I have once again run up against Macrovision Copy Protection/the broadcast flag. I was browsing one TiVo’s Now Playing List from another when I noticed the red crossed out circles on two Showtime HD programs that I record; Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and United States of Tara.

I have no idea if this was Showtime or Comcast throwing the flag, but it’s annoying.

I do have to say that at least it is only the “0×02 – Copy Once – The DVR can make a recording, but can’t transfer it via MRV or TiVotoGo transfers” and not “0×04 – Content is Copy Once for digital output, but would have Macrovision 7 Day Unlimited restriction applied on the analog outputs. This affects content viewed either on an HDTV with component cabling or on a standard definition TV. It also affects content saved to VCR or DVD when the recorder is connected to an analog output on the DVR” or “0×07 – Content is Copy Never for digital content (deleted after 90 minutes) and Macrovision 7 day/24 hour for content recorded from analog channels. Content cannot be transferred via TiVoToGo transfers or MRV, and cannot be saved to VCR or DVD” (via tivo.com/copyprotection)

TiVo-Showtime-No-Transfer-01 TiVo-Showtime-No-Transfer-02

-UPDATE- I’ve picked up some info that leads me to believe that this was not Showtime related. Which means Comcast is stupid.

Comcast added 6 HD channels in the Grand Rapids Michigan market. Personally I would rather have HDNet over any of these.

183 Travel Channel HD
216 MGM HD
238 Toon Disney HD
250 Fuse HD
260 IFC HD
261 WE HD

Christmas has come a little early to my TV. My TiVo announced a lineup change last night and this morning I was able to confirm the following new HD channels:
186 Biography HD
210 Planet Green HD
214 Fox News HD
221 Lifetime Movie Network HD
223 Speed HD
224 FX HD
225 E! HD
227 Cartoon Network HD

Hey I even got a mention on Engadget HD.

Netflix and TiVo have partnered add the Netflix video streaming capability to TiVo users before Christmas 2008.  The new service will be available on TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD only.

Read more at ZatzNotFunny!

Yesterday Vudu announced the availability of their new HDX service Peter at Crunch Gear has a nice write up regarding it that includes some pictures for comparison. Basically Vudu is saying that these movies are of better quality then other on demand services.

Also, now you can rent or buy movies right from their website YAY! Now they just need to give me the ability to search for movies on their website. What have they have now is a browsing type of system, which is not very user friendly if you know what you are looking for.

Okay, I am going to have to find out if the HDX is really any better on my TV. I have just ordered Speed Racer and it’s downloading now. I’ll also get to check this one off from my movie list.

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