Cox May replace its own DVRs with TiVos 223
Controlio writes "According to a posting by user BrettStah on the TiVo Community Forums, Cox Cable is currently circulating a survey to gauge customer's interest in TiVo services. From the survey, 'While Cox currently offers its own DVR service, the Cox DVR may soon be powered by TiVo, and include the features that TiVo owners have come to expect. If Cox were to offer digital cable service with a TiVo branded DVR for about the same price as you are currently paying for satellite service each month, how likely would you be to switch from satellite TV to Cox cable that featured this TiVo branded DVR service?'"
Is it TiVo vs. DVR...or cable vs. satellite? (Score:5, Insightful)
Two questions (Score:5, Insightful)
1. Is this "crippled" in any way, or is it a real Tivo?
2. Does it plug into the Digital cable, or just the regular analog?
I have a Tivo now, but another one would be useful (since my wife likes the American Idol shows, and I - don't). But if Cox is considering this, especially in wake of the recent Tivo/Echostar (if I remember correctly) lawsuit, Cox could save money on development, say "You know, the control isn't worth the hassle" (which would be called "buying a clue"), and Tivo could get more customers. Everybody wins, even the cable customers.
Which is why I'm looking outside the window for those damn flying pigs.
Re:I would switch. (Score:2, Insightful)
Besides those two gripes, the service is great. It didn't "change the way I watch TV", but it's a helluva lot easier than programming the VCR.
Re:Is it TiVo vs. DVR...or cable vs. satellite? (Score:3, Insightful)
+1 insightful -- You're right, this has nothing to do with Generic DVR vs. TiVO. This is Cox getting a hold of TiVO, and advertising it to prospective customers by means of what is effectively a push poll. Crafty.
Tivo is the reason I chose DirecTV over cable (Score:3, Insightful)
If I ever went back to cable, the deal would have to include a Tivo that had the same features as DirecTV's implementation (including the ability to record two streams)...and no, I'm not into a standalone Tivo, mostly because of the subscription and the fact that it needs a separate receiver. Too complex. I like the simplicity of having two tuners built into the Tivo itself. DirecTV has a great solution.
Re:I would switch. (Score:4, Insightful)
My experience includes both DirecTV's Tivo Box and Dish Network's DVR. And, in the end, it is a tie. Both services are good. Both have nice features (including the ability to skip ahead 30 seconds and the ability to jump ahead in five or ten minute increments). Both record what I want, when I want. The Dish box has a bigger hard drive, but that is probably because it is a new box. And, the Dish box has the ability to add an extra few minutes of recording to a show, if I desire (for those of us that LOVE the ABC show Lost, you know that ABC has a bad habit of extending the show past 10pm ET -- I can't tell you how many times I missed the last two minutes of episodes because my Tivo stopped recording at 10pm).
So, in the end, to me the issue is not whether or not Cox is offering Tivo. The DVR v. Tivo battle is a draw. The issue is do I want to leave Satellite TV heaven and return to cable TV hell? Do I want to pay more for lower levels of customer service? And the answer is a resounding "No!".
Satellite TV is still head and shoulders above cable TV. And, it is cheaper.
Re:All the more reason (Score:1, Insightful)
MythTV is cheaper! - Well thats a Myth, unless you have a PC tree w/capture cards growing in your backyard
MythTV is easy to use! - Another Myth, unless you define driver hell and audio/video synch issues as easy
Tivo is the definition of reliable and easy...they can take my $5 a month...far superior to the $300-$500 MythTV + dozens of hours of setup and troubleshooting (grief!!)
Re:Two questions (Score:3, Insightful)
It bothered me so much I returned the unit and bought a Lite-ON DVD recorder with hard drive instead.
TiVO will not be free without a premium being charged, or COX will simply up your monthly rate by a unnoticable $13.95 a month.
Re:Tivo is the reason I chose DirecTV over cable (Score:3, Insightful)
What I want is SA features on DTVs network. Oh, and world peace. Is that too much to ask?