I don’t have a lot of time to elaborate on this news however, I thought I should at least mention it since it is a big deal….

Earlier today, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor (PDF) of TiVo in their patent lawsuit against EchoStar. Dave Zatz was first to break the news and TiVo has since issued the following press release:

“We are extremely pleased that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit unanimously ruled in our favor in EchoStar’s appeal of the district court judgment of patent infringement, full award of damages and that the injunction, which was stayed pending appeal, was ordered to be reinstated. Today’s ruling is confirmation of the value of TiVo’s IP portfolio, which is in addition to the other benefits TiVo has to offer. TiVo can now continue to focus on its goal to drive greater distribution in both its stand alone and mass distribution efforts.”

This is obviously great news for TiVo Inc. and for TiVo investors (stock rose 28.97% today)! Hopefully this means that we’ll see an end to this lawsuit sometime in the near future….

TiVoLovers recently received some information from Lou Jacob (DVRupgrade.com) which indicates that TiVo has plans to discontinue the Series 3 TiVo some time in the near future.

I wanted to give an update on our plans with the TiVo Series3 HD DVR. A successful implementation of the $200 rebate through the holidays has drained supply at a faster rate than anticipated. This has caused a continued component shortage that cannot be rectified for several months (4-6). Due to this parts supply situation, we have made the difficult decision to accelerate the EOL of this SKU and focus all efforts on the recently launched, lower cost TiVo HD DVR (TCD652160). Our sincere apologies for the short notice on this decision. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I’m honestly not that surprised by this news. On a number of occasions I’ve questioned whether or not the Series 3 was worth the higher cost when compared to the TiVo HD. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that the Series 3 isn’t a great DVR (I own one). All I’m saying is that most people don’t care about the added features that the Series 3 has to offer. With that being said, I truly believe that it’s in TiVo’s best interest to discontinue the product and place more of an emphasis on the TiVo HD.

What do you think? Are you disappointed with TiVo’s decision?

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As a side note, I would like to thank Jason for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Jason. It really is appreciated!

Mahalo.com has published a rather extensive guide on how to setup a Series 2 TiVo.  If for some reason you don’t find this guide helpful, you could head on over to TiVo’s website where you can watch a number of videos that will walk you through the process.

In reality, it really is extremely easy to setup a TiVo DVR.  Let me know if you are having a hard time getting your TiVo setup. If I can’t help I’m sure somebody else on this site will be able to help….

Just last night, a developer on TiVo Community announced a TiVo HME SDK for the Python programming language.  This announement comes just five days after the recently released TiVo HME SDK for the .NET framework.  Maybe just maybe will start to see new TiVo HME applications!

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

EngadgetHD has published forty six screenshots of the Comcast TiVo.  In my opinion, the Comcast TiVo interface looks great! In fact, in some cases I like it better than how the interface looks on a “regular” TiVo DVR.  I especially like how the software displays a small thumbnail of the station that you are currently watching while in the guide view. This is one feature that I wish my Series 3 had…

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

Just the other day, Stephen Mack (Director of TiVoCast operations) announced that TiVo has added the Alaska Podshow Podcast as a TiVoCast channel. The Alaska podcast looks like a great show especially if you are interested in the outdoors or in what Alaska has to offer.

There is more to Alaska than Eskimos, igloos, and angry rabid grizzlies. The Land of the Midnight Sun enters the digital age with host, Scott Slone.

As always, you can subscribe to the Alaska Podcast via TiVoCentral online or by accessing the following menu item on your TiVo: TiVo Central -> Find Programs -> Download TV & Movies -> Alaska PodShow Podcast.

Yesterday, TiVo announced that Symantec has bought an advertising spot within CNET’s weekly TiVoCast program. While this isn’t necessarily great news for the consumer (after all, who really likes advertisements?) it definitely is good news for TiVo Inc. Acquiring advertisers for the TiVoCast program should put a little extra cash in TiVo’s wallet. I wonder how many other companies will start advertising using the TiVoCast system?

Gold Star Sponsor to Utilize Interactive Tags, Program Placement during CNET TiVoCast(TM) Interactive Ad Solutions Target Fast-Forwarding, VOD Viewers

ALVISO, Calif., Jan 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO), the creator and a leader in advertising solutions and television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), announced today that Symantec, the maker of Norton security software, has signed on as the first advertiser to sponsor Interactive Advertising during CNET’s TiVoCast program. As a sponsor, Symantec will utilize TiVo’s Interactive Tags and Program Placements for the Norton product line within CNET’s popular weekly 15-minute TiVoCast program, which provides viewers with the latest news and reviews in technology and consumer electronics.

TiVoCast delivers — with ease and free to TiVo subscribers — broadband video content on the PC directly to the television sets and living rooms of TiVo subscribers through the Showcases area on TiVo Central, the main menu of the TiVo service. TiVoCast provides users with an extensive variety of viewing content via the internet to choose from, including content from: CNET, The Onion, The New York Times and Break.com among others.

CNET viewers can click on a “thumbs-up” during the program to obtain more information about Norton products while being able to easily return to the exact place in the program they paused viewing. These tags provide advertisers with an efficient way to reach a live, time-shifted or fast-forwarding audience and to offer viewers further engagement through opt-in requests for more product information.

“These are exciting times for TiVo as we witness our interactive ad solutions gain momentum throughout the media industry and expand beyond linear television to include nontraditional distribution channels such as TiVoCast and Video on Demand,” said Karen Bressner, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales at TiVo. “It seems apropos that the first TiVoCast Interactive Tags are appearing during a program that highlights how technology is evolving and impacting consumers. Symantec utilizing TiVo’s ad solutions during a ‘downloadable program’ enabling them to reach interactive viewers who prefer to control their own content.”

“TiVo has presented us with a new way of reaching consumers in an ‘on demand’ world,” said Sally Jenkins, Senior Director of Consumer Marketing for Symantec. “By embedding engaging interactive tags into the popular CNET program we will drive qualified traffic to our site and enable consumers to learn more about how to stay secure on the Internet by using Norton products.”

The Interactive Tags and Program Placement will direct consumers to a branded Norton Showcase on TiVo which includes long-form content and a special offer. Additionally, Symantec will promote their Norton products including the award-winning Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008, in Gold Star Sponsorship’s and Program Placement within TiVo.

Originally spotted on TiVoLovers.

A user on TiVoCommunity.com recently announced that they’ve published a software developers kit (SDK) for the .NET framework. If you’d like, you can download this SDK directly from Google Code.

It really is great to see that people are still working with the HME SDK. I’ve said on number of occasions that TiVo should update the official SDK in hopes that it might generate even more software development from third party developers. After all, what’s better than “free” software development?

CrunchGear.com has published a video of the Comcast TiVo interface which “officially” launched in the Boston area yesterday. Unfortunately, CurnchGear doesn’t provide an “embed” option so you are going to have to head on of to their site if you want to watch the video…

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As a side note, I would like to thank Bob for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Bob! I hope you enjoy your new TiVo!