TiVo Premiere Fall Update Arrives… Sans Netflix?

Right on schedule, the TiVo Premiere Fall Update has started rolling out. Beyond a raft of bug fixes, some of the more notable features, as documented by TiVo VP Margret Schmidt: “What to Watch Now” available from TiVo Central Press the C button in the Guide to filter by genre Updated WishList screens in HD … Read more

TiVo & Sling Duke It Out

 

Hot on the heels of Roamio’s out-of-home streaming release, TiVo and Sling have begun trading blows online. And, once again, TiVo is positioning their DVR as the One Box. However, unlike the Premiere platform, they have a much more compelling argument this time around… featuring that aforementioned streaming and a usable Netflix client. However, without the Opera TV app store, they still fall ridiculously short of Roku’s vast library of channels and TiVo’s limited DIAL support is no match Apple’s infinitely capable Airplay.

In the other corner, Sling lays out a streaming comparison that is mostly correct. TiVo Roamio is currently limited to iOS and WiFi, whereas a Slingbox is largely agnostic when it comes to connection and platform. Sling claims Roamio is incapable of automatic quality adjustment, which we now know to be inaccurate

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New TiVo Remote On The Way

By way of the FCC (1, 2), we’ve learned a new TiVo remote and RF USB dongle are on the way. While the rear looks quite similar to the new TiVo Roamio remote, due to a short term confidentiality request, we’re unable to confirm if this is the incoming Roamio Slide with QWERTY keyboard or … Read more

TiVo Roamio Remote Viewing Has Arrived!

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As you can see above and described here, TiVo has flipped the switch on remote access — allowing Roamio Pro and Plus units to stream both live and recorded content via WiFi. Of course, this functionality is only available to iPad and iPhone owners at launch. But Android support, along with cellular access, is expected in 2014 (with no word on other potential platforms). Further, anything locked down by your cable provider will be blocked. (Sorry, TWC customers and HBO subscribers.) Remote functionality will hit the TiVo Stream next month, bringing these very same capabilities to the base Roamio DVR and prior generation TiVo Premiere.

We’re planning an in-depth look after we’ve had a few days with the solution — is Roamio a Slingbox-killer? How does TiVo’s implementation compare to DISH Hopper placeshifting running on equivalent hardware? Will my wife loan me her iPhone again? Stay tuned…

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TiVo Cranks Up Roamio Advertising

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On the cusp of out-of-home streaming, and as anticipated, TiVo has begun to dial up Roamio advertising ahead of the holidays. By way of Steve Lunceford, as you can see above, Sea-Tac Airport is already blanketed in thousands of square yards of TiVo vinyl promoting the Roamio’s ability to offload recordings for our in-flight viewing pleasure. Beyond this multipanel behemoth, Steve also came across a lighted sign in a seating area that communicates:

Make travel plans with your TV shows. Download recorded cable shows to watch on your iPad. Only with TiVo Roamio.

Of course, only two of the three Roamio models… actually roam. But we’ll leave that mess to TiVo’s marketing and legal teams.

On the other end of the spectrum,

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TiVo Out-Of-Home Streaming Arrives Thursday AM

Come Thursday morning, your TiVo is your Slingbox… with both live and recorded digital cable becoming available to us outside the home. Assuming you have TiVo Roamio Pro/Plus DVR hardware and an iPhone or iPad. Unfortunately, Android support has been pushed to 2014 and it’s not yet clear if Premiere units and the base Roamio will … Read more

TiVo Mini Receives Season Pass Manager & What To Watch

TiVo Roamio and Mini set-tops have begun receiving updates this evening, as the folks in Alviso continue to squash corner case bugs at a rapid clip. But, beyond Roamio tuning, the TiVo Mini extender has received the long overdue feature of a full fledged recording manager UI – via the new menu item highlighted above. … Read more

The Secret TiVo Roamio Pro $100 Price Drop (YMMV)

Outside of Apple, it’s inevitable that a vendor’s product pricing drops over time. So it comes as no surprise that TiVo is offering a $100 discount on Roamio Pro hardware to folks that call in looking for a deal, lowering TiVo’s top-end unit with 3TB of storage, 6 tuners, and streaming capabilities from $600 to … Read more