New Tivo Design

[Resist]

Has anyone heard about a new Tivo yet? I want to upgrade our Series 2 to a HiDef version of Tivo, which would compliment our other Tivo (Series 3). But due to the ugly looks of the Tivo HD I have held off. If they were still made I would buy another Series 3 right now. I sure hope the next design of Tivo is a better looking unit. Maybe Tivo should contact Apple for advice.

[steve614]

Maybe Tivo should contact Apple for advice.

Oh, HELL no. I don't necessarily like Apple's designs, and I sure as hell don't need a white device mixed in with my other black components. :p

[rainwater]

I can't remember the last time I even looked at my main TiVo. I guess if I open the closet door, I can take a peek and see if it has changed since the last time I saw it.

[mindchaotica]

I <3 TiVo's designs. i like the retro modern feel of it. ... no seriously. i like the way the TiVo Stuff looks.

[Resist]

I don't necessarily like Apple's designs, and I sure as hell don't need a white device mixed in with my other black components.I am not talking about color just the physical design. Apple products are very cool looking. You don't have to like their products to appreciate how they look. The Tivo HD looks terrible, and it needs a face lift. Bring back the Series 3 design!

[jkalnin]

My TiVo HD is next to my PS3. Night and day with regards to design. The PS3 is sleek, shiny, modern, and looks like thought went into the look of the box. The TiVo HD looks like they found the cheapest box to chuck the parts in just to save a buck. If the TiVo man feel off the front it would look like I have a betamax player in there.

[mikeyts]

I can tell you that I do not like my PS3's industrial design, or AppleTV or Vudu or any of number of things that I could mention. Why do I need a set of differently shaped and colored enclosures which can't be stacked together in my HT cabinet? It's goofy, and I for one would seriously like a return to the standard 17" wide "pizza box" for components. Discrete, elegant and not competing for attention with all the rest of my equipment. Where these things need to strive for excellence is in how they do what they do and not in how they look while doing it.

[magnus]

I like my S3. It's cool to see what it's recording without actually turning on the TV.

[mattack]

I want to upgrade our Series 2 to a HiDef version of Tivo, which would compliment our other Tivo (Series 3).

You want one Tivo to say "Wow, you're really cool, series 3!"???

[rainwater]

My TiVo HD is next to my PS3..

Yeah, the non standard shape of the PS3 is great for fitting into entertainment centers. :rolleyes:

[Mindflux]

Oh, HELL no. I don't necessarily like Apple's designs, and I sure as hell don't need a white device mixed in with my other black components. :p

That's racist.

[lofar]

I actually like how discreet the HD is. It's not distracting, most people don't even notice it is there. I prefer the TV and what's on it to be the center of my living room not my electronic devices.

If you really wanted something different you could custom fab your own TivoHD case and stick all the guts into that. It really wouldn't be all that hard to do, though it would certainly void the warranty.

The only thing I can really agree with here is that the HD could really benefit from a digital display. It would be nice to see what channel is on both tuners and maybe what the title of the show is.

[Resist]

The front look of the Tivo Series 3 is pure art. The look of the Tivo HD is tacky brick work.

[cogx]

I like my S3. It's cool to see what it's recording without actually turning on the TV.

I agree, not just because I'm trying to make myself feel like the crazy amount of money I paid for it was justified, but since day one, and now nearly 2.5 years later, I still look at it and it is just one gorgeous piece of CE. I couldn't believe how ugly they made the HD model, when they had such a great design in the S3, and being able to see on the front display what is recording is something I can't imagine losing.

[Joe01880]

I keep the panel lights turned off on my TiVoHD. It just sits there, all quite. It doesnt even look alive, but it is, watching, recording Muah hahahahaha....er, ok, im better now

[djwilso]

That's racist.

No, you thinking that it's rascist is what is actually rascist.

