TiVo teases long-awaited HD guide upgrades for fall DVR update

Posted on 26/10/2012 by Richard Lawler

When we originally reviewed the TiVo Premiere DVR back in 2010, one of our laments was that its revamped HD guide style didn't cover all of the screens in its menu system, and the issue still existed when we reviewed the XL4 earlier this year. Finally, that's being addressed, as TiVo VP Margret Schmidt has confirmed the upcoming fall update will bring reworked screens for the To Do List, Season Pass Manager and My Shows (for networked DVRs), and tweeted screenshots. Also of note are a number of Comcast areas recently added to the list of places that support Xfinity VOD via TiVo, so check your zip code to be sure. As far as the update goes, as usual, if you'd like to be first on the list to try it out, go ahead and sign up on the Priority list right away.

Continue reading TiVo teases long-awaited HD guide upgrades for fall DVR update

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

TiVo teases long-awaited HD guide upgrades for fall DVR update originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo opens up Developer Channel, lets third parties create apps for your DVR

Posted on 14/10/2012 by Richard Lawler

Other than what feels like a very slow pace of updates, one of our gripes with TiVo's Premiere DVR platform has been a relative lack of new apps being released. Hopefully that could change soon, now that the company has opened up its Developer Channel to allow interested parties access to its SDK and tools to build their own apps. Although as our friend Dave Zatz points out, it doesn't guarantee apps will be released even if certified, anyone ready to get down with TiVo's Adobe-based environment should take a peek around. The notes do reveal some interesting details like the fact that only one app can run at a time so when an app is launched the TiVo UI is suspended, and that apps are restricted to 720p resolution only, 32MB of system memory, 20MB graphics memory and 1MB hard drive space quota. We don't know yet what can be constructed with those tools, but go ahead -- surprise us.

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TiVo opens up Developer Channel, lets third parties create apps for your DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Stream DVR-to-iOS transcoder box pops up for $129 pre-orders early

Posted on 28/08/2012 by Richard Lawler

We haven't heard a lot about TiVo's Stream transcoder since it was officially unveiled in May, but today emails went out to winners of a Facebook contest informing them they can pre-order one for $129 (plus shipping) and receive it on September 5th. In case you've forgotten what its capabilities are, the notice shown above from Zatz Not Funny also includes a description of its capabilities which include streaming shows to up to three different mobile devices (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) in the home at once, streaming a show to your mobile as it's recorded, or wirelessly transferring shows to the device to view them on the move, TiVoToGo-style. Those interested will of course need a Premiere series DVR that's hard-wired to a router, but with that it's just a one time fee to easily cut the tether on TV content. Interestingly, a few TiVo Community posters report being able to preorder from the listed number without being in the contest, so if you're already intending to jump just pick up the phone and give it a shot.

[Thanks, @BrennokBob, Joe]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

TiVo Stream DVR-to-iOS transcoder box pops up for $129 pre-orders early originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Premiere 4 is official, brings four tuners and 500GB of storage for $250

Posted on 16/08/2012 by Richard Lawler

The TiVo Premiere 4 DVR that broke cover a few days ago has been officially confirmed by the company, with exactly the specs indicated. In case you're not familiar, it's a quad tuner DVR that ships with a 500GB hard drive and standard TiVo remote, slotting in below its big brother at retail -- the 2TB and THX-endowed Premiere XL4. The smaller hard drive is something that Doug Bieter, director of retail sales, says solves the Sunday night log jam of shows, even if its less of a multi-season archive, and with MoCA and Ethernet still coming along for the ride makes it particularly ideal for multiroom setups with that extender that's still due to arrive soon. The Premiere 4 will start shipping right away and will cost owners $249 along with a one year commitment to service at $14.99 or lifetime service for $499, check TiVo.com, custom installers and Best Buy Magnolia stores near you to snag one.

Continue reading TiVo Premiere 4 is official, brings four tuners and 500GB of storage for $250

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TiVo Premiere 4 is official, brings four tuners and 500GB of storage for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses

Posted on 09/08/2012 by Jon Fingas

TiVo owners who've wanted to record any more than two shows at a time or use more recent technology like MoCA have had to look towards the wallet-busting Premiere XL4, at least if they didn't happen to rely on a cable provider bundling the Premiere Q. Thankfully, TiVo has told Zatz Not Funny that a more affordable Premiere 4 option is on the way. The new DVR will still require QAM digital cable or FiOS TV for its tuners to sing, but its 500GB of space will likely lead to a significant price cut versus the 2TB-touting XL4 -- if also a whole lot of deleted old shows. MoCA, an eSATA port and a single CableCARD slot will carry over, so there's few other penalties in store for those who pass on the XL4 flagship. We don't have any official word on the launch strategy so far, although one loose-lipped rep has floated the rumor of a release within the next one to two months at $250 price tag. If true, the Premiere 4 will go a long way towards satisfying TV junkies who are more concerned about catching every show in a crowded prime time slot (and a lower cost) than digging through months-old archives.

