Marc Policani's Digital Media Blog: TiVo

TiVo Introduces Dual Tuner DVR

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:02:06 GMT

TiVo on Tuesday introduced its first standalone digital video recorder with dual tuner capability. The new model will be optimized for cable households and features built-in Ethernet and a refreshed look.

The company said the first shipments would arrive at Circuit City, Best Buy, Amazon.com and its Web site on May 1. The dual-tuner model will offer 80-hours of recording time.

"We've been hearing from our subscribers that they wanted a TiVo DVR that could record two shows at once," said Jim Denney, Vice President of Product Marketing at TiVo. "With the TiVo Series2 DT DVR, we've delivered that capability to our customers at a very affordable price."

The TiVo box will retail for $99.99 USD after rebate and service activation. TiVo would also give consumers the option to purchase the unit bundled with service from tivo.com, the company said. | more...

TiVo to Allow Verizon Customers To Program DVRs Via Cellphones

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 01:55:45 GMT

For years TiVo Inc. has let users easily record television programs with a few flicks of a remote control. Today, the company will announce a deal with Verizon Wireless that turns an everyday device -- the cellphone -- into a novel remote control for TiVo recorders.

Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc., of New York, and Britain's Vodafone Group PLC, plans to offer a new service called TiVo Mobile that will allow Verizon Wireless customers who also have TiVos in their homes to schedule TV shows for recording when they are on the go. The service works with a small software program Verizon Wireless customers can download to their handsets that will communicate back to their TiVo digital-video recorders.

A customer might use the service to impulsively schedule a sitcom for recording after the show is recommended by a friend at a party. "The ability to control your TiVo when you're not at home is something we've always had a desire for," said John Harrobin, vice president of advertising and digital media at Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless executives said the service, to begin this summer, is expected to cost less than $5 a month, in addition to normal cellphone-service charges and TiVo subscriber fees, which are $12.95 a month. The companies didn't disclose terms of their deal.

The service represents an effort by TiVo, of Alviso, Calif., to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market, where cable- and satellite-television companies are gaining ground with their own digital-video recorders, devices that simplify the process of recording television shows. [ more... ]

There were just more than 11 million subscribers to DVR services in the U.S. at the end of last year, according to estimates by Magna Global Research. TiVo has just more than a third of the market, with more than four million subscribers.

TiVo Users Love Funny Super Bowl Ads

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:48:14 GMT

TiVo's yearly analysis of the top Super Bowl commercials revealed that Ameriquest's ads "Friendly Skies" and "That Killed Him" were the most commonly replayed ads in TiVo households Sunday. TiVo said that its analysis showed that humorous ads seem to garner the most attention by its customers, with nearly every commercial in the top ten using some kind of humor to deliver the message.

However, in an exception from past years, a play on the field nearly eclipsed replay and rewind activity for the most popular commercials. Two plays earned that distinction -- a controversial second quarter touchdown by Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and the score that clinched the Steelers victory. An analysis of usage showed TiVo users hit replay, pause, or rewind an average of 100 times during the game, and the replay button alone 30 times. [ more... ]

Feature or Bug? TiVo won't save certian shows or allow moving them

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 19:00:08 GMT

I'm seeing several blog entries this morning about TiVo not recording certian shows or allowing content to be moved.

PVRblog appears to have picked up the story first from a third party user.

BoingBoing references the story twice...

PVRblog readers then comment that this is a bug and not a feature, and refer tto the TiVoCommunity.com boards.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3233152&&#post3233152

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3236586&&#post3236586

Evidently TiVo recognizes a Macrovision flag, but there are no "known" instances of a network or studio actually implementing the flag. I'm guessing this feature was introduced to make TiVo compliant with the FCC's failed attempt to enforce the July 05' Broadcast Flag requirement.

TiVo Launches $99 DVR Promotion

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:52:37 GMT

"In a bid to attract subscribers, DVR manufacturer TiVo said on Tuesday that through August 20, it would offer a $100 instant rebate on all players that previously had mail-in rebates. This would bring the price of a new 40-hour TiVo unit to $99, the lowest price ever without a rebate requirement." | Source: BetaNews

Caller id on the TiVo

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:17:49 GMT

"Wouldn’t it be nice if your TiVo could display caller id information so that when the phone rings, you know whether it’s worth getting up and interrupting 24 or the Daily Show?

