TiVo Premiere Q, Preview boxes bring quad-tuner to select cable customers (1 Viewer)

[Mods: While this news would normally go in the display forum (or such), this forum has become the actual DVR discussion forum to me. Move if you disagree ]






There's only a paragraph on it at Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/tivo-premiere-q-preview-boxes-bring-quad-tuner-or-non-dvr-optio/





In an early preview of TiVo's plans for The Cable Show this week in Chicago, TMCNet has posted information on two new set-top boxes that will be offered by cable operators RCN and Suddenlink. As suggested by recent surveys and forum posts, the Premiere Q is a quad-tuner DVR with multiroom streaming of up to three HD feeds via MoCA or Ethernet, while the Preview is TiVo's first box without a hard drive and serves as a client to the main box. Another revelation is news that an updated version ofTiVo's iPad app will include be able to browse cable VOD, allowing users to select it on the tablet and then "flick" it to their box where it starts playing. If the information holds up the new hardware seems competitive and modern enough, but we're wondering if TiVo will continue to serve end users who prefer to buy equipment instead of lease and are waiting for things like the new DirecTiVo or software updates that enhance performance on the Premiere and finish off its HD menu system.



TCF has a discussion

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=471160



I'm very curious about this. As I posted at TCF, a four-tuner box with extenders could potentially drop the cost for multi-room by hundreds. Currently, a four-tuner solution is 2 Premiere's (2x$99) and two Lifetime's (2x$499) or $1200 (maybe $1000 if there are $399 lifetimes). And you have to manually manage the two separate boxes. This new system might be $199 for the box, $99 for an extender, and $499 for lifetime, a $800 total, a $400 savings.

Would Tivo give up that much revenue? Perhaps the right interpretation is that, if they sell standalone systems, the new box will by at least $299 and extenders will be at least $199. I want to upgrade from my two TivoHDs this Fall. I want a four-tuner system, and am investigating HTPCs. Tivo creating a quad-tuner box with extenders could completely change my equation and keep me in the "family".

TiVo is running hard into the fact that lots of other devices are coming out that are doing what they do, better. For people who love the TiVo interface, it's still a win for a TiVo. The transfer function (Playstate) is a nice tool, but I sometimes think it's far too "over played".. at worst case, this is doable on almost everything with an extra click, so it's not a dealbreaker to me often. Besides, when I walk to a different room in my house I normally end up running into my wife watching "Yes to the Dress" or "Bridezillas" or whatever, so I'm not bumping her off so my I can have my show follow me.


The big hitch that TiVo has is that it has turned into a one-trick pony. It manages TV. Solutions from others have come out that manage everything; your TV, your DVD/BD collections; they act as a DVD/BD player, etc.

Does TiVo hold onto their audience? I think so. I think for a lot of people, it will be a solution they can plugin and go, with less work then (some) HTPCs. But TiVo making this announcement now is good timing. There may be real, significant changes afoot at MS in regards to their next-gen approach to MediaRoom/MediaCenter, I was able to see one of the new ATT Beta units this weekend, and I think they have to come out with something and say "here's an alternative"... again, I find it very hard to "pay" for a subscription guide.

Dave-

There are some non-Tivo four and six tuner (from one cable card) options that might be announced in the next few months available at your local retailer for a lot less, so while this is very interesting, I wouldn't buy yet (assuming you live in those service areas).

Originally Posted by mattCR

The big hitch that TiVo has is that it has turned into a one-trick pony. It manages TV. Solutions from others have come out that manage everything; your TV, your DVD/BD collections; they act as a DVD/BD player, etc.

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I'm aware of the cable-co DVR, Tivo, and Moxi: none of these play or manage disc collections. What other consumer-oriented, plug-and-play DVR product is out there that also manages disc collections?


I don't think Tivo's problem is being a one-trick pony, but that most people don't care about quality of experience enough to bother with a Tivo when good-enough is available from their cable company (and they get On Demand as well).

