AAC Support in Tivo's HomeMedia

[MacRumors]

MacMinute reports (http://www.macminute.com/2003/05/28/tivo) that a TiVo spokesperson has indicated that they are working with Apple to support AAC files.

Apple has started selling TiVO's (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/05/20030523135905.shtml) at select Apple Stores, and TiVo's Home Media (http://www.tivo.com/4.9.asp) option has provided Mac support for sharing photos and songs from your computer.

[mactastic]

Wow... that was fast. Seems like apple and tivo are pretty tight.

[iAdam]

Do you think Apple would ever make thier own Tivo-like product?

[mactastic]

There was some talk on these rumor boards about apple actually buying tivo. Who knows how much truth there is in that, but its nice that iTunes AAC support is out for like a month and already tivo supports the format. Seems like there is definetly some collaboration between them if not something more.

[Chef Ramen]

they dont need to...they have a nice relationship with tivo

[Timothy]

Can anyone tell me the easiest way to connect my Tivo Series 2 to my home network? I don't have cat 5 throughout my house, and am running an Airport network. Is there a wireless 802.11 to USB converter that I can buy?

Anyone doing the Home Media option with their Tivo yet?

[Cabrewolf]

Originally posted by mactastic
There was some talk on these rumor boards about apple actually buying tivo. Who knows how much truth there is in that, but its nice that iTunes AAC support is out for like a month and already tivo supports the format. Seems like there is definetly some collaboration between them if not something more.

I think the big thing is that if anyone has looked at the financial statements and analysis of Tivo, it is obviouse that if they do not pull something from there @ss or are bought they will die.

Wolf

[Mudbug]

I wouldn't mind seeing Tivo's technology wrapped up in a mac frame, like the "apple set top box" that was rumored a few years ago (I'll try and find the link). Now, if it accepted the HD recording option, but also included DVD playback/recording features as well as VHS qualities, that would be a living room monster machine. Imagine being able to record your VHS tapes directly to DVD, as well as record all the episodes of your favorite shows and record the entire season to a DVD (or 2), so you could keep it forever.

To me the biggest stopper is being able to transfer VHS to DVD without jumping thru a hoop.

<edit> here's the link: set top box (http://www.applefritter.com/prototypes/tvbox/index.html)

[Flowbee]

Originally posted by Timothy
Can anyone tell me the easiest way to connect my Tivo Series 2 to my home network? I don't have cat 5 throughout my house, and am running an Airport network. Is there a wireless 802.11 to USB converter that I can buy?

Anyone doing the Home Media option with their Tivo yet?

So as not to hijak this thread with an off-topic discussion, there's plenty of easy to access info at tivo.com. More specifically: http://www.tivo.com/4.9.8.asp

Also, try http://www.tivocommunity.com if you have other tivo specific questions.

Hope this helps.

[pcp_ip]

Originally posted by Timothy
Can anyone tell me the easiest way to connect my Tivo Series 2 to my home network? I don't have cat 5 throughout my house, and am running an Airport network. Is there a wireless 802.11 to USB converter that I can buy?

Anyone doing the Home Media option with their Tivo yet?

HMO rocks (pun intended). The tiny Linksys Instant Wireless USB Network Adapter - Version 2.6 (http://store.tivo.com/Detail.bok?searchpath=d8c8e0dcf57050e4ec3b&category=Accessories&start=1&total=17&no=91) is what you need- however it HAS to be version 2.6. My 2 tivos are linked with these to my airport network.

[Timothy]

With regards to Apple buying Tivo etc...

Why? To what end? I think these rumors probably started around faint rumors of talks ongoing between Tivo and Phillips. If the end result is that Tivo and Phillips are using Rendevous technology to leverage Apple computer technology, and to provide added services to Apple customers, then what reason would there be for Apple to enter a market that is not central to their mission?

It seems to me that any involvement Apple has had with Tivo probably culminates in making Rendevous work as seemlessly as possible with these services. That provides the benefits I want and shields Apple from risky business ventures. A win-win if you ask me.

[Frobozz]

YES! YES! YES!

I need this. I have purchased about 30 songs from iTMS that I can't see on my TiVo. Just what the doctor ordered.

