Archives For TiVo

A Tale Of Two Spotifys: TiVo v Roku

Dave Zatz —  February 9, 2013 — 13 Comments

Within a few days of each other, Roku and TiVo launched Spotify music streaming apps a month or so ago. While both apps appear to be missing Spotify Radio, the difference in launch speed is dramatic… yet representative of their respective architectures.

As you can see from the video above, the TiVo Spotify app takes over thirty seconds to load while the Roku app is up and playing music in about 5 seconds. TiVo’s app may be visual richer, once it finally opens, but the sluggish interaction is further hindered without TiVo Slide or smarthphone keyboard support… unlike Roku’s integration of their virtual keyboard. Whether or not this is TiVo’s fault is mostly irrelevant as it’s ultimately their (customer’s) problem. And it’s somewhat disappointing that a top-of-the-line TiVo Premiere XL4 ($400, plus service fees) can’t keep up with a diminutive and inexpensive Roku ($80). Apps may not be TiVo’s primary selling point, but it’s frequently their differentiator over the competing cableco’s DVR…

As I alluded to yesterday, it’s unfortunate that I feel the need to colocate a Roku with every TiVo to get a more pleasing (and stable) experience in accessing some of the very same channels (Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus). Of course, that’s looking at the glass as half empty. The alternate perspective is that Roku continues to offer the best bang for the OTT buck. Here’s to hoping TiVo’s next line of DVRs truly live up to that “one box” billing.

In Roku, TiVo
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TiVo Sets The Stage For Next Gen Digital DVR

Dave Zatz —  February 8, 2013 — 23 Comments

In a recent filing, TiVo has once again has petitioned the FCC for an analog waiver. Unlike their prior request, which paved the way for the digital cable-only TiVo Premiere Elite/XL4/Q, this time around the company intends to restore over-the-air capabilities to at least one new DVR:

This petition requests an extension of that waiver to several new all-digital cable only devices and a slight extension of that waiver to cover devices that permit reception of digital broadcast (“DTV”) signals. One model of TiVo’ s new all-digital DVRs would include ATSC over-the-air reception capability; this model, therefore, requires waiver of both the DCR Rules and Section 15.117(b)’s dual analog/digital tuner requirement.

Seems like a sure bet to me the FCC will get behind this amended extension as logic sometimes does indeed apply and TiVo does a nice job of defending their position after hearing from less than 0.2% of confused buyers. Further,

consumer use of analog video signals continues to decline rapidly and the Commission has set a hard deadline of September 1, 2015 for the termination of all remaining analog television broadcast transmissions. Meanwhile, the price and power consumption of analog tuners in TiVo DVRs continues to raise costs for consumers without providing any discernible benefit.

Unfortunately, there’s no real intel on what we might expect and we’re primarily left with the assumption that TiVo’s working on a new platform and chipset. Which was already a no brainer given the age of the existing Premiere platform. We’d hope any major refresh would integrate Stream-like capabilities and TiVo could use a significantly more robust OTT app platform. While the tea leaves don’t indicate any significant updates during the first half of the year, 2013′s back stretch remains out of focus…

(Thanks brennok!)

In CableCARD, TiVo
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Suddenlink Launches TiVo Mini

Dave Zatz —  February 7, 2013 — 13 Comments

When we’d talked TiVo Mini at CES the company informed us that while retail launch may be a few months off, cable partner Suddenlink was in the process of rolling out the new TiVo extender. Now, just few weeks later, Suddenlink has refreshed their TiVo promotional pages to highlight the Mini as a core component of their “any-room” DVR. Of course, customers will also require the four tuner TiVo Premiere Elite/XL4/Q, as the hub for the Mini to receive both recorded content and hijack a tuner for live television. From the TiVo Mini Quick Guide embedded above:

Thank you for choosing the high-definition TiVo® Mini DVR companion from Suddenlink. With the TiVo Mini, you can watch live TV, search and browse for shows, watch shows saved on TiVoPremiere DVRs in your home network, enjoy Suddenlink Video onDemand, and more!

In terms of pricing, Suddenlink tells me that TiVo Mini rentals run $6 – $11/month, dependent on region… and perhaps package or bundle. As TiVo would be wise to avoid undercutting their MSO partners, I’d say this should give us an indication of where TiVo might price the retail variant of the “DVR companion.” Continue Reading…

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TiVo Desktop To Receive Imminent Refresh?

Dave Zatz —  February 6, 2013 — 22 Comments

tivo-laptop

After years of neglect, will TiVo Desktop computer software finally see a refresh? If TiVo’s new homepage graphic is any indication, it does indeed appear their whole home solution may shortly expand beyond the television and iPad. In addition to its existing TiVoToGo download capabilities, one might assume an updated TiVo Desktop would stream DVR recordings from Premiere to PC via the TiVo Stream ($129). Although I imagine many of us would prefer TiVo Stream Android capabilities ahead of Windows.

Also divined from the company’s update web imagery, Tim Tebow’s contract as the face of TIVo obviously extends beyond the 2012 holiday sales season… despite feeling the need to launch a support page disavowing his religious views:

TiVo employees, partners, and associates are made up of a diverse array of personal views. TiVo does not endorse the personal views of any individual.

(Thanks Philip!)

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One Bazillion TiVo Deals. And Counting.

Dave Zatz —  January 23, 2013 — 35 Comments

tivo-zero-down

TiVo’s launched a veritable smorgasbord of promos this month. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of increasing their bottom line and subscriber count during a traditionally soft post-holiday retail season. And additional customers would surely bolster their burgeoning analytics business (and look good for the February earnings call). Or maybe the goal is to reduce inventory ahead of potentially new DVR hardware. Regardless, we can’t recall a time that we’ve seen such a large number of simultaneous deals out of TiVo.

New customers can pick up any Premiere DVR model for $50 off, with service clocking in at $15 a month. Alternatively, one could pick up a refurb 500GB TiVo Premiere for $0 down, with a two year subscription requirement running $20/month. Former subscribers, or those with inactive DVRs, are being encouraged to breathe new life into those mothballed units with Lifetime Service:

As a former TiVo customer, you’re eligible for an exclusive offer: For just $49 you can sign up for a special One-Time Service Extension plan and never pay another cent for TiVo service. Take advantage of this amazing, limited-time offer today!

49-tivo-pls

Existing Series 2 and Series 3 patrons who haven’t yet made the jump to Premiere can also get in on some action via a number of “upgrade” offers (1, 2, 3), including a 4-tuner TiVo Premiere with Lifetime Service for $550 or dual tuner TiVo Premiere with Lifetime that runs $400. Additionally, as part of the upgrade process, it seems some are still given the opportunity to keep their older unit in service via a $99 PLS.

Nothing catch your fancy? Or maybe you don’t qualify? You should probably ring TiVo up and ask what they can do for you, as one forum member was offered a free accessory of his choosing along with his DVR purchase.

Whether or not any of these deals are compelling is for you to decide. As, frankly, the number of mathematical permutations in play make my head hurt. And who knows when TiVo’s next platform will arrive. Having said that, my knee jerk recommendation would be to instantly grab any Lifetime Service plans offered at $49 or $99.

In Deals, TiVo
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