Quick Hits

TiVo Funnels More Internet Video Through DVRs

Alviso, Calif. — TiVo unwrapped plans to offer new Internet content and services through its digital-video-recorder service last week. Subscribers with a broadband-connected TiVo Series2 DVR will be able to access content

TiVo also will roll out a feature to “autotranscode” video content downloaded to Windows XP PCs as QuickTime, Windows Media and MPEG-4 files for viewing on TiVo-connected TVs.

A “unified search” feature set for 2007 is supposed to let subscribers search across broadcast TV and cable networks as well as Web video and other multimedia content that subscribers have stored on their TiVo-connected computers.

In addition, the company announced it will let subscribers share home videos with friends or family members with TiVo DVRs, via online service provider One True Media.

CableLabs Moves on Multistream CableCards

Louisville, Colo. — CableLabs will begin offering verification testing of plug-and-play devices like digital-video recorders with Multistream CableCards, referred to as M-Cards, beginning in January 2007 as part of CableLabs Certification Wave 49.

The M-Card interface is designed to allow multiple digital video streams to be decrypted simultaneously, allowing a subscriber to view one channel while recording another — without requiring multiple, separate cards.

DVRs are expected to be the first devices to use the multistream interface. The M-Card project is supported by TiVo, Motorola, Digeo, Solekai, Digital Keystone and ViXS.