TiVo killing off the Series3, focusing on TiVo HD?
When we forced the TiVo HD and Series3 to go mano-a-mano back in October of last year, we had a sneaking suspicion that the latter was actually no longer being produced. Fast forward (har) three months, and sure enough, it seems that the end really is nigh for the Series3. According to TiVo Lovers (who heard directly from DVRupgrade), TiVo is accelerating the EOL (end of life) of the Series3 and "focusing all efforts on the recently launched, lower cost TiVo HD." Apparently, the firm managed to sell through oodles of Series3 boxes over the holidays (thanks in large part to a sizable rebate-based promotion), and rather than searching for creative ways to solve the "continued component shortage," TiVo is reportedly choosing to nudge potential customers in the direction of the TiVo HD. Granted, we'd still take this with a (light) dose of salt for the time being, but don't be shocked to see Series3 stock start dwindling in the coming weeks.
[Via TVSquad, thanks Brad L.]
[Via TVSquad, thanks Brad L.]





















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rob @ Jan 31st 2008 7:20PM
Is it possible to add external storage to the TIVO HD yet?
Matt Smith @ Feb 4th 2008 10:53AM
Yes, the eSATA port now works with Tivo HD.
See http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/10/23/tivo-press-release-tivo-delivers-anticipated-upgrades-and-updates-for-series-3-and-tivo-hd/
Miguelitosd @ Jan 31st 2008 7:21PM
Not a biggie really. I have an S3 and an HD and aside from the front OLED display on the S3, they're really a wash. Sure the HD is supposed to only work with "approved" eSATA expansion (I've had a drive on my S3 since the keypresses to activate one first came to light) but I think the vast majority of people could live with that. The lack of mCARD support on the S3 kind of hurts it too. The CableCARDs being on the front of the HD is a nice change as well.
About the only thing the S3 has that's just better, is the remote. The light-up feature is nice and the feel is just a little better; more solid, less plastic-y feeling.
Oh and yeah, there are buttons you can use on the front of the S3.. I've used those exactly 1 time, to unpause a show. Woo.
Jeff @ Jan 31st 2008 9:26PM
Kind of on kind of the subject, i have the tivo hd, and about once every coupla weeks maybe more, alot of my hd channels drop and i have to restart the box. anybody else have this problem? i believe its linked to the cable cards.
TK101 @ Feb 1st 2008 3:52PM
I had occasional tuning and recoding issues with my TiVo HD when using Comcast (and some ancient SciAmerica cards), but since moving to Verizon FiOS (and better Motorola cable cards), I haven't had any issues to speak of.
Todd
MegaZone @ Feb 1st 2008 4:25PM
Rob - Yes, the is an officially blessed 500GB drive from Western Digital. And if you open it up you can do the manual 'marrying' process with other eSATA drives.
MegaZone @ Feb 1st 2008 4:26PM
Oh, and EngadgetHD, the 'Reply' links on comments are still FUBAR.
Harley3k @ Feb 1st 2008 4:42PM
Just pick a color for the front already.... Black or Silver, not 1/3 Black, 2/3 Silver...
rich.brome @ Feb 1st 2008 4:42PM
What a shame the HD is so incredibly hideous-looking. Could they at least come out with an S3 faceplate for the HD or something?
Miguelitosd @ Feb 1st 2008 6:28PM
Jeff...
Sorry new post, reply links not working, but at least comments are back (ironically they first vanished for me right after my post on here yesterday.. figure someone dorked with css files and didn't close a tag or something).
Anyway.. instead of rebooting when your HD channels won't lock in, pop out one of the cable cards, wait a few seconds.. push it back in. It'll take a few more seconds to pop up the diag screen.. hit clear and go see if they're ok again (if it says you need to redo setup, just say you'll do it later.. you won't have to). I'm betting you'll find it's just one card losing the ability to tune.
I had the same issue on my S3 and it was only with card 1. When I got an HD, while ordering the new cards, I asked them to bring a few extras.. while the guy was there I replaced the one bad one in the S3 and it hasn't happened since (several months now). CableCARD in general is really touchy it seems.. sometimes cards just won't work with some items or even just in some slots (when I first got my S3 one card would cause it to freeze hard in one slot.. worked fine in the other.. go figure).
Miguelitosd @ Feb 1st 2008 6:32PM
Jeff...
Sorry new post, reply links not working, but at least comments are back (ironically they first vanished for me right after my post on here yesterday.. figure someone dorked with css files and didn't close a tag or something).
Anyway.. instead of rebooting when your HD channels won't lock in, pop out one of the cable cards, wait a few seconds.. push it back in. It'll take a few more seconds to pop up the diag screen.. hit clear and go see if they're ok again (if it says you need to redo setup, just say you'll do it later.. you won't have to). I'm betting you'll find it's just one card losing the ability to tune.
I had the same issue on my S3 and it was only with card 1. When I got an HD, while ordering the new cards, I asked them to bring a few extras.. while the guy was there I replaced the one bad one in the S3 and it hasn't happened since (several months now). CableCARD in general is really touchy it seems.. sometimes cards just won't work with some items or even just in some slots (when I first got my S3 one card would cause it to freeze hard in one slot.. worked fine in the other.. go figure).
TheIcemanCometh @ Feb 3rd 2008 8:31AM
@Rob, @MegaZone
I can confirm the ability to add eSATA drives to the Tivo HD. Just be prepared that yout MIGHT need to to get an after-market eSATA cable. Apparently the one they include with the drive has caused issues with some people (myself included) to where the THD either doesn't recognize the My Expander drive, or intermittently does. Yeah, it was an extra $25, but still worth it for the extra capacity.
ericisshort @ Feb 5th 2008 5:13PM
Seems like a smart move