Philips announces new TiVo-like DVRs at IFA

Word on the street is that Philips has decided to dip its collective toes into the DVR world with a new line of products that appear, at least ostensibly, to compete with TiVo. Like the "TiVo Suggestions" feature that the recorder-company offers, Philips' new devices tout user preference tracking, which will "learn" different user's likes and dislikes, and create custom sets of programming geared towards those tastes. The new line will also be able to access and download YouTube and other internet video, as well as podcast content. Advertising on the new boxes will also follow user's watching habits, thus ensuring a steady flow of laser-targeted ads beamed directly at your face. Apparently the new products will begin their lifecycle as software for PCs, but will eventually become set-top boxes for the living room. What's really interesting here is that Philips used to manufacture TiVo hardware, which increases the chances of cross-pollination (and lawsuits) oh... about tenfold.

[Derry Quinn @ Sep 4th 2007 7:54PM]

These have been around for ages in Europe anyway; I have one.

[bike @ Sep 4th 2007 8:03PM]

I tried a Phillips HDRW 720 which had a great feature set and the ability to save to DVD. But the thing could never get the channel lineup so it could never schedule anything. nearly every time I'd try to use it the system would reset and ask for my zipcode. Just get a TIVO and call it a day. Actually, I'd a bit dissappointed that there is no longer a lifetime subscription option. Now, it seems better to just rent a DVR from Comcast and be done with it.

[jonny @ Sep 4th 2007 8:49PM]

If there is Youtube access, that means I can watch "Chocolate Rain"!!!!!1

[Luis Pablo Jiménez Martínez @ Sep 4th 2007 9:56PM]

No es que jamás haya comentado en Engadget.com (ni por los premios tampoco), es que Engadget.com tiene más noticias que todas las secciones del New York Times y no da tiempo ni de hacerse una pajilla.

[Luis Pablo Jiménez Martínez @ Sep 4th 2007 10:00PM]

No es que jamás haya comentado en Engadget.com (y los premios no tienen nada que ver), es que en Engadget.com hay más noticias que todas las secciones del New York Times y no da tiempo ni de hacerse una pajilla

(Disculpas si se repitió)

[Crayola @ Sep 4th 2007 10:07PM]

Yo! Like that 'simplicity' vibe! Keep those Philips product launch comin' My ticker PHG needs a good push!

[matt @ Sep 5th 2007 12:21AM]

laser-targeted ?

[Jacko @ Sep 5th 2007 4:22AM]

Cool

[Wwhat @ Sep 5th 2007 7:46AM]

That youtube access is to compensate for the lack of programs on regular TV to record I'm guessing, clever.