/sarcasm

[moonscape]

The look of the Tivo HD is tacky brick work.

this is exactly why i bought an S3 - i hated the HD and it wasn't going to be in a cabinet so that left the more $$ S3. i do love the front display and controls (even though i've used them only once!) but honestly considering the cost, if the HD hadn't been so butt-ugly, i would've bought that instead.

[midson]

It's good you like Apple's style because I think they will buy TiVo and integrate it into their AppleTV "hobby".

[bkdtv]

The front look of the Tivo Series 3 is pure art. The look of the Tivo HD is tacky brick work.I don't care for the case designs of either high-definition TiVo. I don't think they look bad, but it is well-established that black A/V components outsell their silver counterparts by substantial margins.

I understand TiVo's desire for a unique and easily recognizable design. They don't want their DVR to be confused or mistaken for lesser products. That said, most people want their DVR to "blend in" with the rest of their equipment, not stand out. New customers tend to shy away from "in your face" designs.

I would like to see TiVo design an inexpensive case with a slimmer, all-black aesthetic. An orange or blue frontal display is a great way to differentiate the case from other products, but it is too costly for a $199-$250 product. Then again, Motorola does appear to feature some kind of frontal display with its upcoming DCX3400 cable DVR.

http://pimages.solidsignal.com/R16_zoom.jpg
DirecTV R16

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6452/dcx3400bc9.png
Motorola's next-generation DCX3400 (http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Business/Products/TV%20Video%20Distribution/Customer%20Premises%20Equipment/All%20Digital%20QAM%20Set-tops/DCX3400/_Documents/552791-001_DCX3400.pdf?localeId=33) HDTV DVR (slim profile)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3481/hr21be5.jpg
DirecTV HR21 HDTV DVR

[heySkippy]

It's good you like Apple's style because I think they will buy TiVo and integrate it into their AppleTV "hobby".

Oh please please please please please yes...

[gonzotek]

I don't care for the case designs of either high-definition TiVo. I don't think they look bad, but it is well-established that black A/V components outsell their silver counterparts by substantial margins.

I understand TiVo's desire for a unique and easily recognizable design. They don't want their DVR to be confused or mistaken for lesser products. That said, most people want their DVR to "blend in" with the rest of their equipment, not stand out. New customers tend to shy away from "in your face" designs.

I would like to see TiVo design an inexpensive case with a slimmer, all-black aesthetic. An orange or blue frontal display is a great way to differentiate the case from other products, but it is too costly for a $199-$250 product. Then again, Motorola does appear to feature some kind of frontal display with its upcoming DCX3400 cable DVR.

http://pimages.solidsignal.com/R16_zoom.jpg
DirecTV R16

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6452/dcx3400bc9.png
Motorola's next-generation DCX3400 (http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Business/Products/TV%20Video%20Distribution/Customer%20Premises%20Equipment/All%20Digital%20QAM%20Set-tops/DCX3400/_Documents/552791-001_DCX3400.pdf?localeId=33) HDTV DVR (slim profile)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3481/hr21be5.jpg
DirecTV HR21 HDTV DVRThe fewer blue lights in use, the better. The blue LEDs distract me something terrible when I trying to watch tv (including TiVo's transfer indicators).

[berkshires]

You people aren't spending enough time looking at your TVs.

[Resist]

The fewer blue lights in use, the better. The blue LEDs distract me something terrible when I trying to watch tv (including TiVo's transfer indicators).I hear you! And as I am getting older the blue is even harder to keep in focus.

[bmgoodman]

You want one Tivo to say "Wow, you're really cool, series 3!"???

The whooshing sound you may have heard was the sound of your comment going over many heads! :cool:

[ZeoTiVo]

The whooshing sound you may have heard was the sound of your comment going over many heads! :cool:

so, are you complementing the post
or
just being non-complimentary?



as for the design of TiVo - I might pay 50$ for a better heads up display of what the TiVo is doing (like that Motorola box) but otherwise black pizza box at low cost is fine by me and fits into my furniture quite nicely.

