 GlobalMindDomino Dude, POWER Systems GuyPremium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL | So let's do the run down.... Yep I'd agree storage isn't really the problem. We sell lots of storage & storage virtualization systems. This isn't the issue. Delivery will be the problem they need to cope with.
In terms of TiVo specifically, the networked DVR won't kill off TiVo unless it offers something better than what TiVo can offer itself. And rest assured that regardless of any ruling against them, cablecos will endeavor to make TiVo's life difficult on their networks.
So let's see:
* Monthly price - this is almost a wash today
* Hardware price - long term I'd suspect a wash also but haven't done the math on that, initial sticker shock on TiVo will send some folks to Cable DVR.
* HD support...cable has the upper hand here in my view. TiVo needs cablecards, and we've seen the problems with those. Unless they can handle HD output from the STB into TiVo with no fidelity loss cable wins on this one.
Mux in the SDV issue with cablecard and there you have it.
* Ease of use - TiVo generally wins here. At least on Comcast (I have both a Comcast DVR and TiVo) the DVR interface sucks wind. It is slow and feature poor. TiVo Software on a Comcast Moto DVR was supposed to be coming but honestly I won't hold my breath since it's only been in a couple areas.
* Customer flexibility - TiVo customers have more choice on what they do with the content they record. Hollywood hates this. Cable does too. Add on remote scheduling and all the other extras and TiVo wins here. However, if cable would say add remote scheduling (entirely possible I'd think) and some sort of Slingbox functionality to a head-end DVR and I think they've got a good product. But of course the interface has to be there too.
At least those are my points. Those customers with SDef TiVos who can get HD cable STBs see the difference and might go to a HD DVR cable box. If they try to go to TiVo HD they face potential (not always) cablecard issues.
They're on a knife edge I think, and should have looked to sfw licensing a long time ago. Thing is it would also be feature stripped from what we know & love on TiVo today. I also agree TiVo should also be looking at more networked technology if they intend to stick around much longer.
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TheGlobalMind.com | Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? | Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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