DaveF said:

 

 

I'm aware of the cable-co DVR, Tivo, and Moxi: none of these play or manage disc collections. What other consumer-oriented, plug-and-play DVR product is out there that also manages disc collections?

 

I don't think Tivo's problem is being a one-trick pony, but that most people don't care about quality of experience enough to bother with a Tivo when good-enough is available from their cable company (and they get On Demand as well).

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Adam pretty much nails it. MediaRoom has made big showings in several locations, and there are other options that are coming before the fall that throw everything about a DVR on it's ear. I think you've been in this forum long enough to realize quite a few of us are running Windows 7MC with full cablecard support.. for even more then two tuners. And we don't pay for "subscription" services; we get integrated media management, etc. The thing that has kept many end users away from that is that it wasn't offered in a straight to hook up - or if it was, it was offered at a significant price. But last year, AT&T and SureWest began offering nationwide MediaRoom. And this fall, that functionality will extend from both (and more). Things like: Media Center Embedded: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/windows-7-media-center-embedded-tv-hands-on/ http://blogs.msdn.com/b/obloch/archive/2011/06/02/custom-media-center-experience-with-windows-embedded-standard-7.aspx Etc. You've got a few months, but there are major changes a foot. My example is this: Despite high end recommendations, the price drops have made even a "high end" HTPC cheap. A Windows7 HTPC w/4 Tuner Cable Card + QAM (so 6 Tuner) support can be done with full DTS-HD/DD-HD support.. under $700. At that point, I have a hard time contemplating a TiVo. But I get what you mean with "consumer oriented". Most consumer oriented aren't worried about something that handles network shares, graphic wall views, etc. But for them, a full blown HTPC is probably out of the question.. they just don't want to fool with it. But Embedded MC changes the game. If you can buy an over-the-counter, prebuilt device shipping from HP, Acer/Gateway, Dell.. that has a built in CableCard slot, 4/6 tuner support, is customizable with media management.. and spend the same (and maybe slightly less) then a TiVo Q, would you do it? TiVo's announcement now is a pre-emptive strike with vaporware. They won't have a product like this until the fall. By that time, several other options will be shipping. It's smart marketing, but I don't know how well it really serves them.

Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich


But I get what you mean with "consumer oriented". Most consumer oriented aren't worried about something that handles network shares, graphic wall views, etc. But for them, a full blown HTPC is probably out of the question.. they just don't want to fool with it. But Embedded MC changes the game. If you can buy an over-the-counter, prebuilt device shipping from HP, Acer/Gateway, Dell.. that has a built in CableCard slot, 4/6 tuner support, is customizable with media management.. and spend the same (and maybe slightly less) then a TiVo Q, would you do it?

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That was my point per se in this thread: there is no gadget you can buy a Amazon or Best Buy that's plug-and-play for DVR and Blu-ray management. Tivo's struggle has not been with Media Center, but Cable Co DVRs.


Tivo has needed to do an "Apple" and execute some sort of technology pivot. They've failed to do so, and rather only made bigger, more expensive, less refined boxes. Their primary strategy right seems to be a variant of "Patent Troll", making money off patent-infringement suits. This leaked 4-tuner system with extenders suggests they're at least trying to stay in the game, if further trailing. It might be enough to keep me a customer.



But should a retail 7MC box appear, I'd consider buying one over building my own. It would certainly help if I could go demo a 7MC system. My biggest concern is spending $800 and a month building a Media Center system and discovering that it's an inferior experience to Tivo and fails SAF. A hands on experience would mitigate a lot of that.

DaveF said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich

Dave-

There are some non-Tivo four and six tuner (from one cable card) options that might be announced in the next few months available at your local retailer for a lot less, so while this is very interesting, I wouldn't buy yet (assuming you live in those service areas).

Click to expand...

A 4-tuner Tivo -- assuming it comes to retail -- demands my consideration But I'm in no hurry, since my TivoHDs still work great. And an HTPC is still a consideration, since I'm increasingly interested in holistic media management solution (using the Blu-ray player is always a tedious affair, especially compared to a Tivo).










