Here you go folks, here is the spec sheet that was being handed out at CES by VOOM.

I am starting to work on the VOOM DVR DEMO Video now, so I hope to have that up later today or tommorow the latest. :D

Great! Thanks for posting, Scott! Looking forward to your video!

If anyone is having trouble viewing it, or it looks like crap, right click on it and save it as a bmp file. You can use Microsoft Paint to open it.

Here is a PDF version of this brochure that I've just got from VOOM. Though this one is a bit outdated as it says 160GB, while the CES announcement states 250GB.

The pdf doesn't seem to be coming through.

The Rickster

The pdf doesn't seem to be coming through.Works fine for me. Anyone else having problems?
Try this one (http://www.satelliteguys.us/voom/CES-2005/519347-001-a.pdf). It's the same pdf file, but uploaded to the web site.

Just zoom in on the picture after you click on the pages. So when is Voom going to release it to the public?? I have read there is a few software bugs.

Came up fine for me as well.

So when is Voom going to release it to the public?? I have read there is a few software bugs.I guess it will depend on how quickly the bugs are fixed, but at CES they clearly stated March 2005. See other threads for details.

It seems odd this would come out with DVI instead of HDMI.

In the brochure it says it is upgradable to MPEG4 via a modular unit. Is this the unit that you can see attached to the back of the demo unit.

I am aware that it is first a diplexlor, but is it also the MPEG 4 module?

Hows that video coming? Id love to see what you got from them vs what I got.

Got a few friends I'm trying to convert to voOm too ;)

And the old video is pretty outdated now.

I am aware that it is first a diplexlor, but is it also the MPEG 4 module?

I believe the the MPEG 4 module is on the side of the stb just like the current stb. Don't take my word for it. I am just assuming that's the way it is.

I guess it will depend on how quickly the bugs are fixed, but at CES they clearly stated March 2005. See other threads for details.

I was hoping sooner, but I can wait. Oh, thanks for the information Scott.

Did anyone noticed the document is dated 2 September 2004.

Did anyone noticed the document is dated 2 September 2004.

I don't see what you are talking about. If you look at the disclosers at the bottom of the second page is says (c)Copyright 2005 Rainbow DBS.

Am I missing what you are seeing? :confused:

Yeah, what's he talking 'bout
It says 010405 which would mean Jan, 4, 2005, but nowhere does it say Sept...

...open the document with Acrobat reader and look at the document properties :)

As I said, that's is an older document. That's why it mentions 160GB hard drive, not the latest 250GB.

doesnt anyone think a 160gb hd is kinda small. They could go to 250max why are they not?

doesnt anyone think a 160gb hd is kinda small. They could go to 250max why are they not?

Answer:

As I said, that's is an older document. That's why it mentions 160GB hard drive, not the latest 250GB.

HDMI port is missing on the latest CES JPEG? Even tho virtually all the new HDTVs being sold right now have HDMI, not DVI, inputs?

Whatzupwitdat, huh, VOOM?

It seems to me the DVR should have one HDMI output and one DVI output.

I sure hope they don't expect me to BUY this thing -- it's gonna have virtually no resale value. They better have a lease plan at rollout.

Until Voom changes their activation policy, NO Voom receiver has resale value.


I sure hope they don't expect me to BUY this thing -- it's gonna have virtually no resale value. They better have a lease plan at rollout.

The brochure states programs are searchable, will it have a search feature similar to the Dish 501 where you can type in a name and have it find it?

And........... which DBS provider will be the first to utilize the 2 little round hangy-down thingies between their legs and give us FIREWIRE?

None of them. They have no motivation to, and certainly don't care to be sued. There is no requirement for sat operators the same as what the cable companies agreed to.

None of them. They have no motivation to, and certainly don't care to be sued. There is no requirement for sat operators the same as what the cable companies agreed to.Firewire is the reason I picked up Cable HD DVR, but their HD service lacked and they never enabled firewire. I discontinued Cable service and added two more VOOM STBs...waiting on the DVR.

And........... which DBS provider will be the first to utilize the 2 little round hangy-down thingies between their legs and give us FIREWIRE?

You all ought to realize by now, nobody is gonna buck the MPAA and allow pristine digital recording capability of HD streams. Let go of the balloon.

You all ought to realize by now, nobody is gonna buck the MPAA and allow pristine digital recording capability of HD streams. Let go of the balloon.
I'd like to know why it was mandated for Cable boxes but us Satellite Guys are SOL? :mad:

The cable companies agreed to it. They were sort of forced to the table at a time when it seemed like firewire was going to become a huge thing in HDTV. I don't think it's anywhere close to the level they thought it would be, unfortunately. So I doubt you'll see the equivelant requirement for sat companies.

joemama commented:
> You all ought to realize by now, nobody is gonna buck the MPAA and allow pristine digital recording capability of HD streams. <

Huh? I assume you must be limiting your "nobody" to "no satellite provider", because I've been making "pristine digital recordings" of HD streams (at better, uncompromised bitrates than Voom offers) for the last 8 months. No magic, no expensive hacks, just off-the-shelf gear. Totally plug-and-play. [D-VHS and Charter digital cable.] Unfortunately, only 8 HD channels... and there's the rub.

