Bang Your Box - Can Time Warner Kill TiVo? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mind_Storm · 10-14-2003, 06:04 PM

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/...gencer/n_9362/

From the October 20, 2003 issue of New York Magazine.

Bang Your Box
Can Time Warner kill TiVo?

By Simon Dumenco

Diligent readers of these pages may recall that last year I wrote about how Time Warner digital cable and TiVo, taken together, have transformed the idiot box into the smartest, most alluring appliance in the house. But the digital dream team, as it were, could be coming to an end.

Time Warner Cable has quietly introduced its own digital video recorder (DVR) service in an all-in-one box that replaces your existing cable box. (Turns out TiVo’s underlying technology—saving video to a hard drive—is easily imitated without violating patent laws.) A Time Warner source tells me that only a small group of subscribers—“several thousand,” who mostly got wind of the DVR from early buzz on blogs like Gizmodo.com and LockhartSteele.com—have upgraded to the DVR option, though it’s already available (via 800-OKCable, for $6.95 a month) in most city neighborhoods. Intrigued, I got my hands on a box. My verdict: It’s a worthy, competitive first showing. In fact, with a software upgrade or two, it could be a TiVo killer. It lets you do most all of the gee-whiz things TiVo lets you do—pause live TV, do your own instant replays, auto- record entire seasons’ worth of shows, etc. In blogland, some users have complained about buggy, crash-prone boxes (not my experience) and balky searching (yes, I miss TiVo’s brilliant “WishList” function). But it outdoes TiVo with a neato picture-in-picture option and the ability to record two shows at once.

Honestly, I sort of didn’t want to like this DVR as much as I did. Because I love my TiVo. I love saying “TiVo” (great brand, that). And being a TiVo subscriber has felt like getting to be part of a supercool, futuristic club.

But a box that lets me watch Kudlow & Cramer while taping Gilmore Girls? What’s not to like?

Mephisto2 · 10-14-2003, 06:28 PM

Taping Gilmore Girls?

Article was interesting until the writer lost all credability with that confession.

Mr Mephisto

SupaPizzle · 10-14-2003, 07:37 PM

Heh, thank you Mr Mephisto.

Anyway, the DVR sounds interesting and I'll have to read up on it a bit. But just from going off of your post (Mind_Storm) I don't see anything that really benifits the user that Tivo doesn't.

I am also able to record two shows at the same time with Tivo. The thing is that I will have to watch one of them while it is recording. But, I wanted to watch it anyway right? Also, with beniits of multiple roommates, we have not one but two Tivos that aid us in the "picture in picture" endeavor. It also helps to have a 50 inch TV.

As I said before, I will have to research the Time Warner deal some more. But, in the mean time, I loves me some Tivo. Thanks for peaking my interest!

sadatx · 10-14-2003, 10:36 PM

Does it really matter which finally becomes more popular?

If you ask me they'll both be made obsolete by T.V.'s with built in hard drives and smart chips (a.k.a. C.P.U.'s). I'm not saying that the home computer and television will merge (people who like using their computers as T.V.'s already do so).

I'm saying the T.V. will be its own computer unto itself and extra boxes like Tivo or a DVR just won't be necessary.

Course, that little rant doesn't help your present dilemma.....

BubblegumTeflon · 10-14-2003, 10:54 PM

This makes tv worth watching again. I like to do things on my own time whenever I want and tv schedules take that away from me. Now if they put everything in one box, that would be nice, but that would make it harder to modify. At least a TiVo isn't tough to hack so that you can record shows and save them to a hard drive or something.

Redlemon · 10-15-2003, 06:14 AM

Every new box is a "TiVo-killer". None have been yet. Without the Wishlist, it isn't even half as good. TiVo may have been the best purchase I ever made.

10-14-2003, 06:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mind_Storm Tilted Location: The Finger Lakes of New York	Bang Your Box - Can Time Warner Kill TiVo? http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/...gencer/n_9362/ From the October 20, 2003 issue of New York Magazine. Bang Your Box Can Time Warner kill TiVo? By Simon Dumenco Diligent readers of these pages may recall that last year I wrote about how Time Warner digital cable and TiVo, taken together, have transformed the idiot box into the smartest, most alluring appliance in the house. But the digital dream team, as it were, could be coming to an end. Time Warner Cable has quietly introduced its own digital video recorder (DVR) service in an all-in-one box that replaces your existing cable box. (Turns out TiVo’s underlying technology—saving video to a hard drive—is easily imitated without violating patent laws.) A Time Warner source tells me that only a small group of subscribers—“several thousand,” who mostly got wind of the DVR from early buzz on blogs like Gizmodo.com and LockhartSteele.com—have upgraded to the DVR option, though it’s already available (via 800-OKCable, for $6.95 a month) in most city neighborhoods. Intrigued, I got my hands on a box. My verdict: It’s a worthy, competitive first showing. In fact, with a software upgrade or two, it could be a TiVo killer. It lets you do most all of the gee-whiz things TiVo lets you do—pause live TV, do your own instant replays, auto- record entire seasons’ worth of shows, etc. In blogland, some users have complained about buggy, crash-prone boxes (not my experience) and balky searching (yes, I miss TiVo’s brilliant “WishList” function). But it outdoes TiVo with a neato picture-in-picture option and the ability to record two shows at once. Honestly, I sort of didn’t want to like this DVR as much as I did. Because I love my TiVo. I love saying “TiVo” (great brand, that). And being a TiVo subscriber has felt like getting to be part of a supercool, futuristic club. But a box that lets me watch Kudlow & Cramer while taping Gilmore Girls? What’s not to like?

10-14-2003, 07:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
SupaPizzle Upright Location: Flagstaff, AZ	Heh, thank you Mr Mephisto. Anyway, the DVR sounds interesting and I'll have to read up on it a bit. But just from going off of your post (Mind_Storm) I don't see anything that really benifits the user that Tivo doesn't. I am also able to record two shows at the same time with Tivo. The thing is that I will have to watch one of them while it is recording. But, I wanted to watch it anyway right? Also, with beniits of multiple roommates, we have not one but two Tivos that aid us in the "picture in picture" endeavor. It also helps to have a 50 inch TV. As I said before, I will have to research the Time Warner deal some more. But, in the mean time, I loves me some Tivo. Thanks for peaking my interest! __________________ Rule #97: Gozer does not dwell in my refrigerator. SupaPizzle

10-15-2003, 06:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Every new box is a "TiVo-killer". None have been yet. Without the Wishlist, it isn't even half as good. TiVo may have been the best purchase I ever made. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

10-14-2003, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Taping Gilmore Girls? Article was interesting until the writer lost all credability with that confession. Mr Mephisto

10-14-2003, 10:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
sadatx Psycho	Does it really matter which finally becomes more popular? If you ask me they'll both be made obsolete by T.V.'s with built in hard drives and smart chips (a.k.a. C.P.U.'s). I'm not saying that the home computer and television will merge (people who like using their computers as T.V.'s already do so). I'm saying the T.V. will be its own computer unto itself and extra boxes like Tivo or a DVR just won't be necessary. Course, that little rant doesn't help your present dilemma.....

10-14-2003, 10:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
BubblegumTeflon Insane	This makes tv worth watching again. I like to do things on my own time whenever I want and tv schedules take that away from me. Now if they put everything in one box, that would be nice, but that would make it harder to modify. At least a TiVo isn't tough to hack so that you can record shows and save them to a hard drive or something.