Gizmodo: series 2

TiVo Sticks Ads Into Timeshifting

Mark Wilson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:08:00 EST

Today, TiVo has begun implementation of a new feature allowing advertisers to insert text ads into paused programming. That's right, skipping those commercials is finally becoming impossible.

These ads can work on live TV or prerecorded content, with Fox and Mercedes-Benz lined up among the system's first customers.

Luckily, the feature seems to be quarantined to pausing only for the time being, while unrolling only to Series 2 customers first, sparing those of use with Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes from the ads...for now. Evidently, asking customers to pay a reasonable subscription cost for small bits of publicly available data to be downloaded to proprietary hardware sold above cost is just not as profitable as it used to be.

TiVo, look at how Microsoft has fooled us. They've stuck ads all over the Xbox 360 in spite of subscription costs. But they haven't utilized those ads in a way that would distract from the system's core function: gameplay. We haven't seen these new pausing ads yet (anyone with a Series 2 at home, feel free to grab us a shot), but our initial inclination is that they distract from core function and are thereby even eviler than your standard ad whoring. [electronista]

From reader K.C.

TiVo 9.4 Summer Update Hitting Boxes This Month

Christopher Mascari — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:10:36 EDT

It looks like TiVo's 9.4 Summer Update has been released ahead of schedule and will supposedly be hitting every box by month's end. This update brings six new features, two of which actually seem really useful for most TiVoers. Folders will now have the option to be played or deleted, and the guide can be viewed at any time (while watching live TV, a recording, or even a download, but obviously not during menus). Since TiVo's 9.4 priority page hasn't been posted yet this update should hit your box as a total surprise while you're sleeping. [Zatz Not Funny!]

Dealzmodo: TiVo Series 2 Free After Rebate

Jason Chen — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:00:29 EDT

TiVo must be wanting to clear out its back stock of Series 2 machines, because we haven't see many of these free after rebate deals for a while. From now until September 8 (when the rebate expires), you can your own 80-hour Series 2 for $0 after mail-in rebate. Your service has to be activated by October 8, or else everything gets thrown out the window. [Bargainist]

Dealzmodo: Refurbished Series 2 TiVo Deals

Travis Hudson — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:20:57 EDT

TiVo is still trying to clear out all of those oldie-moldie series 2 TiVo units. They are featuring three separate deals on refurbished units. Get an 80-hour single-tuner series 2 TiVo for free, a 80-hour dual-tuner series 2 TiVo for $50 or a 180-hour dual-tuner series 2 TiVo for $130. All three deals require signing up for a one-year TiVo service plan, but hey, you can't beat free. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Dealhack]

Dealzmodo: Earn a Penny Buying a Series 2 TiVo

Travis Hudson — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:15:48 EST

Best Buy has a rebate and special that will actually profit you one penny for buying a Series 2 TiVo, after all is said an done. The Series 2 unit actually costs $219.99 at the checkout, but they tack on a $170 mail-in-rebate on the TiVo bringing the price down to $49.99. Best Buy will also give you a $50 gift card for the purchase, therefore gaining a net profit of one cent. It may be a long road to earn that penny, but it will be worth it. –Travis Hudson

Product Page
Rebate Information
[Via Bargainist]

When Amazon Unboxed TiVo: The FAQ

Brian Lam — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:37:15 EST

Amazon's got a nifty little FAQ up about the TiVo and Amazon Unboxed love fest. Here's what they're starting us off with, but since we're starved for information on the subject, it's better than nothing. What do you want to know about this holy union?

When will I be able to use the Amazon Unbox on TiVo service? We are currently beta testing our new service with a select group of TiVo subscribers. If you'd like to be notified when the service becomes available, sign up at TiVo.com.
Which TiVos will be able to play videos from Amazon Unbox?
Any broadband connected TiVo Series2 and Series3 DVR will be able to download and play Unbox videos. Sorry, the service won't be available for DirecTV TiVo subscribers or TiVo subscribers who use a telephone phone line to access the service.

More...

