Organize an HMO request

[reuther]

and my birthday is on February 31st....

[leesweet]

That response from D* is the usual canned response with HMO in the <enter customer's subject here> field. :) There's never any content to those things from any vendor, as we all should recognize when sending in feature recommendations.

It may have an impact or not, but the response doesn't mean anything.

[jullmann]

Signature #12063

[mafialink]

i heard they are going to release the hmo feature next summer. can any confirm this?

[slydog75]

NO, no .. it's not next summer, it's February 31st.. LOL

[whalerfan]

number 12099!

[whiteal]

12124 Signatures Total

[Odie]

12150 Signatures Total

[Syznic]

post++

[ckilkus]

I signed but too bad it's never going to happen. DirecTV announced they are replacing Tivo with a new DVR provider in 2005. My DirecTivo will still work of course, but they are never going to give us all the features of stand alone Tivos :-(

[edrock200]

Originally posted by ckilkus
DirecTV announced they are replacing Tivo with a new DVR provider in 2005.

Link?

[lee espinoza]

Originally posted by ckilkus

I signed but too bad it's never
going to happen. DirecTV announced
they are replacing Tivo with a new DVR
provider in 2005. My DirecTivo will
still work of course, but they are
never going to give us all the features
of stand alone Tivos :-(

this guy is a troll, directv has never
said that, they said they going to put out a new pvr from nds and i have called directv they said
they are going to put out hmo for tivo in 2005

[ckilkus]

Though barely intelligible, it seems to me that you just called me a troll?That seems rather unfair!

Based on the DirecTV Executive's comments, I would guess they aren't going to be big backers of Tivo beyond their contract expiration in 2006 (or is it '07). And since the "the core of our (DirecTv's) initiatives won't be geared to TiVo" it also seems unlikely they are going to offer HMO or Tivo2Go, in order to preserve market share for their proprietary DVR's release at the end of the year. But as a five year DirecTivo user with a lifetime membership to Tivo, I REALLY hope I am wrong!

At bottom is a link to an article in USA Today and here is a copy of an article from NY Times:

NEW YORK -- DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV) is preparing to roll out another TiVo-like box in the first half of next year, and it looks like it will be from NDS Group PLC (NNDS).

NDS Chief Executive Abe Peled, speaking at an analyst meeting in New York last week, said his company, which is controlled by DirecTV parent News Corp. (NWS), expects to make its digital video recorder technology available to DirecTV by the first quarter. Peled also said his company should see revenue from a DirecTV DVR in its next fiscal year. NDS's current fiscal year ends in June.

DirecTV spokesman Bob Marsocci declined to comment on whether NDS will be the next DVR supplier, but confirmed that the company will have a new DVR in the first half of the year.

For TiVo Inc. (TIVO), it appears a successful run as DirecTV's primary DVR supplier is coming to an end. DirecTV Chief Executive Chase Carey said last month that although the relationship with TiVo will continue, "as we go forward, the core of our initiatives won't be geared to TiVo."

DirecTV's determination to put TiVo on the sidelines appears part of an effort to keep technology developments in-house.

NDS, based in the U.K., has already been supplying digital video recorder and other interactive TV technology to News Corp.'s British satellite TV business, BSkyB. NDS has made no secret of its desire to break into the U.S. DVR market, but first had to adapt its products for U.S. platforms.

TiVo has been heavily dependent on its relationship with DirecTV, though it's been trying to boost the profile of its independent, stand-alone products. In the recent third quarter, TiVo reported 419,000 new subscribers, of which 316,000 came from DirecTV.

A TiVo spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday, but company management has said in the past that its relationship with DirecTV remains solid. During the company's quarterly conference call last month, Chief Executive Mike Ramsey said TiVo benefitted from DirecTV's stepped-up DVR marketing efforts in the last few months.

Ramsey also said that delays with NDS's DVR product are helping TiVo get "a fairly clear runway with DirecTV."

"Frankly, I think we have got a lot to offer, in terms of the brand. The product capabilities are clearly superior," he said.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/indus...11-29-dvr_x.htm

[lee espinoza]

the article only says nds will have a
pvr with directv and that directv maybe
sidelining tivo the article does not
says one thing about directv
letting go of tivo troll!!

[ckilkus]

Ummm.... maybe we are having a failure to communicate, but the way I understand it we are agreeing to the same thing. Even in your own words "sidelining Tivo" and "letting go of Tivo" are essentially the same thing, no? Our DirecTivo will still work with DirecTV forever perhaps, but if they are focusing on their own DVR, it would make sense that they are less likely to offer Tivo upgradess such as Tivo2Go, et al. Look how long it has taken even to get rumors that they MIGHT offer HMO. And from their perspective, what do they really get out of offering us HMO, Tivo2Go, etc.? Unless they charge extra for these servicesm, just alot more calls to tech support whithout much increase in revenue. I don't want to sound pessimistic, but it doesn't bode well for us DirecTivo users.

Although I have heard in other forums that perhaps DirecTV has stepped back from the announcement of the executive mentioned in the articles, so lets keep our fingers crossed.

[lee espinoza]

ever heard of a ultimatetv were are they now?!

[droidd]

What annoys me about this entire DirecTiVo thing is that the packaging of the DirecTiVo I purchased (and other models I have seen at the store) lead me to believe that this is a fully-functional TiVo like the series 2 TiVo. On my DirecTiVo box it says that there are two USB ports. No where on the outside of the box does it say that these are useless. It is not until you open up the box and read thru the users-guide that you find out the USB-ports are for "future-use".

Now one can say the HMO option was not released when my model was released, well the manufacture date of the unit is August 2004 according to the sticker on the back of the unit.

All I want is for DirecTV to be honest and answer the question about HMO option being available anytime this century. Its very simple YES or NO answer.

In my opinion if they (DirecTV) does not release HMO or any other option that makes use of the USB ports then they are advertising and selling these units fraudulently by making people believe that more features will be available by the "future-use" statement. Whether this future-use is strictly used for the daily call for those who have goten rid of ther POTS line or other uses.

Now my disclaimer to this is that in the back of my mind, I did know that HMO was not yet available , but ONLY because I frequent this board daily, BUT my parents who have a regular series 2 TiVo bought a DirecTiVo to replace an old DirecTV box because they saw the back of the unit in a store and seeing it had USB ports assumed it had the same functionality as their Series 2 TiVo.

All I can say is I have been sending e-mails on a regular basis to DirecTV telling them they need to get the HMO option avtivated.

Rant...OVER!

[memnoch]

Glad I saw this. Figured it must exist somewhere. #12279!

[Paulson]

I added my vote to the petition... it really needs to be added.

[pumbaa70]

Why doesnt someone file a class auction lawsuit against these guys. That will make them think.

[Joseph DeMartino]

Because you don't "file" a class-action lawsuit, for one thing. One or more people would have to file lawsuits and get them on a docket somewhere (asa opposed to havng them summarily rejected by the court as baseless) and then one or more of the lawyers representing those individuals would have to apply to another judge to have the suits joined and certified as a class-action. This is by no means a certain or automatic procedure.

I am not a lawyer (but have been party to class-action lawsuits, hence my comment above), but I'm not sure what grounds there would be for suing DirecTV. Did they every PROMISE anyone that their combination TiVO units would have all of the same features as the TiVO series 2? I'll admit I assumed (as a TiVO user) the the USB port on the back of the more recent DirecTiVOs meant that they were HMO-capable - but DirecTV is not responsible for what I assume. All they've said about the USB port is that it is included for future use - without ever saying what that use is.

I don't see grounds for a lawsuit. Of course, given our loopy legal system it is possible that you could get into court with something like this, but I doubt you'd win. And I don't know anyone rich enough to pay a lawyer to find out - especially going up against an organization with pockets as deep as DirecTV. (Even if a lawyer takes a case on a contingency fee basis the client still pays the expenses. And lawyers don't take contingency cases unless they think the odds of winning are great or the potential settlement huge or both - and I don't think either applies in this instance.)

Regards,

Joe

[leesweet]

In any case, before we get carried away: If you read the R10 review, there's a lot of pretty detailed talk that the D* TiVos will get HMO/MRV soon. So, this may be a moot point pretty soon.

