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TiVo Series 2 Review

Anonymouse writes "I just saw on Linux.com that NewsForge has reviewed the new Linux-based TiVo Series 2 PVR. TiVo now (unofficially) supports broadband via a USB ethernet adapter as well, so it doesn't tie up a phone line." Yes, NF and LC are both owned by OSDN, as is Slashdot.

8 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Log Out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If Tivo isn't all about watching less (crappy) TV and getting out more, I don't know what is. With a Tivo you can watch what you want when you want and go out the rest of the time.

  2. Is Linux relevant here? by FurryFeet · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Not flaming/trolling.
    That out of the way, I can see why this review for a very cool toy/gadget is here. But it kinda bugs me that the description includes "Linux-based". Now, I know Slashdot is Linuxcentric (no, really?), but still I think that was kinda irrelevant to the review. Does it make the device cheaper or more stable? Then say it is cheaper or more stable.
    It's like that story about Best Buy having a customer arrested, where in the first paragraph it was mentioned that he was an American Indian. Some people took exception to that, and I see the point.
    Now, I can just see the moderation: -1, Antilinux. Oh, well, it's just Karma :S

    1. Re:Is Linux relevant here? by SurfTheWorld · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Regardless of if /. is Linux-Centric - I think this review is here because there is really a lot of exciting work being done on the "Hacking TiVo" front. There are a lot of really *really* nifty (and promising) projects that're being actively worked on: tivo-web (tcl), ExtractStream, etc...

      Beyond the exciting projects, the hacking of the TiVo itself is really a great experience. The folks at TiVo have been really positive (relatively speaking) in response to the hacking efforts. There is a rule that the hacking community has agreed to follow: don't fsck with the service code. There are no projects trying to steal service. Because of that, the TiVo folks have been really forthcoming with leaked information regarding system upgrades of the software (hints as to what devices will be supported and what-not) as well as some tools for manipulating the TiVo once it's r00t3|).

      And from a purely hacking standpoint - the DTiVo was the most illuminating hack I've done. They really have some security built into that thing to prevent the casual passer by from hooking up the disk to a PC and typing "mount". Hats off to all the TiVo Community for all the tremendous efforts they've put into hacking that box...

      --
      Do it for da shorties
    2. Re:Is Linux relevant here? by Erasmus+Darwin · · Score: 5, Insightful
      "But it kinda bugs me that the description includes "Linux-based". Now, I know Slashdot is Linuxcentric (no, really?), but still I think that was kinda irrelevant to the review."

      It's relevant in a couple ways: The review is intended for an audience that's interested in the commercial viability of Linux. The Linux-based nature of Tivos has helped people who have hacked their machines (in a good way). Also, there's an entire interview in the article which has a substational discussion of Tivo's involvement with Linux.

      "It's like that story about Best Buy having a customer arrested, where in the first paragraph it was mentioned that he was an American Indian."

      Actually, he was an Indian American (implying someone whose ancestors were originally from the country of India), not an American Indian (implying someone whose ancestors lived in North America before the arrival of the Mayflower). And it was relevant in that there were allegations further on in the article that the incident may have been racially motivated.

      "Now, I can just see the moderation: -1, Antilinux."

      How about "(-1, Fails to read entire article)" and "(-1, Shamelessly tries to be a moderation martyr)"?

  3. All the more reason... by crow · · Score: 3, Insightful

    That's all the more reason for getting a PVR. You can save 25% of the time by skipping commercials. With my ReplayTV, I just use the 30-second skip button and I'm past the commercials almost instantly (I use the 8-second instant replay button if I go too far).

    And that doesn't begin to touch how nice it is not having to manage your life around being there to watch your favorite show. Or how you always have something interesting to watch instead of channel surfing. Or how skipping the commercials avoids breaking the tension in a show like 24. Or how watching several episodes of a continuing story back to back can make a TV show feel like a movie. Or how totally pissed off you get when someone spoils the X-Files for you when you're three weeks behind.

  4. Re:HDTV Tivo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    To keep this on-topic, check out the interview with TiVolutionary that is done at the end of the review that was posted. Very interesting. He talks about the new capabilities of their Series|2 platform, and that they've demo'd an HDTiVo, and a partner could easily make one with the Series|2 platform.

    I bought an HDTV after my TiVo, and it was a no-brainer.

    Once you get used to the quality of the regular analog (and TiVo) programs on the big TV, it's great. (The neat stretching my Toshiba 50H80 does to fill 16:9 with 4:3 is PERFECT!)

    I find that most of the HD content I watch is stuff that I would not put on TiVo, for the most part. Sporting events in HD (I usually like watching sports live for some reason). Content on HBO like their HD movies or HD TV shows (Sopranos). There are no commercials on HBO, so TiVo'ing it is not as crucial. The PBS channel has a lot of HD content, and very few commercials.

    There are only a couple regular shows that I normally record in TiVo that have HD available (such as CSI).

    By the time most shows I watch are really done in HD, I'm sure there is going to be an affordable HD TiVo available, so I don't sweat it.

    And then there is DVD, which is fucking awesome on HDTV's.

  5. Re:Log Out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No, but I've known people that have to go home early to see some show. Also, with Tivo you don't have to watch that crappy show they stick between your two favorites.

    Ever hear of a VCR? I know Slashbots think recording video is some amazing new technology that requires a digital computer and a subscription service but come on! I was able to record TV shows while I was not at home 20 years ago. This is nothing new. The only thing Tivo adds to the mix is to make you pay a monthly fee. What a fucking ripoff. There are 2, maybe 3 shows I would bother watching a week. If I miss them, oh well, if not then I sit and watch them if they're interesting. If I really saw a preview of something I wanted to watch I'd just set the good old VCR to tape it for me and I can *gasp* timeshift my viewing until I get home. ROFL.

  6. When hell freezes over by Cid+Highwind · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What will RCA tell consumers when they ask why they can't record DVD to the hard drive even though they're in the same box?

    What will they tell the DVD cartel when some Norwegian hacker enables DVD->TiVo copying and posts the code online?

    Anyone who tried to market such a device would get screwed over by both consumers and the MPAA.

    --
    0 1 - just my two bits