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TiVo Premiere 4 confirmed early, promises a 4-tuner DVR for the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast VOD for TiVo Premieres expands to Boston, old Comcast TiVos shut off in August

Posted on 07/06/2012 by Richard Lawler

Where we expected, although not precisely when, TiVo and Comcast have expanded their alliance to Boston starting today. That means TiVo Premieres in the area will be able to access the company's cable video on-demand, however it also marks an end to the old Motorola-built Comcast boxes that ran TiVo software. Confirming a note received by one of our commenters, the test units that started rolling out in a few areas back in '08 whill be shut off on or shortly after August 1st, and users are being encouraged to upgrade to a new Premiere unit. Whether you rep New England or are just waiting for an update on your neck of the woods, as usual TiVo's blog has more information or you can sign up at its Comcast portal to find out when Xfinity On Demand is coming your way.

Comcast VOD for TiVo Premieres expands to Boston, old Comcast TiVos shut off in August originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast video on-demand comes to Boston area TiVo Premieres Monday

Posted on 25/05/2012 by Richard Lawler

Now that Comcast has started delivering its video on-demand to TiVo Premieres, the company has now revealed the second area where access will be turned on is Boston, starting Monday. The news ~~was announced in a tweet~~ from Head of Corporate Communications Steve Wymer, and as Gizmo Lovers notes, was likely held back as Comcast announced its own X1 platform would launch soon in Boston as well. We're now more than a year past the original announcement, hopefully this is just the start of the rollout as it picks up the pace, if the two companies work well together maybe Comcast could be on the list for that six-tuner Pace box at some point.

Update: And just like that.. it was not announced. Steve has indicated he was actually RTing someone else, and no date has been confirmed for the rollout of Comcast VOD on Beantown TiVos.

Comcast video on-demand comes to Boston area TiVo Premieres Monday originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 07:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Premiere XL4 review

Posted on 10/05/2012 by Ben Drawbaugh

With the recent spring TiVo Premiere update we figured it was as good of a time as any to spend some quality time with the newly-renamed TiVo Premiere XL4. The highest model in the TiVo line, the XL4 costs $399 plus $15 a month, or $499 for lifetime service. For the money, it records four HD shows at once with a single CableCARD and offers 2TB of storage. More tuners and space aren't the only things that have changed since we gave the original TiVo Premiere a once-over just two years ago. No, there have been a few notable releases as well as the release of the TiVo Slide Remote and a number of TiVo companion apps for phones and tablets. How all that comes together is exactly what you'll find out should you choose to click on through to the other side.

Gallery: TiVo Premiere XL4 review

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TiVo Premiere XL4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience

Posted on 10/05/2012 by Ben Drawbaugh

As promised at CES earlier this year, TiVo has released its Spring update with the anticipated new Netflix and YouTube apps, as well as porting parental control options to the Premiere's HD user interface. Netflix is the most intriguing of the additions, but while TiVo Premiere owners can now watch Netflix 1080p programming with Dolby Digital Plus discrete surround sound, like Hulu Plus, it isn't a TiVo experience. The new Google-built YouTube app is also like any other streamer and with the exception of search, there isn't much integration at all. Parental control options can finally be set when using the HD UI, but still isn't as full featured as it was with the old UI and is a far cry from KidZone. What the update doesn't do yet however, is complete the HD interface transformation that some Premiere owners have been waiting two years for. Still, we suspect that caveat won't stop owners from rolling the dice on an update check for their TiVo every day over the next few weeks.

TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast VOD coming to Boston TiVos, next gen X1 DVR platform could launch there too

Posted on 03/05/2012 by Richard Lawler

Comcast already reported its Q1 results earlier today but on the earnings call CEO of the cable division Neil Smit revealed its next generation X1 cloud DVRs (previously called Xcalibur and promised for a wide rollout to "hundreds of thousands" of customers this year) will launch in a major market in the second quarter. Light Reading cites sources indicating field testing is already under way in Boston and that it could launch in May which fits all too well because The Cable Show will take place there May 21st. In case you've forgotten, the quad-tuner X1 DVRs have an all new UI with support for third party apps and social media tie-ins, and will reportedly precede the company's eventual push towards IP video. While that's the rumor, what we do know is that TiVo has completed the rollout of Comcast video on-demand support to Premiere DVRs in the Bay Area, and also let us know that Boston, coincidentally, will be next. Customers in other areas can sign up on TiVo's site at the link below for notifications when the feature goes live in their neck of the woods.

Gallery: Comcast Xfinity Spectrum DVR hands-on