DirecTV to start phasing out Tivo next month?

« Major Tivo Withdrawals | Main | TivoTool released for OS X »

DirecTV to start phasing out Tivo next month?

Forbes is running a story on the DirecTV move away from TiVo, which has coincided with TiVo's stock taking a recent hit.

"The research firm said DirecTV could begin to transition its TiVo base to new technology, starting with shipments of the first non-TiVo digital video recorders in August or September."

This news is a long time coming, starting in fall of 2003 when speculation began, and last summer it became official. Reports are that new HDTV capabilities would arrive for DirecTV in late summer of this year, but in a flavor of MPEG4 that current HD DirecTiVos can't record.

Financially speaking, DirecTV's million+ customers make up a decent chunk of TiVo's total userbase and when TiVo starts losing all those customers to new non-TiVo DirecTV units, it may effect their bottom line. TiVo's stock may take a dip, but if the partnership between Comcast and TiVo results in either better integrated TiVos or the TiVo software running on Comcast set-top boxes, it could certainly replace any lost revenue from DirecTV. [thanks, Dave!]

by Matt Haughey July 27, 2005 in DirecTV

Comments

Has there been any writeup on what the new Direc[non]Tivo device /is/? What the UI looks like, some listing of functionality, etc?

Posted by: Michael Campbell at Jul 27, 2005 8:41:28 AM

I haven't seen anything, just mentions that it will be produced by NDS.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jul 27, 2005 8:48:41 AM

If DirecTV requires me to exchange my standard-definition DirecTV with Tivo boxes for NDS boxes, I'll be dumping DirecTV. This is a stupid move by Murdoch to try to "synergize" companies that are both part of his conglomerate. TiVo has been successful despite various management missteps and technological glitches because they "get it" - it's all about the user experience. And the TiVo user experience is vastly superior to that of any other DVR currently on the market.

Posted by: AJRitz at Jul 27, 2005 9:23:39 AM

I read somewhere awhile back that the new NDS boxes will have all of the features of current DirecTivo boxes... if not more. What better way to entice users to switch to their box by saying... "Look, the DirecTivo box can't do this... but our new boxes can!"

I can see some people being upset by this - but to be honest, I can't wait. I switched to DirecTV from DISH Network when I heard about this happening (and the fact that I can't stand DISH Network). I also have a stand alone TiVo box... that I will be replacing if this new box does everything it promises.

Posted by: drew at Jul 27, 2005 10:12:05 AM

I have had Ultimate TV for Direct since they introduced it. I always found it superior to Tivo my friends had--dual tuners (Tivo did not have these when I ordered), PIP, 30-second skip, more hard drive space and better picture quality. I called Direct and they told me they would honor Ultimate customers, though they no longer sell the unit (but if it breaks I will have little recourse).

What's ironic is that Ultimate was a Microsoft product that actually worked as advertised and was not filled with bugs like Windows, yet it flopped. Go figure!

Posted by: JimB at Jul 27, 2005 11:06:43 AM

I guess I should keep an open mind that the replacement DVR will be better than Tivo, but my initial response is: DirecTV can take my Tivo from me when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers. Otherwise, DirecTV will be looking for somebody to replace me as a customer. I'll give up DTV before I give up Tivo.

Posted by: Howard Owens at Jul 27, 2005 5:13:11 PM

What's more likely is that they will simply start rolling out the R15 (the NDS box) alongside current Tivo offerings. And the R15 ship date has slipped to 9/1 or later as of the most recent news over at TC.

Posted by: Jeff at Jul 28, 2005 1:31:10 AM

I have to agree with Howard -- I'll more easily switch away from DirecTV to cable so that I can keep my Tivo. My local cable provider is now cheaper for the same service I get through DirecTV, and apparently the customer service is better as well (which are the two reasons I went with DirecTV -- my cable provider was horrible). If they switch away from supporting Tivo, I'll have no reason to stay with DirecTV.

Posted by: Eric Vitiello at Jul 28, 2005 12:22:40 PM

I have three enhanced Dtivos, running HMO, MRV, TivoWebPlus, Tytools, MFS_FTP etc. If the NDS boxes cannot match this feature set, I will also drop DirecTV and get CablePig service and some SA Tivos and mod those. Do you hear me Rupert???!!!

Posted by: Thor at Jul 28, 2005 1:54:44 PM

The new DirecTV is suppost to allow the use of the USB port on the back of there units. The USB port will allow the connection to a wireless home network. We will be able to view programs on other DVR units in our home and transfer shows between DVR units. It will also allow shows to be transfered to computer and there ywe could easiely burn to DVD or send to family and friends over the internet.

Posted by: Shockazulu at Jul 28, 2005 4:21:15 PM

Read the DirecTV 2004 Annual Report - it gives hints of what new (DVR) functionality is on the way.

Skip to page 7 of the report for the details.

http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/12/127/127160/items/145345/2004_Annual.pdf

Posted by: JJ at Jul 28, 2005 6:20:17 PM

I have a manual and spec sheet on the R15 (DirecTV PLUS DVR) listed on our site. http://www.2000networks.com/receiver.html Nothings for sure yet but this is what the distributors have so far.

