TiVo Series3 and HD FINALLY get TiVoToGo, MRV, eSATA drive, other new features

TiVo let on that November was going to be the month that both TiVoToGo and Multi-Room Viewing became a reality, and now with only a week to go it's finally here. But that's not all TiVo's taken the occasion to announce: in addition to being able to stream shows between your TiVos (MRV) and copy programming from a TiVo to your PC (TiVoToGo), TiVo has also announced (hack free) eSATA drive support along with Western Digital's My DVR Expander, which, for $199, will expand your TiVo with 500GB of space (a good 65 hours of HD). Another new feature included with this release is progressive downloads, which means you won't have to wait for TiVoCast and Unbox videos to finish downloading before you can start enjoying them. Instead, the TiVo will figured out how much of a buffer is required for uninterrupted viewing and let you start watching as soon as possible. While most of these features have been a long time coming, we can only imagine how excited TiVo owners are to know that the wait is over -- assuming they've already signed up for the priority list to received the 9.2 update.

[Luigi193 @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:41AM]

DANG I was I had a TiVo..I have the crappy one that comes with Dish Network (its not a TiVo its a "Dish DVR")!!!!!!!

[adam green @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:46AM]

ok...so how do i sign up for the priority list for version 9.2. i don't see anything on tivo site yet....please help us all get tivo to go....

[Ben @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:47AM]

http://www.tivo.com/priority

[TiVoBlog.com @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:59AM]

Ben,
Where do you see that 9.2 enables MRV and TTG on the S3 & TiVo HD? Even the priority page says that MRV isn't yet available on the S3 & TiVo HD.

QUOTE
** At this time Multi-Room Viewing is not available on Series3 or TiVo HD units.
/QUOTE

Am I missing something?

[LegendZ28 @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:08AM]

Yeah, you're missing the fact that Tivo's site hasn't been updated.

[Alex @ Oct 24th 2007 12:16PM]

Yep, MRV is working for me already; TiVo's site isn't yet up-to-date. Also, in "Manage My Account" you can now enable transfers for TiVo HD units. Mine was enabled by default.

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:07AM]

I don't think it's coincidence that this happens during the lifetime subscription transfer. I just transferred my lifetime sub from my 7 year old SVR-2000. I really think TiVo is on a roll here. :)

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:58PM]

wait, what lifetime sub transer offer to a S3/HD is available right now?

The only ones I know about were the one last fall at S3 launch, and the one this summer for a s2-dualtuner...

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:32PM]

in case anyone else missed the news that lifetime subs are being allowed to transfer to new HD's until 11/8:

http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show.do?pg=/buytivo/hdservicetransfer.html

[Joel @ Oct 25th 2007 3:11AM]

The lifetime transfer is only available to those who purchased lifetimes before Oct 1 2003. Something they didnt say in the email they sent me when I went and bought an HD Tivo. So now I am gonna return it, thanks TiVo.

[TiVoBlog.com @ Oct 23rd 2007 4:51PM]

I found the press release elsewhere....please disregard my last comment...

[Chris @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:39AM]

The online (Tivo.com -> My Tivo -> Manage My Account -> Overview) account summary now shows "Transfers ALLOWED". This was some form of "N/A" the last time I looked. I don't know if I have received the 9.2 update yet. Does anyone have the priority update sign-up link?

[Mark @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:46AM]

Ditto that - except one of my S3's had transfers allowed checked already and the other one I had to tick the box to enable transfers.

http://www.tivo.com/priority

[worm @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:26AM]

Nobody wants to use their stupid "TiVo Verified" external storage. There are much cheaper eSATA options that work just fine, but TiVo is being selfish about licensing for only certain drives to work. Lame.

[Eric @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:33AM]

Its not that TiVo is being lame, its just that they want to make sure the users get a drive that will work. The tivo will accept any drive you use with it, however you will be plauged with problems if you dont use a drive that is made for DVR use. This is because the drive is used 24/7 under load, which is completly different then normal computer drive useage.

[stretchsje @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:46AM]

Do we know yet that other brand ESATA boxes will not work? This isn't a Tivo-branded external drive, remember- it's a generic Western Digital "DVR expander", which is likely just marketing-speak for "quiet external drive".

