RSSTiVo Launches Version 4.0
By Nate Mook | Published April 7, 2003, 10:21 PM
TiVo Series2 units will soon automatically upgrade to a new software revision that adds improved features to the DVR and enables the long-awaited Home Media Option. TiVo staffers announced the rollout of version 4.0, which will be sent to Series2 subscribers over the next several weeks.
The Home Media Option, first demoed at CES in January, allows TiVo to function as a home entertainment center, playing audio and photos over a home network. Using a desktop client in Windows or Mac OS X, TiVo reads shared files and displays them directly on a TV. Along with scheduling recordings anytime using a Web browser, the upgrade also allows users with multiple TiVos to access shows recorded on different units.
Although the Home Media Option is only available after paying a one-time fee of $99, Series2 owners can still reap the enhancements of version 4.0 without shelling out for the premium service. 4.0 includes new "Now Playing Options" for sorting recorded programs and the ability to quickly jump through long lists using the Advance button.
Answering requests from users, the upgrade eliminates the need for a phone connection by using broadband to download program content and updates. This feature integrates with TiVo Central Online, a new service that allows subscribers to view channel listings over the Internet.
Those who purchase the Home Media Option will be first to receive the 4.0 update, followed by subscribers who filled out the priority list on TiVo's Web site. Owners of first generation TiVos and DirecTiVo will not receive version 4.0.
V.4 isn't available for Direct TV folks yet because Direct TV hasn't followed up on this; it is likely with v.4 out there for others Direct TV will eventually be under enough pressure for them to go with it. Series 1 folks will be seeing a few added features but basically they're EOL'd and have been offered an upgrade path.
Next the internet connection has been available for quite awhile now, just not officially supported. Personally I've been using a USB/Ethernet adapter since the begininng of the year with no problem. It's been of little special use 'till now except I did have a network drop neaby and no phone so that worked out well, this could be of benefit to others.
Another big feature that is of interest to many TiVoFolk is that v.4 allows serial control of many cable boxes. As the IR controllers are notoriously squirrely this is a big thing. Again, I lucked out that my AT&T model TiVo worked out of the box with my cable co, & cable box model, it really is sweet to reliably and quickly change channels.
There are also other nice things like being able to group recordings into folders so all of the "Trading Spaces" are in one place, "What's My Line" in another, etc. The collaborative filtering has also been tuned up so one can more easily browse to other shows that one is likely to be interested in based on statistical analysis.
As to the HMO option supporting audio & video - No. It supports mp3 files for audio, for video just its pictures like jpeg, bmp, png, and something else, no actual moving images such as mpeg, avi, divx, or Quicktime. Furthermore the TiVo doesn't store any of this material on it's hard drive it just reads it off of your Windows or mac box running the special client applications. Nor will a v.4 TiVo share it's own recordings with anything other then another TiVo with HMO on the same account & on the same local network, no sending to a PC for watching or saving.
On the other hand the good news is that AT&T users like myself who didn't get 3.2 will now see it's better recording capabilities, for folks with more then one TiVo under HMO they'll be able to copy shows from TiVo to TiVo, and there's a development kit and API for enabling applications to serve up music & pictures to one's TiVo w/ HMO.
Oh, last note: The upgrade will take place over the next six or so WEEKS. If you've not signed up in any way in advance for the upgrade you'll probably have to wait a while for it to show up on it's own.
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