What will the keynote bring?

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
when are the new tivo's coming out?

They're in beta testing as we speak, but I didn't get one as I'm a Satellite TV user. They only went to beta cable users, and mostly to high-def cable users.

There are rumors of TiVo practically giving away their Series 2 inventory ( as low as $20) which means Series 3 must be around the corner…

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
it also appears apple just can't get their butts in gear with regards to a home theater pc, the new mini is only baby steps in that direction with no pvr software, etc…

The issue here is putting a computer in the same room as your primary TV, and more importantly operating it with a remote pointing it at your TV (not at the computer). This is why a separate box is going to rule the landscape for some time. That's also the primary reason why I haven't gone Win Media Center - the TiVo is just too damn convenient and easy to use.

i've been thinking about the media center pc for awhile, because of the potential ability to upgrade sound cards, tv tuners, over time… however it always seems like i'm waiting for an interesting product to be announced only to find it's overpriced underpowered, etc. the new tivo's certainly sound the way to go if only because of the inclusion of cable cards… my issue with tivo was having to buy the unit and the sub, then i was stuck with the thing and not being able to upgrade, also wish it had an integrated tuner,

Originally posted by vansmack:
How lame.
<img src="http://www.postersarts.com/Images/gwenstefaniposterswhite.jpg" alt=" - " />

Did nothing to help in my decision.

It cannot be long till apple, or perhaps to avoid legal wranglings an apple develper, makes some Tivo like software. The mini seems custom fucking designed for that purpose.

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
the new tivo's certainly sound the way to go if only because of the inclusion of cable cards… my issue with tivo was having to buy the unit and the sub, then i was stuck with the thing and not being able to upgrade, also wish it had an integrated tuner,

That subscription fee is only for stand alone TiVo's. With DirecTV you pay a $5 fee for as many DVR's you'd like, plus $5 per each additional tuner (whether it DVR capable or not). So for example, a two room set up with two Tivo's costs $15 (compare that with a two room set up with no DVR's at $10). I expect something similar when TiVo jumps over to cable technology. The question is going to be what about the added features? The TiVo-to-go feature is not currently supported by DirecTV (by D*Tv's doing, not TiVo), so that may be an additional charge.

The new TiVo's are tempting me away from DirecTV back to cable, but I doubt I make the switch. I really like the NFL Package and won't leave it. And my D*TV service is far better than any cable company I've ever used. As soon as they make the high-def DVR from DirecTV to support my MPEG-4 local high-def broadcasts (not supported by the current high-def TiVo), I may have to say goodbye to TiVo. I'm very saddened by this, but just like leaving Mac 12 years ago when they weren't serving my needs at a reasonable cost, I will have to do the same to TiVo. I won't pay cable more to give me less just because of TiVo, much like I wouldn't pay Apple more to give me less, just because one or two superior programs.

I think cable users should be very excited at this point for the new TiVo Series 3.

By integrated tuner, I assume you mean stereo tuner?

Originally posted by MTB-Markie:
It cannot be long till apple, or perhaps to avoid legal wranglings an apple develper, makes some Tivo like software. The mini seems custom fucking designed for that purpose.

Not going to change the fact that I'm going to have to put a computer next to my TV for regular DVR use, which is going to cause a myriad of problems for the user.

Do we have a more definite idea on the price of Tivo Series 3 yet?

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Do we have a more definite idea on the price of Tivo Series 3 yet?

No, but cable users should hope that you can lease them from your cable company like the current DVR structure because at $500-$800 (as the rumors are now saying), they could be quite steep.

And just to recap, the only advantages of the series 3 over the series 2 is going to be HDTV compatible and the ability to watch two stations?

an intergrated tv tuner, i thought the tivo need to use an ir blaster gizmo to change the channel on the cable box to record. i use a comcast dvr, but it's sw is not all that..

pretty much…which is a huge for me, being a hdtv owner and all. it also has cable card support.

Originally posted by Got Haggis?:
it also has cable card support.

i don't know what that is.

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
And just to recap, the only advantages of the series 3 over the series 2 is going to be HDTV compatible and the ability to watch two stations?

I've never heard anybody say "only" before dual HD Cable Card tuners considering the technology doesn't actually exist at the moment, but as far as has been announced, that is all we know. I'd imagine there will be some new software toys as well, but I'm not testing this one.

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:

Originally posted by Got Haggis?:
it also has cable card support.

i don't know what that is.

Cable card support is a new mandated technology for cable companies so that you are not tied to their equipment for digital broadcasts.

With the a cable card (literally, a credit card sized plastic device that slips in to a cable card reader), users can decrypt digital cable signals without a set top box.

Most new HDTVs and nearly all new DVRs will come Digital Cable Ready, which means they will come with cable card readers built in. Like kosmo said, this means no more IR blasters for TiVo and more options for the user to set the picture quality based on thier own equipment, not the equipment of the cable company.

Anybody remember the good old days when all you had to do was plug in your TV and jiggle the rabbit ears?

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Anybody remember the good old days when all you had to do was plug in your TV and jiggle the rabbit ears?

The days when you could watch your choice of three channels and live sports didn't exist, but for Sundays and Monday nights?

Thankfully, I've forgotten all about those days…

Pope loves his iPod

The Pope likes to unwind by listening to his iPod.

Pope Benedict XVI was given an iPod Nano as a present by staff at Vatican Radio.

Officials have loaded it with religious music, plus pieces by Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin.

He has been spotted around the Vatican using his iPod and distinctive white earphones.

According to The Sun a spokesman said: "He is very pleased with the iPod. The Holy Father likes to unwind listening to it and is of the opinion that this sort of technology is the future."

The Queen, President Bush and Tony Blair all own an iPod.

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Q. What do vansmack, markLe & the president have in common?
<img src="http://www.felixkalkman.com/webfotoos/%20portfolio%20lowres/bodyb3.jpg" alt=" - " />
A. They are all gay.

cable card really won't be for 'primetime' until most tv's have cable card 2.0. 1.0 only supports one direction, which means no on-demand. 2.0 is bidirectional.

Originally posted by Got Haggis?:
cable card really won't be for 'primetime' until most tv's have cable card 2.0. 1.0 only supports one direction, which means no on-demand. 2.0 is bidirectional.

TiVo Series 3 will support Cable Card 2.0

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Do we have a more definite idea on the price of Tivo Series 3 yet?

Hey remember this thread?

I finally have an answer for you, Julian, whomever you are these days.

$799.

http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series3HDDVR