Toshiba's SD-H400 digital
media server offers the convenience of no-fee PVR service with the option
for immediate upgrades alongside high-quality, progressive-scan DVD-Video
playback--all from a single, easy-to-use component. The SD-H400 houses an
80 GB TiVo Series2 PVR that comes with TiVo Basic service, providing free,
limited TiVo features right out of the box, with no subscription fees.
TiVo Basic service offers
the ability to control live TV through features like pause, fast forward,
rewind, and slow motion playback of live television; three days of
electronic program guide; and manual recording capability by time and
channel. The SD-H400 is the first device to offer TiVo Basic service.
The SD-H400's DVD-video
section is equipped with a 10-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter
for maximum color purity, detail, and resolution. When connected to a
television via the unit's ColorStream Pro component-video outputs, you'll
be ready to enjoy Toshiba's Digital Cinema Progressive technology with
either DVDs or TiVo PVR playback. The SD-H400 can also play formats such
as DVD-R, DVD-RW, video CD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 CDs.
Because the SD-H400 is
built on TiVo Series2 technology, you have the ability to upgrade to full
TiVo service to enjoy features such as Season Pass (the ability to record
every episode of a program no matter when it airs, automatically),
WishList (which finds and records programs that feature your favorite
actor, director, or genre), Search by Title (which helps you find any show
when all you know is its title), 14 days of program guide data, richer
recording options, and an easy-to-use scheduling interface. (Full TiVo
service costs $12.95 a month or $299 for a lifetime subscription; visit
www.TiVo.com for detailed information.)
Another upgrade available
to the Toshiba SD-H400 is the TiVo Home Media Option, a premium package of
networked home entertainment. This configuration takes full advantage of
the SD-H400's capabilities as a digital media server. The Home Media
Option--an upgrade available via phone or broadband connection--lets you
use the SD-H400's USB port to connect the SD-H400 to your wired or
wireless home network and PC.
The Home Media Option
adds the following features to the SD-H400: streaming MP3 files and
digital photo viewing from a PC or Macintosh for playback through your TV
or home-entertainment system, remote scheduling (through which you can
schedule TiVo recordings from anywhere you can access the Internet), and
connection to another TiVo Series2 PVR within your home (so you can share
programs between the two units--for, say, viewing a program in the bedroom
that was recorded in the family room, and vice versa).
