HP releases MediaSmart add-in for TiVo, step-by-step guide
Earlier today HP released an awesome new add-in for their MediaSmart Home Servers. The MediaSmart Expander for TiVo allows you to copy your favourite recordings to the MediaSmart so running out of storage should never be an issue again. Another feature is the ability to stream those shows from your PC back through your TiVo to your TV.
This means you’ll never need to fork out for that Western Digital 1TB Expander drive, your own storage that you’ve already invested in. The only downside is the transfer is a manual one. So you’ll need to open the Home Server Console Periodically and transfer the show you wish to keep, then delete them from the TiVo. While that may seem annoying, the upside is the storage amount is only limited to the size of your Home Server array, which as you know is easily upgradable.
This Add-in is supported on HP MediaSmart EX490/EX495 and HP DataVault X510 models, earlier models are not compatible. On the TiVo side you’ll need a Series II, Series III, TiVo Premier. Both Australian TiVo models will work. One more caveat is that both the TiVo and MediaSmart must be on the same network. In the standard home setup, this isn’t an issue.
If you in the US, you’ll see a new Add-in available in the Settings screen of the Home Server Console. If your outside of the US, then head over to http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/everyday-computing/mediasmartserver/us/en/tivo.html and download the Add-in manually.
Step 1 – Setup
Copy the HPTivoExpanderAddin.msi file into the Software/Add-ins folder on your Home Server.
Step 2 – Install the add-in
Open the Windows Home Server Console, click Settings in the top-right corner.
Step 3 – Activate
Select the MediaSmart Add-in and click install. Once finished installing the Home Server Console will need to restart.
The next time you launch it, you’ll notice the addition of the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVO© item to the left-hand side menu.
Step 4 – Configure
There’s very minor configuration required before the devices can talk to one another. Simply click on the Configuration button at the top-right and enter your TiVo Media Access Key, available from your account page on http://tivo.com.au
Step 5 – Select
Once configured you’ll see the files stored on your TiVo. To transfer files to your MediaSmart, select each file (holding CTRL+click for multiple), when your ready to go, click the Transfer Selected Files button.
Once the Transfer is in progress, go make yourself a coffee, or 10.. this process is not fast. When complete the files (shows) will display in the third tab Files on Server where they can be deleted if you wish, or simply browse to the folder and delete them like normal files.
Step 6 – Location and Playback
After some investigation I discovered the files are actually transferred to \\MEDIASMART\Recorded TV\tivo. If you’d like to playback the files, you’ll need the TiVo Desktop software installed on your machine.
Step 7 – Watch on TV
Another option, and probably the more common, is for playback through the TiVo to your TV. To play the files (now located on your MediaSmart, scroll right to the bottom of your Now Playing list and you’ll find a new item called HP MediaSmart Server (MEDIASMART) where MEDIASMART is the name of your server.
That’s it, that’s all there is.. well except for an nice little easter egg.. those guys at HP seem to love them. Discovered by the guys over at mediasmartserver.net, if you double-right click on the TiVo DVRs Found section, you get a 4th tab Team Info.
In other news.. while hunting around HP site today I noticed, the HP EX490 MediaSmart Servers have dropped in price. I paid A$899 for mine only a few months back, they are now A$749.
More info @ HP.com
24/7 ABC News Channel Coming Soon
Yet another free-to-air TV channel will be launching in Australia soon. A 24 hour a day news channel from ABC will offer the latest commentary from reporters on the ground around the world as news breaks. Check out the video below for more details.
More @ ABC
3D Broadcast coming to Australia 2011 from Foxtel
One of the big problems with buying a new 3D television is where to find content. Sure the 3D Blu-ray format was just formalised, but expect it to be a while before they start hitting our shelves. Well Foxtel is leading the way in 3D content, announcing their intentions to begin 3D broadcasts in 2011.
More @ Gizmodo
7TWO now available in regional areas
It’s Christmas time for regional viewers, with yet another free to air channel launching. Despite being months behind the metro launch, regional customers can now get 7TWO PRIME.
7TWO will feature shows like Ugly Betty, LOST, 24, Heroes, Fifth gear and more. You may need to do a rescan on your TV to get the new channel.
TiVo ditches Yahoo7 TV Guide for AJAXy goodness: Genie
One of the nicer features of TiVo is the ability to schedule recordings remotely from any web browser. The TV Guide used for remote scheduling belonged to Yahoo, in association with channel 7. While technically it worked as advertised, the user experience was pretty poor. Slow page load times and far too many screens required to actually make the recording happen. Furthermore there was never any control for season passes, so TV shows had to be set for recording one at a time.
Launched yesterday is a brand new beta for remote scheduling – TiVo Genie. This provides all the functionality a TiVo owner could want. A very slick ajaxy TV guide, quick access to record shows, the ability to add season passes, even A’La Carte choice from upcoming episodes of your favourite shows.
Mobile users also have remote scheduling in their pocket with a mobile-formatted site. Sure, not as nice as a dedicated app, it’s a nice start. It also provides access to search, guide, 1 click record and more.
My only complaint is that TiVo only grabs updates about every hour, so you have to think ahead of time. It’d be nice if the TiVo received a ping from TiVo Genie to grab updated recording information.
Check it out @ http://genie.mytivo.com.au
The old Yahoo7 TV Guide. 
TiVo CASPA update: now available [screens]
TiVo owners who turn on this morning will notice a new menu item called CASPA On-Demand. This occurs automatically, with no manual check for update required. Check out the screens below, click for larger versions.
Blockbuster On-Demand customers will still be able to use the service, it simply shows up as a menu item in CASPA.
A small offering of TV shows are available at $2.95 each episode.
Announcing: TiVo 320 and CASPA On-Demand
TiVo is set to get a new model, the first since it’s Australian launch in August 08 and with plenty of upgrades just in time for Christmas. In a Press Release from Hybrid TV, creators of TiVo in Australia, it’s been announced that a new TiVo model will be release on the 1st of December 2009. Labelled TiVo 320, you can probably guess, it’s hard drive size is now 320GB, rather than the original 160GB.
The TiVo 320 attracts a A$699 RRP, but for the holidays that includes the Home Networking Package, which previously cost an additional $199. The 160GB model now drops to A$599 RRP, so expect prices of close to $500 in the lead up to xmas.
Also included in the announcement was TiVo’s new video on-demand service called CASPA. This is in conjunction with partners channel 7, which will offer both free and pay-per-view TV shows, music and movies. There’s no mention of the existing movie service – BlockBuster On-Demand, so wether that’s been scrapped or integrated into CASPA remains to be seen. We’ll find out soon enough, CASPA launches along with the new TiVo 320 on December 1st.
It’s important to note CASPA On-Demand on TiVo will be unmetered on Internode, Primus, iiNet. If your not on one of these ISP, check with your ISP, or you’ll burn through your download cap in a heartbeat.
Source: NBR NZ
On a side note, TiVo Desktop 2.8 is now available, this ads Windows 7 support, as well as speed improvements.