I remain unattracted by TiVo, although I know a number of you folks really love it. It just doesn't even register as something I'm interested in, which is particularly odd, given my usual fascination with gadgetry. So I was intrigued to come across this piece. It's obviously an Op/Ed take on the subject, but it nonetheless reinforced my gut feeling that this technology isn't quite where it needs to be in order for me to buy into it. I'd be interested to hear what you TiVo'ers think of it.
Posted by thinkum at March 24, 2004 07:43 PMMy main issue with TIVO is that I hardly ever watch TV. So why record it, if I'm not interested to begin with? Every evening at home begins in the same fashion... turn on tv- go to guide start at channel 231 and slowly scroll down the hundreds of channels available - scroll foward for a couple of hours. Set tv on some discovery or science channel show. discover I've seen it 15 times. wander in and start playing on the computer. Repeat.
Truth is, if it weren't for dvds, I wouldn't need the thing. There is absolutely nothing I can't get from the computer.
Posted by: catherine at March 24, 2004 09:10 PMWell, funny you should bring this up today, as I too have resisted it...but, just today, my assistant Holly said, what about the service from the cable company? She is thinking of getting it at her house..and she printed out the details for me.
I think I will continue to rely on my two vcr's for a bit more :)
I read the article a couple of days ago, and I have to (reluctantly) agree with him. TiVo still sells their product for a high price, making the barrier to entry high. Even the cable company in my out-of-the way area is going to provide a PVR with a digital cable interface and HD capability for a nominal fee, so I do expect that TiVo will be crowded out in the near future.
Classic case of a company building a good hardware/software combination, setting a very high UI standard, nailing the ease of use, and benefiting from word-of-mouth fanatical marketing but failing to ramp down the cost of their product quickly enough and failing to form the right partnerships.
Admittedly, THIS company is willing to port their operating system to other platforms, which may be the only form that they survive in.
Posted by: PyeCat at March 24, 2004 09:15 PMOh yeah, and you'll only pry my TiVo out of my cold, dead paws.
Posted by: PyeCat at March 24, 2004 09:17 PMlol
Posted by: Thinky at March 24, 2004 09:26 PM