[dnbassassin]

i don't understand why everyone think that sw is going to be out soon. Don't understand that hmo is security theat to dtv if allow to network with pc or any computer. what going to stop people from pulling authorizes codes from access card since all equipment is hardware base encrypted. So they can use the unit to decode a perfect digital copy and share it online. Just how they were able to get around encryption of xbox games. Which will upset mpaa since they the one that enforce all hdtv to have HDCP. To many other powers to consider since your dealing with digital and mpaa using they power to protect it. That why sa tivo have hmo they not true digital format .Till the day that dtv can build dtivo that can read the format only on dtivo we will have hmo. Since tivo can't offer that now that looking for other players. They know that the feature are big that why you may see "nds dvr" same features as sa tivo till they can get the box on lock down we may never get hmo.

just my 2 cent as
being emp of dtv beta test csr special projects

[anothersparky]

We won't see HMO features until DTV believes that they are going to lose a substantial part of their subscription base because of it.

I emailed them today to let them know that after 7 years of DTV and almost 5 of DTiVo, I'm considering going to Comcast just to get TiVo-To-Go.

[clbw]

I spoke with Customer service today as I am a brand spankin new customer with lots of questions. I asked about the purpose of the Future use of the USB ports and was told that they plan to use them for HMO, and as a high speed connection instead of the phone line etc.. So after reading the posts about customer service personal being out of the loop I called back and asked the same question and more or less got a I don't know what or when they will be used. that was kind of funny so I called back and got another answer that was very close to the first person that I spoke with. This person added that they were working on legal issue and that once that was resolved they would roll out the upgrade "sometime in the near future". How about that for good clear customer service.

[mphare]

CSR is really the wrong group to be asking. I know in a networking company I worked for, if you asked the CSRs "When will product X get feature Y" you could get as many answers as there were CSRs. Some were better at guessing then others and some did have real inside information.

You can ask development when they implemented the feature, you can ask the testing team when they tested it. Marketing and Planning will be the best at telling you when it will be deployed.

The best question to ask a CSR is "Have you been trained to provide CS for feature Y on product X"

[mshap1507]

Is it just me, or did anybody understand what dnbassassin said?

I have a series 1 Direct TV Tivo unit. I am dying to get the series 2 unit, but I don't see any reason to buy it until HMO is available.

[Joseph DeMartino]

Is it just me, or did anybody understand what dnbassassin said?

I would venture to guess the answer is that nobody understood that post, including dnbassassin her/himself.

:)

Regards,

Joe

[maximus]

Signature #12280

[Dkerr24]

dnbassassin: sleep through English grammar class in High School?

[larryll79]

I signed # 12048

[kjnorman]

I guess the idea of HMO coming to a DirecTivo is kind of dead now, given that Directv are launching their own Home Media Center (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050106005721&newsLang=en).

End of HMO/Tivo? I think so...

[ManOfSteele]

As I've said before, I'd be happy just to get TiVo grouping/folder feature. *Any* kind of significant feature upgrade would be welcome. There have been no improvements since I got my DTiVo...

[MichaelK]

its over johny

[Jerw134]

Originally posted by kjnorman
End of HMO/Tivo? I think so... Yep.

[Gunnyman]

sad to see so many sigs get ignored.
Oh well
thank goodness we have a box we can hack :)

[dwight]

What Gunny said...

It's not that hard, and you can have a new sig too!

Dwight

[MichaelK]

doesnt help the people with HD boxes....

[RC3105]

there's allready a couple of ways to implement MRV on hdtivos, just can't talk 'bout it on this forum

[Vito the TiVo]

Lets be clear about this.

Rupert Murdoch now owns controlling share of DirecTV

Rupert Murdoch has his own PVR.

DirecTV has stopped allowing TiVo to upgrade their boxes.

DirecTV has a new fancyschmancy box coming out announced Q4 2005.

You will never get HMO. Your TiVo box won't stop working. Hell i'm still on my upgraded DSR6000. But once your box stops working, there will not be another one. There will be no more new DirecTivo boxes, as Directv doesn't want them and will be able to tempt most people over to their box.

I hate to say it, but when my box dies, I can't go back to terrible cable and an SA. More likely I'll have to stick with my all digital, direct stream recording. And Vito will be dead.

[lemur235]

Originally posted by anothersparky
We won't see HMO features until DTV believes that they are going to lose a substantial part of their subscription base because of it.

I emailed them today to let them know that after 7 years of DTV and almost 5 of DTiVo, I'm considering going to Comcast just to get TiVo-To-Go.

I recieved a spam last night from Directv CEO, Mitch Stern (where he goes on at length about their commitment to "very best technological advancements")

So I wrote back to customer service on how hollow this sounds given that I can't get software that's over a year old for my DirecTivo.

And I threw in a threat of switching to cable if they don't.

Hopefully if enough folks threaten to leave they'll get off their butts and do something about it.

[Jerw134]

Originally posted by lemur235
Hopefully if enough folks threaten to leave they'll get off their butts and do something about it. That's the thing. Enough people won't, because they don't care. Some of us, such as myself, are actually happy about what's happening. And the vast majority know nothing about it, and just want a DVR that works. Tivo, NDS, Ucentric, none of those mean anything to 95% of the customers out there.

[fflores222]

Sending email to Mitch Stern is like sending it to big black hole! I would suggest that you send them to Feedback <Feedbackatdirectvdotcom> here is a response that i received when i was asking about the HMO feature. In my opinion DTV is just keeping us on the hook. As for threats, that's all they are. WE'RE not going anywhere and they KNOW that!!! Until then we have this sounding board!! :-)


11/13/2004 03:25 AM

Dear Frank,

Thank you for your inquiry. We do not offer the HOME MEDIA OPTION through DIRECTV. We are always looking for ways to enhance our services. Your suggestions are valuable and we use them to judge interest in various programming sources. In fact, we have added channels as a result of viewer feedback.

We have forwarded your comments to our programming department. Please continue to visit our web site at DIRECTV.com for the latest news and information about our services.

Additionally, as you know, DIRECTV makes changes and additions to our programming line-up from time to time. However, it is a DIRECTV policy not to discuss upcoming announcements until their official release date, and at this time we have no official announcement beyond what we have already communicated to the public. We invite you to visit the News Releases section of our web site at directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/Headlines.jsp for the latest announcements

Sincerely,

Veronica C
DIRECTV Customer Service

[ManOfSteele]

From my perspective, if Directv comes out with their own box that addresses what we all would like to see added to their DTiVo box, I'll be happy. I have no particular loyalty to TiVo per se. I'm more into the benefits that the DVR offers (no tapes, easy recording, dual tuners, etc). When Directv has something new to offer and I'm ready to upgrade from my HDVR2 boxes, if it's not TiVo running on it, I won't lose any sleep.

[fflores222]

I would concur! I just want the feature set! Who cares who gets my $$$$ As long as I have someone to yell at when it doesn't. I feel bad that TIVO doesn't get their share... but I'm over it.! I will want my standalone unit to work with the DirecTV HMO though.

[TechnoGuy]

Signed

[tbh999]

Well, we now have 12,747 signatures.


I'm sure DirecTV will be putting out HMO ASAP with this many people on the petition :rolleyes:


Sorry I just had to say it...I signed the damn thing a long time ago (signature No. 400) with great hopes that someone at DirecTV would listen. Well they didn't. DirecTV will be adding there Media Center to the line-up but that was based on market demand, not anything we did (in my opinion).

[RBA]

12749 Total Signatures

Finally you can add me.

[RBA]

Update: After signing this petition and letting my email be viewable, I am getting spam with all sorts of porn ads and so forth. This happened almost as soon as I sign the petition. Please elect to keep your email address private or you will be spammed.

[MichaelK]

holds true for pretty much any web site. the spammers have bots that "look" at web pages for email addresses.

Dont post your email address on a web page anywhere.

If you must there are programs to make it a graphic file to slip up the spammer's bots.

[sweepmech]

Las Vegas, NV Jan 6, 2005 DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital television service provider, today introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show an advanced new receiver and networked system, the DIRECTV Home Media Center, designed to be a whole-house entertainment solution that will allow DIRECTV customers for the first time to access content-including digitally-recorded video, digital photos and digital music-seamlessly from all television sets in a household. The DIRECTV Home Media Center, which includes the most technologically advanced DIRECTV receiver developed, has digital video recorder (DVR) functionality and also supports high definition (HD) and standard definition signals.

The Home Media Center will be comprised of a main unit, with smaller units located at each additional TV networked throughout the house, to provide DIRECTV customers with DVR service on all television sets. It also provides an integrated and common consumer experience on all television sets. For example, recordings can be scheduled and viewed from any room to any room.

"DIRECTV has been at the forefront of developing and bringing new television technologies to fruition since its inception and our new Home Media Center will take the DIRECTV viewing experience to a new level," said Mitch Stern, president and CEO of DIRECTV, Inc. "By integrating the television experience into a media center, we are providing our customers with the ability to have easier access to and enjoy a full range of content throughout the home. This product was developed in response to our customers' desire to expand their DVR experience to every television."

