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.

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.

According to several posts on TiVoCommunity.com, TiVo has started to roll out new software (v 9.1.L5) to the Series 2, Series 3 & TiVo HD. The update incorporates a number of new features including the following:

• Crestron Integration
• Advanced Wishlists (TiVo support article)
• Manual recording screen now has some improvements
• Better looking graphics and “crisper” text throughout (mentioned here as well)
• Emergency alert message integration
• MRV and TiVoTGo on the S3 & TiVo HD (the update doesn’t enable TTG & MRV instead it seems to be laying the groundwork for when TiVo enables these two features in November)

TiVoLovers also has a great summary of what’s new in 9.1.L5. Please feel free to leave a comment on this post if your lucky enough to get 9.1.L5. I just tried to update my two TiVos (S2 & S3) unfortunately, neither of them received an update. I expect that TiVo will publish a software priority page for 9.1.L5 sometime in the near future.

TiVoLovers has the scoop on a $200 rebate for the Series 3 TiVo (PDF). The rebate is valid from Sept. 16 until Jan 26th, 2008. If the rebate were available today, you would be able to get a Series 3 TiVo for $399.99 ($599.99 - $200).

(1) Eligible TiVo® Series3TM Digital Video Recorder must be purchased between 9/16/2007 and 1/26/2008, inclusive. (2) Rebate not valid for bundled hardware and service offers, including “TiVo Packages” sold at www.tivo.com. (3) New TiVo service* activation required between 9/16/2007 and 2/26/2008, inclusive, and must be active for at least 30 days (beyond TiVo trial period) in order to be eligible for rebate. ……… (4) A MINIMUM ONE (1) YEAR SERVICE COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED ……… Not valid for pre-owned, second party, demo, or display DVRs. Not valid on DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service. $200 rebate valid only on TiVo Service Numbers (TSN) starting with 648. (7)…….(8) All submissions must be postmarked no later than 3/26/2008 and received by 4/9/2008.

This new price now makes the Series 3 a reasonable purchase when compared to the TiVo HD. If you’re thinking about getting a Series 3 you might want to wait until this rebate is available since it will save you a considerable amount of money.

TiVo has added the TiVo HD to their TiVo rewards program. The TiVo HD is available for 50,000 points (10 referrals). Now all TiVo needs to add is the iPod touch and I would be happy :).

Finally available to TiVo Rewards(TM) the TiVo HD DVR is the ultimate HDTV companion. TiVo HD records up to 20 hours of your favorite shows in HD (or up to 180 in standard definition), and then plays everything back in pristine audio and video. It’s advanced broadband features allow you to download the latest movies or even search for your favorites from both broadcast and broadband content. Treat yourself to the perfect reward and get TiVo HD!

Here’s some news that we’ve all been waiting for…. Late last night TiVoPony (TiVo employee) posted a thread on TiVoCommunity letting everybody know that TiVo has plans to enable both TTG and MRV on the Series 3 & TiVo HD. According to TiVoPony, TiVo hopes to enable these features in November!

I wanted to let you know that development has been progressing smoothly, and all is well. You can expect TTG & MRV to be available for Series3 and TiVoHD this November.

These features will provide support for video transfers between Series3 & Series2 systems and between a Series3/Series2 system and a PC. High Definition content will not be supported for transfer or playback on a Series2 system (Series2’s just can’t play HD), and copy-protected High Def or Standard Def content cannot be transferred (same as our current Series2 products). The aptly yet unofficially named TiVoToComeBack also will be supported, including HD content.

I’m obviously very excited about this especially since I now own two TiVo DVRs (Series 2 & Series 3). I look forward to being able to use MRV between my two DVRs. I’m also happy that I will be able to transfer HD content off of my S3 (although it will probably be extremely slow).

I’ll post an update as soon as I hear more…

Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.

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As a side note, I would like to thank Wayne 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 Wayne!

When TiVo KidZone was first released I thought it was a great feature however, at the time of its release I really didn’t have a use for it. A year and a couple months later I now find TiVo KidZone extremely helpful. My 2 1/2 year old son now knows how to turn on the TV and I’m pretty sure he even knows how to use the remote. We don’t allow him to watch TV whenever he wants to but, being a 2 1/2 year old he sometimes turns on the TV without our permission. That being said, I decided to enable TiVo KidZone on both my Series 2 and Series 3. As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s a lot of junk on TV that isn’t appropriate for a 2 1/2 year old. If possible, I’d like to prevent my son from seeing something that he shouldn’t. Thanks to TiVo, I no longer have a TV in my house that isn’t “protected”.

I especially like how KidZone groups all of my son’s shows together and how he only has access to the programs that are appropriate for his age group. I also like how it blocks “Live TV” that isn’t appropriate for him to see. Another nice thing about KidZone is that it is easy to deactivate whenever I want to watch TV.

If you have small children, I highly recommend that you give TiVo KidZone a try. TiVo has done a nice job developing this feature. Check it out if you have a child in your house. I’m sure you’ll be pleased….

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As a side note, I would like to thank Brian 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 Brian!

Every once and a while I browse Amazon.com to check out the latest prices on TiVo hardware. Today I noticed something that I hadn’t noticed before. Currently on Amazon’s website you can get the TiVo HD for $285.51. The Series 3 can be purchased for $572.88.

Why am I pointing this out you ask. Well, based on these prices you can get two TiVo HDs ($571.02) for less than the price of one Series 3. The Series 3 has more storage and a cool OLED display however, if I could save $287.37 I think I would go with the TiVo HD. $287.37 could get me a lot of things including a 400GB upgrade drive so that my TiVo HD would have more storage than a Series 3.

Ever since the TiVo HD came out I’ve had a tough time recommending the Series 3. I’d like to hear from you if you purchased the Series 3 instead of the TiVo HD. What made you buy the Series 3?

David Pogue and I have a lot in common. He loves his Mac and his TiVo probably as much as I do. Check out his latest video if you haven’t already seen it.