SnapStream Media Announces Launch of Beyond TV 4 DVR Software Featuring Support for Recording HDTV, DivX, Browse by Category, and FM Radio
(ContentDesk) November 10, 2005 -- SnapStream Media, Inc., a leader in digital home entertainment products, announced today the launch of Beyond TV 4, a completely new version of its award-winning DVR software that supports DivX, FM Radio, recording of over-the-air (OTA) digital and HDTV content, and a new browse by category feature, as well as numerous stability and performance improvements.Added HDTV SupportWith the broadcast flag being struck down this summer, consumers will continue to be able to capture HDTV content on their DVR PCs.
Support for capturing HDTV shows broadcast on digital channels offers Beyond TV 4 users six times the picture quality of standard definition television, along with impressive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
The combined sharper picture and sound now brings the highest quality picture to Beyond TVs already intuitive and feature-rich DVR experience.
Additionally, Beyond TV 4s electronic program guide creates customized, integrated program lineups for United States users which allow them to scroll through digital and analog channels in one easy-to-use program guide.DivX SupportBeyond TV 4s support of DivX allows users to record direct to DivX from software encode cards or ShowSqueeze" to DivX from any TV tuner card.
DivX files, at one-tenth the size of MPEG-2 files, are ideal for saving hard disk space and for transfer to portable media devices.Browse by CategoryBeyond TV 4s new browse by category feature makes finding movies and sporting events, as well as programs in other categories, quicker and easier than ever.
Search categories include movies, drama, comedy, sports, and more.Improved Multiple Tuner SupportBeyond TV 4 also features multiple tuner support with free additional multiple tuner at no additional cost.
This allows users to easily create systems with both analog and digital tuners, or with multiple tuners of either type.
Multiple tuner support enables users to record shows on analog and digital channels simultaneously with the appropriate hardware. FM Radio Beyond TV 4s FM Radio support allows users to experience FM radio on their DVR.
Users can skip commercials and replay their favorite songs.
In addition, integrated presets allow quick access to favorite stations. Other Improvements SnapStream Medias newest Beyond TV release features more than fifty features, stability and performance improvements.
These improvements include a faster program guide and search features, a redesigned user interface and support for advanced configurations, among other things.
The more than fifty new improvements are described on the companys website at www.snapstream.com/products/beyondtv/upgrade.asp. Beyond TV 4 is a major advancement in our DVR technology, said Rakesh Agrawal, CEO and president of SnapStream Media.
Were introducing a slew of new capabilities, including support for HDTV and digital TV, DivX and more useful search capabilities all delivered with the polish and finish that SnapStream is known for.
And apart from the big new features, Beyond TV is faster, more stable and easier to use than ever.
Its never been easier for a consumer to convert their PC into a powerful DVR. Beyond TV 4 is available for new users for $69.99.
Current users can upgrade for $29.99.
SnapStream Media is also offering HDTV bundles that include an HDTV antenna, a coaxial cable, and a compatible HDTV tuner card.
These bundles include everything a user needs for setting up an HDTV compatible DVR, and start at $99.99. Beyond TV 4 can be purchased at www.snapstream.com.About SnapStream Media, Inc. SnapStream Media, Inc. is a leading developer of digital entertainment products based in Houston, Texas. SnapStream Media's vision is to create high quality consumer entertainment experiences that leverage PC technology.
The company's digital video recording (DVR) software, Beyond TV" received PC Magazine's Product of the Year Award in December 2004. It was referred to as "an idea whose time has come" by the Associated Press and declared "better than TiVo" by Maximum PC. Interested parties can find more information about SnapStream Media and its products at www.snapstream.com..
Top 3 Ways To Buy An LCD TV
This may come as a surprise to you. Just like other types of big screen TVs, LCD flat screen TVs have some disadvantages, as well. Yes, it's true. For example, LCD TVs have lower contrast ratios than plasmas, because they have a harder time reproducing deep black and dark grays. Their screen also tend to be thicker than plasma screens.
However, a LCD flat screen TV is not susceptible to burn-in and usually is less expensive than plasma televisions.
