 | | Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat Man, TiVo has fallen so far.
Media Center and DirecTV run rings around them now. | |
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 | Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
 ·Verizon FiOS
 ·voip.ms
| Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat $250 (cost + lifetime) for a device that cost max $40 to make is bordering on extortion.
The tuner dynamic allocation problem means they were caught flat footed and have to rewrite the entire stack, or wait until T4 comes out to fix this GAPING problem.
In the meantime I can buy a Roku box for $99 ($50 if I'm cheap) that can do more, except DVR. But soon I hear FIOS app will be here...
In the meantime my XB360 that I bought for $120 fit the bill. I have XB family pack, so it's $70/4 devices/year, and it's NOT necessary for DVR functionality, but I use for Netflix/Amazon, etc.
If you compare the Tivo cost to say FIOS, DISH, DTV w/ full room DVR, it costs MORE. You essentially pay them same per month + you have to buy the equipment. In the case of TWC in my area, you need to hook up some ungodly 20 Watt guzzling SDV box to see anything but broadcast. Ultra fail. When Verizon comes out w/ their IP boxes, and Microsoft it will be rough for this darling of technology. They can sit back and sip their patent royalty fees and just die already.
On top of that istuff only, no Android support. I guess they didn't get the memo.
I cannot fathom why they need to charge $6, other than some bean counter needs to keep pricing in line w/ say retail (optimum, etc). | |
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| | | | Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat $40? It has MPEG 2, MPEG 4 and VC-1 decoding capabilities, provides Ethernet and MoCA network interfaces and supports true Live TV and Comcast VoD if that is your cable company.
Roku is a different product altogether, it's unfair to compare the two. I plan on having a Mini and Roku at every TV Outlet in the house. TiVo Mini for live and recorded TV content, Roku for Online services. | |
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| | | Reviews:
·Time Warner Cable
·Verizon FiOS
·voip.ms
| Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat Sorta. The Roku 2 and now the Roku 3 has most of those capabilities sans the Moca connection, however you can get a node online for $35-$40. The Roku will stream live TWC channels (direct IP), and I hear FIOS app is coming. I can do it on my pad today for free (I didn't have to pay $$$ for a Tivo stream). I also added Plex (which is still beta and unreliable) so that handles movies. The big problem is DRM, and that is causing incompatibilities between products. No DRM and we would have tons of innovative solutions.
DVRs are going into the cloud, so all that will be left is some OTT interface, so I guess where does that leave Tivo?
This Tivo device doesn't even have the main apps (netflix, amazon,etc) so you are FORCED to buy an OTT device on top of this. Now figure out 2 Moca nodes coming out of a wall, or go wireless on one and prey. The dollars add up fast.
With W7MC, which I agree is not as elegant as Tivo, my 5 xboxes have all the apps and DVR functionality (only 1 box needed). My issue is that Microsoft (for now) is not really putting $$$ into it, and I'm afraid it's dead, so I will need to find an alternative in a few years. I paid no more than $130 (they were all refurb), they play games, the occasional DVD, and everything else. My MC runs inside an ESX VM, so no dedicated hardware. It's too bad MSFT never really developed a Tivo-like master controller. They could have killed the market.
Tivo invented this market, it's just a shame that they keep putting out half assed products with Apple pricing. It's a huge let down, more than anything else. I used to love my Series 1 then Directivo, but back then they only charged $5 for 2 of them/month.... | |
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| | | | | | Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat Tivo Premiere has youtube, netflix, amazon, comcast on demand, some crackle, and a couple web only channels. | |
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| | swarto112Premium
join:2004-02-17
Brookfield, WI Reviews:
·Time Warner Cable
| I just moved out of a FIOS market to TWC. TIVO on FIOS is awesome, FIOS dvr blows. MOCA rocks.
On TWC now...TIVO isnt the problem, its TWC dragging its tail to LOOK like theyre conforming to the stuff theyve signed off on for compatibility. They have MOCA but every tech Ive spoke to says they will get fired on the spot for installing for a customer. It kils their network. | |
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|  CabalPremium
join:2007-01-21
Austin, TX
·Suddenlink
| I can't imagine paying $250 for this thing, on top of TiVo's already exorbitant pricing.
