TiVo’s PR agency just confirmed to me that Desktop 2.5 is launching today. And while the web page hasn’t been updated yet, the download link has been discovered. New features, as reported Monday, can be seen in my installation window:

(more…)

As early as tomorrow, TiVo will grace us with Desktop 2.5 (PC) featuring:

• Support for Windows Vista.
• Support for DivX and Xvid formats for Web Video Conversions (wrapped in .avi or .divx containers).
• Convert individual shows from Desktop’s Now Playing list at any time, to any profile, by right-clicking.

Web video conversions? Hm! Can we also transcode TiVo recordings to DivX or Xvid? (That $25 Plus Key may suddenly become more valuable…) Is transcoded video still limited to 320×240 in the iPhone era? Stay tuned for these answers and more.

(Thanks, Steve!)

Looks like the TiVo HD announcement may have already resulted in quite a few Series3 returns (in Oklahoma City). Even with an open box price of $520, the TiVo HD ($299 or less) is a much better value… once those macroblocking issues have been resolved.

(Thanks for the pics, JJ!)

One TiVo stockholder’s take…

The USPTO action finalizes the first phase of the Patent Office reconsideration of TiVo’s patent. The enforceable part of a patent is a series of “claims” (basically descriptions of part of a thing or process). Some of the claims of TiVo’s patent were validated, some were rejected. The claims that were validated are done — they’re now rock solid. The claims that were rejected will now be the focus of further action.

A couple of things can now happen: 1) TiVo can appeal the decision through the appeals process of the Patent Office, then the federal court of appeals, and finally the Supreme Court; and/or 2) TiVo can work with the Patent Office examiner to modify the claims to make them acceptable to the Office. This second option is particularly valuable because two of TiVo’s claims (#1 and #32) form the basis of all the rejected claims. If they can be “fixed,” all of the rejected claims will likely be validated. Since, in an earlier meeting, the patent examiner agreed that TiVo’s interpretation of the claims distinguished them from prior art, but asked them to show how that was represented in the wording of the claims, it seems that this second route would likely be successful. TiVo has 60 days to respond to this latest action, and will likely do nothing until very close to the end of that period.

In any event, the process will go on for many months or several years, and will therefore likely have no impact on TiVo’s lawsuit against EchoStar. Anyone who doubts this should review NTP v. RIMM. NTP received a huge settlement based on a patent that had been gutted by the USPTO.

Megazone, along with others on the TiVo Community, are reporting TiVo HD pixelation (aka macroblocking) on certain stations in conjunction with Scientific Atlanta CableCARDs. I’ve already returned my review unit, so I’m unable to confirm. However, MZ says TiVo is aware of the problem… but cautions:

If you don’t want to risk experiencing the issue and you can’t live with it until TiVo issues a patch, you may want to hold off on picking up a TiVo HD until the final fix has been issued.

And if you’ve already made a purchase, remember TiVo provides a 30 day money back guarantee. The clock is ticking, TiVo.

Those of you with a vested interest (stock), probably caught news earlier this week that the US Patent and Trademark Office has completed the reexamination of a TiVo patent at play in the EchoStar case. Several claims were confirmed (software) and several were rejected (hardware). What does this all mean? Hard to say at this point, especially with oral arguments on hold until October. One thing you can bank on: This case is far from over (within both the courts and the Patent Office) unless a settlement is reached. Another thing you can bank on: Skittish investors dumping TiVo stock.

(more…)

Word out of Sony’s (New Zealand) office is that they’re “hoping” to offer a digital tuner bringing DVR functionality to the PS3 next year. The blog coverage has gotten way ahead of itself… First off, a “digital tuner” in the South Pacific or Europe is not the same as an ATSC or CableCARD tuner needed for the US. Second, while Sony did produce TiVo hardware at one point - that relationship is dead even if the contract is not. Can we stop the silliness now?