Starting today, subscribers to both Netflix and TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo HD XL services/DVRs can access the thousands of titles available from Netflix’s Watch Instantly service directly on their DVRs.  As with other devices supporting the Netflix service, this is being made available to Netflix and TiVo subscribers for free – as long as they are subscribing to both services.

CNET’s Crave blog has already published a hands-on look at the new service on TiVo HD box. Here’s what they have to say:

“The most important takeaway for us is that we watched several movies without any hiccups and each movie started up in a few seconds. While many streaming services “feel” like you’re streaming video over the Internet, this feels more like you’re expanding the recorded content of your TiVo. And while you lose some of the benefits of watching the actual DVD (special features, surround sound), we couldn’t help but notice that in some ways it’s better than DVD; movies loaded right away and with no previews.”

While I no longer use TiVo, I can say this much for the Netflix Watch Instantly service – it rocks – especially for owners of the Xbox 360 console. If there’s one single reason to upgrade the Xbox 360 to the New Xbox Experience, it would be for the Netflix streaming support. While video on-demand is free for subscribers, I for one would not mind paying a bit more for unlimited movies on-demand. Forget about renting on a per title basis. Go the music subscription route and let users subscribe to unlimited movies on a monthly basis.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD, TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD XL, Netflix

Soon.. very soon TiVo users.. soon you will have access to YouTube (assuming of course you have a Series3 box or a TiVo HD box.. which means, sorry Series2 owners – you’re out of luck here). As typical for their software upgrade process, TiVo will be rolling out their upgrade to these boxes over the next several weeks. With the new update, you’ll be able to log into your YouTube account directly on your television set to access videos, channels, and playlists on YouTube. All I can say is.. about time!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TiVo, YouTube, Series3, TiVo HD

SE2 Labs had a smooth booth at CES 2008 showcasing their ITC One – their personalized all-in-one home entertainment solution. With each ITC One, custom installers or end users can design a personalized system from the SE2 Labs website. According to SE2 Labs, every ITC One is then built and shipped within two weeks. You can choose from the following components for the ITC One:

• Microsoft Xbox 360 console
• Xbox 360 HD DVD player
• Nintendo Wii
• DirecTV
• High Definition TiVo
• Dish Network DVR
• National Cable Providers DVR including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Cable etc
• AMX Netlinx Control System
• High End Digital Surround Processor
• Bryston Pre-Amp Processor with full digital outputs
• IcePower High End D Class Amplifers
• High End Video Processor
• Front Touchpanel Screen
• Apple Video iPod with Dock
• Proprietary Remote Control
• Power Conditioning
• Super Quiet Cooling System
• Super Easy 2 Connect Rear Panel
• Transparent Cabling and Cable Harness
• Anti-Noise and Vibration System

The idea is simple enough – do you want to build a complex home theater system yourself or do you want to purchase an all inclusive system that’s put together by a system integrator? I just wish the box was a bit more.. attractive looking??

What’s even better – once you’ve designed the ITC One on the website, installing it is a cinch – simply connect the power, video source, and speakers, and then turn it on. There’s no cabling to deal with – no racks to install, and no integration issues to deal with.

Starting prices for the ITC One is $24,995.

Here’s the side profile of the ITC One:

Here’s the back panel

Here are some official press images:

Finally, SE2 Labs won the “Best of Innovations 2008″ for the Integrated Home Systems category.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: SE2 Labs, ITC One, CES 2008

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a new TiVo HD DVR but you weren’t all that impressed with the 160GB hard drive found inside, then you might be interested in what WeaKnees.com has to offer. They are selling  TiVo HD DVR boxes with different hard drive storage options to meet your exacting needs. You can purchase the standard TiVo HD DVR box with 160GB for $299 or you can go up to a pre-configured TiVo HD DVR box with a whopping 1 terabyte hard drive inside for $1049.

[Check it out via PVRBlog]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD DVR, WeaKnees

Here’s another review of the newly announced TiVo HD DVR system – this time from the folks at CNET. You’ll find both a written review as well as a video review on the site. CNET rated the box a 7.7 out of 10 and had this to say as their verdict:

While it’s not compatible with your cable company’s pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, the TiVo HD’s excellent onscreen interface and long list of network and Internet features puts it in a class above the generic high-def DVRs offered by most cable providers.

Curious about the cons? Here’s the list from CNET:

Until expandable storage option is supported, the TiVo HD is limited to 20 hours of HD video capacity; requires monthly fee in addition to cable bill; sluggish transitions between menu screens; does not work with pay-per-view, video-on-demand, and switched digital video services; no TiVo To Go or Multi-Room Viewing functionality; must program 30-second skip; no picture-in-picture.

