TiVo's new "Buy on TV" feature for Amazon Unbox

When TiVo first brought Amazon Unbox movies to our Series3, we wondered why we still had to log on to Amazon.com to order our flicks. We weren't the only ones and some even took matters into their own hands by creating a home grown application. Well TiVo and Amazon finally got the hint and today announced what they're calling Buy on TV -- which obviously lets you buy movies directly from your broadband enabled Series2 or Series3 set top box. You can find movies or shows to download by either browsing under TiVoCasts or via Swivel search; and so your baby-sitter doesn't run up your bill, you'll need to enter your five digit purchase pin when ordering.

[Via TiVoBlog]

[Wiserun @ Jul 10th 2007 10:25AM]

Not sure why that's something people were looking forward to, with the amount of time it takes to download a movie. I'll probably stick with ordering from work, so I can watch when I get home.

[Rob @ Jul 10th 2007 11:10AM]

Has Amazon bought TiVo yet? If it hasn't, I see it happening in the very near future. Why???
Because Amazon needs TiVo, and TiVo can benefit from Amazon's buying and deal making power. Plus, Amazon needs a way to get into the download delivering content and there isn't a single most recognized brand than TiVo. TiVo already plays and records video, now it's working well with Amazon's video download store, it plays mp3's, which Amazon would need in order to have that edge over Napster, Yahoo, and Apple. Sure Apple has Apple TV, but it doesn't record like TiVo does. Apple is no longer buying TiVo as it doesn't need a box anymore. However, Amazon should.

So, it won't belong for the day when I read "TiVo, An Amazon, Inc company."

[Mile @ Jul 10th 2007 11:37AM]

Agree that TIVO reached GOOGLE status before GOOGLE did, becoming a verb in everyday speech, but the problem is that most people don't have a TIVO and are apparently satisfied with the DVR built into their Cable Box. Can't really blame them - it's easier to get, install, and it's cheaper. They don't know what they are missing so they don't know any better.

Now, if Comcast ever comes out with its TIVO box, that may change, but that would also cause problems with your idea of Amazon buying it as I'm sure Comcast would much rather have people ordering On Demand Video from them and not from Amazon. If Amazon makes a move on Tivo, then we will prolly never see the Comcast Tivo box and that could also spell doom for Tivo.

I love my Tivo but I am expecting them to change their biz model soon or go out of business. Biz model could become a licensing beast or finally move in and wipe Neilson(?) TV Ratings off the map - something they should have been trying to do for years.

[mike @ Jul 10th 2007 12:01PM]

Its all nice and neat, but there's still one MAJOR problem...

The amount of content available via Amazon Unbox SUCKS. Its almost useless. I've seen individuals with larger movie libraries.

[Jake @ Jul 10th 2007 4:33PM]

*Yawn*

If they ever get around to offering Unbox downloads for Tivo in widescreen aspect ratios--like most of Amazon's straight-to-PC downloads--then this will be useful. Until then, I will never opt to download 4:3 content to my Series3 for the same damn price as a DVD rental.

[gumguy @ Jul 10th 2007 5:26PM]

Will this service work with my DirecTV Tivo HD DVR?

[Anders BJers @ Jul 11th 2007 8:28PM]

Great thing to make Tivo an On-demand central. What if you also can use it as a converterbox when analog TV are to switch to digital only! Tthat would save you money and time..
/ Anders
www.dtvbrief.wordpress.com

[Chino @ Jul 14th 2007 8:42PM]

This actually made me want to upgrade my Tivo to a series 3 w/ broadband, because unfortunately mine was built before they incorporated broadband into the system. And also mine is refurbished and the audio crackles anytime it gets above 80 degrees and I live in southern California so it's annoying as hell. I agree that another media company w/ lots of cash needs to get behind Tivo and take it to the next level. I'm surprised Microsoft hasn't made a play for the name and technology. Every household should have one, especially busy parents that can't watch their favorite shows because their brat has a ballgame or ballet. But back to the point, being able to download movies directly to the television is way more convenient than watching them on the computer or transfering them over with a cable or going to the store to rent one and losing your parking space because your apt building doesn't have its own lot. Now I'm just ranting, but you get the picture.