devices.
Niveus will make systems that can work with multiple external tuners, while Exceptional Innovation will make a monster machine like the one shown above with four internal slots. EI is showing off a sample at the CEDIA expo.
Microsoft also plans to announce new partners for its media center extenders at CEDIA tomorrow. Up until now, the Xbox 360 has been the only media extender device that works with Windows Vista. CEPro reports that Microsoft will show off two devices from new partners tomorrow. No word on who those partners are.
[via Brent Evans]
As you would expect, a machine capable of recording 4 HDTV shows is not going to come cheap. Niveus and Exceptional Innovation are the first two companies to offer support for quadrupling your pleasure. Neither company is known for making entry level devices.
Niveus will make systems that can work with multiple external tuners, while Exceptional Innovation will make a monster machine like the one shown above with four internal slots. EI is showing off a sample at the CEDIA expo.
Microsoft also plans to announce new partners for its media center extenders at CEDIA tomorrow. Up until now, the Xbox 360 has been the only media extender device that works with Windows Vista. CEPro reports that Microsoft will show off two devices from new partners tomorrow. No word on who those partners are.
[via Brent Evans]
DirecTV to show off new HD PVR at CEDIA
by Brad Linder, posted Sep 1st 2007 12:00PM

The HR21 features 100 hours of HD recording capacity, which is about double what you get with the HR20. The unit is also rack mountable, although we hope the mounts are optional. We'd rather just sit this thing under our TV where any good consumer oriented device belongs.
The flier also says the HR21 will include an "optical HDMI port," which will allow you to transmit digital signals over fiber optic cable. Oh yeah, and this will be the first DirecTV box to support 1080p output. On the downside, there's no over-the-air antenna input for anyone who can't get their local stations in HD from DirecTV.
[via Engadget and technabob]
TV Squad Hot Topics
Most Popular Articles
From Our Partners
- TV Ratings: 'American Idol' beats 'Big Bang Theory,' but CBS wins Thursday
- 'Extreme Couponing: Black Friday Blitz' sneak peek
- 'Gossip Girl' sneak peak: Blair is looking for love...sort of
- 'American Idol': Amy Brumfield brings the plague to Group Day
- 'The Big Bang Theory': Almost perfect
- More From Zap2it
- Nikita's Melinda Clarke Previews 'Fascinating' Amanda Flashback: 'She Is a Ruthless Creature'
- Ratings: The Mentalist Sees a Season High, Grey's Rises, 30 Rock Pops and The Office Falls
- Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on NCIS: LA, Person of Interest, House, Big Bang, White Collar and More
- Vampire Diaries Boss Talks Offing Originals, Teases 'Major Jeopardy' for All by Season's End
- Project Runway All-Stars Recap: Seasonal Subjective Disorder
- More From TVLine
- ‘We Take Care of Our Own' Video: Sing Along With Bruce Springsteen
- Watch a Supercut of James Lipton's Most Absurd Questions
- Watch Gloria Estefan's Campy New Video, ‘Hotel Nacional'
- Movie Review: The Imagination-Lacking Journey 2: Mysterious Island
- DreamWorks Is Remaking Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca
- More from Vulture
