Unboxing the TiVo Series 3

You've been waiting for this moment for a long time now, so we're not gonna get all mushy and backlinky here, instead letting you feast your eyes on the first unboxing pics of the almost-mythical TiVo Series 3. Keep reading for a few key shots, then head over to our sister blog PVR Wire for the whole glorious ritual...

[Via HDBeat]

[geno @ Aug 31st 2006 5:59PM]

Ok! When? Where? How? Can I get one...

[kevin @ Aug 31st 2006 6:04PM]

Wow. I'm. Excited.

I want one!!

[Portwineboy @ Aug 31st 2006 6:11PM]

Cablevision DVR, don't let your ass hit the door on your way out.

[Elijah @ Aug 31st 2006 6:11PM]

How much was it really? I think that I just might have to upgrade my Motocast HD-DVR. I thought that the SA 3800 was mediocre, but the Comcast derivative just stinks! I need the SA back or perhaps the Tivo 3!!!

[Dispraiser @ Aug 31st 2006 6:24PM]

Hell yeah, series 3!

[Greg @ Aug 31st 2006 6:25PM]

Any word on Tivo's deal with Comcast and when they will ship the Tivo Series 3 instead of the horrible Motorola devices currently available?

[Fritz @ Aug 31st 2006 7:41PM]

My Best Buy already has them. I saw them last Sunday.

[Ray @ Aug 31st 2006 8:09PM]

I STILL LOVE MY ARCHOS PMA400, MINI TIVO... LOL

[Joey Schenning @ Aug 31st 2006 8:27PM]

Lord, I want a Tivo. Then again, I don't watch tv. *shrug*

[LukeA @ Aug 31st 2006 8:53PM]

Hmm... Give up my perfectly serviceable SA 8300HD DVR (100 hrs SD, 20 hrs HD) which I lease for $2.50/mo from Adelphia for this? I think not.

[Tony Rayo @ Aug 31st 2006 9:03PM]

Am I the only one happy with my Motorola DCT3412 from Comcast? I mean there are a few annoyences here and there but I don't see how Tivo Series 3 could be that much of an improvement (that being said if they ever start being offered via Comcast and I don't have to sign a contract I'd check it out). I even have a 15foot Firewire cable that I've hooked up to the back (I just got the device a few days ago, I have no idea how the USB and ethernet ports could be exploited) of my box, running to my desktop and use it to record in SD and HD if I decide I want to archive/burn it to DVD (faux DVHS record style... which has been around for years).

Then again I've never used a Tivo unit (although I briefly saw one in use at a friend's house in Brooklyn and was not impressed with the playback quality, but it was probably off analog) but it seems to have a strong and dedicated following so that must be for a reason. I'll be damned if I'm paying a subscription fee on top of a rental fee though!

- Tony R.

[Mike @ Aug 31st 2006 10:49PM]

My series 2 Tivo was a buggy mess, and had to be hard rebooted about twice a week. I'm definintely not paying $800 to replace my $10 a month Comcast SA8300HD

[Sam Marlowe @ Sep 1st 2006 12:15AM]

Tivo smevo Replay TV was the best series 3 or not.If only ReplayTV still made DVRs, Imagine uploading your Replay's videos to your PC with no restrictications. Recording shows without the worry of a broadcast flag at all, In HD with dual tuners now that would be heaven! That's progrese for you saylave. Replay we are gonna mis you rest in peace :(

[mattie @ Sep 1st 2006 1:29AM]

i'm wondering if anyone here that wants the series 3 has even used cable cards before? they aren't exactly rock solid technology. wait till you have to call your cable company every week because your cable card keeps losing its premium channels and every tech they send out to your house isnt' issued cable cards when they leave the shop. i'm more then happy with my 8300

[Prime @ Sep 1st 2006 9:59AM]

Amen to Mattie.

While the Series 3 is a suhweet product, people aren't taking into account the astronomical price or the inability of CableCARD to, uh... Work.

I dealt with a CableCARD on my LG plasma, and it was a nightmare! I ended up going back to my SA 8300. As much as I can't stand my local cable company, and as inferior as the SA 8300 seems, at least it is proven. It works. And for the times when it doesn't work, I have it replaced for no additional cost.

I'll wait until Tivo stops charging for their TV Guide service, lowers the price of the Series 3 by half, and works out the kinks inherent in CableCARDs.

[WizarDru @ Sep 1st 2006 10:53AM]

"Then again I've never used a Tivo unit (although I briefly saw one in use at a friend's house in Brooklyn and was not impressed with the playback quality, but it was probably off analog) but it seems to have a strong and dedicated following so that must be for a reason. I'll be damned if I'm paying a subscription fee on top of a rental fee though!"

Video quality on the non-directTV TiVos is downgraded by the process of conversion, some say as part of a way to protect TiVo from litigation. The Series 3 does no such conversion, and based the CES videos, appeared to be on-air quality for it's recordings.

TiVo's strength lies in it's interface. As an owner of a Series 1, Series 2 and Motorola 6412, I can tell you that I would GLADLY trade up to the TiVo, though if the $800 price is real, it's daunting. But the interface and performance of the Motorola box is so bad, I'll probably do it, anyhow.

[Nic @ Sep 1st 2006 2:00PM]

I agree with Prime's comments. Tivo has a loyal fan base but paying a monthly fee on top of paying for the hardware doesn't make sense for new users.

I use both a Tivo and a Comcast DVR (to record and playback 16:9 high-def video) and find the Comcast Moto box to offer the same features as the Tivo Series 2 box. Sure, the interface is different but I find neither interface better. Comcast one has some advantages and so does Tivo's.

[Muller @ Sep 1st 2006 2:15PM]

the series 3 doesn't support On Demand programming via Comcast. so bummed out.

[Kay @ Sep 1st 2006 2:58PM]

My Time Warner SA 8300HD DVR frequently records unplayable garbage and seizes up so completely it must be unplugged.

Tivo3 is an expensive solution but if it just works it's worth it.

[warrenpeace? @ Sep 1st 2006 4:36PM]

Neither interface better? I've used a couple of the Scientific Atlanta boxes and can't believe how poor the interface is. I've heard that the 8300HD does allow you to search by show title (just imagine! the innovation!), but it's sorely lacking in menu layout and intuitive design.

I use my TiVo for streaming music to my home theater speakers, have all kinds of keyword wish-lists, so I don't have to search for programming. And the TiVo never misses recordings, which is more than I can say for the SA boxes.

Paying the subscription fees insures that TiVo continues to offer new services on their boxes (no one has to pay to get KidZone, for example) and releases regular software updates. The bottom line is that the cable companies rent the Motorola and Scientific Atlanta boxes over TiVo because they make more money off them. It has nothing to do with features or quality.

Since I never want pay-per-view or on-demand content, I'll take my chances with flakey cable card support if it ever materializes in Canada.

[Spiffman @ Sep 5th 2006 9:44PM]

I've owned a TiVo for 3 years now. The day they got rid of the LifeTime subscription was the day I swore to never buy another one. SageTV for me; as many tuners as I can cram into a chassis and I can expand the storage whenever I want. Plus, I don't have to deal with the bothersome encryption when I pull shows down to my PC which equals faster downloads and I can move them to my laptop to watch on a plane, or I can stream them to my hotel room.

[Jim @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:42PM]

How they hell did they get it?