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TiVo Announces High-Def Series3 DVR

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the new-toys dept.

prostoalex writes "Catching up with the competition, TiVo is set to unveil a high-definition digital video recorder. The unit will feature dual tuners, 250 GB, and a hefty price sticker: 'The long-awaited product will be $800 and available in mid-September, the company said. Subscription fees for the TiVo service are separate ... TiVo officials attributed its long development time in part to waiting for certain technologies to mature and the lengthy process of getting industry-related approvals, such as for the set-top-box's two built-in CableCARD slots. CableCARD slots allow users to access digital programming from a cable TV provider without the need for a separate receiver. The Series3 HD box also represents TiVo's first major product upgrade since it released its networked Series2 DVR in 2002.'"

5 of 225 comments (clear)

  1. Put DirecTV on notice. by Overzeetop · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've been a DTV subscriber because of their TiVo service. I stayed DTV because I could get a HD model and get HD programming via DTV. Now DTV is planning to (eventually) get rid of my TiVo, and there is now a real competitor as I could get an HD TiVo with my local (evil) cable company.

    You are on notice, DirecTV. I chose you over cable because (Adelphia) cable is (more) evil and I like my TiVo, and the multitude of hacks available. Now that you are charging me more, taking away my TiVo, and your TiVo has less funcationality than a real one, cable just may win out.

    $800 is a chunk of change, but the price will come down eventually. I'd be happy in the $400 range if I ended up with real value in the end.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
    1. Re:Put DirecTV on notice. by MBCook · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Same here. I have a DirecTiVo and it was very quickly clear to me that as much as I like DirecTV, I like my TiVo more. When my TiVo ceases to function (due to death, new channels I want to watch, whatever) I'm cancelling your service unless you offer a new Genuine TiVo I can purchase and use by then.

      Dish Network: I've been getting mail from you every once and a while trying to get me to switch. Same thing applies. Give me a Genuine TiVo and when the time comes I'll go to you (since my local cable is horrid).

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    2. Re:Put DirecTV on notice. by FatherOfONe · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You said exactly what I did. I am now a Brighthouse cable user and was a DirectTV guy.

      I called and actually eventually talked to a VP at DirectTV and at this time they have no intention of ever working with Tivo again.

      Now, an interesting part was how difficult it was for me to actually cancel my account. It took 20 minutes on the phone to do it.

      Here is how it went down:

      Me: Um yes I need to cancel my account.

      DTV: Ok, we are sorry to hear that, and are glad to help, may I ask why?

      Me: Well, this is a long story and I have talked to many DTV people, but in short you have canceled your deal with Tivo and even though we like DTV and have been a customer for over 8 years we love the Tivo and will be moving to a company that supports it (Brighthouse with cable card).

      DTV: You do realize that our DVR does everything that a Tivo does

      Me: Yes I realize that you believe it does, and I know a ton about DVR's. I have built Myth boxes and know that you signed a deal with Microsoft for their DVR. The last thing I want is all the virus and spyware crap on my DVR. I also have never seen a blue screen of death on my DVR.

      DTV: Our DVR is exactly the same as Tivo.
      Me: (Getting sucked in now) Really... It has a thumbs up and down feature?
      DTV: Yes.
      Me: (Now wanting to test the BS) It drops the video to my cellphone?
      DTV: Yes.
      Me: It will beam video to all my other players?
      DTV: Yes
      Me: (wow, how far can I take this?) It will allow me to burn DVDs?
      DTV: Yes.
      Me: Ok, I have a feeling that you are going to say "Yes" to any question I ask, so suffice it to say that this is like someone buying a new car. There are those that want a BMW and those that want a Honda. Both are cars and I am sure the Honda people will say that their car does "everything" the BMW does, they both have air, anti lock brakes, seat belts etc... but at the end of the day, there are people that want a BMW and think it is worth the money.
      DTV: (Start of loop) Ok, Our DVR does everything a Tivo does.

      START OF LOOP FOR OVER 10 MIN:
      Me: Oh well, I want to cancel my account
      DTV: Ok, why?
      Me: Because you severed your deal with Tivo.
      DTV: Our device does everything a Tivo does...
      Me: Ok, you and I will disagree on that issue, so cancel my account
      DTV: Ok, we will do that, why?
      END OF LOOP FOR 10 MIN.

      Finally... This is what ended the call
      Me: OK! Ok! I want you to write this down. I am canceling my account because DirectTV severed their deal with Tivo. Write that down!
      DTV: (Very angry now) OK! click.

      They do NOT want to record that they lost a customer because of Tivo. So anyone who reads this and feels like me, please make them write it down. Some idiot at DTV has made an agreement with Microsoft and doesn't want anyone to know that they are loosing customers because of the Tivo deal.

      It is too bad because we would have NEVER switched. We currently pay twice as much for cable, and we will probably drop the $800 for the new Tivo... That money "could" have went to DirectTV. I guess they don't want my money. Their loss... but then again what is an extra $50/month....

      Now having said all this, I am greatly disappointed at the $800 price point. Man Tivo, come on, the box needs to be around $400. Will I actually pay it? I don't know the Scientific Atlantic box SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS... (They also said it was just like a Tivo), but man, $800 AND a monthly cost.

      So here is the net cost for me.
      $1,100 for Tivo + 3 year subscription
      $6.00 a month for cable cards.

      I pay $14/month now for the worst DVR in the world (Scientific Atlantic HD box).

      Now the real kick in the nuts is that I want two Series 3s. No discounts at all from Tivo; I called Tivo today to confirm. At $400 I was about to buy two of them today. At $500 I was probably going to buy two of them today. At $800, the P.o.S. SA box starts to look better (man I hate that box).

      Sorry Tivo, but it is tough to pay that much with the PS3 coming out in a month and a half.

      --
      The more I learn about science, the more my faith in God increases.
  2. Too late! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Too late TiVO. I have a series 2 box (I love it), but by cable provider (Comcast) just gave me two hidef DVR's for "free". Why would I pay $800 for something I get for "free?". The other big advantage is that I dont need to use the stupid infrared hack to change channels on my cable box. Anyone know a way around it?

  3. Re:Related stories... by w.p.richardson · · Score: 1, Interesting
    BTW... $800 plus subscription?????

    That's what you get when there is a monopoly on the CableCARDs. If there were commercially available consumer versions of these then the price would be more reasonable from the outset. Unlike other posters seem to think, there will be no real reason for these to ever decrease in price, since there is essentially a cartel of suppliers who can set the price at whatever level they please.

    --

    Curb CO2 emissions: Kill yourself today!