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Apple to Sell TiVo's?

Re: Re: splooge

Originally posted by Le Big Mac
Sure, we'd love it to be an Apple machine, but why have the company get distracted with things that aren't its core business.
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Well if they were going to stop working on the PowerMac to develop this, yes it would be bad.
The more products that Apple can create/integrate into their "digital hub" the better. The digital hub is Apple's main marketability at this point. If Tivo doesn't work, or integrate well, that is one "digital hub bullet" in Apple's back. -Apple needs not to be shot, and to have a full revolver ready for people who won't integrate with Apple.-

take the revolver analogy for what it is.
 
Re: Re: Re: splooge

Originally posted by ennerseed
Well if they were going to stop working on the PowerMac to develop this, yes it would be bad.
The more products that Apple can create/integrate into their "digital hub" the better. The digital hub is Apple's main marketability at this point. If Tivo doesn't work, or integrate well, that is one "digital hub bullet" in Apple's back. -Apple needs not to be shot, and to have a full revolver ready for people who won't integrate with Apple.-

take the revolver analogy for what it is.
Click to expand...

I agree. They made the ipod (not a core business) a big hit. They need to do the same for PVR (and the PDA, I miss the Newton).

If anyone does not have a Tivo, get one. Replay TV is just as good. Both are easy to upgrade w/your own hard drive and operate on Linux.
Eye TV is great on the Mac but harder to use w/a regular TV.

If Apple could come up with something like the MOXI BOX where a little receiver pluged into the tv and was fed wireless video from the Mac, that would be fine too.
 
Apple video ipod compatible with tivo

What i really want is a video ipod you can take with you where you can bring shows you taped on tivo and watch them on the train or on a tv elsewhere.
this and the functionality to burn shows or recordings you like on to DVD on your mac.

this i would totally love.

Love tivo, hope they take advantage of rendezvous.

Mitch
 
Apple to pursue TiVo?

I don't think Apple would be wise to run against TiVo as it has an established base and name recognition in the market.

Apple would be better off purchasing TiVo as a bridge to center eventually centering the digital hub strategy where it will eventually end up - the TV and not the PC.

TiVo would be a relatively cheap acquisition in the grander scheme of things and Apple has the capital to make this purchase without hurting their reserves.

This would give Apple a much value added service to their digital lifestyle products.

The only thing that Apple may have stumbling blocks over, however minor as thy may be, are licensing issues.
 
Re: re: Interesting system requirements for HMO

Originally posted by maxvamp
I personally shudder at the thought of trying to do anything on a PII 233 w/ 64MB of RAM running XP.
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Sorry, I should have said that I thought that the "interesting" part was that Windows systems as old as Win98 are compatible with the software. One application, runs on 4 operating systems in 2 completely different families.

And Win98 on a PII/233/64 isn't that unreasonable. ;)
 
Originally posted by rogermhsu
Isn't Tivo subscription based? I don't think it will see any more success than it already has.

Yes, TiVo is generally subscription based. I say generally because you can get it for free if you get the high-end DirecTV channel package. Otherwise, it costs $5/month with any other DirecTV package. I think it costs $12.95/month with cable.
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Or free with Dish ($20 setup fee IIRC, but no per-month) ... One of the only good things about Dish ...


In terms of success, I think they can be very successful. Their most recent quarterly results showed very strong growth. And if you've ever used TiVo, you'd likely agree that they have a very compelling product. It's somewhat hard to convey exactly what the product does, but once you've used it, you'll never want to go back to watching "regular" TV.
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IMHO, they stand a good chance. They indeed have a compelling, "once you try it you can't go back" product, and many features which can be added (exporting to other video gear/computers, DVD archiving, you name it ...) which gives them viability for some time to come before they hit commodity-ville. They've already fended off some heavy-hitter competition (Replay/Diamond/SonicBlue/whatever and MS), so, yeah, I'd say their future is fairly bright as a growth-stage company.
 
Why not sell them? Plop a few in the Apple Store and sell a few. The TIVO actually works well with the Mac, and Apple should promote that.
 