We picked up another XBox for extender use over last Thanksgiving for $150 brand new. And it plays games if you want it to.
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If you can't open it, you don't own it. | |
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| BiggA
join:2005-11-23
EARTH Reviews:
·Comcast
| I have MCE now, and it really sucks. The hardware is powerful, but it's not that reliable, and the interface is pretty but not very functional. I'm going back to TiVo, I'm just debating whether to get an XL4 or wait for the next generation of hardware. | |
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| | swarto112Premium
join:2004-02-17
Brookfield, WI | Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat I have a TIvo HD XL and a XL4 ...i love the new one. I hear theyre coming out with a XL6 if the upswing in Mini occur and/or if the cablecos that are rolling them out ask for them | |
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| | | BiggA
join:2005-11-23
EARTH | Re: Microsoft and DirecTV has them beat Yeah, presumably with a faster SOC as well. | |
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compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Dynamic Tuner Allocation is due out in Q2 This device kicks ass. The Media Center argument does not apply and most people buying this device have no clue how to set one up. This system mimics Direct TV's Genie almost entirely... and for the money this device at 6 dollars a month is much cheaper than what most cable companies charge for another HD box in a room | |
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| | | Re: Dynamic Tuner Allocation is due out in Q2 said by comp:This device kicks ass. The Media Center argument does not apply and most people buying this device have no clue how to set one up. This system mimics Direct TV's Genie almost entirely... and for the money this device at 6 dollars a month is much cheaper than what most cable companies charge for another HD box in a room
Without dynamic tuner sharing this device is DOA. I have 4 TVs to serve in my house and I can't lose a tuner for each one.
Sure, it's supposedly coming in Q2 but how half assed to introduce a product without a key feature which all the competitors have!
You can also buy a media center box pre-built from an OEM. No need to hassle with software/hardware build. Those have 6 tuners instead of 4 in the TiVo.
The Genie has 5 tuners, and the genie mini doesn't take away a tuner.
The 4 tuner Premiere XL4 doesn't even support over the air antenna TV. DirecTV's genie does with the add on AM21 tuner. Media center does if you add an OTA tuner.
Once again, TiVo is half baked, too little, too late. They used to lead the industry now they are halfway copying everyon else! | |
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| | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: Dynamic Tuner Allocation is due out in Q2 Not sure where you have been but the Genie Client does take away a tuner from the Genie. And Direct TV had there whole home without dynamic tuner allocation out for years before the genie finalized all of that... I know.. I had it
Tivo has filed with the FCC to come out with a 6 Tuner box later this year and also looks to be bringing back OTA | |
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| | | | | Re: Dynamic Tuner Allocation is due out in Q2 said by comp:Not sure where you have been but the Genie Client does take away a tuner from the Genie. I have the HR34 genie in my house right now with three genie minis (genie client). The tuners are in a pool. Only when watching live TV do you lose a tuner to that mini. Otherwise when you shut it off it goes back into the pool and can be used to record or watch on the main HR34 or on a mini. As I understand it, TiVo's extender does NOT do this...They have ONE tuner that is allocated dedicated to the TiVo Mini. Also, you are allowed a max of TWO minis and they both share the same tuner!!!
Media center allows you up to 8 extenders, 5 can be used simultaneously and they can share any number of tuners you have in your media center box.
DirecTV HR34 allows you up to 5 extenders, 3 can be used simultaneously and they share the 5 tuners in the HR34.
TiVo mini allows you 2 extenders, one of which can be used at a time to watch live TV.
I've had the first two in my house. The third one would definitely not cut the mustard here.
And Direct TV had there whole home without dynamic tuner allocation out for years before the genie finalized all of that... I know.. I had it
Tivo has filed with the FCC to come out with a 6 Tuner box later this year and also looks to be bringing back OTA
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| | | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: Dynamic Tuner Allocation is due out in Q2 Yes Tivo is behind Direct TV here. No Question about it. But when Dynamic Tuner is released, the mini will work the same as the genie does.
