Rhapsody- and TIvo, The Good, Bad, and Ugly

108849 Views 377 Replies 116 Participants Last post by Pokemon_Dad, Sep 12, 2011

BarryD99

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2007

Got The Rhapsody Download Last Night and have spent only a limited time with it, but these are my thoughts so far.

I'd be interested in hearing from others that have actually tried it.

The Good.
I've been a Rhapsody subscriber for ever, through Best Buy. I think being able to play entire albums and/or pick my own tracks and make play lists is awesome, well worth the cost of one cd/month. I'm guessing for me, ultimately I'll set up playlists on my PC and then search and play them from the Tivo.

The Tivo interface looks good on my TV, much better than the standard Rhapsody Computer screen (can't read- too small) on my TV.

The Bad

Seems (Series 2) to be very sluggish compared to my PC. It actually froze up several times and I had to reboot the Tivo.

The Ugly

At several clicks, I got what appeared to be program error messages saying bad code was being executed. I would have expected these to have been caught during the beta testing. For example, when attempting to login with my existing Rhapsody (from Best Buy) account, I get an error message saying that the code is in error.

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YazooWho

· #2 · Oct 10, 2007

Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that you are using Rhapsody through BestBuy and not through Rhapsody directly. Have you ever signed in to the online service at rhapsody.com or download the software?

Just for giggles I tried to sign in through the music store on BestBuy's website and it asked me to enter my billing information after I signed in as existing member. I couldn't get in without that page keep popping up.

Also, as a long time subscriber to Rhapsody, I'm still waiting for my Tivo to get the Rhapsody update so I can start using this feature and report back.

BarryD99

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 10, 2007

Obviously the login in problems could have to the fact that it is a Besty Buy Login.

The other issues have nothing to do with Best Buy as I was using the 30 day free trial account.

BTW- just rebooted my Tivo again after getting a please wait message for 10 minutes

YazooWho

· #4 · Oct 10, 2007

Hopefully the performance issues you are experiencing are just small hiccups and will clear up soon. I had the same issues with Amazon Unbox through the Tivo and just started using Amazon online to order movies because of how slow it was.

I currently use a Roku Soundbridge to stream Rhapsody through my receiver and if the Tivo interface is better and more user friendly (wife friendly), then it will replace my Roku to stream Rhapsody.

shady

· #5 · Oct 10, 2007

BarryD99 said:
Obviously the login in problems could have to the fact that it is a Besty Buy Login.

The other issues have nothing to do with Best Buy as I was using the 30 day free trial account.

BTW- just rebooted my Tivo again after getting a please wait message for 10 minutes

Did you try pressing the TiVo button on your remote control when it appeared to freeze? That usually works with errant HME applications, and saves you the time of a reboot.

ZeoTiVo

· #6 · Oct 10, 2007

BarryD99 said:
Obviously the login in problems could have to the fact that it is a Besty Buy Login.

The other issues have nothing to do with Best Buy as I was using the 30 day free trial account.

BTW- just rebooted my Tivo again after getting a please wait message for 10 minutes

I have a best buy Rhapsody account and it worked fine with no errors or freezes or long delays. I know it does not help you define your specfic problem but it does rule out Best Buy or code as the problem.

I would look next at how your Tivo is connecting to broadband. Have you tried otehr HME apps like podcast or such that make extensive use of the broadband connection?

BarryD99

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 10, 2007

>>Have you tried otehr HME apps like podcast or such that make extensive use of the broadband connection?>>

Bingo, while both of my Tivo's can connect and download data from the Tivo site, but all of a sudden both get a "please Wait Message" when attempting to connect to either the Rhapsody application or Live365, Unbox, etc. This just started an hour ago. I've never seen that before. I don't think I have a problem with the broadband connection (this is how I'm connected now).

>>Did you try pressing the TiVo button on your remote control when it appeared to freeze? That usually works with errant HME applications, and saves you the time of a reboot.>>

Yes, the TIVO button on the remote gets me back to the Tivo menu.

Thanks people

morac

· #8 · Oct 10, 2007

BarryD99 said:
Seems (Series 2) to be very sluggish compared to my PC. It actually froze up several times and I had to reboot the Tivo.

This isn't technically an issue with the Rhapsody application as more an issue with 9.1 on the S2.

BarryD99

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 11, 2007

I called Tivo Tech Support on the login issue. They directed me to tech support at Rhapsody. The solution was a shorter login name.

I asked them about the problem that I was having getting a "Please Wait" message for over 10 minutes when trying to get to Rhapsody from Tivo. Rhapsody said while they weren't sure, give them some time to "optimize" their servers for the Tivo app.

I can live with that.

Tech support at both Tivo and Rhapsody was very quick - wait time was under 2 minutes.

The really good!!!!

Prior to actually using the app from Tivo, I didn't realize that it would co-exist with my Best Buy Rhapsody Account on my PC.

I am thrilled that I can create my playlists from my pc then login to rhapsody from the tivo and play those lists. I think this is very strong for computer literate users (which should be anyone using this forum). In essence, the pc does the backend stuff and the Tivo will play the lists, all for the same $12.95/mo I was already paying.

Hopefully Tivo and Rhapsody will iron out their different issues and this will become a really strong offering. I am much more impressed than I was originally.

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YazooWho

· #10 · Oct 11, 2007

BarryD99 said:
The really good!!!!

Prior to actually using the app from Tivo, I didn't realize that it would co-exist with my Best Buy Rhapsody Account on my PC.

