Tube News

by Tony Kilcollins
Spring 2001

Put Away that Set-top Box
TeleCruz Technology Inc. and Zenith Electronics Corporation are planning the first generation of interactive television sets. The new sets are scheduled for release in the first half of this year and promise easy access to interactive TV shopping services, e-mail, chat and Internet browsing without the need for a set-top box.
"Our partnership with Zenith represents a monumental step toward the future of interactive television," said Kris Narayan, founder and chairman of TeleCruz. "From the beginning, our mission has been to enable true interactivity by merging the broadcast and Internet worlds."

Re-working ReplayTV
ReplayTV has announced that it will no longer market personal video recorders such as the Panasonic Showstopper, but will instead concentrate its efforts on licensing its technology to set-top box manufacturers and network operators.
The company plans to offer software packages that will enable licensees to develop and launch their own appliances and systems using the award winning ReplayTV technology.
The free ReplayTV service will continue for those who have existing ReplayTV personal video recorders.

Warning: No Jumping with this Bungee
A new USB personal video recorder (PVR) will be available this spring from Pinnacle Systems Inc., a leader in broadcast and consumer video solutions.
Called Bungee, the new unit turns your PC into a PVR using an external USB device that gives you TV viewing and PVR functions without having to open up the computer.
Bill Loesch, vice president of marketing for Pinnacle Systems' Personal Web Division said, "The advantage to Bungee is that it allows users to watch recorded programs on their computer monitor or television."
Using the MPEG-2 format Bungee can stream TV programs in both directions over a standard USB port for playback and storage on the PC's hard disk.

Who's in Control? You Are!
UltimateTV from Microsoft promises to put you in more control of your television. The software giant and pioneer of WebTV has teamed up with DirectTV to offer a variety of home-theater components found in one box: satellite TV, Internet access and a personal video recorder.
In addition to the DirecTV monthly fee ($29.99 for basic service) UltimateTV service will cost $9.95 a month for up to 35 hours of digital video recording and the ability to pause live TV.
For an additional $5, subscribers can use their own compatible Internet service provider (ISP). The DirecTV programming sells separately.

More Hot Wired Homes on the Horizon
According to a new report by Parks Associates, nearly half of the new homes built by 2004 will be pre-wired for home networking and home control appliances. Satellite receivers, security systems, video cameras and household lights are some of the devices that are controllable by automated systems in a home that is wired for digital.
Kurt Scherf, who co-authored the report, said the main reason for the tremendous growth forecast is customer demand. As consumers become more aware of the possibilities available for home networking, wiring installation will evolve from an option to a requirement in their new homes.

Did You Know?
Internet users spend 3.8 hours per week watching TV while simultaneously surfing the Net.
(Source: Burke Inc. and NFO Interactive)