SnapStream launches 'Beyond TV' PVR software adds compression

January 16, 2004

The SnapStream Personal
Video Station software has been re-named Beyond TV, sporting a redesigned user
interface, an electronic programming guide and compression for playback on
portable media devices. SnapStream also intends to introduce two additional products
within the next month.

Beyond
TV acts like a TiVo for the PC - only without the monthly subscription
fees. Like its set-top rivals TiVo and ReplayTV, Beyond TV permits users
to record, watch, pause, and even "SmartSkip" past commercials without the
need for tapes. At CES, the software was chosen as a nominee for TechTV's
"Best of CES 2004" awards, and will ship with ADS Tech's Instant TV Deluxe
TV tuner.

New
features incorporated since the past release include SmartSkip, a free
electronic programming guide for Canadian customers, and SnapStream's new
"ShowSqueeze" clip compression technology which supports conversion from
MPEG-2 to either the Windows Media or DivX formats. In addition, the PVR
software is now controllable by a mouse, and the "ViewScape" interface
integrates a program search to simplify navigation.

At BetaNews we also learn that SnapStream is
marketing its new FireFly PC remote control. FireFly controls PC applications
such as Beyond TV, but is compatible with competing products such as MusicMatch
and myHTPC, or even PowerPoint. Thus, making it even more useful.

"It's the remote control to rule them all," said
president and CEO of SnapStream, Rakesh Agrawal. Agrawal
told BetaNews that FireFly is not intended to compete with Microsoft's Media
Center Extender technology. Media Center Extender is a line
of streaming media receivers that plug into TVs, set top boxes and the Xbox. You
can follow this link
to learn more about Beyond TV and FireFly.

Source: Beta News