TiVo's days may be numbered.

I was a big TiVo fan until just recently, but I have recently seen the future of cable TV and potentially the beginning of the end for TiVo (or at least that their "glory" days may be over). I recently upgraded my cable TV subscription to "digital" cable and as a bundle with my cable modem they offer a digital video recorder (DVR) option for only $6 per month. This cable DVR box really makes the TiVo look pretty bad. First off, the record quality is absolutely perfect whereas analog TiVo recording is only about video tape quality (or worse). Since I have digital cable service they just record the MPEG2 signal directly off of the "wire" so you don't see any degradation in the recorded programming. Second, the cable DVR is able to record two different channels simultaneously whereas analog TiVo service only does one channel. This also means you can watch/delay/pause one channel while you record another. Third, you get a huge amount of recording time, up to 50 hours from digital sources. Forth, the continuous or "live" recording loop is one hour while TiVo only does 30 minutes. Finally, the Scientific Atlanta DVR that comes from my cable company has digital audio, USB, and Firewire ports. Right now the digital audio output is the only port that works, but they say that the USB and Firewire ports will support future options (probably only digital input, I doubt they will allow you to transfer/copy material from the DVR to another device).

In any case, this new DVR has completely replaced my TiVo unit and service. If you have digital satellite TV then I'm fairly certain that you can get a TiVo (DirectTV) DVR that has features that are similar to the above. However, if you have cable TV and can get digital service then I see no need for a TiVo as the digital cable service is both dramatically better and cheaper than using a TiVo.

I guess if you can only get analog TV service then TiVo is still a nice option, but if you use cable then I think TiVo's days may be numbered since the future of cable is digital and the cable companies are going to control what devices can be connected to the service.
 
This could end up very interesting. I just stated the other day in a different thread that I was waiting for Apple to come out with some sort of itunes box that connected to the stereo. A tivo with some sort of upgrade could fit this exactly and I think tivo would have to be drooling at this prospect because now they appeal more to the audio consumers than ever before.
 
Re: TiVo's days may be numbered.

Originally posted by fpnc
I was a big TiVo fan until just recently, but I have recently seen the future of cable TV and potentially the beginning of the end for TiVo (or at least that their "glory" days may be over). I recently upgraded my cable TV subscription to "digital" cable and as a bundle with my cable modem they offer a digital video recorder (DVR) option for only $6 per month. This cable DVR box really makes the TiVo look pretty bad. First off, the record quality is absolutely perfect whereas analog TiVo recording is only about video tape quality (or worse). Since I have digital cable service they just record the MPEG2 signal directly off of the "wire" so you don't see any degradation in the recorded programming. Second, the cable DVR is able to record two different channels simultaneously whereas analog TiVo service only does one channel. This also means you can watch/delay/pause one channel while you record another. Third, you get a huge amount of recording time, up to 50 hours from digital sources. Forth, the continuous or "live" recording loop is one hour while TiVo only does 30 minutes. Finally, the Scientific Atlanta DVR that comes from my cable company has digital audio, USB, and Firewire ports. Right now the digital audio output is the only port that works, but they say that the USB and Firewire ports will support future options (probably only digital input, I doubt they will allow you to transfer/copy material from the DVR to another device).

In any case, this new DVR has completely replaced my TiVo unit and service. If you have digital satellite TV then I'm fairly certain that you can get a TiVo (DirectTV) DVR that has features that are similar to the above. However, if you have cable TV and can get digital service then I see no need for a TiVo as the digital cable service is both dramatically better and cheaper than using a TiVo.

I guess if you can only get analog TV service then TiVo is still a nice option, but if you use cable then I think TiVo's days may be numbered since the future of cable is digital and the cable companies are going to control what devices can be connected to the service.
Click to expand...

The problem with this is that the cable companies thrive off of the advertisements. What you don't know is that the DVR you have will soon not be able to skip commercials, and will evolve into a means for providing you with even more advertisements than you already have. Right now this feature is disabled so that it can compete with Tivo and others, but not for long. Tivo's gratest future advantage is its freedom from the controle of the ones that want you to watch commercials.

wolf
 
Re: TiVo facts...