I am thrilled that I can create my playlists from my pc then login to rhapsody from the tivo and play those lists. I think this is very strong for computer literate users (which should be anyone using this forum). In essence, the pc does the backend stuff and the Tivo will play the lists, all for the same $12.95/mo I was already paying.

Hopefully Tivo and Rhapsody will iron out their different issues and this will become a really strong offering. I am much more impressed than I was originally.

Like you said, hopefully the performance issues will be solved. I, for one still havent recieved the Rhapsody update to test things out. But on your point about playlists and the library, I currently use a Roku Soundbridge for playing Rhapsody on my stereo and I do excately as you do. I create the playlists and add items to my library on my PC and then select those on the Soundbridge. According to the screen shots and descriptions I have seen, it looks like you can do the same things.

kas25

· #11 · Oct 12, 2007

YazooWho said:
Like you said, hopefully the performance issues will be solved. I, for one still havent recieved the Rhapsody update to test things out. But on your point about playlists and the library, I currently use a Roku Soundbridge for playing Rhapsody on my stereo and I do excately as you do. I create the playlists and add items to my library on my PC and then select those on the Soundbridge. According to the screen shots and descriptions I have seen, it looks like you can do the same things.

You guys should also check out Sonos.

bluemcduff

· #12 · Oct 12, 2007

I noticed that the Rhapsody Update was available on the 10th for me--I've been waiting for this for several months given that I'm a Rhapsody Subscriber under Comcast as well.

I must say that 160 kbps sounds a heck of a lot better that the 64 kbps of Live365.

However, one thing that is driving me nuts is that I'm hearing clipping on songs with a large dynamic range.

I'm not sure if it's the powered amplifier that I added to my antenna that's leaking DC back through the cable but I only notice it when I stream music through Rhapsody or Live365.

Anyone else notice any clipping who has the update yet?

Finally, I really wish that I had trick play capabilities where I could rewind or fast forward as I hate always having to restart a song from the beginning--also goes for Podcaster as well.

RoyK

· #13 · Oct 12, 2007

I got it last night. Has anyone else read through the license agreement? Its longer than my will and medical power of attorney combined!

No thanks.

Edit: Oh, and it says it also incorporates another online license agreement by reference.

kas25

· #14 · Oct 12, 2007

I just got this reply from Rhapsody? Has anyone seen a change? I will check when I get home.

I am a Real Networks Tier 2 Technical Support Representative. Your case has been escalated to our department due to severity. Thank you for your continued patience, and I would like to apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced so far.

I have followed this thread since the day you initiated it. As I understand it Rhapsody music service is slow loading in your Tivo. I can help you with this.

We made an adjustment on the servers that should resolve this issue immediately. If Rhapsody still loads slow I recommend restarting the unit.

Please reply to this email with any further questions or concerns.

YazooWho

· #15 · Oct 12, 2007

I will be happy just get it on my Tivo. I put my Tivo on the priority list 3 days ago and still nothing.

sstatman

· #16 · Oct 12, 2007

YazooWho said:
But on your point about playlists and the library, I currently use a Roku Soundbridge for playing Rhapsody on my stereo and I do excately as you do. I create the playlists and add items to my library on my PC and then select those on the Soundbridge. According to the screen shots and descriptions I have seen, it looks like you can do the same things.

It's a little different on the Tivo. You don't actually need your PC running to use Rhapsody on Tivo, as it communicates directly with the Rhapsody services. So you could use the Rhapsody website to manage your library, and that will show up instantly on your Tivo, and vice versa.

flip123

· #17 · Oct 12, 2007

I have Comcast which gives me a free Rhapsody account. I have never used Rhapsody before, so signed in on my computer and played around a bit.

Over at the Tivo, when I signed in, I got this error message -- complete with grammar errors:

"Tivo application doesn't supported for this account"

Guess I will return to my old way of listening to music.

Phil

shady

· #18 · Oct 12, 2007

flip123 said:
I have Comcast which gives me a free Rhapsody account. I have never used Rhapsody before, so signed in on my computer and played around a bit.

Over at the Tivo, when I signed in, I got this error message -- complete with grammar errors:

"Tivo application doesn't supported for this account"

Guess I will return to my old way of listening to music.

Phil

The Comcast Rhapsody account is only very basic. You need to sign up for the free trial.

nhaigh

· #19 · Oct 13, 2007

YazooWho said:
I will be happy just get it on my Tivo. I put my Tivo on the priority list 3 days ago and still nothing.

Me too. Signed up for my S3 and its not go it yet. It's on both my S2's but I want to hear the result on my S3's AV system so I can decide if it's worth having.

mtchamp

· #20 · Oct 13, 2007

I have been using Rhapsody for the last few days. The performance is not reliable. Sometimes it comes up almost right away and other times it is very slow to navigate with a please wait messages for as long as 30 seconds. I was in it last night OK then 5 minutes later, I could not get in at all.

I like the service very much on my TV, so much so that a bought a Rhapsody-To-Go membership @ $14.99 a month and went out to Best Buy and bought an 8 gig Sansa MP3 player sale priced @ $99.00. My 12 year old son loves it, especially because I wouldn't buy him the overpriced iTunes service. He's happily downloading away.

I sure hope they get this slowness problem worked out soon. I won't have much use for the MP3 player like my son. I don't have much time in a day where I can have earplugs stuck in my head but I found it very convenient to search for and bring up songs from the couch.

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