Considering that the vast majority of people watch brodcast TV as appose to broadband would be a good indication why people have DVR's. Maybe you should pick a different project if you can't figure that out.
DVR Survey - Please help with a business school project
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping you can help me understand more about your affinity for digital video recording and TiVo specifically?
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Would love to hear your thoughts on why you use these products...
Thanks for your help!
-mbaresearch
I'm hoping you can help me understand more about your affinity for digital video recording and TiVo specifically?
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Would love to hear your thoughts on why you use these products...
Thanks for your help!
-mbaresearch
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
I've said this many times before. The most powerful and important feature of the TiVo has nothing directly to do with its recording or timeshifting capabilities, although of course they do form the foundation for all the DVRs capabilities.
The most important feature of the TiVo is it's ability to in effect filter out all the garbage. If I sit down to a cable guide, Netflix, Amazon on-demand, you name it, I am presented with an overwhelming and highly tiresome mountain of literally hundreds of thousands of programs - virtually every last one of which is total crap. Indeed, I'm not sure why I'm supposed to be impressed with it. Only exceedingly sparsely scattered through all that pig excrement are a few thousand acceptable videos and a comparative handful of nice little gems. The fact many - although by far not all - of the good programs are available online is mitigated by the fact it takes massive amounts of time and effort to search for the good things, many of which are not there in the first place.
By contrast, when I sit down to my TiVo, I am offered a very long list of programs to choose, virtually every one of which is somewhere between very good and excellent in value.
As an example, I have well over 2000 videos recorded by my Tivos, mostly archived to my server. The rest still lie on the TiVos themselves. All but a literal handful are HD. Each and every one are available to me and my family to start watching with a few button presses. When I take a look at the HD offerings on Netflix, however, I only show 2126 videos available for streaming. Of that number, fewer than 1 program in 30 is even remotely interesting to me. Being generous, we'll call it 100 movies. I have more than 80 of them on my servers already. That leaves 20 movies. My TiVos will record more than 20 movies in the next week. So exactly where is this alleged plethora of content?
The most important feature of the TiVo is it's ability to in effect filter out all the garbage. If I sit down to a cable guide, Netflix, Amazon on-demand, you name it, I am presented with an overwhelming and highly tiresome mountain of literally hundreds of thousands of programs - virtually every last one of which is total crap. Indeed, I'm not sure why I'm supposed to be impressed with it. Only exceedingly sparsely scattered through all that pig excrement are a few thousand acceptable videos and a comparative handful of nice little gems. The fact many - although by far not all - of the good programs are available online is mitigated by the fact it takes massive amounts of time and effort to search for the good things, many of which are not there in the first place.
By contrast, when I sit down to my TiVo, I am offered a very long list of programs to choose, virtually every one of which is somewhere between very good and excellent in value.
As an example, I have well over 2000 videos recorded by my Tivos, mostly archived to my server. The rest still lie on the TiVos themselves. All but a literal handful are HD. Each and every one are available to me and my family to start watching with a few button presses. When I take a look at the HD offerings on Netflix, however, I only show 2126 videos available for streaming. Of that number, fewer than 1 program in 30 is even remotely interesting to me. Being generous, we'll call it 100 movies. I have more than 80 of them on my servers already. That leaves 20 movies. My TiVos will record more than 20 movies in the next week. So exactly where is this alleged plethora of content?
That's circular. His question is not, "Do most people watch broadcast TV?", but rather, "Why do most people watch broadcast TV?", assuming by "broadcast TV" you are including cable and satellite channels and VOD.Considering that the vast majority of people watch brodcast TV as appose to broadband would be a good indication why people have DVR's. Maybe you should pick a different project if you can't figure that out.
Top three reasons for me:
1) Tivo Season passes. I don't have to forage the internet to find the shows I like, the shows appear on my Tivo.
2) Commercial avoidance. Watching hour shows in 40-42 minutes helps me save time.
3) Better resolution. Broadcast TV looks great on a huge freaking TV monitors whereas online shows are usually limited resolution to minimize bandwidth.
1) Tivo Season passes. I don't have to forage the internet to find the shows I like, the shows appear on my Tivo.
2) Commercial avoidance. Watching hour shows in 40-42 minutes helps me save time.
3) Better resolution. Broadcast TV looks great on a huge freaking TV monitors whereas online shows are usually limited resolution to minimize bandwidth.
Fair enough. How about this, the Majority of people want to watch on a TV screen then on a computer screen or a mobile phone.That's circular. His question is not, "Do most people watch broadcast TV?", but rather, "Why do most people watch broadcast TV?", assuming by "broadcast TV" you are including cable and satellite channels and VOD.
