Bell is going to enable its USB ports in 08

[Vulcan]

Bell Expressvu is going to enable it's USB 2.0 ports on it's 9242 dual tuner PVR [$599] and the new 6141 [$299] single tuner, making it a PVR, so that we can connect a hard drive up to maybe 750 GB for recording. This should happen this year. Both receivers are for the some day switch to Mpeg 4. I'm pleased with my 9242 and maybe Bell is getting it's mojo back.

Here's a link
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=78193

[Vulcan]

I'd like to add that these tuners will be capable of using Archos which is a hand held portable LCD device with it's own hard drive.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=78194

[metallicat]

This makes the decision to stay with Shaw even harder now.

[Russic]

wow . . . i hope this forces shaw's hand to allow the same. Most likely won't, but a man can dream.

[HOOT]

THey should do it for their 9200 HDPVR too!

[Engine09]

Does this mean you'll be able to move data off the PVR and transfer it to another hard drive? Or simply connect another hard drive for more storage?

I still haven't picked up a 9242, still putting it off.

[Russic]

Does this mean you'll be able to move data off the PVR and transfer it to another hard drive? Or simply connect another hard drive for more storage?

I still haven't picked up a 9242, still putting it off.

The ability to move data would make sense to me. With tivo now in canada and it being able to transfer recorded material to ipods and other portable media devices, the other companies will need to keep up the pace in this regard.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Exciting news - my 500 GB USB drive is itching for a workout. And transferring to an iPod would be a great benefit too.

[Vulcan]

Here's a video from Pat Button, VP of sales and marketing, at the CES convention explaining this new technology.

http://www.marketnews.ca/videos_detail.asp?vid=48

[Vulcan]

THey should do it for their 9200 HDPVR too!

Not sure, but I hear the 9200 is only USB 1.1, so it won't work.

[Vulcan]

I have a love - hate relationship with Bell but at the risk of beginning to sound like a Bell fan boy, here's a little more news. The 9242 dual tuner PVR is on sale at Best Buy for $499.99. Maybe Future Shop's price match will lower that by 10%. New customers may be eligible for some other freebies too but I don't pay attention to that.

[Barnes]

Don't Bell boxes have Firewire ports? Shaw's are active and I believe they are forced to by the government.

[ken0042]

The 9242 dual tuner PVR is on sale at Best Buy for $499.99. Maybe Future Shop's price match will lower that by 10%. New customers may be eligible for some other freebies too but I don't pay attention to that.

Future Shop's flyer also has it on for $499.99. As for new customers, they are also get a $200 bill credit on a 2 year contract.

[Engine09]

Not bad, they were $599 just a few weeks ago, correct?

As for the USB ports being enabled, is this done with a firmware upgrade, or will you have to wait and buy a new unit with the hardware updated?

[Vulcan]

Not bad, they were $599 just a few weeks ago, correct?

As for the USB ports being enabled, is this done with a firmware upgrade, or will you have to wait and buy a new unit with the hardware updated?

With firmware.