Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

AOL will launch TiVo-like Mystro service

Posted by Hemos on from the playing-catch-up dept.

Jason1729 writes "According to this article on Yahoo, AOL is launching its on version of a PVR service. The content will be stored at the cable provider and not in the local hardware. That seems to be a huge disadvantage because it will use a lot more cable bandwidth transfering the content for a single viewer. It sounds like they're doing it that way so they can restrict which shows you can use the service with (like lock out new episodes of network shows)."

4 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Why this could work by Brento · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If AOL truly does it right and makes it 100% server-side, what do they put as a "decoder box" in your living room? Why not offer PC software so that you can access your Mystro account from anywhere, and watch your shows? I'd be all over that - being able to set up my laptop on the road in a hotel with high-speed internet and not have to suffer with the hotel's lousy cable.

    --
    What's your damage, Heather?
    1. Re:Why this could work by Blackneto · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Your idea has merit, but I think the whole idea of it stinks. While it may not be different than ppv or movies on demand I can see people shying away because of account issues.
      It has that Divx (not the codec) feel to it. Just not quite right.

      --
      Ursula Andress, Catherine Deneuve, and Charo, twice...
  2. Build your own Tivo Device www.mythtv.org by MrJerryNormandinSir · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You don't need to pay for service. I built a mythtv! And the programing info is generated by
    xmltv! For $0.00!

    Check out mythtv.org

  3. The 800 pound gorilla... by adjensen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Unfortunately, this is a well thought out strategy that will likely hijack the cool technology of Tivo and ReplayTV and wipe them out. It's typical of the corporate mentality today...if someone comes up with something that impinges on the media, first sue them and then when that fails, take away their toys.

    Of course, their implementation is never as good or as free (in the liberated sense) but they've got the muscle to make it happen. Want Tivo? Well, it'll cost you $250 for the iron and $10/month to keep it going. Oh, wait a second, here's this great online service from the cable company...no iron, $5 a month. Yeah, it's not the same thing, and we take control of your viewing habits (forced commercials, can't record certain shows, we keep a record of the crap you're watching and sell it, etc) but come on, it's cheap and easy.

    And, sadly, in the America of today, that's likely the product that will succeed.

    I'm a 2 1/2 year Tivo user and it's the best thing ever created for television, and I tell anyone who asks that. However, the startup costs were inconsequential for me and I recognize that's not always the case...despite my evangelizing the product, a grand total of zero of my friends have Tivos. But I bet more than a few of them will opt for something like this.