Comcast to begin testing HD TiVos
By Matt Burns 
posted May 31st 2006 1:16PM
posted May 31st 2006 1:16PM
Oh how people love to hate Comcast's current HD DVR box - the Motorola 6412. Things are in the works to give their customers another option though. Comcast is about to start beta testing their own high-def TiVos. There aren't many details about the equipment as they are still in their early stages. There are some details about pricing over at this thread at AVS Forum and it seems that the TiVo service is going to be an extra charge on top of the DVR service fee. Hopefully Comcast gets these things out quick though as we know many of you would love to get rid of your Motorola 6412 even if it costs a few more bucks.
I set up a HTPC and connected it via firewire to my 6412. I capture and record the HD transport streams all the time. It's a very quirky process with the 6412, as I find myself rebooting the 6412 often, but it's a do-able process. If the HD Tivo has a functional firewire connection and gets rid of the annoying issues of the 6412, I'd be interested.
I think the new DVR is going to be Tivo's own series 3 box. Here's a blob from an article I read a while back:
TiVo receives an upfront payment from Comcast for creating a new DVR that works with Comcast's current service
The Comcast TiVo uses the same Moto 6412 hardware. The software will obviously be replaced with the TiVo GUI.
This is great news. I absolutely cannot stand the current DVR software for Comcast.
Cannot come soon enough. I have always wondered what kind of TV I was watching in December of 1989. I would like to thanks the good folks at Comcast and Motorola for building in that feature to their 6412 Series III boxes. I additionally love the fact that these recordings are unwatchable and undeletable. I also have grown fond of constant reboots and sound drop-out from HDMI. Way to go Motorola and Comcast. Keep up the crappy job!
I just called Comcast, and they said the expected availability was "mid to late 2006." The guy I asked didn't say anything about the beta program though.
Oh man, anyone have a Comcast number to volutneer for the betal? I would be willing to move a lot of earth to rid of the crappy foundation stuff. Course knowing what Tivo features are supported would be nice, if it's as nurtured as the Direct TV HD boxes I am less excited (to say the least).
In WA we have the Microsoft foundation edition guide software. Hopefully we don't get the TiVo option last since were beta testing the MS software.
What about those of us lowly Cox subscribers? The Sci-Atl HD-DVR is not any better. We want HD-TiVo recorders too!!
I'd pay close to anything for that...
What I really need is dual-tuner support on the Comcast DVR for my area (Dallas). Only some of the suburbs have that option since we have to have 2 coax lines into the house to get all channels. I get occasional problems with HD recordings, but not that often. I've had 1 box die (as has my roommate), but I know people with the satellite HD DVRs (Dish/DirecTV) with problems too.
For me, It won't be until sometime in 2007 Comcast of Silicon Valley will offering Dual Tuner HD Tivo DVRs in my area. And still no sign of ESPN 2 HD, TNT HD, UNBC HD or MHD to be offered on Comcast HD channel lineup!
Actual TiVO Moto thread is http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=682350