Series3 8.3 update brings new HD features

As much as we love the TiVo Series3, there are a few things that make us think HD was an after thought. The second update for the Series3 is rolling out, and with it is coming a few new HD features such as, HD searches and HD wishlists, but unfortunately still no HD suggestions. This update is also supposed to resolve some CableCARD FIOS problems, which are welcomed. Still no word on eSATA, MRV, or TiVoToGo, but you can't have everything -- or anything depending on your perspective. If you don't have the update just yet, you may have to wait as TiVo likes to roll this out to a limited number of users at first, in case things go wrong.

[tish Posted Apr 27th 2007 6:50PM]

The new features in this version look awesome - bring 'em on!

Ben ... in your infinte wisdom, you DO realize, don't you, that those features you call missing (eSATA, MRV, TTG) are being blocked by the Cable conglomerates and CableLabs, dontcha? As a condition to CableCard certification!

One way to GUARANTEE HD suggestions would be to deselect all the non-HD channels in your lineup, leaving only purely HD channels. And there are precious few!

Otherwise a Suggestion is just that - a Suggestion based on your viewing preferences for content. Maybe they'll add an HD filter someday (there are feature request webpages - which is how the HD search likely came about), or maybe they won't - but clinging to an ancient doomsday harninger post and making it appear the lack of HD-only suggestions is oh-so-bad is just immature!

Just sayin'

[BenD Posted Apr 27th 2007 7:07PM]

Of course I know that CableLabs is to blame, but still, people want to know if they are added.

TiVo knows people want HD suggestions, they told me as much as CES.

I don't think it was a doomsday post, in fact I love TiVo and wouldn't give up my 2 Serie3s for anything.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 27th 2007 10:58PM]

I bought my Series 3 two weeks ago tomorrow, and I just don't understand how I lived without it. I got it based on how much Ben raved about it on the podcast, so kudos to Ben. HD wishlists and searches were a feature I thought was sorely lacking, so I'm glad they're starting this. HD suggestions would be great, and since I currently get my HD OTA, I would love to see that happen!

[RiversideGuy Posted Apr 28th 2007 12:44PM]

Exactly how is Cable Labs preventing TiVo from fully enabling a eSATA port? While fairly buggy, an awful lot of cable customers are able to hook drives to their rented DVRs...

Seeing as how their boxes are regularly hacked to install more storage, having external drives available would mean their stuff won't get as wildly hacked, so in a real sense it seems to make sense they would WANT to enable this. I figured the delay from launch was them going the extra mile to test the support... not like the cable guys who spew out pre-alpha, development versions on paying customers...

[Gipper Posted Apr 30th 2007 9:03AM]

TIVO openly encourages upgrading the drives. Their subsidiary that used to do it is still going strong, just not under the TIVO name anymore.

I'm glad I'm finally going to be able to prefer HD content. That's really annoying that it prefers SD when the HD version is available.

[tish Posted Apr 30th 2007 11:38AM]

Public apology to Ben - I jumped to conclusions in my attempt to defend my BEST Home Theater purchase ever :)

[BenD Posted Apr 30th 2007 11:40AM]

I agree it is the best piece of my HT too, so much so that I didn't want to share with my wife, so she has one too.