<strong>I can see Apple buying Tivo...Cheers!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why would Apple need to buy TiVo? They have all the technologies to make this happen, they have had video in, and tv tuners in the old performa days (it was an option on the 6400, 6500 and the 20th Anaversary...I'm sure others as well). They have the software, they may need some tweeks but most of the software technology is in QuikTime, and iMovie 3. They have Sherlock, Rondevue, and AppleScript to make the systems more powerfull than any one solution out there today. All they really need to do is have the hardware designed to thier specs and manufactured. That could be done by Phylips, Sony, or any number of other component manufacturers. I have no doubt that Apple could have one out today if they wanted, that was fully AppleScriptable and had custome Sherlock plug ins for programing guides. They may be waiting on the next wave of Tuners, Amps, and or TV's to start showing up with FireWire or FireWire 2, or they may only want to build the backbone software technology for these devices, only Steve knows....
Introducing a Tivo isn't an Apple kinda thing to do, unless it was seamlessly integrated with the Mac platform. Even then, I think that Apple would want to avoid the middle-man, and improve online streaming video, like they did with quicktime to improve digital video. Tivo has been done.
TiVO doesn't make its money from the sale of the hardware. TiVO makes its money from the service it provides.
A few points:
In order for TiVO to thrive, it needs to stay under the radar of the RIAA and MPAA and other content providers like ABC, NBC, FOX, etc. A thirty-second skip button would piss off the content providers that depend on advertisements for their revenue. Its tantamount to poking a rabid badger with a pointy stick--you do it long enough you're going to get a fatal bite. Replay-TV ran into issues and lawsuits for having a 30-sec skip button.
Why would Apple introduce a box for $300 and NOT charge a service fee? It's not like a DVD player where you sell the player and then walk away. PVRs require data to be useful. TiVO provides a guide service that is integrated and makes life dandy for its users. What happens if one of these free guide services that your Apple-branded-PVR would reference goes away? Now you have a dumb PVR that is crippled.
I think iCal could provide a great way to integrate a guide service, mebbe even use sherlock to intelligently poll the web based on shows/regions, who knows.
For myself, I'd wouldn't mind manually telling it to record such and such at a specified time through iCal. Imagine you go into iCal and select an option that just lets you flag dates and times to activate your PVR. Very simple, you just need to know ehrn your shows are on. I don't need an idiot proof box, a cheap firewire based, mac-controlled unit would be great for me. As I described above, a little boz with not only a (digital) TV tuner and A/V breakoout, but also that housed a 3.5HDD of my choice (so I didn't have to fill up the machines HDD) would be perfect. 3rd party is fine too, as long as the hooks go into iCal and Sherlock.
<strong>In order for TiVO to thrive, it needs to stay under the radar of the RIAA and MPAA and other content providers like ABC, NBC, FOX, etc.... What happens if (your) guide services that your (TiVo)-PVR would reference goes away? Now you have a dumb PVR that is crippled.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Bingo. You can't even set the TiVo's date/time to use it as a programmable 'VCR' without it accessing the mothership. Silly.
If TiVo the company goes under (and I think it's more likely than not right now that that it will), you have a nice expensive boat anchor.
The problem with Tivo is large CE firms like Sony and others are investors. So Tivo actually obstructs the needs of consumers. If 30 Second skips are available on a $99 VCR then why wouldn't a Tivo have it? Screw'em is what I say.
A "Modern" PVR should offer
1. Guideless Recorder. You want to set it up like a HD based VCR all the transport controls are there.
2. Easy Navigation and Chapters. What's the use of having Random Access if you cannot mark locations and easily retrieve them.
3. Personalization features(Premium Service) offering suggestions on shows you might be interested in(Tivo does this I know)
4. The Ability to offload files to another Drive as long as they don't have Copy Code on them. Not every Video Production is paranoid about their movies being transferred.
5. Robust Networking. You should have USB, Ethernet, and either HPNA or Wireless standard.
So Tivo has rendezvous....so what! I'm still charged $99 for the first machine and $49 for any additional machine for HMO(Home Media Option) access. Geez thanks Tivo what would I do without you?
As JRC above said Sonicblue and Tivo are raping their customers on the Lifetime agreements.
Apple has the infrastructure.
1. OS- Darwin or OSX lite
2. Scheduling- iCal+ Applescript
3. Video- Quicktime
4. Networking- Rendezvous
Here's what I would do.
1. Deliver low cost boxes with HD that can be upgraded easily. Tivo and ReplayTV GOUGE their customers if they want alot of space. Apple doesn't have to do this.
2. Service. With .mac users get Premium Service. WebDav support from the iPVR to your Homepage. First crack at new Quicktime Trailers etc. Otherwise make the service free but you must endure adds and promotions while unit is paused. This allows Apple to offer the .mac adverts and Macintosh product promotion making alot of $$$ on the backside.
3. Integration. Apple could Blow both ReplayTV and Tivo out the water interfacewise. Tivo's not bad but it's not great either. Apple has tie ins with iMovie, iPhoto and iTunes. The idea is to create and Apple presence whether it be Computer or Television.
I will buy a PVR this year most likely. It won't be a Tivo because I don't like the company. It might be a ReplyTV but even with these two stalwarts of PVR'dom I still feel like their current offering are compromised. The Holy Grail PVR has not been created. I see why they call them "DVR" now as the "Personal" aspects have been weakened through insane litigation.
