TiVo just doesn't understand HD

With the Series3 update to 8.1 we got pretty excited about the new features, and yeah Recently Deleted and WPA support is great, but that isn't all 8.1 has to offer. One of the other new features is TiVoCast which brings Internet content to your HDTV. The only problem is that like many other features on the Series3 like suggestions, there isn't a High-Def version to go with the High-Def TiVo. While we understand the difficulties that HD videos pose on hardware and the Internet, other companies seem to make it happen, not to mention most Internet content like Rockeboom isn't in HD anyways, but it is widescreen and evidently watching widescreen content on your widescreen TV is too much to ask for TiVo to provide via TiVoCast. Sure we could use the stretch to get rid of both the letter box and pillar bars, we expect more from every bodies favorite DVR company, but should we? This actually adds to the list of non HD features on your ultra expensive HD DVR. First there were no HD photos and still aren't for Mac fans, then no HD suggestions and now no HD Guru guides or TiVoCasts.
















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew @ Feb 27th 2007 10:48PM
Rocketboom is available in HD. 720, but interlaced I think.
coyotej @ Feb 28th 2007 12:41AM
Actually, Rocketboom is definitely progressive (720p). However I've found watching it in HD isn't particularly exciting compared to the "regular" version. The amount of interesting HD content available online is still pretty darn small. I think when TiVo sees the market opportunity they'll make more HD features available. Series 3 is a young product and it surely has a lot of software updates in its future.
Andre @ Feb 28th 2007 8:29AM
rocketboom is available in HD for free on TVTonic if you have a windows media center PC, along with a handful of other internet-delivered HD shows.
you can find tvtonic in the movies/tv section of MCE's "online spotlight" feature. or www.tvtonic.com
tvtonic also allows you to subscribe any RSS 2.0 feed with video enclosures. easy way to get all your favorite video podcasts / netcasts / vlogs to your living room tv. oh, and tvtonic also runs on the XBox 360 through the "media extender" mode. just another way to get the goods to your big screen.
*disclaimer* i work for tvtonic. apologies for the self-plug.
Drew @ Feb 28th 2007 8:43AM
We record and edit in 1080i HDV and then compress "to a variety of forms" recently while exprementing with web delivery. Now taking suggestions!
Jiffylush @ Feb 28th 2007 9:04AM
As an S3 owner I can say you nailed it, I give a crap about the mac support, but the lack of HD focus on our HD tivo is very very frustrating.
Also the content available via tivocast so far seems to be bad video podcasts or commercials, I will stick to the HD content coming in over my cable.
The Hague @ Feb 28th 2007 1:04PM
The S3 isn't even a year old. Owning it now is like owning a PS3.
Lots of potential, not yet realized.
But, damn it, I'm watching crystal clear (Time Warner) HD on my Sharp. Right now.
This is what I paid a premium to do. Not watch web content and HDV codecs.
Wayne @ Feb 28th 2007 1:24PM
You could have paid roughly $10/month to get the same picture from your local cable provider.
The Hague @ Feb 28th 2007 1:34PM
Same interface?
THX certified?
HDMI out?
Classy looking box?
Nope. I'll take the early adopter route. It's not for everyone.
Thank God for the free market.
Schumann @ Mar 1st 2007 9:11PM
Wayne, I'm with The Hague (he doesn't sound too neutral!)
My S3 is for a seamless, smooth, hassle-free HD TV viewing experience - OTA and Cable. It delivers PERFECTLY. Unlike the shoddy Motorola 6412 DVR (which I also have, because I can;t afford a second S3 yet).
And while having HD TiVoCast content would be cool, I find I can barely watch everything on OTA & cable that I want to ... who has the time?