The DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is something that has become the ‘norm’ with services like Sky+, and Virgin Media’s TIVO boxes.
The ability to record many shows on the fly, and pause/rewind live TV as it records as you watch.
Right?
The Simple.TV is coming out soon and it intends to shake things up a bit. How does your DVR record data? A hard drive inside the unit? Yes?
The Simple.TV differs in the fact it doesn’t have a hard disk at all inside to record. What’s more, it doesn’t have any digital outs or any physical outs for that matter to transmit video to sources either.
So how does the Simple.TV work around these “flaws”?
Well, to counteract the fact it has no hard drive, you can connect a USB hard drive to the unit via the USB slot. Step 1 complete.
To transmit video, it then uses your home network, and streams the data directly to a video source, password protected if you wish.
Supported devices at launch will include Roku, iPad, Boxee, and Google TV. I’m guessing an app will be available for each to allow the device to connect to these devices.
In the UK, you will have access also to all Digital Freeview HD channels.
The Simple.TV will cost $150 in the US, with no pricing yet confirmed for the UK, but will ship around 6 months after the US schedule.
For an extra $4.99 a month, you will gain access to some special services; A Series Link which will automatically record shows, an Electronic Programme Guide with detailed data, and the ability to stream the data to 5 separate devices at once.
Of course, the Simple.TV will be limited to your internet connection bandwidth, with slower speeds offering less quality than typical HD images to the devices in question.
Unlike other DVR boxes, you will only be able to record one live stream at any one time as well. You would have to physically stack these devices up to record more than one.
Another limitation is the fact it has no Wi-Fi ability. It does however have an Ethernet connector, but the router would have to be pretty close by for this to be plausible.
What do you think? Sound off down below.