[cogx]

The fewer blue lights in use, the better. The blue LEDs distract me something terrible when I trying to watch tv (including TiVo's transfer indicators).

Amen. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE... um, HATE those bright blue LEDs. It seems they were a big fad a couple years ago, but now I think the designers of CE devices might have finally figured out that they are hideous and annoying?

[Sethb]

Yeah, if you think the TiVo is bad, you should see my Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-Ray player, it has a 3 inch blue bar across the bottom... to emphasize the blu-ness of your blu-rays, I guess...

[fallingwater]

The front look of the Tivo Series 3 is pure art. The look of the Tivo HD is tacky brick work.

I agree. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd cosmetically redesign HDTiVo XL's faceplate but omit S3's displays and buttons to keep it relatively cheap?

The '240' S2 was TiVo at its low-key best.

[DAccardi]

I am not talking about color just the physical design. Apple products are very cool looking. You don't have to like their products to appreciate how they look. The Tivo HD looks terrible, and it needs a face lift. Bring back the Series 3 design!

please explain why an apple's rectangle is any cooler then any other rectangle? Ipod, ipod touch, Iphone, etc.... even macs, THERE ALL SHINY WHITE RECTANGLES! all it is, is generic hardware encased in shiny plastic. woohoo.

[Bierboy]

The front look of the Tivo Series 3 is pure art. The look of the Tivo HD is tacky brick work.

Affirmative...but it's certainly not worth hundreds more....even with THX certification and a super duper remote (which I don't use, since I have the Harmony One)...:rolleyes:

[Bierboy]

... It just sits there, all quite....

...quite what?....

[That Don Guy]

Has anyone heard about a new Tivo yet? I want to upgrade our Series 2 to a HiDef version of Tivo, which would compliment our other Tivo (Series 3). But due to the ugly looks of the Tivo HD I have held off. If they were still made I would buy another Series 3 right now. I sure hope the next design of Tivo is a better looking unit. Maybe Tivo should contact Apple for advice.
I haven't heard a word about a "Series 4", if that's what you mean by a "new TiVo." I wouldn't be surprised if they're holding out until they can get together with cable companies and everybody agree on a method where a TiVo box can drive a cable company's OnDemand/PPV menu.

-- Don

[mikeyts]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're holding out until they can get together with cable companies and everybody agree on a method where a TiVo box can drive a cable company's OnDemand/PPV menu.Old news--from TiVo's PR (http://investor.tivo.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=279023) on their 3Q07 conference call report, issued 15 months ago:
"In addition, as a result of our constructive conversations, TiVo and the cable industry have come to an agreement on a blue-print for a retail TiVo DVR using the cable industry's OpenCable Application Platform that will have full two-way cable service functionality. While the technical specifications are still being worked out, such a set-top box will mean TiVo subscribers will be able to get full access to cable VOD and other two-way cable services. This could also mean that a standalone TiVo offering could fully substitute for a cable operator set-top box. This understanding was communicated yesterday to the FCC through an ex parte filing by TiVo. We believe that this dialogue with the cable industry has been very constructive, and demonstrates the cable industry's genuine desire to work with TiVo, not to mention the clear recognition that TiVo is an important offering for cable subscribers."I've read the mentioned ex parte FCC filing and it spoke of such a unit as having a "cable mode", which would run the cable service provider's downloaded UI, giving access to all its interactive services but not allowing any sort of recording and a "TiVo mode", presenting TiVo's proprietary UI with no access to cable interactive services other than switched broadcast tuning.

[ZeoTiVo]

I've read the mentioned ex parte FCC filing and it spoke of such a unit as having a "cable mode", which would run the cable service provider's downloaded UI, giving access to all its interactive services but not allowing any sort of recording and a "TiVo mode", presenting TiVo's proprietary UI with no access to cable interactive services other than switched broadcast tuning.

right that is basically tru2way added to a TiVo. Most refer to it as the series 4. the speculation is how TiVo will do the TiVo side.
the hangup is still waiting for tru2way to get really finalized so TiVo can design and build without fear of changes casuing issues.

