Keyword recording comes to IceTV Interactive

November 19th, 2008

We’ve just added two huge new features to the IceTV Interactive website.

Keyword Record

Keyword Recordings are a great way to automatically record shows by actor name, director name or by general topics of interest. Set up a Keyword Record for “Ricky Gervais” to record every single movie and show staring Ricky Gervais, no matter when they’re on. Set up a Keyword Recording for “cricket” to record every part of the action this summer regardless of channel, or where the game is being played.

To add a Keyword Record, search for something in the IceTV Interactive TV guide, then click on “Add a Keyword Record or Keyword Favourite”, set the desired options (including setting Action to Record), then click Add Keyword Record. Once a match for your Keyword is found, your device at home will go ahead and record it.

Keyword Favourite

Keyword Favourites are just like Keyword Recordings, except they don’t record. This is handy for keeping an eye on specific actors or concepts.

Start using IceTV’s new Keyword Record and Keyword Favourite features as part of IceTV Interactive today and take the guess work out of what’s on TV and when. Then sit back, relax and let IceTV do all the work for you.

More detailed info about Keywords and IceTV Interactive can be found here:
icetv.com.au/interactive/about/

We’re just getting started!

2008 has been a great year for IceTV. We’ve added a large number of free upgrades and new features to our service. Here’s a taste of what we’ve been up to:

RSS feeds for My Upcoming Shows and searches November 5, 2008
IceTV Interactive integration for Topfield TF7100HDPVRt October 29, 2008
IceTV Facebook app released September 1, 2008
IceTV iPhone app released August 8, 2008
IceTV Interactive integration for Beyonwiz PVRs May 6, 2008
New website released and big upgrade to IceTV Interactive May 5, 2008
IceTV Recommendations released April 30, 2008
IceTV EPG adds Nine HD April 21, 2008
IceTV Widget released February 22, 2008
IceTV EPG adds 7 HD and Ten HD January 16, 2008

With features like downloadable content and more on the agenda… 2009 is already set to be even bigger!

So what are you waiting for? Start Keyword Recording now!

Posted in Interactive, Press Release, Service Announcement, Software Release, Website |

IceTV is moving offices

November 13th, 2008

We are moving offices starting from Monday the 17th of November. Although we have been busy packing boxes in preparation for the move, there is likely to be some downtime during the next week.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Service Announcement |

IceTV Interactive PVRs Win at Sound & Image Awards

November 6th, 2008

The two PVR brands that support IceTV’s EPG and IceTV Interactive software (Topfield & Beyonwiz) are cleaning up at this year’s industry awards so far, with Sound & Image magazine last week awarding the Topfield TF7100HDPVRt with the “Best PVR Product” for 2009. The Beyonwiz DP-P2 was awarded the runners-up prize of “Highly Recommended” in the same category, while the much-hyped TiVo failed to even get a mention.

The Topfield TF7100HDPVRt is also currently topping the list on CNET Australia, beating both the Foxtel IQ2 and TiVo as rated by you, the public!

The focus now shifts to other highly-regarded industry awards soon to be announced, such as the SmartHouse Awards for 2009, which last year awarded IceTV with the “Best Vision Product”.

We expect both these Topfield & Beyonwiz branded PVRs to rank highly once again, thanks to their hardware capabilities and their compatibility with our own IceTV Interactive software, truly offering Australian consumers total freedom over what they watch and when.

Congratulations to both Topfield and Beyonwiz for their respective achievements and to Sound & Image for recognising their unique product offerings.

(We like to think that offering IceTV Interactive support played a small part in securing the Awards… but will let you be the judge).

Grab a copy of December’s Sound & Image magazine to see who else came out on top!

Posted in Beyonwiz, Competitions, Interactive, PVR, Topfield, Uncategorized |

New feature: RSS feeds for My Upcoming Shows and searches

November 5th, 2008

We’ve just added three new RSS feeds to the IceTV Interactive pages. If you’re a regular RSS user, this is probably good news. If you don’t currently use an RSS reader or don’t know what an RSS feed is, don’t sweat. You may not personally use this service, but it should open up some possibilities for enterprising developers, allowing for some interesting 3rd party uses and applications.

My Upcoming Shows RSS feed

This RSS feed contains all the shows in My Upcoming Shows, including favourites, single recordings and series recordings set via IceTV Interactive. To find the link for this feed, go to My Upcoming Shows, then click on the “My Upcoming Shows RSS” link at the top of the page. This should launch your RSS reader or view the RSS feed in your browser, if you have that capability (we recommend Firefox, Safari and Google Reader).

TV guide search RSS feed

It’s also possible to search for something on the IceTV Interactive TV guide page, then view the search as an RSS feed by clicking on “Subscribe to an RSS feed for this search” (saving the RSS feed will depend on which reader you’re using).

You will be notified when shows matching certain keywords you set appear in the next 7 days, allowing you to then go ahead and schedule them to record on your device at home.

My Upcoming Shows search RSS feed

For completeness, we’ve also included the ability to search on the My Upcoming Shows page and save that as an RSS feed too. Just search for something on your My Upcoming Shows, then click on the “Subscribe to an RSS feed for this search” link.

We have a few aces left up our sleeves for 2008, so stay tuned for more exciting features.

Also, while we’re on the subject of RSS feeds, why not subscribe to our IceTV news feed to stay up to date with everything we’re up to?