[worm @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:20PM]

You are wrong Eric. Only the TiVo Series 3 will allow "any" eSATA drive. The TiVo HD, which is what I have, will only take the "TiVo Verified" Western Digital box. Go to www.tivocommunity.com for all the details.

[Paul Sorice @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:06PM]

It's all about the DRM baby! wooo!

[JJ @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:41PM]

@Eric

have you ever taken apart a TiVo? I'm guessing you haven't if you think there are super-special DVR drives... they're standard hard drives.

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:04PM]

@JJ

Have *you* ever taken apart a tivo JJ? While they may look like normal eide/sata drives, they are maxtor/seagate "quickview" drives designed to be used in DVRs. They can't (typically) be purchased off the shelf at a big box, but are available (bare/blank) through weaknees (or other similar tivo upgrade vendors) if you wanted to build an esata RAID of 'em.

http://www.weaknees.com/seagate-db35-hard-drives.php

[JJ @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:38PM]

@sqweak

Actually I have. While weaknees does use those drives for their performance (and I've used weaknees upgrade kits, so I know they are amazing), TiVos have also come with standard HDs in them by default. I've seen them with standard Quantum 5400rpm drives in them.

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:43PM]

@JJ

Fair enough. Of the half dozen or so I've upgraded, all the S2s (both Tivo branded and Sony SVR) have had quickviews OEM while I do recall seeing "normal" drives back in the S1s.

[JJ @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:37AM]

Of course, until TiVo is able to actually play switched video, it's pretty much worthless looking forward as cable companies are starting to use that tech more and more. For example, the newer HD stations on cablevision are switched, and won't play via the TiVo, since they are not bi-directional. Supposedly TiVo is working on a fix, but until they do, I'm staying away from the Series 3/HD models and sticking with my companies box.

[JoeClubKid @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:34AM]

I got the 9.2 update last night. But it still is not showing up in my Tivo to Go. Is there supposed to be another update coming from Roxio for tivo to go to work ...???

[Benyth @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:53PM]

Yes, Roxio said that they are working on it, but no time frame was mentioned.

[Dave Donohue @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:33AM]

I've got 9.2 and I'm sorry to report that it only enables eSATA. MRV and TTG are still coming in November, but in a different release. There is much discussion of this over at tivocommunity.com.

9.2 did fix a bunch of bugs in 9.1, though, which made it a welcome release for me.

TiVo will confirm that MRV and TTG are coming in another release if you call them.

[Ben @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:34AM]

Dave,
Actually 9.1 included these features, but they were just turned on today.

We don't have to call TiVo, they called us to let us know.

[Dave Donohue @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:01PM]

Ben, I'm stoked to hear this and apologize for implying you had bad info. I didn't realize they could "turn on" something outside of a software release. I'm looking forward to trying out MRV and TTG as soon as 24 hours pass - just checked Allow Transfers for my S3 :)

[Magallanes @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:49AM]

Woow... a black xbox360 with two red ring of death.

:-P

[kevjohn @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:52PM]

Nah man, these are rings of golden goodness. I'm having Sonic flashbacks as we speak.

[Ultimate Ducky @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:31PM]

Will these updates for with the Tivo HD DVR as well? I'm thinking of picking one up and can't justify the difference in price between this model and the Series 3.

[andy @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:56PM]

There is no justification. Early adopters got seriously hosed here. I have a S3 and I've been very happy with it. If I was looking now, it would be a no brainer. I'd get a TIVO HD and a logitech remote.

[Bill @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:29PM]

I really wish Andy were kidding. But he's not. I have an S3 and, while I vaguely enjoy the front display and backlit remote, it hardly justifies the extra $300 I paid for the damn thing over the TiVo HD. Gahhhh

Unless (and please, someone in the know chime in here) there's something else I'm missing differentiating the two? Anybody? Anybody?

[andy @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:44PM]

our s3 remote learns (advantage), but like I said, I'd pop the 100 bucks for the logitech remote (which will learn anything and control everything) and end up way ahead for 200 bucks less.

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:11PM]

@Bill

It's minor unless you're an A/V snob, but the S3 is THX Certified and the HD isnt.

FWIW, there is a $200 rebate on the S3 that puts it down to $399 (vs HD at $299).