The dedicated tuner is only required for now
This will allow 9 minis to work with 1 4 tuner Premiere | |
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| |  tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3
1 edit | This fills a need for those who already have TiVo's, at a normal TiVo markup. note it's the service cost where they make the money so the box is cost plus marketing/dealer markup. | |
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 mech1164I'll Be Back
join:2001-11-19
Lodi, NJ | Ahh NO As great as this tech is the fees just kill it outright. I'd rather build a decent HTPC with cable card support then to pay and pay again with TIVO. Oh wait I did that. As far as i'm concerned TIVO can just pound sand and lament WTF happened to them. All self inflicted by them. | |
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| ciucca
join:2004-05-24
Westfield, NJ | Re: Ahh NO why all the negativity? 
The way I see it. I have a FIOS HD box that cost $6.99 a month, on a TV that is not used all that often. In three years the box pays for itself. I have 2 Premiere XLs with 4 tuners each. I think I can spare one tuner | |
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 DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 | $6 fee for what ? What is tivo providing for $6 a month, nothing ? What update. No thanks Tivo . | |
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| compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by DaveDude:What is tivo providing for $6 a month, nothing ? What update. No thanks Tivo .
What is my cable company providing for the 10 dollars they charge me for a HD Box? Nothing.. or Verizon provide the other guy for 7 dollars nothing | |
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| | DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 | Re: $6 fee for what ? you are confused , i own the box, not the cable company, what added value is the extra $150, none. | |
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| | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? You own what box? You can not buy any box from any cable company. and unless you shelled out hundreds of dollars to Direct TV or Dish.. you dont own those boxes either
and if you are referring to the Tivo.. you are paying them 150 just because.. dont like it.. go fly a kite | |
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| | | Then pay $250 and get the whole thing without monthly updates... I don't understand why everyone's panties are in a bunch. The prices are nothing new if you are in TiVo's ecosystem. | |
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| | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA | Re: $6 fee for what ? I dont either Direct TV charges a upfront fee for every piece of hardware plus a monthly fee | |
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| IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ | TIVO has fully lost the plot. They make you overpay for this new "box" and then want a service fee on top?! Remember this extra fee is being charged to an existing TIVO customer who already pays loads of money for the electronic guide. Just shows that TIVO think their customers are fools and an easy touch for even more aggregious fees. 101 in business is do not disrespect your customer base by treating them as patsies and if you do they will most certainly turn on you. | |
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| | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by IanR:TIVO has fully lost the plot. They make you overpay for this new "box" and then want a service fee on top?! Remember this extra fee is being charged to an existing TIVO customer who already pays loads of money for the electronic guide. Just shows that TIVO think their customers are fools and an easy touch for even more aggregious fees. 101 in business is do not disrespect your customer base by treating them as patsies and if you do they will most certainly turn on you.
LOL yup because the box and all the money to develop and support it. the box should be free!! | |
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| | | DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by comp:said by IanR:TIVO has fully lost the plot. They make you overpay for this new "box" and then want a service fee on top?! Remember this extra fee is being charged to an existing TIVO customer who already pays loads of money for the electronic guide. Just shows that TIVO think their customers are fools and an easy touch for even more aggregious fees. 101 in business is do not disrespect your customer base by treating them as patsies and if you do they will most certainly turn on you.
LOL yup because the box and all the money to develop and support it. the box should be free!! Well the developers at Roku, sure must be better, there box only cost what $40
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They Live... We Sleep...
“Spreading the wealth around” never results in a better outcome for people. It always results in destruction.
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| | | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? Yes and the box is just a streaming device.
Do you also compare a Roku to a HD cable box you have plugged into your TV?
The Mini is meant to be a companion to a whole home system. Like a Genie Client with Direct TV and like how cable companies use them for whole home
it is not meant to be a Roku.
Compare the Roku to apple TV | |
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| | | | | DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by comp:Yes and the box is just a streaming device.
Do you also compare a Roku to a HD cable box you have plugged into your TV?
The Mini is meant to be a companion to a whole home system. Like a Genie Client with Direct TV and like how cable companies use them for whole home
it is not meant to be a Roku.
Compare the Roku to apple TV
Well a tivo can do on-demand, (streaming), so why cant Roku ? Still no reason for this box's price. Genie is still cheaper.
--
They Live... We Sleep...
“Spreading the wealth around” never results in a better outcome for people. It always results in destruction.
