TiVo slowly dying... [from Gizmodo]

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chiefie

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#50808 26-Nov-2009 09:31

Just spotted this on Gizmodo. http://gizmodo.com/5412735/tivo-is-slowly-dying

This from TiVo's SEC filing for last quarter, which shows the company losing 314,000 subscribers in the period, capping more than year an a half of fairly steady decline. They lay claim to just 8% of the roughly 38m active DVRs in the US right now. This is not great.

Hmmmm and we just got TiVo in this country.

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#276407 26-Nov-2009 09:35

Very bad comparison... TiVo in the U.S. is a subscription service, and in New Zealand it's a FTA service. VERY DIFFERENT.

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#276424 26-Nov-2009 10:09

Yes, TiVo USA and TiVo NZ are two totally different business models.

Here we pay no monthly charge for using the box unlike some other territories where they have a Sky-like subscription plan.

Don't fear, we're not in the same (sinking?) boat?

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#276430 26-Nov-2009 10:17

Different scenarios indeed, but if a worst case scenario happened, and TiVo INC went down...
Would we be able to update/patch/hack our TiVos to source EPG data from another source?
Do Telecom guarantee the service to continue for x years?

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#276431 26-Nov-2009 10:17

Unless Tivo here goes bust then you'll have no guide data ;-)

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#276432 26-Nov-2009 10:19

And that's why I stick with a Media Center solution - either DYI or get a good, cheaper Freeview DVR.

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#276433 26-Nov-2009 10:20

jofizz: Different scenarios indeed, but if a worst case scenario happened, and TiVo INC went down...
Would we be able to update/patch/hack our TiVos to source EPG data from another source?
Do Telecom guarantee the service to continue for x years?

Cheers,
Joseph

The USA ones would 'brick' if they couldn't call home after a certain amount of tries/time. Though that's the subscription model and not the free to air NZ model. Hacking of the newer models of Tivo (as this one is) isn't possible. That was only possible on the Series 1 model.

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chiefie

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#276458 26-Nov-2009 10:54

IT is very different business model, however TiVo brand is so big in US and it's also known to good many people outside of US as well. If a brand is tainted or "doomed" it won't go well in long run as people will be in fear of the worst moment should TiVo collapse.

Let's hope it won't happen with Australia/NZ TiVo licenser keeps it up and running as long as possible. As for me, I still not buy in to TiVo+Telecom exclusivity, with TCL's HDPVR on the horizon I'm staying with TCL for the time being still.

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#276492 26-Nov-2009 13:04

The Tivo model in the US is not subscription only.
You have the choice of a small upfront and a monthly (or annual) fee OR you can pay a larger upfront for "lifetime".

More akin to the Sky model of install fee plus monthly or install fee plus single upfront ($600) for the HDi. Or, if you like, the $149 install plus the $16/mth STB rental (for those that only wanted FTA channels via the box).

Tivo has been declining for many many quarters. Not just those supplied by the operators but Tivo supplied boxes too. Somehow we think that NZ wants it when audiences around the world are voting otherwise with their wallets. "This time its different".

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#278596 2-Dec-2009 07:22

TiVo is quite expensive as well.

Saw a telecom add on tv "$200 up front and $30 a month for 24 months"

I lol'd.

Crash n burn.

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#278623 2-Dec-2009 08:40

NzKaizer: TiVo is quite expensive as well.

That's not too bad really considering what you're actually getting.

A Zinwell Freeview DVR for example is not much less money with fewer features and less functionality.

I get your point though, it's hardly priced to sell! Even with the interest free deal - I wonder how many they would've sold if they hadn't offered that particular carrot-on-a-stick...

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#278630 2-Dec-2009 08:44

NzKaizer: TiVo is quite expensive as well.

Saw a telecom add on tv "$200 up front and $30 a month for 24 months"

I lol'd.

Crash n burn.

Not much more expensive than any Freeview alternatives.

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#279206 4-Dec-2009 02:46

and so much more versatile as well
3rd party apps
media from Pc streaming etc

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#279214 4-Dec-2009 07:38

Article in the press this morning noting that Steve Browning is moving on from HTS.

And that uptake has been slower than expected.......

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#283604 18-Dec-2009 00:31

To stay in business, Tivo should do they following:
Store recorded shows in something like mp4.
Allow me to copy these unrestricted files anywhere on my network without having to go through some crazy conversion process.
Allow me to stream anything on my computer to the Tivo..

Come on TiVo are you in 21st Century ?? Should some one JAILBREAK TIVO :D

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#283636 18-Dec-2009 09:09

bodysoda: To stay in business, Tivo should do they following:
Store recorded shows in something like mp4.

Like all digital recorders, the Tivo records the shows in the format that it is transmitted (e.g. H.264/MPEG4) - it doesn't chose a format. Simply put, it is just copying the data it receives from the UHF antenna to the harddrive.

Allow me to copy these unrestricted files anywhere on my network without having to go through some crazy conversion process.

Conversion from what? You can copy the output MPEG files without restriction (unless the broadcasters flag the shows to prevent them from being copied).

Allow me to stream anything on my computer to the Tivo..

You can. Well, you can copy it to the Tivo, then start watching it as it copies (its not quite the same as true streaming, but pretty close).