The DIRECTV Home Media Center, which will be available by the end of this year, will allow for networking throughout the house. DIRECTV customers with the Home Media Center will be able to share, move and view content from room to room.

The networked system's advanced middleware architecture will support additional functions via its broadband connection. Examples are support for personal computer connectivity, scheduling DVR recordings from the Internet, photos from wireless phones and video-on-demand. It is also MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compatible, and as with all DIRECTV receivers, the product software can be upgraded via satellite.

"Our goal at DIRECTV is simple: to provide the best television experience in the United States," said Stern, "And our new Home Media Center will help us get closer to that goal, as well as further distinguish DIRECTV from the competition."


is this where it leads us

[Jerw134]

The Home Media Center has pretty much nothing to do with the Home Media Option that this thread/petition is referring to.

[slydog75]

Not directly, but indirectly it is certainly an indication that we will NEVER see these options on our DTivos.. I also find it funny that they claim "DIRECTV has been at the forefront of developing and bringing new television technologies to fruition since its inception and our new Home Media Center will take the DIRECTV viewing experience to a new level" Hello! Tivo has had this all going for a while now!

[jasiv]

DirectV customer service tells me that the home media center functionality will be enabled on our existing series2 dvr's. Am I naive in believing them?

[edrock200]

Home Media Option, maybe, Home Media Center, different product all together.

[tivotragic]

Originally posted by pwsteele
From my perspective, if Directv comes out with their own box that addresses what we all would like to see added to their DTiVo box, I'll be happy. I have no particular loyalty to TiVo per se. I'm more into the benefits that the DVR offers (no tapes, easy recording, dual tuners, etc). When Directv has something new to offer and I'm ready to upgrade from my HDVR2 boxes, if it's not TiVo running on it, I won't lose any sleep.

You don't know how good you have it. Tivo isn't just a DVR, it's the best DVR product out there. Why? Because the Tivo creaters LOVE watching TV.

I had Tivo when I lived in San Francisco. Now, having moved back to Canada, I have to live with the crap our cable company offers. Imagine this:

You record a program and watch it as well (but not in real time). When the end of the program is reached, it immediately switches you to real time, forcing you to go back into the list, select the program, and fast-forward to the spot you were at!

No ticks for fast forwarding! A 2 hour program takes around a minute to fast-forward.

No automatic 2-tuner system. You can record two things at once, but if you're recording and yoy flip channels, you can pause and move back and forth. If you do, you lose what you were watching.

No search function - season pass is horrible. No warnings on how much room you have or if a recording won't finish because of space...

I could go on and on...

It's awful. So, before you say "I have no particular loyalty to TiVo per se", just remember: the alternative is crap. Maybe you need to experience this first so you can learn what you'd be missing. If more people knew this and supported them, than perhaps Tivo wouldn't be in the mess it is with DirecTv...

[Jerw134]

Originally posted by tivotragic
before you say "I have no particular loyalty to TiVo per se", just remember: the alternative is crap.The alternative on cable may be crap, but I just do not see DirecTV coming out with a DVR that is not better than the Tivo.

[thinkfuture]

Hi all:

I'm just reading this thread with great interest as it seems that history is repeating itself. Let me tell you all a little story:

About 9 years ago, I used to work for a big cable company in Canada. We were looking at high speed cable internet at the time, and the options were to either build it ourselves, or hook up with a little company in the SF Bay area called @Home. Thinking that it would be easier to do it that way, we hooked up with @Home.

Well, time passed and I left the company. It was part of @Home's business model that the broadband internet market would grow at a certain pace, and they assumed that the cable companies were concerned about the telcos getting into thier space, so they had a very aggressive plan for the build out of cable internet. Of course the cable companies had a plan too - learn everything they could from @Home, while at the same time, slowing their buildout so that they would mess up @Homes business model, drive them out of business, then pick up their technology and property at cut rates. However, the award winning interface that @Home provided was not replaced in the new world, and there were a lot of unhappy customers.

Now I'm not saying that's what they did - but it looks like it to me - its just my opinion.

Now, I'm seeing the exact same thing happen with Tivo. Cable is just not playing ball with them at all, and D* is phasing them out. The kickass Tivo interface, IMHO, I predict with be gone in a few years. Without support from partners, Tivo may not survive.

I'm seeing history repeat itself here - I hope I'm wrong.

[bbaritony]

Thanks for everyones reply.

I hope you are wrong about TIVO but I see what you are speaking of and agree.

SO does that mean the death of replytv as well?

[Jerw134]

Originally posted by thinkfuture
The kickass Tivo interface, IMHO, I predict with be gone in a few years.Aside from the pretty animations, where is the kickass interface? It's slow and ugly.

Now if you want to talk about features, fine. That's a whole different bag of tricks.

[thinkfuture]

Kickass=Extremely intuitive and easy to use. I tried the DVR that came with Dish and the interface was horrible.

Think of it this way - Tivo is like the Palm interface of old - simple and intuitive, with not much baggage. My hunch is that D*'s next interface will completely different, and not as simple or intuitive - The will go from Palm to Pocket PC...

[Jerw134]

Well, I happen to like Pocket PC's interface much better than Palm's, so I hope your analogy holds true!

[thinkfuture]

Here my prediction. D* will break off ties with Tivo and come out with thier own box, which may have a flashier interface, it will not be as simple and intuitive. Things that used to take one button push will take three etc. It may look better, but it won't be as easy.

Now me - I don't mind - since more features are usually good - HMO etc. However, it needs to be incremental and evolutionary, exactly what Tivo is doing.

I dabbled with the Dish DVR - it wasnt Tivo. I wanted Tivo. And I think most D* customers will want to keep Tivo too. They wont be able to and just suffer with what they get, or switch to Comcast and Tivo.

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by thinkfuture
Kickass=Extremely intuitive and easy to use. I tried the DVR that came with Dish and the interface was horrible.

I found the interface on the Dish 721 to be extremely intuitive, in some ways easier to use than Tivo.

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by thinkfuture
I dabbled with the Dish DVR - it wasnt Tivo. I wanted Tivo. And I think most D* customers will want to keep Tivo too. They wont be able to and just suffer with what they get, or switch to Comcast and Tivo.

I disagree. Most of the people who come to forums like these are not representative of the majority of users. The average user just wants a DVR that does what they need it to do - they don't care if it's Tivo, Replay, UTV, Dish, Motorola, whatever - for a good price. They are not going to switch from D* to cable just to get Tivo, espeicially if it's going to cost more.

The general consensus of the people here is that Dish DVRs are crap. Yet look at how many users they have. I recently sold my 721 for $300 on ebay. People here generally consider the DTivo to be a far superior box, and they sell for less than $100 new, yet Dish users are willing to pay three times that for an inferior DVR. Why? Because the service provider and cost of programming is much more important to most people than the brand of software in their DVR.

[Jerw134]

Originally posted by thinkfuture
I think most D* customers will want to keep Tivo too.Most D* customers do not have Tivo. From the ones who do, most do not care about Tivo, and simply want a DVR. If DirecTV comes out with a new one and tells them it's better, they will take it and enjoy it.

[bkean]

DirecTV is launching their own branded DVR (’the most-advanced DVR in the world’ according to DirecTV and further putting the hurt on TiVo), which will feature 100-hour recording capability, one-touch recording, dual tuners (record two and watch a third show), onscreen caller ID, instant replay, bookmarks, and a search function. The cache is large enough to pause and rewind live TV for up to 90 minutes and the unit will be available in mid-2005 (no price announced). The menus and item selection is instant when scrolling through them (even faster than TiVo when DTV showed the demo). They were quite happy to stop DirecTV satellite piracy last year and didn’t seem to think that it would slow subscriber growth this year (as many ex-pirates were forced to subscribe) when we asked them about it.

I am looking for the link to this story, have not found it yet. I had saved the text in a word doc last month.

Also, I am about to hack my 3 direct tivos and put on the 4.01 kernal so I can have HMO. I will lwt you know how it works out. Has anyone here done this yet and if so do you have any advice for me?

[Jerw134]

Has anyone here done this yet and if so do you have any advice for me?Many people have already done this. There is a huge thread entitled "moving to 4.0" that contains all of the information you'd need.

[romicva]

there are about 13000 signitures. How many does it take? Any thoughts?

[Jerw134]

there are about 13000 signitures. How many does it take? Any thoughts?There is no amount of signatures that will get it done. It's finished.