It’s possible. There are two basic approaches:

Here’s how I got caller id on my TiVo using a Windows caller id program called YAC (you must have a caller-id capable modem in your Windows machine). There are “listeners” available for TiVo Series 1 and 2, so that your TiVo(s) get notified about calls over TCP/IP over your network.
Alternatively if you want to do the caller id with the TiVo modem instead of using a YAC (Windows) server, check out Elseed.

Personally, I took approach #1, because I also wanted to be able to see caller id on all of my various PC’s and YAC’s listener model is flexible enough to handle that (you can configure up to 10 listeners on your network)." | Source: TiVoBlog.com

TiVo looks for an edge

Sat, 23 Apr 2005 00:30:44 GMT

Copeland and Brosnan, in fact, are entering their creation in TiVo's HME (Home Media Engine) Developer Challenge, a contest that calls on Java developers to create applications for broadband-connected TiVo recorders. Home Media Engine is the code name for TiVo's strategy to boost development of its DVR service to include broader capabilities.

With more than 5,000 users since its March launch, iSeeiTunes has become a relative hit among the TiVo developer community, garnering high ratings in forums dedicated to TiVo applications. The program's popularity speaks both to its usefulness and the creative potential of developers, which TiVo hopes to harness as it attempts to transform its service into more than for just digital video recording. [ more... ]

TiVo Exec: Mac Compatibility Unlikely

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 14:51:04 GMT

According to a piece appearing in the Mac Observer, the "Digital video recorder maker TiVo, Inc. has no plans to develope its technology to integrate with the Macintosh, chief financial officer David Courtney told the The Daily Pensylvanian Wednesday.

While speaking at the University of Pennsylvania Wednesday, Mr. Courtney said that the company had no immediate plans to offer a version of its TiVoToGo software for Mac OS X.

"We haven't committed to any plans (for integration) to it because of the cost," Courtney said. "Unless we find a way to record it under the current platform, and I don't think that will happen in the next few years."" [ more... ]

TiVo Seen Adding More Multiple System Operator Deals

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 21:46:11 GMT

Forbes reports that , "Smith Barney upgraded TiVo (nasdaq: TIVO - news - people ) to "buy" from "hold" and raised the target price to $7.75 from $7.25, based on valuation and growth prospects. The research firm said TiVo's deal with Comcast (nasdaq: CMCSA - news - people ) is "a watershed event" as it validates TiVo's patented DVR (digital video recorder) advertising products, while confirming that TiVo's search functionality is an integral component of new video on demand offerings. Smith Barney said TiVo could enter into additional deals with multiple system operators over the next two years as operators attempt to maximize DVR profits, gain a foothold within advanced DVR-based advertising, improve product performance and protect themselves from potential patent infringement issues. The research firm said a favorable verdict from the EchoStar Communications (nasdaq: DISH - news - people ) patent-infringement trial, which is set to begin in October 2005, could serve as another catalyst for TiVo shares."

Tivo Shares Rise After Major Brokerage Increases Its Rating on the Company

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 16:48:13 GMT

Tivo Inc. shares rose Tuesday after a major brokerage increased its rating on the maker of digital video recorders, citing its potential to strike more deals with major U.S. cable operators.

The Alviso, Calif.-based company last month agreed to adapt its technology for Comcast Corp.'s 21.5 million subscribers, and Smith Barney contends this could be just the first of many partnerships in store for Tivo. The brokerage upgraded Tivo's rating and raised its stock target price to $7.75 from $7.25 to reflect the expectation that more agreements will increase advertising revenue.

Tivo shares rose 38 cents, or 6.7 percent, to $6.03 in midday trading on the Nasdaq after receiving the upgrade. Smith Barney raised Tivo to a "Buy, Speculative Risk" from a "Hold, Speculative Risk."

"We believe the more recent sell-off of Tivo's stock subsequent to the Comcast deal overlooks the implications of the watershed event and presents a compelling risk reward proposition for investors," Smith Barney analyst Tony Wible said in a report. "We have increased confidence that Tivo could enter into additional cable deals over the next two years." [ more... ]

TiVo beefs up patent portfolio

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 01:29:26 GMT

Digital video recorder company TiVo has increased its stake in television intellectual property by purchasing six patents from IBM.

