DailyTech - TiVo Series 3 HD Set Top Updates

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Gadgets TiVo Series 3 HD Set Top Updates
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - February 16, 2006 4:13 PM

16 comment(s) - last by Lakku.. on Mar 14 at 10:31 PM

Customers eagerly await the arrival of TiVo's next-generation Series 3 which brings CableCARD support

We reported earlier this year around CES that TiVo was working on its next generation of boxes called the series 3. What got people excited was that according to TiVo, the new Series 3 will come with support for CableCARD which lets you grab high definition content over digital cable without expensive hardware proprietary to the cable provider.

Engadget is reporting that TiVo is now in beta testing stages of testing the new Series 3. Earlier this year TiVo CEO Mike Ramsey said that customers can expect the new box to show up "early" in 2006. No new date has been set however, but customers are eagerly awaiting. TiVo is currently also working on launching a new service it is dubbing Tahiti, which will connect users on the go with their TiVo content sitting at home. Microsoft is also working on similar services to allow Windows Mobile users to connect to their Media Centers at home.

From the original article:

While Stephen was not able to disclose any information on Series 3 shipping dates (the product is currently believed to be in outside beta testing, which was not denied), he added that they will release it “when it is ready.”

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Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By BillyBatson on 2/16/2006 4:36:34 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
which will connect uesrs on

typo...

This new Tivo better have a whole lot more than just a useless cablecard. It should fully support HDTV in and back out to the tv set along with Component and an HDMI port standard for both In and Out. Version with DVD burners should also be available as to avoid buyign 3rd party devices such as Humax Tivo DVR's.

RE: Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By Doormat on 2/16/2006 5:00:47 PM , Rating: 4

Did you see the CES coverage of the unit?? Here are the pics...

http://www.megazone.org/Photos/CES2006/TiVo/SMALL/

Look at the Series3-back-X.JPG pics, you'll be able to see the ports available on the unit.

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RE: Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By sotti on 2/16/2006 5:06:28 PM , Rating: 1

I can't believe you called cable card useless?

cable card is the gateway to reliable HDTV and standard digital cable timeshifting.

ALOT of people can't get all their locals in HD over the air. I can get 3 or 4 in one direction and 2 or 3 in the other. So I would have to make sure my antena is in one direction for CSI and a different one for the office.

cable card is going to be a godsend for people like me.

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RE: Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By sotti on 2/16/2006 5:07:20 PM , Rating: 2

oh not to mention I'll finially be able to tivo F1 from speed channel.

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RE: Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By theapparition on 2/17/2006 10:24:25 AM , Rating: 2

Forget ever seeing Component IN. There's no content protection on component, so this would let anyone make an HD copy of any broadcast or DVD.

Only high end broadcast studio equipment so far has been seen with component in (please, someone tell me I'm wrong, I'd love to find out about equipment with it)

Does anyone else get scared with the fact that pretty soon, you won't be able to make recordings of regular TV anymore in the "Great Digital Age" with content protection. But I'm sure all the networks will let you buy the episode you missed. Makes you wonder about the future of all recorded mediums.

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RE: Update Inputs/Outputs PLEASE!

By theapparition on 2/17/2006 10:25:43 AM , Rating: 2

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Please retract article.

By TiVoOpsMgr on 2/16/2006 6:54:26 PM , Rating: 1

Folks, this is now a game of telephone. You're quoting Engadget who is quoting Thomas Hawk from an article about a lunch he had with me on Monday. I did not say anything to Thomas about the status of the Series3 unit. I cannot confirm or deny whether or not the Series3 is or is not in beta testing.

I did say that, "It will be released when it's ready." But that doesn't give you any kind of date.

I realize folks are hungry for news, but I didn't provide any on Monday. Please don't invent news.

RE: Please retract article.

By KristopherKubicki

(blog) on 2/16/2006 7:07:06 PM , Rating: 2

You have my contact information - I do not have yours. Please reply to my email that I sent.

Kristopher

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RE: Please retract article.

By TiVoOpsMgr on 2/16/2006 7:14:20 PM , Rating: 2

Will do, but bear in mind that my e-mail address (estephen@tivo.com) has been attached to every post I've ever made.

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RE: Please retract article.

By TiVoOpsMgr on 2/16/2006 7:15:00 PM , Rating: 2

Thanks for correcting the article.

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RE: Please retract article.

By TiVoOpsMgr on 2/16/2006 7:34:49 PM , Rating: 2

Kristopher and I spoke, and we're now in contact for the future.

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Why would I buy this?

By kkwst2 on 2/16/2006 10:32:42 PM , Rating: 2

I love my ReplayTV. I got a refurb with a lifetime subscription. But now I'm looking for HD.

The thing is, I can get a Motorola cable box for $10/month from my cable complany that has HD recording capability. So why would I pay for a Tivo and then pay the $12/month or whatever it is they charge? I know the Tivo software is better, but I'm not sure it's that much better.

Am I missing something? I really have a hard time believing that many people are going to pay that much extra just to have Tivo. Tivo needs to make deals with cable companies, or I think they're going to be hurting.

RE: Why would I buy this?

By Doormat on 2/17/2006 12:44:00 AM , Rating: 2

The main reason is that the TiVo is far far far more versetile than your average HD DVR from your cable company. Tivo has lots of other features - TiVo to Go, HME, internet-based scheduling, etc. Things you'll never see out of your cable co's DVR. They just pushed down an update for things like games (simple games to play on your TV with your remote), listen to Live365 radio stations, podcasts, Yahoo! integration, etc. The S3 HD TiVo might support videocasts too - imagine watching videocasts over the net from DL.TV or some place like that.

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RE: Why would I buy this?

By kkwst2 on 2/18/2006 8:08:12 PM , Rating: 3

I understand that it's more versatile. But my point is that I don't think that's enough for most people to shell out $500 or whatever it is to get those features. There's nothing in there that I would pay that much for over my cable company DVR. Especially since CableCard will be coming the HTPC's soon. I'd rather spend the $500 on a better HTPC, as that's going to be much more versatile than anything TiVo might push.

Maybe I'm off base, but I just don't see a long-term future for TiVo unless they can make deals with more cable companies and/or satellite companies.

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RE: Why would I buy this?

By Lakku on 3/14/2006 10:31:14 PM , Rating: 2

My thoughts exactly. Later this year ATi is releasing their CableCard product, which should combine with/replace their HDTV Wonder. On a side note, I hope they keep the antenna for local broadcasts, as Time Warner HDTV is the worst offering of channels I have ever seen. Anyway, an HTPC with Vista Ultimate or Home Pro (the ones with the media center) will be far more versatile then any TiVo. Not to mention, with an ATi card with Avivo and/or a TV Wonder Elite, you can get a much better video processor to clean up the image and the play back video files, along with the live feed itself. All for less then 1k.

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Happy days are here again!

By Doormat on 2/16/2006 4:57:03 PM , Rating: 2

I should really e-mail TiVo and see if I can get a unit to beta test. I've got access to a CC2.0 plant (or so I've been told) and an HDTV with HDMI. I'm a perfect candidate.