TiVo New Zealand

sshipway · 09-22-2009, 09:06 PM

Looks like we're getting TiVos in New Zealand from November - see the web page on w w w.tivo.co.nz (this silly forum software won't let me post a link, so I need to obfuscate it).

These will apparently be modified Series 3 with 2 internal digital freeview decoders; no linking to Sky or cable ('cos we dont have cable here). The same model as available in Australia already, for people who want to check it out there, but with the decoder configured for NZ Freeview broadcast format.

They will come with the 802.11 wireless network adapter for NZ$920 (about US$700, or UKP390). This includes a lifetime subscription - all NZ Tivos will be lifetime subscriptions, no 'monthly fee' option available.

Apparently external 1TB disk units exist for this device, but are not planned to be on sale in NZ yet.

They will also have all the 'download pay content' features; however since we have metered pay-as-you-use Internet here in NZ this could get expensive unless oyu use a Telecom broadband connection, who will zero-rate Tivo traffic. Their website seems to claim that this additional content will not work unless you have Telecom internet; however the Tivo site seems to indicate that it will work with anyone (but you will be charged lots for the traffic if not with Telecom).

I'm hoping Orcon (our ISP) will choose to zero-rate Tivo traffic as well; however if the Tivo is locking you into one ISP only it is a big FAIL for the device.

Anyone heard anything else?

RonDawg · 09-23-2009, 01:24 AM

The TiVo NZ page seems to load slowly for me, but as best I can tell it appears to be the same unit that the Aussies have had for a while now.

The Aussie units are able to use the My DVR Expander; I wonder if it would be possible for someone to send you one from across the Tasman? Assuming of course the software for the NZ units isn't set to reject them.

RonDawg · 09-23-2009, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sshipway

I'm hoping Orcon (our ISP) will choose to zero-rate Tivo traffic as well; however if the Tivo is locking you into one ISP only it is a big FAIL for the device.

Now that their website has fully loaded, it says the following ISP's have partnered with TiVo to not charge extra for the required bandwidth:

Internode
Iprimus
Adam Internet

sshipway · 09-23-2009, 04:07 AM

Never heard of any of those! Must be small fry. The big players here are Telecom, Orcon, Woosh, Vodafone, and Telstra.

Since it seems to be identical to the Aussie unit, I see no reason their expander wouldnt work with out box. Next time I'm over there I might pick one up if they've not appeared over here by then.

The Tivo NZ website is changing frequently - last time I looked, noone was listed as ISP partners. I've contacted Orcon to ask them to add Tivo to their zero-rate pool (they already have TVNZ OnDemand in there) so maybe we'll get something. Any other NZ people here should maybe do the same?

Steve

sshipway · 09-23-2009, 04:12 AM

Never heard of any of those! Must be small fry. The big players here are Telecom, Orcon, Woosh, Vodafone, and Telstra.

Since it seems to be identical to the Aussie unit, I see no reason their expander wouldnt work with out box. Next time I'm over there I might pick one up if they've not appeared over here by then.

The Tivo NZ website is changing frequently - last time I looked, noone was listed as ISP partners. I've contacted Orcon to ask them to add Tivo to their zero-rate pool (they already have TVNZ OnDemand in there) so maybe we'll get something. Any other NZ people here should maybe do the same?

Steve

RonDawg · 09-23-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sshipway

Never heard of any of those! Must be small fry. The big players here are Telecom, Orcon, Woosh, Vodafone, and Telstra.

How much more expensive would it be to switch to one of the TiVo-recommended broadband partners vs. whoever you have now?

ZeoTiVo · 09-23-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonDawg

How much more expensive would it be to switch to one of the TiVo-recommended broadband partners vs. whoever you have now?

I would not call them TiVo recommended partners - but rather ones that will not charge per byte downloaded for TiVo. TiVo did not setup New Zealand as an Island nation and did not setup that this required metered usage to make broadband a viable business

RonDawg · 09-23-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonDawg

Now that their website has fully loaded, it says the following ISP's have partnered with TiVo to not charge extra for the required bandwidth:

Internode
Iprimus
Adam Internet

OK a bit of an oops! on my part here. Apparently while researching both the Aussie and NZ versions of TiVo to see about the similarities, I had gotten the pages mixed up.

