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Clones Are Overwhelming TiVo

Posted by simoniker on from the attack-of-the dept.

jfruhlinger writes "The first line from this CRN/Associated Press story says it all: 'Debra Baker tells people she has TiVo. But she really doesn't.' As cable companies offer their own DVR boxes to customers for no upfront cost and a lower monthly fee than the original, people are using TiVo as a verb but are frequently not using using the product or service itself in real life. The article notes that the cable company's DVRs don't have some of the archtypical TiVo features, such as the ability to guess what you'd like recorded based on your viewing habits."

6 of 402 comments (clear)

  1. they also lack the ability to by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 5, Informative

    record only first runs.

    as it is now, they record all showings.

    --



    I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    1. Re:they also lack the ability to by kman · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not true in the case of Time Warner's DVR - you can configure it to record all shows, first runs only, or only shows at a particular time.

      The other thing I like about the TW DVR is the ability to record two shows at once. You can even record two shows at the same time while watching a third recorded show. I haven't heard if the for-real Tivo's can do that.

  2. Re:Privacy concerns by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Informative

    One phone call to either TiVo customer service (or DirecTV's customer service if you own a "DirecTV DVR powered by TiVo" device) is all it takes for them to send your device a signal to stop uploading the viewer-habits data. True, that's opt-out rather than opt-in... but at least they're making it easy to get out.

    Me... I kinda like the fact that it reports what I watch. I've always wanted to actually count in the ratings...

  3. Re:Problem Seems to be Marketing by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Informative

    I love my TiVo, but is they haven't really dropped the price (or expanded the storage/dollar) as hard drive prices have fallen. I have to say that some competition is welcome.

    There's really a "Tale of two TiVos" going on...

    The integrated TiVo and DirecTV combo boxes, known officially as a "DirecTV DVR with TiVo" and commonly called a "DirecTiVo", have fallen in price dramatically recently. The units that were first sold for $299 are available for just $99 thanks to major subsidies from DirecTV. The service fee is only $4.99 per month and covers all TiVo units on the same household account.

    Meanwhile, the prices of the Series 2 stand-alone TiVo units have not fallen, and in fact their service costs went up to $12.95 per month with no discounts at all for having more than one. Clearly, being able to integrate with service providers is key for TiVo's survival...

    Nothing in TiVo's DirecTV contract prevents them from working with cable companies, only other DBS companies like Dish Network and Voom... clearly TiVo would like to have a dual-tuner-integrated box for digital cable, but the hardware makers aren't giving up the specs for that...

  4. Well there is 1 thing Tivo does have... by odano · · Score: 5, Informative

    The one thing tivo does have is the best remote control of any DVR. It is just beautifully engineered.

  5. The Scientific Atlanta interface sure isn't TiVo by Secrity · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have a TiVo and a friend with a Scientific Atlanta DVR. I can tell you that the Scientific Atlantic user interface isn't any where as nice as the TiVo. I can do without TiVo surprising me with programs it decided I wanted to see, but it sure is nice to be able to do wish lists. The differences between the user interfaces on the SA and the TiVo seem to me like comparing a Mac to DOS 6.0.