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TiVo Plans RFID-Aware PVR

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the different-rooms-need-different-tv dept.

Dotnaught writes "New Scientist has spotted a patent application from TiVo that suggests the company is "working on a PVR that will recognise one of several individual users, and respond to their personal preferences." The patent application describes the invention as "a multimedia mobile personalization system provides a remote control that detects a user's electronic tag, e.g. an RFID tag." It also promises personalized viewing at a variety of locations, detailing how TiVo might forward stored shows from home to a TV in a hotel room, for example. It remains to be seen whether hotels will be eager to help TiVo undermine their pay-per-view video revenue."

5 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Business case by gingerTabs · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Surely this will be an additional revenue stream for hotels as they can charge the same as existing PPV to allow hotel TiVO access to external content which is more appealing to the hotel guest?

  2. Oh noes, teh RFID!11!!one by MaestroSartori · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I can't wait to hear someone rant about how this use of RFID tags will destroy my privacy, and somehow overnight change the world into some Orwellian police state where we're all branded with the RFID tag of the beast on our foreheads...

    Anyone? :)

    --
    Game dev and music blog
    1. Re:Oh noes, teh RFID!11!!one by Scrameustache · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Every member of a family could have a personal radio frequency tag - embedded in clothing or a piece of jewellery, for example

      Or sub-dermal and required by law.
      What? They assure us that the laws requiring sub-dermal RFID for animals won't be extended to humans? Just like they assured us that income tax would only be a short term deal to pay for the war effort? Why shouldn't we believe them this time?

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

  3. RFID + DRM by lenhap · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Anyone else think of what would happen if this became a standard feature. Sure it may be nice to not have to touch a single button, but as soon as Hollywood can have a show DRM'd to a specific person rather than a specific machine, don't you think they would.

    Tinfoil hats aside, Hollywood dictating per-person DRM doesn't seem to be too big of a jump for me. I certainly can't wait for the day that I can't watch a recorded show just because I wasn't the one to record it. Go tivo!

  4. Re:undermine their pay-per-view video revenue? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Actually, they will probably count the number of RFID chips (viewers) in the room and charge you $4.95 a head. Happy viewing.