Skip to main content

Monsoon Announces Havasoft, Rally Support

Monsoon Announces Havasoft, Rally Support

Fresh off being sued for violating the GPL license of a software package embedded in its Hava devices, Monsoon Multimedia has announced Havasoft, a new software package that can bring TiVo-like DVR capability to any PC wth a television tuner. In addition, Havasoft can take advantage of in-house Wi-Fi so the computer can act as wireless network TV tuner for several Media Center PCs in a household.

"We developed HavaSoft for our OEM partners to bundle with their products to add place-shifting and video streaming capabilities to further enhance their TV solutions for new customers and extend these features to customers who already own TV tuner enabled PCs," said Monsoon’s executive VP of Marketing and Sales, in a statement.

Havasoft supports Windows Vista, permits archived video recordings to saved off to DVD, and even supports Windows Mobile-enable phones and PDAs. Expect to see Havasoft in early 2008, although pricing hasn’t been determined.

Monsoon also announced it will support Microsoft WIndows Rally connectivity technology across its entire Hava line, so they can all easily connect to WIndows PCs or the Internet.

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Netflix’s ad-supported tier will start with a big drawback
Netflix app icon on Apple TV.

Netflix first announced plans for an ad-supported version of its streaming service several months ago, though details about it have been scant.

But during an earnings call on Tuesday, Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos revealed that Netflix’s ad-based tier will not include all of its licensed content at launch.

Read more
Netflix is definitely adding a cheaper, ad-supported tier and the suspense is killing us
Netflix app icon on Apple TV.

Ever since the rumors emerged that Netflix was contemplating a cheaper, ad-supported tier for its video-streaming service, we've been holding our breath, waiting for the details to fully emerge. And while that still hasn't happened, we're now one step closer: Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Co-CEO, confirmed that what was once an idea will soon be a reality.

"We [are] adding an ad tier; we’re not adding ads to Netflix as you know it today. We’re adding an ad tier for folks who say, ‘Hey, I want a lower price and I’ll watch ads,'" Sarandos told a crowd of attendees at the Cannes Lions advertising festival on June 23, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Read more
Hisense announces its own Fire TV, starting at $530
Hisense U6H Fire TV.

Hisense today announced its first television with Amazon Fire TV — the U6HF. It's launching as a 50-inch model for $530, available for pre-order now. A 58-inch version is expected to be available in the fall for $600.

Specs of note include 4K resolution, of course, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+. It uses Quantum Dot technology and sports a 60Hz variable refresh rate (up to 240Hz when things get real) and 600 nits of peak brightness. There's also  Game Mode Plus to decrease input lag, and an auto low latency mode.

Read more