Just a week after we saw
one particular Bostonian get his Comcast TiVo installed, we're now seeing reports claiming that the service simply isn't up to snuff even after the excruciating wait. Beyond the fact that users are forced to pay a monthly surcharge for what is effectively a one-time software update, it seems that customers aren't actually getting the traditional TiVo OS; rather, they're getting a TiVo-inspired overlay on the Motorola DVR OS. Potentially more disheartening, however, is the purported lack of the advanced TiVo features that were put in place to differentiate it from all the other DVRs. There's no TiVoToGo, no media sharing, no eSATA port utility, no Amazon Unbox and no Rhapsody. 'Course, hardcore TiVo lovers may find a way to rationalize the omissions, but if you're still wondering if the upgrade is for you, we'd strongly recommend hitting up the read link before pulling the trigger.
[Image courtesy of
Steve Garfield CC BY-NC-SA]
posted Dec 29th 2007 1:55AM
I've had it for about a week as well.
Overall, I like the tivo interface, the suggestions thing surpized me how good it was.
There have been some cases where the thing was recording suggestions and I couldn't get it to stop so that I could just watch a station on one of the tuners.
HDMI did drop out a couple of times (green screen?), but I usually got it back by switching tuners and channels a couple times.. havent tried rebooting the thing yet.
Only thing I am missing is tivo2go. I'll have to check out the firewire and see if I can use that to capture recorded shows (would only want to do this once in a while).
None of that is surprising, it has all been known for a while in TiVo circles. There is *no* network connectivity in the OCAP software, at least at this point. So *all* features that use the network - Rhapsody, Unbox, Live365, Fandango, etc, are not going to be there. You really can't expect the cable software to support Unbox of course - but it does support Comcast VOD/PPV services.
It isn't an 'overlay' on the Motorola DVR OS either. There is a basic OS on the box which provides the OCAP layer. The TiVo software runs as an OCAP (well, not quite full OCAP yet, it is a precursor to OCAP) application. But it replaces the existing DVR software. That's not news at all - it has been known for about a year that it was OCAP based.
Also, the TiVo up-charge from Comcast is $2.95/month, not $6. I have no idea where he got that.
And some of what he said is just FUD - like the Firewire comment. No one has said anything about it being disabled.
And he's bitching about the extras - all the core TiVo functionality - Season Passes, Wishlists, etc - are in there.
MegaZone, as I responded more in-depth on the link, I think it’s quite clear most were unaware of these limitations. I’m sure the TiVo-addict crowd is, this post was mostly aimed at the typical DVR user. So, when you say “everyone would know most of this”, I think you mean, “every TiVo zealot already knows most of this”. And you’re probably right… but most typical people don’t.
Also, as I outlined above, Comcast did copy-protect local channels with 5C encryption previously… in select markets. I had calls into the FCC, the 1394 TA, and Comcast technical directors. It still took almost 90 days to fix that (and I got involved nearly six months after Comcast started breaking the law with that mess). This was part of Comcast’s campaign to deter DVR makers from adding FireWire as a capture option… and it sure did work. Please, don’t call it FUD when Comcast blatantly breaks the law.
typical comcastic stink bomb for more $
Were you guys honestly expecting anything else from Comcast?
There is no "TiVo OS". TiVo's own boxes use the Linux OS with TiVo software running over it. Comcast is running OCAP with TiVo running over it.
How is this any different than DirecTV's DVRs "powered by TiVo?" They have never had any of the advanced options that TiVo's own boxes have offered either. In their place you get access to the provider's own services such as OnDemand and PPV.
If you want those advanced TiVo features you can pay a little more and get an actual TiVo box with cable cards.
Whether everybody knew it or just "TiVo zealots," the fact is that the information was available from TiVo and Comcast on what was going to be offered. Comcast showed an essentially complete working unit months ago. If Engaget was surprised they did a lousy job keeping up with the story. If the general public is surprised Engaget did a lousy job of reporting it.
I've been using TiVo on Comcast for about 2 weeks now. It is somewhat buggy, but I'm happy to have my TiVo interface back. Here's the deal.
My TiVo port is to the Motorola DCH3416 with a 158G hard drive (20 hrs HD). Comcast left me with a new TiVo remote that has a few Comcast buttons for OnDemand and other minor functions. The installers spent 2 hours at my house fiddling with the HDMI interface (to my Samsung 1080p TV). Over the past 2 weeks, the HDMI has dropped out 3 times and forced me to reboot the DVR. This morning, the PAUSE/REW function stopped working. That is, the DVR was not buffering any video. Reboot fixed this too.
These are minor problems to me, but thought I'd share. Oh yeah, $14.95 install, $2.95/mo, box free.