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Issues with the new TiVo DVD-Rs (with update)

Just got this as a suggested post from Kevin Reynen:

TiVo need to put in GIANT RED LETTERS a disclaimer regarding using DVD-R TiVos and Home Media feature:

DISCLAIMER: While you can view content recorded on a standard Series2 TiVo on a TiVo with DVD burning functionality using the TiVo Home Media function, you CANNOT burn this content to a DVD.

I imagine that there are other people are going to purchase a DVDR enabled TiVo assuming that this would work. It doesn't and neither TiVo, Humax, or Pioneer have been very upfront about this. You can read more about my issues with this on my blog. -- Kevin

Pretty surprising that TiVo would bake DRM into their new DVD recorders like this. Even though you can freely record shows from your DVD-R that has TiVo, you can't record any shows transfered from another new TiVo in your house. Doesn't that seem odd? What if you wanted to backup your favorites from your old TiVo to your brand new DVD recording TiVo? Isn't that a perfectly legal and expected use for customers?

I have to concur wholeheartedly with Kevin here, I see no reason why TiVo tries to protect recordings from other TiVos in your very own house. That's like having two VCRs in your house that can't play tapes on each other. It's another stupid example of "attack of Digital Rights Management for your own good."

UPDATE: Megazone rightfully explains that this isn't due to DRM or studio issues, but is hardware related.

by Matt Haughey October 16, 2004 in TiVo

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