Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC gets unboxed

For TiVo fans, there's no denying that the Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC holds a lot of promise. Granted, it is arriving mighty late to a party that's been rockin' for some time now, but TiVo mixed with PC just sounds so, so good. Engadget HD was able to grab hold of a unit and unbox the thing for all to see, and as you wait for a review in the near future, let us encourage you to enjoy the gallery right over yonder.

[ishism @ Oct 1st 2008 9:48AM]

Why would I want to pay a yearly service for something I can do for free with my HD tuner card and snapstream software? Unless you're the type that likes to needlessly spend your feria.

[0megapart!cle @ Oct 1st 2008 10:49AM]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BeyondTV is fantastic, and works wonderfully, and I literally can't fathom paying a monthly fee for Tivo's antiquated interface.

Although, it is important to note that LiquidTV is cheaper per month than using a regular Tivo box. 99.99 a year. Still, far too much, but still, a step in the right direction. Need to get it down to $0. (Obviously with an initial cost for the software)

[derspiess42 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:26AM]

I have a Series 2DT Tivo and a TivoHD, so it would be nice to have the same interface (yeah, I know it's old but I like it-- it has some unique functions) on my PCs. The yearly fee is the deal-killer of course-- cut it in half & I'd consider it.

So for now I'll stick with BeyondTV on my main PC and Vista Media Center on my HTPC.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 1st 2008 12:17PM]

Because Tivo works very well. The interface may be "antiquated" but it's extremely easy to use. Anyone can just pick up the remote and figure it out instantaneously. It hardly ever misses anything and it manages conflicts automatically by silently rescheduling shows if you add a conflicting show or warning you of the conflict so you can resolve as you see fit. But with the newer two tuner Tivo I have yet to see a conflict show up.

I have two Tivo machines with lifetime service. I would not pay monthly or yearly. If this one for the PC was offered to me at a deep discount for lifetime service I would consider it but I agree that it could not be worth it as it is if I had to pay monthly or yearly, or if I had to pay that huge lifetime fee. I would rather have a full Tivo unit. The least they could do is offer a big discount for current subscribers.

[Ed @ Oct 1st 2008 10:02AM]

Just a few Qs for the review:

I'm assuming you'll need a tivo subscription for this?
Will it carry all the fun stuff like tivo features like "things I might want to watch because I watched ____"?
Ads?
DRM?

[Ian @ Oct 1st 2008 10:12AM]

Sp Engadget you are suggesting that "fans" of TIVO, wich implies they already have a TIVO.

So you would pay monthly dues:
1) TO TIVO for the original TIVI
2) Pay TIVO for second dues for PC
3) Pay Cable Co vast amounts monthly for Digital CableBox
That's close to $30.00 in monthly Fees.

NO WAY TIVO!

We need articles on OEM CableCard enabled PC/Boxes with hardware software to record TV. I say OEM because nasty Cable Companes own the CableCard authorities and won't allow sale of separate hardware to do it yourself home PC makers.

[gareth @ Oct 1st 2008 12:19PM]

You don't have to be a Owner of TIVO to be a fan, and as far as this product goes, I think Nero and TIVO have done the best they can. Its not THEIR fault that there's little or no support for Non-OEM cablecard services.

Frankly there's such a stranglehold on this whole concept that its tough to find anything worth reporting. The powers that be don't want Joe consumer to have such control over their content.

What would be beneficial is education as to the differences and advantages of cablecard systems versus products like Liquid TV.

[Evan @ Oct 1st 2008 10:21AM]

BeyondTV FTW!

[Bitman @ Oct 1st 2008 10:22AM]

I'm wondering if it would work with QAM tuners for cable. At least you could get the locals in HD that way. Of course I'm satisfied so far with the performance of my MDP-130 MyHD card. Grabs shows and transmapped the odd channels in QAM so that I can use TitanTV for the guide. Totally free too. Hard sell to get this going with all it's limitations. Not all the same features as a standalone TiVo recorder and yet still the monthly fee. Plus I can watch my shows from the PC on the XBOX 360 in HD now with a few simple hacks.

[konshuss @ Oct 1st 2008 10:34AM]

get a slingbox instead.

[Frankenstein Black @ Oct 1st 2008 12:12PM]

Exactly! (and connect it to your Tivo, for no extra monthly charge). And could someone point me in the direction of where I can buy a retail or OEM Dual cablecard tuner card for my PC? Yea, thought so...

[Hellaphunt @ Oct 1st 2008 11:20AM]

Am I understanding this right? LiquidTV is banking on the consumer's gullibility?

[Les @ Oct 1st 2008 6:15PM]

Bottom line. There are enough of us who appreciate a great product that works. We appreciate a company like TiVo who constantly improves their products and services. We know that it costs money to creat and maintain a great product. We also know know that they are in business to make money.

For those of you who want free products, you will get what you are willing to pay for. The reality is that there is a business case for the quality product that is TiVo and Nero LiquidTV/TiVo. I for one will build me an HDPC based on the LIquideTV. I will enjoy creating the media server that I want. I appreciate TiVo and Nero providing the components I desire.

If you need to ask the price, you can not afford to play in our sand box.

[jonathaz @ Oct 1st 2008 5:49PM]

This thing is braindead unless Tivo did all of the following. I believe it did none.
1) Leverage their existing codebase and real-time Linux improvements. Run in a VM. Instead they probably spent a lot of time rewriting and porting a proven platform and targeted only Windows, a disproven platform.
2) Integrate with other Tivo set top boxes to allow watching of recorded material interchangeably between them.
3) Like others have stated, no monthly / yearly fees for existing Tivo customers / lifetime subscribers etc.

[paul-engadget @ Oct 1st 2008 6:13PM]

FT tech blog hands-on didn't rate it very highly
http://blogs.ft.com/techblog/2008/09/rom-burner-nero-fiddles-with-tivo-with-mixed-results/