[elroy_1666]

Has anyone seen this yet?
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050405/tivo_directv.html?.v=3
I am sure there is a whole other discussion around advertising, but I am sure it will require a new version of software for our units... could this new version include HMO?!?

[tivo]

If the 13,000 people who signed the hmo request all called in on the same day to cancel service and said the reason why was the lack of the hmo option -- I bet that would get them moving!

[cnsf]

Or it would get Murdoch so happy, he'd stop selling Tivo and push his own DVR.

[godivajan]

I just signed the petition also. A girl can hope, can't she?

[offsprung]

I agree that this is a dead horse and DirecTV all but finally admitted that it will never happen today (she said they currently "provide a great DVR experience and outstanding value"...that will be obsolete soon??) but tried to pass off the fact that thay are finally releasing (or trying to) 6.2 folders and search?
Someone alluded to it above...
Why would they want something that would so significantly compete with their own?
http://gear.ign.com/articles/578/578382p1.html
http://www.ucentric.com/index.php?news/releases/87
Time for cable plus SA or even HTPC and/or MCE? Have the cable anyway to reply to this.

[manowell]

Since a large percentage of members here would like to see the HMO option become a reality, ....

I'm new here. I've been runnint ReplayTV units through several generations, and have built my own PC-based PVR, so I'm fairly knowledgeable about the topics that aren't TiVo specific. I'm diving in deep and fast here since I use DirecTV and want to time-shift HD broadcasts, it appears that the HR10-250 is about the ONLY option that it has -- and it uses TiVo. :eek:

I've read a ton of posts, the FAQ that I could find, etc. I have NO IDEA what HMO and MRV are. Can anyone enlighten me?

:o

[lactoso]

HMO - Home Media Option (search for it)
MRV - Multi-Room Viewing

HTH,
Ed T.

[flytivoer]

My last post to this community board was about 6 months ago (when I first purchased and installed my R10). I was anxious to add it to my home network (that was one of the main drivers for the purchase). I probably should have checked out this community board before buying. In any case, I followed the board for a few weeks and came to the conclusion that networking capability would never be enabled by DirecTV.
I recently purchased a new PC running MCE. My plan is to purchase a media extender for the entertainment center in place of the existing R10, thus accomplishing DVR as well as HMO-type access to other digital media from my PC.
Has anyone else on this board tried this yet?

[xfoneguy]

you can find the article on pcmag's website - article #2

[cobra55]

i signed

[comfreak]

I just signed as well but after spending about an hour catching up with the original posts in this thread from 2002. After reading all that I have to say that it's pretty disappointing to know that people have been asking for HMO for almost 3 years now with no luck.

I am still awaiting the 6.2 upgrade as I just received a card a couple days ago telling me it would happen automatically if I was hooked to a phone line. I chose not to have it initially hooked up with the Tivo service but I hooked one up as soon as I got the card.

I've had it connected for a couple says now and still have not received the 6.2 upgrade. I will see what happens in the next week or two.

However I'm right on the edge and slowly tipping to try "activating" the HMO service and other features myself. I too was let down when I had my DTivo installed and much to my surprise the USB ports were dead.

I have signed the petition and will refer some friends to it but I remain pessimistic.

[maximian]

I will believe this when I see it.

[Zuke]

Wow, I just finished reading all the posts going back to 2002 and was about to make the same post as 'comfreak' above: signed the petition, read it all, now know the harsh reality is this will never come to pass. :mad:

I saw the price drop this past weekend on the HD DirecTV w/Tivo and was about to buy it and kick our old SD upstairs thinking we could use the HMO option. Knowing that won't fly without a hack, I think we'll wait now and see what's coming down the non-Tivo pipe on this front. I'd really like those features.

Thanks to all for the knowledgeable info. I belong to some other boards, but this one is astounding as far as knowledge goes. You all do a nice job here and although I don't have much to share and won't likely post too often, I've sure sponged quite a bit from reading.

[xedeon]

DirecTV will never enable HMO on our directivo boxes!! why? beacause they wan't to sell us a new box with HMO enabled for more money!!!!!! its so ridicolous directv is starting to suck the software is just sitting in our boxes on the 6.2 upgrade im pretty sure they will NEVER enable it read what they told me:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thanks for your email regarding TiVo’s Home Media Option. You are a valuable customer and we do appreciate your feedback and your business. While the current DIRECTV DVR is based on TiVo technology, none of our current models offer a Home Media Option. Today, this feature is only available on the TiVo Series 2 standalone models. (<<BS)

However, as you may have seen demonstrated at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, DIRECTV is launching a new advanced technology system, the DIRECTV Home Media Center. Our new Home Media Center will allow you to share, move and view content from room to room, throughout the house. (<<cost more money) It will also have DVR functionality and the capability to support both standard-and high-definition signals. We expect to have more information about this new advanced receiver by the end of this year, so please stay tuned to DIRECTV for the latest updates.

In the meantime, DIRECTV continues to provide a great DVR experience and outstanding value with its DVR available today. We offer popular programming enhancements just for DVR customers, such as exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET highlights. And we're adding exciting new features to the DIRECTV DVR this spring. Visit DIRECTV/DVR62UPGRADE (<<folders only?) to learn more. I have forwarded your comments onto DIRECTV management. Thank you again for your feedback.

Our goal is to continue to expand our programming and technology offerings, to bring you the best television entertainment experience available. Thank you again for writing to us.

Sincerely,

Karen S.
DIRECTV Customer Service

[bnm81002]

here's 2 guides for HMO and MRV :up: :up: :up:
http://www.thewallens.net/tivo/Tivo_unguide.html
http://www.dellanave.com/projects/tivo/62slices.html

[alex0305]

Maybe we will get a better result if we ask for a PPO instead of an HMO? :p

[rctoyguy]

#13756 here...

Probably a waste of time, after scanning over this thread - but what the heck.

[RClemo]

I signed and got this: 13767 Signatures Total

Then I too read the thread and feel sad.

I have a series 2 and love the HMO feature, but my directTV is my main dvr, since I love having 2 tuners available to the big screen.

I love DirectTV's product, I get the sunday ticket, I put up with the lost signal during Florida's many storms, but I can't for the life of me understand WHY they wouldn't roll out HMO to these boxes.

Why DirectTV? WHY?

[alex0305]

I can't for the life of me understand WHY they wouldn't roll out HMO to these boxes.

Why DirectTV? WHY?

I can only imagine it must be some sort of internal company issue legal or technical which isn't shared with their customers.

Personally, I think it was quite deceptive to advertize on the box the USB port as one of the features of the unit when that feature is virtually useless. :mad: Perhaps this might warrant a class action suit? Any lawyers listening?

[drfence]

I'm ready for it. :cool:

[dbronstein]

They haven't enabled it because the support calls would kill them.

[wildtexaschef]

Signed,

It was up to like 13,000 + when I signed it.

[BobHackett2]

Lucky number 13,850 here! :)

[ccarmichael]

Now serving number :up: 13851

[JonFo]

+1 = 138512

[EMoMoney]

Now serving number :up: 13851
+1 = 138512
Where did you go to school?

[el Dragon]

count me in....

[dodell66]

I just joined the movement. Add another sig to the petition.

[Raydr]

I'm a regional supervisor for one of DirecTV's largest HSPs.

I've asked the technical supervisors directly about enabling the functions (as well as USB ports, etc...)

The main reason is due to support issues:
1.) They'd have to support networks - which everyone here should know is a major PITA
2.) Installers/Technicians would have to be trained on HMO/Networking/etc (which is another major undertaking)

An argument against this is that DirecTV could just enable the options and let the tech-savy consumer support himself, but in the real world this doesn't work. The current customer attitude is "I'm paying DTV $n monthly, they should set this up for me."...and given the infinite ways of setting up a home network...this probably isn't a viable option just yet.

Even if it was unadvertised/unsupported, DTV would still get the calls, "But my neighbor has it set up, why can't I? Send someone out!", etc....

Good Luck all.

[EMoMoney]

I'm a regional supervisor for one of DirecTV's largest HSPs.

I've asked the technical supervisors directly about enabling the functions (as well as USB ports, etc...)

The main reason is due to support issues:
1.) They'd have to support networks - which everyone here should know is a major PITA
2.) Installers/Technicians would have to be trained on HMO/Networking/etc (which is another major undertaking)

An argument against this is that DirecTV could just enable the options and let the tech-savy consumer support himself, but in the real world this doesn't work. The current customer attitude is "I'm paying DTV $n monthly, they should set this up for me."...and given the infinite ways of setting up a home network...this probably isn't a viable option just yet.