How will the Amazon Unbox on TiVo service work? What will I have to do to set it up? Do I have to somehow connect my TiVo to my PC? You will go to www.amazon.com/gp/video/tivo and do a one-time linking of your TiVo to your Amazon.com account. From that point on, when you buy or rent Unbox videos from Amazon Unbox you will have the option of downloading them directly to your broadband-connected TiVo. Your TiVo communicates directly to the Unbox service through your home network, so there is no computer in between.
Where on my TiVo will my downloaded videos appear?
Your videos will appear in your Now Playing list with the rest of your TiVo content, just where you would expect it to be!

How will the quality of Unbox videos compare to the quality of shows recorded by my TiVo?
Unbox videos watched on a TiVo will be of better quality than videos recorded at the Best Quality setting on a TiVo Series2 DVR.

How long will it take to download Unbox videos to my TiVo?
Download times will vary depending on your actual Internet connection speed and the length of the video. With a fast broadband connection (5 Mbps), a movie can download in about an hour, while a 1-hour TV episode can download in about 30 minutes. However, on a slower broadband connection (less than 1 Mbps), a movie could take up to 5 hours.

Luckily, the Unbox RemoteLoad feature allows you to order from Amazon.com and download anywhere. So, you can order your video during your lunch break and itll be ready to watch when you get home from work.

Will I be able to use TiVos Home Media features with my Unbox videos?
Unfortunately, you won't be able to use the TiVoToGo or Multi-Room Viewing features with Unbox videos. However, using the Unbox RemoteLoad feature you can download your videos to multiple PCs or TiVos.

How many copies of my Unbox videos can I have downloaded at one time?
Your videos from Amazon Unbox can be downloaded on up to 2 PCs or TiVos and 2 portable devices at any one time.

If I delete my Unbox video from my TiVo is it gone forever?
Amazon Unbox stores all of your purchased videos in Your Media Library for re-download, so your videos don't have to take up all the space on your TiVo.

Amazon and Tivo Unboxed FAQ

Series2 TiVo 8.1 Update Available, Adds WPA

Jason Chen — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:10:25 EST

TiVo's Fall 2006 service update is available, and you could be the first among your (incredibly nerdy) friends to get Wireless WPA support, "enhanced support for recording live events", and "improved system performance." We're all for improving system performance around here, so go check out this update to see if your TiVo's ready to get juiced up.

And for those of you who have a Series2 and are considering upgrading to a Series3, read our hands on and our Frankenreview. – Jason Chen

TiVo Page [via Zatz Not Funny]

Shiny TiVo Glo Remote Available as Stand-Alone

Charlie White — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:39:11 EST

TiVo is shipping the Glo Remote, the luxo-premium controller that's normally included with the TiVo Series 3 HD box, as a $50 standalone product. Of course, it works with the Series 3 but also works with most Series 2 units, too.

We have one of these remotes in-house, and really like its shiny piano-black finish. However, we do wish it had a gravity switch to turn on the backlighting for the buttons, like the Logitech Harmony 880 does. This TiVo Glo Remote's backlight sometimes doesn't turn on when you want it to.

That said, it's still a first-class controller for TiVos, and it's a learning remote, too, so you can use it to control power, input, volume, and mute on TVs and A/V receivers. – Charlie White

Product Page [TiVo, via Zatz Not Funny]

Dealzmodo: TiVo 80-Hour Series2 w/ 1-Year of Service, $125

Travis Hudson — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:28:43 EDT

TiVo is having a super special on their older, Series2 TiVo units. TiVo is offering up the 80-hour Series2 box with one-year of service for $125 with free shipping. I'm not a big TiVo nut, but Froogle is showing TiVo Series2 boxes still going for $200, and TiVo service is $20 per month. If my math is correct, this deal is saving you around $300.

Now may be your last chance to get an affordable TiVo because this could be the closeout sale on the Series2 units, meaning the only model left will be the outrageously priced Series3 jobber. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Zatz]

TiVo Series2: They're Giving Them Away

Charlie White — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:18:09 EDT

Here's a great deal if you're not averse to rebates: Buy.com is offering the TiVo R54080 Series2 Digital Video Recorder for a price of $0.00. Free? Well, almost. The site is selling this 80-hour TiVo, which includes the latest KidZone parental censorship capabilities, for $150, and then there's a $150 rebate.

Of course, to get this deal you are required to subscribe to TiVo service, which will run you $19.95/month with a one-year plan. Buy.com will offer this deal until July 29. – Charlie White

TiVo R54080 Series2 Digital Video Recorder [buy.com]