Digeo unveiled a software version of its DVR set-top box which lets PC users record TV from their computers. Digeo makes a line of media recorders called Moxi.

Users must have Windows XP, a TV tuner card to use the Moxi TV for PC software, which is available free during the beta trial period.

Other software-based DVRs include ReplayTV, BeyondTV, Windows Media Center and Orb.

[Via Download Squad]

Technorati Tags: Moxi, Digeo, DVR, PVR

So you want to watch HD programming but you don’t want to pay over $1,000 to buy an expensive HD TV set? Well, there’s another option: your laptop.

Pinnacle has a USB device that comes with an HD tuner and DVR software so that you can catch over-the-air HD programming on your computer. Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick ($99) comes with a full remote control, the ability to watch SD and HD programming, an A/V adapter for analog video capture and support for Windows Media Center. The cheaper non-Pro Stick version ($79) doesn’t come with the A/V adapter or remote control.

Now, ReplayTV has a similar device going on sale in November 2007 for $99. Last month, ReplayTV said it was releasing its “Personal HD” solution, a USB device with a multi-tuner and ReplayTV software.

I have a soft spot for ReplayTV since it was the first DVR I ever used. And I owned for for over 5 years. But about a year ago, I decided to upgrade to a Tivo because a) I wanted newer technology and more importantly b) I wanted to use my home network rather than have a home telephone line to get my DVR updates. My Panasonic ReplayTV ShowStopper didn’t support Ethernet and I no longer had a home phone.

Anyway, now ReplayTV is making hardware again (a USB device) even though it announced a few years ago it was no longer making hardware and making DVR software only.

ReplayTV is touting the ability to encode video into portable devices, like iPods, as well as the ability to stream shows over the Apple TV. But the Pinnacle Pro Stick encodes to iPods too.

ReplayTV’s solution comes with “one year of ReplayTV Electronic Program Guide service” which turns into $19.95 per year. Pinnacle also charges recurring fees after one free year of the electronic program guide, but it doesn’t list the price on their website.

The one bright spot for ReplayTV is the multiple-tuner support, but that will only work if additional tuners are installed. But out of the box, it doesn’t come with an additional tuner. ReplayTV says it works with tuners from companies like Hauppauge, ATI, and Pinnacle, however.

Overall, this an interesting trend. Portable HD DVRs on your laptop. It’s not quite a replacement of your TV and set-top DVR. But it can eliminate the need to buy a Slingbox if you’re just looking for a laptop solution.

The real competition will come with the DVR software. I’d give the edge to ReplayTV, since they’ve been doing this a lot longer than Pinnacle–but I haven’t actually played with either of these products. It’s just a gut instinct. An easy-to-use interface, good searching ability and managing your recorded shows can really make a difference to some users. Just look at how users love their Tivos primarily for its user interface.

But how big is this market? It seems very niche. Will end users really flock to these USB HD sticks? The price is good but the real downside is not getting all the cable HD channels if you’re just using the over-the-air HD signals. But adding a cable connector to your laptop really ties it down. There’s nothing as huge and bulky as a coaxial cable hanging from your laptop.

[Via ReplayTV press release]

Technorati Tags: ReplayTV, Tivo, USB HD

Mike Garcen at MissingRemote writes that he’s been getting lots of e-mails from ReplayTV about their new DVR software offering a “whopping 20% discount”. I’ve been getting them too, but I remember signing up to be on their list. And I haven’t asked to be removed–yet.

Yes, they are getting annoying, but since I follow the industry I figure it’s a small price to pay. And 20% is pretty cheesy.

I was a loyal ReplayTV customer for many years. From about 2000 to 2006, I owned the Panasonic ShowStopper DVR with about 30 hours of recording time. I later upgraded it with a bigger hard drive, which really helped me keep using the Replay for a few more users.

I would always scoff at Tivo users, with their pretty menus and cute sounds. My Replay was lots better, I would say. And in many ways, I still think the menu and user interface design are better than Tivo’s. (Check out my post where I offer suggestion to improve Tivo’s UI.) But I’ve been using Tivo for almost a year now and am used to Tivo’s interface. Some things still annoy me, but not like they used to.

I think it was a mistake for ReplayTV to get out of the hardware business, and switch to PC software only rather than a stand-alone DVR box. And I hope they can survive in the software DVR market, especially with established software like BeyondTV.