Series 4 to be called "Tivo Premiere"?

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 03:29 PM

I just received a TiVo HD via the "Upgrade" program today, and inside the box I received instructions on how to "Setup TiVo Premiere or Premiere XL"

It's instructional picture has a different back panel picture that isn't the HD or the Series 3. It features only one Cablecard slot and says it's for M-Cards only. It also seems a bit shorter than usual.

It sounds like either a Series 4 or a revised Series 3/HD model. Anyone seen this before? Figures just my luck that TiVo will release a new unit sometime soon after I purchased a new one.

nrc · 12-30-2009, 03:32 PM

If you could scan or photograph that and post it you'd make a lot of folks happy.

headroll · 12-30-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarron

I just received a TiVo HD via the "Upgrade" program today, and inside the box I received instructions on how to "Setup TiVo Premiere or Premiere XL"

It's instructional picture has a different back panel picture that isn't the HD or the Series 3. It features only one Cablecard slot and says it's for M-Cards only. It also seems a bit shorter than usual.

It sounds like either a Series 4 or a revised Series 3/HD model. Anyone seen this before? Figures just my luck that TiVo will release a new unit sometime soon after I purchased a new one.

Scan and post. ttiuwp.

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 03:39 PM

I'm putting up a post on my blog with a PDF link to the scanned document.

Here's a teaser:

bkdtv · 12-30-2009, 03:47 PM

A reminder...

Quotes from the TiVo CEO back in August:

Quote:

As part of this deal, TiVo and Best Buy are together working toward the development of new user interface features for TiVo DVRs sold by Best Buy, which will build upon TiVo’s seamless integration of broadcast, cable, and broadband content on the television set…

As proof of their commitment, beginning early next year Best Buy will be putting substantial marketing muscle behind this relationship as newly innovative features are rolled out.

Quote:

I would say the essence of that [Best Buy] deal is geared toward early next year, where some product improvements and developments that we will be putting forward will be able to be wrapped into the overall strategic marketing relationship with Best Buy, so the guts of the relationship will really get under way then.

Quotes from the TiVo CEO in November:

Quote:

In terms of our work with Best Buy, we are extremely excited about our strategic marketing relationship that will kick off early next year, as is Best Buy. Out development work to create unique user interface elements for the Best Buy launch is nearing completion and will be timed with the commencement of Best Buy's strategic marketing initiatives early next year.

Additionally, we look forward to working with Best Buy to integrate its recently announced digital content offering into that interface next year.

Quote:

From Q&A:

We have not disclosed the nature of the economics of the Best Buy relationship, but I’ll simply say that we like they are heavily incented not only get more TiVos in the homes, but to make sure that they support Best Buy digital services in the best possible way.

There was another quote, although I don't have it bookmarked, where TiVo said it would significantly reduce the cost to upgrade older (Series2) customers to HD in 2010.

Back in August, RCN announced that it would deploy a new TiVo DVR with increased capacity in January, 2010 as its default DVR. RCN's Director of Video Operations said this was not the same product currently sold at retail. More recently, RCN said they would deploy the new Tivo DVR in mid-1Q, i.e. February.

lew · 12-30-2009, 03:56 PM

I don't see a phone jack or S connector. Looks like a lower cost design.

nrc · 12-30-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarron

I'm putting up a post on my blog with a PDF link to the scanned document.

Am I missing the link to your blog somewhere?

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lew

I don't see a phone jack or S connector. Looks like a lower cost design.

That's what I noticed too, no S-video and slimmer design. Lack of a second card slot could be viewed as a cost cutting measure too.

I posted up my thoughts on the document here on my blog:
http://infiniteshamrock.com/post/308...-tivo-premiere

Here's a clearer look at the back of the device, and a PDF can be found on my blog.

MickeS · 12-30-2009, 04:08 PM

Interesting, thanks for posting. Looks like Google has no mention of "TiVo Premiere" before you mention it.

I wonder what it will be priced at.

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeS

Interesting, thanks for posting. Looks like Google has no mention of "TiVo Premiere" before you mention it.

Yeah I couldn't find anything on it, not even here which I figured would be the first place a rumor like this would turn up.

MickeS · 12-30-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarron

Yeah I couldn't find anything on it, not even here which I figured would be the first place a rumor like this would turn up.

It kinda looks like some employee just happened to screw up and put in the wrong manual...

It doesn't say anything about built-in wireless, does it?

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeS

It kinda looks like some employee just happened to screw up and put in the wrong manual...

It doesn't say anything about built-in wireless, does it?

Sadly it's not a complete manual, just the CableCard setup manual. All my other manuals are normal for a Tivo HD from what I can tell.

netringer · 12-30-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeS

Interesting, thanks for posting. Looks like Google has no mention of "TiVo Premiere" before you mention it.

I wonder what it will be priced at.

I say it'll be Best Buy / OEM cheap at $99-$199. Wonder what the subscription deal will be.

Way cool. How do they manage to include the wrong instructions? That's what happens when you outsource packaging and fulfillment.

The manual says, "Once you have verified the customer is receiving all encrypted channels...." which leads me to believe it's for cableco techs to install.

MickeS · 12-30-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarron

Sadly it's not a complete manual, just the CableCard setup manual. All my other manuals are normal for a Tivo HD from what I can tell.

Better than nothing.

Maybe CES next week will shed some more light on it.

drey · 12-30-2009, 04:43 PM

Very interesting. I received several TiVo HD units manufactured Dec 20th and they both had regular insert for TiVo HD / Cable Cards. Definitely looks like someone inserted a wrong guide.

nrc · 12-30-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netringer

I say it'll be Best Buy / OEM cheap at $99-$199. Wonder what the subscription deal will be.

