TiVo readying budget HD DVR, Comcast box
updated 01:35 pm EDT, Thu May 31, 2007
TiVo Budget Series 3
TiVo is working on a lightweight version of the Series 3 recorder, the company revealed in its most recent earnings report. Company CEO Tom Rogers noted that TiVo has been suffering from the lack of a more affordable alternative to the $800 premium device, which has led many with HDTV service to the pre-supplied boxes rented or sold by cable and satellite providers. A new device was already in development to solve this problem, Rogers said.
"We have not been able to meaningfully participate in the HD wave in retail," he complained. "Without having a mass appeal priced HD unit... it's difficult."
No specifications followed the surprise preview, though the emphasis is believed to be on a reduction of minor features rather than a significant drop in storage or the loss of features such as HDMI output and CableCARD. The device is scheduled to launch roughly in the fall and will see official details closer to its actual release.
Rogers also said that Comcast TV subscribers would finally get the option of a TiVo unit for recording standard-definition shows, which has been in the works for two years but is seeing its last trials with an official release set for August. The initial rollout should cover downtown Boston as well as parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, he said. Subscription rates for the TiVo DVR were left out of this second announcement. [via Zatz Not Funny]
