I’ve long been a proponent of hub and spoke video distribution model and the 2013 TiVo Mini single-handily kept me in the fold. Dropping the TiVo extender’s service fee only sweetened the deal. However, I’ve long pined for a wireless iteration having been blessed with solid coverage – now cranked to 11 with eero.
Yet, it wasn’t meant to be as TiVo CMO Ira Bahr implies consistent performance and support could be an issue:
We currently do not have a wireless Mini on the roadmap. We deliver the highest quality MPEG2 without major compression. The TiVo Mini is truly an extention of our core product, and as such should work with the same quality as you experience from your main TV.
Unfortunately, TiVo’s half-baked Amazon Fire TV app doesn’t fill this void for me either. But with Minis as inexpensive as they are (and often on sale), I’ll give them a pass on this point and recently tricked out our baby’s bedroom with another box.
With or without wireless, the TiVo Mini is long overdue for a refresh. I’d originally anticipated we’d see something this year to complement the TiVo Bolt, in both appearance and 4k capabilities. But they’ve had a lot on their plate and it’s looking like next year.
We originally released the Mini in 2012 and it’s definitely due for a refresh. Look to the first half of next year for an update to the Mini that will be UHD 4K compatible.
In regards to the roadmap, generally speaking, I’d say expect no changes 12 months post-acquisition. After that, all bets are off.
I’d assume the 4K mini requires a Bolt, right?
Good question. I’d assume it doesn’t so they can feed all current product lines from a single SKU and the 4K is streaming services only, like Netflix, which would bypass host DVR.
Right. I was thinking of 4K cable content but who knows when/if that happens.
I suspect that 4K cable content will only ever be transmitted via IP, not QAM, so the only way a retail TiVo unit will likely be able to access it is through a custom on-demand app like the one that Cox has designed for TiVo.
You can always get a Netgear Wireless WNCE2001 which tricks TiVo into thinking it’s plugged into an Ethernet line. I used it on my Roamio Plus until I was able to set up a stable MoCA network. They’re rock solid, I had one running for 6 years with my Moxi DVR and one year on the TiVo.
“You can always get a Netgear Wireless WNCE2001”
I threw away my Netgear WiFi Bridge (It was always disconnecting requiring a reboot) I instead got a second ASUS RT-N66 (U, R or W) and set it up for Bridge Mode. No more WiFi issues using multiple MRS sessions through that bridge.
I ran my mini on powerline networking for almost 2 years before a software update introduced issues. Now I use the built-in MoCA with no issues.
No coax in the kitchen and a difficult run for me to wire myself, so I used a wireless bridge with Mini for a bit (and I do have Powerline adapters).
I’ve settled on a Roku TV in the kitchen and we generally watch the CNN or Disney Jr apps for background noise. Will also drag it out to the deck as needed – less clutter than the alternatives.
Hmm, was looking at my current Verizon Bill. paying 30 a month for the boxes and current the $22 DVR fee is waved until March. So 52 Bucks a month. Assuming a $500, you break even at a year and half even if I buy 2 minis. The continual care protection of getting a new box for 49 if it breaks alleviates my real worry about going back to TiVo. Now the only really other question is if 4k is ever coming to Cable/Fios and whether the bolt would be able to handle it if it happens soonish….
Would the EERO give anything better than the current five Asus APs I have setup?
I dunno what you have and your priorities. eero builds a MIMO mesh network. Setup was ridiculously simple (comparable to OnHub) and whole-home coverage has been stellar — I’m quite satisfied with the solution. But advanced features are limited at this time and there were early privacy concerns (that have possibly been assuaged).
i’d settle for minis with reliable ethernet ports.
I considered alternatives to Tivo, namely Tablo, but decided to stick with them. Since a move to a new house in Feb. We’ve been Comcast internet only customers. TV is OTA and supplement the cable channels we used to watch with HBO Now, and PS Vue. Regarding 4K Tivo, I don’t see it as a necessity. There is no broadcast 4K content, and won’t likely be for a while yet. Cable may come sooner. Maybe. At any rate, it doesn’t matter unless you have a TV that is at least 65″ and you sit no more than 10′ away. What might tempt me to get a Bolt is HDR capability. However, there being no broadcast, or much 4K cable content there’s no need in the foreseeable future. What I will spend money on is a Playstation Neo, Presumably it will ship with 4K UHD app support, as well as 4K UHD BD support. In fact, if I wanted to rely entirely upon the internet for my TV viewing needs I would only need a PS4.
Why not use an Eero as your WiFi bridge? They market the Ethernet port for that use.
I am using eero to bridge Tablo and HDHomeRun (in the upstairs guest bedroom where I have OTA reception). However, I don’t have an eero in the kitchen where I once wanted a Mini.
Anyone have a good Eero implementation for FIOS?
Any updates on when the 4K mini will be released?