All PVR

Weakness has a reminder on its website that lifetime service transfers from DirecTV to Series3 TiVo are available. Tivo’s VIP web page says that users can transfer their lifetime service subscriptions from Series 1 and Series 2, over to Series 3 for only $199.

According to the Tivo web site, VIP users just need to buy a new Series 3 then call the VIP line at (866) 424-8486 to transfer service for the $199 price. Have your “TiVo Service Number” from both your new and old Tivo boxes handy.

Apparently this isn’t very well known, even among Tivo operators. Weakness says that if you get any resistance to try this: “…you might ask your operator to reference article 090717. That should give them the info they need to process the transfer.”

In order to qualify, the new Series 3 must be purchased by 12/31/06 to qualify although you have until 1/31/07 to complete the transfer.

ZatzNotFunny posted a Tivo commercial that has been airing on cable channels recently. And he put it up on YouTube so you can take a look at it. It focuses on the Tivo brand name since they repeat the word “Tivo” like, um, lots of times. Plus the clip ends with the tagline: “It’s not a Tivo Unless It’s a Tivo.”

Check it out below:

Walter Mossberg at the Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about high-definition television and using a high-definition compatible DVR. He says that Tivo’s Series 3 HD box is very expensive (about $800 plus $12.95 monthly fee). But Comcast’s HD DVR doesn’t have all the features of Tivo. So what should you get?

Mossberg writes:

I’ve been testing the new TiVo and I like it a lot, but it’s hard to swallow that huge price, especially since the new Series3 model doesn’t include some nice features available on the much cheaper Series2 version, which doesn’t record in high definition.

He goes on to say that Comcat’s high-definition DVR is “just awful�?.

If cable boxes were sold at retail like consumer-electronics devices, the Comcast DVR I tested, built by Motorola, would get creamed by better competitors.

Mossberg says the user interface in Comast’s DVR isn’t as good as Tivos, plus notes that there’s a latency issue when issuing commands from the remote control.

He sums it up by saying “The Comcast high-definition DVR is a cheaper, but flawed product and the TiVo Series3 is an excellent, but overpriced one.�?

Bonus: See Mossberg’s video as he compares Tivo vs. Comcast’s DVR.

Over at Floppyhead, they note that media centers haven’t hit mainstream, but with the popularity of Tivo, consumers are now truly seeing their value. So they came up with the top 8 ways to make media centers more mainstream:

1. Include HD Reception.
2. Create a Plug and Play Interface.
3. Include More Storage for Movies.
4. Ability to Use Media Anywhere.
5. Quiet and Stylish Cases.
6. Simple Power Management.
7. Manage Multiple Media Libraries.
8. Price Under $700.

Great ideas. I’d like to add some more features:

9. Being able to record and archive shows to DVD.
10. The ability to search, download and purchase music or movies online and store them in the media center.
11. Internet web surfing so I don’t need to get off the couch to look up something.
12. And ok, why not the ability to hook up your iPod or other portable player?

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune gives a short but interesting overview of all the different options you have for getting a DVR. Steve Woodward writes that although Tivo is the “gold standard�? for DVRs, it isn’t the only show in town. Companies are now offering consumers excellent alternatives to Tivo such as:

Cable TV: (Like Comcast). These are great ways of getting introduced to DVRs since they have many of the same features as Tivo.

Satellite TV: (Like DirecTV). Another great option, but they don’t offer advanced features such as TivoToGo.

Freestanding DVRs: (Manufacturers like Panasonic, Toshiba, Sony and Phillips). The main differences will be the user-interface, and the electronic program guides. But oftentimes these freestanding devices come with extras like a DVD recorder for archiving shows. They can be more expensive, however, than other options.

PCs with DVR software: (Like Windows Media Center).Although a great feature, it’s not going to be popular for those not willing to use a PC as their method of watching TV. Great for geeks and other technies, however.

And the last one he mentions are DVR-capable TVs . These are TVs that can connect directly to external hard drives so you avoid buying a separate box altogether. They use the fancy new CableCARDs, as well. I’m not sure how handy these might be since they will likely not have an easy-to-use interface and you’ll still need to connect a hard drive close to the TV. But it’s still technology to keep an eye on.

Yet another category are the build your own or DIY personal video recorders, such as those powered by MythTV open source software. Anyone can now use a spare computer and build their own PC-based PVR, or buy a pre-built one such as the Monolith using MythTV.

Again, this is best for techies that are comfortable tinkering with PCs and Linux, but it’s yet another way people are looking for an all-in-one digital media experience with no monthly Tivo service fees.

The Hartford Courant has a review of the RoverTV portable media player from writer Kevin Hunt. The RoverTV is yet another portable media player (PMP) with a 4.1 inch screen for watching movies on the go.

The good news is that it can connect directly to your TV thereby avoiding using a PC to copy shows to the device, like a video iPod. And unlike the Archos media player, it doesn’t require the purchase of an additional external adapter. The widescreen version retails for about $350.

In the review, Hunt says that the RoverTV needs an easier way to record video from your TV, since you need to have it tuned on the desired channel and program a recording via the RoverTV. This is fairly awkward and not very user friendly at all.

