Few companies are more on the cutting edge of technological development than DIRECTV. Their increasing number of satellites orbiting the planet, the increasing number of HD packages and sports packages, the increasingly powerful receiver/DVR combos and much more keep this company in the news.

One of the most recent developments in the arena is the long-anticipated DIRECTV2PC connection. This innovative offering will allow consumers to stream content from their DVR to their PC without issue. This ensures maximum enjoyment for everyone in the household. For instance, if the TV is occupied, content can be sent to any connected PC, ensuring that everyone has something interesting to watch. In addition, you get the same user interface, so there’s nothing new to memorize or learn how to use.

What equipment will you need? How much will the option cost? Cost and equipment requirements have not been announced yet, other than the need for a DIRECTV Plus DVR Receiver/DVR. Rumors circulate about the price, as well, but it could possibly be free, if current documentation is correct. That means you get an entirely new platform on which to watch your programming – at no charge to you!

Of course, you’ll need to have DIRECTV HD programming in place to watch HD content. Currently, the company has also not announced the coverage area, though the beta version does seem to have some geographic limitations. However, if the product development continues apace, your Vista-enabled PC will soon be able to watch, record and play all your favorite HD programs, channels and sports programming.

In a similar vein, the DIRECTV Windows Media Center PC Tuner is finally in the works. This device will allow you to watch, record and playback all your DIRECTV content directly on your computer. The device physically resembles a computer server more than anything else, though its sleek, black case is emblazoned with the DIRECTV logo.

As with the DIRECTV2PC connection, pricing information (or even release date) is not yet available, but the company assures the details are coming.

What do these advancements mean for customers? Simply put, it means that the seamless integration of PC and TV is not far off. If you will soon be able to stream DVR content to your PC, or tune into your satellite TV programming through your computer, how much longer could it possibly take until both devices are one and the same?

Apparently, it could take some time. DIRECTV has released no information about a single unit option, though rumors abound in the industry concerning prototypes and experimentation. While that may not mean that DIRECTV has Frankenstein’s monster in their basement, it certainly seems to imply the direction the industry is going and what form it may eventually take.

Of course, both of the options listed above are Windows-based applications. There is currently no word about Mac compatibility, though that is also a distinct possibility, but not at this point in development. Of course, the device does require Windows Media Center to operate, so Mac compatibility may be a moot point.

You may think DirecTV and TiVo are natural competitors, since they offer similar technology in Digital Video Recording. However, the two companies will be working together until at least 2015 as they launch a new high-definition digital video recorder. Their cross promotion venture will see DirecTV actively market TiVo’s DVR products to new customers.

Who will this relationship help the most? For the most part, it will help TiVo, the DVR pioneer that has recently fallen on hard times. TiVo will gain access to DirecTV’s thriving market—a market that is predicted to escalate in 2009, when broadcast networks make the transition from analog broadcast to digital broadcast. This will be a major change in marketing strategy for TiVo, who has yet to seriously tap into the HD TV market.

You may remember that TiVo and DVR were once allies, back in 2000, when DirecTV first offered DVR technology packaged with a TiVo system. Over time, however, the business relationship deteriorated and eventually DirecTV negotiated with the NDS Group PLC for additional DVR technology. DirecTV has continued to support TiVo services for their existing customer base; however, the overall base has diminished because most users have upgraded their services to HD or have just abandoned the provider altogether. Now that these two companies are working together again, TiVo will get a second chance to market its services towards DirecTV’s HD customers.

How are we to understand this, since DirecTV already has an HD DVR system? DirecTV will continue to offer subscribers its own DVR boxes, but will give customers the option of setting up a new TiVo box as well. The new TiVo box, which will be presumably loaded with new HD features, will be released sometime after mid-2009. Pricing has not yet been finalized for the system, though one can assume that TiVo will remain competitive with the DirecTV model, as well as with generic and cable-operated DVR systems.

TiVo has approximately 3.6 million subscribers, considering all of its associations with Comcast Corp. and Cox Communications Inc. A TiVo spokesman recently said that he was “excited that a marriage that once worked extremely well together now has a second shot.” This news has certainly been good for TiVo stockholders, who saw their investment recently rise 24 cents.

Some of the most popular DVR options voted by satellite TV subscribers include the ability to rewind and pause live TV programs, to record all occurrences of a show by name throughout a week’s schedule, and to record two shows while watching another one. Competition between satellite providers, online TV providers and cable providers continues to intensify, even while independent manufacturers market generic DVRs for all viewers. Both DirecTV and TiVo are well known as pioneers in the Digital Video Recorder industry. Both companies are now optimistic about the future, which, beyond 2009, looks very geared towards a digital revolution.