IceTV and iPhone users rejoice: remote recording is here - again

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 08 August 2008 10:59

Your IT - Mobility

Got an IceTV subscription and a compatible PVR, Windows Media Center PC or IceTV on your Mac? Sure, IceTV has allowed mobile phone users to browser to its “remoterecord” website to do the same thing, but why not create a dedicated iPhone app – and a Facebook app to come soon, too?

Calling its iPhone 2.0 application “stunning”, “long awaited” and “already receiving fantastic feedback from iPhone users”, getting a minimum rating of 4.5 stars, IceTV is giving its users as many ways as possible to record the shows they want, when they want, from just about anywhere.

iPhone users can download the app via iTunes free of charge, with non-subscribers able to see the day’s TV guide, although subscribers get the full 7-day EPG (electronic program guide).

IceTV says: “We’re confident that it will be one of the best TV guide options for Australian iPhone users and so far based on the responses we are seeing… you agree!” and explain that you can remotely record shows if you have “any IceTV Interactive compatible PVR, Mac or Media Center PC, including the new Topfield 7100 and the Beyonwiz range of PVRs.”

In addition, you can “see what the Most Popular TV shows are for the coming week as well as create your own personalised TV guide with IceTV’s My Shows."

IceTV's site also reacts to the TiVo launch, for anyone that's interested, showing why it believes IceTV-equipped devices are superior to the TiVo offering.

IceTV also notes that recording won't begin immediately, explaining the situation in an FAQ called "How long does it take to remotely schedule a show?". The answer is that: "It depends on the Media Center PC, Mac or PVR's software."

The answer continues: "Most devices that support IceTV Interactive get their update timing from the IceTV server, which is about 15 minutes unless the IceTV server is under heavy load. So if you schedule something to record it'll normally happen within the next 15 minutes, maybe sooner." Although EveTV users only get updates once an hour due to the EyeTV software.

But why stop at just the iPhone, when the other fashionable tech titan Facebook also awaits? Fear not, IceTV has advised that its Facebook app is “almost here”.

Although you can’t add it to your Facebook page as yet, IceTV is accepting registrations of interest by becoming a “Fan” at the IceTV Facebook Page.

As soon as the app is ready to rock, IceTV will notify everyone, with IceTV promising you can “discuss and rate TV shows, see what TV shows are popular amongst your friends, share your comments and more.”

IceTV, it all sounds... er... pretty cool!