A couple of months after making its long (really long) awaited appearance in "select markets" the DirecTiVo is now officially available nationwide. Die-hard fans of the combo of peanut remote and satellite TV finally have a crack at the box for the same $199 up front price tag, plus attached service fee, HD access fee and DVR fee. This also means foregoing things like 3D, multiroom support, Premiere UI and live streaming iPad apps, but that's part of the deal for the TiVo HD DVR from DirecTV. Check the press release after the break for more details on what the box can do, or just hit the source link to head directly to DirecTV's info page.

Continue reading DirecTiVo now available nationwide, please try to contain your excitement

DirecTiVo now available nationwide, please try to contain your excitement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been over three years since we first heard a new TiVo was coming to DirecTV, but the satellite broadcaster has finally revealed it will be available -- in select markets -- starting December 8th, the same day its own HR34 multiroom solution becomes available. Both the HR34 and the TiVo HD DVR from DirecTV (THR22-100) got the official nod in DirecTV's installer forums, informing techs the TiVo box would be available for an extra $5 / month service fee, in addition to the $10 / month HD Access and $7 / month DVR tariffs. What does that extra scratch buy you? The new box can access all of DirecTV's live, on demand and pay-per-view video, downloading updates via satellite, and supports remote DVR scheduling through the website. On the downside however, there's no mention of the new TiVo Premiere UI or internet streaming, and it does not support other add-ons like 3D, whole home DVR, apps, or DirecTV's iPad app. One way or another, starting Thursday customers will have their choice of HD DVR satellite boxes, so hit the source link for a few more details and a PDF spec sheet (also pictured in the gallery).

[Thanks, @TechWzrd]

DirecTV's TiVo ready to return December 8th in a few markets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Posters on the DBSTalk.com forum are reporting they got a quick glimpse of a $99 TiVo HD-DVR from DirecTV on the satellite company's website today, as shown in the screenshot by "J Blow" above. He reports it went through, charging $105 after tax and including a $5 TiVo service fee and $6 receiver lease fee. As ZatzNotFunny points out previous rumors and tweets have suggested a launch this summer, but after so many delays, we're not getting excited just yet.

DirecTiVo surfaces briefly on DirecTV.com, is it almost here? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 12 May 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wondering what's next for Virgin Media's TiVo? Other than the upcoming 500GB model, The Virgin Media TiVo Blog points out a Q&A-style post on TiVo Community indicating users can expect functionality , multiroom streaming, apps for iOS and an end to the current blackout of Sky channels while viewing them in the guide. It also claims the VHD boxes will be able to become hard driveless TiVo boxes, although there may be a fee for the upgrade, while interactive red button functionality is also expected to expand with Sky Sports arriving late 2011/early 2012 and apps for the 2012 Olympics. Hit the source link for all of the info and to put in a few questions of your own if you're so inclined.

Virgin Media TiVo updates to include multiroom, iPad/iPhone apps and more originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While its cable competition deals with fears of cord cutting and losing customers DirecTV's Q4 results reveal it's continuing to add subscribers, growing by 289,000 in the US alone and even more in Latin America. Of course, good news for investors doesn't necessarily mean anything for customers, as news on any new HD channels and the much-anticipated DirecTiVo were notable in their absence. However, our friends at ZatzNotFunny points out both a tweet by the official DirecTV account suggesting the DVR could be delayed (again & again & again) to the second half of the year, and a forum post on DBSTalk that pictures what might be the final hardware and suggests it could end up shipping with the classic TiVo interface.

DirecTV announces record Q4 results, no word on new HD channels or DirecTiVo originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been five years since TiVo first promised DirecTV customers an HD DVR and two years since the company reaffirmed that claim, so if you've been waiting patiently you probably know what we're going to say -- it's been delayed yet again. TiVo marketing VP Joe Miller told PC Magazine that the fabled DirecTiVo will actually appear "early next year," which should give you plenty of time to work out your rage. Before you storm off to your standard-definition video collection, however, there's another thing you might like to know: the executive also not-so-subtly suggested that TiVo's hardware business won't be a focus for long. In a series of increasingly telling quotes, Miller called software the company's "core competence," said it was "in our blood" and "the thing we do well," and even added that "the software is what we're all about." To be completely frank, TiVo has held the gold standard for DVR software for over a decade, but that's mostly because no one successfully stepped up to the plate -- not even TiVo itself, whose Premiere interface shipped the definition of half-baked. So when the company suggests that software is one of its strengths, please pardon a few chuckles from our corner of the room.

