Engadget Reviews New Dual Tuning TiVo

Remember those dual tuner units I broke the news on a few weeks ago? They’re here and Engadget had some hand’s on time with one…

Engadget says: So what’d we think? Well, it worked exactly as advertised, and that second tuner was totally seamless. So the question isn’t how good was the Series2 DT — it’s really no better than any other TiVo on the market right now, this isn’t like a tossup between a Series2 and a Series3 or Media Center PC. The question you is: how much is that second tuner worth to you?

TiVo says: The TiVo Series2 DT DVR is optimized for cable households, allowing you to record two shows at once, so now you never have to miss any of your favorite shows — even if they’re on at the same time. The TiVo Series2 DT DVR also incorporates built-in Ethernet and USB ports, making it easier than ever to add the TiVo box to the home network. “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 Series2 DT DVR will join the existing TiVo product line, and is available in an 80-hour model priced at just $99.99, after rebate and service activation.

All in all good news for those with standard def and analog cable, but these units are about a year or so too late for me. Let me know when the Series 3 arrives. For those of you who are in the market, the 80 hour model can be ordered now and the 180 hour will be available next month — presumably once they’ve cleared the S2 single tuner stock. He who buys first, pays the most…

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Never enough time… TiVo cofounder Jim Barton broadcasts the revolution. (ACM Queue) Netflix quarterly conference call doesn’t mention TiVo. (Internet Stock Blog) Save fifty bucks on a Slingbox and get 2000 United Airlines miles. (Sling) Details on Clear Channel’s digital radio plans (aka HD) to compete with satellite. (MarketWatch, Business Week) Sony releases PSP firmware … Read more

HBO Announces DVD Release Dates

At long last, HBO has announced release dates for the second seasons of Deadwood and Entourage! Still no word on Rome or Ricky Gervais’ Extras. We watch most television through Netflix these days (no commercials, no scheduling, compressed seasons), and have been anxiously awaiting these discs. Speaking of Netflix television, we’re in the midst of … Read more

Standard Def’s Last Stand (In Dave’s Bedroom)

I may doubt the necessity of 1080p and HD DVD at these prices and with limited content, but the fact is I’m down to a lone standard definition setup (the 9″ kitchen TV doesn’t count) holed up in the bedroom. TV I picked up this 32″ JVC about 6 years ago when Consumer Reports recommended … Read more

TiVo Updates Privacy Policy, Leaks Feature

TiVo’s having a bad week… first they prematurely announce their Blockbuster partnership and now they’ve inadvertently disclosed Guru Guides. But don’t take my word for it; go check your TiVo messages for the updated privacy policy notification. What are Guru Guides, you ask? I have no idea. The obvious guess is some sort of VOD … Read more

Evolution Of The Netflix Envelope

Business 2.0 has a cool little write-up and gallery of Netflix envelopes evolving over the years… Story here, pictures here. Years of experimentation went into creating the perfect DVD envelope. In 1999, Netflix started out with a heavy cardboard mailer. With only 100,000 subscribers, costs weren’t a concern yet. Then the company experimented with plastic … Read more

TiVo’s Law Firm Chimes In

As you know, TiVo came away with a huge patent victory versus Echostar last week. The judge hasn’t yet ruled on increasing damages for willful infringement, and not only hasn’t an injunction been awarded but apparently TiVo hadn’t even requested it as of Wednesday. Could settlement/licensing talks be going on outside of court? Regardless, TiVo’s legal team is tooting their horn this morning…

Apr 21, 2006 08:45 ET

Irell & Manella Trial Team Secures $74 Million Patent Infringement Verdict for DVR Market Leader TiVo

Jury’s finding of willful infringement by EchoStar means damages could be trebled

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 21 — In a closely-watched trial involving one of the most popular forms of technology in the home entertainment market, law firm Irell & Manella LLP represented TiVo Inc. in its $74 million patent infringement verdict against EchoStar Communications Corp.

On April 13, a Marshall, Texas jury concluded that EchoStar had willfully infringed TiVo’s patent on its “time-warp” technology for digital video recorders (known as DVRs). Despite two weeks of testimony about complex technology and patent issues, the jurors needed only two hours and fifteen minutes of deliberations to reach the unanimous verdict.

The finding of willful infringement exposes EchoStar to potential treble damages. In addition, EchoStar faces a potential injunction that would preclude it from further distribution of infringing DVRs. TiVo’s general counsel Matthew Zinn noted after the trial that an injunction would be even more meaningful than the sheer dollar award.

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Have a Slingbox? Wanna be on TV?

If you’re a photogenic Slingbox owner living in the DC area, check out this television opportunity posted to the Sling Community. We have an interesting media opportunity coming up, and I would like to recruit a greater DC-area Slingbox owner to get a chance to participate in it! Here are the requirements: You must be … Read more