TiVo has informed both the FCC and cable providers that the Series 3 TiVo with CableCard support will be released soon and that it is currently in beta testing.
This product is currently being tested by a small number of consumers in cable markets across the country, and will be generally available in retail stores soon. Thus, we wanted to ensure that you are aware of this product in time to make any necessary preparations to support customers who request two CableCARD decoders for their TiVo Series3 HD DVR.
In the same letter, TiVo also expressed a concern they have with the cable companies and their Series3 TiVo:
….Specifically, TiVo expressed concern that if a cable operator distributes linear cable channels (apart from PPV and VOD) via switched digital technology, subscribers with a competitive entrant UDCP will not have access to the same channels as those subscribers leasing set-top boxes from the cable operator. Consequently, consumers will be hesitant to invest in UDCPs. This concern, which TiVo has heard from a number of customers, is captured by the attached e-mail, copies of which were distributed at the meetings. TiVo emphasized that it is not against cable’s use of switched digital technology, but simply wants those cable operators adopting the technology to take whatever actions necessary to ensure that subscribers with competitive entrant UDCPs have equal access to the same digital content offerings available to subscribers with MSO-leased set-top boxes.
Looks like the Series3 TiVo is coming out soon! I know I’m ready! Are you?
Spotted on, Digg (ZatzNotFunny)!
I can’t wait for this to come out. I don’t have a hi-def TV, and that’s mostly because there’s no Tivo for it. I’m really looking forward to this. Hurry up Tivo!!
[...] TiVoBlog is saying that the TiVo 3 should be available soon. [...]
This issue of switched digital is still looming and unresolved, however. It is one of the reasons I went ahead and purchased Direct TV. Not getting rid of my cable yet, and I plan to get a Series 3 and try it out with Comcast CableCard as soon as my HD set is in. Just not going to count on it until I see it working.
Be nice to see what the price tag will be. Rumored around $600.
i talked to a guy at tivo today because my old tivo broke and he said the series 3 will be available online on 9/25/2006
[...] HDBeat has several pictures of a Series 3 TiVo in the wild! Apparently these pictures were provided by somebody who is taking part in the Series 3 beta program. The device looks pretty much the same as what we saw at CES. Two cable card slots and a nifty display on the front. According to the individual who sent in the pictures, the device does not yet have TiVoToGo and the cable company had to go through four CableCARDs in order to get it to work. [...]
Ok, here is the skinny, I just got a VIP pre buy option on the series 3. They are $799 and have an option to transfer lifetime from another box for $199. That is right $998 if you want a series 3 with lifetime. And then only if you have another box with lifetime. Seems VERY steep.