Like many others recently, Brian Stelter at the NY Times writes about TiVo’s announcement that it will offer YouTube video via its Series 3 and TiVoHD boxes.
This seems yet another step in TiVo’s PR crusade to stave off irrelevancy, since it’s headline catching, yet effects almost no customers.
The Series 3 [the first model this announcement would effect] was introduced in September, 2006.
From November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2008 TiVo only sold 439,000 of its own boxes and my guess is that plenty of those were Series 2’s [no YouTube!]. Also, boxes have to have broadband Internet connections for this announcement to matter. Stelter reports that 800,000 of the 1.7 million TiVo boxes currently in use have broadband connections.
So the YouTube via Tivo capability is relevant to only a few hundred thousand customers at most. What about new customers you ask? TiVo is selling it’s boxes at a rate of only 35,000 a month. Their deals with Comcast and Cox to put their software on cableco boxes maybe? No, this doesn’t effect those boxes.
I’m convinced that TiVo’s continued hardware sales are now simply a holding action. They added only 19,000 net new customers using their own hardware in the past year.
I’d guess that their hardware sales are designed to give them bargaining leverage for both the patent suit and any potential software IP licensing deals, as well as perhaps a sale of the company for its IP. No one would want to do any of that with an irrelevant company.
Youtube now available via TVbytheNumbers.com!?
You’re better off with an XBOX 360 or PS3 where you can just surf the web and do this. Plus, until you can play Madden (or anything else) on a TiVo, it’s more versatile to boot.
The TiVo deadpool watch is on…
P.S. It’s an absolute certainty they sold FAR more of the $99 boxes than the $299 boxes…
Youtube now available via TVbytheNumbers.com!?
You're better off with an XBOX 360 or PS3 where you can just surf the web and do this. Plus, until you can play Madden (or anything else) on a TiVo, it's more versatile to boot.
The TiVo deadpool watch is on…
P.S. It's an absolute certainty they sold FAR more of the $99 boxes than the $299 boxes…
Youtube now available via TVbytheNumbers.com!?
You're better off with an XBOX 360 or PS3 where you can just surf the web and do this. Plus, until you can play Madden (or anything else) on a TiVo, it's more versatile to boot.
The TiVo deadpool watch is on…
P.S. It's an absolute certainty they sold FAR more of the $99 boxes than the $299 boxes…
So how much does TiVo regret losing DirecTV? Personally, I miss having a TiVo box, since the software really is superior to the two different generic DVRs that I’ve used. (Time Warner Cable and DirecTV post-TiVo.)
So how much does TiVo regret losing DirecTV? Personally, I miss having a TiVo box, since the software really is superior to the two different generic DVRs that I've used. (Time Warner Cable and DirecTV post-TiVo.)
So how much does TiVo regret losing DirecTV? Personally, I miss having a TiVo box, since the software really is superior to the two different generic DVRs that I've used. (Time Warner Cable and DirecTV post-TiVo.)
Julia, so much.
And yet, I’d point out that you don’t miss it so much that you’re willing to pay for it. I think what TiVo misses the most is having a viable business model outside of patent infrigement suits.
Julia, so much.
And yet, I'd point out that you don't miss it so much that you're willing to pay for it. I think what TiVo misses the most is having a viable business model outside of patent infrigement suits.
Julia, so much.
And yet, I'd point out that you don't miss it so much that you're willing to pay for it. I think what TiVo misses the most is having a viable business model outside of patent infrigement suits.
My problem with TiVo is I don’t see it as enough of an improvement over my existing HD DVR to pay for it. I spend almost nothing on the DVR every month, and it never missed recording an episode of 24 (waaaaaaaaay back when) or Terminator. The hard drive space is pretty good too, I have several movies on there from the HD movie channels.
In fact, my biggest gripe with cable isn’t my guide interface, it’s that Comcast axed TWO HD movie channels when they took over my service from Time Warner. Yet I had the privilege of paying the same price…
My problem with TiVo is I don't see it as enough of an improvement over my existing HD DVR to pay for it. I spend almost nothing on the DVR every month, and it never missed recording an episode of 24 (waaaaaaaaay back when) or Terminator. The hard drive space is pretty good too, I have several movies on there from the HD movie channels.
In fact, my biggest gripe with cable isn't my guide interface, it's that Comcast axed TWO HD movie channels when they took over my service from Time Warner. Yet I had the privilege of paying the same price…
My problem with TiVo is I don't see it as enough of an improvement over my existing HD DVR to pay for it. I spend almost nothing on the DVR every month, and it never missed recording an episode of 24 (waaaaaaaaay back when) or Terminator. The hard drive space is pretty good too, I have several movies on there from the HD movie channels.