If cable CAN do it (and they are) then satellite providers CAN do it too. All they'd need to keep the MPAA off their backs would be to implement 5C in their boxes. But they have no motivation to do so (at least at this time), probably partly because of their planned migration to MPEG4. For now, time-shifting on a 250G hard-drive looks like all we're going to get, from any of the sat providers. :( And that's a damn shame, especially since all the talk from Voom had indicated they would support Firewire.

Give them a couple years, when the transitions to MPEG4 are complete, cable everywhere offers HD, and HD-DVD discs are widely available. Then ALL the satellite providers will provide some way (not necessarily Firewire) to offload content, just to remain competitive.

It's just very disappointing that Voom didn't step up to the plate now, with as long as they've made us all wait for their DVR. Except for that one huge omission (for some of us), things are looking really good.

I'm just wondering if there might be some way to tap into their Ethernet links with a PC to capture content, but based on their "Benefit" of "Advanced signal security and content copy protection technologies", I suspect there's a snowball's chance of that.

Unfortunately, I already know what it's like to be constrained to ~25-30 hours of content on a locked-in HDD, and it's not comfortable (for me). Even my e* PVR-510 has almost 100 hours, which is about right. It'll be a while before a terabyte of HD content (on a hard drive... I've got ~18 TB on tape) is economically viable.

- Tim

And...I think if you check the wording out, it says they have to provide a HD STB with a functional Firewire port. NOT an HD-DVR STB.

This content protection stuff is a joke.

"We don't care if you watch it, copy it AND distribute it...we just don't want your copy to look any better than what's out there now."

This adopts the "You won't be able to resist the urge to become a bad guy..." approach.

Sorry...but there are laws in place to protect content. If I pay for your content, I'm free to do whatever I want to with it, as long as I don't BREAK ANY LAWS.

Ok. I'm done now.
Sorry.

:)

Lob

Anyone know why they did not include a HDMI port? I agree with others. Seems it should have been included.

You bet a HDMI output should have been included -- it's the new standard and the spec offers several advantages over DVI -- a new standard (HDMI) that virtually all new hardware incorporates is certainly not a gimmick.

You can buy a DVI to HDMI cable for $10 to $20 and then you'll need to route the audio separately using, preferably, coax rather than optical if possible -- if not, optical will certainly work.

New VOOM subscribers with their shinny new HDTV with HDMI inputs will not be happy to discover that a pure digital connection with their VOOM sat box will require them to go out and buy a cable. Bad public relations move, VOOM. They bill themsleves as the leading state-of-the-art provider of HD content and then they go and leave HDMI out of their newest and greatest sat box. Baffles the mind. And will annoy new customers.

I love VOOM and have no plans to change providers. It just saddens me when I see management in any company do stupid things.

They bill themsleves as the leading state-of-the-art provider of HD content and then they go and leave HDMI out of their newest and greatest sat box. Baffles the mind. And will annoy new customers.


HDMI right now is only capable of delivering 2.1 sound so you would still need to run a optical or digital coax cable for true 5.1 surround sound. Then they would have customer calling up saying I have a surround sound and am only getting the front speakers to have sound, it must be something with your box.

You bet a HDMI output should have been included -- it's the new standard and the spec offers several advantages over DVI -- a new standard (HDMI) that virtually all new hardware incorporates is certainly not a gimmick.

You can buy a DVI to HDMI cable for $10 to $20 and then you'll need to route the audio separately using, preferably, coax rather than optical if possible -- if not, optical will certainly work.

New VOOM subscribers with their shinny new HDTV with HDMI inputs will not be happy to discover that a pure digital connection with their VOOM sat box will require them to go out and buy a cable. Bad public relations move, VOOM. They bill themsleves as the leading state-of-the-art provider of HD content and then they go and leave HDMI out of their newest and greatest sat box. Baffles the mind. And will annoy new customers.

I love VOOM and have no plans to change providers. It just saddens me when I see management in any company do stupid things.

they said there will be hdmi in future boxes.... and best yet since were leasing them its a FREE upgrade.... better than D*'s way of operating.

Oh please, not having HDMI on this box means NOTHING to us now. Let's be honest. The only thing HDMI would gain you at this point in time is a slightly better cable spec distance and a smaller form factor for the end. *shrug* I don't get the angst. If they toss in a free DVI-HDMI adapter will you all be happy? Sometimes I think people look for reasons to be unhappy...

Geez, madpoet,

I'm unhappy. Don't know why. Maybe I should blame....

Watching HDTV under brightening but very rainy Seattel skies, Gill

If i wrap a DVI cable and a toslink cable together up with electrical tape I have a superior cable than the Gimmick HDMI thing. Its worthless IMO and only serves to sell more cables and sets.

Although my HDTV has HDMI input, I agree with madpoet and vurbano: HDMI should be low on VOOM priority list. An HDMI-to-DVI cable works fine for me. Even if VOOM adds HDMI, I wouldn't change my optical cable for audio.

I am new to this forum, just found it from my C-band fourm. I have been waiting for Voom to provide a DVR , at that time I will consider Voom if they include eather a HD15 or RGBHV output since thats what I need for my 9"FP. So am I going to be SOL??

Cary

Sometimes I think people look for reasons to be unhappy...I wouldn't say I am unhappy, but I will say I'd be happier if Voom put a firewire port on the Voom STB...

EDIT: as well as the Voom DVR when it comes out....

I have HDMI on my set too...and I must say that the whole idea of HDMI seems pretty dopey to me....it seems like it is for a very limited audience - non-home theatre "geeks" who want to listen to TV through their TV SPEAKERS??