TiVo Series 2 Hardware Refresh

Several shopping sites have just posted listings for the mysterious new Series 2 devices (TCD649080,TCD649180) that feature dual tuner capabilities, Ethernet, and an 80HR or 180HR recording capacity at a list price of $249 and $349 respectively. No word on ship dates, however it seems the NTSC OTA tuner will be phased out well before next year’s deadline. This box doesn’t have HD or CableCARD, but should tide us over for a few months. Based on the pricing, looks like my $800 S3 estimate could be pretty close…

Amazon says:

  • Record shows from two basic cable channels, or one basic cable and one digital cable channel, at once.
  • Up to 180 hours recording capacity
  • Includes Ethernet and USB ports, so connecting to your home network is a snap
  • Only TiVo offers exclusive features like WishList searches, Season Pass recordings, TiVoToGo transfers, plus new online services like music, photos, and more!

The world’s first, best, and easiest-to-use digital video recorder just got better. Now, record two shows at once! Only the TiVo service gives you the freedom to watch your favorite shows any time, anywhere.

UPDATE: Looks like TiVo has been busy contacting online retailers, as most listings have been removed. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be seeing these units prior to the 4/15 Lifetime subscription cut-off. Supposedly TiVo was not prepared to release information on these units, in this manner, at this time. How many folks will return recent purchases or decide not to buy current hardware due to this non-announcement blunder?

Merchant listings:
Amazon, Buy.com, Chumbo, Merchant America, beeGool, FadFusion

11 thoughts on “TiVo Series 2 Hardware Refresh”

  1. Wow. Well, given the Series2 was $300 new back before all the ridiculous deals, that’s reasonable for a dual tuner. Can’t wait. Guess this answers the question at tivoblog.com about wanting a lightweight S3.

  2. So, wait a second, if I can’t hook up two satellite receivers and record simultaneously does this mean I won’t have that capability in S3? Is Tivo completely leaving it’s satellite customers in the dust, languishing about with single-tuner satellite-driven S2 boxes and optionless DTivo units?

  3. John – yes. The Series3 doesn’t support satellite *at all*, it is strictly cable and antenna. That’s been discussed in great detail in places like TiVoLovers.com and TiVoCommunity.com. Because satellite is a closed system, TiVo’s only option is S2 style external tuners. Since most users opt for the cheaper integrated boxes, it isn’t a good market for TiVo.

    Now, if they win the suit against Echostar – you might see more licensing of TiVo’s software.

  4. Amongst my fleet, I have a Toshiba RS-TX20 fed by a DirecTV receiver. The Tivo supports the channel listing, guide info, etc. The only thing I would want in a Series3 is the same behavior, just with 2 DirecTV receivers instead of only one and simultaneous recording from those two different sources. Are you saying that’s not even possible?

  5. Based on the specs it looks like it’s almost a hybrid of a Series2 and Series3

    An Ethernet port would require an entirely new Series2 motherboard, two tuners means more might be horsepower as well.

    Since I’m a satellite customer the only value for me would be the built in Ethernet so it’s not a huge deal to me.

  6. I understand the concept of a TiVo tuner controlling the source feed. But with dual tuners does “dual inputs” come also? I’ve only had SA units and my three (2 S1 and 1 S2) take S-Video and analog audio feed from my 3 DirecTV receivers (and before I moved I had two digital cable boxes feed my first two S1 units). Anyone know if there will be an “A” and “B” input along with the “A” and “B” tuner?

  7. I’m guessing that the inputs on the back, with the notable exception of an RJ45 port won’t look that different than a 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation Series2 (140, 240 or 540).

    Probably will be one IR blaster port and one set of video/s-video inputs.

    The second tuner is for analog only, so I’m sure it pulls it straight off the analog cable feed using the Coax(RF) inputs.

    That’s why those of us with Satellite will only be able to use one of the inputs, there is no analog satellite signal unlike “digital cable” where most channels are actually analog and a handful are digital.

Comments are closed.