Even if it was unadvertised/unsupported, DTV would still get the calls, "But my neighbor has it set up, why can't I? Send someone out!", etc....

Good Luck all.
Maybe somebody knows the answer to this, but who supports the SA TiVos? If TiVo provides such support for their customers who use HMO, then the easy answer is to negotiate with TiVo. DTV could agree to enable HMO, but support would be provided by TiVo.

[magnus]

I'm sorry but that seems like a bad reason not to provide the service. I'm not sure why Dtv would have to support anything.... it seems they could refer them to tivo (and tivo could if they wanted to... charge a per call support charge).

It seems that big companies fail to see the error of their ways until someone with a better product or better support comes along. Maybe someone will come along that cares about the customers (even the more technical savy ones).



I'm a regional supervisor for one of DirecTV's largest HSPs.

I've asked the technical supervisors directly about enabling the functions (as well as USB ports, etc...)

The main reason is due to support issues:
1.) They'd have to support networks - which everyone here should know is a major PITA
2.) Installers/Technicians would have to be trained on HMO/Networking/etc (which is another major undertaking)

An argument against this is that DirecTV could just enable the options and let the tech-savy consumer support himself, but in the real world this doesn't work. The current customer attitude is "I'm paying DTV $n monthly, they should set this up for me."...and given the infinite ways of setting up a home network...this probably isn't a viable option just yet.

Even if it was unadvertised/unsupported, DTV would still get the calls, "But my neighbor has it set up, why can't I? Send someone out!", etc....

Good Luck all.

[Raydr]

I'm sorry but that seems like a bad reason not to provide the service. I'm not sure why Dtv would have to support anything.... it seems they could refer them to tivo (and tivo could if they wanted to... charge a per call support charge).

I invite you to do a survey of the current DVR subscribers.

When I was a technician, every day I had customers calling the Tivo box a "Divo", "VCR", "Tido", among other things.

They don't realize that "TiVo" is actually a seperate entity from DirecTV - and I believe that both DirecTV and the consumer prefer it that way.

DTV sells a service - a regular consumer doesn't want to have to deal with multiple companies - it creates confusion, frustration, etc. Imagine if you had to pay a DTV bill AND a TiVo bill.

Say you're a Netflix customer, and get a bad DVD, then Netflix told you - "sorry, you'll have to talk to Sony for support" - it would look bad on Netflix. Not really a good example, but I'm sure you get my point.

I guess we'll see where this goes in the future!

[David Desautel]

I have not read all this thread, but I have recently become a DirecTV customer after having cable and TiVo for a few years. DirecTV sold me a two-satellite Samsung box with TiVo in it. I had already had a series 2 TiVo, and gave up my land-line for the Vonage service. Now, I find out that DirecTV sole me a defective product!

Is it even legal to sell a product with half its functionality purposefully crippled? I consider it fraud. No where, and at no time, did DirecTV make known the fact that they have blocked the home networking functionality. If they advertise a box with TiVo in it, that is what we should get.

Let's see Dell try and sell computers with Windows XP on them, yet with networking functionality blocked or removed!! That would certainly be fraud. How is this different??

D.

[EMoMoney]

Now, I find out that DirecTV sole me a defective product!
If DTV sold you a defective unit, they'll replace it. If you think you're unit is defective becuase DTV does not enable HMO, then you're wrong. DTV has never advertised HMO as being a feature, and it clearly states on the TiVo website that HMO is not avaiable with DTiVos.

[magnus]

Yep, I guess for those of us that will not wait for D to do what is right..... It's either time for a change or time to hack our box. Could you answer the question of why D keeps making that more difficult? If D thinks all their customers are idiots... then why would they need to worry about the percentage that are not (seems like that is a waste of money)?

I think there is another reason why D will not enable MVR and other options.... maybe just maybe... that would compete with their new product. Don't be fooled... just sounds like D ripped off Tivo.

Technician is a long way from CEO... I'm sure there is more to it then worrying about the support factor.



I invite you to do a survey of the current DVR subscribers.

When I was a technician, every day I had customers calling the Tivo box a "Divo", "VCR", "Tido", among other things.

They don't realize that "TiVo" is actually a seperate entity from DirecTV - and I believe that both DirecTV and the consumer prefer it that way.

DTV sells a service - a regular consumer doesn't want to have to deal with multiple companies - it creates confusion, frustration, etc. Imagine if you had to pay a DTV bill AND a TiVo bill.

Say you're a Netflix customer, and get a bad DVD, then Netflix told you - "sorry, you'll have to talk to Sony for support" - it would look bad on Netflix. Not really a good example, but I'm sure you get my point.

I guess we'll see where this goes in the future!

[jetstream23]

I signed today. Will be calling DirecTV after the football season to cancel the service and go to cable if HMO is not available on DirecTV Tivo boxes.


Has anyone sent this petition? It is well over 14,000 strong at this point. :up:

[91boost]

#14,141! :)

[2teenie]

Very well written...I signed!

[Tivo Rules]

I'm in!!

Plus I signed up the boss (aka wife).

[MichaelK]

I...

They don't realize that "TiVo" is actually a seperate entity from DirecTV - and I believe that both DirecTV and the consumer prefer it that way.

...

actually one logical theory is that one of the myriad reasong why Directv is ditching TiVo is that many people do know the difference between TiVo and Directv. And those that seperate the 2 tend to pick TiVo over Directv- just do some reading on these forums, there are tons of people who are way more loyal to TiVo then to D*. Very few who say they will leave go without TiVo for D*. There used to be alot int he HD forums that said they would stick with D* and try the new HD stuff sans TiVo but now that Directv has not delivered and we're that much closer to HD TiVo on comcast and HD TiVo cablecard those ranks have shrank considerably.

[dbronstein]

And those that seperate the 2 tend to pick TiVo over Directv- just do some reading on these forums, there are tons of people who are way more loyal to TiVo then to D*. Very few who say they will leave go without TiVo for D*.

That's because this is "Tivocommunity." The people here are a vocal minority of DirecTV subscribers. Most of the people I know don't know the difference between Tivo and any other dvr and don't care. Their priorites are cost, channel availability, and service. The number of subscribers DirecTV will lose by switching from Tivo is going to be an insignificant blip to them.

[JWThiers]

Say you're a Netflix customer, and get a bad DVD, then Netflix told you - "sorry, you'll have to talk to Sony for support" - it would look bad on Netflix. Not really a good example, but I'm sure you get my point.
You are right, it is not a good analogy. especially if they could just say excuse me I need to transfer you to Advanced services or even We will have to transfer you to Tivo.

[cnmsales]

So has this been delivered yet?

[kurtangle]

i'm new to tivo as of last week, but catching up quick

talked to directv just awhile ago and they said the hmo upgrade option is in the works....is this new news?

[Gunnyman]

it's a mis-representation of facts.
They supposedly have a Media Center receiver in the works, sometime in 2006 is all we know.
It's NOT a TiVo.
Calling THAT HMO is incorrect.
All Series 2 units except the R10, can be hacked to enable HMO/MRV on them though.

[Wanda Selzer]

in this context?

[edrock200]

just out of curiosity, why not the r10? Got a walkthrough link? TIA.

[Gunnyman]

ok here's a twofer:
HMO stands for Home Media Option (you used to have to pay for it on Standalone Tivos)
HMO allows you to use your Tivo to view pictures and listen to MP3's stored on your computer.
It also allows you to use Multi Room Viewing (MRV) to watch content recorded on one tivo on another unit with HMO enabled.
Serries 2 DTivos have the code for HMO built in to the 6.2 software but it has been turned off. It's pretty easy to turn it on.

The reason you cannot hack an R10 for HMO is the manufacturer added a chip, that does not allow the unit to be hacked. This chip can be modified, but it's above and beyond what the average user is capable of.
Many have speculated that the R10 includes the HMO code as well.
DTV has just chosen NOT to turn it on for any of their tivo units.
For a Howto on enabling HMO on your NON-R10 Tivo, check http://www.thewallens.net/tivo/tivo_unguide.html

[edrock200]

great, thanks!

[bhang]

14,xxx sumthin but i signed, almost 15,000 people dont man anything, we all spent at least 99.00$ for or handicapped equip. FREE MY DTVTIVO

:eek: :mad: :confused:

[csigrissum]

14367- need lot's more to have any possibility though..
I wonder how many DVR's are in use with Directv??? 100,000? more?

[MichaelK]

close to 2 MILLION directivo's.

they could give a rat's butt.

