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series2 posts

Blockbuster On Demand goes live on TiVo boxes

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2009 at 8:59AM

We knew good and well it was coming, and now the deed has been done. As promised, Blockbuster's On Demand movie rental service has gone live on a bevy of TiVo boxes, enabling Series2, Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs to watch all sorts of releases without needing to purchase another set-top-box or tap into their cable company's VOD system. We're told that most rentals will range from $2.99 (for the classics) to $3.99 (for new releases), with the film catalog expected to expand over the coming weeks. HD aficionados will have to wait a tick before seeing any movies available in high-def, but those looking to pick up a new TiVo can now saunter into any Blockbuster retail location in order to claim one. Eager to get in on the action? Fire up your box and hit the "Video On Demand" screen from TiVo Central.

Netflix HD streaming comes to TiVo

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 at 12:01AM


Man, if we aren't careful, Netflix is going to turn into a behemoth right before our very eyes. The company once known for taking physical discs right to your mailbox is now getting all sorts of attention for its workings in the online delivery space, and if you thought hooking up with Microsoft was hot stuff, have a listen at this. Starting today, Series 3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL owners can access thousands of Netflix movies on their set-top-box, and better still, these same owners can access a growing library of high-def titles. Of course, this new functionality comes at no additional cost, though you will need a Netflix account to take advantage. So Netflix, what's next? Infiltrating DirecTV / DISH Network boxes? Seeping inside of our actual TV sets? Breathing new life into the Atari Jaguar? Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Netflix HD streaming comes to TiVo

TiVo Mobile enables remote scheduling, program searches

by Darren Murph posted Nov 25th 2008 at 12:01AM

Remote scheduling has been possible on TiVo boxes for years now, and Verizon Wireless users in particular have been able to do so on their mobiles since last March. Now, however, TiVo Mobile is making handset scheduling for Series2 / Series3 owners a cinch by opening up compatibility with all platforms, browsers and carriers. Slated to go live right about now, the m.tivo.com site will also let subscribers and non-subscribers alike "browse, search and discover television shows on the go," and while the current iteration is in "beta form," the final site should be rolled out within a few weeks. Give it a go -- just don't break anything in there, alright? Full release after the break.

Continue reading TiVo Mobile enables remote scheduling, program searches

US TiVo users pick up Domino's Pizza ordering / tracking abilities

by Darren Murph posted Nov 17th 2008 at 11:02AM


Clearly catering towards the wants, nay, needs of the average American couch potato is TiVo and Domino's Pizza, which have collaborated in order to bring on-sofa pizza ordering to broadband-connected TiVo subscribers. If you'll recall, this service was actually announced for Australia earlier this month, but users in the US of A get the first chance to indulge. 'Course, this is far from the first unorthodox method of ordering pizza, and the lack of a scheduled delivery option is certainly a weak point, but this widget does reveal that all sorts of differentiating applications could eventually find their way to a TiVo box near you. Feel free to give it a spin tonight, but don't blame us if that backlit remote gets dimmed from grease seeping into the crevices.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

TiVo lets users buy stuff from Amazon on their TV, all three QVC fans go wild

by Darren Murph posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 10:23AM


Back in May, TiVo's VP of product marketing got all of our hopes up that the next announcement involving it and Amazon would include HD Unbox content. As you can very clearly see, this is most certainly not the case. Instead, we have the immense pleasure of informing internet-connected Series2, Series3 and TiVo HD owners that they can now buy wares from Amazon without leaving their couch. If browsing through Amazon's extraordinarily huge store with just a remote sounds appealing to you, you're in luck (and mildly insane). Also of note, the new Product Purchase feature will enable advertisers to "market products sold through Amazon on any broadcast or cable network, any TV show, or via any of TiVo's extensive interactive advertising features." In other words, next time you see Dwight using that iconic shredder, you can buy that bad boy right then and there. Take that, Staples.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

TiVo to offer up on-demand movie rentals from Disney

by Darren Murph posted May 28th 2008 at 12:31PM

TiVo's been offering up movie rentals for a solid tick now, but it finally landed an agreement to include flicks from Walt Disney Studios. Coming soon to Series2 and Series3 HD DVRs, users will be able to view a variety of SD rentals (with select films available in HD) for 24-hour blocks of time. The partnership encompasses TiVo, CinemaNow and ABC, but strangely enough, that's about all the details that any of those firms are dishing out right now.

