Mar 6 Podcast #677: Ten Year Anniversary Contest and VidiPath
Podcast Tags: Streaming, Whole House 
Its hard to believe that we have been at this for ten years! We appreciate each and everyone of you and have come to think of you as family. As a way of showing our appreciation we, along with these great sponsors, have come up with a fantastic giveaway that is truly worthy of the HT Guys listeners.
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Today's Show:
News:
- LG’s 2015 OLED and LED 4K Resolution TVs Have Prices and Release Dates
- NBC to Launch Comedy Internet-Subscription Service in 2015
- Aereo Auction Raises Less Than $2 Million
Other:
- If you live in Connecticut and need assistance integrating your Apple devices with your A/V system, or need Mac computer support, call on Chris Hart at www.MyMacTech.com
Amazon Prime:
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- The HT Guys gratitude!
VidiPath Technology from DLNA
What is the worst part about subscription television service? Ask ten people and you may get a few different answers, but odds are a few of them would agree on the cost of the service. Not just the service, but all the additional fees, especially the fees to have a set top box in the rooms where you want to watch TV. Can it really cost the provider that much more to let you watch in a second room? You’re already paying for the service.
The DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is hoping their new VidiPath technology will make that easier on you. The plan for VidiPath is to let you view all of your pay TV content on multiple TVs throughout your home without the need to rent additional set-top boxes for each room. DLNA technology is certified and available on over four billion devices worldwide. Many of us have been using it for years to stream content, movies and music, from computers or network drives to TVs and other connected devices.
The addition of VidiPath technology opens up the possibilities of what you can stream over your DLNA connections. According to DLNA executive director Donna Moore, “with the addition of VidiPath, DLNA has expanded its ecosystem to include the secure delivery of subscription-TV content.” So you can stream pretty much anything now, from movies stored on your video server to live content from your cable provider, to any certified device in your home.
The technology will work over wired and wireless network connections (using WiFi), so you’ll be able to play content on wireless devices like tablets and smartphones in addition to TVs, game consoles, computers and other set top boxes. We’re hearing that the first VidiPath certified devices should come to market this quarter, so we should start to see them pop up later this month. Of course you’ll need a VidiPath certified device from your provider, but after that you can add any VidiPath certified playback device to get the content in any room you want.
Of course the initiative is led by the DLNA, but it has some pretty solid logos backing it as well. Providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications are in with both feet and have already committed to having VidiPath enabled set-top boxes or gateways available to their subscribers. Sony, Samsung and Broadcom are onboard as well. So we’d expect to see a smattering of televisions, tablets and other devices hitting the shelves soon.
A single VidiPath certified set-top box or gateway from a traditional pay TV provider like your cable company, or satellite provider will stream all the content you pay for, including High Definition content, over WiFi. So if you have a VidiPath certified device that can get on WiFI, that device instantly becomes a live TV viewer. Providers and manufacturers are working together to provide a consistent usage experience across all devices, including access to the program guide and, we’re hoping, all recorded DVR content, although we haven’t seen that stated anywhere.
No word on whether you’ll be able to pause or rewind live TV from a VidiPath player. Also not sure if you’ll be able to initiate recordings. Also no word on how many devices will be able to stream simultaneously - how many rooms can be watching TV at the same time. We’re certain this information will come to light as devices start to hit the market.
If VidiPath players are fully functional, just like you get from your provider’s multi-room boxes in a whole house DVR setup, the technology could be a game changer. No more multi-room DVRs, just a standard DVR from any provider that would support VidiPath and you’d be responsible for adding your own playback devices to connect to it. Pay TV providers would have to find other features to differentiate on. That’s exciting.
Reader Comments (8)
Congratulations! I am a proud listener of every HTGuys podcast. Great stuff!
Just ordered my T-Shirt!!!! Congrats on 10 years and keep up the amazing work. Thank you both for your commitment and here is to another 10 years!
Caf-Pow well deserved! 10 years of Braden being hilariously goofy and Ara being endearingly apologetic along with incredibly educational and interesting content has made me feel just that much happier and smarter every Friday. Simply put, you guys bring positive energy into our lives and that is always a good thing. Here is to another 10!
Home theater systems is a relatively small niche but the people are incredibly passionate about it! You guys are just awesome to listen to because you get it. You totally know how tap into your listeners (mine for sure) passion for technology and the never ending pursuit of audio/visual perfection. Thanks for the last 10 years and lets hope we get 10 more!!!
Gents:
Congratulations on this incredible run. You always keep it fun, snappy and full of good, honest, down to earth information. The HDTV guys for the common Jorge (ok, Joe), avoiding the bs that surrounds many reviewers and talkers.
Congratulations also on what should be a strong friendship that I am sure goes beyond HDTV and related, otherwise I would not know how you kept it so long.
Keep it for another 10.
Jorge
Terrific milestone - you guys have a lot to be proud of. Thank you so much for sharing your passion for home theater and home automation technology with the listeners.
Team:
Got my black t-shirt. I do not know in what context I will wear it, but will do proud.
Jorge
Hey! This site is amazing. I will suggest it to my friends and anyone that could be enticed by this matter. Great work guys