The problem I have with their cons is the mention that the box doesn’t perform pay-per-view nor video-on-demand. This will never work with any third party set-top box except for ones provided by the cable company. So you might as well say this is a con for any Windows Media Center based HTPC too. That’s where the added value comes into play from the cable company’s vantage. So the real question to all of you is – how valuable is the pay-per-view and video-on-demand services to  you at the end of the day? I never use mine so I’d gladly switch to TiVo for their awesome UI.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: CNET, TiVo HD, Review

As had been recently rumored, TiVo announced a new addition to their family of DVRs today called the TiVo HD (no it’s not called the TiVo Lite). The company bills the product as the “ultimate HDTV companion” – “combining the clarity of high definition with the smart, easy-to-use TiVo Service”.  TiVo HD has the following key features.

• Intelligent search features – allows you to find a specific director, actor, player, or team. Perform WishList searches and TiVo will automatically record the HD version and place it in your Now Playing list
• Record movies in HD
• Download movies from the Internet. Select a classic or new release from an online selection, order it from your remote control and have it directly downloaded to the box
• Access your music library with your remote control by connecting the TiVo HD box to your home network
• Schedule an HD premiere – perform your TV scheduling from any computer when you are away from home. Just log into TiVo.com, click on the show, and you’re all set.

Here are the key specifications to TiVo HD (taken from the TiVo website).

Product Overview:

• Controls cable TV with Record, Pause, Rewind, and Fast-Forward in HD
• Records two HD channels at once, while watching another recorded show
• Records up to 20 hours in HD (or 180 hours in Standard Definition)
• Designed specifically for cable customers
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i

Product Features:

• Download thousands of movies directly to your TV
• Share home movies with your friends and family on their TV
• Get broadband videos, music and photos on your TV
• Schedule shows online
• Discover broadcast and broadband shows with universal Swivel Search
• Easily pre-approve what your kids watch with TiVo KidZone

Product Dimensions:

• 16.5″ W x 12.625″ D x 3.375″ H
• Weight: 12 lbs.

Product Specifications:

• Signal sources: Digital cable, Analog cable, Digital antenna (ATSC) and Analog antenna channels (satellite not supported)
• Outputs: HDMI, Component video, S-video, Composite video, Optical audio, Analog audio
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
• Inputs: Dual CableCARD support (2 slots), Cable coax, Antenna coax
• Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 ports (2), phone line, E-SATA
• Works with the TiVo Wireless G Network Adapter
• TiVo Series3 architecture

Comes with:

• TiVo HD box
• TiVo remote control
• Manual
• Quick Start guide
• Composite, Component, Power cables

If you have additional questions about the new TiVo HD box, check out the FAQ here. Here are some of the major tidbits that you’ll be interesting in:

• TiVo HD comes with a 160GB Hard Drive (expect that to be modded right away!)
• The box will sell for $299.99 MSRP
• It’ll be available from TiVo.com, Best Buy, Circuit City,and Amazon.com
• You can choose from 1,2, or 3  yr TiVo monthly or prepaid service plan. One year minimum service plan required
• You’ll need at least one CableCard or 2 CableCards to receive HD digital channels from your cable company
• Does not support satellite programming
• The TiVo Series3 is still the premium HD DVR with the larger HD, THX certification, front panel display, and a programmable back-lit remote control
• No support for TiVoToGo and Multi-Room viewing
• No HDMI cable included so make sure to buy one yourself

You can purchase the TiVo HD box right now here on TiVo’s website. The box is expected to ship in 14 to 21 days.

Finally, PC Magazine has already published a review of the unit here on their website. Their verdict is definitely a good one for TiVo as they’ve given the TiVo HD box their “Editor’s Choice” award stating:

Combining the best of the legendary simple-to-use TiVo interface with dual CableCARD readers and an affordable price (finally!), the new TiVo HD delivers the promise that the TiVo Series 3 HD made.

Folks – Say hello to TiVo’s savior – the TiVo HD box.

[Check it out]

[Check out the PC Mag Review]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD, HD DVR, CableCard

Think the current TiVo Series3 DVR is just way too expensive? Join the club. Paying $799 for the Series3 DVR makes me want to opt for the crappy DVR set top boxes that come from cable companies. However, recently, rumors have been spreading around the net about a supposed new “Lite” version of the Series3 box. Images and specs have also surfaced over at the TiVo Community Forums. Here’s what we know thus far in terms of rumored specs for the “Lite” system.

• BCM740x DVR CPU w/ integrated MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoders
• 1x dual MPEG-2 encoder (BCM7041 or possibly an encoder from LSI)
• 2x Samsung S5H1411-based tuners (analog/QAM/8VSB)
• 128Mb DDR SDRAM
• 160Gb SATA HD
• Smaller, lower-cost PCB
• Cheaper power supply
• No THX certification
• No OLED display
• Standard TiVo remote
• MSRP of $299

Quite honestly, the “Lite” system isn’t dramatically different from the regular Series3 box. The major changes have to do with the smaller hard drive, the lack of THX certification, no OLED display, and the use of a standard TiVo remote control. Yet the price is $299 – $500 dollars less than the regular Series3 price of $799.

Given that price differential, I’d gladly buy a TiVo Series3 “Lite” over a standard Series3 box.

[Check it out via KrunkerHD]

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Series3 Lite