Category: tv

TiVo 4.0 Released

Ashley Bischoff6 Comments

TiVo software v4.0 has been released (since April 6th). New features include:

  • USB Network Adapter support (wired and wireless) [list of supported USB wireless adapters]
  • Sorting and Grouping in Now Playing
  • In the Program Details screen (use DISPLAY, INFO, or ENTER key to get to it from a program listing) you can now see “Similar Programs” (the name is sometimes deceptive, it actually seems to be “People who like this program also like these other programs”)
  • New Part Index added to details screen [“Part 1 of 2”, and so on]
  • Channel Up/Down and Skip To End keys work when reordering things in Season Pass Manager
  • Skip to End key works to jump to beginning/end of Season Pass Manager and Now Playing (but not in To Do List, Recording History, or Wishlists)
  • Skip to End key jumps back to the beginning in the live buffer the same as it does in recorded programs
  • Performance improvements in Now Playing scrolling
  • Now Playing list remembers where in the list you were when you return to it, even after Standby
  • Keep At Most now goes up to 10 episodes
  • Auto-scan of channel lineup during Guided Setup (to find channels that actually have signals)
  • […]

Though the roll-out has started, I’ve read that it may take “up to 8 weeks” (from April 6th) for it to propagate to all TiVo owners. However, if you’re really jonesing for it, you can jump to the head of the queue through TiVo’s 4.0 Priority Request page. There, you just need to enter your TiVo’s 15-digit service number and your TiVo will be pushed further ahead in the queue (presumably right behind anyone else that’s already signed up).

Mr Bean on DVD

Ashley Bischoff1 Comment

Mr Bean: The Whole Bean is now available on DVD, as a 3-disc set (woo!). If your’re not familiar with the character, this DVD review describes Mr Bean like this:

In every episode, Mr. Bean (played by the accomplished Rowan Atkinson) would be confronted with an unusual situation (usually his fault), and somehow get around it to accomplish his goal. For instance, Mr. Bean decides he wants to go to the beach, but doesn�t want to go back to his car to change into his bathing suit. So, he puts his bathing suit over his trademark brown trousers, and then tries to take the pants off, leaving only the bathing suit.

The beauty about Rowan Atkinson’s performance as Mr. Bean is that an entire episode can go by without him even muttering a word. His use of physical comedy, including body language and facial expressions, is amongst the best I’ve ever seen in my life. He can be the most obnoxious person in the world one second, and an empathetic person in the next.

I’m not usually one to by tv episodes on DVD, but I might make an exception this time. My father enjoys the British sense of humor and he and I might enjoy watching some of the episodes sometime. Then again, he doesn’t have a DVD player, so I’d have to figure out that one :-/.

(Due creidt: DVD Talk)

Date Plate on Food Network

Ashley Bischoff2 Comments

I’ve recently discovered Date Plate on Food Network. You can think of it as a cross between reality tv and a cooking show ;).

What do you get when you take 2 eligible bachelors (or bachelorettes), give each a $50 shopping budget, and ask them to plan and cook a romantic meal in hopes of winning over a blind date? Date Plate challenges two food-savvy contestants to do just that.

So, these two guys start the show by watching a short video clip of the date-girl that they’ll be cooking for. The clip typically doesn’t reveal her likes or dislikes in food, so the guys have to base their menu off their hunches from the video.

From there, each guy is paired with a professional chef and they go to the supermarket together to spend their allotted $50. The chefs are allowed to make small suggestions but the menu ideas (and cooking) are up to the guys. After the supermarket, they go the kitchen of a real restaurant to cook the meals (which is always empty, leading me to think that maybe the show is filmed on a night the restaurant is closed anyway).

After two hours cooking time, the dishes are served at the same time to the girl (presumably to give her the chance to try them back-and forth). And, after the main dish, their desserts are brought out. At the end of the show, the girl has to pick which guy she likes best based only on the meals he’s cooked for her.

If you like reality tv and cooking shows (or one of the two), you might just enjoy Date Plate. The show airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm/8:30c and 12:30am/11:30c on Food Network.

Iron Chef vs Iron Chef!

Ashley BischoffLeave a comment

In a new tournament on Food Network, the Iron Chefs will battle each other! The King of Iron Chefs Tournament airs Saturdays at 10/9c from April 5 to May 3.

Attention Iron Chef fans! Starting Saturday, April 5, the Iron chefs will be battling one another for the first time ever to find out who really reigns supreme. Using our handy party planner, you can ensure that these important battles receive the stellar celebrations they deserve. Allez cuisine!

Earning some extra props, they also link to an Iron Chef drinking game (which I would have linked to here, but the link is bad at the moment). They have all kinds of party-planning accessories as well, including party invitations and a party poster. If you're an Iron Chef fan, let me know and we can have our own little Iron Chef party :).

Faking It on TLC

Ashley Bischoff2 Comments

Faking It is a new show on TLC. I first discovered it after returning to my hotel room after a night of partying at SXSW. I was flipping through channels before bed and ran across it.

On the show, regular people assume the role of a new profession. They get a few weeks training and then go before a panel of experts to see if they can spot the fake. For instance, the episode I saw had a union carpenter faking it as an interior designer.

David Dougherty has no idea what he’s getting into. He’s a gum-chewing, cap-wearing couch potato, and proud of it. “I probably spend six to 10 hours a night watching this tube, and loving every minute,” he says. This trip is only the second time he’s ever been away from his family. […]

With Dougherty they start from scratch. Their doubts about whether Dougherty can pass the design taste test begin when they see photos of his own lovely apartment, showing two bars, six TVs and a life-size picture of Elvis. […]

I find it fascinating what a few weeks training and a moderate level of confidence can achieve. Faking It airs Fridays on TLC at 10/9c.