Series3 8.1 upgrade at CES

The Series3 has been around for about 3 months now and among other missing features the Series3 didn't ship with some basic features available on other TiVos including "Recently Deleted" and KidZone. The exact reason isn't known, but considering other more important features that are missing; it is reasonable to believe that somewhere along the way the code base split and TiVo has some work to do, to catch up on the Series3. Almost immediately after the Series3 released there was talk of a .1 update and at TiVo's CES booth they were demoing the Series3 with the latest software. We can't wait for this to be released into the wild and many other features to be enabled on the Series3, especially the new features that are only available on the Comcast version.

More pics after the jump.

The highly desired "Recently Deleted", not only does it no longer request deletion confirmation, but it keeps your shows there till you need room, so you always know how much space you have left for new recordings.


Guru Guides; helps you find new shows based on experts recommendations based on your interests.


TiVoCast: Brings Internet content to your TiVo.

[andy @ Jan 11th 2007 10:25AM]

Until we get multi room viewing and tivo to go, you can just put me on the list of those that are still a little bitter about this "upgrade" to a S3.

I also expect to see some downloadable content like some missed episode stuff in the near future (ala xbox iptv and xbox media download).

[Frank @ Jan 11th 2007 11:00AM]

Cool!!

So that one guy who actually has a series 3 will get the upgrade.

Man, I'm so glad I bought the lifetime service with my series 2. it's paid for itself already. Thanks TiVo.

[mattack @ Jan 12th 2007 3:19PM]

You seem to be missing the fact that you can transfer lifetime to a S3 for $199.

[JZK @ Jan 11th 2007 11:17AM]

I just with either Tivo or DirecTV would fix the release they put out that causes shows to be missed and also did things like remove the all the Actors Wishlist names. I have 1 HD DirecTivo, 3 DirecTV series 2 tivos and one of the over original tivos and they are all showing this for the past few weeks now.

[RT @ Jan 11th 2007 11:19AM]

To bad the v8.1 firmware has made transferring programs to a PC with Tivo Desktop/Tivo To Go nonfunctional at least in series 2 players.

[Leo @ Jan 11th 2007 12:13PM]

With 8.1 I am transferring just fine from my Tivo to my PC via my S2 units. I'd love for TTG, MRV to be active on my S3s but ah well, such is life under the thumb of CableLabs scrutiny for Tivo.

[Veriander @ Jan 11th 2007 11:44AM]

Frank, I'm 'the one guy' who bought a Series3 - transferred my lifetime contract to it but still use the Series2. You don't know what you're missing. Simply put, the Series3 is spectacular.

[Seth @ Jan 11th 2007 12:25PM]

Frank, I'm the other guy too.

I spent $2000 on the HDTV, I might as well spend $800 on the TiVo and actually watch HDTV rather then stretched compressed analog!

Actually, my Series 2 started gathering dust when I got my first HD PVR - the Comcast box may not have had as good an interface as TiVo, but it could record HD and skip commercials just fine, which automatically obsoleted NTSC recording for me.

[Monty22001 @ Jan 11th 2007 12:25PM]

I'm also a 'one guy' that has a S3. Just activated it today with Time Warner. I LOVE it. Much nicer than my Directivo I had.

[r @ Jan 11th 2007 12:46PM]

add me to the "one" guy list. I have the HD tivo and it is worth every penny i paid. People who bitch about the price of the HD TiVo are the same people who drive (or want to drive) a BMW 540i but complain that premium gas is too expensive. If you can afford the car, you can afford the gas. Same thing here, if you can afford a kick ass HD tv, you can afford the tivo. not only that, but if you buy the best tv, it is inconsistent and illogical not to buy the best dvr (unless you just don't want dvr).

[Leo @ Jan 11th 2007 1:04PM]

Any word on whether 8.1 asks you before switching channels to record a Suggestion?

[The Hague @ Jan 11th 2007 1:05PM]

Just got the S3 up and running with my Sharp 46 HD-LCD.

Time Warner Cable, Santa Monica.

Two cable cards.

It upconverts everything to 1080i (ala DVD upconvert).

Amazing unit. Of course I want Recently Deleted, etc. It's coming.

At least I'm getting ROME and 24 on Sunday in HD. At the same time. Amazing box.

[Trent @ Jan 11th 2007 2:13PM]

Uncork the Tivo2Go on the Series 3 unit and you can have my money. Until then I'll stick with my Snapstream server.

[Conjecture McSpeculate @ Jan 12th 2007 12:20PM]

I have an S3 hooked up to a 40" Bravia, moving from a Series 1 and a 27" Sony XBR.

Since I never had TTG and only have one TV anyway, I don't miss those features. Or On Demand for that matter.