Posted by: Chet at Aug 3, 2005 1:21:48 PM

You will be able to keep your tivo. The service will be offered after new dvr is avaliable

Posted by: dtv at Aug 9, 2005 1:46:17 PM

I work for DirecTV. they have definately not going to make people give up or exchange their Tivo. They are still going to offer and support it, but as another used guessed, the approach will be more like "look what else this can do". I have seen the user guide for this new R15 and it looks really great. I will definately buy one as soon as they are available.

Posted by: missy at Aug 12, 2005 4:05:59 PM

I sat in on a confrence call regaurding the new DVR.
it is currently being tested in new markets i beleive it is detroit. the base concept is it is supposed to have the same look and feel as the dtv-100 receivers. but has many of the features found in tivo.
alot of guys i work with are exited about it.

Posted by: Dracozny at Aug 14, 2005 3:58:08 PM

OK, so a short story about other DVRs...

A friend of mine got a HiDef television and invited everyone over to watch the Acadamy Awards in HD. The Comcast DVR he had such a terrible interface and was so difficult to use that fast forwarding through pretty much every commercial lead to someone telling him he needed to get "a real Tivo"

A few people would make the "bloop bloop" noise of a Tivo when we'd do something with the Comcast box, to make it more Tivo like.

If DirecTV were to force us too give up our Tivo, the new device would have to be a significant improvement (both in features and would have to have a much better UI) in order for us to not switch to someone another provider who does still use Tivo.

Posted by: Jamison at Aug 23, 2005 7:39:29 AM

Will we need a phone line for the R15?

Posted by: John at Aug 24, 2005 9:08:36 AM

It'll be easier for the new DVR to be better than TiVo since DTV cripples the damn TiVo boxes! If they enabled networking and allowed MRV, TTG, TTCB, HME, HMF, online scheduling, no phone line, etc, etc, it'd be a lot higher a bar to meet.

But DTV has kept the DirecTiVos in the dark ages outside of the DVR functionality.

If they allow networking on the new DVRs and NOT on the TiVos, then you know they're deliberately screwing over TiVo users.

Posted by: MegaZone at Aug 24, 2005 3:13:56 PM

I really *hate* how DirecTV crippled their TiVo by not supporting TiVo Desktop or Home Media Option. The USB port on the back of the box serves absolutely no purpose since their software doesn't support it. I'll be the first to switch if it supported networking.

With my current DirecTiVo, the only way to save programs is with their 'save to VCR' (which I use to dump to my EyeTV).

Posted by: Mike Cohen at Aug 25, 2005 11:35:37 AM

Is this a HD DVR? I have not seen anything stating that this was the case???

Posted by: Michael K at Aug 26, 2005 9:28:52 AM

First of all Sattelite in general has much better picture quality than cable. If you look at a non HD channel using an HD box with both DTV and cable...DTV is much cleaner. Secondly Tivo sucks period. I cant wait until DTV dumps it. I think the Dishnet 522 is a much better unit and has better features. The only problem it is Dishnetwork.

Posted by: Daz at Aug 28, 2005 1:16:58 PM

The NDS receiver will be needed by only those wishing to get the 100's of HDTV channels that DirecTV will be launcing by 2007 using mpeg 4. This December it will be available in 12 markets. The HD-TiVo that people have will continue to function the way it does (only it will not pickup the new mpeg4 HD channels). Any trade-ins phaseouts will take place over the next several years. The standard channel D*TiVos are unaffected for now. As to how long TiVo survives is a different matter

Posted by: Shaun at Aug 30, 2005 1:39:06 PM

Folks, relax. You will not be required to get rid of your tivos, DTV will keep supporting existing tivos for some time to come. BUT, they will stop selling new Tivos, they have now basically run out of them and need the NDS based DVR's soon to make up the short fall. As for how good the new DVR's are, as someone who has worked with them a lot I think they are pretty damn good, but then I'm biased ;) Truthfully they are stronger than Tivo in very many aspects, and weaker in some others (and stop going on about DTV cutting Tivo functionality short, Tivo networking capabilities are not encrypted and DTV will never let there broadcasts be re-distributed with no encryption - get real people!!).

Posted by: wouldn't you like to know at Oct 21, 2005 2:14:22 PM

I have both Tivo and the DTV R15 and an HP Media Center. I like the Media Center way more than either the Tivo or the R15!!! Way more but then it costs about $2000 more. Any way the remotes for the R15 are not very good in there design, function or layout. That is for an old man of 66 in a low lighted room. Itty bitty tiny little buttons with very small numbers so its a real bear if you want to go from 360 to 387 and then to 269. And I do change transponders during the day I don't stay with just one.

Now I feel better and I'm going to have a beer and wash windows, its nice outside.

Posted by: Wally at Dec 19, 2005 1:18:54 PM

DirecTV to start phasing out Tivo next month?

Comments

Post a Comment

On this site

Recent Comments

Advertising