Cisco is planing a new set top box that looks like it could give TiVo a run for its money. The unit will feature a personal video recorder, wireless networking, and possibly the ability to stream photos and movies from a PC to your television set.

Cisco has made some big name acquisitions recently, including companies like Linksys, Scientific Atlanta and KiSS Technology. In other words, they've got one of the leading personal video recorder makers, one of the leading networking companies, and a startup that handles networked DVD players capable of sharing media throughout the house.

On the one hand, it sounds like Cisco's new box will kind of rock. On the other hand, there's no word on the pricing yet. If the company can get a low cost box to market before TiVo releases its rumored low cost unit, it might stand a chance.

What's interesting is that Scientific Atlanta provides set-top-boxes to a number of cable companies around the country, so it sounds like Cisco may actually be competing with itself by releasing a consumer oriented product.

[via Gizmodo]

Come July 1st, cable companies will no longer be able to ship cable boxes with built-in security. Motorola and Scientific Atlanta are ramping up production of CableCard boxes to meet the deadline.

Motorola has already begun shipping some boxes with HDTV tuners and PVR functionality.

The FCC rule doesn't require CableCard specifically, but that's the only technology currently available that meets the standards set by the FCC. Motorola and Scientific Atlanta are both working on boxes that use downloadable software for their security, but neither company will have a finished product available until next year at the earliest.

The upshot for PVR users who don't want to buy a new box from either company? Maybe the cable installation guy who comes to help configure your TiVo Series3 will finally know what to do with a CableCard soon.

[via Connected Home 2 Go]

Okay, I'm going to let the fact that Apricorn intentionally misspelled "expander" to make it sound more "x-streme." I'm even going to overlook the fact that their product is really nothing but an external hard drive. Why? Because it's nice to see some third party companies promoting hard drives for use cable company PVRs.

And Apricorn's even doing it at a reasonable price. $129 gets you a 250GB hard drive, while $199 gets you 500GB. Both units can be plugged into Scientific Atlanta 8300 boxe with eSATA ports. That should cover a large number of Cox and Time Warner cable customers.

The DVR Xpander includes a stand, eSATA cable and power adapter.