Here’s a video that I captured while I installed my DVR Expander drive ($174.99). As you can see from the video, the installation was extremely easy. Thanks to this device, my TiVo can now record up to 86 hours of HD content!.

Once again, I would like to thank this site’s readers who were generous enough to give me the referrals that allowed me to order this drive.

Earlier today, I finally got around to installing my Western Digital DVR Expander Drivewhich I received via the now defunct TiVo rewards program. As expected, the installation process was extremely easy. Thanks to this drive, I can now record up to 86 hours of high definition content on my TiVoHD (before I installed this drive I could only record 20 hrs.)!  I’m planning on posting a video of the installation process however, until I get the video up here’s some pictures that I took while I unboxed the drive.

Thanks to David & Michael, I just went ahead and placed an order for a DVR Expander from TiVo’s dieing rewards program. After I added the DVR Expander to my cart I ended up having 6500 points to spare so, I went ahead and ordered a couple of items which I will be giving away on this site…..

Thanks again Dave and Mike. Your generosity is really appreciated!

Gear Live has posted a video which shows how easy it is to add additional storage to a Series 3 or TiVo HD using the Western Digital My DVR Expander. Check it out if you are interested in adding more storage to your TiVo HD or Series 3.

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

Ben Drawbaugh has posted a wonderful article in which he compares the Series 3 TiVo to the TiVo HD. You are definitely going to want to check out this post if you are thinking about getting either a Series 3 or a TiVo HD.

In my opinion, the TiVo HD is a better deal now that TiVo has enabled the eSATA port on both the Series 3($358.59, after mail-in rebate) and the TiVo HD($234.68). In the end, it all comes down to whether or not you want THX certification, a little more built-in storage, a better remote and a nifty OLED front display.

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As a side note, I would like to thank Charles 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 Charles. It really is appreciated!

We all knew this was coming but, today TiVo sent out the following press release which indicates that we should see an upgrade for the S3 and TiVo HD sometime in the near future. As expected, the upgrade will bring TiVoToGo and multi-room viewing (MRV) support to the Series 3 & TiVo HD. Also as expected, TiVo has partnered with Western Digital to release an eSATA drive ($200) which will allow you to easily add additional storage to a S3 & TiVo HD.

TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced the new availability of several exciting feature upgrades and product support for TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD customers. The news includes the availability of external storage (E-SATA) from Western Digital, the introduction of Multi-Room Viewing and TiVoToGo availability and the new feature of progressive downloads - all for Series 3 and TIVo HD subscribers. Please see below for more information on the news.
E-SATA
· The My DVR Expander external hard drive is capable of storing up to 600 hours of standard-definition (SD) or up to 65 hours of high-definition (HD) television programming based on 500 GB of hard drive storage.
· This is current the only TiVo Verified external storage device.
· The My DVR Expander is compatible with both TiVo HD and TiVo Series3 DVRs.
· WD’s My DVR Expander external hard drive is available now in the United States from Best Buy retail stores and by ordering online from TiVo.com/store.
· MSRP for the My DVR Expander drive with 500 GB is $199.99 USD.

Multi Room Viewing (MRV)
· MRV allows you to transfer programming between TiVo DVRs.
· It now includes support for Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs, meaning you can share shows between Series2, Series3, and TiVo HD boxes.
· Only SD recordings may be sent from a Series3/TiVo HD to a Series2.

TiVoToGo
· TiVo HD and Series 3 users can now enjoy TiVoToGo functionality.
· TiVoToGo™ transfers are available to all networked TiVo DVRs. This service enhancement allows users to transfer programs from a TiVo box to a desktop or laptop PC.
· Using TiVo Desktop software for Windows or Roxio Toast 8 or Popcorn 3 for Mac OS, TiVo subscribers can now transfer recordings from their Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes for playback, DVD burning, or converting to portable device formats on personal computers.

Progressive Downloads
· The progressive download feature gives TiVo subscribers the ability to watch TiVoCast content while it is still downloading, including Amazon UnBox on TiVo.
· When a download begins, the TiVo box checks the speed of the download, and calculates whether you can begin playback. If the download speed is going faster than playback speed, it will let users start playback immediately.
· If the download is slower, it will wait until users have enough of the program “buffered” on disk to be able to play it from start to finish without hitting the end of the buffer, and then let you start playback.
· This service is available for TiVo HD and Series3 subscribers.

