10:50 AM MSO confirms tests are underway but is mum on when it will launch on a broad scale

Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor

August 27, 2009

1 Min Read
Comcast Tests Remote DVR

10:50 AM -- A Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) spokeswoman confirmed that the MSO is testing a new Web-based application that allows customers to manage and program their DVRs remotely.

Following a tip, the Zatz Not Funny blog posted some of the evidence, which may also be seen here.

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There, Comcast customers are prompted to click on an "Activate Now" button and enter a user name and password so the "MyDVR Manager" can sync up with the subscriber's DVR. The site warns, however, that the process could take up to 24 hours to complete.

But most who take that step will be sorely disappointed to learn that doing so doesn't fire up the application, at least not yet. Instead, it tells visitors, "Sorry, we cannot activate you at this time," and directs them to call Comcast customer service.

That's because the app is still being tested, and there's no word yet on which markets will launch it first, or when. But it's certainly on the way.

Comcast confirmed in July that remote DVR capabilities will grace a future release of its recently introduced Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone/iPod Touch application. (See Comcast's TV-Free iPhone App .)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Cable Digital News



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About the Author(s)

Jeff Baumgartner

Senior Editor, Light Reading

Jeff Baumgartner is a Senior Editor for Light Reading and is responsible for the day-to-day news coverage and analysis of the cable and video sectors. Follow him on X and LinkedIn.

Baumgartner also served as Site Editor for Light Reading Cable from 2007-2013. In between his two stints at Light Reading, he led tech coverage for Multichannel News and was a regular contributor to Broadcasting + Cable. Baumgartner was named to the 2018 class of the Cable TV Pioneers.

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