Quote:

Originally Posted by mattCR


But I get what you mean with "consumer oriented". Most consumer oriented aren't worried about something that handles network shares, graphic wall views, etc. But for them, a full blown HTPC is probably out of the question.. they just don't want to fool with it. But Embedded MC changes the game. If you can buy an over-the-counter, prebuilt device shipping from HP, Acer/Gateway, Dell.. that has a built in CableCard slot, 4/6 tuner support, is customizable with media management.. and spend the same (and maybe slightly less) then a TiVo Q, would you do it?

Click to expand...

That was my point per se in this thread: there is no gadget you can buy a Amazon or Best Buy that's plug-and-play for DVR and Blu-ray management. Tivo's struggle has not been with Media Center, but Cable Co DVRs.



Tivo has needed to do an "Apple" and execute some sort of technology pivot. They've failed to do so, and rather only made bigger, more expensive, less refined boxes. Their primary strategy right seems to be a variant of "Patent Troll", making money off patent-infringement suits. This leaked 4-tuner system with extenders suggests they're at least trying to stay in the game, if further trailing. It might be enough to keep me a customer.





But should a retail 7MC box appear, I'd consider buying one over building my own. It would certainly help if I could go demo a 7MC system. My biggest concern is spending $800 and a month building a Media Center system and discovering that it's an inferior experience to Tivo and fails SAF. A hands on experience would mitigate a lot of that.

Click to expand...

It's coming, and would be available before the Premiere Q

I look forward to seeing that!

Tivo Q officially announced

http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/13/tivo-premiere-q-and-preview-boxes-are-official-along-with-an-upd/

http://investor.tivo.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=106292&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1573066&highlight=]

http://investor.tivo.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=106292&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1573067&highlight=


Key thing is it's a cable-co only offering for now:

There's no word on any retail plans and as expected RCN and Suddenlink will be the first to offer the boxes.

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Dave Zatz, who seems to be a solid follower of Tivo, reports this is not likely to be a retail product anytime soon.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-06/more-tivo-premiere-q-details/






Further, I reached out to TiVo this AM for clarification. Their response:

Premiere will continue as our primary retail offering. Premiere Q is digital-only, built specifically for distribution by cable operators.

I have 3 Tivo's right now. TiVoHD, Premere, Premere XL... The only thing that has made me mad has been:

• No yearly plan anymore - Although it even became more of a pain when I bought the Premere and found out they wouldn't do anything for me.. Had 8 months left on the service. So I moved it to the kids TV.
• Multi-TiVo discounts don't apply to the first one until we get pass the first year. Now on monthly...

Overall I like the Tivo device a lot but their whole pricing model sucks unless you buy lifetime. Which I need to consider but I seem to change out gear way too often.

The problem with Lifetime is that it's lifetime of the device. Not you. So, if you trade out the device after 3 years or so, you have to get another lifetime (that's how it used to be)

That is my understanding on how it works as well which is why I have never done it.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-06/tivos-new-hardware-at-the-cable-show/


Tivo reiterates, "No soup for you!"

Sadly, TiVo’s rep clearly stated that they have “no plans” to make this whole-home DVR hardware available to anyone but cable company partners

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by dmiller68


Overall I like the Tivo device a lot but their whole pricing model sucks unless you buy lifetime. Which I need to consider but I seem to change out gear way too often.

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I had a dual tuner S2 for a year or two (glad I didn't pay for lifetime on that!), then upgraded to two TivoHDs. I've been monthly on them. This year I hit the breakeven point where I should have gone Lifetime. Or, the point where I can upgrade hardware and not really lose any money over another 3-yr run. Which is why I'm thinking HTP since Tivo doesn't want to sell improved hardware (Premiere reviews have not been kind).

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-06/tivo-premiere-q-headed-to-retail-as-premier-elite/


4 tuner, retail model being announced. Cable only; no OTA.


So I'm remaining with my pair of HDs until life allows* an HTPC build and/or a switch to cable.


(*As they say in "O Brother Where Art Thou", this year has brought some "ob-stack-les", hindering my intended DVR upgrade)