Originally posted by Styx

If you were to make a home entertainment purchase this year, this is the one to make. It will revolutionize the way you watch TV and bring your music and photos to the big screen!
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I've been thinking of getting one of these.. my wish.. is that something like TIVO could act like my iTunes.. in that I have EVERY bit of my music from all CDs and Albums etc.. in my iTunes catalog. I wish I could have something like TIVO which could also hold ALL of my DVD purchases etc.. quick easy access just like iTunes.
 
I have 2 Ultimate TV's (microsoft yuckieness) and they have been great up until recently when 1 of them died. I replaced it with a DirecTiVo from Hughes. There is no comparison in quality, the Ultimate TV is better in so many respects. The GUI of the Tivo is glossy in comparison, but requires more work to operate. I've only had the TiVo for about six weeks now and they're sending me a new one cuz this one is having hard drive problems.

Is it my imagination or doesn't the TiVo use a PowerPC processor?

I think if anything can be the TiVo death nail it'll be its ability or lack there of to record HDTV. I read somewhere in Home Theater Magazine that HDTV takes like 25MB per second to record.

Y'all remember Apple's last attemt at a set top box?

cheers!
John
 
It would be nice if they just made it airport extreme ready and/or 10/100 ethernet instead of a usb to ethernet. Make it wireless for us 'book users. IP over firewire would be cool too. And I would like to just have it function as a total input/output for my entire system, amp, components, monitor. That would be a sweet connection for the center of my digital life.
 
Re: TiVo's days may be numbered.

Originally posted by fpnc
I was a big TiVo fan until just recently, but I have recently seen the future of cable TV and potentially the beginning of the end for TiVo (or at least that their "glory" days may be over). I recently upgraded my cable TV subscription to "digital" cable and as a bundle with my cable modem they offer a digital video recorder (DVR) option for only $6 per month. This cable DVR box really makes the TiVo look pretty bad. First off, the record quality is absolutely perfect whereas analog TiVo recording is only about video tape quality (or worse). Since I have digital cable service they just record the MPEG2 signal directly off of the "wire" so you don't see any degradation in the recorded programming. Second, the cable DVR is able to record two different channels simultaneously whereas analog TiVo service only does one channel. This also means you can watch/delay/pause one channel while you record another. Third, you get a huge amount of recording time, up to 50 hours from digital sources. Forth, the continuous or "live" recording loop is one hour while TiVo only does 30 minutes. Finally, the Scientific Atlanta DVR that comes from my cable company has digital audio, USB, and Firewire ports. Right now the digital audio output is the only port that works, but they say that the USB and Firewire ports will support future options (probably only digital input, I doubt they will allow you to transfer/copy material from the DVR to another device).

In any case, this new DVR has completely replaced my TiVo unit and service. If you have digital satellite TV then I'm fairly certain that you can get a TiVo (DirectTV) DVR that has features that are similar to the above. However, if you have cable TV and can get digital service then I see no need for a TiVo as the digital cable service is both dramatically better and cheaper than using a TiVo.

I guess if you can only get analog TV service then TiVo is still a nice option, but if you use cable then I think TiVo's days may be numbered since the future of cable is digital and the cable companies are going to control what devices can be connected to the service.
Click to expand...

This is the same type of service you get if you have a DirecTV/Tivo. It's all digital and has excellent video quality (just a side note the DirecTV/Tivo version 1 has better record quality then version 2). Also with the Dish I have Dolby Digital surround with optical out. I can also record 2 channels simultaneously while watching a previously recorded show if I choose. The big kicker is that I get all the digital channels that Cable provides and two receivers and a Tivo subscription for $45 a month. That's $40 less a month then the local Digital Cable subscriber supplies for the exact same thing. Also they still don't have Dolby Digital output in my area on the Cable system. You do get a one hour recording loop but that hasn't been an issue for me since I rarely watch live programming any more.
 
