Gizmodo
A tipster sent us these spy pics of what he says is the upcoming cheap version of the TiVo Series 3 personal video recorder, which is rumored to be a sub-$300 HDTV digital recorder to be available this fall. We don't know for sure if this is for real or not, but the spy tells us this is a prototype of the forthcoming box, and if you squint, you can see two CableCARD slots, with one slot labeled "Multi- or Single-stream CableCARD." Take the jump for commentary from our mysterious tattler.
This is a demo unit we have been provided so the actual units they put into retail may differ (they haven't said one way or another) but for their sake, I certainly hope the actual units look better than this. I personally have a current S3 box at home and can say that this unit is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper looking and is lighter in overall weight (feels substantially so for some reason). Just my first impressions though&mdas;haven't fired this unit up yet to see what other differences might be. The remote that came with it is also 'cheap'—is lighter and not as good looking as the original shiny unit that comes with the current S3. As you can see the cable card slots have been moved up front and one slot supports the new m-card while the other supports only the traditional s-card.
Comments
Great! So with Tivo's track record of timely product releases, we'll see this around what, 2018?
In all seriousness though, I'm still waiting for the ComcastTivo. I would have bought the Series3, but the chance of PPV + Tivo interface seems worth trying out first. This may be the backup plan - provided it comes out anytime soon.
If Tivo makes the "lite" multi-stream capable, but not the regular S3, then they'll have quite a bit of explaining to do to those of us that shelled out $700 for one.
This is very close to the final version which, by the way, works great. If I can I will upload better pics of the device in use. I like this box a lot more than the first gen s3.
A new, less-expensive HD-capable TiVo is great and will probably go a long way toward combating the seeming value of the cable companies' DVRs. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting (probably in vain) for an HD TiVo for DISH Network.
Actually TiVo has a good track record of releasing in a timely manner. The S3 was out failry soon after cable card 1.0 was ratified, with cablelabs most likely being the largest delay. The Comcast TiVo was a total port to OCAP platform and that is now coming out in Boston area.
It is known the S3 can support multi stream on its first slot as well but that is not enabled in software on the S3. Since Mcards are not all that available then how could TiVo test it extensivley enough yet with actual cable companies in the wild?
@SCOOBYDOO
This first gen S3 just needs a software update for multi-stream. I would suspect it would get it at or near the same time as any new box.
It looks like it's made out of cardboard.
Does anybody else think that box looks like it's made of papier-mache?
You'd think people running a tech gadget site would be able to focus a digital camera better than that. :p
I hope we see more about this before CES in January, but otherwise I'll be sure to check it out when I'm there.
@ACKTHBBFT
If you would RTFA you would notice they were sent in by a tipster.
Giz is doing a fine job...although we need to talk about this step back in their web design...
Anyone know if it supports ClearQAM and/or ATSC? Although I can easily afford it, I have problems giving Comcast anything more than $12 per month.
ACKTHBBFT: You'd think people running a tech gadget site would be able to focus a digital camera better than that. :p
I'm thinking, crappy cell phone pic.
It could look like a sack of shit for all I care, as long as it works like a TiVo and records HD programming.
Koryglenn - If you have one to photograph, aren't you under NDA?
Meh, I'm a hell of a lot more worried about return path and SDV than I am about the price of an S3 box. I would buy the nice version now if I didnt have to worry about the box becoming useless if my cable provider switches most of their digital channels to SDV (which wouldn't surprise me if it happens within 5 years - especially considering that you could essentially have an nearly infinite number of channels available to you with SDV).
Used to work in prototype modelmaking and this appears to me to be a mockup just for display. Notice he said it was sustantially lighter, and where are the hookups for power and cables and buttons? If this isn't a mockup it is the ugliest preprod unit I've ever seen and the shop that did this should be ashamed.
Cartman
Ecartman - all of the connections - power & cables - are clearly visible on the back.
And many TiVo models have no buttons at all, relying completely on the remote. The Series1 had no on-box controls, the very first AT&T Series2 did, but the remaining S2 boxes did not. The DVD units and the Series3 do.
I've been a user of all TiVo's to date except the DVD Recorder model. I've never used the front panel controls on the S3. My vote is to get rid of all front panel controls and save money. I will be in line to buy a S3-Lite for $299 to augment the Dual-Tuner S2 in my bedroom. I need TiVo ToGo to be able to completely ditch my S2.
Consider this an ongoing thread. First, I was right in my snide comment about Wii availability. Second, I was wrong, or rather JP Morgan was wrong about an iPhone Nano.
BTW, there was a deal a while back where you could buy the S3 from amazon for just under $600, then send in the data for a $200 tivo rebate.
End result, a sub $400 S3 tivo + shipping costs.
/sold my series 2 with lifetime for $200
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