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TiVo has started field trials in
the San Francisco Bay Area of a set-top
digital VCR, making it possible to
pause and rewind broadcast programs. The
company also provides a dial-in directory
service. Actual launch is expected in the
first quarter of 1999. Replay
Network is developing a similar
product.
TiVo
pricing looks to be lower than Replay's;
starting at $500 compared with around
$900.
[I
wonder whether these tapeless VCRs could
have an application for digital video
editing for consumers?-Ed]
<www.tivo.com>
<www.replaytv.com>
Are video phones just around the
corner?
With
the advent of the Internet and inexpensive
video cameras such as the Connectix
QuickCam, it seemed that video
phones were finally appearing.
Admittedly this wasn't quite the form
factor originally imagined. Instead of a
standalone unit, users have to buy a
computer, video camera and modem, but
there's lots of technology that has to
evolve to become useful to end
users.
However,
companies are still selling standalone
devices that work with regular phone lines
and televsion sets to provide videophone
functionality. ViaTV offers both a
set-top box which is retailing for just
over $300, as well as a standalone unit
that includes an LCD screen. Unlike the
units of 10 years ago, they use the H.324
standard so that --in theory-- they should
work with computer based
videophones.
A
friend spent a little time with
experimenting with one of these units and
reported the following:
1)
The unit can display both the picture it's
sending as well as the picture being
received; this is surprisingly useful
because otherwise you drift out of the
frame without realizing it.
2)
You really do find yourself tidying up the
room before making a call.
3)
Quality of the image is still very limited
by the phone line transmission (which is
33.6 baud.)
<www.viatv.com>
  
Incwell is offering a 30 day trial
version of Supercard. This Mac only
authoring tool is very similar to
HyperCard, but adds built-in color
support, true multiple windows, more
interface elements, and more sophisticated
authoring features. While there's no
Windows version or player, there is an
internet plug-in called Raodster which
will play SuperCard projects in a browser
and is available for both Mac and PCs.
<info.incwell.com>
I've devoted a fair amount of space to the
Canon XL1 digital camera over the
past few months ('cause I want one!) but
one issue that concerns me are ongoing
reports of problems with the
lens.
The
XL1 Watchdog site has an
interesting report. At COMDEX last month,
Canon USA informed them "they were
preparing a "white paper" which will
address the proper use of the XL1's
servo-controlled lens."
This
sounds suspiciously like blaming the user
for a screwed up interface. Anyway, I wait
anxiously to see what this will reveal
(while constantly re-evaluating my
purchase options!)
<www.mediadesign.net/canondv.htm>
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