Nero Unveils LiquidTV, TiVo For Your Computer

bigwophh writes to mention HotHardware is reporting that Nero has decided to try a new step forward for home theater PCs by bringing the TiVo service to your computer. The new LiquidTV / TiVo PC package includes a (USB-based) high definition ATSC digital/analog TV tuner, antenna, remote control, IR blaster, Nero's LiquidTV software, and a 12-month subscription to the TiVo service for around $200. You can cut that in half if you already have a compatible TV tuner. This is the first time that TiVo has licensed their intuitive interface for a PC package. In addition to the TiVo interface, the rest of the LiquidTV software package allows you to burn your TV recordings to DVD or transfer the videos to other computers, iPods, PSP, or "other mobile devices." This service is due to launch next month.

Comments

Geeks do this w/o TiVo

[clang_jangle]

I would expect that those of us who like to use our computers for video would already have these capabilities without spending $200/yr on a subscription. I know I do.

Re:Geeks do this w/o TiVo

[ivan256]

Me too.

I pay $100 a year for the subscription.

The subscription to TiVo is worth every penny just for the lack of having to fiddle with it all the time.... Getting the updates installed with no time investment, etc...

And that's before you take into account its ability to record encrypted QAM, since it's cableCARD certified.

I used to use a home-built DVR, but TV just doesn't matter enough to me to invest the time. I'd rather throw (much) less than a day's pay at it once a year and not have to think about it.

Re:Geeks do this w/o TiVo

[jedidiah]

The "fiddling" with a home-made DVR is driven primarily by other "fiddling".

Set it up and leave it alone and it tends to stay setup. That first part is the trick.

Once you make Tivo the combination of a random collection of spare parts and some
software, you are going to blow away Tivo's strength in this area. It will be like
trying to run MacOS on a non-mac using some hack.

Simply put: Tivo is last to the party and is in serious danger of being left
behind by everyone.

If you are already accustomed to the more powerful features of PC PVR software
then a PC running Tivo software is not going to be that compelling. Otherwise
you would already just be running a Tivo anyways.

What HD capture options will it have? How open will the recordings be?

Will I be able to use the software on the platform of my choice?

Re:Hey America

[ZeroNullVoid]

My first thoughts exactly.

MythTV has progressed into a beautiful solution over the years.

I have both TIVO devices and MythTV and I personally like the MythTV solution better.

Who asked for this?

[Control-Z]

I have a TivoHD and Series 2, which both work great. What's the advantage in running it on your own PC? Only thing I could think of is the Tivo software should be faster on a decent PC.

But if I was going to go the PC route I would install something like MythTV that would give me complete flexibility. Tivo still has to work with the networks to ensure shows are handled the way the networs want.

Re:People need to stop mentioning MythTV

[niiler]

On the other hand, considering this is Slashdot, you might find that the audience here actually does find fiddling with their TVs to be more entertaining than actually watching. :-)

Re:People need to stop mentioning MythTV

[jedidiah]

...something else that should bring up in all of this
nonsense about "how I can magically convert my free
time into little gold coins" is the fact that all of
the other PVR solutions offer far superior commercial
skipping features.

        I don't have to worry about my 30-second skip button
going away or trying to re-program it afterwards.

        My PVR skips those pesky commercials automagically.

        Nice convenience. Nice time saver.