[phgreer]

If apple could use Tivo as a gaming platform as well that would be a real kicker. Also it would increse product awareness by brinking Apple into the living room.


Also if you could use your TV as an external monitor as well via Tivo that would be neat.

It would be great for parties as well. If Tivo is hooked through a home entertainment system you could play your iTunes, iMovies and iPhoto stuff via the stereo and TV...

Yeah..

I'll buy one.

[bbarnhart]

Originally posted by Timothy
With regards to Apple buying Tivo etc...

Why? To what end? .... what reason would there be for Apple to enter a market that is not central to their mission?



Apple sells a MP3/AAC player and that is not central to their business... or is it? Computers are becoming more integrated with other devices (MP3/AAC, TV, DVD, photographs). It's like computers a 'digital hub.'

Maybe your point was "why should Apple do the TiVo thing when they are already doing it."

What I would like to know, is why is TiVo not profitable? Are they losing too much money on their boxes or are they not running a very tight ship. If you call the box sale a wash then they must need to trim employees and development costs.

[pcp_ip]

i love my tivos, but they're doomed.

tivo's problem is thus:

they can't clearly get the point across of what tivo is to jimmy six-pack and suzie house wife. Geeks buy it, but they have never had extensive penetration into the general public.

while they struggle to educate the masses on what a DVR is, the cable companies are rapidly building DVR capabilities into their cableboxes (abet, inferior).

before tivo gets a chance to win mass appeal, they'll get squeezed out by the cable companies that already have a box connected to your tv.

time warner nyc already has basic DVR features (HBO on demand type features) built into their digital cable boxes.

why would someone new to the concept of digital video recorders want 2 of them on the same TV? or two set top boxes on the same table?


My $0.02 on why Tivo is going to have a tough go of it.

[arn]

Originally posted by pcp_ip
while they struggle to educate the masses on what a DVR is, the cable companies are rapidly building DVR capabilities into their cableboxes (abet, inferior).

before tivo gets a chance to win mass appeal, they'll get squeezed out by the cable companies that already have a box connected to your tv.


Actually TimeWarner is now offering a full DVR option for $6/month for those with digital cable.... but I assumed that Tivo/Replay or whoever was licensing their design/software to TimeWarner.

if so, it's a win-win.

arn

[pcp_ip]

it's not from tivo, that's for sure. the UI is terrible.

[MacVault]

Will Tivo ever be able to play on my TV the moveis that are stored on my computer???

[mohaukachi]

yet another expensive toy i dont need. yay

[P-Worm]

Originally posted by MacVault
Will Tivo ever be able to play on my TV the moveis that are stored on my computer???

I hope so, I want to store things to my computer. I've never had a VHS machine (I have Betamax and Laserdisk :confused: ) but all I use is DVD now. I don't usually need to record, but when I do...

P-Worm

[magazineaddict]

Perhaps this has something to do with the cozy relationship between Tivo and Apple of late. The following is the Bio of a Tivo exec that will be speaking at a meeting of Marketing professionals in my area in a few weeks....

Brodie Keast
Senior VP & General Manager TiVo Service

Brodie is responsible for growing the TiVo Service business. This includes driving continued subscriber growth, advancing the capabilities of the TiVo service, delivering 95%+ customer satisfaction levels, building the TiVo brand in the consumer market and leveraging partnerships to expand the market for the TiVo service . He is also responsible for building an advertising and sponsorship business on the TiVo platform. Brodie leads the company's overall marketing, sales, corporate communication, advertising production and service development functions.

Brodie joined TiVo in 1999. He brings more than 22 years of marketing, engineering and general management experience to TiVo. Before joining TiVo, Brodie was Vice President and General Manager of the DLTtapeTM Division of Quantum Corporation, where he helped to grow that business' revenue by more than 90 percent to $1.2 billion in less than three years. Prior to that, he spent ten years at Apple Computer, Inc., where he headed worldwide product marketing. Brodie started his career at Hewlett-Packard in a variety of engineering, engineering management and marketing roles.


I don't know much about his history other than this bio, but it might be the link between Tivo and Apple that is making things happen.

