This is a good point, but someone looking at purchasing their first (and probably only, at least for a while) Tivo would be well-advised to purchase the lifetime sub. A second or third unit would probably be cheaper in the long run at $5/month.
You don't "need" program listings, but they are an excellent feature, and open up a lot of possibilities that traditional VCR-style recording by channel/date/time can't provide. For example, you can record anything from a favorite actor, director, writer, genre, etc., and Tivo will automatically detect that a show you like has changed timeslots. Most shows are NOT repeated every four hours.
You don't "need" a TV at all, yet I assume you have one, and probably a monthly cable or satellite bill to go along with it.
And yes, it's Linux-based, but what does that have to do with software upgrades? Tivo's software is a lot different today than it was 3 or 4 years ago, and without downloadable updates, you'd have to jump through hoops to get new features and bug fixes.
I want a car that can drive 200 MPH, never breaks down, has a 30 speaker stereo system, built-in DVD player, and I want it for under $10,000 with no strings attached. Not going to happen any time soon.
Get the lifetime subscription. It's worth it, and you can think of it as part of the hardware cost. Plus, if you decide to sell your box you can expect to recoup the lifetime subscription cost as it transfers with the box.
As far as "phoning home", how else could it get the program listings and software upgrades? Tivo Series 2 supports broadband, if access to a landline is an issue.
I have yet to meet a Tivo user who isn't happy they bought a Tivo.
From what I read the IR control is a pain in the ass and switches channels extremely slowly giving you a lag feel which for some is rather annoying.
If you're channel-surfing the traditional way (up, up, up, up, up, up, up), then yeah, the IR transmitter sucks. There's a good 2 or 3 second delay before the new channel comes up.
However, if you use Tivo the way it's supposed to be used, via the on-screen program guide, or even better -- time shifting -- it's not as much of an issue.
At worst, you point a video camera at your TV and record the sound and video that it is playing.
No matter how well a digital signal is encrypted, something in your stream is going to have to decrypt it in order for you to view it. Once that signal is decrypted, all you have to do is tap into the stream and copy the unencrypted data.
The problem is that the technology is too complicated for most American (and in many cases European) developers to truly comprehend and utilize without trying to hack together.
Maybe the libraries are poorly designed?
Programmer's should not have to jump through hoops to do things that are industry standard functions, like anti-aliasing. Sony did a shitty job with their programming tools for PS2. Boo on them, not on the "incompetent" programmers in America and Europe.
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Exactly. The fact that the 9/11 hijackers had drivers licenses in the first place is a symptom, not the problem.
T3: Rise of the Machines. ;)
This is a good point, but someone looking at purchasing their first (and probably only, at least for a while) Tivo would be well-advised to purchase the lifetime sub. A second or third unit would probably be cheaper in the long run at $5/month.
You don't "need" program listings, but they are an excellent feature, and open up a lot of possibilities that traditional VCR-style recording by channel/date/time can't provide. For example, you can record anything from a favorite actor, director, writer, genre, etc., and Tivo will automatically detect that a show you like has changed timeslots. Most shows are NOT repeated every four hours. You don't "need" a TV at all, yet I assume you have one, and probably a monthly cable or satellite bill to go along with it. And yes, it's Linux-based, but what does that have to do with software upgrades? Tivo's software is a lot different today than it was 3 or 4 years ago, and without downloadable updates, you'd have to jump through hoops to get new features and bug fixes. I want a car that can drive 200 MPH, never breaks down, has a 30 speaker stereo system, built-in DVD player, and I want it for under $10,000 with no strings attached. Not going to happen any time soon.
Get the lifetime subscription. It's worth it, and you can think of it as part of the hardware cost. Plus, if you decide to sell your box you can expect to recoup the lifetime subscription cost as it transfers with the box.
As far as "phoning home", how else could it get the program listings and software upgrades? Tivo Series 2 supports broadband, if access to a landline is an issue.
I have yet to meet a Tivo user who isn't happy they bought a Tivo.
If you're channel-surfing the traditional way (up, up, up, up, up, up, up), then yeah, the IR transmitter sucks. There's a good 2 or 3 second delay before the new channel comes up.
However, if you use Tivo the way it's supposed to be used, via the on-screen program guide, or even better -- time shifting -- it's not as much of an issue.
DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter. Google for them, they're easy to find and easy to use... and free.
Why limit it to open source? Their patents are a weapon against COMPETITION.
I think they go in one of these:
http://www.seattlejagclub.org/xj6c/8track.jpg
Yeah, but now our freedom fries are going to smell like exhaust!
The difference is that VoIP doesn't NEED to be regulated, because it won't be monopolized.
In all fairness, you first need to know where to find the checkbox before you can click it. ;)
Aren't they still entitled to due process, even if it's by international military law?
Why are we paying to keep them locked up without any sort of trial?
And DOS, which arguably is more similar to Linux than WinXP, since the desktop is not integrated.
They can't possibly enforce it, and you aren't prepared to provide an accurate number, so ignore it.
If they want to create a significant revenue stream based on use tax, they're going to need to educate the population.
We're already taxed more than once on the same dollar. I'll sit this one out.
Mass is definitely one of the states. It's on the tax return under "use tax".
It is still true.
At worst, you point a video camera at your TV and record the sound and video that it is playing.
No matter how well a digital signal is encrypted, something in your stream is going to have to decrypt it in order for you to view it. Once that signal is decrypted, all you have to do is tap into the stream and copy the unencrypted data.
Digital vs analog has no significance.
The same adage will always be true... If you can play it, you can copy it. No copy protection mechanism will ever escape that simple fact.
The plan is when Firefox and Tbird are considered version "1.0". What the requirements are to hit that milestone are anybody's guess.
Wow. Stop the presses.
You JUST figured this out?
It would still take over 11.5 hours to fill it to capacity. They might want to wait for Firewire 800.
Maybe the libraries are poorly designed?
Programmer's should not have to jump through hoops to do things that are industry standard functions, like anti-aliasing. Sony did a shitty job with their programming tools for PS2. Boo on them, not on the "incompetent" programmers in America and Europe.
I think you might be reading too much into it, granted the language is a bit vague.
It doesn't say that there will be 2 versions of Java, one open source, one closed... just that an open source Java may be a reality.
Flamebait? Must have been moderated by the submitter. ;)
MOD PARENT FUNNY!
Yes, and it's so blatantly obvious that our strength has set us well on our way towards peace. /sarcasm