Comments on: The Day in TiVo

By: cypherstream

cypherstream — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:42:11 +0000

What’s with the Tivo on Comcast / Cox initiative? When was that announced? 2005? Wow were in 2009 now. Are they going to pull another Duke Nukem Forever http://duke.a-13.net/ ?

The cable DVR’s are horrible. It appears as if they have the cheapest, crappiest software available. The boxes have some specs to them that make you think they could mimic Tivo, but no one’s made software good enough for it. Verizon’s REAL close. Just bring 16:9 support to the UI and they got it. Cable on the other hand is a downright failure.

I’m thinking of Tivo, but two things really irk me about it. It still doesn’t look 16:9. Correct me if I’m wrong, but in all the online screen shots everything looks stretched horizontally. If I have a high resolution plasma TV, I want that screen real-estate taken advantage of. Secondly lack of Cable VOD integration. There’s lots of short clips and free shows from music videos, to enhancing the value of premium channels with their VOD counterpart. If this Seachange deal works, and it’s not another “boy who cries wolf” like the Comcast/Cox Tivo, perhaps Cable VOD Tivo Integration with that new interface shown on here a few months ago would sell me on one for sure.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:46:35 +0000

Todd, while it’s officially locked down there are some good community-developed ways to get content on and off the box. Since TiVo hasn’t had any real or interesting news in quite some time, perhaps I”ll revisit some of these tools/methods.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:12:22 +0000

TiVo – the little engine that could, turned cold corporate innovation stagnator.

I used to have TiVo ( 2002 ) and really liked it, it was the ever increasing cost and the lock down, “no soup for you!” about face they did, that cause me to leave.

Dear TiVo execs that read this blog – I implore you to fracture your product line to match the economic realities of 2009. Keep the ultra expensive TiVo XL HD with diamond encrusted remote but add a super cheap box too.

Ultra basic box, with HD OTA support for $99 that includes one year of service and we the great unwashed will return to you.

Double bonus WIN: greatly open up your Draconian API and third party developer network.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:55:58 +0000

No, you’re not the only one… I specifically quoted that portion of the release. As far as which features it will encompass, who knows. I’d say TiVoToGo is less likely than audio and picture media extender functionality. But what I’d really like to see is Multi-room Viewing and the Netflix app.

By: dwgsp

dwgsp — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:51:10 +0000

Am I the only one who noticed this in the DIRECTV statement:

“The new HD DVR will include popular TiVo broadband features…”

Does that mean MRV? TTG? YouTube?

/Don

By: ddddd

ddddd — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:33:14 +0000

I’m with you Mari. I’ve used several non-Tivo DVR options and have consistantly returned to Tivo has the best product choice for me. The cable DVRs are horrific (in general). Their managment team has made a mess of the business side of Tivo.

By: Mari

Mari — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:03:00 +0000

What happened to TiVo? Seriously. Feels like it should have made a move about 2 years ago, and now it’s just dying the death of a thousand (cable-inflicted?) paper cuts.

By: Ellipse

Ellipse — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:45:25 +0000

As one of those “most loyal customers” that is patiently waiting for the new DirecTiVo devices/software, it would be nice to hear a little bit more about what is going to be, rather then keep us in the dark.

(actually, since it has been so dark for so long here in “most loyal customer”-land, even these little pinholes of light seem like a supernova!)

Keep poking and prodding, Dave….

(oh, and nice picture….is that your fence?) >[;)]=