[nagromme]

Good to see that Apple is letting third parties in on their DRM. Even less restrictive and more useful.

[macquariumguy]

Now if we could only get the Series 2 DirecTiVo to support HMO, I'd be all set.

[Steamboatwillie]

Originally posted by arn
Actually TimeWarner is now offering a full DVR option for $6/month for those with digital cable.... but I assumed that Tivo/Replay or whoever was licensing their design/software to TimeWarner.

if so, it's a win-win.

arn

I have one from Time Warner (Memphis, TN) and it works pretty good. I have never used a TiVo so I can't compare. But at $6.00 a month a TiVo would have to be spectacular to make me "switch" The iTunes/iPhoto integration is neat but no where near a deal maker/breaker imho.

[Lokii]

A couple of questions for the tivo & mac savvy crowd:

1. Is there anyway to download tivo's recordings onto a mac?

2. Is the directv tivo required if you have directv or just "enhanced"

I'd like to have a stand alone box to record but would like to playback on my iBook.

Thanks

[magazineaddict]

Lokii --

You'd be best to looking into something like an EyeTV from El Gato. I've not used one before, but it sounds like what you want.

No way to go from a Series 2 Tivo to Mac (or any other computer) that I know of. There were some hacks to do that on Series 1 Tivos, but they plugged a lot of holes with the revised units.

[macnews]

Microsoft is getting in to a lot of other "interactive" ventures (xBox, DSL, email boxes, etc.). Not to say what Microsoft does is right or good, but I do think the future holds a melding of computer/TV/home entertainment unit - allowing you to walk around with a flat panel to write on, create movies, etc. Thus, I think it is only natural for Apple to expand in to something like Tivo. Makes sense with the digital hub concept.

I do have to wonder if the current Tivo would satisfy what some people on here want to do - mainly watch, save, burn (I claim copyright on this phrase) tv and movies. I just bought an analog convertor from Formac that allows you to transfer your old tapes, LPs, VHS - anything with an analog signal to your mac and then burn to DVD/CD. One version also has the ability to act as a tuner for your mac. Doubt it is a Tivo, but that isn't what I bought it for.

[rog]

What I am waiting for is for mac home media support for the TiVo gen 2 DirecTV combo unit. This is the way to go with TiVo and beats the hell out of cable. Now if only I could use it with my Mac and my AirPort network.

[philoye]

Can anyone tell me how good the interface is for browing music on the TiVo home media option? Is it is as well thought out as the TV interface?

[magazineaddict]

I haven't taken the plunge yet, but the interface looks pretty similar to the regular Tivo interface (screenshots on the tivo web site at http://www.tivo.com/4.9.4.asp )

[magazineaddict]

more screenshots here:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/tivoknowbase/root/public/tv2015.htm

[Qunchuy]

Originally posted by MacVault
Will Tivo ever be able to play on my TV the moveis that are stored on my computer???

A networked TiVo already has the capability to play movies that are stored on a different TiVo. It's only a matter of time before someone whips up a program that emulates a TiVo at the other end and does exactly what you're asking.

[stompy]

Originally posted by Qunchuy
A networked TiVo already has the capability to play movies that are stored on a different TiVo. It's only a matter of time before someone whips up a program that emulates a TiVo at the other end and does exactly what you're asking.

I'd go for one.

[Styx]

Originally posted by philoye
Can anyone tell me how good the interface is for browing music on the TiVo home media option? Is it is as well thought out as the TV interface?

The interface for accessing music and photos is built into the current TiVo interface. You see the playlists from iTunes or galleries from iPhoto (Mac user speaking, not sure on Windows).

You can easily do slideshows with iPhoto galleries but I have a few complaints about the music end of things.

I have 3000+ songs and it is difficult to find a single song, if that is what you are looking for. Currently there is no search capabilities like you have when searching for a TV show title. Also, there is no skip to a certain point in your playlist, so if you have a playlist of 1000 songs or so and want a song that begins with a Z, you will be scrolling for quite a long time.

Lastly, the player is so boring! You see the timeline guage, song title, artist and album info, but on a solid black background. They need something like iTunes default visualizer as a player.