2007 CES News
Here’s our roundup of some things we learned at CES this year:
-TiVo and Comcast show a demo
After quite a bit of work, TiVo and Comcast engineers have a prototype Comcast DVR running the full TiVo OS on top of a layer of middleware. Apparently, Comcast will be shipping a new TiVo peanut style remote to customers who make the switch. The software will be fully downloaded via the cable and no technician visit will be needed. We’re not sure at this point if upgrades will be available.
-TiVo and Roxio roll out Mac TiVoToGo
Finally, after many months of delays, the Mac client of TiVoToGo is available. But it’s a bit strange in execution. TiVo partnered with Roxio to make this software, and Roxio rolled it into the Mac version of Toast 8. Amazon sells Roxio Toast 8 Titanium for $77.99 and there’s a $20 rebate if you own an older version. Finally!
-TiVo and Rhapsody from Real
This one is pretty cool. You can get a Rhapsody subscription from Real and then use it on your TiVo. Rhapsody allows you to basically use the entire Real library on a monthly basis ($14.99/month – over 2 million songs available, and also a free trial available). So you can use your TiVo to browse through all of the music they have available, and then play it. If you have your TiVo attached to your home entertainment system, this is a great way to get exactly the music you want, when you want it. This requires a Series2 or later TiVo with an internet connection.
-THX Highlights TiVo in the THX Booth
As shown in a picture in an earlier post, THX considers the new TiVo Series3 a crown jewel. Their booth centered on a mock living room, anchored by a TiVo Series3 HD DVR, and hosted by TiVoShanan. And the proof is definitely in the pudding here – the sound output of the unit is excellent, and the noise emitted from the unit itself is virtually non-existent. Our upgraded units are also especially quiet as we exclusively use the Seagate DB35 drives in our 500 GB and 750 GB versions.
-LG Shows a combo HD-DVD and Blu-ray Player
Not directly related to TiVo, but something that many TiVo users care about, LG has announced a unit that may take some of the guesswork out of the HD DVD format war. Like the Beta v. VHS war of long ago, there are two consortiums competing to bring you DVDs in High Definition format. Brushing aside all of the hype and even the technical differences, the LG unit basically just plays both types of discs without a problem. Our hope is that if this helps speed adoption of HD DVD players, more HD DVD movies will come out. Right now, it seems the industry is stuck in paralysis between the formats.
-Random Notes
Beyond that, the rumors are out that a 1 Terabyte drive for DVRs will be out sometime next summer (of course, these dates always seem to slip), that TiVo has some cool new projects that they’re working on, that HR10s may find their way to WeaKnees’ shelves again . . . TiVo is planning to spend big-time on some real advertising this year.
And having had a look at a bunch of other DVRs out there, we can categorically say that the TiVo interface is still the best. And it’s leaving the competition in the dust.