Comments on: TiVo makes HD leap, but at a steep price

Series3 DVR lets you record and display in high def, if you're willing to pay $799 for that quality.
TiVo Series3 reviewed

[Seaspray0]

Indeed

The story comments "TiVo needs to offer a lot more than the vanilla DVRs consumers can already get from their cable companies." Indeed they do. If they want to charge a monthly fee, they need to do more than "a lot more". Consumers are going to ask, "why pay a monthly fee to record programs when I can do it for free on a VCR?" I suspect cable companies will follow suit with upgrading their DVR's to HDTV, and at $999 a pop, this box better cook dinner as well.

[kingofgods]

Already HD

Cable DVRs were capable of recording in HD

[ralfthedog]

You can't hack your cable box

The advantage of owning your own DVR is that you can hack it. Want more HD space, cool. Would you like to move files to your local network, not a prob.

Perhaps your are far braver than I am, but I don't think I will be taking apart my Cox cable or my Dish network boxes.

[einstein1966]

Cox Cable

Regarding Cox cable, they actually do allow you to expand your storage on their DVRs. At least the one I have you can. Its an HD DVR and I can hook up an external USB 2.0 hard drive to it of whatever size I want. (Only one though.) The user interface/features are not the best, but it's easy to use. First half of next year though, Cox will allow me to upgrade the cable box/DVR to turn it into a Tivo via a software download. I can't wait! Intregration with Cox's program guide plus HD, plus Tivo = happy camper!

[QuietStormX]

Give me a break!

This still dosen't tell me why the HIGH Price? THX... SO! I didn't notice any TXH connections on the back view. What are the expensive parts that make up the high price? Cable Card is not expensive.

I think TIVO is wrong about this series3.

[paulsecic]

I don't need it

because I don't have HD, nor do I care about it until all channels are in HD.

[ralfthedog]

THX is not a connection type.

THX is not a connection type, it is an audio quality standard created by George Lucas. HD is expensive in general. If this TiVo has THX home certification it has the best audio and video output available in the home market. Far better output than what you get through your cable box (Remember you only get as good of a picture as your cable company sends you). This is not for everyone, only those who are willing to pay for the best. Over time the price will go down.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Give me a break!

I won't buy one simply because they don't offer a unit that
doesn't include them sapping dollars from you on a monthly
basis.

I'm getting tired of my RCA DRS7000N, but Tivo is definately not
included in any of the units I'll look at.

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com

[hoss117]

VoD

One big problem i see is that the Cable Card system won't allow
Video On Demand. Although VoD isn't HD its still nice
sometimes to be able to watch shows and movies on the
premium channels on VoD without having to record them first.
So while Tivo may offer some enhancements of the cable boxes
they will also not offer certain features.

As for THX certification, I'm sure it may offer some quality
enhancements, but its a pretty vague label. There isn't really a
strict definition for THX certification of that kind of equipment
and it seems as though THX in terms of home stuff is more of a
label that can be licensed to put on any fairly decent piece of
equipment. I'd also say that there is a ton of super high end,
awesome home theater gear out there that isn't THX certified, so
that also brings into question that relevance of THX certification.

I love Tivo and the way it works and i hate the way my cable box
works, but that difference still isn't worth 800 in my eyes. I'd be
willing to pay a bit of an additional monthly fee or possibly a few
hundred dollars for a box, but not a monthly fee plus several
hundred for the box, especially without the VoD.

[megazone]

It is not for everyone

Heh, I never expected to be quoted as the lead-in to the article. :-)

As I said in my review, the Series3 is expensive. It is not for everyone, that is clear. And it isn't *meant* for everyone. This isn't TiVo's only product. The Series2 and Series2DT are still available, and the S2DT will be available for some time. After rebates, they're going for less than $100, and with some deals they're basically free.

TiVo also has deals with Comcast and Cox to bring the TiVo software to Motorola DVRs. Comcast expects to have the software in field trials this year, with widespread availability early next. Cox plans to have the software available in early 2007.

And, honestly, the price of the S3 will come down. $800 is the launch price, and it includes the early adopter tax that suckers like myself will pay to have the new toy faster. I readily admit I'll be paying more for the S3 than someone who waits a few months. But we all have to treat ourselves in some way, my weakness is gadgets, especially TiVo. I'm sure you'll be seeing it from online resellers for less than MSRP soon, and then the price will come down - there will probably be rebates, promotions, etc. Remember, the original 14-hour TiVo cost more back in 1999.