TiVo Archives - Page 101 of 149

Update on the Holiday Season

Consider this an ongoing thread. First, I was right in my snide comment about Wii availability. Second, I was wrong, or rather JP Morgan was wrong about an iPhone Nano. Third, there are already many things to add to the list including Slingcatcher (thanks, Dave), ultra-portable Mac (wishful thinking?) and TiVo Series 3 Lite. Let’s … Read more

TiVo Series 3 Lite Spotted?

Gizmodo has received some pics of what could be the TiVo Series 3 Lite or, as one commenter put it, a cardboard mock-up: We don’t know for sure if this is for real or not, but the spy tells us this is a prototype of the forthcoming box, and if you squint, you can see … Read more

Direct Amazon Unbox On TiVo Ordering Arrives

Amazon Unbox ordering has finally landed on TiVo. (Never mind that false alarm last month). The TiVoCast Downloads area is listed as “Download TV & Movies” (how exactly does that describe the web video?) and houses Amazon Unbox along with other downloadable content.

The Unbox application includes the most downloaded and newest videos which, I assume, does not represent the entire catalog. I’d like see them add genres and alphabetically organize the content. I’d also appreciate being able to see my rental history.

Dave’s Last iPhone Post (For Real)

I admit it… I just can’t stop touching the iPhone. It’s an engineering marvel on so many levels. However, like Kevin of jkOnThe Run, the iPhone isn’t for me (yet). But before I tell you what I need to make the “switch” I have more iPhone shenanigans to share…

I ran to Kinkos to send a fax ($2/page?!) and since the AT&T store was only a block away, I dropped in for my third 1/2 hour on the device. First off, my thumb typing skills have improved – even without applying Brian Lam’s (slowish) sliding technique. Second, the phone stores text message conversations. An earlier phone number was still on the device, so I took the liberty of texting them “iPhone!” About 30 seconds later, the phone vibrated and the mysterious person with a 202 area code responded, “Take me home!” I assume they wanted me to take the iPhone home. To them. OK, so if you didn’t find that as amusing as I did, go check out this video for a chuckle. Nice job, Mark! That woman’s lucky to only be out $800 and that pompous attitude… I wouldn’t recommend flashing $16k cash in any neighborhood.

New GPL Due Today

As Todd reminded me (thanks!), the iPhone isn’t the only notable release expected today. An updated version (v3) of the GNU General Public License, which has been in draft form for some time, is expected. Among other modifications, GPLv3 is designed to keep open-source software (such as Linux) open by limiting digital rights management. Not … Read more

Transfer Lifetime TiVo Service

As most of you know, TiVo killed the Lifetime Service option because it wasn’t exactly profitable. (Damn that reliable hardware and replaceable hard drive. ;) ) So I find it particularly interesting to see TiVo offering up a Lifetime Service transfer with an 80 hour dual tuner Series2 for $300. I suppose TiVo wants everyone on newer hardware to experience broadband services, receive ads, and to be tabulated under Stop||Watch. You have until July 23rd to think it over.

The fine print:

Qualify current TiVo DVR
Enter the TiVo Service Number of your TiVo® DVR with Product Lifetime Service ACTIVATED PRIOR to June 15, 2003.

See the pretty picture after the break…

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of non-iPhone news… coming to you from Amtrak. Growing pains challenge AT&T’s U-verse: Houston Chronicle Comparing Joost, VeohTV, Babgelgum and Democracy: PVRWire Windows Vista Media Center Cumulative Update: Missing Remote PacificNet iMobile broadens TiVo distribution in China: Engadget TiVo CFO lands at LinkedIn: TiVo Lovers

BitTorrent Good For TV?

Though the studios just enlisted AT&T to go after their file-sharing customers and Azureus is being sued in France, I wonder if BitTorrent has some legitimate value for the content owners/creators. (Sure, BT can be used to share non-copyrighted media – but let’s be serious.)

Here’s the situation: My buddy Jason told me to check out Traveler, so I set up a Season Pass on TiVo. Only problem was, the third episode was airing and TiVo didn’t find any repeats of the earlier shows. Now what? I visit ABC.com and discover they have the first and third episode available for web streaming, but they’re missing the second (and now the fourth). Considering Traveler is a serial, I can’t miss any episodes. So off I go to pay the iTunes tax of $2/show only to discover they don’t offer it. Xbox 360 Video Marketplace? Microsoft doesn’t have a deal with ABC. All I (and ABC) am left with is BitTorrent – I downloaded the still-buggy FoxTorrent and headed off to The Pirate Bay. And guess what… BitTorrent helped make me into a live ABC television viewer. Not to mention I’m now pitching their show to others. Will it be enough to save Traveler?

In order, here’s how I watched the first four episodes:

ABC.com – The interface can be a bit tedious at times, but hey it’s free and works on Macs.
Xbox Media Center (XBMC) – The Xvid download looked nice on my HDTV.
TiVo Series3 – Timeshifted HD.
ABC – The series is so good, I’ll watch it live going forward.