TiVo Finally Launches On Comcast As A Software Upgrade; Limited Rollout and Features
After three years of painstaking work and multiple delays, Comcast will begin marketing TiVo (NSDQ: TIVO), not as a DVR, but as an interface via a premium software upgrade for its DVR customers in the Boston area, reports USAT. It would be rolled out to rest of Comcast customers later this year, the company says. This is also the first deployment based on “tru2way” cable OS system (earlier called OpenCable Platform), supposed to be interoperable among all cable providers, and meant as a joint effort against the threat of satellite and IPTV operators. The OS runs on digital cable set-top boxes and other devices, and major cable operators are just now beginning to deploy it.
It is also the first time Tivo software has been ported on someone else’s box…in this case it is a Motorola (NYSE: MOT) box working on Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA). but this version does not allow for other ancillary functions that a Tivo box has, including access music and photos on the home PC, watch Web videos or transfer recorded shows to other rooms, PCs or mobile players. These features were supposed to integrated when the original announcement was made in 2005.
TiVo’s partnership with Comcast runs at least until 2014, and is badly needed. The DVR company lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers since 2005, when DirecTV (NYSE: DTV) ditched it in favor of its own DVR.
Posted In: Media & Publishing, TV, Cable & Telecom, Companies, Comcast, tivo
Newsletter
Comments (8)
Jan 22, 2008 8:49 PM
Any reports on how much this will cost? One time fee to upgrade DVR software? Or will it be an additional monthly charge?
Jan 22, 2008 8:51 PM
Don
This will probably be a free upgrade, with a monthly fee like your DVR. Will check on pricing…
Jan 29, 2008 12:45 PM
This is great news. Comcast DVR stinks. I can’t wait till I can upgrade to Tivo software. Being that I have had both devices there is NO comparison of how superior Tivo software is to Comcast. Good move Comcast!
When will this be available in Chicago?
Feb 5, 2008 7:01 PM
SOrry to burst people’s bubbles, but I have now had Comcast’s version of TIVO on my Moto box for 2 weeks and my whole family despises, disdains and utterly loathes it. It is truly horrific. They could not have made it worse if they tried. In fact, it is so bad that we have started laughing at all the crazy things it does and wondering if Comcast is videotaping us for a Punked episode.
Here’s a very partial list of Comcast TiVo’s little shop of horrors:
1) ghosts that change channels by themselves;
2) the infamous green screen, much like the Microsoft blue screen of death, that blots out all else on its own whim
3) season passes that create themselves, and can’t be deleted. We have one for the News at 9:00. Even three thumbs down won’t kill it! It is to Comcast Tivo as Spyware, Malware and WOrmware are to one’s PC
4) DELAYS like you’ve never seen before—delays changing channels, delays going to OnDemand, menu delays, time setting delays, searching and taping and deleting delays…
5) If nothing else proves how horrific and nighmarish this thing is, then get this: my whole family is praying to get our old Comcast interface back as soon as possible!!! The irony is, when I called Comcast to ditch this horror show, they begged me to keep the Tivo until a new patch came out. Would anyone like to venture a guess as to the timef rame for aforementioned “illusory” patch?
Feb 11, 2008 11:27 AM
Agree with J.
We get a green screen of death everyday and the box is incredibly slowwww…...
Terrible.
Feb 25, 2008 11:21 AM
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.
We’re returning it today. We had to reset the box a dozen times yesterday because of the green screen.
Apr 23, 2008 10:40 AM
Check out my review on TIVCAST. Not so good.
http://topwebscams.com/website/Home/tabid/36/EntryID/3/Default.aspx
Dec 12, 2008 10:55 AM
When will tiv bo be available in Monroeville new jersey? Will yu call me when it is . can i view the shows in any room? that is what i am waiting for. thank you.