TiVo Software Update Bringing YouTube To The Living Room
Tired of the typical TiVo offerings? Good news, the choice of content available to broadband-connected TiVo Series3 and TiVo HD DVR owners just hit the moon as the company has just announced with YouTube, bringing hundreds of millions of user-generated videos (some good, some bad) directly to your TV screen.
TiVo users will be able to browse and play YouTube vids using the TiVo interface while seated comfortably on the couch. And very soon YouTube users will also be able to logon to their accounts using the TiVo granting access to their personal favorites and playlists. All of this without ever touching a computer.
Whether or not this is a better deal for TiVo or YouTube is hard to tell. Is this really the type of content that TiVo users want? If anything, this is another huge deal for YouTube, enabling their giant video platform out of the interweb and into the real world.
Look for a software update in the next few weeks that will enable this new feature.
TiVo New Website Design Fair, My TV Facebook App Lacking
Most of what you read here at TVSnob is focused on new HDTV-related products, services, and the news you can use, but TiVo has forced us out of our comfort zone with both a new website design and Facebook application in the same week. TiVo, known for a nicely designed product, but ugly-as-all-hell website decided to step up giving their website an impressive makeover last week, dramatically improving not only its looks, but its usability, improved product descriptions and even some video tutorials. Interestingly, TiVo looks to have forgot to update its "Find TV Shows" page, which is still ugly-as-all-hell. Maybe this page will require some time-consuming database updates or something. Who knows, but I'm sure the company has been made aware of it by now, so doubt it's an engineering problem. Now that TiVo isn't so ugly, they've decided to venture into the world of social networks, debuting the My TV Facebook app which allows TiVo users to converse, share what they're currently watching and making it a little funner to find new stuff to look at. No actually TiVo box integration though-in fact you don't even need to own a TiVo to use it. Looks like the company needs a little work on the distribution end of things though, with only a few postings on the app's page so far, mainly about how it's slow, boring, lacking conversation, and even TV show titles.
There's been a lot of speculation about the new TiVo HD out in the last few months and it looks like most of its been right. The great thing about the new TiVo is that it retails for $299. Not too shabby when you realize it records 180 hours of standard TV (20 hours for HD) and dual CableCARD slots. Here are the basic specs:
Product Overview:
Controls cable TV with Record, Pause, Rewind, and Fast-Forward in HD
Records two HD channels at once, while watching another recorded show
Records up to 20 hours in HD (or 180 hours in Standard Definition)
Designed specifically for cable customers1
Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
Product Features:
Download thousands of movies directly to your TV
Share home movies with your friends and family on their TV
Get broadband videos, music and photos on your TV
Schedule shows online
Discover broadcast and broadband shows with universal Swivel Search
Easily pre-approve what your kids watch with TiVo KidZone
Product Dimensions:
16.5" W x 12.625" D x 3.375" H
Weight: 12 lbs.
Product Specifications:
Signal sources: Digital cable, Analog cable, Digital antenna (ATSC) and Analog antenna channels (satellite not supported)
Get Your TiVo Free After Rebates This Holiday Season
If you don't have a TiVo on your holiday list this might be the year to add one. According to eHomeUpgrade.com:
TiVo, the creator and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR's), is offering consumers an unprecedented opportunity to get for their own homes or give as a gift to friends and family the most popular TiVo box absolutely free this holiday season. When they sign up for a new service plan, consumers will receive the TiVo Series2 which retails for $219.99 and which has the capacity to store up to 80 hours of their favorite TV programming, free after rebate. This versatile TiVo box empowers consumers to enjoy their favorite TV programs whenever they want, and works with all cable, satellite, antenna, and combination set-ups. This is a limited time offer, while supplies last.
The rebate details are:
As part of a major holiday campaign offering consumers widespread savings, TiVo is extending special rebates on a number of its most popular models, including: 80-hr TiVo Series2 DT (DT stands for Dual Tuner which allows you to record 2 shows simultaneously* while watching a 3rd), which regularly retails for $249.99, is now just $69.99 after rebate and service activation, and the 180-hr TiVo Series2 DT DVR which regularly retails for $349.99 for only $169.99 after rebate and service activation. TiVo products can be purchased at leading retailers across the country, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, and other major electronics retailers. Visit TiVo.com for more details.
