Categories: TiVo

TiVo Update To Stream MPEG4 Cable

While “early 2015” has come and gone, TiVo is making good on their promise to stream cable content encoded in MPEG-4 as the industry drives towards more efficient utilization of its finite bandwidth. Roamio Pro and Plus DVRs updated with software release 20.5.2, in conjunction with recently updated iOS and Android apps, gain these new capabilities… as early as today, if you get your boxes on the new Priority list (with old heading). And we imagine similar TiVo Stream support for Premiere, Roamio, and Roamio OTA is not far behind. Those who abstain from the Priority List should expect rolling updates to begin in August.

Beyond this addition and post-OnePass, we’ll once again have the ability to display a simple, “flat list” of our recordings to be sorted by date or title. And, speaking of OnePass, we’ll be treated to a new kitchen sink option of “Record Everything” – including duplicates.

20.5.2 also includes various bug fixes (and hopefully some nice surprises to line up with that “late July” Aereo news):

  • Fixed an issue where audio would play, but no video was displayed
  • Fixed an issue where auto-playing a large group of shows from a remote DVR would give a V125 error
  • Fixed an issue where WishLists were displaying an incorrect auto-record status
  • Fixed issues related to freezes when using the Amazon app
  • Fixed an issue where bulk deleting of streaming video links from a mobile app could cause a reboot
  • Fixed an issue where lengthy Closed Captions were disappearing more quickly than they should

Perhaps we’ll even land an ominous updated opening animation featuring TiVo’s new logo and branding?

View Comments

  • I actully like that opening animation better. I want to watch content, not watch long introductions. I already know who Tivo is.

  • Dave, to make sure I understand, After the update, will Tivo RECORD in mpeg4 and stream in mpeg4? If it does record in mpeg4, can we use third party devices as extenders (Rokus, FireTV, Xbox 1 etc.)?

  • TiVo records in whatever format the cableco delivers the content in. At least that's the way it's been. While they had no problems transcoding MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 for Stream and Roamio streaming, native MPEG-4 couldn't be streamed to mobiles for whatever reason. That's what they've fixed. Some cable hannels have been unable to stream basically.

    With up to 6-tuners, I don't think they'd want to transcode all MPEG-2 on the fly to "record" as MPEG-4 given the overhead. I would assume transcodes will continue to happen on demand. Which still allows for Roku and Fire TV apps - probably a quality reduction in exchange for the convenience, but reasonable for many (versus the Airplay stuff, which should only be used in a pinch).

    Late July is coming... part of their "Aereo" story better include these third party boxes. :)

Published by
Dave Zatz
July 16, 2015