Why Is TiVo Slow To React?
The Easy Valley Tribune has an interesting article about why several products should be considered as a threat to TiVo. The article points out the fact that many cable companies have multiple tuners. In my opinion, this has long been a problem with TiVo. When I tell people that they can only record one show at a time they are often turned off and decide to go with a cable company DVR. TiVo needs to recognize this limitation. I understand that dual tuners will cost more however; it would be useful if they provided the option and allowed the consumer to decide whether they want to pay the extra cost. The second major point that the article makes is the fact that many cable DVRs can record HDTV. Yes, TiVo offers a DVR with HDTV recording capability however; it costs a lot of money and requires DirecTV!
I am not trying to make this post sound as if I am bashing TiVo. It is just that I think TiVo needs to recognize these limitations and act on them if they want to continue to gather new subscribers.
November 15th, 2004 at 11:24 am |
I hope TiVo has a major announcement at the CES this January. Hopefully that cable card units are in the works. Multiple tuners and also a HDTV stand alone cable card unit. Cable card is the future for TiVo.
November 15th, 2004 at 11:45 am |
Hopefully you are correct. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see….
November 15th, 2004 at 11:58 am |
I just found this discussion over on TiVoCommunity..
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205470
Some interesting discussion….
April 23rd, 2005 at 6:44 pm |
A tivo rep told me last week - as I he was processing my Tivo return that a standalone Tivo with multiple tuners will come out in January. I returned the Tivo I had and got the time warner cable DVR instead, it has fewer features and can’t record 80 hours like the Tivo, but I can’t live with just one tuner. When the new Tivo comes out in January, I’ll consider it. Ultimately I want a DVR with multiple tuners, more than two even, and networking capability straight out of the box. At least Staples didn’t charge me for returning the wireless card I bought for the Tivo, but in trying Tivo I am out $100 - $50 plus $30 installation fee to get a landline that I wouldn’t have got were it not for the Tivo (they said it would take 3 days to a week to get the software update to enable it to network- I didn’t want to void my warranty with the various hacks I saw online) and then $20 to ship the Tivo back. I could have bought a pair of shoes with that money dammit! Although I am bitter, if a standalone Tivo with five tuners came out today for no more than $300, I’d buy it right away.
April 24th, 2005 at 6:28 am |
I would love to get a multiple tuner DVR. This is definitely something that TiVo needs to come out with.
December 19th, 2005 at 12:23 am |
I agree. I have been waiting for a TIVO with multiple tuners and networking between other TIVO tuners in my home. It woiuld be nice to have more than two tuners. I will buy 3 to 4 boxes if this new tivo box comes out in 2006. One for my mother and 3 for my home (networking a must). I currently have the basic TIVO with direct tv and love it. I wish I had the option of a much larger hard drive for standard recordings.