Posted in Interactive, Service Announcement |

Topfield TF7100HDPVRt… now truly Interactive.

October 29th, 2008

Following a recent firmware update released earlier today by Topfield, the new High Definition Topfield TF7100HDPVRt is now compatible with IceTV Interactive.

IceTV Interactive adds some great features, including remote recording, series recording, keyword searching, the ability to create your own TV guide & view your own personalised week ahead, see what’s popular with IceTV users and more.

Customers can now access these IceTV Interactive features from the IceTV website, customised mobile phone mini-site, via the IceTV Widget and via the newly released iPhone and Facebook Applications to remotely manage all their TV recordings for their Topfield TF7100HDPVRt.

So for TF7100HDPVRt users, there is no need to frustratingly scroll through the TV guide grid on the TV screen anymore - with IceTV Interactive, you can manage all your favouite TV shows from almost anywhere… quickly & easily!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Hardware Release, IceTV Remote, Interactive, PVR, Press Release, Press about IceTV, Service Announcement, Software Release, Topfield, Uncategorized, Widgets, iPhone |

Auto-renew and save. It’s our way of saying thank you.

October 15th, 2008

Turning on automatic renewal for your IceTV account can now save you up to $24 a year! Simply turn on the auto renewal check box on the Personal Details tab of My Account to receive a discount when your account is next due to renew.

(Note: Once “auto-renew” is selected in your My Account settings, you do not need to then go and purchase an IceTV Subscription manually from our Online Store. The amount will automatically be charged to your account when your account is due for renewal).

Here’s the good news:

Renew monthly for $11 (normally $13) and save $24 a year.
Renew every 3 months for $29 (normally $33) and save $16 a year.
Renew yearly for $89 (normally $99) and save over 10%.

Not only will you save money, but it’s also less hassle and will ensure your EPG (electronic program guide) stays up to date and recordings will continue to be scheduled via IceTV Interactive.

If you already have auto-renewal turned on, then you’ll receive the discount automatically next time your account renews.

It’s our way of rewarding you and saying thanks for being a loyal IceTV Subscriber.

Posted in IceTV's Online Store, Service Announcement, Website |

October Meltdown Sale now on!!!

October 2nd, 2008

Not sure whether it’s the weather or the time of year… but it is pretty hot outside and with a faulty Air Con system at IceTV HQ… things are getting a little crazy!

We have dropped the prices in October across all USB TV Tuner sticks for Mac.

The NEW Elgato EyeTV DTT with EyeTV3 - Only $139 (RRP $149 - SAVE $10!!!)
Elgato EyeTV DTT Deluxe with EyeTV3 (New Product) - Only $169 (RRP $199 - SAVE $30!!!)
The NEW Elgato EyeTV Diversity with EyeTV3 - Only $229 (RRP $249 - SAVE $20!!!)
The NEW Elgato EyeTV Hybrid with EyeTV3 - Only $259 (RRP $299 - SAVE $40!!!)
Elgato Turbo.264 Video Encoder - Only $189 (RRP $199 - SAVE $10!!!)
Pinnacle Mac DVB-T Stick with EyeTV Lite -Only $89 (RRP $99 - SAVE $10!!!)
Pinnacle Mac Hybrid Stick with EyeTV Lite - Only $169 (RRP $199 - SAVE $30!!!)

So while the heat is on… grab yourself a bargain!

Not interested in a TV Tuner stick… then how about 10% off IceTV for another year?

Regards,

IceTV Sales Team.

Posted in IceTV's Online Store, Uncategorized |

10% Discount on IceTV!!!

September 24th, 2008

Great News…

From now until the end of October… IceTV is having a 10% sale on all yearly subscriptions.

For those loyal and long standing IceTV citizens, renewing your IceTV subscription is now a whole lot cheaper. Renew your account for another 12 months for less than $1.72 per week!!!

To celebrate the release of our new Facebook and iPhone apps, we’re going to extend this 10% discount to new customers as well.

**So everyone can get IceTV for another year for around $89*.**

To take advantage of this great offer and get the 10% discount you will need to do the following;

Existing Customers (Paid, Free Trial & Returning) - Click Here and select the 12-month subscription option. Then select the option to the right “Top-up my existing account” and enter in your existing IceTV username and password to retrieve your account details.

On the next page you will need to enter the discount code (see below) in the discount code field provided (located directly above the IceTV License Agreement window), to get the reduced price. Click ‘continue’ and you will see the 10% discount applied and the new price before finalising your purchase.

(Note: As an existing Customer you may have already selected the “Automatic Renewal” option in your My Account settings for a 12 month subscription. If this is the case and your account is due for renewal during this offer, then you will automatically get the reduced price and there is no need to use the discount. If you are unsure, please check your My Account settings).

New Customers - Click Here and select the 12-month subscription option. Then select the “Create new Account” option to register your details. Make sure you enter the discount code (see below) in the discount code field provided (located directly above the IceTV License Agreement window), to get the reduced price. Click ‘continue’ and you will see the 10% discount applied and the new price before entering your payment details.

Discount code: “icetvrocks”

*The discount code and discounted price on renewal subscriptions is available for a limited time. You can only use the discount code once. IceTV reserves the right to end this offer at its own discretion.

Posted in IceTV EPG, IceTV's Online Store, Uncategorized, Website |