Earlier today I received the following press release from PlayTeeVee.com:

San Francisco, CA, September 8, 2007 - PlayTeeVee, a new service dedicated to providing big fun on the small screen, announces the launch of its games server that offers free casual games exclusively to TiVo users. Subscribing to the service is simple. The only requirements are a TiVo (series 2) and a broadband internet connection. A comfortable couch is optional but recommended. To get started, users simply add the PlayTeeVee game server’s IP-address to their TiVo. Games are then brought directly to the unit and played with the familiar TiVo remote control.

PlayTeeVee was created by two game industry veterans with a combined experience of over 30 years. The service evolved out of a desire to create a fun casual gaming experience suitable for the whole family. Currently on offer are four games and one read-along story: Star Strikers (a skill based soccer game), Puzzle Invaders (a puzzle / action game), Balloon Rally (an action game), and TeeVee Pool (a pool simulator). An intuitive interface lets the user navigate through the available titles on their TiVo with ease and gives information on updates and new games.

Staying in touch with the TiVo community is one of PlayTeeVee’s most important goals, which is why the service is free, although donations and advertisers are welcome. Users are encouraged to actively participate and offer suggestions for future games using the forum on www.playteevee.com.

Contact information: For more information, please visit www.playteevee.com or email contact@playteevee.com

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you try out what PlayTeeVee has to offer. The games are rather basic however, that hasn’t stopped me from being excited about this press release. The reason why I’m excited is because I’m happy to hear that there are developers out there who are still interested in developing TiVo HME applications. In my opinion, HME is one of the most important features that distinguish TiVo from other DVR solutions. I really wish that TiVo would update the HME SDK. I bet if they updated it, we would start to see HME development start up again. Several developers have expressed their frustration with the fact that TiVo has abandoned HME (there hasn’t been an update since 10/31/05). What do you think TiVo? Maybe it’s time for an update….

TiVo has added the TiVo HD to their TiVo rewards program. The TiVo HD is available for 50,000 points (10 referrals). Now all TiVo needs to add is the iPod touch and I would be happy :).

Finally available to TiVo Rewards(TM) the TiVo HD DVR is the ultimate HDTV companion. TiVo HD records up to 20 hours of your favorite shows in HD (or up to 180 in standard definition), and then plays everything back in pristine audio and video. It’s advanced broadband features allow you to download the latest movies or even search for your favorites from both broadcast and broadband content. Treat yourself to the perfect reward and get TiVo HD!

Here’s some news that we’ve all been waiting for…. Late last night TiVoPony (TiVo employee) posted a thread on TiVoCommunity letting everybody know that TiVo has plans to enable both TTG and MRV on the Series 3 & TiVo HD. According to TiVoPony, TiVo hopes to enable these features in November!

I wanted to let you know that development has been progressing smoothly, and all is well. You can expect TTG & MRV to be available for Series3 and TiVoHD this November.

These features will provide support for video transfers between Series3 & Series2 systems and between a Series3/Series2 system and a PC. High Definition content will not be supported for transfer or playback on a Series2 system (Series2’s just can’t play HD), and copy-protected High Def or Standard Def content cannot be transferred (same as our current Series2 products). The aptly yet unofficially named TiVoToComeBack also will be supported, including HD content.

I’m obviously very excited about this especially since I now own two TiVo DVRs (Series 2 & Series 3). I look forward to being able to use MRV between my two DVRs. I’m also happy that I will be able to transfer HD content off of my S3 (although it will probably be extremely slow).

I’ll post an update as soon as I hear more…

Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.

————————————————————————-———————————————-
As a side note, I would like to thank Wayne for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Wayne!

Another day another TiVoCast channel… This time around TiVo has added VOD Cars (www.vodcars.com) and highlights from the Speed Channel (www.speedtv.com) to the growing list of TiVoCast content.

VOD Cars is the #1 Broadband Car Network. We take videos that YOU shoot, edit, & submit to us, and then package them in to great episodes

Neither of these new additions interest me however, I’m sure there are some people out there who are interested. Nice job TiVo! Keep the new content coming…

Spotted on TiVoLovers & TiVoCommunity.

TiVo has published their annual fall TV guru guide. The guide allows you to click one button and have your TiVo record many of the best shows that are airing this fall.

Back with fervor! Get the best of the new TV season with our 2007 Fall TV Guru Guide, now better than ever, jam-packed with all of the network’s newest shows and all of your returning favorites. Get the whole guide, or schedule individual recordings and watch your Now Playing List flourish with crisp, cool fall TV! Your favorite premieres will automatically get added to this Guru Guide as they fall into the 14 day window of programming.

————————————————————————-———————————————-
As a side note, I would like to thank Chris for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Chris!

Yesterday, Stephen Mack (Director Of TiVoCast Operations) announced that TiVo has added Fox Sports to their growing list of TiVoCast content.

Weekly highlights of “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” from Fox Sports Network

Fox Sports can be downloaded to your TiVo either by accessing TiVo’s website or by navigating to the following menu on your TiVo: TiVo Central -> Find Programs -> TiVoCast.

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

So far I’ve been extremely happy with my $44.99 purchase of Roxio Popcorn 3. I purchased Popcorn mainly because I wanted an officially supported TiVoToGo solution for the Mac and also because I wanted to review the product.

Click on each of the following screenshots for some additional information…

————————————————————————-———————————————-
As a side note, I would like to thank Fred for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Fred!

Remember back in July when I blogged about how TiVo was offering a Series 2 DT DVR along with a free TiVo wireless adapter and a $15 Amazon Unbox gift all for only $97.94? Well, here’s a little reminder that the offer I just mentioned is about to expire. According to TiVo’s website, the offer ends on Sept 7, 2007.

If you decide to take advantage of this offer, I would appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo.