said by packetscan :

We always get shafted.. Thanks DirectV.

The files will be watermarked and traceable to originating computers to discourages piracy.

said by Nightfall :

Personally, I will stick with the neutered DirecTivo than go with a standalone Tivo or the Comcast DVR. Just my opinion.

TiVo’s plan to allow customers to transfer television programmes to Apple’s video iPod threatens to create a new showdown between the company and television networks and studios, who are intent on controlling their content as it migrates to digital platforms.

Some lawyers and media analysts on Monday predicted that the networks would take legal action to block TiVo’s efforts, although none had yet publicly commented on their plans.

“I’d be very surprised if TiVo doesn’t get a ‘cease-and-desist’ letter from the intellectual property owners,” said Tom Selz, founding partner of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, a law firm that specialises in media issues.

said by sporkme :

Yeah, hard to beat getting the bits from the satellite direct to hard drive.

And you can somewhat "un-neuter" it if you want.