TiVo banking on the software business, delays DirecTV HD unit to 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not difficult to guess what's on the soundtrack around DirecTV's headquarters, with revenue and earnings results that beat analysts estimates for the first quarter. That's thanks to higher prices and increased HD and DVR revenue (DirecTiVo? Yeah right, according to the conference call, it could be pushed back until "maybe the end of this year, or maybe early next year,") while it also experienced a net increase of 100,000 subscribers over the period. Of course launching DirecTV 3D is a major focus for the rest of the year, as well as increased VOD with DirecTV Cinema, multi-room viewing (officially rolling out next week) and "connected home" initiatives. All the dirty details are in the reports and transcripts linked below, dive in as deeply as you dare.

DirecTV Q1 results are great for profits, multi-room viewing and RVU -- but not DirecTiVo originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 07 May 2010 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just about all of you can tell us exactly how fast the processor in your computer is, but what about your DVR? We don't give it much thought ourselves until things slow down, but this chart from TiVo Community's Premier FAQ really opens our eyes to why so many DVRs have such crapy interfaces. As you can see, the new TiVo Premier sports a processor that is way faster than just about any DVR out there, and easily dwarfs the old Series3 and TiVo HD. This not only makes it easy to understand why the new Premier interface didn't get back ported to the Series3, but it also makes us wonder what other capabilities might be leveraged by TiVo with this new found power.

The processor in the TiVo Premier is over twice as fast as the Series3 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In this interesting fate of TiVo piece in Multichannel news this week, littered among all the reasons TiVo may or may not make it through the next couple of years was this little gem about the new DirecTV TiVo HD. Perviously promised to be released during 2009 and then delayed until sometime in 2010, Multichannel news now says it is actually anticipated in the spring of 2010. Which means that if it doesn't get delayed again, it wil have taken just under two years since the announcement for it to hit the street. Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else?

New DirecTV TiVo HD due in the Spring of 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Features, DVRs

It is no secret that we have a love hate relationship with TiVo. Many of us use them everyday and could easily fill your ear with gripes. It is one of the reasons we've had TiVo on a deathwatch for almost half of the company's 10 year life. Now we do believe it is the best HD DVR set-top on the market --which isn't saying much -- and because we believe that there is something here to salvage, we try our best to offer some constructive criticism. So when our optimistic side saw news about the $50 price break on the current models, we started to think, dream, that this might be a closeout and that a new TiVo might be imminent.

Here are the facts. TiVo hasn't released a new DVR since the TiVo HD in the Summer of 2007. The last major TiVo announcement was September of 2008 when a new DirecTV HD TiVo was revealed. The chip that makes the TiVo magic happen, just got a big upgrade when Broadcom announced the super feature rich BCM7125. A new 802.11N WiFi adapter was submitted to the FCC, even though the current TiVos can't barely saturate a 802.11G connection. Add all of this in with the fact that 2010 is supposed to be the big year for a real tru2way launch, and we officially have our hopes up that TiVo has a big announcement for 10th CES in January. Now before you get too excited, we should point out that TiVo hasn't made any big announcements at CES since 2005, and has even told some that TiVo won't make big announcements at the show because they tend to be overshadowed. Now we'd argue that if you have something big enough to be a highlight of the show, then there is no better time, otherwise yeah, wait for a slow news day. All that being said, the original DirecTV TiVo HD (2004) and the Series 3 (2005) were both announced at the big show. Of course we will have to wait to find out, but in the meantime click through to see our personal wish list.

Continue reading Is a new TiVo imminent?

Is a new TiVo imminent? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is no secret that we have a love hate relationship with TiVo. Many of us use them everyday and could easily fill your ear with gripes. It is one of the reasons we've had TiVo on a deathwatch for almost half of the company's 10 year life. Now we do believe it is the best HD DVR set-top on the market --which isn't saying much -- and because we believe that there is something here to salvage, we try our best to offer some constructive criticism. So when our optimistic side saw news about the $50 price break on the current models, we started to think, dream, that this might be a closeout and that a new TiVo might be imminent.

