TiVo, Inc. issued their financial year-end results today via a press release. Beside the numbers (profit is up, but not on a large scale; subscribers are down, but not on a large scale), there is an interesting tidbit on the progress of the DirecTV HD DVR:
“Additionally, we continue to work on our new DIRECTV HD DVR. The new HD DVR will include popular TiVo broadband features, and will be immediately accessible to DIRECTV’s entire national customer base on day-one of the launch. We have had a very successful history with DIRECTV and those subscribers are some of our most loyal customers. Now, as these customers look to upgrade from standard definition programming, they will have the option to choose the TiVo experience to help them truly get the most out of their high definition viewing experience.”
25 replies on “DirecTV HD TiVo Update – Broadband Features!”
Would a DIRECTV HD DVR be compatible with a regular Tivo HD? In that would I be able to move programs from one to the other? I currently have 2 HD boxes, but the local cable company does not have cable cards, so i am stuck with basic cable on the Tivos.
Really, really hard to say. This would mean that:
A) the new HD DirecTV TiVo would have to have MRV (multi-room viewing) enabled as part of these broadband features, and
B) the MRV would have to work cross-provider
I’d say, unfortunately, that this is unlikely because people in your situation would be able to watch DirecTV content on multiple boxes while only paying DirecTV for one. But I really just don’t know.
A release date for the HD DirecTV TiVo would be very helpful for planning our transition. Everything else — satellite dish upgrade, wiring changes, display, etc. is now waiting on the DVR.
Meanwhile I’m hearing good things about the HR23, which isn’t even available here. What’s the story with that?
We’d love to get a release date also, but so far, no news.
The HR23 sounds to be basically identical to the HR22 except that it has auto-sensing, internal B-Band converters. Our distributors don’t have them yet.
It’s driving me crazy just waiting. This, along with an affordable high capacity SSD, and Windows 7, I feel like I’m just watching the clock tick.
@Jamie R: Even if that were enabled you will likely only be able to either transfer from the Tivo branded Tivos to the new DirectTv Tivo or between DirectTv Tivos and not from the DirectTv Tivo to the Tivo Branded ones. The reason for this is that a DirectTV Tivo records the broadcast encoded/compressed bitstream directly to disk which is unlike a straight Tivo branded Tivo which does the analog video to disk or hd bitstream to disk encoding itself. The reason that is significant is that a non-DirectTv Tivo would lack the hardware based decoding for DirectTv’s bitstream and would be unable to play any content recorded on the DirectTv Tivo. This also limits the possibilities of the Tivo Desktop functionality since your computer would also lack the ability to decode DirectTv’s bitstream unless they either created and released a software codec (unlikely) or there was an option to have the DirectTv Tivo do somehow do the standard Tivo encoding.
TiVo made an SEC filing that now says the DirecTV HD TiVo will appear “as soon as possible” in calendar year 2010.
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/financials/secfilings.asp?ric=TIVO.O Click on 10K in the 2009 section. It is discussed on page 6, second paragraph.
Here it is direct from Tivo. Sorry folks, looks like it’ll be 2010.
http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/directv-signup.html
2010!!? I’m right with you Jim K. Waiting to make a total systems upgrade when these are ready. My HR21 sucks horribly bad and I can’t wait for this. Come on DirecTV!!
[…] work with satellite TV? Or is TiVo changing the packaging so that they can distinguish it with the DirecTV HD TiVo when it […]
For years I have tried to get the golden combination of good quality picture and the TiVo DVR experience. No one comes close to TiVo. I can’t wait for this new DVR and I will be signing up with DirecTV the minute it becomes available…
Steven –
I basically feel the same way, but why not get a TiVo HD and cable? I have that and an HR10-250, and I’m sure I’ll get the new DTV unit when it comes out, but the cable picture quality and ease of the CableCARDs is really pretty amazing.
Michael,
Some folks don’t get HD Tivo and cable… because cable isn’t available. If you live in the country, there are many areas where satellite is your only viable option.
ok I have an issue since I love Hockey (NHL) versus is now not with direct tv, but thru comcast (Cable). so can I buy an HD/DVR that will still work with directv and has an cable card for comcast to get Versus.
there must be a way to only have 1 hd/dvr and get both sat and cable.
thanks Derek
Latest official news from Tivo regarding the DirecTV HD Tivo (from Tivo’s most recent 10-Q filing filed on September 9, 2009):
“Under the terms of this non-exclusive arrangement, TiVo is developing a version of the TiVo service for DIRECTV’s broadband-enabled HD DVR for a launch to consumers as soon as possible in calendar year 2010.”
It’s about time. It sounds a little strange but I have no plans of updateing my 4:3 36″ TV thats been serving me well for over 18 years now. I’m waiting for the TIVO DirecTV HD. So once that happens the big upgraded will happen. No need to spend the money on HD when my TIVO only plays SD.
I sooo need this TIVO HD recorder for Directv. Already have the HD TV, and have to have directv for NFL ticket, but SD on 52″ sucks.
I am so wanting this new DirecTV Tivo HD DVR receiver. I have my series 1 DirecTivo that’s served its purpose for many years. Even though I have an HDTV now, I do NOT want to upgrade to DirecTV’s HD DVR receiver after reading ALL of the horror stories of freezing, reboots, and exchanges.
Tivo has always been stable for me.
Maybe if TIVO hadn’t dragged their heels on the Directv HD they would have had a profitable 3rd quarter iso a loss. If I was a shareholder I would be asking hard questions of the management.
I continue to wait with SD TiVo and DirecTV. If they want more of my money they will have to offer a true upgrade to HD TiVo and DirecTV.
If FIOS comes to my neighborhood, I might not wait though. Does Verizon hear me? DirecTV and TiVo know the market is there, I wonder what kind of misplaced greed is holding things up?
Being somewhat patient in Sykesville
I kinda wonder if there won’t be some sort of action at CES. Seems like the HD MPEG4 DirecTV Tivo is taking forever!
CES IIRC is in January….
Please advise me when DirecTV TIVO HD receiver becomes available. Thanks.
My SD R10 is on its last legs! Anyone heard of a date of release? Any news from CES?
Keep putting parts in my hr10-250 (watching all SD now), waiting on the mpeg 4 version to arrive. I’m ready to see the new tivoHD for directv.
I will be ready when it arrives. Completely avoiding the in house unit and will watch less TV and more DVD for the duration. We have hundreds of unwatched in the wings.