Author: Jeff

On Sunday, November 14^th, TiVo announced new holiday pricing for the TiVo Premiere DVRs, with retail pricing starting at $99.99 through December 31, 2010. The Premiere XL price dropped to $299.99, which represents a whopping $200 price drop on these units.

WeaKnees also reduced our upgraded TiVo Premieres by $200, bringing those prices down to the lowest ever for an HD TiVo. So the price on every TiVo Premiere we sell is now $200 lower.

Along with the price drop, TiVo also changed the pricing structure for TiVo service. At least for now, the only pricing option for TiVo Premiere boxes is $19.99/mo, with a one-year commitment for service.  Lifetime service is not available for Premiere units under this promotion.

For those who want lifetime service on an HD TiVo, we have a supply of TiVoHD XL DVRs in stock that are eligible for lifetime service. In addition, all of our standard def dual-tuner TiVo DVRs, and all of our single-tuner, standard def Humax TiVo DVRs with built-in DVD burner, are still eligible for product lifetime service. For these units, lifetime service is $399 for new TiVo subscribers and $299 for existing subs.

But here is where things get confusing:

1) As of now, you cannot purchase product lifetime service on TiVoHD XLs or standard def TiVos at TiVo.com. You have to call 877-FOR-TIVO to sign up for product lifetime service.

However, the TiVo service terms indicate that other service options should be available for non-Premiere TiVo DVRs.

2) If you are an existing TiVo subscriber and go to activate a TiVo Premiere DVRs as an additional unit, the option you’ll get a TiVo.com is $19.99/mo:

However, if you are an existing subscriber and activate a TiVo other than a TiVo Premiere, you will get this:

You’ll see the additional reference to the MSD terms and conditions:

Click that and get this:

Naturally, the question becomes: Where are the other MSD options? I presume these will be available only by calling TiVo. Also note, however, that the MSD terms do not distinguish between the Premiere and non-Premiere TiVo DVRs.

So for the holidays, if you want an HD TiVo with lifetime service, consider the TiVoHD XL. It’s a great, solid unit, at a great price, and eligible for lifetime service.

On the otherhand, if you are currently paying a cable company $15 (or whatever) for a cable DVR, the new Premiere pricing is a great chance to give TiVo a try. For $100 + a few bucks more a month ($19.99 + the cost of a CableCARD), you can get a REAL DVR—a TiVo!

Last night at an over-the-top Applesque launch event, TiVo announced two new TiVo DVRs for cable, ATSC antenna and Verizon FiOS (but not for DIRECTV or AT&T Uverse).

TiVo is calling this one “THE ONE BOX TO RULE THEM ALL.”

The big pitch is that the Premiere “elegantly combines access to cable programming, movies, web videos, and music all in one box.”

TiVo’s goal with the Premiere is to integrate content from cable and the Internet into one user-friendly device. A brand-new HD interface (based on Adobe® Flash) will make it easier and prettier to find shows and content.

TiVo’s massive press release contains a load of features of the new interface. For example, with a mandated broadband connection (no phone modem allowed, at least not until a modem adapter is released), you can find programs from YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, or Blockbuster On Demand, plus options from the Web.

Not sure if TiVo paid KB for this one, but they boast of “Six-Degrees of Separation” using the new interface. According to TiVo, Premiere will settle debates over “where have I seen that actor before?” If you have a favorite actor, for example, you can view entire entertainment resumes and cast lists. And so on.

We haven’t yet tried it yet, but TiVo has incorporated a “30-second scan” feature, which let’s you blitz through 30-seconds in a second or two. We’ll wait to see whether the “real” 30-second skip can continues, but we’ve heard hints that it will still be there.

FINALLY, the Premiere will include an on-screen disk space meter that shows how much room is left to record and the ability to watch TV from within the Guide.

Ok, so what about capacity? What about upgrades? We fully intend to offer upgraded units once they are stable. Until then, The TiVo Premiere box has up to 45 hours of HD storage space or up to 400 hours of standard definition programming capacity. The TiVo Premiere XL box holds up to 150 hours of high-definition or up to 1350 hours of standard definition programming.

3D Glasses?! If you  look carefully, you’ll see product shots that show glasses in the XL box. Sorry, not 3D. They are “THX Optimizer Blue Glasses” (aka cheap calibration mod or Halloween costume, take your pick), that are “designed for adjusting Color and Tint settings.”

More Accessories as well: TiVo is releasing a new (more-expensive) wireless N adapter in May. Later this year, TiVo will release a QWERTY remote using Bluetooth. Also, we expect to see a phone adapter for those unable to connect to a broadband network.

For the latest and greatest info, keep reading the blog, and to pre-order a TiVo Premiere, visit our website.

This just in–after a false start, then a trial run, Cox is evidently distributing TiVo tuning adapters in Orange County!

We have been begging for this for ages now, most recently just two weeks ago. GIVE US A REMOTE WITH A KEYBOARD!

TiVo answers! See the Q3 press release:

“‘One small example of [recent research and development initiatives] is a new keyboard remote control that we are developing, which will build on the ease of the original TiVo remote control and will enable users to get even more out of the broadband experience that TiVo delivers.'”

Yippee!