SnapStream Blog

To really understand the Zeitgeist, you need to dive into the details – 12/10/08
Google released its 2008 Zeitgeist list of the most popular search terms for the year. Unlike Yahoo’s 2008 list of top search terms, Google looks at the fastest-rising searches of the year. That makes for a slightly more interesting list. via techcrunch

Tribune files for bankruptcy – 12/08/08
As feared, Tribune has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Tribune maintains that it has enough cash on hand to continue operating its media businesses, and it filed for bankruptcy in order to restructure its debt. via LostRemote

Setting up a PC DVR isn’t easy — you have to have the “right” combination of sound card, video card, motherboard, TV tuner card, and TV signal. And then they all have to be configured just right.

In an effort to try and help you troubleshoot your setup, here is a list of top recent technical support issues and common solutions to those problems:

• Recording from clear QAM
• Program guide is empty (or related problem)
• Video issue (stuttering or choppy playback, no video, audio/video sync issue)
• Web admin is inaccessible
• Problem with iTunes integration or H.264

Common solutions to “Recording from clear QAM”:

• List of supported clear QAM TV tuner cards

DVRs seen in 52 M homes by 2014 – 12/05/08
A new study from MAGNA predicts that DVRs will be in 52.3 million, or 44 percent, of TV households by 2014, up from 28.6 million, or 25 percent, at the end of the most recent third quarter. via NewTeeVee

Many HDTV buyers continue to take a pass on high-def programming – 12/02/08
Fewer first-time HDTV set buyers are arranging for HD program service from cable and satellite providers than ever, according to a recent study of HDTV owners by Frank N. Magid Associates. via BroadcastEngineering

[re-posted from over at the SnapStream Enterprise Blog]

Today, we’re taking pre-orders for a new TV search product from SnapStream — the SnapStream Mini.

There are many organizations that don’t need all of the power of a SnapStream Server, but still stand to gain alot from being able to monitor TV with our TV search technology. And that’s why we created SnapStream Mini.

So like the SnapStream Server, SnapStream Mini gives you all the same power to search inside traditional TV shows for mentions of whatever it is you might be looking for. With SnapStream Mini you can:

• Record traditional TV from regular cable, digital cable, or satellite (SnapStream Mini includes a learning IR blaster)
• Schedule recordings using our simple program guide
• Search by keyword within recordings
• Get e-mail alerts notifying you of mentions of keywords on TV
• Easily create TV clips and then download them or e-mail them
• Burn DVDs of full recordings or clips

But here’s how SnapStream Mini is different from SnapStream Server:

• SnapStream Mini costs $2,000 (vs. SnapStream Servers which start at $8,000).

• SnapStream Mini can record 2 channels of TV simultaneously (SnapStream Servers can record as many as 10 channels simultaneously)

• SnapStream Mini can record and search over 1 terabyte of TV recordings, equal to about 1,100 hour (vs. SnapStream Servers have a default capacity of 2 terabytes space, about 2,300 hours, and can be purchased with up to 8 terabytes of usable space, about 10,000 hours.

• SnapStream Mini’s hardware doesn’t have any redundancy (vs. all SnapStream Servers have redundant power supplies and redundant storage arrays in RAID-5 configuration).

(this comparison table goes into a little more detail on SnapStream Mini vs. SnapStream Server)

So, SnapStream Mini is a $2,000 TV search appliance geared towards individuals and smaller organizations that want monitor television for whatever it is they are interested in.

We’re taking pre-orders now (place your pre-order here) and we expect to ship the first batch of SnapStream Minis on or before December 15th. And all orders include free U.S. ground shipping.