TiVo recording funeral for the video tape on video tape

Apparently not feeling very diplomatic since the launch of the TiVo Ambassador program, TiVo just issued a press release announcing that they're hosting a funeral for the VCR at the big DigitalLife joint going down in NYC later this month. And, just like at most funerals, they're giving away presents. Drop a tape in the "casket" (and sign an activation contract) and walk away with a free TiVo box while supplies last. The press release legalese, though, cautions that "this TiVo event will be video taped." Gee, you'd think they'd at least use an Everio, right?

[hussein rawat @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

i just can't wait to ditch my video cassetes and move on DVD recordable. i cant be assed to have 70 odd video cassettes hanging around anymore.

[Stew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I wish they'd GIVE us loyal TiVo users a free DVD recorder so we can back up our shows off the TiVo for archiving!

[AJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Before anyone else says it, No there will not be any funeral for Tivo any time soon. There are no other DVRs out on the market that even come close to the usability and general awesomeness that is Tivo. Hopefully once the HD recorder comes out in Jan and their Comcast deal goes through everyone will stop posting Tivo deathwach crap every time anything related to Tivo shows up on engadget.
Peace,
AJ

[AJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Before anyone else says it, No there will not be any funeral for Tivo any time soon. There are no other DVRs out on the market that even come close to the usability and general awesomeness that is Tivo. Hopefully once the HD recorder comes out in Jan and their Comcast deal goes through everyone will stop posting Tivo deathwatch crap every time anything related to Tivo shows up on engadget.
Peace,
AJ

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Moving every tape to TiVo's hard drive?
What will happen when hard drive crashes?
I (un)luckily enough experienced such occurence - and do not put all my eggs in single basket anymore.
Or I missed TiVo's DVD recording capability?

[Robert Aitchison @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Not a bad marketing ploy, if they had a similar event here in SoCal they would probably get me out there.

Of course, the VCR isn't dead, like the audio cassette deck it's just been marginalized but will remian a fixture for many years to come.

[D1a2r3k @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

soo quick question, where will this be happening again?? I need more referrals......

[Robert Aitchison @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

#2 (Stew) it's not difficult to copy shows off your TiVo & burn them to DVD using TiVoToGo & Nero, I've been doing it since the 7.0 software update. IMHO it's a better solution than simply recording to VHS or DVD.

[Ramonv @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

http://digitallife.com/ Javits convention center

[Whisky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I'm going to the Digital Life show, i got free tix. I guess i'll take a video tape with me just in case.
I always wanted Tivo, but i'm concern with not having a regular phone line anymore.

[Rocket Punch @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

So at the end of the day, they are just really trying to sell stuff. I am an old fashion guy, so I ain't buying no shit from no one until I see some love pillows and erasers

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

AJ - The concept of the DVR, which Tivo popularized, is definitely awesome. But my Time-Warner Cable supplied Scientific Atlanta 8300HD is pretty darn easy to use, cheaper per month, requires no contract or upfront investment and supports dual-tuner High Def. It's integrated with the cable on-screen guide (no telephone line or downloads required) and cable remote. Recording a series takes 2 clicks and the UI is intuitive. There's no Tivo recommendation engine, but I'd wager that the 8300HD has 95% of the Tivo functionality and a few key items that Tivo lacks. This is more than enough for Joe Six Pack and even a few of us Engadget geeks, too. As an independent entity, Tivo has an uphill battle. Look for them to ultimately be acquired by some mega media company.

[AJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Mike- We mostly have Comcast cable around here and their HD DVR has a few cool features such as multiple tuners, a must for any future Tivo hardware. I agree that the integrated DVR in cable box works a lot better for the regular joes of the world. Other then the multiple tuners the Comcast interface is total crap. I understand Tivo has some hurdles in the coming year or so. Hopefully they will survive and be around for a long time.

[MegaZone @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Ihar,

Yes, you missed TiVo's DVD recording capabilities. Way back in 2003 Pioneer released the DVR-810H and DVR-57H TiVo units with integrated DVD-R/RW. In 2004 Humax released the DRT800 and Toshiba released the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60, and earlier this year Humax added the DRT400 - all DVD-R/RW TiVos. (Humax apparently had a DRT2000 as well, I've seen it mentioned online but never available.)

I've had a DVR-810H for nearly 2 years now, and I picked up an RS-TX20 a few months ago.

Not to mention all Series2 TiVos have TiVoToGo can you can move shows to a PC and burn them there.