They made their decision. Tivo is dead to them- just on life support until the contract expires...

On the flip side- looks like Directv plans HMO type features with the new NDS DVR's. Supposedly they will be showing off portable media devices at CES that synch to the dvr's. In the last conference call last week Chase Carry implied they would have many devices to show off at CES. He specifically said somethign about automobiles too.

One other interesting tid bit- is he said in '06 they would be coming up with a new way for the boxes to call home, so that not every receiver in the house would need to make a phone call. HE plugged it as a cost saving move to the analysts. So sounds like all the USB ports on all the new receivers (d11, H20, R15, presumably the HR20) might be used for some kind of networking even if it's nothing more then reporting your ppv's?

[Vaj]

Actually there are well known hacks for Mac and Linux users, there's probably even hack out there for proprietary systems like Windoze to help enable DirecTiVo HMO.

Take a look at:

http://www.tivotool.com/ss/ss.html

What I would like is a hard drive already hacked, so I can simply replace it and start using HMO. Mac users with Airport Express already at their entertainment systems should be able to use the USB port to stream the video directly to their Mac wirelessly. Since Mac OS X has DVD and CD burning, you can burn directly to DVD or you can import it into iTunes and play on your iPod.

But really all we need is an upgrade kit, WITH THE HACK enabled. Then you'd be golden.

[slydog75]

LOL, what makes Mac less proprietary than Windows? From everything I've seen Macs are certainly much MORE proprietary. But you are correct, there are hacks available to enable HMO or forms there of.

[Vaj]

LOL, what makes Mac less proprietary than Windows? From everything I've seen Macs are certainly much MORE proprietary. But you are correct, there are hacks available to enable HMO or forms there of.

Mac OS 10.XX is entirely built on top of an Open Source OS, a flavor of UNIX called BSD. Consequently all the apps for UNIX can be easily ported to the Mac OS. Heck you can even boot into BSD and the skip the Mac interface if that's what turns your crank.

Really, you get the best of both worlds--a UNIX Open Source OS and the imitated but never quite duplicated Mac OS.

[Arcady]

I'll take TiVoTool and a Mac over the "official" TiVo HMO and Windows any day. It is much more versatile.

Another nice thing about working with TiVo on the Mac is that files do not have to be stripped of DOS character returns and all the other evil things that Windows does to ruin UNIX/Linux files. I just edit them in BBedit and drag them onto the TiVo.

I just wish that TiVo could play AAC files that I share with TiVo desktop...

[GTS_026]

Has anyone tried the pvtupgrade for the HR10? It says that they have a new hack that allows the HMO.

I haven't done enough post to post a link. pvtupgrade(dot)com

[GTS_026]

I haven't posted on this site in a very long time, so my signature is way out of wack.

However, I have 3 DirecTiVos and the HD on my HR-10 just went out. I am thinking about buying the replacement drive from PVTupgrade(Dot)com has anyone purchased anything from them before?

[kc1ih]

OK, I'm still trying to figure this one out. To my mind, HMO = Health Maintenance Organization. So, why would DTV care about an outside petition concerning the benifits for it's employees?

I'm guessing it means, in the words of Monty Pyton, something completely different. Could someone please explain what this is really about?

[bigpuma]

OK, I'm still trying to figure this one out. To my mind, HMO = Health Maintenance Organization. So, why would DTV care about an outside petition concerning the benifits for it's employees?

I'm guessing it means, in the words of Monty Pyton, something completely different. Could someone please explain what this is really about?

HMO = Home Media Option, which is available on stand alone Tivos. Do a search for it to find out all that it includes.

[pgorbas]

I haven't posted on this site in a very long time, so my signature is way out of wack.

However, I have 3 DirecTiVos and the HD on my HR-10 just went out. I am thinking about buying the replacement drive from PVTupgrade(Dot)com has anyone purchased anything from them before?
You will most likly get better/more responses to this type of question on the TiVo underground or upgrade forums. :)

[Gunnyman]

Actually there are well known hacks for Mac and Linux users, there's probably even hack out there for proprietary systems like Windoze to help enable DirecTiVo HMO.

Take a look at:

http://www.tivotool.com/ss/ss.html

What I would like is a hard drive already hacked, so I can simply replace it and start using HMO. Mac users with Airport Express already at their entertainment systems should be able to use the USB port to stream the video directly to their Mac wirelessly. Since Mac OS X has DVD and CD burning, you can burn directly to DVD or you can import it into iTunes and play on your iPod.

But really all we need is an upgrade kit, WITH THE HACK enabled. Then you'd be golden.

such kits are illegal and violate the copyrights of the authors of said hacks.

[Wirtgen]

Look what charm

[Gunnyman]

Is it possible to update this to request HME (7.x) software?
I know it won't happen but at least we can be current with the request.

[PittCaleb]

Perhaps it is coming down the pipe folks:
http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/12/28/cesrumor_dvr_partnership_mobilemedia/

Props to Mike at http://www.personaltechpipeline.com/blog/;jsessionid=IAZXXK2L2P14OQSNDBCSKHSCJUMEKJVN for the link

Several Web sites have posted rumors about an impending partnership between Tivo and satellite TV providers, DirectTV and Dish Network. [...] Rumor has it that they will partner up to provide mobile content.

[auribe14]

[QUOTE=PittCaleb]Perhaps it is coming down the pipe folks:
http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/12/28/cesrumor_dvr_partnership_mobilemedia/

Pretty crappy article/tidbit. Doesn't even mention that DirecTV currently has Tivo units, or that Dish and DirecTV are competitors. I wouldn't judge anything by that tidbit alone.

[pmnhsn5]

I have been emailing Directv every 6 months or so but just get standard form email, they say maybe somtime. It has been 3 yeras.

In my area you can rent a dual tuner DVR from the cable company that also has the HMO. I have been debating switching for awhile. Think it would be in Directv's best interest to keep up with competition.

Good job on the petition!

[skw]

14613 Signatures Total

[clherv]

What is HMO? I searched, but could not find the answer.

[Hanzaplastique]

Home Media Options. It allows you to view pictures (JPG) and listen to music (MP3) on your Tivo. The source of these is your PC. HMO also allows you to bring recordings to your PC (TiVoToGo etc). You will need TiVo Desktop (a free application from TiVo.com) and for transfering recordings you will also need a Media Access Key (currently not supported for DirecTV TiVo's).

There are great tools out there supporting the HMO protocol for other cool tricks and services like viewing the weather forecast and such (Java HMO for example).

[PrimeRisk]

Don't mean to be a wet blanket, but it seems the petition is a bit pointless now that D* has dropped TiVo.

[MighTiVo]

Don't mean to be a wet blanket, but it seems the petition is a bit pointless now that D* has dropped TiVo.

Perhaps send it to EchoStar

[dscott72]

Just posted my signature to the petition. I especially would like this feature now that I just upgraded my original series one device to a high def unit. I really hate that I can't pull shows from my upstairs Tivo and watch them on the high def tv set, where as our stand alone brothers and sisters have had this functionality for several years.

[dscott72]

Since DirecTv and Tivo are seperating ways. Should we not send the petition to Tivo as well. They might be inclined to assist the cause and help us figure out a way to get the HMO enabled on the devices. Not a Tivo expert by any means, but I would think that the majority of the hardware and software on the combination units has to be Tivo software rather than DirecTv software. Just thinking outloud....

David

[elassowipo]

I got tired waiting for HMO. I left directv a couple of weeks ago after 4 years. Apparently directv does not listen to their customers. Got me a series2 for free and went to comcast they gave 6 month with complete digital package with HBO for about $25 a month including the Moto DVR for $7 a month. Best decision I made

[MichaelK]

Since DirecTv and Tivo are seperating ways. Should we not send the petition to Tivo as well. They might be inclined to assist the cause and help us figure out a way to get the HMO enabled on the devices. Not a Tivo expert by any means, but I would think that the majority of the hardware and software on the combination units has to be Tivo software rather than DirecTv software. Just thinking outloud....

David

tivo's well aware but they have no power to change things. They have said as much. In fact they suggested things like this petition to get Directv's attention.

[Arcady]

I think an HMO request for SD DirecTV TiVo is pretty pointless at this point. The Zipper plus other tools is a better solution anyway.

What we really need is for someone to leak the 6.2 software for the HD D* TiVo, so we can make MRV work with our $1000 boxes that D* doesn't feel like supporting.

No petition online has ever worked to do anything. I don't get why people even bother.

