DailyTech - TiVo Forms Partnership with YouTube

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Internet TiVo Forms Partnership with YouTube
Gabriel Ikram & Kristopher Kubicki - March 13, 2008 1:47 PM

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9 comment(s) - last by klstay.. on Mar 14 at 9:05 AM

TiVo has announced that it will offer YouTube integration to its users

Chris Crocker is crying tears of joy today. TiVo recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Google Inc. that will bring YouTube integration to TiVo. TiVo says that its users will be able to access YouTube directly from their TV sets through TiVo DVRs.

According to TiVo, all that is necessary for YouTube integration is a broadband-connected TiVo series 3 DVR, which includes TiVo HD DVRs. TiVo says that as long as the requirements are met, users will be able to log into their YouTube accounts and access their favorite channels and playlists. In addition, users will also be able to search and browse for YouTube videos.

"We're delighted to be working with the world's leading online video community so that TiVo subscribers can access YouTube's popular content on the TV via the TiVo DVR," said Tara Maitra, general manager of content services at TiVo Inc.

Other successful YouTube partnerships include WiiTube for the Nintendo Wii. The TiVo announcement comes with a simultaneous announcement that Google, YouTube's parent, will also roll out a new API for third-party developers. Included with this new API is the ability to upload videos, a feature touted in the new TiVo partnership.

The new alliance between YouTube and TiVo could help push online user-generated videos into the mainstream. Online TV experiened explosive growth during the writers' strike, and continues to expand at a rapid pace. Because of the relatively low cost of creating online videos, thousands of people are able to post their own content online. The new deal could help harness this creative talent and bring it into the mainstream American living room.

No official date has been set for the service's release. However, YouTube representatives tell DailyTech the service is slated for TiVo subscribers with Series 3 and TiVo HD receivers.

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By prenox on 3/13/2008 2:39:45 PM , Rating: 3

I guess watching Youtube is about as entertaining as watching most of what they have on TV now anyways.

RE: TV

By therealnickdanger on 3/13/2008 2:47:35 PM , Rating: 3

Precisely.

Whether that's a dig at television or a compliment to YouTube...?

Parent

RE: TV

By herrdoktor330 on 3/13/2008 6:48:40 PM , Rating: 3

Well, not to raise the nerd-i-ation levels here, but there are things like Star Trek: Phase II (or the ST: the New Voyages), College Saga, and numerous others that are actually really decent things to check out. Some contributers out there really put alot of heart and production value into what they're putting out there for the world to see.

But I'm sure there's a nation of Tivo customers that would be happy to see suburban kids "ghostride the wip".

I guess that's the beauty of YouTube. It is what you make it. But I think it's cool that it's now even easier to get that kind of service on their tivo boxes.

But here's a better question: Comcast Cable started rolling out Tivo software onto their DVR boxes. I wonder if that will ever trickle down into regular cable customers who are running that software?

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Smart move for the future

By BPB on 3/13/2008 4:50:44 PM , Rating: 2

Think about it folks, as broadband expands, YouTube will eventually have higher quality video. Already I've watched quite a few videos posted in HD. What I like is many people post TV shows on YouTube, particularly anime that my kids like. So if they miss something they watch it on YouTube. That just got easier.

RE: Smart move for the future

By BruceLeet on 3/13/2008 8:14:20 PM , Rating: 2

Your comment reminds me of Stage6 :(

Stage6 had bandwidth for its streaming HD videos and they didn't have limits...such as Youtubes 100mb/10:00 which ever comes first rule.

I miss my donkey

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What *is* that?

By kileil on 3/13/2008 4:22:48 PM , Rating: 1

Who wouldn't want highly compressed 320x240 video blown up on their huge high-def TVs?

Man, i get all excited thinking about the glorious macro-blocking and land-line phone quality audio blaring through 5.1+ surround.

"oh honey, i didn't know you still played Pong?"
"no dear, this is Wimbledon last month..."

RE: What *is* that?

By AlphaVirus on 3/13/2008 4:36:17 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Who wouldn't want highly compressed 320x240 video blown up on their huge high-def TVs?

Sometimes I view Youtube on my PS3's internet browser and honestly Tivo is making a pretty stupid move. As you mentioned the quality is nowhere near acceptable unless you have a 20in HDTV.

The only reason I visit youtube on my PS3 is because it does not support certain websites that I visit and my computer might already be occupied.

And honestly youtube became trash once it became popular. I used to visit on a regular basis to see what silly videos people would upload but now there are only foolish people trying to get 10 seconds of joy from people commenting and giving you more stars. As a final note, I know there are people with a lot of talent on youtube but the majority of Youtube is a waste of time.

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That Pic

By prenox on 3/13/2008 2:35:09 PM , Rating: 2

That would definately be an interesting posterboy for Tivo.

Silly & Mostly Pointless

By klstay on 3/14/2008 9:05:28 AM , Rating: 2

Does Tivo honestly believe this 'feature' will tip someone from thinking it is just a little too costly to think it is worth it? Get an agreement with Netflix to a LOT more of their catalog than is currently streamable and then we are talking value add.