Tivo EPG will lack some channels

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buzzy

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#44264 26-Oct-2009 09:44

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/2998793/Sky-Maori-TV-rain-on-TiVos-parade

Apparently Maori TV and Sky won't be giving their EPG data to Tivo any time soon. This stems from Maori TV's recent stoush with TVNZ and TV3 over the rugby world cup broadcasting rights, and Sky's concern about tracking viewers on Prime.

How silly...

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#266802 26-Oct-2009 09:46

No EPG = less people watching their channels.

Silly people, using old media strategy. Set the information free and you win. Lock it and people will find a way, regardless of your "strategy".

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tomgeeknz

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#266813 26-Oct-2009 10:29

Looks like another great reason NOT to buy TiVo. Let's make a list:
- No Prime EPG (don't watch Maori tv)
- Telecom exclusivity of features
- Price tag $920 compared with say Magic TV 3600 at $799 for the benefit of a limited range of pay-per-view movies and on demand tvnz programs (if I want to watch a program I will record it)
- 160Gb hdd vs 500gb hdd

freitasm

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#266818 26-Oct-2009 10:37

The TiVo is a lot more than just a recorder. The Telecom "exclusive" features is just the download of pay content - which you don't have on any other Freeview box anyway.

So it comes down to no Maori TV EPG (is Prime EPG confirmed not to be there?)

The TiVo adds some more features you don't have on Freeview boxes. For example you can setup recordings over the Internet, which is handy if you are away and find out there's a TV program you want to record. Also other Internet-based functions that don't exist on Freeview boxes.

So I still think it's hard to say "another great reason not to buy TiVo" when in fact should be "another item to balance when deciding to buy or not a TiVo".

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tomgeeknz

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Ultimate Geek

#266822 26-Oct-2009 10:46

True and yes prime epg is not going to be there as per article in origional post. As for recording over the Internet sure it would be nice but you have to have an epg to record on that channel so if you don't you can't record it. As far as I can see TiVo offers nothing more than magic tv that I will have any use for and the magic tv has some things that I do that TiVo does not.

Jughead

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#266874 26-Oct-2009 14:26

Sky spokesman Tony O'Brien says it decided not to provide Prime's
listings until at least 2012 because Hybrid cannot track viewer
numbers. He says it is also "slightly uncomfortable" with the exclusive
nature of the partnership between Hybrid and Telecom, which will sell
TiVo for $899. "We like to partner with all internet providers.

I call bull**** on this one. Firstly Sky have no problem with exlusive partnerships with Vodafone on thier mobile network.

It's obvious what is going on here. Sky are worried about TiVo taking thier market share so are putting up barriers any way it can. (remember they were dragged kicking and screaming in the Freeview who also don't track viewer numbers as i understand it)

Someone should drop a friendly letter to the commerce commission on this one, looks pretty anti competitive to me.

As for Maori TV, this is classic cutting of your nose to spite your face. I will want to watch the free to air games of the RWC on Maori tv but I won't be able to find it on my guide so I watch it on TV3/TVNZ.

I will be writing to both networks asking them to provide a guide so I can watch thier programmes and in turn thier adverts...Any one else find it a little odd that I need to ASK to watch thier adverts!?

Any views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of my employer Telecom NZ

rscole86

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#266877 26-Oct-2009 14:34

thefatmould: Looks like another great reason NOT to buy TiVo. Let's make a list:

To be honest, this list aint so great.

- No Prime EPG (don't watch Maori tv)

Yeah this is a pain, but a lot of people to read newspapers and tv-guides. Or they already know when their favourite shows are on. So for a lot of people this is a moot point.

- Telecom exclusivity of features

This is a bonus above every other PVR out there, not a limiting feature.

- Price tag $920 compared with say Magic TV 3600 at $799 for the benefit of a limited range of pay-per-view movies and on demand tvnz programs (if I want to watch a program I will record it)

Does MagicTV have wireless? at $920 the TiVo does, or at $899 it only has ethernet. Again, $100 for bonus features of a TiVo, a lot of people would be happy with that.

- 160Gb hdd vs 500gb hdd

Seriously now, how much many TV shows is there going to be recorded at any time? Most people wll watch and delete anyway.

Now I am not saying TiVo is the way to go, and unless I get given one, I will probaby not buy one. But while I am here... lets plug the 'e-sata' connectivity of the TiVo. :P

CYaBro

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#266904 26-Oct-2009 15:49

So how are they going to stop the EPG for Prime and Moari channel only?
Won't that stop them from working on any other Freeview STB?

tomgeeknz

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Ultimate Geek

#266905 26-Oct-2009 15:53

No Tivo gets its EPG via internet so it is seperate from the Freeview EPG. At least that is how I read in to it

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#266906 26-Oct-2009 15:53

not having Prime is a major blow. It might well sway me not to buy a TiVo now.
shame, I was looking forward to ditching MySky and the $80/month I pay them

Skys excuses for why they won't provide it smell like so much BS to me.

LennonNZ

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#266907 26-Oct-2009 15:55

As the EPG is downloaded via the Internet on the TiVo (DVB-T doesn't have a "working" EIT EPG) so they will have to do it this way.

They just won't include the Prime and MaoriTV Data..

tomgeeknz

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Ultimate Geek

#266908 26-Oct-2009 15:55

It already has swayed me unless this "surprise feature" is not that their home networking kit will be free or they have put in a bigger HDD.

NonprayingMantis

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Uber Geek

#266909 26-Oct-2009 15:56

- Price tag $920 compared with say Magic TV 3600 at $799 for the benefit of a limited range of pay-per-view movies and on demand tvnz programs (if I want to watch a program I will record it)

has the range of Ondemand programmes and Movies been announced? I haven't seen anything yet.
Would appreciate a link please.

LennonNZ

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#266917 26-Oct-2009 16:12

Also to note.. I emailed them about if HME applications will be allowed and I got an email saying they don't have any answer to this yet (and this was 2 weeks ago ). If you didn't know HME applications are applications which can be run on the TivO via a certain protocol such as games, streaming etc.

If HME applications are allowed it would be great as It will allow ppl to write applications whicah can be used on the Tivo like games, applications, movies etc

tomgeeknz

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Ultimate Geek

#266925 26-Oct-2009 16:39

No i am only assuming that that is what it is

RockResearch

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#267033 26-Oct-2009 20:52

Couldn't someone at TiVo just buy a copy of TV Guide and enter the tv schedule data in manually?, or am I missing something here?

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