The new multiroom DVR, made by Motorola, lets customers view recorded programs on up to three TVs at once. The media hub, called the Home Media DVR, also functions as a dual-tuner DVR, which allows customers to watch one program while recording another. Customers using the multiroom DVR will pay $19.95 per month, plus $3.95-per-month for each standard-definition set-top box that will be used to receive recorded video from the DVR.
Verizon has bundled the recording function with software it calls Media Manager, a new feature that lets customers access photos and music stored on their personal computer and play them on their TVs. Currently, copyright-protected content, such as movies and music, will not be accessible through the Home Media DVR.
But Verizon expects in future releases to add playback of protected content. Verizon also plans to increase the number of set-top boxes that can simultaneously access the Home Media DVR to watch recorded programs and to permit playback of home videos stored on PCs. [News.com]
This sounds like a great deal – though the actual DVR cost seems high. If nothing else, I hope it pushes Cablevision to finally release the 8300MR which would enable the same function. I like the way FiOs sounds, but think in the end my cable connection will continue to offer a higher speed and lower cost internet connection and a more robust HDTV option.
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