Comments on: TiVo To Add Disney VOD via CinemaNow

By: carroca

carroca — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:34:08 +0000

As far as unified search among all providers is concerned, isn’t that exactly what Universal Swivel Search was designed for? Give it a try. It works quite well across both regular linear TV, Amazon content, Music Choice content, Web Video Downloads (TiVoCast), and probably will include Jaman, CinemaNow, YouTube, and other content as it is added. Sure it needs to be more publicized so people will know about it and use it but it does exist.

By: Dale Dietrich

Dale Dietrich — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:58:39 +0000

Well exactly Dan. In my perfect TiVo world my credit card is registered with TiVo alone. I choose the content I want from various offers but TiVo bills me and remits to the provider saving me the hassle. And, ya, it would be nice if they accepted paypal.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:46:34 +0000

Different providers means registering my credit card more. Maybe TiVo’s next partnership should be with PayPal.

I like more providers……just not the extra “bookkeeping”.

By: Dale Dietrich

Dale Dietrich — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:45:08 +0000

I’m with you Dave in that I want a unified search – heck a duplicate of the current search box for TV shows would be idea.

But in my ‘TiVo dream scenario’ TiVo would be a competitive platform. If I search for a movie and multiple providers sell through TiVo, I’d like to see the search results line up side by side so I can compare prices, video quality, language etc. and choose the one just right for me.

But that’s still all fantasy. Now I’d be happy if they made the service available in Canada!

…Dale

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:42:42 +0000

AG, I’m critical because I care. Seriously, I’m a TiVo customer and obviously mostly pleased with the service – it has the most complete guide data and is the most reliable DVR. However, other interfaces are evolving while TiVo has largely remained stagnant. They’ll move more videos by having a unified front end that allows one to search all titles, rather than having less savvy folks choosing from a list of movie services (CinemaNow, Amazon Unbox, Jaman) hoping to find the one that may have the title they’re interested in.

Kevin, What are these guys doing with major announcements while I’m on the road (and during a holiday week). I’ll have to read up on it.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:59:45 +0000

Dave,

Speaking of Amazon Unbox, you might want to check out the following news item out today regarding Amazon’s NEXT VOD service…streaming this time.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=8930

By: Ivan

Ivan — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:53:03 +0000

I kinda agree with you, Dave, on the menu system. Compared to VMC, or even Moxi, the system has gotten too branched out and needs some tightening up.

But, personally, what I want to see most if ability to view/add/delete scheduled recording online in REAL TIME. Second on the list would be fater interface for advanced functions. I haven’t tried them since Sprint update, but stuff like Rhapsody was sloooooooooooooow on my S2DT unit. That’s why I gave up on all advanced features altogether.

By: AG

AG — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:28:41 +0000

Dave,

I have to say I think the complaint about the interface is just a bit too much inside pool. I’m not saying you’re wrong on the merits. But I’m a more-knowledgeable-than-average user, and I’ve been a Tivo subscriber for more than seven years. The menus are fine for me, and I don’t REALLY mind the clutter, or even what might be called slowness. I think Amazon Unbox is an awesome option. And whatever legitimate criticsms one might make about Tivo, it seems to me that it’s still superior to any other DVR out there. After all, what other product can time-shift your TV in HD; add an external drive for extra storage; off-load unprotected content to a desktop or laptop computer; permit remote scheduling through a browser; and allow download of pretty good quality video, over the internet, that can then be easily watched on your TV? If there is one, I don’t know what it is.