The Alviso, Calif.-based company on Tuesday filed a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing its purchase of six U.S. patents from IBM on March 31. The patents relate to audience research and measurement, integration of television signals with Internet access, automatic rescheduling of recordings, content screening, enhanced program information search and electronic program guide interface enhancements. Expiration dates for the patents range from December 2015 to February 2020.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The DVR pioneer has been amassing a patent portfolio to boost its licensing business and fend off new entrants to the DVR market. However, TiVo hasn't yet been able to turn its intellectual property into significant financial success. [ more... ]

TiVo, DirecTV Sign Advertising Deal

Tue, 05 Apr 2005 18:47:04 GMT

In a possible sign that relations between satellite television provider DirecTV and DVR-maker TiVo may be improving, details of a new advertising agreement between the two companies were made public Tuesday. The deal extends the previous agreement, and allows for both companies to leverage TiVo's "advanced advertising capabilities" on DirecTV TiVo units. [ more... ]

Heated reception for TiVo ad test

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 20:22:16 GMT

Richard Shim, a writer for CNET News.com writes that, "TiVo subscribers are heatedly debating the ads the company began testing this past weekend.

Considered low-hanging fruit for TiVo and revolutionary at the same time--helping to make the 30-second television commercial spot more engaging and effective to advertisers--users were quick to voice opinions in our TalkBack area and on TiVo community forums. Some weren't offended by the ads and said others were making mountains out of mole hills. Some of those displeased with the pop-up tags claimed they would be canceling their service.

Keep your eyes peeled; used TiVo DVRs may be hitting online auctions soon."

TiVo tests pop-up-style ads

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 04:09:24 GMT

Richard Shim, a staff writer for CNET News.com reports that, "TiVo began testing interactive advertising tools during the weekend as it looks to appease companies wary of users' ability to skip over ads.

The company confirmed late Monday that it released the first in a series of advertising features to a random and limited number of subscribers to the digital-video recorder service. The first test feature--a tag--pops up on the screen when a viewer is fast-forwarding through an advertisement.

If viewers press the thumbs-up or select button during the half second the tag is displayed, they will be redirected to a menu that leads to more information about the advertised product. The tag takes up about 25 percent of the screen, according to the company. TiVo said it is working with only one advertiser, a movie studio, on the trial balloon.

TiVo has been developing interactive advertising technology for some time, and while advertising accounts for just a fraction of TiVo's overall revenue, it could become more substantial. The interactive features would give advertisers information on consumer interest and, possibly, better access to couch potatoes."

Richard must have had his V8 this morning, he also writes "This begs the question: If I'm fast-forwarding through an advertisement, isn't that a clear indication I'm not interested in the product and therefore unlikely to press a button asking for more information?"

How can I get shows onto my Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable)?

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 15:47:41 GMT

It looks like Zatz has updated his TiVo to Go Unleashed! FAQ again, this time he answers the question, "How can I get shows onto my Sony PSP?"

DirecTV HD DVR (HD TiVo)

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 16:02:28 GMT

The HD TiVo was recently rated by ZDNet as the best high-definition DVR of 2004, however several users have provided feedback expressing their disappointment that the product was only available for DirecTV subscribers. Read the full review here.

“The DirecTV HD TiVo is one of only a handful of devices that can record high-definition TV. Like all high-end first-generation gadgets, the HD TiVo, also known as the Hughes HR10-250, comes with a high price tag ($999) and some notable caveats. It's for DirecTV subscribers only, and it lacks all of the impressive networking features--digital music, remote programming, video sharing and DVD burning--found in standalone TiVos. However, until the second-generation HD DVRs (and first-generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray recorders) arrive in 2005, the DirecTV HD TiVo stands alone as the best and easiest-to-use product for recording HDTV.”

TiVo bullish on the future, "PC experience"

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 15:53:22 GMT

A recent arstechnica article by Ken Fisher reports that on “the mobility front, TiVo is still talking up TiVoToGo. Ramsay said that the company is currently developing technology that will allow users to transfer shows recorded by TiVo to Microsoft's nascent Portable Media Centers, although one may question the wisdom of getting into bed with Microsoft. Microsoft does, after all, having a competing PVR product in Media Center Edition 2005, and their Portable Media Centers are designed to operate with that product. TiVoToGo video being used in a miniature Media Center interface may prove a pyrrhic victory for TiVo, in the long run. On another battlefront, Ramsay expressed hope that TiVo would remain the sole HDTV PVR provided for DirecTV for the near future, but he was not specific on dates. As of yet, there have been no reports on when DirecTV will be launching their own recorder, although it is known that one is in the works.”

