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TiVo Home Media Trial
The Memorial Day weekend has given us a chance to catch up on a little televisual entertainment, and while playing with the TiVo we discovered that TiVo is currently offering a free trial of its "home media option"—the feature that allows you to stream your mp3s and photos from your computer to your tv via a wireless network. It also lets you schedule recordings via the web if you've forgotten to set your TiVo to record your favorite show (I've never felt a need for this feature, but there it is). Before trying it out, I didn't think the Home Media Option was really necessary, but now that I can sit on my couch and use the TiVo remote to thumb through every one of the thousands of mp3s and photos on my computer, I'm starting to think $100 isn't a bad price.
Cool things you should be able to do with this but currently can't:
- Stream your photos/music to any TiVo you choose. Then you could share your photos/music w/your family and friends.
- Watch photo slideshows while listening to your favorite mix of mp3s. Currently, you can either look at photos or listen to your mp3s, you can't do both at the same time. Lame.
- Stream your iMovies or any other video on your computer to your tv. I'm guessing there are hacks to enable this, but I can't see what TiVo (or anyone else) would have to lose by making this possible right out of the box. (Perhaps worries that this will encourage people to download divX movies and stream them to their tvs?)
Times like this I realize that while the mac may be the most cruel of techno-mistresses, any technology can make you its impoverished plaything if you're not careful. I mean, one thing leads to another. You get cable and then you find new shows you must see. You're not around to see them all and you can't manage tapes in the vcr, so you get a tivo. Tivo saves lots of televisual entertainment, so you watch more and realize you need a better tv. And a sound system. And a home media option. And some home theater seating. And, and and....
Posted May 31, 2004 09:56 AM | tv land