In fact, my biggest gripe with cable isn't my guide interface, it's that Comcast axed TWO HD movie channels when they took over my service from Time Warner. Yet I had the privilege of paying the same price…
I am definitely willing to pay for the superior technology of TIVO over what the cable company gives me. I have had both in the past and one time I returned from vacation to find the cable company’s DVR compeletely erased (from a re-booting of the system)….I lost all my programs. But the shows recorded by TIVO were still there.
I am definitely willing to pay for the superior technology of TIVO over what the cable company gives me. I have had both in the past and one time I returned from vacation to find the cable company's DVR compeletely erased (from a re-booting of the system)….I lost all my programs. But the shows recorded by TIVO were still there.
I am definitely willing to pay for the superior technology of TIVO over what the cable company gives me. I have had both in the past and one time I returned from vacation to find the cable company's DVR compeletely erased (from a re-booting of the system)….I lost all my programs. But the shows recorded by TIVO were still there.
Yeah, I’m cheap. That’s the sad thing. It’s like with VCR vs Beta. VCR only won out because it was cheaper. The superior technology of TiVo is going to lose because they couldn’t stay tied to at least one major cable/satellite provider, which kept them in the cheap range.
Yeah, I'm cheap. That's the sad thing. It's like with VCR vs Beta. VCR only won out because it was cheaper. The superior technology of TiVo is going to lose because they couldn't stay tied to at least one major cable/satellite provider, which kept them in the cheap range.
Yeah, I'm cheap. That's the sad thing. It's like with VCR vs Beta. VCR only won out because it was cheaper. The superior technology of TiVo is going to lose because they couldn't stay tied to at least one major cable/satellite provider, which kept them in the cheap range.
I’d argue “superior technology” has nothing to do with it. I’d challange anyone to show me a difference in output quality between my HD DVR and a TiVo box – and imo they’re both pretty lacking compared to a good blu-ray player. The only area that I’d consider it superior is the external storage option, but I’m curious how many people take advantage of that. In any case I’m assuming the cable companies will come up with something similar before long.
However for now it’s the TiVo interface that everyone talks about. And for me that isn’t a good enough selling point at over $300. And no, I don’t skimp on the gadgets. I own a PS3, AppleTV, I’ve paid for HD service and movie channels for years, the list goes on.
Now if my DVR erased all my shows or never recorded them, or was impossible to operate, then yes, I’d be on TiVo in a flash. But it hasn’t. In fact Comcast has upgraded the DVR gui and it’s even easier to use than when I first got it.
I'd argue “superior technology” has nothing to do with it. I'd challange anyone to show me a difference in output quality between my HD DVR and a TiVo box – and imo they're both pretty lacking compared to a good blu-ray player. The only area that I'd consider it superior is the external storage option, but I'm curious how many people take advantage of that. In any case I'm assuming the cable companies will come up with something similar before long.
However for now it's the TiVo interface that everyone talks about. And for me that isn't a good enough selling point at over $300. And no, I don't skimp on the gadgets. I own a PS3, AppleTV, I've paid for HD service and movie channels for years, the list goes on.
Now if my DVR erased all my shows or never recorded them, or was impossible to operate, then yes, I'd be on TiVo in a flash. But it hasn't. In fact Comcast has upgraded the DVR gui and it's even easier to use than when I first got it.
I'd argue “superior technology” has nothing to do with it. I'd challange anyone to show me a difference in output quality between my HD DVR and a TiVo box – and imo they're both pretty lacking compared to a good blu-ray player. The only area that I'd consider it superior is the external storage option, but I'm curious how many people take advantage of that. In any case I'm assuming the cable companies will come up with something similar before long.
However for now it's the TiVo interface that everyone talks about. And for me that isn't a good enough selling point at over $300. And no, I don't skimp on the gadgets. I own a PS3, AppleTV, I've paid for HD service and movie channels for years, the list goes on.
Now if my DVR erased all my shows or never recorded them, or was impossible to operate, then yes, I'd be on TiVo in a flash. But it hasn't. In fact Comcast has upgraded the DVR gui and it's even easier to use than when I first got it.
I agree with frankj that my DVR HD picture is just as good as my TIVO HD picture. It is the TIVO interface that I love….the ability to reclaim a deleted program (especially if accidentally deleted), the ability to add minutes to a recording, either at the start or the finish, the fantastic search features. I agree though that those interfaces may not be worth $300 to everyone, but for me it is. It is the old Cadillac vs. Chevy dilemma….they both get you from Point A to Point B but the ride is more enjoyable in the Cadillac.
I agree with frankj that my DVR HD picture is just as good as my TIVO HD picture. It is the TIVO interface that I love….the ability to reclaim a deleted program (especially if accidentally deleted), the ability to add minutes to a recording, either at the start or the finish, the fantastic search features. I agree though that those interfaces may not be worth $300 to everyone, but for me it is. It is the old Cadillac vs. Chevy dilemma….they both get you from Point A to Point B but the ride is more enjoyable in the Cadillac.