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| | | | | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA | Re: $6 fee for what ? Tivo can only do On Demand from Comcast in certain markets. The Mini also can only do streaming from Hulu and Youtube
and on Solidsignal Genie Client Receivers are 99 dollars plus the monthly fees | |
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| | | | | | | DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by comp:Tivo can only do On Demand from Comcast in certain markets. The Mini also can only do streaming from Hulu and Youtube
and on Solidsignal Genie Client Receivers are 99 dollars plus the monthly fees
So Tivo has nothing to offer, then Genie. So why choose Tivo? I cant think of reason. | |
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| | | | | | | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? If you prefer cable to Satellite and cant stand your cable companies DVR.
I cant get Direct TV with my location so cable is my only option. the cable DVR's suck. So i have 2 regular Tivo Premieres, the stream and a Premiere 4. I will add a Mini to another BD in the near future | |
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| | | | | | | | | DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by comp:If you prefer cable to Satellite and cant stand your cable companies DVR.
I cant get Direct TV with my location so cable is my only option. the cable DVR's suck. So i have 2 regular Tivo Premieres, the stream and a Premiere 4. I will add a Mini to another BD in the near future
So are you claiming tivo has no advantage over Satellite ? | |
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| | | | | | | | | compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA Reviews:
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| Re: $6 fee for what ? said by DaveDude:said by comp:If you prefer cable to Satellite and cant stand your cable companies DVR.
I cant get Direct TV with my location so cable is my only option. the cable DVR's suck. So i have 2 regular Tivo Premieres, the stream and a Premiere 4. I will add a Mini to another BD in the near future
So are you claiming tivo has no advantage over Satellite ? Right now to me it is the same.
I have a 4 Tuner Premiere which matches the Genie.. I can get a mini which acts as a client or just another premiere for another TV.
Either way they all see each other for whole home
I have a stream which is the same as a direct TV Nomad....
So honestly right now no, hardware wise no difference.
Content is different based on your cable company | |
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See 16 replies to this post |
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Reviews:
 ·T-Mobile US
| Premiere 4 only... Disappointed that you must have a Primiere 4 channel DVR, even if you don't watch live TV. I have a 2 channel primiere DVR and have been eagerly waiting. Guess I will be passing. I only need 2 channels and there are no other reasons to upgrade to a 4 channel.
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This Space for Rent... | |
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 bbrlogueLearning New Things DailyPremium
join:2003-12-07
Alexandria, VA | Yeah, all that for no content. In the days where things are streamed (legally) and people are more willing to pay for it (Roku, Amazon, Netflix, Redbox Instant to name a few), TiVo is still stuck in the VCR days. | |
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See 6 replies to this post |
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| | Does noone realize who this is designed for? This is designed for the average Joe that doesn't have time or doesn't want to deal with a HTPC and all that goes along with it.
Everyone here is probably in the top 15% of the general public in being tech savvy. So no this isn't for you or me.
I will buy one of these for my Mom that isn't tech savvy and has a Premiere4. It is perfect. | |
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|  aaronwtPremium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
·Verizon FiOS
| Re: Does noone realize who this is designed for? said by Anonguy :This is designed for the average Joe that doesn't have time or doesn't want to deal with a HTPC and all that goes along with it.
Everyone here is probably in the top 15% of the general public in being tech savvy. So no this isn't for you or me.
I will buy one of these for my Mom that isn't tech savvy and has a Premiere4. It is perfect.
This is still for tech savy people. I was recording HD content from OTA with my HTPCs back in 2001. I could easily put together some PCs now to record from FiOS if I wanted to. But why bother when the interface won't be as good as what TiVo has. Plus the TiVos are much cheaper in the long run since the Lifetime boxes have a high resale value. And TiVos are very easy to sell. I've sold close to thirty TiVos since late 2001 and never had any issue selling one. Especially when they have lifetime service, they sell very quickly. And I recoup most (and sometimes all) of my initial cost of the box including the lifetime service fee..
Plus they work. There is no maintenance required by me for the TiVos. And they are extremely reliable. Since getting TiVo in 2001/2002, I can count on two hands the number of times I've missed a recording. My neighbors can't even go one year(sometimes six months) without missing more recordings than that from their FiOS and Comcast DVRs. | |
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DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 | if you bought 4. If you bought 4, that about $1000 dollars ,the same prices or less than a new tivo. So might as well not bother. | |
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