Jan 11 CES 2012: Simple.TV Launches DVR for the Connected TV World
Brings live and recorded Network TV content to Roku and connected devices everywhere
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Simple.TV today launched the first DVR designed for the connected TV world at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. Bringing live and recorded TV to connected devices both inside and outside the home, Simple.TV turns the iPad, Roku box, Google TV, Boxee Box, or any web browser into a full-featured DVR that is accessible anywhere.
The Simple.TV DVR ($149) consists of a high-definition TV tuner that converts broadcast television into streaming MPEG-4 for the most popular connected devices. With the addition of a USB 2.0 hard drive or network-attached storage, Simple.TV users can store thousands of hours of their favorite TV shows and HDTV videos and watch them on their mobile devices or connected TVs.
For the tens of millions of users with iPad, Roku, Boxee Box, Google TV and other popular streaming platforms, Simple.TV delivers a key missing ingredient: a full-featured DVR to record and playback live TV. And since the most popular TV shows are available on network or basic cable channels, Simple.TV also allows consumers to realize substantial savings on monthly cable TV fees.
"The Simple.TV DVR is the perfect product for people who want to get the best broadcast HDTV on their connected devices," said Mark Ely, CEO of Really Simple Software, Inc., makers of Simple.TV. "With its intuitive interface, easy set up, and low cost, Simple.TV is the perfect way to supplement the content consumers are watching on outlets such as Netflix and Hulu while giving them the flexibility to reduce their cable bills."
Unlike most DVRs, Simple.TV has no traditional analog or HDMI video outputs. Once connected to a home network, Simple.TV streams content directly to a web browser or to dedicated applications that users launch on their favorite connected platforms. For users who want expanded features, Simple.TV offers a Premier Service subscription ($4.99 per month) that adds an electronic program guide, automatic TV series recording, in-depth information on content, and unlimited remote streaming for up to five users.
"In today's broadband home, one in five consumers turn to the DVR as their first choice for television programming," said Andy Tarczon, Founding Partner at TDG Research. "The Simple.TV DVR goes beyond just recording off-air broadcasts by allowing the consumer to stream their TV shows to a plethora of connected devices and smartphones."
Simple.TV will ship in the Spring of 2012.
About Simple.TV
Simple.TV's mission is to deliver great broadcast television to connected devices everywhere. Filling the content gap between over-the-top video and traditional broadcast TV, Simple.TV is the ideal device and application combo to record and watch the best television content whether you are at home or on the road. Simple.TV is designed by Really Simple Software, Inc. For more information about Simple.TV, visit www.simple.tv.
Reader Comments (2)
So, only one tuner? Only OTA, no cablecard?
Way less functional than even the lowest TiVo, and if you need the streaming, get a SlingBox. (BTW, I don't own a slingbox).. and I know TiVo demoed a theoretical streaming box at CES too.
It seems to me the feature that is being “featured” here is the DVR, but the streaming TV is really the big one. There is some advantage to the features however there is no mention of the number of hours available for recording. And external hard drive would be an extra expense too. I have been excited about the release of the DISH Network Hopper ever since I found out about it while working there because it has 250 hours of HD recording time. Also the Sling Adapter is still free until January 31st and it does live TV streaming to any iOS, Android or Windows device. I think the most handy feature is that it displays your stations on up to 4 TV’s without the need for a traditional receiver and all of the DVR functions are available.