I agree with frankj that my DVR HD picture is just as good as my TIVO HD picture. It is the TIVO interface that I love….the ability to reclaim a deleted program (especially if accidentally deleted), the ability to add minutes to a recording, either at the start or the finish, the fantastic search features. I agree though that those interfaces may not be worth $300 to everyone, but for me it is. It is the old Cadillac vs. Chevy dilemma….they both get you from Point A to Point B but the ride is more enjoyable in the Cadillac.
Rob, Frank, et. al., Although I used to be a ReplayTV owner, I agree with your comments re: TiVo interface superiority.
I think the problem for TiVo is that folks who have never owned a TiVo cannot make that distinction and so will never choose a TiVo over a generic.
And as we have seen with many commenters [and me personally], many folks who understand the distinction either choose not to pay for it or don’t choose TiVo for other reasons [in my case, the lack of VOD capability].
Rob, Frank, et. al., Although I used to be a ReplayTV owner, I agree with your comments re: TiVo interface superiority.
I think the problem for TiVo is that folks who have never owned a TiVo cannot make that distinction and so will never choose a TiVo over a generic.
And as we have seen with many commenters [and me personally], many folks who understand the distinction either choose not to pay for it or don't choose TiVo for other reasons [in my case, the lack of VOD capability].
Rob, Frank, et. al., Although I used to be a ReplayTV owner, I agree with your comments re: TiVo interface superiority.
I think the problem for TiVo is that folks who have never owned a TiVo cannot make that distinction and so will never choose a TiVo over a generic.
And as we have seen with many commenters [and me personally], many folks who understand the distinction either choose not to pay for it or don't choose TiVo for other reasons [in my case, the lack of VOD capability].
I don’t know if any DVRs have this, but what I really miss on my TiVo is the ability to choose to record everything according to keyword or actor, etc. Yeah, I can get a season pass on my current DVR, but it doesn’t do everything I want it to do. In addition, the interface is often confusing, sometimes automatically sets a season pass after recording a show once, but sometimes doesn’t, and is just all around very slow, even compared to my first DirecTiVo, which was inferior to my second one.
Now, like I said, I’m not willing to spend the extra money to get these features, but I do acknowledge the superiority.
I don't know if any DVRs have this, but what I really miss on my TiVo is the ability to choose to record everything according to keyword or actor, etc. Yeah, I can get a season pass on my current DVR, but it doesn't do everything I want it to do. In addition, the interface is often confusing, sometimes automatically sets a season pass after recording a show once, but sometimes doesn't, and is just all around very slow, even compared to my first DirecTiVo, which was inferior to my second one.
Now, like I said, I'm not willing to spend the extra money to get these features, but I do acknowledge the superiority.
I don't know if any DVRs have this, but what I really miss on my TiVo is the ability to choose to record everything according to keyword or actor, etc. Yeah, I can get a season pass on my current DVR, but it doesn't do everything I want it to do. In addition, the interface is often confusing, sometimes automatically sets a season pass after recording a show once, but sometimes doesn't, and is just all around very slow, even compared to my first DirecTiVo, which was inferior to my second one.
Now, like I said, I'm not willing to spend the extra money to get these features, but I do acknowledge the superiority.
Julia, my current Comcast provided Motorola DVRs do not provide that feature. It is a very minor inconvenience based on my usage patterns.
Julia, my current Comcast provided Motorola DVRs do not provide that feature. It is a very minor inconvenience based on my usage patterns.
Julia, my current Comcast provided Motorola DVRs do not provide that feature. It is a very minor inconvenience based on my usage patterns.
I agree with Rob…you cannot miss what you’ve never had and those that never purchased a “lifetime” subscription with their Tivo really cheated themselves of many years of the great Tivo experience. My first/original Tivo from 1999 is still running strong even after it’s 2nd HD replacement for greater capacity. As Marie Antoinette would have said if she were alive today, “Let them watch generic DVR!”
I agree with Rob…you cannot miss what you've never had and those that never purchased a “lifetime” subscription with their Tivo really cheated themselves of many years of the great Tivo experience. My first/original Tivo from 1999 is still running strong even after it's 2nd HD replacement for greater capacity. As Marie Antoinette would have said if she were alive today, “Let them watch generic DVR!”
I agree with Rob…you cannot miss what you've never had and those that never purchased a “lifetime” subscription with their Tivo really cheated themselves of many years of the great Tivo experience. My first/original Tivo from 1999 is still running strong even after it's 2nd HD replacement for greater capacity. As Marie Antoinette would have said if she were alive today, “Let them watch generic DVR!”