September 12th, 2006
TiVo Series3™ HD Digital Media Recorder Released
By Chief Gizmateer
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Today, TiVo began offering the Series3™ HD Digital Media Recorder, an incredible new universe of entertainment possibilities combining the best of both worlds: the amazing TiVo service with high-definition television. Packages available include one, two and three year prepaid plans as well as a one year monthly plan. For a limited time, the three year plan will be available for the two year price.
The Series3™ HD Digital Media Recorder is the only Digital Media Recorder with THX®-certification, Dual CableCARD support and advanced TiVo broadband features including digital photos, Internet radio, podcasts, and more. Apparently, TiVo had to cut some features while raising the price significantly to $799 plus a monthly service fee though.
I smell an uncoming Gizmo of the Day!
Source: Gizmos for Geeks
Kris says:
with all the media on copywrite and bootleg cd’s why do they allow the continued production of recording devices? I read in another blog that they are trying to prevent fastforwarding. Is that not just absorb?
September 12th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
Mike says:
$799 AND a monthly fee… come on. I could see the $799 if the monthly fee was waved, but i can grab one from Dish network for a lease upgrade of $199. I know they are in a legal battle, and I hope Tivo gets stomped since they cant have proprietary control over dvr technology, no matter how hard they try.
I have used a Tivo once, and I liked my dish receiver a TON better.
Mike
Please dont feed the ridiculous charges by actually buying one of these WAAAAYYYYYY overpriced pieces of plastic that you then have to pay WAAAAYYYYY too much monthly for.
September 13th, 2006 at 3:31 am
Snopesman says:
I am excited to see TiVo finally come out with the device, but the price is too high for me to even think of affording. I currently own a Series 1 and a Series 2 and would consider this model if there was
1) truly compelling HD content - right now everything I want is available in standard-def, and I don’t see that going away anytime soon. I generally listen to sporting events while I am doing something else, and that’s probably the most compelling thing now. Most other stuff I watch looks just fine or has no HD broadcast anyway.
2) I had a HDTV — I have two quality 27″ screens in the house, and they work just fine. I’ve seen HD, and yes it is pretty, but I’ve got other places to spend $1000+ that are a lot more important.
The only thing that makes this thing remotely interesting to me is the limited-time offer to existing customers to carry over the lifetime subscription …. but still, $800 is a lot. If the price was $2-300 I would be a lot more interested, and I’m sure a lot of other people would, too. Luckily, as time goes on the price will probably drop anyway.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:08 am
ValuedCustomer says:
I’ve been using TimeWarner’s DVR for around 4 years now. It does everything I want it to, and when it doesn’t, I drive by the TW building at lunch and exchange it for a new one, no questions asked. why the hell would I change anything?? - if it ain’t broke..
September 13th, 2006 at 11:19 am
Jim Frost says:
Unforunately I have a Comcast DVR, one of the Motorola boxes, for recording HD. It’s the worst consumer electronics device I have ever seen, bar none. It is slow, has a lousy interface, has a hard time picking up commands from the remote (both its own and the excellent Harmony I usually use), skips stuff when recording, misses recordings, has no search capability for looking for things to record, and many other shortcomings.
Maybe if I could use the Scientific Atlanta box I would be happier, but I miss the Tivo whenever I do HD recording.
My order is in for the Series3. It’s worth the money if only so I can ditch the Comcast box. The fact that it means I can ditch the Comcast HD box, the Comcast low-def box currently on the Tivo, and the ATSC box all at once makes it a big win.
It’s pricey, but the price should come down over time if you’re willing to forego being an early adopter.
September 13th, 2006 at 1:41 pm