[MichaelK]

I suspect there might be software leaks one Tivo is officially done with Directv in feb 2007, but at that point many of the people with HR10's will have either converted to MPEG4 NDS boxes or grown so disgusted they went to Series 3 with cable or left Tivo entirley. So the HR10 seems like a lost cause for sure....

[BigBadBob]

Now that TiVo and DTV have extended their agreement for three years, and also because the patent case with Echostar was decided in TiVo's favor, do we anticipate any action in this area? I'd sure like to get all the TiVo features, and my TiVolution showcase back! The WSJ said:

TiVo Inc. and DirecTV Group Inc. said they are extending their service agreement for another three years. [...] The companies said Wednesday they will continue to service those customers who had a TiVo digital video recorder through their subscription to DirecTV's satellite television service. TiVo's long-running relationship with DirecTV had been set to end next year as the company switches to a different DVR platform.

[trainsho]

#14859 signed anyway......... ya never know. they may have to call it something different for infringment rights etc. but as soon as the figure some scheme to charge for it, IT will be here..........

[lemp]

I thought they were developing an HMO type system themselves to be used on their own DVRs

[MichaelK]

They cant even get the basic dvr software done and working as well as a TiVo, it will be years before NDS comes out with anything to equal the HMO features.

A year and a half ago at CES , they announced that by the end of 2005 (yes last year) that they would have the whole house DVR from uncentric. They no longer mention it- so basically it appears to have been complete vaporware.

[Semco]

heh. signed number 14kish.

Hope they take this to heart. I had DTV and had to switch to cable because of a new house and trees. Now the trees are gone and I can't live w/o HMO. I won't switch back unless this happens!

[Gunnyman]

jeeze this thread is still here?

[hooknlad]

done

[Brewer4]

No kidding. D* cant even release an MPEG4 HD DVR. Forget HMO.

[sacohen]

Just signed #14917..
Great idea, hope it works.

[magnus]

Someone should kill this thread. Please Mr. Moderator kill it. Like D* even cares what we want, please.

[crunchmunch]

I got tired waiting for HMO. I left directv a couple of weeks ago after 4 years. Apparently directv does not listen to their customers. Got me a series2 for free and went to comcast they gave 6 month with complete digital package with HBO for about $25 a month including the Moto DVR for $7 a month. Best decision I made
You did not mentioned that you also got HMO. By the way, since Comcast and other cable companies are patnering with TiVo, should we not have a Tivo-Cable forum?

[crunchmunch]

tivo's well aware but they have no power to change things. They have said as much. In fact they suggested things like this petition to get Directv's attention.
It seems more like passing the ball on TiVo's part. It is in TiVo's interest to charge $13 for HMO than get a share of the $6 from DirectTiVo customers.

[MighTiVo]

It seems more like passing the ball on TiVo's part. It is in TiVo's interest to charge $13 for HMO than get a share of the $6 from DirectTiVo customers.

I always felt like TiVo should give (or pay if necessary with TiVo Central advertisements) the new HMO software to DTV which would give TiVo more opportunity to sell stand alone units that could work with the DTV systems and provide more eyeballs for enhamced broadband features they might charge for.

All in all the DTV TiVo deal is an unfortunate disaster and TiVo should be pushing to fix it and not relying on us to do the push for them.

[CarlType]

Thanks for all the efforts,, #49
Hi Andrewket, I saw your Equip list, and Very Noble. Couple Questions if I may on out put of your Equip. See if this is right, <Directv Box will not putout, (even if its recieved) Hddvd> I see your Hughes Equip that will I think. Ok I'm thinking of Getting a AiVo Recorder Box, That if it Recives a HD DVD signal will it record it as a HDDVD Prorgam and Play the same mat on the TV? To Be truthful I'm New to Knowledge of AiVi Box and Wonder if a tivi box Will help me when I'm Trying to view over the air hdtv singel and If I could store and see it at the same time, would record it in hddvd. I just need more info. My fast Computer is the Control over all my intainment Stuff. I'm sure if I get a Viti box that I want to buy outright the Very Latest Mobel of Box then Sign up for service???? Is that right and can I do it?? And The late modle #'s Please and where to Buy? Thanks so much Carltype

[stiletto10]

Personally, I would write a letter directly to the CEO of DTV. Waste of time you think??? Let me tell ya'll a little story about how I got my HR10-250 for 1/2 of what Best Buy was selling it for. Ya'll remember the Best Buy coupon book that had a coupon for 50% off any Tivo unit? The coupon was really sort of vague. Anyway...after 30 minutes of going round and round with the Store Manager I left empty handed and a little humiliated (the store manager basically called me an idiot in front of customers and other emloyees) My vindication...I wrote a letter to the CEO of Best Buy, not a screaming rant but a very calm and assertive, just the facts kind of letter. 3 weeks later I get a call from his executive assistant. She was apologetic and assured me that the store manager was aware of his mistake and that the 50% off coupon would be honored. When I walked into that store and picked up my HR10-250 the same department sales guy was there. I could see him following me to the front of the store. I went to the customer service desk and once again the coupon would not ring up. I suggested the she contact the store manager. Meanwhile, sales guy is lurking on the other side of a CD rack throwing me those "What...are you stupid or something" glances. The store manager finally comes down and is falling all over himself trying to apologize for our last encounter.
My point here is...once the CEO becomes inundated with angry letters about DTV not providing the HMO option on Directivo units when it's pretty obvious that customers want it, you will begin to see action. I do believe that a petition will be quite helpful in this process. I've already sent my letter and I remain hopeful that it will have its desired effect.
Remember...when you write the CEO, don't call him a dumbass (or worse) cuz your letter will right in the trash. Be articulate and professional and you'll see what happens.

Thanks for your time.

[Zarquon]

#14973

Maybe with the new deal, this will be more likely to happen. One can hope...

[bigpuma]

#14973

Maybe with the new deal, this will be more likely to happen. One can hope...

Nope, the new deal is nothing more than lawsuit protection for DirecTV and gives them more time to transition to non TiVO DVRs.

[magnus]

is this thread ever gonna die? :-)

like anyone at D* even cares about what we want.

[tmnglinda]

Way to go! Thanks for organizing!

[ping]

Burn in hell, DirecTV:
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060926005814&newsLang=en

[jcjoey3652]

Burn in hell, DirecTV:


i am truly saddened by this display of lack of respect for TIVO. and us.

they jerked us around for years denying us the simple feature that was allready written for them. just so they could make some big deal with intel to do the same exact thing that we have done with mythtv and that TIVO has done with the HMO. and then act like it is some new invention they just came up with.

it is truely sickening. and whats more, is people are probly going to believe them and they are going to make allot of money off of them.

well not me. i wont buy into any intel vivi rip off bull crap.

i really hope another dish company springs up and offfers all this simple technology with out all the crap and totaly takes all their customers and they go broke. :down: :mad:

[luder]

We want HMO !

[tward_biteme1]

We want HMO !

ZIPPER is the only way.

[restino]

15058 Signatures Total

i signed. not sure what it will do for me but im with you guys :)

[tk8329]

Signed it! REALLY glad to hear that I'm not the only person agonizing over full price billing and 1/2 rate software! I also let TiVo know that all the research I did before buying hardware was wasted time becasue NOBODY,(TiVo or DTV), told me of the lower level software license, and feature set, DTV was paying.

[SP1200]

what is HMO?

[shredhead]

I think it has something to do with health insurance...

:D

[Gunnyman]

maybe Liberty Media will care more than Rupert did. We shall see.

[goony]

what is HMO?Home Media Option, which is what Tivo Inc. called their set of networked features on their standalone Tivos when they first made networked features available.

Here is explanation of current networked features offered on a standalone Tivo box (http://www.tivo.com/1.2.13.asp). Many of us have already enhanced our DTivos with these features (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3075079&&#post3075079) using The Zipper (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=265929) so it's no big deal to us if DirecTV isn't offering/supporting the Tivo Inc. HMO features. Add JavaHMO (http://javahmo.sourceforge.net/screenshots.html) to a home Windows or Linux box and you're really cooking!

[goony]

I think it has something to do with health insurance... Yea, the old Pogo comic strip explained it as the requirements to join one: Healthy Members Only. :p

[SP1200]

Home Media Option, which is what Tivo Inc. called their set of networked features on their standalone Tivos when they first made networked features available.


thanks...believe it or not I did do a search for HMO, but all I got were hundreds of pages discussing but not explaining the subject.

[Rguc]

I'll sign that list anyday!

[ruexp67]

is this thread ever gonna die? :-)

like anyone at D* even cares about what we want.

They still want our money, right?

[lllplus2]

signature 15123. i was lost on the hmo thing, too.