[Oskin @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:08PM]

God Tivo looks way better than what we got up here in canada. Everytime I see a post on some PVR from the US I can't help myself but cry! It's unbelievably crappy up here ;) I should do a Youtube video just to show you guys. You hear that Videotron... Bring the Tivo to canada and NOW

[MegaZone @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:18PM]

TiVo works in Canada - but not so much for HD. Canada doesn't use CableCARD. But TiVo will handle analog content, and the S2DT can record digital content using a cable box.

[Alex @ Oct 24th 2007 12:25PM]

MegaZone: does TiVo have listings for Canadian cable systems? It requires a US ZIP code when you set it up. And while Canadian cable systems may not use CableCard, their OTA networks broadcast ATSC, same as US networks.
In fact, I don't use CableCard with my TiVo HD. My cable company's HD offerings are totally lame, and there's nothing on digital cable I can't live without, but I can get all the local networks in HD. About the only thing I'm missing out on is Discovery HD.

[Andrew Roazen @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:47PM]

i'M enjoYing THese feaTures already: stream Videos froM mY living room's masTer backend to tHe bedroom seT's slaVe backend and MY lapTop, watcH downloads in progress, Tune into internet audio/Video, MerelY paying abouT $2/montH for my TV listings.

[sqweak @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:13PM]

har har har, you're so clever with your MythTV hidden message. go away troll.

[Andrew Roazen @ Oct 24th 2007 11:50AM]

My point's the same. While your set-top box probably cost less than my homebrew, you have to wait for someone else to decide you get an upgrade or not.

[Bob S. @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:33PM]

After the insanity of version 9.1, I'll never put my service ID on another priority list again. And I've got an S2, which is not currently in line for any bug-fix 9.2 update. KICK ME IN THE DANGLIES AGAIN, TIVO! THANKS!

[Boyo @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:58PM]

So does this mean I can stop Testing "Wombat"? And will there be a final push of 9.2 or will we just keep the beta version 9.2j? Why am i asking you guys?

[BK @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:56PM]

Ok, here is my small problem I currently have a S2 Tivo and I can do that whole lifetime transfer BS. My issue is that Tivo's big selling point was that hey you can record a show when your not at home. Since most channels have some type of on demand or you can watch the show you miss on the internet like NBC.COM or CBS.COM is it really worth it anymore to own a DVR? I guess I just cant really justify spending $600.00 when I dont even own a HDTV. Everyones advice is welcome I guess I should also say that I'm thinking about building a Media PC next year. Some pro's and con's would are welcome.

[wtk @ Oct 25th 2007 9:05PM]

I already own a WD 500GB MyBook (home edition) drive with an esata port. Does anyone know if I can just plug this drive into a 9.2 Tivo HD? I've ordered 9.2 which is going to take seven days?? to arrive. Do I need to format the HD in some manner? Do I need to set it to "quiet" mode? Help would be appreciated.

[Russ Greene @ Oct 25th 2007 10:07PM]

I just plugged my wd 320 in and it's working just fine. It's more about the cable. Esata II connectors are a little bit longer on each end and they fit better and are more stable (read: work better). Tivocommunity has lots of info on this...

[Mike Smith @ Oct 27th 2007 12:23AM]

1 Question: Can Tivo HD do multiroom and Tivo2Go with HD programming. I'm assuming you need another Tivo HD to do the multiroom?

[ET @ Oct 27th 2007 5:08PM]

I have a TivoHD and received the 9.1 update earlier this week. I noticed under Account and System information that it now showed a Media Access Key selection which was not present before. I installed TivoToGo 2.5.1 and set up the access key. TivoToGo recognized my Tivo HD immediately, but it took a little while for it to stop reporting an error when listing programs to transfer. After 30 minutes or so, it was fine.

I have already transferred 15 or so programs to my PC and can view them with Windows Media Player. HD programs are transferable and playable as well. I have successfully used directshow dump on HD program files, too.

No problems at all so far.

[ET @ Oct 31st 2007 9:42AM]

BTW - Some were discussing Seagate DB35 drives. PC Connection sells the drives much cheaper than Weakness, though without the software, of course. But you can buy one and use WinMfs to do the upgrade.

http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?sku=7974431
http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=7440965