Quite simply, in my case of satellite TV, recording (or directly watching live) from satellite takes only electricity, and a bit of time to set up what to record. Yes quite a bit is paid for the satellite service.
With online, I take up internet (which is getting more and more congested, and some time in the near future, billed for over-usage), plus have no guarantee what I would like to watch is available to me at all, if not comparable quality to regular TV. Not to mention I have sucky Internet to begin with.
With online, I take up internet (which is getting more and more congested, and some time in the near future, billed for over-usage), plus have no guarantee what I would like to watch is available to me at all, if not comparable quality to regular TV. Not to mention I have sucky Internet to begin with.
I watch broadcast TV because watching online is just 'not there' yet.
At best, you have to wait a day after broadcast to see a show, at worst you have to wait until the next season starts before the prior season is put online.
I use a DVR so I can watch shows at my convenience (time shift) and to avoid commercials. Most of the time, you can't skip ads when you watch a show online.
I specifically use a TiVo because they allow me to transfer shows to my computer.
If I really enjoy a show, I have the option to copy it to my computer and burn it to a DVD or archive it on a hard drive.
The only way to do that from the internet is not exactly legal.
At best, you have to wait a day after broadcast to see a show, at worst you have to wait until the next season starts before the prior season is put online.
I use a DVR so I can watch shows at my convenience (time shift) and to avoid commercials. Most of the time, you can't skip ads when you watch a show online.
I specifically use a TiVo because they allow me to transfer shows to my computer.
If I really enjoy a show, I have the option to copy it to my computer and burn it to a DVD or archive it on a hard drive.
The only way to do that from the internet is not exactly legal.
I don't think that statement is accurate for the Sports genre.someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Being able to watch on your TV vs sitting in front of a computer screen.Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping you can help me understand more about your affinity for digital video recording and TiVo specifically?
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
More content available via recording than online. Most networks only keep the last few episodes available on their website, same goes for OnDemand. Meanwhile I have several full seasons of shows available 'on demand'.
Archiving. With Tivo, you can send all non-copyprotected to your PC to edit and burn to DVD, or store on the hard drive, and to send that material back to your Tivo.
Can't watch sports online, in most cases.
Time-shifting and the ability to skip over commercials. Online viewing has commercials that can't be skipped.
Ability with Tivo to use Wishlists to catch shows or movies you didn't know about based on genre, actor, or keywords. i.e. record any horror movie made in 2009.
Set it and forget it. Set up a Season Pass for a show and not have to worry about when it comes on. Also don't have to worry about searching for it online. New episodes aren't always immediately available online.
Tivo allows for access to some online video providers like Amazon, in the case that you do miss a recording.
Some ISP's are now putting caps on internet usage. Go beyond that cap, face extra fees. It's fine now if you want to stream a few shows a week but if people were to get all of their tv via streaming, their costs could end up being more than the cost of cable and Tivo.
One last thing. I'm not sure if this is what you meant in your post but Tivo owners do not record a one off show because they won't be around to watch it. They record everything and watch it at their convenience. So with streaming, you have to know "I want to watch 'Program x' now" and then search for that particular show. With a Tivo you say "I want to watch 'Program a-z' this season. Then set a season pass for all of those shows, record them all, and choose from a list of possibly dozens of shows based on what you are in the mood to watch.
Basically instead of "I want to watch THIS", it becomes "What do I want to watch?"
Which consumer?I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Households with DVRs just hit 50% a few years ago - so it's hardly ubiquitous.
And in general if something is working for people, they're not going to change. Especially the older you get - you don't have the time or interest to bother. Baby Boomers still drive a lot of the market - and tiny TV screens don't work. Why do baby boomers return more Android phones? Because you can't change the font size in Android. Big mistake in a product designed by 20 somethings.
But back to TV - if you already own a TV and DVR, spending more money for faster internet and online subscriptions doesn't buy anything more than you already have. And as others have pointed out, major live sporting events and lots of movie catalogs are not available online - not to mention local newscasts,etc. (And yes, those still get lots of eyeballs from those very same baby boomers.)
A site like this will have a greater number of TiVo owners of the type who like to open it up both literally (bigger hard drive) and figuratively (gettting the software to do stuff that's not part of what it normally does) than would a cross-section of TiVo owners in general.
Also, it's an extremely small sample size, relative to the entire number of Tivo owners.
Which is not to say it can't be a excellent source of information useful to you.