Here are the facts. TiVo hasn't released a new DVR since the TiVo HD in the Summer of 2007. The last major TiVo announcement was September of 2008 when a new DirecTV HD TiVo was revealed. The chip that makes the TiVo magic happen just got a big upgrade when Broadcom announced the super feature rich BCM7125. A new 802.11N WiFi adapter was submitted to the FCC, even though the current TiVos can barely utilize all of a 802.11G connection. Add all of this in with the fact that 2010 is supposed to be the big year for a real tru2way launch, and we officially have our hopes up that TiVo has a big announcement for 10th CES in January. Now before you get too excited, we should point out that TiVo hasn't made any big announcements at CES since 2005, and has even told some that TiVo won't make big announcements at the show because they tend to be overshadowed. Now we'd argue that if you have something big enough to be a highlight of the show, then there is no better time, otherwise yeah, wait for a slow news day. All that being said, the original DirecTV TiVo HD (2004) and the Series 3 (2005) were both announced at the big show. Of course we will have to wait to find out, but in the meantime click through to see our personal wish list.

Continue reading Is a new TiVo imminent?

Filed under: Features, DVRs

Is a new TiVo imminent? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Set-top boxes

No doubt TiVo has long since released its proverbial ATRAC codec, but it is so bad now that every time we hear about a TiVo offer, we click on through to find the super lame catch. Of course this time is no different as TiVo is offering up to $100 off a TiVo HD to existing Series 1 or 2 owners. So you probably figured out the catch by now, which is that if you have lifetime on your existing TiVo, you can't transfer it. If you log in and try the site actually suggests you give away your older TiVo or recycle it. It seems that TiVo knows there aren't any alternatives so what are you going to do if you're treated like crap? It's not like there are any comparable acceptable alternatives.

TiVo HD upgrade program helps you save as much as $100 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Satellite

We got pretty excited last week when we saw that the DirecTV Twitter feed indicated that the DirecTV HD TiVo was still on track for the second half of 2009 -- as promised. But shortly after the feed was once again updated and the gem isn't due this year after all. We're not sure what caused the mix-up, but it looks like another year of waiting for those TiVo fans who prefer satellite over cable.

DirecTV HD TiVo actually not due until 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 05 May 2009 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Satellite

We can't believe it, but Twitter is really taking over the world. We mean, first celebrities found it and now it seems to be the source of some solid gadget news: like confirmation from DirecTV that the new DirecTV TiVo HD is on schedule to be released by the end of this year. It's been over six months since DirecTV and TiVo announced plans to once again work together, but after the announcement that DirecTV suspended its Media Center tuner project, we had fears that whatever put that project ice, affected the TiVo project as well. Don't get too excited just yet though, as there is still no word if the new DirecTiVo will be missing key features like TiVoToGo and Multi-Room Viewing, like the old one.

New DirecTV TiVo HD still on schedule for this year originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blockbuster is to be the latest online video-on-demand service to appear on TiVo DVRs.
The pair announced today that they are working to make Blockbuster's service available on all TiVo Series2 and Series3 DVRs (including the HD and HD XL models) in the second half of 2009.

Filed under: DVRs

We had to pinch ourselves and check to see if it was April 1st, because after three years of hearing TiVo fans complain that DirecTV killed off the HD DirecTV TiVo on its move to MPEG4, the satellite company has finally listened. TiVo and DirecTV announced today that sometime during the second half of 2009, a new HD DirecTV TiVo will be available and will include "the latest TiVo and DirecTV features and services" -- there is however no word if this will include favorites such as TiVoToGo or Multi-Room veiwing. Like the previous TiVo models made specifically to work with DirecTV, it will be sold and marketed through DirecTV -- at a yet to be announced price -- and as we've seen in other recent TiVo deals, DirecTV will continue to market and support its own DVR as a "primary offering" which is just fine with us, just so long as we have a choice in the matter, we're cool.

[Thanks, Brad]

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Digital video recorder maker TiVo has reported soaring income for the first quarter of 2008 boosted by higher sales of HD devices and reduced advertising costs.
The California-based company said it earned $3.6 million, or 4 cents per share, for the three months ending April 30.
Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo, said the most significant activity being worked on to boost stand-alone sales of HD devices was relationships with third parties.
He said tests were begun last quarter with bundling with HDTV set sales.