[jkalnin]

Here is a design prototype for the series 4:
http://www.johnkalnin.com/images/Tivo-series4.jpg
It looks a little more modern then I expected.

[steve614]

That's racist.

No racist here -- I'm a realist. :p

[ZeoTiVo]

Here is a design prototype for the series 4:
http://www.johnkalnin.com/images/Tivo-series4.jpg
It looks a little more modern then I expected.

an on/off button :eek: that is advanced!

[netringer]

I would like to see TiVo design an inexpensive case with a slimmer, all-black aesthetic. An orange or blue frontal display is a great way to differentiate the case from other products, but it is too costly for a $199-$250 product. Then again, Motorola does appear to feature some kind of frontal display with its upcoming DCX3400 cable DVR.
..

Oh, great! Now you'll still think going without TV altogether is a better alternative to trying to use the Moto DVR, but at least you'll have a trendy-looking box with blinkenlights. :rolleyes:

[mattack]

I actually like how discrete the HD is.
...
The only thing I can really agree with here is that the HD could really benefit from a digital display. It would be nice to see what channel is on both tuners and maybe what the title of the show is.

You like the fact that the Tivo HD is separate? (another 'whoosh'?)

If you want a digital display, you should have gotten a S3.

Yeah, if you think the TiVo is bad, you should see my Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-Ray player, it has a 3 inch blue bar across the bottom... to emphasize the blu-ness of your blu-rays, I guess...

My Toshiba XS32 has a big blue bar that lights up when the hard drive is selected (as opposed to to the DVD player/recorder). I think it's pretty darn annoying and very bright, but I guess I've gotten used to it somewhat.. not tried to disconnect it or put tape over it.

[lofar]

You like the fact that the Tivo HD is separate? (another 'whoosh'?)


God, get one letter out of place here and people gotta attack you for it. Discreet, there is that better???


If you want a digital display, you should have gotten a S3.


Another smart ass is born every day.. You do know they don't make the S3 anymore, right? RIGHT???

[Bierboy]

...Another smart ass is born every day.. You do know they don't make the S3 anymore, right? RIGHT???

You want smart ass, smart ass? They DO still make an Series 3; it's called the TiVo HD.

[jkalnin]

The TiVo HD and Series 3 are two different models. The TiVo HD replaced the Series 3, so I don't think it technically qualifies as a Series 3. Then again, who gives a crap.

[lessd]

The TiVo HD and Series 3 are two different models. The TiVo HD replaced the Series 3, so I don't think it technically qualifies as a Series 3. Then again, who gives a crap.

The Series 3 platform now has three models 648 (original with no name) 652 (has the name of TiVo-HD) and 658 (has the name of TiVo-HDXL). If you look at the system information screen, all three models say the same thing "Series 3 platform". All three models are a Series 3 TiVo but one model does not have name, it sometime make things confusing.

[kettledrum]

Has anyone heard about a new Tivo yet? I want to upgrade our Series 2 to a HiDef version of Tivo, which would compliment our other Tivo (Series 3).

You want one Tivo to say "Wow, you're really cool, series 3!"???

I should not be eating lunch while reading here. My monitor almost got a cleaning just now!

[wtherrell]

God, get one letter out of place here and people gotta attack you for it. Discreet, there is that better???



Another smart ass is born every day.. You do know they don't make the S3 anymore, right? RIGHT???

Takes one to know one. Believe me, I know. I am one, too. Or is that one, two?
It does kinda liven things up for everyone to have a few of us around. BTW, the opposite of smartass would be-----wait for it-------dumbass.

[Resist]

Bring back the OLED!

[JohnBrowning]

Bring back the OLED!

I'd agree if it did something useful! In my view, it does not. If the TiVo is near the TV, as mine is, and I sit a reasonable distance from the TV, a 52 inch, the OLED is completely illegible.