Also, it's an extremely small sample size, relative to the entire number of Tivo owners.
Which is not to say it can't be a excellent source of information useful to you.
Generally posters with such a request identify their school. Give a summary of their project. Show some understanding of the topic.
Your premise assumes all shows are available online. Many aren't. Frequently only a limited number of episodes are available. Your premise assumes a person is willing to watch TV on his computer or has a computer connected to his TV set.
Your premise assumes all shows are available online. Many aren't. Frequently only a limited number of episodes are available. Your premise assumes a person is willing to watch TV on his computer or has a computer connected to his TV set.
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping you can help me understand more about your affinity for digital video recording and TiVo specifically?
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Would love to hear your thoughts on why you use these products...
Thanks for your help!
-mbaresearch
Ease of use. My 3 year old twins can use Tivo, no way they could use any of the steaming services let alone the mix matching of devices it takes to completely replace it.
Add in the ability for me to filter adult content by not subscribing to it from my cable provider. Give a kid access to "video on the internet" and it becomes more complex to filter out R and NC-17 content.
Add in the ability for me to filter adult content by not subscribing to it from my cable provider. Give a kid access to "video on the internet" and it becomes more complex to filter out R and NC-17 content.
I'll respond with some questions: Is this really true? Where do you get current TV shows online? What's their quality, video and audio? How do you get them onto the 50" flatscreen in the living room? Is that configuration easily controlled by your spouse with nothing but a remote control? How much time is spent getting and configuring that content?Hi Everyone,
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Also, it's not about "missing" a show: I don't watch live TV for my favorite shows. My Tivo is a box full of entertainment. During the conventional TV season, I often have a backlog of shows to watch when I have time. Tivo also records other shows it thinks I will like, and I catch those at odd moments when I want a trifle to enjoy. It's to the point that I don't know when shows are broadcast, I just know if it's on my Tivo or not to be watched. I don't have to think about it. I don't have to find them. They're there. Any sort of download system, I have to actively think about whether I'm caught up, is there a new show, where is it, how do I find it, did I get the right one? Once it's configured at the start of the season, I simply wait for TV to arrive.
And when I do have to watch an online show -- maybe it was bumped by sports -- I connect my laptop to my TV, go to Hulu or CBS or whatever and watch the show streaming. It's a hassle. I can't control it with my remote. It's much lower quality. I can't skip the ads. It's nice to have when a show is missed for whatever reason. But it's in every way inferior to my Tivo.
With my Tivo it's easy, free, and the best quality HD audio and video in my area. And it's legal; I'm not searching for copyright-violating pirate sites, nor putting my life savings at risk of being obliterated by suit from the MPAA or other 4-letter agency.
People ask why use something like a Tivo with broadcast or cable TV? I ask why anyone would waste time doing it any other way?
The old model of watching things on a high quality display (a real HDTV) with high quality content (some 1080i or 1080p at higher bit rates than the OTT boxes that are of lesser quality) after a hard day's job is still quite appealing to many "adults" who don't fancy sitting at the PC to see their favorite show and the OTT boxes don't give them immediate access to several games in HIGH QUALITY HD that looks superb and they can watch from the easy chair with a beer in hand and switching channel, not having to wait for the stream to download and have it pause because not everyone has access to broadband.
It's the kids and the young ones who are comfortable with crappy little displays with inferior PQ who still have good backs and slim bodies to just sit at a chair all day and watch stuff on the PC. One has to see what will happen as they age. Will hanging out at the PC or watching crap quality still be attractive to those folks as they work harder with more stress having to provide for a family and they accumulate the wealth for the super big screen they have always wanted as thier own. OTT is VERY popular in dorms because it is cheap and better than nothing. But do you really expect most grown adults with families to feed to really still CHOOSE that as tier form of viewing content after earning some money and thinking, "Yeah, I can afford that 50" now, and it sure is great having the bigger is better screen, and the sports look so much better. Yeah, that is why I work my butt off so that after the hard day I can sit back in my soft puffy chair and watch my favorite content on a massive screen in much better quality."
We shall have to see. OTT still in a small piece of the pie, for it is OTT that is not relevant, YET! Old legacy OTA, cable, satellite still have the millions upon millions, and those kids watch those systems, as well, paid by mom and dad and then play with their Ipad's or whatever, so they really do experience the best of both worlds.
It all rests on if the young ones change their attitude about the quality and experience of watching their favorite content and if prices are competitive.