You might want to jump on this deal before the holiday season ends.
Even though the TiVo Series 3 has been out for a few months, we haven't seen many reviews out there yet. We guess the lack of exposure has to do with how many people are willing to spend almost $800 on a box that requires a contract. Anyway, here's a small but decent review at HolidayGadgetGuide.FederatedMedia.net:
About six weeks ago, a Comcast truck rolled away from my house and I finally had my new Series 3 TiVo up and running. For the past year, I’ve been using Comcast’s HD DVR and it’s been a bear to use, buggy, and unreliable (my review). I bought a Series 3 TiVo on the day it was released just to get away from the old box. What follows are my impressions from my time so far with the new device.
Here's a couple of the high points that the article notes:
Hands down, still the best interface in recordable TV. I realized I was watching less TV and not marking new programs to be recorded on my old Comcast DVR because the interface was so cumbersome and time-consuming. The TiVo is just natural to use.
HD video quality is perfect, standard def at high quality looks great too, much better than the default Comcast DVR recordings. Since the 250Gb drive can record hundreds of hours of standard TV, I set it to High Quality (2nd highest) and was impressed as it was much better than my Comcast DVR’s standard def recordings.
And of course, one of the biggest low points:
The price is high. No doubt, the biggest drawback to the Series 3 TiVo is the price. Suggested list is $799 and if you shop around you can save about $100 off that price. On top of the high cost of hardware, you also have to pay for a monthly subscription in 1, 2, and 3 year increments (that range from $12.95-19.95, depending on length). This is definitely high end gear and it carries the price to match.
We definitely agree with this low point but we expect to see the price of the Series 3 to start slowly come down after the Holidays. Be sure to read about all of the high and low points in the article:
I tell you, there's never been a better time to look at a TiVo. TiVo has a deal that'll let you get an 80 hour Series 2 box and 1 year of service for a paltry $125:
Wow! Does that deal make you drool or what? You better hurry though because the deal expires on October 31rst.
Got a new TiVo series 3 box and you're having trouble with the remote? Well according to Engadget, your Plasma TV might be the problem:
As many home theater aficionados know (first-hand, unfortunately), plasma TVs emit a significant amount of EMI and RFI signals from their surfaces that can confuse nearby IR sensors and render them useless, especially if your home theater gear juts out in front of the display. Well this problem has been happening in spades to new Series3 owners, as the box's IR receiver seems especially sensitive to other frequencies, so much so that they often need to press a button 10 to 15 times for a command to actually register.
TiVo seems to be aware of the issue, but has not yet offered a solution, which is why the good folks who frequent the TiVo Community forum have put their heads together and come up with several effective workarounds.
While there's a lot of debate among readers what the real issue is, you'll want to check out some work-arounds at Engadget's site.
So yesterday, we told you that you could now order the TiVo Series 3 box now. Can you believe that the guys over at WeakKnees have already upgraded their Series 3 from a 250GB drive to a 750GB drive? Wow! It's pretty impressive how fast they got that done.
WeakKnees will be taking preorders for the upgrade sometime next week. Be sure to stop by their sites for more information:
Here's a nice little bonus for TiVo Users according to PVRWire:
The New York Times reports that TiVo and CBS are set to announced a partnership today to make 4 new shows available to TiVo subscribers a week or two before they're set to air on television.
The deal includes a preview episode of The Class, and creates an option for TiVo users to record the premieres of a bundle of 4 shows, The Class, Jericho, Shark, and Smith, with the single click of their remotes.
Okay, so they're not the top rated shows on CBS, it's still a pretty neat extra for TiVo owners.
Rumor Central: Series 3 TiVo out on September 13th?