Way cool. How do they manage to include the wrong instructions? That's what happens when you outsource packaging and fulfillment.

The fact that it the material is ready to go implies that this box is ready to drop soon. I'd be surprised if it isn't announced and available during CES or soon after. They may be preparing to ship right now. Someone just grabbed a fresh stack of instructions from the wrong pile.

Quote:

The manual says, "Once you have verified the customer is receiving all encrypted channels...." which leads me to believe it's for cableco techs to install.

This is similar to the language on the current "give to installer" card that comes with the TiVo HD so I wouldn't read too much into it. In fact, the fact that there a section about what to do before the installer arrives implies that it's not a cable model - at least not in this incarnation.

What I'm wondering is just what it is "Premiere" about this box? As other have mentioned it looks like a slimmed down and cost cutting model. Unless that name is meaningless it must be related to services. Possibly Tivo service and/or some content services included?

MickeS · 12-30-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrc

What I'm wondering is just what it is "Premiere" about this box? As other have mentioned it looks like a slimmed down and cost cutting model. Unless that name is meaningless it must be related to services. Possibly Tivo service and/or some content services included?

To me, "Premiere" is just meaningless marketing term that is meant to imply excellence, but has no real significance.

Of course, it could also be a hint about TiVo's continued desire to provide movies on demand via Internet download.

spocko · 12-30-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarron

I posted up my thoughts on the document here on my blog:
http://infiniteshamrock.com/post/308...-tivo-premiere

Thanks!

It's strange to see that the screenshots included in the document are still 4:3.

McCarron · 12-30-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drey

Very interesting. I received several TiVo HD units manufactured Dec 20th and they both had regular insert for TiVo HD / Cable Cards. Definitely looks like someone inserted a wrong guide.

I didn't look at my manufactured date yet, but it shipped on the 24th and got delivered today so I'd guess it's around the same date.

Rob Helmerichs · 12-30-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeS

To me, "Premiere" is just meaningless marketing term that is meant to imply excellence, but has no real significance.

Yeah, kind of like Marvel Comics...a few years ago, their hardcover books were oversized and thick, so when they introduced a new line of smaller, thinner, cheaper hardcovers, they celled them Marvel Premiere Editions.

wmcbrine · 12-30-2009, 05:16 PM

I predict this will be the third model in the Series 3 line, rather than a Series 4.

Dig the low profile.

Re: Disappearing s-video... it's weird, but I guess this is a trend now. I just got two devices for Christmas -- a Blu-Ray player, and a media thingie -- that omit s-video, though they each have composite, component and HDMI.

gastrof · 12-30-2009, 06:05 PM

Does anyone think that this "possibly cheaper" version might be a single tuner device, or has the whole concept of "less than two tuners" in a DVR gone by the wayside by this point in time?

bballcards · 12-30-2009, 06:08 PM

Considering that it only accepts Multi-Stream CableCards, I'd say it would make no sense for it to be a single-tuner device (i.e. it just about HAS to be a dual-tuner model).

jjberger2134 · 12-30-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastrof

Does anyone think that this "possibly cheaper" version might be a single tuner device, or has the whole concept of "less than two tuners" in a DVR gone by the wayside by this point in time?

Personally, I think single tuner has gone by the wayside. Also, the diagram shows a Multi-Stream card. Why offer an M-Card device, but only be able to tune to one channel?

Raj · 12-30-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmcbrine

I predict this will be the third model in the Series 3 line, rather than a Series 4.

Dig the low profile.

Re: Disappearing s-video... it's weird, but I guess this is a trend now. I just got two devices for Christmas -- a Blu-Ray player, and a media thingie -- that omit s-video, though they each have composite, component and HDMI.

My new AV receiver also had no S-Video inputs in it. They're disappearing.

Philmatic · 12-30-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bballcards

Considering that it only accepts Multi-Stream CableCards, I'd say it would make no sense for it to be a single-tuner device (i.e. it just about HAS to be a dual-tuner model).

Could be four or more tuners, instead of giving you the option of single or multiple stream cards like they do now, they just said screw it, made the M-Card the only accepted card and are internally splitting the ATSC and QAM tuners to multiple tuners, dare I say four QAM and four ATSC?

Looks like it will have a new streamlined power supply, judging from the reduced height. It's possible at this is a new hardware revision for cable companies to distribute to their customers only, as the reference S3/THD hardware was too costly and had features they didn't need?

Rob Helmerichs · 12-30-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philmatic

It's possible at this is a new hardware revision for cable companies to distribute to their customers only, as the reference S3/THD hardware was too costly and had features they didn't need?

But then it probably wouldn't have instructions for the consumer for before the installer shows up. Seems like it's aimed directly at the end-user, not the cablecos.

SMWinnie · 12-30-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philmatic

It's possible at this is a new hardware revision for cable companies to distribute to their customers only, as the reference S3/THD hardware was too costly and had features they didn't need?

...and has the CableCard slot on the back. Wasn't one of the huge S3 problems needing the installer to yank the box out of the AV stack?

orangeboy · 12-30-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMWinnie

...and has the CableCard slot on the back. Wasn't one of the huge S3 problems needing the installer to yank the box out of the AV stack?

I would have to think that would be a minor issue. If it is that hard to get the DVR out, I would be MUCH more concerned about ventilation issues for the DVR and other components.

ellinj · 12-30-2009, 07:27 PM

Are M_Cards universally available now? Back when I got my tivo I took whatever they would give me and get working. Thats two S_cards.