GadgetReview

Vann’s offers the TiVo TCD658000 HD XL 150-Hour Digital Video Recorder for $599.97 – $150 instant savings + free shipping = $449.97 shipped! It has a 150 hour HD hard drive, TiVo Series3 architecture, THX certified, two tuners and more. …Continue reading: TiVo TCD658000 HD XL 150-Hour Digital Video Recorder – $450 Shipped

Later this month marks the release of the Sony PlayTV, a Tivo-esque HDTV recorder that hooks to your PS3 and records television to the PS3’s hard drive.  They’ll be asking $169.95, at least in Australia, and can actually be used to record TV while the Playstation is actually playing games or Blu-ray discs.

Even more interesting, the PSP will work like a remote for the system, similar to how Apple uses the iPod touch or iPhone as a remote on its own stuff.

This has actually been something of a bit of vaporware for the Aussies, who’ve been waiting on this one since the start of 2009, but Sony made a bit of a splash when they put the announcement that this would come out in the second half of 2009 in writing.  Will it actually make it to market?  Time will tell, but not much of it.

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RIM and Tivo announced the availability of the Tivo app for BlackBerry devices. Yeah, you probably perked up and exclaimed, “Wow!” but the app only allows you to view the program guide and schedule shows to be recorded. Sorry to be a downer but like most of you I was expecting to…

To continue reading “Tivo Blackberry App Now Available For Download” head to PhoneDig

Tivo’s suit against Dish Network, the one that won them $103 million in royalties, might do more than fatten their bank account.  It might provide them with the necessary leverage to either sell the company to a Pay TV service provider or establish contracts with DirecTV, TimeWarner cable and others to utilize their DVR technology.  In fact, TimeWaner’s CFO said on a June 11th conference call that TW is in talks with Tivo to provide their DVR boxes to their 13 million subscribers, although Tivo wouldn’t confirm.  Of note, Tivo already has a contract with Comcast, which I believe is the largest cable provider in the US.

Personally, I can’t stand Timewarner’s current DVR offering, a POS Motorola cable box that often freezes, records ‘repeats’ even though the option isn’t selected, and lacks some painfully obvious features that many DVR users have come to expect.  Even if TW does sign with the DVR company, it will be probably more than a year before customers like me see the box in our homes (tear).

Sound off below if you have some thoughts on the whole DVR offering from cable/satellite companies.  Does Tivo rock or suck? Would you pay extra for the service? What do you think of TimeWarner/Comcast?  You know I can’t stand their DVR box.

[via Giz]

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Amazon has a killer bundle deal that includes select Samsung TV with a Tivo TCD652160 HD Video recorder.  This deal include the Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV + Tivo TCD652160 Video Recorder and it’s $1,274.99 + 209.98 – $300 coupon (SAMSTIVO) + free shipping = $1,184.97 shippped!

Don’t forget Amazon’s $300 coupon: SAMSTIVO (expires: 5/31)

While Moxi is probably still far from unseating Tivo as the number one DVR company, the companies latest offering is most certainly a refreshing choice in the buy and subscribe world.  For $800 you get the Moxi MR-1500T3 HD Digital Video Recorder, an EPG, no monthly fees, a CableCard slot and 500GB of storage.  And much like Tivo’s HD box you can record up to two programs at once, access files from PC and a few online services.

Unfortunately – this is why the Moxi MR-1500T3 HD Digital Video Recorder will never sell -  Tivo’s EPG guide is far superior, you can access a variety of online video sites including Amazon’s On Demand service as well as Netflix’s streaming service and all at a lower price (Moxi does offer a larger HDD, though).   Do the math: the Tivo HD box is $300 + $400 for a lifetime service = $700.  That makes Tivo $100 cheaper.  Sorry Moxi, you’re great alternative to Tivo via Time Warner (cringing while saying that), but that’s about it.

[Amazon via eHomeupgrade]

Swimming in the deep end with concrete feet and sharks circling is how I envision Blockbuster these days.  Today, in the hopes of staying afloat, they struck a deal with Tivo to offer movies on demand via the DVR company’s set top box.  But will it work?  I seriously doubt it.  Tivo, which already lets Netflix customers stream movies from their database of 12,000 movies and TV shows on their award winning DVR, will also benefit from the deal by obtaining Blockbuster store shelf space in attempt to sell their DVRs to movie renters. (Do you remember the last time you went into a Blockbuster and actually bought, not rented something?)

The Blockbuster Movie On Demand service is compatible with TiVo’s Series 2, Series 3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs.  Rented movies, which will last for 25 hours will cost $4 and purchased movies will cost $20.  10,000 movies are currently on demand and Blockbuster says their On Demand Movies will be available before cable’s Pay Per View service.  Rumors are circulating that Blockbuster is in talks with Apple, but I don’t see that happening.

[CNN]

What is it: Order Domino’s Pizza on your Tivo + paused TV ad functionality

Features: See the progress of your pizza as it is being made, multiple preparation options such as half shrooms, half bacon, etc., charges to your Tivo account.

Availability: Now

Price: Depends on pizza

Tivo just added a search function, but it’s currently only available for their HD boxes. Hit the videos to get all the details and walk through.

Abe’s is offering the TIVO [TCD658000 HD XL] Black Digital Recorder for a great deal. They’ve got it for $549 – $10 coupon (LOYALTY10) + free shipping = $539 shipped!

Features:

• Record up to 150 hours of HD shows on the 1TB of storage
• THX certified, Tivo patented EPG, and more