TiVo Available in Canada

[hugh]

TiVo Inc. , the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), announced today that TiVo DVRs will be available in retail stores in Canada in time for the holidays.

Canadian customers can now enjoy the Emmy award-winning TiVo user interface and exclusive service features such as SeasonPass recordings, WishList searches, Online Scheduling, TiVoToGo transfers, Multi-Room viewing, and TrickPlay functionality, which enables users to pause, rewind, instant replay and slow-motion live TV. The TiVo Series2 DT DVR, optimized for cable households, holds up to 80 hours of standard-definition content and allows consumers to record two shows at once.


The TiVo Series2 DT DVR will be available in early December at major Canadian retailers for just $199 plus standard TiVo subscription fees. TiVo will not be available in Quebec immediately.

[hugh]

Not sure what is new here since many folks around here have been using Tivo for some time. I have contacted the company to see if I can get more information and will post it hear if I hear anything.

EDIT: Spoke to the representatives for TIVO who said this is really a formal release in Canada, with an authorized sales channel in Canada which will include a support team for Canadian issues.

[hugh]

Pricing:

Monthly $12.95 U.S. Prepaid for 1, 2 or 3 year at $129, $249 and $299 respectively.

Capabilities

Records two basic analog cable channels or one basic cable and one digital cable (STB required) at once. Records only one channel at a time when connected to ExpressVu or Star Choice. Does not support antenna or high definition.

Required

A high speed internet connection is required for retrieving guide information.

[jvincent]

Since pretty much everything I watch is HD these days this is of limited value to me, and probably a lot of others.

Now if the Tivo folks were to swing a deal with Rogers that gave us HD, now we'd be talking.

[james99]

The best thing about TIVO is the s/w not hardware. They have deals in the US with some cable companies to offer the software using existing h/w. Would love to see similiar things here.

TIVO HD STBs do exist.

[jvincent]

Yep, that was what I was thinking. Run the Tivo S/W on my 8300HD and we're cooking with gas.

[westernarticfan]

I have had a tivo for 2 years now.Do i have to buy a new one now since its here.Or should i be ok with my current box.

[57]

This official release will just confuse most people. At a time when more and more people are getting HD (or digital), the TiVo is simply not the answer for most people.

If CableCARD were active in Canada, the story would be different, however, it is NOT and it's not expected any time soon.

[hugh]

A TiVo with 3 year subscription will cost $500. For analog cable subscribers who don't want digital cable, this is a decent deal. For digital cable subscribers and HD lovers, it makes little sense.

TiVo, too little too late!

[rmchahn]

I never understood what you're paying for with the subscription fee. Is it for the h/w? s/w? or both?

What are the advantages over a Rogers pvr aside from recording 2 channels at the same time?

[jvincent]

You are paying for the S/W.

It is able to properly record only new shows, get the correct time, etc. Sounds simple but it's a big step in convenience over what the standard offering from Scientific Atlanta provides for Rogers.

[hugh]

What are the advantages over a Rogers pvr aside from recording 2 channels at the same time?

1. The TIVO interface and functionality is considered superior to most others.
2. Can be used with analog cable

The subscription fee is essentially for the program guide and support which is embedded in the cost of your cable subscription.

[whitbyterry]

While this is basically useless for many of us, I bet that they will do well here. Tivo has a lot of brand recognition. For those who haven't bothered to get a PVR from their cable/satellite company, this might entice them to finally move into the PVR era. Unfortunately, as soon as they upgrade to an HD TV and get an HD box, they will be angry that their Tivo is useless.

[57]

Originally Posted by rmchahn

What are the advantages over a Rogers pvr aside from recording 2 channels at the same time?

The SA8300HD can already record two (HD) channels while watching another prerecorded programme. There are many superior features to the TiVo firmware, which have been discussed in the following thread:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30581

Things like "seasons pass", a superior search function, proper start/stop times for programming, no inconsistent programme titles.

One must remember though that the reason that some of these are not on the SA (or Motorola) STBs is that TiVo owns the rights to some of these functions, therefore SA and Motorola must workaround these rights, or pay TiVo, although the inconsistent programme titles and start/stop times are a function of the IPG provider.

[hugh]

Don't forget more than half of all Canadians on cable are still on analog only.