Compared to other companies, Comcast seems to be the only one with next generation announcements pending.

Most DVRs and TiVos out there have 2 tuners.  That means you can record 2 shows at once or record one and watch another.

Comcast’s new Xfinity DVR has 4 tuners (obviously meaning that you can record 4 things at once).

Everybody else in the market has been sitting stagnant on their DVRs (We are talking non-TiVo companies) for several years.  The hardware and interfaces (ie. TV Guide) are all a bit dated.  Comcast is changing all that.  If you are one of the lucky ones to get the new DVR in the near future, you will be able to search by Show Name, Type, Actors, etc…  It is also hinted that you may be able to search by speaking.

Also this new generation of DVRs will have “Apps”.   Facebook and Twitter could be blowing up your big screen shortly!  More likely though is the nice Pandora app that allows you to stream free internet radio to your HDTV (This is perfect for parties and other gatherings).

Also there is support for T9-word.  T9-Word is used on cellphones to text.  For example the number 2 could be A, B or C.  So if you are looking for ESPN but can’t remember the channel you can just hit 3-7-7-6 and ESPN will be one of the choices.

More to follow when this great device is released.

Everybody loves the idea of watching cable tv on their iPad right?

WRONG!  The big networks are up in arms screaming “WE WANT MORE MONEY!”.  It seems that consumers lose once again!

(The following article has been reposted from WSJ.com as part of an editorial)

Time Warner Cable Inc. is digging in its heels in a dispute with several big media companies over whether it can beam live TV channels to Apple Inc. iPads, exposing tensions between major TV-industry players as they wrestle with how to adapt to the Internet era.

Melinda Witmer, chief programming officer for Time Warner Cable, said in an interview that her company is "well within our rights" to transmit TV channels to any device in the home, as long as it sends signals through its cables and its "secure network," rather than the "open Internet." For that reason, the app is specifically configured to work only when linked to a subscriber's home Internet connection.

MTV is among the channels offered for the iPad. Above, a publicity shot for its new 'Hard Times of RJ Berger.'

Associated Press

Ms. Witmer's comments are the latest salvo in a fight that erupted last week when Time Warner Cable, without securing permission, released an iPad app that includes a lineup of 32 live channels that the cable-service provider carries on traditional TV. Those channels include MTV, Discovery Channel and Food Network, among others.

Several media executives shot back quickly. HGTV owner Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. said it had "not granted iPad video streaming rights to any distributor" and added that it is addressing "any misunderstandings." Viacom Inc., which owns MTV, Discovery Communications Inc. and others contended the service violates their contracts, according to people familiar with Viacom's and Discovery's thinking.

At issue are interpretations of provisions within the tightly negotiated— and lengthy—agreements between media companies and cable operators. Several TV executives say their contracts specifically delineate rights for "cable television."

One executive contended that distributors have rights only to what is specifically granted in their contracts. Another executive described Time Warner Cable's move as a "land grab."

Ms. Witmer disputed those characterizations. "We don't define in our contracts what a viewing device is, because technology has always been evolving," she said. "I don't know what a TV is anymore. It's kind of an anachronistic term."

The contractual dispute over the new app exposes broader tensions between TV networks and the distributors that pay them more than $30 billion a year in subscription fees, as both sets of companies attempt to chart a perilous digital course.

Pay-TV providers like Time Warner Cable are moving to counter a threat in the proliferation of new devices, from tablet computers to Internet-connected TVs, that can pipe high-quality video to consumers without a cable or satellite subscription.

Many are rushing to offer video on these devices over the Internet—a concept dubbed "authentication" or "TV Everywhere"— but have been bogged down in some cases by the slow pace of securing Web rights to content.

Time Warner Cable believes its app sidesteps the need for additional rights, while addressing a pressing need to keep up with the way viewers consume TV. Ms. Witmer said the company is planning to expand the app to its full lineup of channels, and to build apps for other devices including connected television sets.

"It is very important that we be there as a provider," she said.Cablevision Systems Corp. appears to take a similar view. It has said it plans to launch an even broader service for in-home streaming to Internet-connected devices, including all of its traditional services such as video-on-demand, in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, TV executives have reason to be wary. Some executives see an opportunity to make more money by selling shows and networks to companies like Apple and Netflix Inc. over the Web. They aren't eager to give those rights to cable operators without additional compensation.

Viacom recently cut a lucrative deal to put shows including Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" and MTV's "The Jersey Shore" on Hulu. (Hulu's owners include News Corp., Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal and Walt Disney Co., each of which own TV networks that are streamed within Time Warner Cable's app. News Corp. also owns The Wall Street Journal).SSSome TV executives say the app could cost them. One said that TV networks don't always buy broadband rights to their own TV shows and could be sued by the shows' owners for allowing them to appear within Time Warner Cable's app..

Other media executives worry that encouraging viewers to watch on iPads could train a new generation to eschew TVs—and potentially never sign up for cable and satellite subscriptions that often bring in half TV networks' revenue.

Time Warner Cable's iPad app also raises another concern for TV networks: counting viewers who watch their programs on new devices. Nielsen doesn't currently include viewing on the iPad in standard TV ratings. A spokesman said the company is "working on a solution to do so.

All Time Warner Cable TV and Time Warner Internet subscribers have access to the TWC iPad app.  We will get into watching cable TV on your iPad shortly but before you get too excited about being able to watch Time Warner Cable TV anywhere around the world on your iPad you should know THIS ONLY WORKS ON YOUR HOME TIME WARNER WiFi.

Installing the app is super easy as is with all the iPad apps.  Once installed, you go to a web site and register as a Time Warner Cable subscriber. You will need your Time Warner account number.

(Time Warner Welcome Screen)

Once registered, simply log in.  The TWC logo will appear briefly and then you will see the channel lineup on the left side of the screen.

PROs

• 1. Great picture quality on the original iPad.  Plenty of Channels.  32 channels including CNN, Syfy, AMC, USA, etc.

2. Free with service!

CONs:

• 1. This only works from your home.  You are chained to your TWC cable modem and your home wi-fi network.
• 2. NO local channels.  This is just the beginning and I am sure they will include more and more channels but don’t expect the local news any time soon.
• 3. Volume may be an issue.  However, headphones can always be used.
• 4. The app only works in landscape which may be an issue if you have a charging stand.
• 5. Sometimes, every so often, sound and/or picture might go out.
• 6. The app is ONLY for the iPad.  There is No iPod/iPhone version is available.

All in all we give 2 thumbs up to TWC for a great start.

If you don’t have Time Warner Cable other options include Orbsoftware and SlingBox.

A lot of people are getting ready to tighten their belts this winter.  With an economic crisis looming, everybody is getting ready to cut back if they need to.  That brings up a major question.

How much should I be paying for TV?  What should my cable bill be?

Well about a decade ago, the average cable bill was a mere $22 a month.

In 2006, the price of cable soared up $60 a month.

Now, almost in 2009 the average cable bill is closer to $99 a month.  There's a very good chance that you might be paying much much more than that though.

The only benefit that cable has over Dish TV is that there is usually no contract needed.  However, Dish TV usually has only a year commitment needed and often has discounts (or no price whatsoever) in the first 3 months.

Also couple with that the fact that you can get basic dish TV starting around $20 a month, this makes Dish TV the ideal way to keep up your standard of living while saving money.

Check Dish Prices Here