TiVo, Comcast reach DVR deal

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:07:19 GMT

Richard Shim, a Staff Writer for CNET News.com writes that, “TiVo and cable giant Comcast have reached a distribution deal, easing some investor concerns over the digital video recorder pioneer's future. The companies announced the agreement Tuesday, saying they are working to make TiVo's DVR service and interactive advertising capability available over Comcast's cable network. The first of their co-developed products will be available in mid- to late-2006 and will use the TiVo brand. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the alliance is long term and nonexclusive. The two companies have flirted before without consummating a deal. The agreement opens up a much larger audience for TiVo to address. The Comcast deal is considered a win for TiVo, which has long faced the looming threat of battling bigger rivals alone. Though TiVo subscribers rave about the company's digital video recorder service, distribution partners--namely cable companies--have been harder for the company to win over. TiVo's digital video recorder service lets customers pause live broadcasts and program systems to record future shows. The company charges between $99 and $299 for its hardware, and $6.99 to $12.99 a month to access its service. A majority of TiVo's some 3 million subscribers come through satellite TV service provider DirecTV. However, DirecTV recently started using a second company, NDS, to provide DVR service, sparking investor concerns over TiVo's future. A deal with Comcast puts to rest some of those concerns by opening up a large new potential audience for TiVo's service.”

TiVo, EchoStar patent infringement case advances

Sat, 12 Mar 2005 03:39:54 GMT

In a recent article for CNET News.com, Richard Ship writes, “Jury selection in the TiVo, EchoStar Communications patent infringement lawsuit will begin on Oct. 4 giving observers some sense of the time frame for the case. TiVo brought the suit against EchoStar in January of last year. The digital video recording company said Wednesday the federal district court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, denied EchoStar's motion to transfer the case outside Texas. TiVo alleges that EchoStar and its affiliated companies are violating TiVo's time-warping patent. The lawsuit figures prominently in TiVo's efforts to enforce its patent portfolio.”

Apple Deal Would Be Rotten for TiVo

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 17:43:07 GMT

Phillip Swann writes: “TiVo's stock has jumped approximately 20 percent over the last two days on rumors that Apple Computer will buy the Digital Video Recording service.

By late Thursday, however, the rumors appeared to be fading, which is good news for TiVo fans. Apple is one of the last companies that TiVo should consider as a prospective owner.”

Apple Eyes Tivo?

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 03:17:31 GMT

Kent Pribbernow writes: "TiVo Inc. shares jumped more than 17 percent on Wednesday, fueled by speculation that Apple Computer Inc. might make a try to buy the digital video recorder maker, analysts said. "What we hear on the street is that Apple is interested in their business and that they are a takeout target," said analyst Steven Kroll Jr. of Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. Representatives for Apple and TiVo both declined comment."

TiVo 802.11g Support

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:07:06 GMT

Rumors about TiVo's "coming soon" 802.11g support have recently come true. The Houston Chronicle has a short article about two 802.11g adapters for a TiVo running software version 7.1 (Netgear's WG111 and D-Link's DWL-G120).

The support page for TiVo Wireless Adapters confirms that these two wireless adapters will work with your TiVo in wireless G mode, as long as it has the most recent 7.1 OS release. This should make show transfers go a lot faster.

Can TiVo be Saved?

Tue, 22 Feb 2005 17:22:38 GMT

ChipGuy writes "TiVo's death watch has begun. The company is having a tough time finding traction in the marketplace, as more and more competitors rush into the market, most of them deep pocketed satellite and cable companies. But is all lost? What if the company went private and became the anti-cable, letting us download, store, organize, and serve media from both cable and -- this is the important part -- the internet. Others believe that TiVo should get into the content aggregation business."

Yahoo! News - TiVo Subscriptions Hit 3 Million Mark

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 15:45:38 GMT

Yahoo! News reports: TiVo came in on the high end of their 575,000 to 700,000 fourth quarter new subscriber estimate at 698,000 new subscribers they announced today.

The more watched number the TiVo standalone unit new subscribers came in at 251,000. They had estimated somewhere between 200,000 to 275,000 for their fourth quarter.