If you follow this site then you probably already know that TiVo is supposed to release an updated version of their DVR known as the Series 3 TiVo. Pricing and official details on the features have not been released however, based on some pictures that we saw from CES, it looks as though the Series 3 TiVo is a dream come for all you tech geeks. The device is supposed to have dual tuners, the ability to record HD, CableCARD 1.0 & 2.0 support, external storage, built-in Ethernet…. The list goes on and on. As you can see from some of these specs, the Series 3 TiVo is going to be loaded with everything you will need.
With that being said, should TiVo consider making a lightweight version of the Series 3 TiVo for those users who don’t need all of these features? Let’s face it; my Mother doesn’t care about built-in Ethernet or CableCARD 1.0 & 2.0 support. All my Mom would like to be able to do is record two shows at once. Also, with all these wonderful capabilities, what do you think the price tag is going to be? Some people including myself have estimated that the price will be $500 or upwards! Do you really think that my Mom who simply has a Series 2 TiVo that I gave her will be willing to pay $500+ for a Series 3 TiVo that has more functionality then she needs?
Do get me wrong, I’m extremely excited about the Series 3 TiVo and when it is released I will be one of the first to buy one. I’ve already started to save up for it 
. All I’m trying to say is that it might be smart for TiVo to develop a lightweight version of the Series 3 TiVo that doesn’t include all of the features. Two versions would allow TiVo to target a much broader audience. What are your thoughts? Do you see a market for two version of the Series 3 TiVo?
More then likely TiVo has already considered this. Let’s face it, they know a lot more about the DVR market then I do. I’m simply just another geek who is addicted to his TiVo.
It’s likely they will release something different than the current Series 2 for the low-end market. Next year they won’t be permitted to sell OTA analog tuners, so at the very least the current model will have to remove that. Also the new Taiwanese model (TGC) seems to have slightly different hardware including an ethernet jack, so it’s possible that platform could be reused in some way.
Producing a dual-tuner device without the assistance of the cable folks (CableCARD or on their network) is folks with a cable or satellite box would need TWO to make it work. It could be possible to split analog cable or OTA (would have to be ATSC) amongst two tuners though. Someone smarter than me can let us know if that’s possible.
They may just continue selling it along side the Series 2, which does most of what people need. Just because they come out with a new Series, doesn’t mean they need to automatically discontinue the old one. They complement each other fairly well.
[...] PosiCat: They may just continue selling it… [...]
Unfortunately, as much as a Series 3 might intrigue me, I won’t touch it with their new pricing policy. Lightweight version or not.
What about the new pricing plan don’t you like? You can still get a TiVo for $12.95 ($6.95 multiple units)/month. The only difference that I’m not crazy about is the inability to get a lifetime subscription which I haven’t taken advantage of anyways.
Weird, where did your Series2DT post go? It was up just a little while ago.
Right here…I don’t think it ever went down.
If I follow that link I get:
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Sorry, but you are looking for something that isn’t here. Try searching for what you are looking for or browse the archive.
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I think you hid it.
Seriously? It works for me….is anybody else having this problem? Trying going to tivoblog.com do you it should be the first post there… strange!
Sorry…for some reason it got marked as “private” you should be able to get it now
. Thanks for letting me know…
That’s how I noticed it – going to TiVoBlog.com that *was* the first post, now *this* is the first post again.
Try logging out of the software and flushing the cookies for the site, then hitting it – then you’ll see it like an outsider.
OK, it is back.