The integrated directTv/Tivo box has all the features quoted for digital cable and has been out for a long time. Tivo announced in January that HDTV Tivo will be ready towards the end of the year. If you have direcTivo the MPEG2 stream from the dish goes right to the HD, and gives you simultaneous two channel recording. The standalone tivo has to encode the signal, and unfortunately only can record one channel at a time. I have a standalone series 2 tivo with lifetime service. The picture quality off direct tv is very good. My total choice package with local channels is only $39.99. My old analog cable started at $20, and kept creeping up until it hit $45. The digital package easily hits $60-$70. Plus, NFL Sunday Ticket is only on DirecTV.

Tivo is a LinuxPPC box. I'd imagine that they'll use MPEG4 instead of 2 for the HDTV model. Probably would need a 200Gig hard drive in the base model. Anyone have any clue how many hours of HD video could be stored with such a setup?
 
Re: Re: TiVo's days may be numbered.

Originally posted by Cabrewolf
The problem with this is that the cable companies thrive off of the advertisements. What you don't know is that the DVR you have will soon not be able to skip commercials, and will evolve into a means for providing you with even more advertisements than you already have. Right now this feature is disabled so that it can compete with Tivo and others, but not for long. Tivo's gratest future advantage is its freedom from the controle of the ones that want you to watch commercials.

wolf
Click to expand...

I'm not certain that what you say is true. In any case if that does happen then all I have to do is drop the cable DVR service since my only investment is the $6/month fee. I've been a TiVo user for over four years and frankly I'm somewhat unhappy about their rate (or lack of) improvement over the years. From what I've read the Series 2 TiVo doesn't offer many improvements over the original. In fact my two biggest complaints (poor video quality and inability to record/view two channels at once) have not been addressed at all with the Series 2.

I really like DVRs and I hope TiVo will introduce some improved products very soon (unlikely, I think). But I'm beginning to wonder whether their slow rate of improvement may be an indication of a unsustainable or flawed business model. They also have to be worried about the new DVD recorders, which are beginning to offer DVR-like features.

In any case, I think it would be a very bad idea for Apple to purchase TiVo. Unless if was very cheap, as I think the only thing they would gain is the TiVo brand name (for whatever that is worth, or may be worth in the future).
 
Don't know much about the technical or business aspects of all of this, but as a huge TiVo and a huge Apple fan, the idea of a collaboration is absolutely poetic. Both companies have great products that are underrated or dismissed by people who haven't tried them, but often make quick converts of the people who do try them. It's just beautiful. And I consider both comapnies to be very mindful of making products designed for what the average non-technophile needs and wants. Simple, elegant pieces of technology that just make your life a lot happier and easier. yay!
 
TIVO IS FOR SALE NOW AT APPLE STORE.

I went to an apple store today on my way to dinner at the biltmore in phoenix. When I asked the manager if he had herd anything about our little rumor he said he could sell me one now. He then showed me the boxes, He just did not have them on display as of yet, they had come in earlier the same day.

Wolf
 
Re: TiVo's days may be numbered.

Originally posted by fpnc
I was a big TiVo fan until just recently, but I have recently seen the future of cable TV and potentially the beginning of the end for TiVo (or at least that their "glory" days may be over). I recently upgraded my cable TV subscription to "digital" cable and as a bundle with my cable modem they offer a digital video recorder (DVR) option for only $6 per month. This cable DVR box really makes the TiVo look pretty bad. First off, the record quality is absolutely perfect whereas analog TiVo recording is only about video tape quality (or worse). Since I have digital cable service they just record the MPEG2 signal directly off of the "wire" so you don't see any degradation in the recorded programming. Second, the cable DVR is able to record two different channels simultaneously whereas analog TiVo service only does one channel. This also means you can watch/delay/pause one channel while you record another. Third, you get a huge amount of recording time, up to 50 hours from digital sources. Forth, the continuous or "live" recording loop is one hour while TiVo only does 30 minutes. Finally, the Scientific Atlanta DVR that comes from my cable company has digital audio, USB, and Firewire ports. Right now the digital audio output is the only port that works, but they say that the USB and Firewire ports will support future options (probably only digital input, I doubt they will allow you to transfer/copy material from the DVR to another device).

