TiVo @ CES - next generation devices

While we know TiVo ain't exactly doing so hot, with a lot of the cable companies opting to build their own DVRs, so TiVo is shifting focus with their Tahiti strategy (code-name), which will look to find content from broadband sources as well as regular over-the-air, satellite, and cable broadcasts. TiVo Series 2 subscribers will be able to search and access (read: buy) broadband content a la carte (movies may be $3.99 a pop from the demo shown) and the desktop software 2.0 will allow users to consolidate music, photos, and video for use on their TVs.

The TiVo Desktop 2.0 looks amazingly fast, with decent playback quality on the PC from a TiVo source, but requires a password to playback (not something we exactly want to do every time we watch something). They will also be launching a high-definition digital cable ready DVR with CableCard and TiVo service built-in in 2006, which we think may be a little late and no mention was made how many tuners it will include (we hope at least two).

As we reported yesterday at Bill Gates' keynote, Microsoft is partnering with TiVo for easy playback of TiVo-recorded content on Windows Mobile devices with TiVoToGo. Sonic Solutions has also partnered up and the latest version of MyDVD Studio (6.1) will let users burn TiVo programming to DVD blanks for use anywhere.

Click to see more pictures of the TiVo press conference

[arkowi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

"and the desktop software 2.0 will allow users to consolidate music, photos, and video for use on their TVs."

all well and good but will tivo still integrate with iPhoto and iTunes like it does now? i like that better.

[hocake @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

i'm afraid TIVO is going to learn the hard way how powerful the iron fist of MS is.

history continues to repeat itself :/

FYI-my $5/mo comcast HD PVR DCT-6412 runs the MS TV Foundation 1.7 software. while the software can still get better, the unit as a whole quite simply rocks. enough space (im sure the 120gb HDD will get larger in future releases), HD recordings, no ads (yet), dual tuners, firewire output to record to a virtual deck (record shows to my laptop).

my lifetime activated ReplayTV unit with commercial advance is sitting in a heap in the corner.

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Does this mean you'll be able to stream any video you can play on your computer to TiVo (i.e. Divx and Xvid)?

[Jeremiah Owen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

What are the requirements for windows Mobile playback? Anybody know?

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

TivoToGO is awesome. Im assuming of course because I signed up for it and was told it would take "several weeks" for my software update to hit my DVR box.

Awesome! In several weeks I will be able to instantly watch my recorded shows on my laptop!

[Vince @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I signed up early Monday AM and my TiVos were updated last night. It was nice to catch up on some TV at work today :)

[Brad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Wow, 2006 is quite a while, though I suppose they're waiting on a CableCard 2.0 spec. Let's hope that when the box does come it doesn't cost $1000 like its HD/DirecTV cousin.

So -- in the cable realm, anyway -- it would appear the race is on between a CableCard TiVo and a cable-company-supplied DVR that doesn't suck. Guess I'm sticking with my 4.5-year-old Series-1 for another year.

[tpp @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

Can you do video editing on those TivoToGo clips?

If not, please someone tell Tivo to put that in asap.

[Jeremy Holloway @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

I'm assuming "TiVo downloads" is TiVo branding of the NetFlix partnership. Now if they'd combine the user rankings of both services... Its a shame TiVo didn't put Firewire ports on the Series2...they could've had a CableCard unit interface that way and that would've given additional value to those decks. The "Purchase DVD" option is a no-brainer and should've been implemented well over a year ago. And I'm still waiting for my TiVo-To-Go operating system update...Gotta get those episodes of "Unscrewed with Martin Sargent" loaded and backed up on the PC for the archive shrine...

[Evan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:47AM]

you guys gotta be less down on tivo and XM. both these battles are far from over. Tivo still has great name recognition, much better that "What the heck is a comcast DVR" with the non teche public. Plus there are many people who dont want to spend , $500+ on a media center to sit on their tv cabinet. XM still has many, many subscribers. And has the first protable out, as well as the traffic link. Neither of these companies are as dead as you say.

hey engadget when are you gonna give away that google AM/FM radio?