This is a Gold Mine opportunity for Apple. There was once an IBM exec that exclaimed "computers will never be in the Family Household" Well look at them now. The next Frontier is Networking these computers easily and efficiently. It's not about Television...it's truly about the Digital Hub and if Apple misses this Party then they don't know Jackshit about what a Digital Hub is.
Comments
<strong>I can see Apple buying Tivo...Cheers!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why would Apple need to buy TiVo? They have all the technologies to make this happen, they have had video in, and tv tuners in the old performa days (it was an option on the 6400, 6500 and the 20th Anaversary...I'm sure others as well). They have the software, they may need some tweeks but most of the software technology is in QuikTime, and iMovie 3. They have Sherlock, Rondevue, and AppleScript to make the systems more powerfull than any one solution out there today. All they really need to do is have the hardware designed to thier specs and manufactured. That could be done by Phylips, Sony, or any number of other component manufacturers. I have no doubt that Apple could have one out today if they wanted, that was fully AppleScriptable and had custome Sherlock plug ins for programing guides. They may be waiting on the next wave of Tuners, Amps, and or TV's to start showing up with FireWire or FireWire 2, or they may only want to build the backbone software technology for these devices, only Steve knows....
A few points:
In order for TiVO to thrive, it needs to stay under the radar of the RIAA and MPAA and other content providers like ABC, NBC, FOX, etc. A thirty-second skip button would piss off the content providers that depend on advertisements for their revenue. Its tantamount to poking a rabid badger with a pointy stick--you do it long enough you're going to get a fatal bite. Replay-TV ran into issues and lawsuits for having a 30-sec skip button.
Why would Apple introduce a box for $300 and NOT charge a service fee? It's not like a DVD player where you sell the player and then walk away. PVRs require data to be useful. TiVO provides a guide service that is integrated and makes life dandy for its users. What happens if one of these free guide services that your Apple-branded-PVR would reference goes away? Now you have a dumb PVR that is crippled.
TiVO is for the masses, not the nerds.
--Mike
For myself, I'd wouldn't mind manually telling it to record such and such at a specified time through iCal. Imagine you go into iCal and select an option that just lets you flag dates and times to activate your PVR. Very simple, you just need to know ehrn your shows are on. I don't need an idiot proof box, a cheap firewire based, mac-controlled unit would be great for me. As I described above, a little boz with not only a (digital) TV tuner and A/V breakoout, but also that housed a 3.5HDD of my choice (so I didn't have to fill up the machines HDD) would be perfect. 3rd party is fine too, as long as the hooks go into iCal and Sherlock.
<strong>In order for TiVO to thrive, it needs to stay under the radar of the RIAA and MPAA and other content providers like ABC, NBC, FOX, etc.... What happens if (your) guide services that your (TiVo)-PVR would reference goes away? Now you have a dumb PVR that is crippled.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Bingo. You can't even set the TiVo's date/time to use it as a programmable 'VCR' without it accessing the mothership. Silly.
If TiVo the company goes under (and I think it's more likely than not right now that that it will), you have a nice expensive boat anchor.
A "Modern" PVR should offer
1. Guideless Recorder. You want to set it up like a HD based VCR all the transport controls are there.
2. Easy Navigation and Chapters. What's the use of having Random Access if you cannot mark locations and easily retrieve them.
3. Personalization features(Premium Service) offering suggestions on shows you might be interested in(Tivo does this I know)
4. The Ability to offload files to another Drive as long as they don't have Copy Code on them. Not every Video Production is paranoid about their movies being transferred.
5. Robust Networking. You should have USB, Ethernet, and either HPNA or Wireless standard.
So Tivo has rendezvous....so what! I'm still charged $99 for the first machine and $49 for any additional machine for HMO(Home Media Option) access. Geez thanks Tivo what would I do without you?
As JRC above said Sonicblue and Tivo are raping their customers on the Lifetime agreements.
Apple has the infrastructure.
1. OS- Darwin or OSX lite
2. Scheduling- iCal+ Applescript
3. Video- Quicktime
4. Networking- Rendezvous
Here's what I would do.
1. Deliver low cost boxes with HD that can be upgraded easily. Tivo and ReplayTV GOUGE their customers if they want alot of space. Apple doesn't have to do this.
2. Service. With .mac users get Premium Service. WebDav support from the iPVR to your Homepage. First crack at new Quicktime Trailers etc. Otherwise make the service free but you must endure adds and promotions while unit is paused. This allows Apple to offer the .mac adverts and Macintosh product promotion making alot of $$$ on the backside.
3. Integration. Apple could Blow both ReplayTV and Tivo out the water interfacewise. Tivo's not bad but it's not great either. Apple has tie ins with iMovie, iPhoto and iTunes. The idea is to create and Apple presence whether it be Computer or Television.
I will buy a PVR this year most likely. It won't be a Tivo because I don't like the company. It might be a ReplyTV but even with these two stalwarts of PVR'dom I still feel like their current offering are compromised. The Holy Grail PVR has not been created. I see why they call them "DVR" now as the "Personal" aspects have been weakened through insane litigation.
This is a Gold Mine opportunity for Apple. There was once an IBM exec that exclaimed "computers will never be in the Family Household" Well look at them now. The next Frontier is Networking these computers easily and efficiently. It's not about Television...it's truly about the Digital Hub and if Apple misses this Party then they don't know Jackshit about what a Digital Hub is.