Back when TiVo was officially unveiled last year, there was a bit of disappointment that some of the key features, like sharing content with your home PC and movie downloads, wouldn’t be available straight away. Not only that, but TiVo users would have to pay extra to get them. While no firm figure was agreed upon, the term “tens of dollars” was quoted. Turns out, TiVo actually ment to say 20 tens of dollars, because they’re charging $199 for it.The list of added functionality is fairly extensive – you can share recorded content between TiVos in different rooms; stream music and photos from your PC or Mac to your TiVo; transfer recordings to your PC or home movies back to your DVR; and even transfer recordings to your iPod or other selected mobile phones or portable devices. But is is worth $199? Considering TiVo’s appeal comes from the fact that it’s relatively cheaply priced at $699, this brings the price right up to the $900 mark, excluding attachments like the wireless adapter.
On top of that, Mac users need a copy of Roxio Toast 10 Titanium in order to get the software to work, and at this stage it only supports streaming photos and music to your TiVo – not any of the other functions.
We’ve contacted TiVo for comment on the pricing structure and are waiting for their response. But this is exactly the kind of pricing that would turn me away from TiVo (if I didn’t have an iQ2 for the Super 14 and the Comedy Channel). What about you guys?
[TiVo]
jetzz
March 19, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Can we use the US version of TIVO Desktop software, which is free. Or pay $25 for TIVo Desktop Plus which is something similar to this TIVO Home network. Hit the link to see the TIVO Desktop software
Report Permalinkhttp://www.tivo.com/buytivo/tivogear/software/index.html
Jason Cartwright
March 19, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Seems very highly priced, especially in my situation where I already have an Xbox 360 or PS3 to stream content from the PC to my TV.
Report PermalinkN@
March 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
As usual, us Aussies have to pay a stupid amount of money for _software_. Ridiculous.
Report PermalinkBob Jane
March 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Is it that hard to just buy a cheap pvr and set recording?! Some ppl must watch a lot of tv to spend nearly 1k on this jibberish! Home and Away is on Youtube you know!
Report PermalinkKKraig
March 19, 2009 at 4:40 PM
what a joke! my topfield has all those features straight out of the box and it was only $650.
Report PermalinkKit Grose
March 19, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I have a TiVo, and really, really like it. This nickel-and-diming is unnecessary and disconcerting.
If I didn’t already have an AppleTV providing the features listed here, I’d be miffed at this. As it stands now, if I want a more permanent version of something I’ve recorded, I’ll just torrent it. No ads, either, then.
Report PermalinkOwen
March 19, 2009 at 8:46 PM
$199! That’s crap. I was looking forward to having the function, but that’s way too much, what a rip!
Report PermalinkTristan
March 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
I would pay $99 if it worked with a Mac completely… but $199 is a little rich… actually, I’d pay $199 if it worked nicely with a Mac and allowed me to easily convert to iTunes (e.g. 1-Touch) then go straight to my iPhone….
Report PermalinkLowey
March 20, 2009 at 9:17 AM
I too have a Tivo and downloaded the US desktop but it doesn’t work so don’t bother. THe Home netowrking kit gives you the Media Access Key to enable it.
Report PermalinkI was so looking forward to this feature to stream music and photos to the TV but at $199 – WHEN IT IS FREE IN THE US – is more than a RIP it is an insult!
TIVO SUCKS AND IF I COULD GIVE IT BACK I WOULD.
Gouging the public during the “economic crisis” good on ya!
jetzz
March 20, 2009 at 9:48 AM
now there is new pricing avaliable . but will not release unitl sunday night for early adopter.
Report PermalinkThe pricing is if you have one tivo the software is 99 and if you have two that would be free (I think). Read @ below link
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1015370
baffled
March 20, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Agreed it is a GOUGE – was promised as a “cheap” upgrade this year. That is why they will fail.
Report PermalinkBilbo Baggins
March 20, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Just get an apple airport express if all it really does is stream music – and go for the apple TV which has a lot more functionality if you want to stream video.
Report PermalinkWP
April 27, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I always loved tivo. I bought 3 of them. Now they are running ads all over the place. The reason I bought tivo in the first place was to NOT see ads. Tivo sold us out! I will never buy another one. Never recommend another one to anyone! I hope they are happy with their billions from their advertisers, greedy bastards. They won’t be getting any more of my money. I’m sorry I fell for their scam! I paid for a service and they are ripping me off!
Report PermalinkZmithy
October 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I too feel ripped of, scammed and insulted. I won’t be paying the extra for anything.
Apparently Tivo customer services is practically non-existent. People I know have had problems with Tivo just to get their machine fixed. It was eventually replaced. Now mines playing up… groan.
TIVO SUCKS BIG TIME!!! Wish I’d never bought it.
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