LCD TVs also run cooler than plasma TVs, thereby minimizing the need for noisy fan cooling. Many LCD sets can double as a PC monitors, as well. In terms of longevity, LCD flat screen TVs can last up to 60,000 hours, whereas plasma TVs, on average, last 30,000 to 40,000 hours.
Ready To Buy a LCD Flat Screen TV?
So, you are all set to buy your first LCD flat screen TV? Cool! Here are some shopping tips before you set you mind on a particular model.
1. Check The Black-When you are shopping...
Hdtv > Top 3 Ways To Buy An LCD TV
DirecTV vs. Dish Network -- Which Is Better?
The satellite TV systems and services offered by DirecTV and Dish Network are almost identical -- both offer more than 250 program channels, all-digital programming, HDTV (high definition TV) options, and DVR (digital video recording) capabilities.
So when you compare DirecTV to Dish Network you'll discover the biggest differences between them are the subscription fees and programming.
Here is a blow-by-blow comparison of DirecTV vs. Dish Network ...
Satellite TV Equipment
Direct TV offers free satellite TV equipment (the dish and receivers), and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.
Dish Network gives you free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to four rooms of your home. You can get a DVR receiver or an HDTV receiver at no charge.
Satellite...
Hdtv > DirecTV vs. Dish Network -- Which Is Better?
EDTV: What You Should Know Before You Make That Purchase
Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is one of the many modern viewing technologies of our time. Often confused with HDTV capability, this is actually a compromise between standard TV and HDTV. In fact, the visual benefits are at least twice that of standard television, since EDTV technology offers a minimum resolution of 480p when used on a monitor. As a result, you'll find that this type of system is more expensive thanstandard television, yet cheaper than HDTV technology.While there's been a hew and a cry to purchase the more expensive ? and higher quality ? HDTV, there are actually some advantages to the "second best" EDTV version. First, there can be as much as a $1200 price difference between the two, and ? in some scenarios ? the viewing quality of EDTV is superior to that of its pricier counterpart.
For instance, there's only a 10% difference in quality when you're viewing two plasma TVs that have been produced by the same manufacturer, but the EDTV soars...
EDTV: What You Should Know Before You Make That Purchase
Hdtv > EDTV: What You Should Know Before You Make That Purchase
HDTV Installations Accelerate as Hotel Operators Look to Current Needs, Future Opportunities
Sioux Falls, SD (ContentDesk) May 11, 2006 --
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: LNET), the worlds largest provider of interactive television and broadband solutions to hotels, today offered insights into the accelerating deployment of high-definition TV , HDTV,
solutions across the hospitality industry.??? If what were seeing is any indication, 2006 will be the year HDTV accelerates toward critical mass in the lodging industry, says Scott C. Petersen, President & CEO of LodgeNet, who notes that the companys current and pending customer agreements contemplate HDTV for more than 160,000...
Hdtv > HDTV Installations Accelerate as Hotel Operators Look to Current Needs, Future Opportunities
High Definition DVD: A Primer
High definition DVD, also known as HD-DVD (which actually stands for High Density DVD), is one of two competing high definition storage formats - the other being Blu-ray (http://www.the-hdtv-tuner.com). The need for a new, high capacity storage format, has been primarily brought about by the rapid rise in popularity of HDTV in Japan and the US. HDTV has much higher bandwidth than either NTSC
or regular DVD discs, so in order to record programs from HD-DVD higher capacity discs, of at least 30GB, are required.High definition video is also being used increasingly to make Hollywood movies as it offers comparable quality to film at much less cost. Therefore, the studios plan to release future movies on one or both high definition formats.HD-DVD was developed by Toshiba and NEC and has the support of the DVD Forum, along with a number of Hollywood studios. Currently those studios which have announced support for HD-DVD are; Universal...
Hdtv > High Definition DVD: A Primer
Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"But is satellite TV really free?The answer to that question is yes ... and no.Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.Let's examine the facts.Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- Dish Network and DirecTV. Dish Network Satellite TV ServiceWhen you order a free satellite TV system from Dish Network, you will be asked to pay a $49.99 activation fee. This fee will be credited to your programming bill, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free.
Installation of your satellite TV system is also free.With Dish Network you have the option to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge.Dish Network programming...
Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
Hdtv > Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?