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Scott Greczkowski

Tivo Scores
September 3, 2008

This week could be a very big week for the folks at Tivo. Today they announced a major deal with DirecTV to bring customers a new version of the HD Tivo which will work with DirecTV’s MPEG4 high definition services.

The excitement on the satellite discussion forums has been one of great joy by fans of Tivo, but I can only wonder if fans will even remember Tivo as for the next year in order to enjoy DirecTV’s MPEG4 HD with a DVR they must use one of DirecTV’s non Tivo HD DVR’s. The new HD DirecTV DVR featuring Tivo will be released in the second half of 2009.

One of the things I found interesting about this morning’s press release was the fact that they pointed out that this deal was a “non-exclusive arrangement” which has me day dreaming and wondering if we could soon hear of the same sort of deal with DirecTV’s arch rival Dish Network. While the idea sounds farfetched we must remember that as soon as this tomorrow a judge could rule in the long standing Tivo vs. Echostar case that could change the future of both companies instantly.

On last month’s Dish Network earnings call, Charlie mentioned that he was looking into working with Tivo. My mind is spinning wondering why Tivo and DirecTV would issue such a press release the day before such a major ruling could come down.

I personally think that this news is great news for DirecTV customers as it give those customers choice, they can have a DVR with TIVO service or they can have DirecTV’s regular DVR service. Giving folks a choice is a great thing. People actually enjoy making choices with their wallets and that means more profits for all the involved companies. It’s a win-win all around for everyone. I do hope that if Dish Network is not working on an agreement with Tivo that they stand up and take notice that consumers do indeed like having choices.

It will be interesting to see what happens in court tomorrow.

Posted by Scott Greczkowski on September 3, 2008 | Comments (5)

September 3, 2008
In response to: Tivo Scores
Reaper commented:

"but I can only wonder if fans will even remember Tivo as for the next year in order to enjoy DirecTV’s MPEG4 HD with a DVR they must use one of DirecTV’s non Tivo HD DVR’s." Scott: shouldn't this be for the "last" year DIRECTV subscribers have had to use non-TIVO HD DVRs"?

September 3, 2008
In response to: Tivo Scores
Reaper commented:

Oops, I misread your article Scott, sorry! I must say that the original DIRECTV TIVO HD DVR was absolute crap with a really slow guide and menus that would mute audio and eclipse the video. The DIRECTV HD Plus DVR is a much better piece of equipment in my opinion. We'll have to wait and see what the new unit offers.

September 3, 2008
In response to: Tivo Scores
RAD commented:

Scott, you may be reading more into the non exclusive wording then is really there. Tivo already has deals with Comcast and Cox for porting their software to their hardware so that may be why that wording is there. But keep dreaming that cheap Charlie will somehow come to an agreement with Tivo, if he was that interested he could have probably bought them out with all the legal fees he's paid fighting them in court.

September 4, 2008
In response to: Tivo Scores
vurbano commented:

"I can only wonder if fans will even remember Tivo as for the next year in order to enjoy DirecTV’s MPEG4 HD with a DVR they must use one of DirecTV’s non Tivo HD DVR’s." You are on crack right? Ive had the HR20 for a year and will be the 1st to buy the Tivo.

September 11, 2008
In response to: Tivo Scores
British Rich commented:

I had two Tivo units in my house and loved them - worked great with satellite etc. Upgraded to HD for great picture to go with plasma TV and then found out Tivo does not support HD via satellite. I am now suffering with DirecTV HD DVRs that have very convoluted menus and severely lack the finesse of Tivo user friendliness. Roll on 2009 - I'll be first to buy multiple HD Tivo's once they work with HD Satellite signals.