We caught this post by Matt over at PVRBlog.com:
I noticed this comment on an old post here and this other comment HD Beat claiming that TiVo will announce the Series 3 formally on 9/12 and have it for sale the next day. Both are unsupported rumors that I'd rate up there with year 2000 doomsday predictions, but I'm posting these pointers because I really hope it is true.
Even though there's nothing to back up the rumor, you might want to mark the 13th on your calendar. We'll also be sure to let you know when we get a firm date.
Yeah, we know you're dying to get your hands on the TiVo Series 3. While you impatiently wait, you can sign up for TiVo's mailing list for updates and release information. Be sure to check out:
TiVo Announces TiVoCast: Broadband Video to your TV
Want to watch broadband video content on your TiVo? Well, with TiVo's new TiVoCast service, you'll be able to do just that. According to TiVo:
TiVo Inc. the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), today announced the launch of TiVoCast(TM), a revolutionary new service which will deliver broadband video directly to the television sets of TiVo subscribers. The TiVoCast service turns Web video into television by bringing top broadband content now only available on the PC to the TV set.
A Sample of the programming includes:
NBA and WNBA -- As the first professional sports leagues to team up with TiVo, fans will have access to NBA and WNBA video showcases during the season that will be available to all TiVo subscribers. During The Finals, which tip off on Thursday, June 8 on ABC, a special "Finals Showcase" video package highlighting the greatest Finals moments in NBA History will be available for fans to view on TiVo.
The New York Times -- The New York Times will offer a selection of original video segments on a variety of topics including A.O. Scott's signature Movie Minute film reviews, news analysis from the Times' Washington DC bureau, David Pogue's technology product reviews and many more.
Heavy.com -- Heavy.com is the Number 1 digital entertainment brand for 18 - 34 year old guys with more than 12 million unique viewers monthly (Nielsen) and a viral reach of 65 million taste-challenged pop culture junkies. Its programming staples include "Behind the Music that Sucks," "American Suck Countdown" and "The Massive Mating Game."
CNET -- (www.cnet.com), the place consumers go to understand and compare consumer electronics, computers, and software to find the right choice and a property of CNET Networks, Inc., will provide viewers buying advice and how-to segments that help them get the most out of their technology products. Content will include video from CNET TV's popular franchises such as Insider Secrets, Weekend Project, and First Look from the Labs, and feature popular CNET editorial personalities Brian Cooley, Molly Wood, and Tom Merritt.
So there's nothing real exciting yet, but combining TiVo and broadband video sure sounds like a winning combination to me.
At this point there's not many other details. Once more information comes in, we'll be sure to pass it on to you.
TiVo Wins $74 Million in Patent Suit Against EchoStar
While a company has every right to protect it's intellectual property, these are the types of lawsuits are rarely good for the consumer. According to ABCNews:
A federal jury awarded TiVo Inc. nearly $74 million in damages Thursday in a swift ending to a patent-infringement lawsuit against EchoStar Communications Corp., the parent of the Dish satellite television provider.
TiVo got most of the $87 million in damages it sought in a case that one of its lawyers called "life or death" for the company that was among the first to sell devices to pause and rewind live television.
Here's the part of the story that scares me the most:
Those rivals have taken sales away from TiVo by offering boxes and service at lower prices. Zinn would not rule out suing cable companies that use other boxes, but he called it a last resort.
I don't believe the "last resort" thing one bit. In this day and age, suing over patent infringement has become more profitable than selling products.
While I'm a big fan of TiVo and want them to succeed, if they get too aggressive, they could do a lot of damage to a growing DVR industry. If that's the case, the consumer will lose because of less competition resulting in less choices and higher prices. Let's keep our fingers crossed that doesn't happen.
TiVo Software Update Bringing YouTube To The Living Room
Here's a nice little bonus for TiVo Users according to PVRWire:
Want to watch broadband video content on your TiVo? Well, with TiVo's new TiVoCast service, you'll be able to do just that. According to TiVo:
Steals & Deals
Steals And Deals: Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray Player Drops Under $300
Mailing List