These broadband companies are actually Australian. Per the TiVo NZ site, they are only recommending Telecom specifically.

As far as the DVR Expander, the NZ site specifically says in its FAQ that the Aussie units will not work in NZ, but a future software update will allow them to do so. So there is a possibility that the NZ units initially will not allow the DVR Expander to be used.

sshipway · 09-23-2009, 04:49 PM

Changing broadband provider is problematic as they have different pricing structures which require you to move your telephone provider as well. In fact, we recently moved from Telecom to Orcon because Telecom are somewhat overpriced and have crap customer service, so it was irritating to see that Tivo have apparently given Telecom a monopoly here (Telecom are the sole distributor of Tivos in New Zealand

)

The AU model and NZ model Tivo are apparently identical hardware but different software, because of course the two countries have different broadcast TV formats and addresses/channels etc. However I don't believe this should affect the compatibility of the eSATA disk expansion unit as this would be a hardware compatibility (although apparently the software *does* check for the attached drive model and veto non-approved drives, so it IS possible

)

Provided the Tivo network is accessible from all ISPs, and the only difference is that Telecom have zero-rated it, there's a very good chance other ISPs will follow suit in order to not lose business. However I wouldn't be surprised if Telecom have done a secret deal with Tivo to be the sole recommended ISP... particularly since the yare also the local distributor, and hence control what people are told in the showrooms - spread a bit of FUD and you'll get people to switch providers...

Maybe I'm just being cynical. Fortunately, the monthly program guide download volume of a Tivo is only about 25MB so no great impact, and its only downloading premium content and films that would impact the broadband allowance and I'm not planning on doing that.

sshipway · 09-23-2009, 05:01 PM

NZ People wishing to ask for Orcon to zero-rate Tivo can email
setthissitefree@orcon.net.nz
with the request. This is a special address for requests to add sites to 'The O Zone' (their zero-rated pool)
Sites currently zero-rated are listed at
http://www.orcon.net.nz/support/page...in_the_o_zone/

RonDawg · 09-24-2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sshipway

However I wouldn't be surprised if Telecom have done a secret deal with Tivo to be the sole recommended ISP... particularly since the yare also the local distributor, and hence control what people are told in the showrooms - spread a bit of FUD and you'll get people to switch providers...

That would not be surprising. TiVo have done the same in Mexico with a company called Cablevision.

sshipway · 09-24-2009, 04:40 AM

Another thing that has occurred to me is that nowhere can I find out what the disk size will be in the new NZ Tivo (IE, will it be a TivoHD or a Tivo HD XL, or will both be available). I suspect it will be the smaller non-XL model, particularly when you consider the price. Anyone know?

ZeoTiVo · 09-25-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonDawg

That would not be surprising. TiVo have done the same in Mexico with a company called Cablevision.

well the deals do not sound very 'secret' though

I doubt TiVo is on a worldwide mission to make people unhappy by only partenering with annoying companies. I think it might be that TiVo is instead looking for companies that provide them good terms so TiVo can make some profit.

RonDawg · 09-25-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

well the deals do not sound very 'secret' though

No, but it appears the OP is not pleased that TiVo has signed an exclusive deal with a certain internet provider, and one that he has had a particular dislike for.

sshipway · 09-26-2009, 02:27 AM

Well, I'd certainly rather Tivo made zero-rate agreements with all the ISPs, although even then making one of the ISPs the sole distributor of Tivo would give them a bit of an advantage...

Obviously you need zero-rated connections to the Tivo servers for the downloading films etc to work properly (I know you luck people outside NZ dont have internet metering at all...) so it makes sense to get an ISP on board form the start. I don't know, though, if they tried to get the other ISPs in or if they chose (were forced into?) an exclusive deal with Telecom, who have a history of bad customer service and high prices.

Still, since I dont expect to be using the downloading it probably doesnt matter.

I spoke with a Telecom person today, who couldnt tell me anythign about anything - not the planned release date, nor the model disk space, nor if they plan to sell the expander units, nor what the premium services available will be. All they could confirm was the price (IE, whats on the web site).