[mphare]

They still want our money, right?
Do you think they are in danger of losing our money if they don't provide HMO features?

[rctoyguy]

I followed this for a while about a year or so ago, but I lost interest and just let it drop for a while - I am now rapidly approaching decision time. Either stay with DirecTV or change to local cable.

The determining factor - being able to record shows on one DVR upstairs, and play them back on a DVR in the theater room downstairs. I don't care about transferring to my PC, I don't care about looking at pictures from the PC on the TV - I just want to be able to watch what is on one DVR from another DVR (without getting into all kinds of crazy video cable routing from multiple outputs, etc).

Is this currently possible with HD DirecTV DVRs?

If no, is there any indication that this will happen within the next couple of months?

If still no, looks like they are losing me as a customer - I'll just have to determine if I can do this with my local cable company's HDDVR or if I need to go back to good old Tivo.... they can still do this can't they?

[slydog75]

I followed this for a while about a year or so ago, but I lost interest and just let it drop for a while - I am now rapidly approaching decision time. Either stay with DirecTV or change to local cable.

The determining factor - being able to record shows on one DVR upstairs, and play them back on a DVR in the theater room downstairs. I don't care about transferring to my PC, I don't care about looking at pictures from the PC on the TV - I just want to be able to watch what is on one DVR from another DVR (without getting into all kinds of crazy video cable routing from multiple outputs, etc).

Is this currently possible with HD DirecTV DVRs?

If no, is there any indication that this will happen within the next couple of months?

If still no, looks like they are losing me as a customer - I'll just have to determine if I can do this with my local cable company's HDDVR or if I need to go back to good old Tivo.... they can still do this can't they?

THis is not possible with any HiDef Tivos right now and never will be on the DirectTV DVRs. My guess is it will eventually be possible on the Series 3 Tivo, but it's not right now.

[bigpuma]

THis is not possible with any HiDef Tivos right now and never will be on the DirectTV DVRs. My guess is it will eventually be possible on the Series 3 Tivo, but it's not right now.

Why do you say it will never be possible with DirecTV DVRs? Isn't that the point of the HMC that DirecTV was talking about. I mean I don't expect to see it for a long time but I suspect that eventually MRV will be available in some form with DirecTV DVRs. They already added the ability to see photos and listen to music from a computer on the HR20s.

[pinegein]

I just signed 15131 if that is not enough there is something wrong with Directv 10000 should have been plenty for them to listen

[magnus]

Someone should really kill this thread.... come on now it has been out there since 4-1-2003 and D* has not seen fit to give us HMO or any of the other of the great features of the SA tivo.

Does anyone really think D* is reading this forum or the HMO request that was started?? You have to be kidding. You guys should stop wasting your time and not bother signing this thing.... it's just not worth the time.

Hack your box to get these features and move on.



I just signed 15131 if that is not enough there is something wrong with Directv 10000 should have been plenty for them to listen

[madmartyk]

Very Cool, I was # 15151!!

[bigpuma]

Someone should really kill this thread.... come on now it has been out there since 4-1-2003 and D* has not seen fit to give us HMO or any of the other of the great features of the SA tivo.


To be fair you can now stream music and photos to their new DVR. :p

[magnus]

who wants to be fair.... just hack it and get what you want. D* does not care about this post, the petition, or their customers.

heck, now they don't even offer tivo.... just their crappy dvr. if they ever decide to keep customers from using their directv tivos then they can count me as gone. tivo rocks compared to their piece of junk.


To be fair you can now stream music and photos to their new DVR. :p

[MsPoo]

What is HMO?

[snickerrrrs]

Take the D* networking survey! Follow this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB225YMUP2RSG of go to forums.directv.com and click on the home networking survey link (bottom right "take this survey") Directv is paying for it so maybe they'll finally listen! :p

PS: you can either login or "continue as a visitor" to take the survey.

[MsPoo]

Thank You. :)

[magnus]

i do not see the point of this survey. what does it have at all to do with HMO? they're not going to do a thing to allow HMO for dtv tivos.

Take the D* networking survey! Follow this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB225YMUP2RSG of go to forums.directv.com and click on the home networking survey link (bottom right "take this survey") Directv is paying for it so maybe they'll finally listen! :p

PS: you can either login or "continue as a visitor" to take the survey.

[rcg1966]

15,162.

[magnus]

Since you have already hacked yours... why do you care?

15,162.

[tivopete]

who wants to be fair.... just hack it and get what you want. D* does not care about this post, the petition, or their customers.

heck, now they don't even offer tivo.... just their crappy dvr. if they ever decide to keep customers from using their directv tivos then they can count me as gone. tivo rocks compared to their piece of junk.

I've chucked tivo and D* altogether - FIOS will be installed this comming Thurs.
For less money I'll have HD, HMO, more channels, & internet.

I have 2 fully functional D* tivo units if anyone's interested.........

[Jim Dion]

Since I just found out that TIVO supports Humax's one year only policy of product liability and my Humax TIVO is toast. I am dumping TIVO for Direct TV. TIVO should be ashamed of having Humax as a supplier.

[John T Smith]

>dumping TIVO for Direct TV

In that case, you need to know that what DirecTv supplies now is NOT a Tivo
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=332593

Their new equipment is discussed at...
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82

If you want a DirecTv Tivo unit, you will have to find one

Where to I get a DirecTv Tivo?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=316297

[bigpuma]

Since I just found out that TIVO supports Humax's one year only policy of product liability and my Humax TIVO is toast. I am dumping TIVO for Direct TV. TIVO should be ashamed of having Humax as a supplier.

Isn't that true of the vast majority of consumer products?

[magnus]

You've got to be kidding. :)


Since I just found out that TIVO supports Humax's one year only policy of product liability and my Humax TIVO is toast. I am dumping TIVO for Direct TV. TIVO should be ashamed of having Humax as a supplier.

[aggielaw]

So after all this time, is there any hint DirecTV is moving toward a unit with HMO?

[magnus]

No hint at all that Directv would ever do this. I think someone should really kill this thread.... as it does not seem to be valid and D* has no clue.


So after all this time, is there any hint DirecTV is moving toward a unit with HMO?

[Soko]

hopefully not resurecting a dead thread but i'm still waiting on HMO.

Is this finally a sign they will enable the usb/network options? making hmo that much easier?

I have a s2 tivo upstairs (free) and directv w/ tivo downstairs. i would LOVE to use HMO with both.

DIRECTV to Introduce Additional TiVo Features

EL SEGUNDO and ALVISO, Calif., July 31, 2007 — DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE:DTV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), will develop a software upgrade to enhance the user experience for DIRECTV customers who have DIRECTV DVRs with TiVo® service built on the Series2™ platform.

Launching in early 2008, the new software download will provide these customers with DVR enhancements offered with the TiVo service, including a Recently Deleted Folder and Overlap Protection™, as well as DIRECTV's Remote Booking feature. In addition, DIRECTV and TiVo will continue to explore ways to bring future enhancements to DIRECTV customers with TiVo receivers.

"It is important to us that our customers with TiVo service also have access to the latest DVR technology and we look forward to exploring additional opportunities with TiVo," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV, Inc. "DIRECTV's launch of these additional features underscores the uniqueness of TiVo's DVR service," said Naveen Chopra, vice president, Corporate Development and Strategy for TiVo.

DIRECTV and TiVo began their relationship in 2000 with the launch of the first DIRECTV DVR with TiVo. In April 2006, both companies announced an extension of their commercial and advertising relationship through early 2010.

[Gunnyman]

if the new software already popping up is any indication, HMO is dead on DTivos.

[MighTiVo]

if the new software already popping up is any indication, HMO is dead on DTivos.

Explain...

[ttodd1]

The code is not in 6.x software, hence it is dead.

[MighTiVo]

The code is not in 6.x software, hence it is dead.

Reading between the lines here....

HMO is not in the code delivered by DirectTV but it used to be there latent?

I would think the important issue would be is the DirectTV code in the standalone release?

I thought TiVo worked on a unified code base so that if they could ever convince DTV to pay for an upgrade the work was essentially already done.
While it would certainly be notable that HMO was missing from the code even when not in use by DTV but as long as TiVo continues to develop it there always seems like there is an opportunity.

Come on TiVo sell it for us, make them an offer they can't refuse!

[ttodd1]

I meant 6.3 versions (bad day yesterday). It is in the 6.1 and 6.2 versions but was not in there for the HD DTivos which got 6.3 (I also assume that it was not in the 3.x for them too). Since they are now putting them all on the same version they decided to use the 6.3 one which does not have the code in it.