TiVo drops word of updated TiVo with full two-way functionality

We've already heard about some of TiVo's plans for two-way communications, and it now looks like the company has used its third quarter earnings to drop a few more hints on the matter, including word of what sounds an awful lot like a Series 4 box. According to TiVo, it and the cable industry have come to an agreement on a "blue-print for a retail TiVo DVR" that would be based on the OpenCable Application Platform and have "full two-way cable service functionality." In less cryptic words, that means it'd give you access to cable video-on-demand, and other two-way services that have been previously off-limits to TiVo users. What's more, TiVo says that this yet-to-be-named box could "fully substitute for a cable operator set-top box," which would certainly be a nice bonus. Of course, there's no word as to when that magical box might be released but, as Electronista points out, the news was mentioned as part of the company's guidance for the new fiscal year, which could suggest that it'll be available before it ends in October 2008.

[Via Electronista, thanks Jonathan]

[Mack Swift @ Nov 29th 2007 2:37PM]

Wasn't it a year ago we were doing the Tivo Death Watch?

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 29th 2007 2:53PM]

Watch out Cox Liddel here comes Tivo Ortiz.

[Brian @ Nov 29th 2007 3:07PM]

TiVo's been on a roll lately. Go TiVo!

[murray @ Nov 29th 2007 3:15PM]

To clarify, current TiVo aren't prevented from using VOD etc. -- they just need a set-top box.

[NHAnimator @ Nov 29th 2007 3:21PM]

Here's what will happen. I'll buy a Series 4 to replace my Comcast Motorola box (which, by the way, cannot fast forward or rewind for you-know-what). Comcast will drop my monthly $9.95 box rental fee and hit me with a $12.95 non-Comcast box licensing agreement and access convenience fee.

[Tank @ Nov 29th 2007 3:23PM]

I believe this is the OCAP box that has been in development for a while. The downside to this is that OCAP requires the OEM (In this case, TiVo) to allow the cable provider access to the boxes to provide their own guide and interface for the channel browser.

More info here: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=281722

[MegaZone @ Nov 29th 2007 11:10PM]

That's the idea behind the compromise - TiVo will be able to use the TiVo interface for most functions, switching to OCAP only for features such as VOD and PPV.

[Ryan @ Nov 29th 2007 3:55PM]

I love Tivo, I really do. But until they figure out a better pricing scheme for their service I just dont see the point. A cable subscriber has to pay 1) already high cable bill. 2) purchase the tivo hardware, 3) pay a monthly cable card rental fee (and maybe deal with terrible cable company support), 4) pay tivo their monthly fee.

At that point I just say forget it, I'll pay the cable company their monthly rental fee for their crappy box and just deal with it. Tivo on DirecTV was the sweet spot and they just haven't found that yet on cable. The other promise of tivo software on cable company boxes has just not delivered.

Tivo is probably the tech item I've lusted over for the longest without ever actually giving in to purchase. So sad...

[Shteevie @ Nov 29th 2007 4:31PM]

I know that when I purchased my TiVo, I was able to pony up one large fee for lifetime service. That was back in the Series 1 to 2 conversion days.

I understand that Tivo no longer offers lifetime service to every new customer, but I have seen ads this holiday season offering lifetime service. That service transfers to new TiVo units when you upgrade, and saves you tons of money over time. Who is going to decide to sop using their TiVo and go back to watching TV without it?

[JT @ Nov 29th 2007 11:19PM]

As a general rule, Tivo DOES NOT allow transfers of lifetime subscriptions to new boxes when you upgrade--even if your old box dies. They have had some specials allowing transfers for a limited time period, or if you bought your Tivo during a certain period.

The holiday specials are basically costing you $400 bucks for the lifetime subscription. You pay 399 which give you a 100 dollar gift card toward service, or 699, which includes a gift card for lifetime service.

[Mez Jr @ Nov 29th 2007 4:48PM]

Dude, what happened to satellite, usually cable's channel offerings and pricing is much worse than satellite, so I'd rather get my content from them, but I love TiVo who has completely neglected the satellite market.

That issue needs to be solved, because as long as TiVo is tied to cable a lot of people are going to be left out, and its only going to get worse with IPTV services like U-Verse and FiOs.

[Matt @ Nov 29th 2007 7:25PM]

TiVo would no doubt love to re-enter the Sat market. Unfortunatly the same FCC regulations that the cable company open to 3rd party devices vie CableCard do not apply to the sat providers. DirecTV and Dish have no mandates to open up, and no reason to do so and "decrease" their revenue.

Seems kind of backwards to me, as I have stuck with cable just to use my TiVo. If DirecTV switched back to licensing TiVo's software for new HD PVR's, I would switch to DirecTV in a heartbeat. more channels, and better deals.

Matt

[MegaZone @ Nov 29th 2007 11:12PM]

TiVo has been locked out of the satellite market by DirecTV and Dish Network, it isn't their choice.

And FiOS supports CableCARD, so you can use the Series3 and HD with it.

[Mez Jr @ Nov 30th 2007 10:37AM]

Thats really bizzare then that there is a distinction between Sat & Cable & IPTV that the FCC can force land based television to allow 3rd party interaction (DVR and Cable card on TVs) but not the same thing for satellite.

[kjb434 @ Nov 29th 2007 5:02PM]

TiVo is already integrating into boxes for Comcast in the Boston area. Hopefully it will be rolled out throughout the US.

This is surely a move to prepare when analog gets phased out and the market will be opened so you can buy as many cable boxes as you want. It'll just be like DVD players and VCR players. Many manufacturers will help to reduce cost. This should all go down by 2009.

[JD @ Nov 30th 2007 12:12AM]

Well, TiVO announced earlier this week that they will be releasing an SDV adapter to allow their Series 3 boxes to access SDV (switched video) channels. This technology is all related so the timing of the adapter release may provide a clue as to the release date for the new OCAP boxes...

[tj @ Nov 30th 2007 9:41AM]

I have a friend working at Comcast who let on that Comcast will be offering Tivos very very soon...

A reliable source. Though, of course, one could question how reliable I am ;)

[Michael Violette @ Nov 29th 2007 6:34PM]

I seen this and am an old Tivo customer and need life support because the reason I left was because cable had a better deal and let me record 2 shows at once. I WANT MY TIVO BACK!! I just hope that the cable companies all give us a choice to get the Tivo box. I know I would pay a little more to get it.

[MegaZone @ Nov 29th 2007 11:07PM]

You know there is the Series2DT, Series3, and TiVo HD - all of which can record two programs at once, right?

[NuShrike @ Dec 7th 2007 3:46PM]

Meg A Zone ;): so can record 2 can be done over coaxial cable tv with TivoHD?

Not looking to deal with cablecards and the setup/fees with Cox yet.

[MegaZone @ Nov 29th 2007 11:08PM]

The Series3 and TiVo HD cannot use a STB.

[Reader @ Nov 30th 2007 12:06AM]

Tivo with no cable box would be amazingggg. Though if they try to hit me with that fee a poster mentioned then I'll be sticking with Comcast's shitty DVR.

[NuShrike @ Dec 5th 2007 5:38PM]

So are they going to update S3 and HD to support this new ability, or they're going to be trash in a year?