CNET has posted a wonderful video on their website where they give a rather complete demo of the upcoming Comcast/TiVo DVR. I’m really impressed with how this DVR appears to work. I especially like how you can tell if a show is broadcast in HD directly from the “Find Program” menu.
If you’re a Comcast customer, are you planing on upgrading to the TiVo DVR option once it is available in your area?
Spotted on Gizmodo.
A keen reader would suggest that I pick up my cable company’s DVR so that I could record both of these shows at the same time in HD. The problem with this solution is that my cable company (Time Warner) doesn’t offer Fox or ABC in HD. In fact, I’m currently only able to get CBS and ESPN in HD (how sad is that). In order for me to get the most HD possible, I’ve gone through the hassle of putting up an antenna so that I can get both Fox and ABC in HD for free. As far as I know, the DVR that Time Warner has to offer isn’t capable of recording over the air (OTA) HD (my assumption is correct, right?).
This dilemma has made me start to think that the $800 Series 3 TiVo
Has anybody else encountered a situation similar to mine? How well does the Series 3 TiVo handle OTA HD content?
Since the TCO 15% coupon has almost expired, I thought I would mention the fact that Costco is selling the Series 3 TiVo for $699.99. I know $699.99 is still a lot of money but it sure is better then paying $799.99.
I really can’t wait to see what the Series 3 TiVo will cost just before Christmas. If I can get it for around $500, I’ll probably pick one up. Until then, I’m stuck using my outdated Series 2 TiVo and watching all my high def content live :(. I could go with my cable companies’ DVR but then I would feel like a trader.
Spotted on TCO.
The folks over at engadgetHD (formerly HDBeat) have put together a wonderful review of the Series 3 TiVo. The review includes one hardware porn pic and a couple screenshots of the TiVo interface.
In case you missed any of the other Series 3 TiVo reviews, here’s a list for your browsing pleasure:
How I wish I had the cash to buy one of these things. I think what I am going to do is wait for Christmas time when the price should be down….
Remember a post that I put up three days ago which talked about how TWC was giving one of their customers hell? Well, the individual (John) who was having a tough time with TWC sent me another email letting me know that TWC did stop by and that his Series 3 TiVo is now up and running. What follows is the email that John sent me detailing what the experience was like.
Hi Alex,
It was a very trying experience… but the CableCARDS are installed (Saturday) and (as of 1:30pm Sunday) working! The installer (to TW’s credit) showed up on time, but seemed quite confused by the Tivo. I left the instruction sheet out for him, but he didn’t read it. He also didn’t read the big letters “use lower cablecard slot first” written both onscreen and on the back of the Tivo - although it didn’t seem to matter. After popping the cards in (in the wrong order), he seemed very confused about what to do next, so I sat down and read the instructions to him. After he was satisfied that we *really* didn’t need to sit through the guided setup together, he tried to call in the CableCARD info…
I live in an area with poor cellphone reception and the installer was insistent on trying to use a push to talk phone. It didn’t work. He tried over and over to call in the CableCARD ID and Host ID. They couldn’t hear him. I offered to let him use the phone, he said no. So, my fiance and I sat there while he fought with his phone for 30-40 minutes. After he *thought* he had closed out the job, he left. Then we actually tried to use the box and, sadly, none of our subscription channels were available. We called in to TW but there was a big local outage and gave up waiting after spending 30 minutes in the queue.
Today I called TW and got through. They reprovisioned the cards on their end, and within 5 minutes, everything was showing up, just lovely. So… it is possible to get this working through TW, but just be aware that they will have no experience with the unit and seem to have a general dislike for dealing with CableCARDs at all.
One note that *may* help people - During the process of him trying to get these things activated, he went through the same “what kind of TV is it” problem with the people he was trying to get to activate the card. When they asked the question, he looked at the front of the TV and said “Samsung”… (not realizing they really meant what kind of DEVICE are the cards being installed in). They accepted that and moved on… So, if TW gives anyone a problem, I’d say just tell them the kind of TV the Tivo is connected to and feign ignorance when the installer arrives.
Best wishes,
— John
I really hope TWC and the rest of the cable industry learns that a CableCARD capable Series 3 TiVo is available and that some consumers are willing to pay the $800 price tag to get a far superior product (I only wish I had $800 right now).
It took a couple of days but the folks over at TiVo.com now have the Series 3 TiVo userguide (16.6 MB, PDF) online. Check it out if you are interested in getting a Series 3 TiVo or if you just ordered one.
Thanks Tom.
A couple of people have asked me how they can go about transferring their lifetime subscription to the new Series 3 TiVo. If you want to do this, you can need to purchase your TiVo using this page.
The instructions on the page are as follows:
1. Buy your TiVo Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder for $799.99.
2. Once your new box arrives within 7-10 days*, call our VIP line at (866) 424-8486 and we’ll transfer service for $199. You will need your TiVo Service Number** for your new and old box ready to process the transfer.
Don’t forget to put me down as your referrer (raianoat AT gmail DOT com). I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks Mike for the news tip.
Spotted on PVRwire. Thanks Mike.
It looks like Dave Zatz wasn’t the only person who got his hands on a Series 3 TiVo before it was released. MegaZone of TiVoLovers.com has posted a comprehensive review of the Series 3 TiVo as well as 195 pictures of the unit and a FAQ which answered many of the questions I had.
Nice job MegaZone!
Hey TiVoPony, how come you didn’t send me a Series 3 TiVo? You know I would have put together a nice review. After all, how many people out there have a blog dedicated to TiVo?
