Kevin Bostic
TiVo on Tuesday announced its first major update to its line of digital video recorders in three years, giving buyers the opportunity to stream content from a DVR to an iOS-powered device such as an iPhone or iPad.
The new line of Roamio DVRs are now stepping onto turf previously occupied by devices such as the Slingbox, though TiVo's new lineup has a wider feature set than does the Slingbox. In adding streaming to mobile functionality, the new DVRs subsume the features of a pre-existing TiVo device, the TiVo Stream add-on box. That device paired with TiVo Premiere DVRs to stream to iOS devices.
Most of the Roamio DVRs will be able to stream live and recorded content to iOS devices outside of the home, but that functionality will not be available until some months after the Roamio line launches. That capability will likely come in the form of a firmware update.
The Roamio line will also have capabilities similar to Google's recently unveiled Chromecast streaming device. Users will be able to start up a YouTube video or Netflix movie on an iPhone or iPad and then have the TiVo begin streaming the content.
TiVo's new product lineup line will come in three models:
- The basic TiVo Roamio, priced at $200, will allow users to watch or record up to four simultaneous shows. It will also record up to 75 hours of HD video, but it will not be able to stream content to mobile devices without the $130 TiVo Stream.
- The Roamio Plus, for $400, will record up to six simultaneous shows and can hold up to 150 hours of HD video. It will have the iOS streaming functionality built in.
- At the high-end of the line will be the Roamio Pro. That device will record up to 450 hours of HD video and will have all of the streaming capabilities of the Roamio Plus. It will retail for $600.
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18 Comments
I fear Tivo may be a little too late to this rapidly changing technological landscape with their entire concept.
Can't wait to stream video to my 4-inch iPhone screen instead of that 58-inch plasma on my wall. What an improvement! /s/
I fear Tivo may be a little too late to this rapidly changing technological landscape with their entire concept.
I don't think so. Tivo may be the only Internet connected device that includes an actual OTA receiver, providing streaming of broadcast TV to iDevices. For those of us that have cut the cable TV cord, it is a unique and very capable device. Plus, it provides those services only to Apple products (so far). I am surprised there has not been more discussion of Apple acquiring TiVo.
Thanks to streaming services like Hulu, the writing is on the wall for DVR appliances.
Thanks to streaming services like Hulu, the writing is on the wall for DVR appliances.
Not for control freaks like me who have a far wider taste in what we want available than either Hulu or Netflix. Maybe someday but not so far...