TiVo quietly upgrades software in DVRs

TiVo has been quietly upgrading the software used by the digital video recorders that access its service. The company has been uploading the new version of its software, version 3.0, to recorders for the last week and expects to have all machines updated in two to three weeks. TiVo began selling its second-generation recorder, the Series2, in retail stores earlier this month. Representatives said the new software is mainly meant to get the two existing generations of recorders that use its service onto a common software foundation. That way, TiVo won't have to develop two versions of new features for each generation of DVR. Sony and Philips manufactured first-generation TiVo DVRs.

Subscribers to TiVo's service should not notice any significant changes. Company representatives said TiVo upgrades software about twice a year. Digital video recorders are similar to VCRs, but instead of recording shows to a tape they store them on a hard drive. Among other features, the service lets subscribers "pause" live broadcasts and resume play without missing any material; users can also fast forward to catch up with the live feed.