DVRs, TiVo still working on a DVR with two-way features like VOD
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Mar 6th 2008 8:40AM
posted Mar 6th 2008 8:40AM
Hi-def and DVRs go together like peanut butter and jelly, but even with all the great DVRs available today, none are perfect. TiVo offers the best overall user experience and features, but lacks a few fundamental features that most cable STBs have -- like VOD, for starters. Although this isn't TiVo's fault, when it comes down to figuring out what's right for your family, it really doesn't matter. During Tivo's earnings call yesterday, it was reaffirmed that TiVo is working one step closer to making the ultimate cable DVR by including two-way functionality using the latest CableLabs standard tru2way. For those who haven't been keeping track at home, tru2way has undergone an identity crisis, and if you go back long enough, you'll find that it was called CableCARD 2.0 -- by someone. The way this would work is that you'd have a way on a TiVo to access the cable company's UI, so good or bad, when you're accessing VOD content, you'd see the same thing as if you were using a Moto or 
I hope they focus a little more on VOD over the internet. With comcast the prices are high for VOD and in the future the HD selection may not be as good as what Apple or Amazon might bring to the table.
Is VOD the most wanted feature of the Tivo community? I have it with my cable box, and I can't say that it went away tomorrow I would notice that much. I
Not necessarily, but TiVo fans don't want to feel like they have to give anything up to choose TiVo.
Also, TiVo wants to be able to try and sell its boxes to big cable and compete with SA and Moto.
Personally, VOD just isn't all that important (besides, we probably won't get HD VOD for 3-7 years). BUT SDV sure as hell is. SDV is a MAJOR sticking point in contemplating TiVo.
Is a part of this "Tru2Way" that it supports SDV? My understanding is that it does NOT, they are 2 separate technologies. Yes, there HAS been talk of some hundred buck gizmo you'd have to buy to get SDV channels on a TiVo, but no announcement (that I've heard) about even an anticipated date of shipment.
Although a tru2way device can access SDV channels you won't need a new TiVo to get SDV channels. You just need a tuning resolver which is officially on track for the 2nd quarter of '08 and will be provided by the cable co' like a STB, no one knows for how much.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/08/switched-digital-support-for-cablecard-still-on-track-for-second/
drop a blu-ray recorder in that bad boy and i'm there...