We are [...]]]> Thanks to ZatzNotFunny, I just discovered that Comcast has plans to rollout their Comcast TiVo service in the Chicago market.  According to today’s conference call, Comcast plans on offering Comcast TiVo DVRs sometime in the first quarter of next year. Up until now, the DVR has only been available in the New England market.

We are rolling out TiVo beyond the Boston market test, where things are going quite well and we are going to be introducing other cities, probably starting with Chicago in the first quarter next year.

Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.

————————————————————————————————— As a side note, I would like to thank Bob [...]]]> 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!

I heard from a few other friends to expect some bugs. But [...]]]> Bijan of bijansabet.com has published a mini review of his newly arrived Comcast TiVo DVR. According to the post, Bijan has only been using the DVR for a couple of days now however, thus far he is extremely happy with how it works.

I heard from a few other friends to expect some bugs. But right now I’m quite happy.

Feels good to be home again with TiVo.

Check out Bijan’s post if you are interested in getting a Comcast TiVo DVR….

TiVO CEO Tom Rogers today told investors at a Citigroup sponsored conference that Comcast’s plan is to be “methodical.” …………………

He added that Comcast plans to test market various packages before rolling out the [...]]]> According to TVPredictions, TiVo’s CEO (Tom Rogers) has said that Comcast plans to rollout the TiVo Comcast DVR service in a “methodical” fashion.

TiVO CEO Tom Rogers today told investors at a Citigroup sponsored conference that Comcast’s plan is to be “methodical.”
…………………

He added that Comcast plans to test market various packages before rolling out the service nationally.

While this obviously isn’t good news for anybody who would like to get their hands on a Comcast TiVo DVR, I completely understand why Comcast and TiVo are taking their time with the rollout. In my opinion, it’s better that they take it slow and get things right as opposed to rolling out the service throughout the entire country and there being problems.

What do you think?

Based on what I’ve seen from Steve, the Comcast TiVo DVR appears to be a big hit. I especially like how it allows you to access VOD (video on demand) content directly from within the TiVo interface. That’s something [...]]]> Steve Garfield has posted several new pictures of his Comcast TiVo DVR that he received yesterday.

Based on what I’ve seen from Steve, the Comcast TiVo DVR appears to be a big hit. I especially like how it allows you to access VOD (video on demand) content directly from within the TiVo interface. That’s something I wish my Series 3 could do….

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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!

Hello Alex. Just discovered your site. Nice work. Alex I have a chance [...]]]> Late last week I received the following questions from a TiVoBlog reader. Instead of just replying to the email directly, I thought it would be a good idea for me to post my reply here since others may have the same questions.

Hello Alex. Just discovered your site. Nice work. Alex I have a chance to get a Tivo Series 2 80 hour dual tuner DVR as a gift. I receive Comcast digital cable in Howard County Maryland. My questions to you are,

1).Can I record all if any of my digital channels?.

2).What do I need to do or buy to be able to burn movies or programs from my Tivo to a DVD, or transfer to my PC, or directly to an external DVD burner via USB or Firewire connection. My ultimate goal is to be able to turn my Tivo’ed programs into DVD’s. Thanks for any and all help.

Steve M.

Before I get into the response, you might want to check to see if you can get the TiVo software on your Comcast DVR. I know that you don’t live it the Northeast but, it’s worth a try…

1.) A dual tuner TiVo will allow you to record digital cable however, you are still going to need a set-top box in order for it to work. TiVo’s website has a great tutorial and video on how to setup a dual-tuner TiVo with a set-top box. If you don’t want to keep the set-top box, you might want to look into a TiVo HD or a Series 3 since both of these DVRs take advantage of the CableCARD technology. A CableCARD will eliminate the need for a set-top box.

2.) Burning TiVo recordings to a DVD is really simple. The easiest way is to do it is to go the “official” route and use Roxio Creator 9 on the PC or Roxio Toast on the Mac. Transferring shows to your PC is pretty straight forward. All you need to have is TiVoDesktop (free) from TiVo.com. On the Mac, you can either use Roxio Toast, Roxio Popcorn or TiVoDecode Manager.

I hope that answers your questions. Let me know if you need help with anything else…

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As a side note, I would like to thank both Richard, Jeffrey & Jonathan for putting me down as their 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 Charles. It really is appreciated!

Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.com.

According to this rep, the TiVo Comcast DVR costs an additional $2.95/month.  Can anybody verify this?

In any case, I’m happy to see that the Comcast TiVo partnership [...]]]> My blogging buddy Dave Zatz, was lucky enough to snag some screenshots of the Comcast TiVo DVR in the wild. Just like TV Squad, I’m honestly a little surprised that the interface hasn’t changed much from what we saw at CES ‘07 (video).

In any case, I’m happy to see that the Comcast TiVo partnership has in fact launched. I’ve said all along that TiVo should partner with a cable company and the partnership with Comcast is a great move for TiVo especially since Comcast is the largest cable television provider. I wonder how many Comcast customers will switch over to the TiVo DVR? I know from personal experience how horrible a cable company DVR can be. At one point in time I had a SA 8300 from Time Warner and other than it being “free”, there was nothing good about the DVR.

