TiVo lands major Amazon Unbox video deal
updated 09:15 am EST, Wed February 7, 2007
TiVo Gets Amazon Videos
Online retailer Amazon and TiVo today revealed Unbox on TiVo, a new service that will see the former's movies and TV shows available to watch directly from a TiVo Series 2 or Series 3 video recorder. The solution is different than the Apple TV and other media streaming hubs because it doesn't require an explicit link with a PC: Unbox shoppers can buy a show from any computer and have it download directly to the TiVo instead, Amazon says. Similiar to the Xbox 360, Amazon's store will also remember the sale and let the owner download the video again should it be deleted to clear space. Videos will also be above the quality of a Series 2 box, according to the two companies.
The new ability requires a broadband connection and will download a typical two-hour movie in half that time at 5Mbps. Availability is currently limited to beta testers; however, TiVo is currently accepting signups to let its subscribers know when the service will be widely available, which is said to be soon.