[Via CNET]

TiVo comes to Canada, but lacks HD

by Erik Hanson posted Nov 26th 2007 at 10:04AM

TiVo logoCanuck TV lovers have something to look forward to this holiday season, as TiVo is officially launching in Canada with the 80-hour Series2 DVR. HDTV watchers will continue to wait patiently, though, as no plans for Canadian HD products were announced, and no Canadian cable companies use the CableCARD standard in the Series 3 high-definition boxes. The Series2 will be available from Canadian retailers like Future Shop and Best Buy in early December for $199 CAD plus a TiVo subscription.

TiVo's new "Buy on TV" feature for Amazon Unbox

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 10th 2007 at 10:01AM

Amzaon UnBox on TiVo
When TiVo first brought Amazon Unbox movies to our Series3, we wondered why we still had to log on to Amazon.com to order our flicks. We weren't the only ones and some even took matters into their own hands by creating a home grown application. Well TiVo and Amazon finally got the hint and today announced what they're calling Buy on TV -- which obviously lets you buy movies directly from your broadband enabled Series2 or Series3 set top box. You can find movies or shows to download by either browsing under TiVoCasts or via Swivel search; and so your baby-sitter doesn't run up your bill, you'll need to enter your five digit purchase pin when ordering.

[Via TiVoBlog]

TiVo offers limited transfer of Lifetime Service for $300

by Erik Hanson posted Jun 28th 2007 at 9:14PM

It's the TiVo guy!Say you've got an old TiVo with the Lifetime Service option (you know, the one with no monthly subscription fees), yet you're always sad when you see your friends and their fancy Series2 boxes, with the ability to record two channels at once, or download the latest legit firmware and fixes. Well TiVo has announced a limited time offer to "transfer" your Lifetime Service to a new Series2 dual-tuner 80-hour unit for $299. You'll need to make sure your original DVR was activated before June 2003, and you have until July 23rd to get all those de-soldered wires back in place and figure out how to get the "warranty void if removed" sticker back on that old unit.

[Via Zatz Not Funny!]

TiVo introduces universal Swivel Search

by Donald Melanson posted May 15th 2007 at 12:53PM


TiVo has announced some new-and-improved search functionality today, with its so-called "Swivel Search" promising to make it easier to find what you're looking for and stumble upon things that you may not have set out to find. Among other things, the newly-expanded search feature will let you start at one show and link through to others based on similarities in the actors or descriptions (as opposed to simply searching by title or keyword), with tags also now applied to shows to cover topics not included in the description. The new search also extends its reach beyond the standard program guide, encompassing TiVoCast and Amazon Unbox movies as well. As with most TiVo upgrades, there's a priority list for those that just can't wait to get it, although all broadband-connected Series2 and Series3 subscribers should be seeing the update before too long.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

EarthLink pushes TiVo Series2 DVRs

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 8th 2007 at 3:32AM

EarthLink DSL subscribers will have a new option coming their way this spring, when the company partners up with TiVo to distribute TiVo Series2 DVRs and the TiVo service -- with a rebate on the cost of the DVR -- to new existing EarthLink customers. TiVo's been looking to branch out to new partners after its agreement with DirecTV ended, and its Comcast TiVo service won't launch until later this year. So far the services don't work together, but representatives indicated to CNET that a combination TiVo/DSL modem is a possibility, but there are "no specific plans at this time". We understand interoperable products might be a way off, but how about throwing in a newer Series3 TiVo and some additional HD features?

TiVo Desktop 2.4 public beta loosed, enables PC-to-TiVO transcoding

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2007 at 5:34PM


It's that time again folks, when you gleefully head on over to TiVo's website and download a new release of its desktop software to add more of those PC / TiVo integration features you love so dearly. While we've watched the software mature from 2.1 to 2.2, right on up to the much-anticipated 2.3, it's now time for 2.4 to shine, albeit in beta fashion for the time being. While the now-prior rendition allowed users to convert TiVo recordings into mobile-friendly versions for a $25 fee, 2.4 seeks to offer up the process a bit in reverse by allowing non-DRM-laced video files on your PC to be transcoded for playback on your TiVo box. Unfortunately, the $25 fee for the required TiVo Desktop Plus upgrade key is still again in place, and while this process can be done manually for those looking to save a few bills, at least the company is offering up a simplified alternative for those with more money than time. Additionally, users can look forward to broadcasting "HD resolution" (read: up to 1,280 x 720) photos from their PC to a Series3 unit, but beta software wouldn't be complete without a stash of digs built in. Aside from the list of known issues that will hopefully be ironed out by the final release, Mac users won't be enjoying any of these niceties right away, and of course, the $25 fee is a debatable downside as well. Still, for those looking to get their transcoding on with non-protected WMV and MP4 / H.264 files, and don't mind the expected hiccups associated with a "preview release," be sure to hit the read link for your downloading satisfaction, and tap the Via for a few snapshots while you're at it.

[Via ZatsNotFunny]




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