In any case, this new DVR has completely replaced my TiVo unit and service. If you have digital satellite TV then I'm fairly certain that you can get a TiVo (DirectTV) DVR that has features that are similar to the above. However, if you have cable TV and can get digital service then I see no need for a TiVo as the digital cable service is both dramatically better and cheaper than using a TiVo.

I guess if you can only get analog TV service then TiVo is still a nice option, but if you use cable then I think TiVo's days may be numbered since the future of cable is digital and the cable companies are going to control what devices can be connected to the service.
Click to expand...

Of course, the catch with this is that you have to keep your cable...:D

I've been using the TiVo series 1/DirecTV combo for 1 1/2 years and i love it. One day I'll drop the dime on a series 2 combo, just to see the HMO with my Mac, but since the mac already runs into the same sound system, I don't see any advantage to listening to iTunes with TiVo as a middleman.

TiVi is the best, makes everything easier, and i actuall watch LESS TV than before, which makes me feel better. And the TV I do watch is more rewarding, for lack of a better word.

As for those who would have Apple buy TiVo, I think DirecTV bought them sometime in the past year, which means that they will fall within Ruppert Murdoch's realm. Maybe he'll be interested in spinning it off, but don't count on it. nonetheless, probably helps to insure the service's survivability.
 
Re: Re: TiVo's days may be numbered.

Originally posted by Foxer
Of course, the catch with this is that you have to keep your cable...:D

I've been using the TiVo series 1/DirecTV combo for 1 1/2 years and i love it. One day I'll drop the dime on a series 2 combo, just to see the HMO with my Mac, but since the mac already runs into the same sound system, I don't see any advantage to listening to iTunes with TiVo as a middleman.

TiVi is the best, makes everything easier, and i actuall watch LESS TV than before, which makes me feel better. And the TV I do watch is more rewarding, for lack of a better word.

As for those who would have Apple buy TiVo, I think DirecTV bought them sometime in the past year, which means that they will fall within Ruppert Murdoch's realm. Maybe he'll be interested in spinning it off, but don't count on it. nonetheless, probably helps to insure the service's survivability.
Click to expand...

You can actually install a network card in your Tivo Series 1 or DirecTV/Tivo. There is a place for it on the board. This will enable it to work with the Tivo Home software though there are better ways of doing it using 3rd party software.

I'm pretty sure that Tivo is still a stand alone company not owned by any big coporation.
 
Networked Series 1 TiVo

I don't think that putting a network card in your Series 1 TiVo will allow you to use the HMO stuff. I think that this is only available on the later machines. I have a Series 1 box with a network card, which means that I can telnet to the TiVo just like any other Unix box on my network. I have installed the TiVo Web stuff, and I can control the TiVo remotely. It's much easier to drive it wirelessly from my iPaq than to use the remote. HMO requires the Series 2 TiVo, though, I think, which is quite a different beastie.
I'd love to see Apple licence the TiVo technology and integrate it into the Digital Hub. I'm sure that they could make it so easy to use that it would become a compelling reason to buy a Mac.
Having said that, I don't think that will happen. I think that all we have here is Apple reselling a piece of hardware that can be attached to Macs. They resell Kensington security kits too, but that doesn't mean that they are going to buy the company.
 
Speaking as someone who owns multiple TiVos, and Multiple OS X Machines. This rocks.

I wondered why my new Apple Music wasn't showing up, didn't think about the new format.

It is well worth the investment adn will change the way you watch TV. And TiVo is a lot like the Mac in that it 'just works'

I bought the HMO the instant it came out back in April. I can play my iTunes and view my iPhotos on my 57" Big screen with 5.1 Surround. I put all my CDs away out of my two 400 disc changers. I'm seriously thinking about selling them on eBay
 
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