Comcast Tivo

[MsRoboto]

I am a former Tivo user from Directv. I am using the Comcast DVR for now but it's not Tivo. I think we all know what I mean. It works but not as well as Tivo.

I keep hearing that Comcast has some agreement with Tivo. So can I get Tivo on this DVR. Is it ever going to be available?

I am really trying to figure out my options in the wake of the Series 3 that I have been waiting impatiently for.

[bpurcell]

Comcast is supposedly beta'ing the software on their cable DVR's, but there is no public release yet. I think I heard it could be done in 2007. My suggestion is to go ahead and invest in a Tivo, or wait a month for the new S3 (if the rumors are correct).

[dylanursula]

I spoke to Comcast tech the other day and he said jan/feb 2007

[ZeoTiVo]

If you came from the DirectTV world and Dual tuners and Digital are important to you - then wait for the S3 to make a decision. I a mvery confident it will be out in September.

A Comcast TiVo for existing Motorolla hardware (current Comcast DVR you have) has been slated for early 2007 and it is being tested now so no reason to doubt early 2007.

So how long can you wait to decide?

[MsRoboto]

Well I can wait to decide until this Comcast DVR drives me crazy. I'm almost there.

Yes dual tuners are important to me. I do have dual tuners with Comcast.

The series 3 is an option.

The other option that is always there is I could drop Comcast and go back to DirectTV. Use my old tivo's for a while until the hardware is released.

[drewba]

From the just released 2Q Tivo earnings report:

Further, we are happy with the way the Comcast relationship is progressing as is Comcast. Comcast believes we are on track to have the product available in trials before the end of 2006.

[Stanley Rohner]

Just an FYI - The S3 is gonna cost about $800.

[megazone]

From the just released 2Q Tivo earnings report:
And from the con call - field trials by the end of the year, widespread availability in early 2007.

Note that this will only be for Comcast customers with Motorola DVRs. Some areas use Scientific Atlanta boxes, and the TiVo software has not (yet) been ported to those.

[Stu_Bee]

It's gonna be hard to pull the trigger on purchasing Tivo's Series 3, until we can differentiate the feature set from the Comcast-Tivo Series3 offering. I wonder if many people will be holding out....and how that will affect Tivo's sales of their s3.

[Nightfall]

It's gonna be hard to pull the trigger on purchasing Tivo's Series 3, until we can differentiate the feature set from the Comcast-Tivo Series3 offering. I wonder if many people will be holding out....and how that will affect Tivo's sales of their s3.

I for one will be waiting. If the S3 was more affordable, I would have jumped on it and switched to Comcast. However, with the price of the S3, I just can't do it. I am going to wait until Comcast releases their Tivo software next year. Maybe in the middle of next year, I will be ready to make a move to Comcast and their Tivo or an S3.

Until then, I will be happy with my 250GB upgraded Directv neutered Tivos. :)

[MsRoboto]

Well and so far we have not heard what is anything will be neutered in the Comcast Tivo. That could factor into the decision as well.

Still pondering.

Thanks for the input. I understand the options anyway.
I guess I'll be waiting around for a little while anyway.

[Gianluca Greco]

Is there a consensus on what the Comcast/Time-Warner merger will affect the release of the Tivo branded DVR? I am one of those whose service has, or will soon, be handled by Time-Warner Cable.

I hope that Tivo will not be one of the casualties of this merger.

Gianluca

[jsmeeker]

It's gonna be hard to pull the trigger on purchasing Tivo's Series 3, until we can differentiate the feature set from the Comcast-Tivo Series3 offering. I wonder if many people will be holding out....and how that will affect Tivo's sales of their s3.


Amongst Comcast customers, I would think many would. If I were still a Comcast customer, there is a good chance I would hold out. First, I'd have to see the pricing on the Series 3. If it *is* $800. that would really make me take a pause at buying a Series 3. I might have wanted to hold out until the Comcast TiVo came out. Then, I could get that and use it until the price on the Series 3 dropped to a point where I would be comofrtable with.

Of course for me, none of that matters now. I don't have Comcast anymore. :( It's the Series 3 or nothing for me.

[jsmeeker]

Is there a consensus on what the Comcast/Time-Warner merger will affect the release of the Tivo branded DVR? I am one of those whose service has, or will soon, be handled by Time-Warner Cable.

I hope that Tivo will not be one of the casualties of this merger.

Gianluca


There was no Comcast/Time-Warner merger.

[mickeymammoth]

I asked the same question in the HD Tivo forum:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=313739

This is all speculation, but I was encouraged to get the Series 3 tivo instead of waiting for the comcast box because:

1. The comcast motorola box won't have an upgradable hard drive. Supposedly, it only holds like 15 hrs of HD programming! Having upgraded my DirecTivo with a big harddrive, there's no way I could go back to something so dinky. Not to say that people won't try to upgrade, but you could get in trouble since you won't own the box. The S3 has the capability to add an external hard drive; easy-peasy!

2. The S3 will be new hardware, so could be faster. People have complained about the speed of the motorola box.

3. The S3 will have all the newest Tivo features, but comcast (like DirecTV) can choose not to support stuff (and probably won't support things).

If you want pay-per-view, though, you should get the comcast box. The S3 cablecards don't support it.

Cost is the main factor in getting the comcast box for most, but if you're a Tivo diehard and are willing to pay more to get more, then the S3 is probably for you.

[DTSDude]

Comcast is beta testing the TiVo DVR software currently. The plan is to have limited release by the end of the year. No rollout schedule has been made to this point. There is still no word on what the extra monthly cost of the TiVo software will be.