Comcast TiVo ready for the public at large?
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 18th 2007 9:53PM
posted Dec 18th 2007 9:53PM
We're not getting too stirred up just yet -- after all, we've learned to be instantly disappointed when hearing "Comcast" and "TiVo" in the same breath -- but it seems as though the provider could finally be rolling out TiVo service to the general public. After seeing the technology in the wild and hearing of it being available to select employees, a certain commenter over at ZatzNotFunny has posted a fresh e-mail that seems to suggest that some Comcast customers can get their TiVo on right away. According to the note, exchanging a vanilla HD set-top-box (read: no DVR functionality) for a TiVo DVR will result in a $10.95 charge over and above what the HD box was costing or $2.95 more than a traditional HD DVR. For whatever it's worth, Comcast will also be issuing an $18 "service visit" for this particular installation, but there's no telling if that's universal. Go on -- hit the read link to catch the message in full, and then get on the horn with Comcast and let us know if this stuff is available outside of New England.[Via TiVo Lovers]
Well, there is a live page on Comcast.com with info and a service checker. For those in the SF East Bay area, it does not appear to be available. If the features are what they claim, this could be a good thing for a change.
http://www.comcast.com/tivo/
Nothing in Houston yet. I need this. The comcast HD DVR is a POS! Yesterday it deleted two shows after it finished recording them. Not only that, the scheduled recording list is all screwed up (it shows that all my shows air on the same day). If they don't get here quick, I'm switching to Dish.
Who the heck said it cost $18 for them to come out?
I wonder if the TiVo software update to the Comcast/Motorola set-top boxes disables the Firewire output port functionality. Does anyone know either way?
The firewire port is still operational (I can speak from experience). For what it's worth, because Comcast is required to have this enabled by the FCC, it doesn't matter whose DVR software runs on their box, it MUST support the Firewire port.
Not technically correct, the FCC stipulates that the cable provider must activate the port 'upon request' of the customer, not mandatorily on by default.
Of course all it takes is a phone call if it's not, but you know how dealing with Comcast over the phone can be...
Nascar - The person who left the comment at ZNF said Comcast is charging them $18 to come swap the box. But I believe that's not related to the TiVo software - he's also moving from a non-DVR STB to a DVR-STB, and I believe that's where the fee stems from. Those who already have a DVR in-house can get it as a software update pushed over the cable.
This TiVo software is *only* available in New England right now - and at the moment clustered close to Boston. That's the first territory Comcast is deploying it to. Other territories will only get it once the NE roll-out is complete.
With New England having
The Celtics (best record in the NBA)
The Patriots (Best Record in the NFL)
The Red Sox (World Series winners)
and to a lesser extent the Bruins (4th best in the eastern conference)
Do they really need to be the first to have Comcast TiVo???
Well I guess it would be hard to watch all those games live.