Digg it here.

NEW YORK, Oct 9 (Reuters) – U.S. digital video recorder company TiVo Inc (TIVO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday the roll-out of its services is a “little behind” schedule.

TiVo is making its technology and services available to Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O: Quote, [...]]]> As if we didn’t know that the Comcast TiVo partnership is behind schedule…

NEW YORK, Oct 9 (Reuters) – U.S. digital video recorder company TiVo Inc (TIVO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday the roll-out of its services is a “little behind” schedule.

TiVo is making its technology and services available to Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O: Quote, Profile, Research) cable customers. The service, built into Scientific Atlanta cable set top boxes, is currently being tested by Comcast employees and was expected to be available to some customers by September.

“We’re waiting for word any time now that the first non-Comcast employee will begin to get the service,” TiVo Chief Executive Tom Rogers said at the Natixis Bleichroder conference.

ALVISO, Calif., Sept. [...]]]> TiVo Inc. really seems to be making some strides on the international front. Yesterday we received some news about TiVo in Australia and today TiVo sent out the following press release about TiVo in Mexico City. Now if only we could get TiVo on Comcast, Cox & Time Warner .

ALVISO, Calif., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO – News), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and CABLEVISION, S.A. de C.V. (CABLEVISION), Mexico’s largest digital cable operator, announced that beginning today TiVo® DVRs and the TiVo® Service are available for the first time to CABLEVISION’s digital cable subscribers throughout Mexico City.

CABLEVISION subscribers can now access the first Spanish language version of the Emmy® award-winning TiVo user interface, which includes internationally recognized TiVo features like SeasonPass(TM) recordings, WishList® searches and TrickPlay functionality, which enables users to pause, rewind, instant replay and slo-motion live TV.

Chief Executive Officer of CABLEVISION Jean-Paul Broc said, “The combination of TiVo’s state-of-art technology and breadth of services with CABLEVISION’s superior digital cable programming creates an unmatched television viewing experience for our subscribers in Mexico City. We are extremely enthusiastic that the opportunity to bring the TiVo service to Mexico City has come to fruition and are confident that the TiVo brand will not only increase customer loyalty but serve as a driver of new cable subscribers.”

“TiVo continues to make sustained progress across international markets and CABLEVISION in Mexico is another example,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo. “Growing our business with the right partners is critical and our strategic distribution relationship with CABLEVISION, and its parent Televisa, is proof of that. TiVo will enable CABLEVISION to further differentiate its pay television service and maximize its programming packages. The combination of TiVo and CABLEVISION will offer the best entertainment experience for subscribers in Mexico.”

CABLEVISION is introducing the TiVo service to Mexico City consumers through a broad-based media campaign including cross-channel and broadcast television, print, online, radio and outdoor advertising. In addition, CABLEVISION plans to leverage its extensive programming assets and celebrity spokespeople to promote TiVo capabilities on air.

TiVo service is being offered to CABLEVISION subscribers as a package with a monthly charge covering both service and box rental.

Technology Update

Hopefully we’ll hear more about the Comcast & Cox partnerships. I know there are a lot of people out there [...]]]> Don’t forget that tomorrow TiVo is going to release financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2007. I’m plan on listing to the conference call so stay tuned for an update on.

Hopefully we’ll hear more about the Comcast & Cox partnerships. I know there are a lot of people out there who are anxious to get TiVo on their cable company DVR.

Ever since the start of this blog I’ve been saying that TiVo needs to partner [...]]]> Todd Spangler has posted an interesting analysis of the catch-22 that TiVo has found itself in. In his article, Todd has come up with a couple of ways that TiVo can survive this dilema. Read on for more information.

Ever since the start of this blog I’ve been saying that TiVo needs to partner with a cable company. Hopefully the upcoming Comcast & Cox partnerships will help bolster TiVo’s position as the number one DVR on the market.

NEW YORK (AP) — TiVo Inc., maker of digital video recording software, said Thursday cable operator Comcast Corp. approved TiVo software for use on its DVRs, moving the companies’ oft-delayed planned cooperation closer to implementation.

In 2005, Comcast, the nation’s [...]]]> Good news for all the Comcast users who are waiting for a Comcast DVR with TiVo software…

NEW YORK (AP) — TiVo Inc., maker of digital video recording software, said Thursday cable operator Comcast Corp. approved TiVo software for use on its DVRs, moving the companies’ oft-delayed planned cooperation closer to implementation.

In 2005, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, said it would offer customers the option of downloading TiVo software onto Comcast DVRs for an extra fee. Comcast now expects to test the service in Boston starting in August.

TiVo previously sold its software with its own DVRs, but competition from cable companies, who also offer DVRs with third-party software, has forced the company to alter its business.

TiVo shares added 16 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $5.86 in Friday morning trading. Comcast shares rose 24 cents to $28.29.

Questions or comments about this story should be directed to the Financial News desk of The Associated Press at 212-621-7190.