NBC has announced that they are introducing a program that will let you automatically download some of their shows to your PC. With the announcement came the latest round of TiVo doom and gloom articles, that assert that this technology will some how be able to replace a DVR. While I like that NBC is being innovative and are offering more choices to consumers, I am also skeptical about the long term prospects for this one.

I suspect that NBC is hoping to build a strong subscription base for the shows, so that they can then try and pitch companies on paying for ads by the download. There may be some advertisers that will be foolish enough to accept these arrangements, but over the long run, the advertisers will figure out why it’s doomed for failure.

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In case you haven’t heard, Amazon Unbox is offering free downloads of various NBC fall premieres. Being a TiVo owner, I opted to watch Bionic Woman on television (versus PC or portable) and as the title indicates, I wasn’t overjoyed. Perhaps a two hour premiere or two-parter would have served the plot better - things seemed rushed and definitely progressed too quickly to be believable. I also felt like I was stuck in a Battlestar Gallatica reunion show - I know where to find Starbuck and Galen if I really want to see them. Maybe I’m just spoiled - can any show live up to the excitement and mystery provided by the first episode of Lost?

I’m not sure this is what NBC had in mind, but I thank them and Amazon for allowing me to save space on my DVR by killing the Bionic Woman Season Pass before it starts. Next up tonight: Chuck & Quantum Leap Journeyman.

Never enough time…

• TiVo Now Available in Mexico City (Press Release): CNN Money
• No Ad Skipping For Australian TiVo: TiVo Blog
• How TiVo Can Its Groove Back: NewTeeVee
• Play video games on your TiVo: TV Squad
• $200 Series3 TiVo Rebate: TiVo Lovers
• Ramsay’s consulting gig for $144 an hour: Mercury News

So the title above is my bold prediction. Given the missing kickstart backdoor on the TiVo HD and the recent software update requiring external drives be pre-formatted with TiVo’s file system, I believe it’s a lock that we’ll see eSATA TiVo-branded drives for Series3 and TiVo HD units… And I believe we’ll see them populating store shelves within weeks. Why weeks? If TiVo wants a holiday retail presence (I assume they do), given the way the retail channel operates, product must hit store shelves soon - probably by the end of October. Of course TiVo wouldn’t confirm any of this, but they didn’t deny it either.

Bob Pony of TiVo Product Marketing dropped by the TCF last night with news that many of us had been hoping to hear:

I wanted to let you know that development has been progressing smoothly, and all is well. You can expect TTG & MRV to be available for Series3 and TiVoHD this November. These features will provide support for video transfers between Series3 & Series2 systems and between a Series3/Series2 system and a PC. High Definition content will not be supported for transfer or playback on a Series2 system (Series2’s just can’t play HD), and copy-protected High Def or Standard Def content cannot be transferred (same as our current Series2 products).

Why pre-announce? (TiVo’s PR agency directed me to Bob’s post.) Perhaps to give folks hope and to tweak holiday sales. Perhaps to reveal the information on their own terms given past beta leaks. Regardless of the rationale, this is very good news. Hopefully they’ll release it as planned in November and transferring HD content won’t be as slow as I fear. And speaking of leaks, I suspect official eSATA support will land on the Series3/HD at the same time, if not sooner - though I haven’t been able to confirm that TiVo will be selling branded external drives.

TiVo co-founder and former CEO Michael Ramsay has moved on according to the SEC paperwork filed yesterday:

On August 30, 2007, we accepted the resignation of Michael Ramsay as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Ramsay has been named to the post of Venture Partner at New Enterprises Associates, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm, which already has representation on the Company’s Board. Pursuant to our Transition and Consulting Agreement with Mr. Ramsay, effective August 30, 2007, he will continue to provide services to the Company as a consultant focused on technology and other issues. As we previously disclosed, we expect to incur approximately $3 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense in connection with the agreement during our quarter ending October 31, 2007.

(via Mercury News)

Philips has announced it’s getting into the DVR software game. Apparently undeterred by the presence of TiVo, Microsoft, Verizon and Comcast/Gemstar, not to mention PC players like ReplayTV, the CE company has developed the Personal TV Channel. The software includes a program guide and recommendation engine for building a personal channel of favorite TV content. It will also be able to access Internet video and podcasts. On timing, the word is that a PC version will be available early next year (CES 2008?) as a free download for Windows Vista users and will ship to set-top makers within a year.

So here’s my question. What kind of set-tops is the Philips software built for? Cable or IPTV? Unless the company already has a deal in the works with TiVo, for which it used to manufacture hardware, I’d guess IPTV. Microsoft is close to the only game in town on that front, and I know operators would like a few options available.