Hunt also says that the RoverTV is missing a search feature for finding shows and doesn’t have a “hold�? button so you don’t accidentally turn it on while it’s in your pocket.

Overall, Hunt says that he’s not convinced enough to buy a RoverTV, but “it did convince me that do-it-yourself portable video with perhaps a pay-per-download option makes a lot more sense than the iPod’s pay-only setup.�?

Perhaps worst of all is the storage on the RoverTV. It has no built-in memory; instead it uses a 2 GB SD card. That’s just about three hours of high-quality video mode which is not enough storage for such an expensive device. Hopefully future versions of the RoverTV come with more storage and fix some of the problems listen in this review.

So you received a Tivo for Christmas. Congratulations and welcome.

Owning a Tivo will definitely change the way you watch TV. It may very well change your life. Yes, you may watch more TV but you’ll have fun doing it. Chances are you’ll watch exactly the shows you want, when you want. If you’re an avid TV watcher like me, that’s the best gift of all.

Since you’re new, I’ve compiled the top six things you can do right now to customize Tivo and make it work even better:

1. If you own a Tivo Series 2, you can enable 30-second skip so you can zip by commercials faster than a speeding bullet. To enable it just perform the following commands on your Tivo remote while watching a stored show: Select Play Select 3 0 Select.

2. If you’re having set up problems, check out some diagrams of typical Tivo connections. Or go right to Tivo.com and see examples of typical setups for your box(series 1, 2 or 3). There are diagrams on how to precisely connect your cable box, sound system, DVD player, game system or other devices.

3. You might want to turn off those Tivo sound effects or at least turn down the volume. Some people find them cute but after a few weeks it can get very annoying. Go to the Tivo main menu, then select Messages & Setup; then My Preferences; then Audio Options; and then Sound Effects Volume. Select either Off, Low, Medium, or High.

4. Find your favorite TV shows to record. You can use Tivo to type in names of your favorite shows. But it’s much easier if you register on the Tivo.com website and do it from there. You can search much easier since you can type rather than use your remote as a keyboard.

5. Don’t use the telephone line connection, if at all possible. If you use a router on your broadband connection, connect your Tivo via an Ethernet cable instead. For an even better experience, purchase a USB WiFi adapter for your Tivo to avoid having to string another wire across your living room. Tivo will use your broadband connection to download updates. And there’s nothing like going completely cordless.

6. If you have a Series 2 Tivo, download the TivoToGo software for your Windows computer, so you can download shows from Tivo to your computer. You can also view photos or listen to music on your computer from your new Tivo.

That’s it for now. If you have any questions, or have tips of your own, just reply to this post or send me an e-mail. I’ll collect the best ones and write an update.

Enjoy your new Tivo!

Phillip Swan over at TVPredictions.com says that DirecTV’s HD DVR has a bunch of bugs and does not recommend it.

Since I have cable, I don’t know much about DirecTV’s offerings, especially their HD DVR. But this box also got some bad user reviews from CNet’s readers. CNet’s official review, however, ranks it as an 8.1.

Swan says that DirecTV’s new HD DVR has “more bugs than a hot summer night in Mississippi.” After numerous reboots, and recording glitches, DirecTV swapped the box with a new one and he had the same problems.

His conclusion: “DIRECTV’s HD DVR is not ready for primetime.”

DirecTV, meanwhile, has issued a response via CNet to the growing number of customer complaints.

What’s better: DVDs or DVRs? That’s the question that bloggers Davis Freeberg and the One Eyed Man (Why DVR utterly Destroys DVDs) are asking right now. They write that there’s so much content available today, it is difficult keeping up with everything such as NetFlix queues and shows on their PVRs.

I can understand the dilemma. I’m a member of NetFlix and love getting movies. But too often, I never get a chance to watch movies that I receive. They sit next to the TV, unwatched. I hate sending back a movie if I’ve never watched it, but I do it anyway. Then I have to remember to add it back to my queue later on, or I may never watch the DVD again.

Here are my pros and cons of DVDs and PVRs.

DVDs are Portable. DVDs are very convenient and portable. I can lend a DVD to a friend but I definitely can’t let a friend borrow my Tivo. Discs are thin and easy to lug around.

DVDs are Good for Archiving Shows. My archive medium of choice are DVDs. I have Tivo Series 2 and a DVD recorder so I can record my favorite shows onto DVDs. I’ve even used Tivo2Go to archive shows on my computer, then burn them onto a DVD.

PVRs Have Lots of Choices. I can choose between TV shows, movies, documentaries, crime dramas, or anything else that I have saved. I don’t own many DVDs so I don’t have as many choices.

PVRs are Instant On. Having shows waiting on a hard drive is pretty darn convenient. I don’t have to get off my seat and insert the DVD, then wait through the Interpol warning, the FBI warning and the main menu to watch a movie.

PVRs Have Better Controls. My Tivo is easier to control than my DVD. I can stop the show with Tivo and come back to it whenever I want. If I stop a DVD that I’m watching and eject it, I can never remember where I left off.

