Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!
What do you think they need to do in order to stay in business (I never want to let them go)?
What they are doing, move more of their customer base to the monthly charges. I'm on a lifetime sub that I've transferred between Tivos since 1999 when I got my first box. We added a second lifetime box around 6 years ago.
The first tivo was something like $300+$99 for lifetime. If I was paying monthly at $15/mo that would have been $2000+ at this point. Even allowing that I've upgraded the box twice when they did their deals allowing swapping a lifetime sub, each of those boxes cost about $250. That's still over $1000 in revenue they are losing. Factor in that they actually lose money on the hardware, and it makes even less sense.
One of the things that made my initial installation take forever was that the technician said that if you incorrectly configure a CableCard, you break the hardware. Or at least make it useless enough that you have to travel with 4, not just the 2 that go into the device. And he was travelling with 2.
If that has anything to do with the standard TiVo wants to change, I'll sign the petition.
I do wish it were easier to get things off the TiVo and onto my iPad or something--that would be nice
I'd been thinking that just about everything has that "boo! Can't copy!" disclaimer which made me want to buy a VCR (MOTHERFUCKERS), but I actually fired up TiVo Desktop on my PC and...every single Supernatural episode is on there.
Thanks, guys! Supernatural which I have: on Blu Ray, on DVD, torrented, and screencapped. I'm so glad that it and America's Kitchen are the only fucking shows not copyrighted tighter than a redacted expletive.
If you have the new TiVo and the TiVo app, you can download directly to the app. If not,mypu need to download to your pc with the TiVo desktop, conver to mpeg, and drag into iTunes.
I don't have the newest TiVo, mine is about 4 years old? It's TiVo HD (does hidef) not premiere.
I guess I'll wait and see what seems sensible when it someday breaks down. Can you watch most/all shows on the app, or just some?
Not sure if there are DRM issues, I know that I can't move DRM stuff between Tivos, and if I move non DRM struff (like regular TV) I can't download or burn a DVD
I think they need to rethink their pricing model and start partnering with cable companies.
When I was having troubles with my Charter DVR, they said they were Alpha testing a TiVo box in Texas that was TiVo for recording, and allowed On Demand stuff as well. All in a Charter approved box, no cards needed. That was 2 years ago. When I moved, and that crappy Win3.1 looking box started making nasty noise on the sound outputs, they gave me a new box. I was hoping it was the TiVo vesion. Nope. Same software, just running on a newer machine. So, thankfully it doesn't lag anymore. But the GUI looks straight out of Win3.1. Ugly color schemes. The worst directory archetecture for On Demand. Eh. But improved performance, so not looking to switch to TiVo at this point.
I'm sure better UI is being developed right now :)
Yeah, I was waiting for the Charter/Tivo partnership as well. Unfortunately it never made it out of Alpha testing. Here is the official statement on their site.
[link]
My TiVo Premiere (lifetime sub) now does OnDemand(Comcast) in addition to the Netflix, Hulu, YouTube,etc. I love having the OnDemand access because it allows me to save my TiVo space for movies.
In a weird way, if the new TiVo would let me have Time Warner On Demand (I'd resigned myself to never having it), re-upping the lifetime membership is a little more worth it--but the principle remains the same.
