Tivo's got one thing right...

[jrog]

http://gizmodo.com/5056067/a-sneak-p...user-interface

I have to say, I like it, minus the ads of course. Tivo interface was always very cool, functional, and easy to use. It's about the only thing they get right, and after having gone from HD-Tivo to Sage, it's the only part about Sage that I feel is lacking.

Most people are a little intimidated by Sage's interface, navigation, options menus and advanced options menus popping up and hit this to go here when we're in this mode stuff. I've gotten used to it, but I wouldn't be opposed to UI refinements and improvements... just sayin'...

[stevech]

I second that motion.
The default UI must be simple and obvoius and devoid of rarely used clutter.

It must also use large fonts everywhere.

[mistergq]

I agree that it should be simple, but it should also be "sexy". I like what TIVO is doing and something like that would be nice to have for SageTV as the default UI.

[mickp]

Looks okay I guess. Unfortunately the youtube vids have been taken down so maybe I missed the really cool bits. It's not as nice as other interfaces out there from what I see in the screenshots though imho.

Mick.

[stanger89]

There's also this:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/n...ace-to-the-pc/

[ybrew]

What kind of extenders will it support?
I don't want a PC at every TV. neither do most people. I went to sage because of the extender support. I haven't seen anybody really compete there yet.

[Ryokurin]

I was just about to say I'm more interested in the Liquid TV bit than a new Tivo interface. Hopefully they will introduce that in a new product, otherwise people are going to freak. (I mean, look at facebook)

Liquid TV is probably a working version of the Nero Home they had in version 7. It may be in v8, but I haven't had a reason to try it. Home looked nice, but I never ever got it to work correctly. It either ran slower than a turtle, or just didn't work at all, and no listings. Maybe it actually works now.

[jrog]

At least they are trying to get more options out there, and frankly, if I didn't have Sage, I'd look at this route, considering the option exists to use HD-Tivos around the house and do room-to-room, it's not a bad option. Granted, no cable-card support and no HD-PVR support, 4 tuner limit, 1 settop box limit... Monthly fees...

I would love to get some kind of cable card support though, eventually. I'm paying $26 a month in settop box fees just to have 2 HD boxes from Comcast... cable cards are $2 each.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by jrog

Granted, no cable-card support and no HD-PVR support, 4 tuner limit, 1 settop box limit... Monthly fees...

That list of "downers" will keep the typical HTPC target market away from it - especially the $99 a year cost for a TV Guide. If that doesn't do it Nero writing the software will probably do them in.

It will appeal to some of the hard-core enthusiast TiVo users, but I can't see it really hurting SageTV BTV or VMC all that much. Imagine the reviews and reports coming out when TiVo users start having problems with the software - and that will happen since it's on multiple configurations of different hardware. Add in the fact that the software will be in near infancy compared to the other HTPC softare out there and you get my point.

[jrog]

Originally Posted by Brent

That list of "downers" will keep the typical HTPC target market away from it - especially the $99 a year cost for a TV Guide.

Agreed, although the $100, much like on the Tivo boxes, includes all feature and software upgrades as it goes along. It's obviously going to have limited appeal to those who already have HTPC systems, but there are those that love Tivo, and having the ability to build their own souped up tivo, with DVD drive built in, and then move their existing to another room for multiroom, I can see there being some success. Can't imagine the software port was too difficult.

I dumped Tivo almost a year ago, and if it weren't for Sage, I'd still be a Tivo user.

And no, that's not regret... haha... I'm just saying Tivo is my second favorite overall solution.

[Brent]

I guess. But if it were me, I'd just buy a second TiVo instead of putting it on a PC. Seems they are going backwards on this where a PC makes a great HTPC/PVR server (expandable, upgradable, hideable) and a low-configuration hardware device (aka extender or tivo box) makes a great device to extend to the Television.

Maybe that's just me though.

[jrog]

No, I agree. Tivo does not have the same server-client setup like Sage does. Each and every box has different recording options, you can't watch live from one to the other, etc.

It only makes sense if someone wants to hook the system directly to their TV. Choices are good, and I'm sure there might be some that choose this as an option.