It's the kids and the young ones who are comfortable with crappy little displays with inferior PQ who still have good backs and slim bodies to just sit at a chair all day and watch stuff on the PC. One has to see what will happen as they age. Will hanging out at the PC or watching crap quality still be attractive to those folks as they work harder with more stress having to provide for a family and they accumulate the wealth for the super big screen they have always wanted as thier own. OTT is VERY popular in dorms because it is cheap and better than nothing. But do you really expect most grown adults with families to feed to really still CHOOSE that as tier form of viewing content after earning some money and thinking, "Yeah, I can afford that 50" now, and it sure is great having the bigger is better screen, and the sports look so much better. Yeah, that is why I work my butt off so that after the hard day I can sit back in my soft puffy chair and watch my favorite content on a massive screen in much better quality."
We shall have to see. OTT still in a small piece of the pie, for it is OTT that is not relevant, YET! Old legacy OTA, cable, satellite still have the millions upon millions, and those kids watch those systems, as well, paid by mom and dad and then play with their Ipad's or whatever, so they really do experience the best of both worlds.
It all rests on if the young ones change their attitude about the quality and experience of watching their favorite content and if prices are competitive.
first, what a smart, sneaky idea to just ask a general question like anyone in the forum would. Obviously you will get a good reply rate. 
second - others have siad it as well and my reason for TiVo DVR is first I want to filter out the dreck, then watch the good stuff on my time frame.
When I first looked at DVRs back 5 or so years ago, my cable company TWC would have had me move to digital tier before even talking about a DVR. I would have paid 35 a month extra when all was done. Forget that.
So I bought a single tuner model of TiVo DVR (240 model) and liked its ease of use and wife acceptance factor. came home from work the next day and found she had setup 'price is right' and Oprah. Soon enough one tuner and 40 gigs was not enough.
5 TiVo DVRs later and I still record analog and now OTA HD. S6till only pay cable company for extended basic cable but have 6TBs to hold shows and 8 tuners. I can watch any show anywhere in the house and also rip Netflix DVDs to my PC hard drive and watch them on any TiVo and thus any TV in the house. Anyone in the house can use it with no tech support.
I can keep whole seasons of shows around to watch when I get to it. Just started watching the last Monk episodes Sunday. I can format and copy shows to my smartphone via the PC when desired and watch them off the phone flash drive with no regard to cell strength or data usage.
I have on occasion setup a media server in my house to stream stuff to my Wii or phone on vacation.
so let me know when online catches up to that
second - others have siad it as well and my reason for TiVo DVR is first I want to filter out the dreck, then watch the good stuff on my time frame.
When I first looked at DVRs back 5 or so years ago, my cable company TWC would have had me move to digital tier before even talking about a DVR. I would have paid 35 a month extra when all was done. Forget that.
So I bought a single tuner model of TiVo DVR (240 model) and liked its ease of use and wife acceptance factor. came home from work the next day and found she had setup 'price is right' and Oprah. Soon enough one tuner and 40 gigs was not enough.
5 TiVo DVRs later and I still record analog and now OTA HD. S6till only pay cable company for extended basic cable but have 6TBs to hold shows and 8 tuners. I can watch any show anywhere in the house and also rip Netflix DVDs to my PC hard drive and watch them on any TiVo and thus any TV in the house. Anyone in the house can use it with no tech support.
I can keep whole seasons of shows around to watch when I get to it. Just started watching the last Monk episodes Sunday. I can format and copy shows to my smartphone via the PC when desired and watch them off the phone flash drive with no regard to cell strength or data usage.
I have on occasion setup a media server in my house to stream stuff to my Wii or phone on vacation.
so let me know when online catches up to that
As you are the researcher, why don't you start by gathering some statistics as to the percentage of people that only ever watch Live TV, the percentage that use DVRs and the percentage that get all their programming from the internet.Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping you can help me understand more about your affinity for digital video recording and TiVo specifically?
I am doing a project for business school, and something I'm struggling with is understanding how TiVo and generic DVRs stay relevant to consumers in an age where someone can go online to watch most (maybe all) of the shows they would normally miss and record.
Would love to hear your thoughts on why you use these products...
Thanks for your help!
-mbaresearch
The way you've phrased your question, it sounds like you've started out with an assumption of how people watch TV based on polling some of your school buddies.
Get some numbers, then work from there as to what's relevant in this day.
Here's a starter for you
1 post. Hasn't been back. Opinion expressed in research "question"
Troll alert!
Troll alert!
That's probably a pretty good answer for a significant number of people.Fair enough. How about this, the Majority of people want to watch on a TV screen then on a computer screen or a mobile phone.
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