Spotted on Gizmodo & Engadget.

Last night I was pleasantly surprised when my TiVo indicated that it needed to be restarted for the 9.2 service update. For those of you who don’t know, the 9.2 service update is supposed to enable the eSATA port on the S3 & TiVo HD so that you will be able to easily add additional storage. Now all we’re waiting for is for TiVo to update their website so that we can find out which eSATA drives are officially supported.

In addition to enabling the eSATA port, 9.2 will also enable Amazon Unbox progressive downloads. Progressive downloads will allow you to watch an Amazon Unbox program while it is being downloaded as opposed to having to wait for the entire download to complete. Having the ability to play an Unbox video while is is being downloaded will be a great feature. Just the other day I had to wait for the entire episode of The Office to transfer before I could play it.

TiVo has activated a priority request form for the 9.2 software update. Head on over to TiVo’s website and enter your TSN (TiVo service number) so that you can get the update ASAP. According to TiVo, it may take up to three business for the update to appear on your TiVo.

For Series 2 TiVo DVRs the latest release features the Rhapsody Music Service and additional power and flexibility to TiVo Wishlist(R) searches.

For TiVo Series3 & TiVo HD DVRs the latest release also enables the use of a TiVo Verified storage device. (COMING SOON)

These updates are for TiVo Series2, Series3, and TiVo HD Digital Video Recorders only!
DIRECTV DVRs with TiVo and TiVo Series1 DVRs are not eligible for this update.

Only DVRs with TiVo Service Numbers beginning with the following numbers are eligible for this software:
110, 130, 140, 230, 240, 264, 275, 540, 542, 565, 590, 595, 648, 649, and 652.

(You can find your TiVo Service Number by going to:
TiVo Central -> Messages and Settings -> System Information.)

For Multi-Room Viewing to work in software version 9.1, your other DVRs must also be running software version 9.1. Please sign up all DVRs on your account and have 9.1 installed before attempting to use MRV.
** At this time Multi-Room Viewing is not available on Series3 or TiVo HD units.

Software versions 9.1 or 9.2 and the Rhapsody application will be delivered in separate updates. Please allow up to 3 business days to receive the software update and an additional 3 business days to receive the Rhapsody application. If you already have software version 9.1 or 9.2, you can use this page to request the Rhapsody application.

The Rhapsody Music Service will be available for Broadband connected DVRs under Music, Photos, Products & More.

**The TiVo DVR must be connected to the TiVo service via Broadband and running software version 9.1 or later before the Rhapsody Music Service will appear.

I just added my Series 3 TiVo….

Spotted on TiVoCommunity.com

Dave Zatz and several users on TiVoCommunity.com were first to report that TiVo has started to roll yet another service update (9.2). This service update appears to officially enable the eSATA port on the back of the TiVo HD and Series 3. Along with this much anticipated feature, 9.2 also includes more flexibility when ordering Amazon Unbox content (ie: you will be able to watch Unbox content while it is being downloaded).

TiVo has published a placeholder on their website where you will eventually be able to get more information about adding additional storage via the eSATA interface. My guess is that TiVo wants to get 9.2 out before the holiday shopping season so that people will buy “verified eSATA drives” directly from TiVo.com. I would definitely be interested in picking up one of these drives if it wasn’t for the fact that I recently upgraded my Series 3. Recording HD content takes up a lot of space and it sure would be nice to have the option to easily add storage via the eSATA port.

TiVo has officially launched the much anticipated lightweight HD DVR that I’ve been blogging about since March of this year. The DVR is pretty much as we expected. In terms of the specifications, the TiVo HD includes two CableCARD slots, an ATSC tuner (so that you can record OTA content), 180 GB HD, HDMI output & an eSATA port. In my opinion, the TiVo HD is essentially a Series 3 with a smaller hard drive and without the features that you really don’t need like a glo remote and a LED front display. The TiVo HD is currently selling for $299.99 on TiVo’s website.

If I didn’t own a Series 3, I would definitely pick this DVR up. $299.99 is a reasonable price for a HD enabled TiVo.

If you decide to purchase a TiVo HD, I would appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo.