Samsung Smart TVs to Offer Box-free DirecTV DVRs

Harking back to the 2012 International CES, we remembered a big announcement between Samsung and DirecTV whereby over 19.7 million customers would gain the ability to watch live and recorded TV content from Samsung's 2012 line of Smart TVs - and without requiring a set-top box. Given the difficulty of controlling multiple pieces of gear, unification on this scale seems like a no-brainer. Besides, now that 3D has pretty much flopped like a wet fish caught in the desert sun, manufacturers are looking for ways to generate premium pricing for their television sets. These new integrated DVRs are designed to give consumers the same user experience as the GUI of a regular DirecTV DVR. Normally we'd make a quip here about how that's not such a great thing to advertise, but honestly DireTV has it down pretty well and their GUI's are more or less refined. What custom installers - as well as interior decorators - will like is the ability to mount the TV without having to worry about locating an additional box. Less clutter, more aesthetic appeal - and there's nothing wrong with that in my book... just more room for the coffee table-sized subwoofer.

This announcement may seem redundant to those who have been following the Samsung-DirecTV love affair. The system centers around the use of standardized Remote User Interface (RUI) technology and Samsung and DirecTV had previously announced the launch of the first RVU-enabled Televisions models at the 2011 CES, with DirecTV launching their first RVU capable DVR in late 2011. This year, however, the RVU protocol is being embedded in Samsung's entire line of Smart TVs.

That's a major commitment, so it's news.

Based on industry standards such as DLNA and UPnP, RVU allows a set-top box server to provide a complete, multi-room viewing experience that includes DVR services across all the connected TVs in the home through a single set-top box. This is similar in scope to what DISH Network is doing with its new Hopper and Joey whole-home DVR system which we should be reviewing within the next several weeks.

Capable of supporting multiple connected televisions simultaneously, DirecTV’s HR34 Home Media Center HD-DVR enables the set-top box UI and features to be displayed directly on Samsung Smart TVs. DirecTV customers can enjoy the full DirecTV experience, including DVR services, live pause on all screens in the home, 200 hours worth of shared storage, picture-in-picture capabilities and the ability to record up to five (5) shows at once. Samsung’s RVU-compatible Smart TVs will be available in spring 2012.

Above photo credit: (c)2012 solidsignal.com