Ultimately, it’s the content that drives what I use. If I’m watching a new TV show, I use Tivo by default. If I want to watch a movie, I usually go with DVDs.

Unlike many people, I don’t buy DVDs. I use NetFlix instead. I just don’t feel the need to “own�? a copy of a movie or TV show. I’ve never had the sudden, urgent need to watch “Moonlighting�?, “Rip Tide�? or even “V for Vendetta�?. If I want to see something, I add it to my queue, then wait until NetFlix sends me the disc.

For me, it looks like PVRs win this smackdown. It’s even made me reconsider whether I really need NetFlix at all.

Getting video from your TV onto your portable media player, such as an iPod can be a hassle. Usually, it means downloading content from your Tivo using Tivo2Go, then converting it into iPod format, then copying it to the iPod. All pretty time consuming and not very simple for someone that’s not a tech geek.

Enter the Archos 604 personal media player, with a 4.3in LCD screen and built-in WiFi. It has 30GB (which can fit about 120 hours of video), so it can store and play music, movies and photos. Since it’s portable and wireless, you can also check your e-mail on the go, as well as connect it to your home network.

The coolest thing, however, is that it can connect and record shows directly from a TV, DVD, satellite or cable box, MPEG-4 camcorder, even a VCR. However, you need to buy a separate adapter, called the DVR Station, in order to do all this.

There should be more functionality coming to the 604. Archos said recently that it was working on releasing firmware updates so that it can support podcasts, downloads and Internet radio stations.

CNet reviewed the Archos 604 and said that it works great, but that you have to buy lots of extras (like the DVR station, power adapter) to get the full experience.

It retails for $350, but do a Google search for better deals.

Macworld published a review of the EyeTV 250, which is a hardware MPEG encoder that allows you to watch TV on your Mac much like a PVR. Elegato sells it for $200.

You can archive shows onto DVDs or onto your video iPod. The good news is that because the EyeTV 250 is an external hardware MPEG encoder, it can run on older Macs.

Overall, Macworld says that the EyeTV 250 is a “great personal video recorder for Mac users.”

Pros: Analog tuner; strong scheduling software; remote scheduling; one-click iPod video export; option to turn off hardware encoder for zero latency video gaming.

Cons: Requires external power adapter.

The folks at Pocket Lint point out that Hauppauge released a triple tuner TV card, the WinTV HVR-3000. It can receive analog TV signals, satellite and Freeview, a digital terrestrial TV system in the United Kingdom. The HVR-3000 costs about £100.

So, yes, it’s only available in the U.K. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a Tivo with three tuners. I think my TV viewing would probably triple.

Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that he has a love/hate relationship with his Comcast DVR. Why? For starters, it failed to record TV shows and claimed to be 100% full when it really wasn’t.

According to complaints that Owen received from readers is that shows are not recording consistently, not recording a show all the way, sluggish responses to commands using the remote, recording every episode of a series rather than just new ones, and well, lots more.

Owen says Comcast’s DVR is still very new and is experiencing these annoying hiccups which angers viewers. The response from Comcast?

“Tens of thousands of Comcast customers in the Pittsburgh area are currently enjoying their DVR services,” wrote Jody Doherty, vice president of public relations and community affairs for Comcast’s Three Rivers Region systems, in an e-mail. “With the ability to record shows and watch them whenever they want, DVR is quickly becoming one of our most popular product offerings. The issues the Post-Gazette has raised are isolated incidents. We are happy to reach out to the customers who contacted the Post-Gazette to address their individual needs.”

Where I live, I have Comcast, but they don’t offer a DVR. I would have liked to try Comcast’s DVR, but I guess I may have to wait.

If Comcast is serious about being a DVR contender, it must fix these problems and placate their customers quickly. It’s very easy to defect to more mature technologies like Tivo or satellite PVRs.

Imagine buying a PVR that claims to have 100 hours of recording time, then when you take it home, you discover that you can only use 50 hours, with the other half only available for content chosen by the content provider. Sounds lame because it is. In this case, the BBC says it has the right to do this.

Imagine running out of space because of some programming that you don’t want to watch. Imagine not being able to record your favorite show because your PVR is recording something the BBC thinks you should watch.

Freedom to record anything you want is part of what a PVR is all about.

Hopefully the BBC is honest about what it labels this when it comes out from testing their new PVR set top box and service. Why not just call it a 50 hour PVR, instead saying you get “bonus” content? And 50 hours is just way too much storage for unwanted programming.

I think Tivo does a good job with its suggested recordings since they are first to be deleted and don’t take priority over your own shows.

Hopefully, the BBC will change its mind.

From: PVR Wire.

According to an interview by MacObserver with Nick Chakalos, Motorola’s Senior Director of the Software Product Management Group, Motorola licensed technology from ReplayTV not Tivo. Chakalos says that multi-room viewing is OK with Hollywood, but Slingbox is a different story.

The article also states that Motorola is looking to use Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices to add more capacity.

Motorola is perhaps best known for building a PVR for Comast. Time Warner and other cable providers.

From: PVR Wire.