As I’ve mentioned previously, TiVo’s new Series3 model does not offer TiVoToGo (TTG), Multiroom Viewing (MRV), or external storage due to the CableLabs certification process. Now we seem to have received confirmation that the group is evaluating MRV functionality, though TiVo has not yet approached them about TiVoToGo. I can’t say I’m surprised — I imagine they’re going after the low-hanging fruit first: 1. Get the S3 out the door, 2. Enable external storage, 3. Enable MRV, 4. Discuss TTG. Time will tell…
MediaPost writes: The company that decides these things, a private nonprofit organization run by the cable companies, is Cable Research Laboratories, or CableLabs. It has not been approached by TiVo about expanding the capability in the Series 3, says Jud Cary, deputy general counsel for CableLabs. “It’s not been put on the table,” Cary asserts. “We are in discussions about MRV [multi-room viewing], but TiVoToGo has not been submitted to CableLabs for review. We’ve never seen it.”
A spokesperson for TiVo would not answer direct questions about the Series3, CableLabs and DRM, but did release the following statement: “TiVo’s primary goal was to launch and introduce the Series 3 to consumers in time for the holiday season this year. TiVo has the capability and a long history of downloading features to its customers on a regular basis. We are currently working with CableLabs on several technologies centered around moving content around the home environment.”
I have to say that TivoToGo has gone from a curiosity to a pretty important part of my TV viewing experience. I’ve TTG-ed several shows to burn DVDs for my coworkers who’ve missed episodes, or don’t have Tivo or cable/satellite.
I’d say at this point at TTG is pretty much a necessary feature for me, especially for an $800 product. At the very least, you should be able to TTG shows broadcast in the clear, and OTA.
The MOT interview discouraged me on this topic.
The reasonable side of us keeps saying OTA/analog will be allowed; but this is like putting a group of lunatics together, triple dosing them with LSD, and getting a “solution.”
You know if you read “official” comments from TiVo regarding TTG and CableLabs in the context of knowing “TiVoToGo has not been submitted to CableLabs for review,” you realize TiVo totally skirted the issue in their comments. In no way did they say TTG was already submitted; but it would appear to the casual reader, in context with other talk about submissions and timelines, that TTG had been submitted.
I trust TiVo is working hard on working towards getting TTG approved by CableLabs, just as they are with certain other features.
In my experience, marketing/PR folks generally choose their words very carefully. I continually work on my ability to filter, interpret, read between the lines.
I read Bob’s original post, when he posted it, and for me the bottom line was: CableLabs is the gatekeeper and TiVo hasn’t made it through yet — the specifics weren’t so important. There’s a high probability both MRV and TTG will need technical adaptations (such as downscaling content, or only allowing analog), meaning we won’t see anything soon.
I’m a regular user of TTG, in fact that’s how I get recorded shows onto DVD, but I think that MRV is definitely the more important feature.
I am worried about what kind of restrictions there may be on MRV, for example concievably they could restrict the MRV so that a Series3 could only transfer shows to another Series3 and not to a Series2. After all if you can transfer a show from a Series3 to a Series2 you might be able to get it off of the Series2 via TTG or other methods.
In general agreement.
Without MRV I won’t buy a Tivo Series 3 box. Its too important.
Without TTG, I can just use my existing Tivo Series 2 box with my computer, and I’ll be fine.
Anything that requires all STBs to be Series 3 would kill this option , since I can’t live without TTG.
I can live with MRV only allowing OUT to other Tivo boxes the SD captures. If the Series 3 isn’t capable of on-the-fly transcoding HD to SD this is probably the only option anyway.
Displaying my ignorance:
TTG rocks. I love TIVO because they did it.
They let me set the password; therefore laws against hacking protect me, not RISCC.
I don’t normally use TTG; but I know TIVO is a company that actually provided a feature designed for the customer.