Tivo 3.0 'Firebolt' Hits the Wild

James Evans writes "Tivo is rolling out version 3.0 of their software, including Ethernet drivers as well as the ability to download program data directly from a cable broadcast without using the phone line." My guess is it'll be awhile before everyone gets it since these things come in waves.

Comments

Great!

[El Pollo Loco]

Now I can have phone sex while my porno videos are being recorded!

Unwitting Testers?

[pussycat]

A small random group of subscribers will transparently receive the update followed by a slightly larger group.

Suggesting the users won't know they're beta testing, performing a service for Tivo? Can I get beta testers like that? They'd be much less uppity.

Advertisement

[56ker]

Fed up of the phone ringing while you're watching TV - now you can watch TV and speak on the phone at the same time!

Re:Advertisement

[Anonymous Coward]

maybe americans should hang up the phone, turn off the tv and get up of their plump asses.

Re:Whats the general opinion on tivo?

[Anonymous Coward]

Just what is it you yankies have against communism anyway?

Re:Canadians want TIVO!!!!

[mosch]

Yeah, yeah, you plucky Canadians with your "money". Get money that's worth well... money, and maybe we Americans will export some more of our toys to your frozen little selves.

There goes my uptime

[JeffL]

I am at 180 days uptime on my Tivo. I guess that is how long it has been since the 2.5.1 update.

Re:receiving data

[Skirwan]

So what exactly am I paying $9.95 a month for? I could understand the charge before because they had to pay for their 800 number, but now why should I pay for service when the box can do everything itself?

Well, the issue primarily revolves around small green pieces of paper that most people use to gauge their relative happiness. TiVo, like most companies, is attempting to increase the number of small green pieces of paper that they own. Part of their plan for gathering the little green paper-bits is to convince people to give them said tiny green sheets in exchange for this service.

Of course, I'm simplifying things a little - there's quite a bit about the relationship between the green confetti and a yellow metal, and with the transmission of 'virtual' paper bits through thin metal wires based on symbols on a plastic chip, but that's an advanced lesson.

I hope this helps.

--
Damn the Emperor!

Re:receiving data

[Tomster]

Uh, the relationship between the green confetti and the yellow metal no longer exists. As of a few decades ago. The green pieces of paper only have value because people generally agree that a certain amount of the green paper can be exchanged for a certain amount of stuff. Some people get very upset because they think they are giving up too much green paper in exchange for the stuff. Some people get upset because they can't get other people to give up more green paper in exchange for their stuff. This general disillusionment with the way things ought to be versus the way they are is called 'capitalism'. It's a horrible state of affairs, but it seems to be the best idea people have come up with so far about how to run things. Other ideas still exist, but have mostly fallen out of favor or are acceptable to only a handful of people.

Re:hey! support OPENPVR instead!

[hobbs]

Yeah, turn the $1000 Linux box + $300 accelerated video card with TV tuner into a $400 TiVo. Rock on!

Previous Model: Nimbus 2000?

[cube farmer]

When it finally hits cable, I can digitally record Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone without the commercials on a gen-u-ine Firebolt! W00t!