EDIT: I hadn't looked at Tivo's site in a while, and looking at the pricing, I'm confused why they did this at all. I mean, for $180 I can get an HD Capable Tivo, and for $400, lifetime service. I don't think you can build a PC that will do everything you need for this cost, tuners included, and the Tivo box has CableCard support. Plus, with lifetime, you don't have monthly Tivo fees.

Tivo, what are you doing?

[brandypuff]

(SageTV is much, much better..too bad so few know about it)

TiVo Brings DVR Software to the PC
by Paul Thurrott

Working with PC digital-media solutions-maker Nero, TiVo will bring its lauded digital video recording (DVR) solution to Windows-based computers in mid-October. The solution, awkwardly named Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC, duplicates the functionality of TiVo's set-top boxes.

"Nero has done a superb job of bringing the TiVo experience to the PC," said TiVo CEO and President Tom Rogers. "To be able to extend the features of TiVo to a new platform without compromising the integrity of what has made TiVo such a revolutionary product is a significant achievement, one we know both new and old fans of TiVo will love."

Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC will ship in two versions. A $199 package includes the PC software, a standard TiVo remote control, a remote transceiver, and a USB-based TV tuner. A less expensive software-only version will be available for $99.99. Both packages include one year of access to the TiVo service, and customers will need to renew this subscription each year.

Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC works almost exactly like its set-top cousin but comes with unique PC-related functionality. For example, you can transcode recorded TV shows into formats that will work with popular portable devices such as iPods, or you can burn them to DVD.

Of course, most Windows Vista-based PCs already include Microsoft's superior Media Center DVR solution, which also provides an elegant interface for enjoying other digital media content such as digital photos, music, and video. But after several years of annual updates, Microsoft has scaled back Media Center development, and this will be the second consecutive holiday season in which the software giant won't have an interesting new release for end users. TiVo's move to the PC at this time is thus auspicious, given the opening Microsoft is providing.

* merged 1 *

[brandypuff]

Not ever using a Tivo, I find SageTV incredibly easy to use and well thought out. Even my wife can use it. There are some areas which are a little confusing but the intelligence and thought built into the menu navigation continues to impress me. I love it more every day....

[SHS]

If you ask me it will fail just like ReplayTV PC Edition

[jrog]

Originally Posted by SHS

If you ask me it will fail just like ReplayTV PC Edition

ReplayTV PC Edition! That was so terrible, it was doomed immediately. They didn't even have HD support.

[stuckless]

Of course, most Windows Vista-based PCs already include Microsoft's superior Media Center DVR solution...

Does anyone know if the Tivo version comes with the same DRM and broadcast flag consumer benefits that the VMC does? As a consumer I want to make sure that the broadcasters are protecting my rights to NOT copy and watch the things I want.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by stuckless

Does anyone know if the Tivo version comes with the same DRM and broadcast flag consumer benefits that the VMC does? As a consumer I want to make sure that the broadcasters are protecting my rights to NOT copy and watch the things I want.

Yep. All the same DRM goodness is packed into the TiVo/Nero LiquidTV. Looking out for the content provider er consumer as always.

[wayner]

If you are new to HTPCs and wanting to dabble in using your PC as a PVR then I would think the low cost route would be to use VMC as pretty much every PC sold these days will have this. If you want something with more functionality then you are likely to move up to other software but I don't see this fitting in at the low end (vs. VMC) or at the higher end vs. Sage particularly given the high cost.

[Brent]

I don't think this TiVo software will be the big story in the coming weeks. It will pale in comparison to a possible, big AppleTV announcement that I'm hearing more and more rumblings about.

If Apple puts a TV tuner in a 2nd generation AppleTV and makes the guide data free, it will sell - and definitely pull HTPC customers in just because they're Apple. HTPC's and even the TiVo market is often "written-off" by the pundits, but I think the market is very young and just waiting for the "easy to plugin and use" device. Things can change quickly - and if a strong company like Apple gets serious about it it could be interesting.

Don't read too much into this post. I don't really know what Apple will do and I don't intend on switching from SageTV now or anytime soon. I'm just pointing out that there are definitely things that could turn this small niche HTPC market on its head so its important for small companies like SageTV to be as innovative as they can. Slow down and not evolve and the market will come back and bite you in the rear.