If you have Cablevision, then you probably know about its remote DVR features, which allow you to record TV shows remotely for later viewing within Cablevision offices. Previously, there was a petition questioning the legality of remote DVR usage which reached the Supreme Court. Once there, the United States Supreme Court disposed of the petition, a move greatly appreciated by the CEA.

CEO and President of CEA, Gary Shapiro, had this to say about the remote DVR technology, “The ability to record television programming has become commonplace to millions of Americans which has benefited consumers and allowed the consumer technology and content industries to contribute billions of dollars to our economy and create millions of jobs.”

He goes on further to say that it doesn’t matter how you record shows, whether it be a box, or in an office. Another argument used by Shapiro is the fact that Apple and Google already offer similar services, so it makes sense that remote DVR technology such as this is allowed to prosper.

This always seemed like an odd case. Why would remote DVRs be illegal when regular DVRs were legal? If you had a very long cable between your hard drive and your set top box, that would be illegal? With the Supreme Court denying to review the lower court’s decision, expect more cable providers to start setting up remote DVR functionality. Just imagine never filling up your hard drive space on your DVR. Or just imagine the cable companies telling you that you get 5 hours of DVR space and for a fee you can get more space. Hmm…one of those options seems a lot more realistic than the other.

Verizon is bringing its FiOS TV service to a new part of New York. What part? They are coming to that hotbed of television watching, the Buffalo area. It seems like the strangest places get to experience new technologies first. After New York City, Buffalo is the largest city in New York State with over a million people in its greater metropolitan area.

Of course, Verizon is throwing together some deals so they can hook people into their FiOS service for the long haul. Their deals include some premium channels for free for a limited time as well as potential savings on DVRs. Even more interesting is that Verizon is offering more HD channels than Time Warner Cable, the dominant cable provider in New York. This should provide a bit of competition in the television market of the Buffalo area.