Gizmo Lovers - Latest Comments

Re: AllThingsD: Dish Network Approves of Employees Spamming Blogs

Noneyoubusiness — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:07:24 -0000

Dish is, and has been for a looooonnnnng time a low-rent scammer so this doesn't surprise me. Former Dish and glad of it.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

MegaZone — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:01:10 -0000

I personally don't expect implementing On Demand support in retail units to have much effect on the retail sales. I just don't think there is a pent of demand of people *not* buying TiVo because it lacks On Demand support who will rush out and buy one because it is supported now. There will be some, but not significant numbers IMHO. Especially as this is geographically limited for now.

Conversely, the marketing *associated* with the launch might move the needle a bit. Comcast really seems to be doing their part in helping to promote it, and that promotion to their user base might just sell more units. So the addition of On Demand may be a catalyst for the marketing which has some real effect. But just adding the feature isn't something I'd expect would have much impact just by itself.

I think it is a good thing, and anything that improves the product helps cumulatively raise sales, but I don't think this is any kind of silver bullet.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

MegaZone — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:39:33 -0000

I think a number of those aren't unique to XFINITY On Demand. CableCARD issues are certainly not new or unique. It doesn't make them any less of an issue, but at this point their par for the course. The SD UI is clearly an afterthought at this point, IMHO. If you're not using the HD UI on a Premiere you're not going to get the best experience. I'm actually a little surprised they did an SD UI at all.

I haven't used cable On Demand for years now - actually more like a decade - since I started using TiVo. But it would be nice to have the option. I'm sure some of the things I've picked up from Amazon Instant Video because I missed recording them I could've watched On Demand. But Charter doesn't seem to have any intention of supporting retail units, and I'm not going to get a Charter-supplied unit and lose the other services.

Re: David Tennant Catches Up With Virgin Media’s TiVo

MegaZone — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:30:48 -0000

I've noticed that on my Premiere, but I think it'd be even more useful if it was more like the UK. Add icons to the guide showing which shows are available on the video services, and then have shortcuts to them right from the first info screen when you select the program.

Right now you have to dive in and Explore the show and look to see if it is available or not.

Re: A Brief Video History Of The U.S. Air Force

MegaZone — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:27:30 -0000

Yeah, I had an earlier post on their 100th anniversary: http://www.gizmolovers.com/201...

Re: A Brief Video History Of The U.S. Air Force

Donkellner — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:07 -0000

100 Years ago (this August ) the original Lockheed Aircraft, and the Glen Martin Company were founded. The celebration has started.

Re: David Tennant Catches Up With Virgin Media’s TiVo

Fiftyninth — Sun, 06 May 2012 10:32:57 -0000

TiVo does now keep 3 days of guide data going backwards.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

Tech Wizard — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:59:28 -0000

I will define a great success if the support for Xfinity moves the needle on Stand-Alone/TiVo-Owned subscribers. We will see what sort of impact it has in TiVo's Q213 which ends 7/31/2012. It will be sometime in late August (~8/24) when they report Q2 earnings. With that said, I expect to have some dialogue on Xfinity during their Q1 earnings call which will take place later this month (exact date TBD).

I have seen some reports on twitter and TCF about pillarbox issues but I tend to agree with you, it appears to be a success from a technology perspective at this point. I think the advertising campaign looks like a serious attempt by TiVo (funded by Comcast at some level?) to entice subscribers.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

Dave Z — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:13:53 -0000

I dunno... I've seen various complaints of limited content organization, sluggish SD UI, CableCARD pairing issues, letterboxes and pillarboxes. Having said that, it's there and mostly works. Which is quite a success on many levels (technology, timing, business). And wish I could get on demand via my TiVo.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

MegaZone — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:05:28 -0000

Based on what I've heard and seen reported it is working very well. It 'just works' and once turned on users have full access to the XFINITY On Demand content. I haven't seen any major problems with it, which is unusual for any of these MSO-related projects going by history. From a consumer perspective it seems quite successful - you connect your TiVo and you have access just as you would with a Comcast STB.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

Jack — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:20:27 -0000

Just curious. How do you define great success?

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

MegaZone — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:44:38 -0000

Living in Worcester, having a number of friends in Boston, and being married to a woman from Southie - yes, some do. Perhaps ironically, but then, so did I.

Re: Beantown Next Up For TiVo XFINITY On Demand

Boston — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:02:24 -0000

People from Boston don't call it Beantown.

Re: F-35 Night Refueling And High Speed Fly-By

MegaZone — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:07:25 -0000

No final price on the F-35 yet, it is negotiated with each batch of LRIP orders based on the size of the order, etc. It'll be a few years yet before production pricing is settled.

Re: F-35 Night Refueling And High Speed Fly-By

rkgort — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:58:58 -0000

I hear the F16 now every morning, probably the sound I'm going to here within a few years. Although .. do they have a fixed price yet?

Re: TiVo Premiere Customers, Sign Up To Get The Spring Software Update First

MegaZone — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:37:18 -0000

It doesn't mean you'll continue to get new features forever, no. Generally the units will continue to do what they did when purchased - and whatever features are added during their commercial lifetime. After that they're just sustained, it isn't economical to keep investing development resources in the older boxes. It doesn't generate enough, if any, additional revenue. And it could even have a negative impact as it reduces the likelihood of existing users upgrading to a newer unit.

It is pretty common across the industry for products to stop getting new features and updates after some period of time. TiVo gives each product family a few years of development, but eventually there are diminishing returns and they stop.

Re: XFINITY On Demand Available On TiVo Premiere For SF Bay Area Comcast Customers

MegaZone — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:33:38 -0000

Good info, thanks.

Re: XFINITY On Demand Available On TiVo Premiere For SF Bay Area Comcast Customers

Fanfoot — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:04:44 -0000

Thought I’d cross post some information, current as of April 13th. A Comcast employee has posted the following over on the Tivo Community forums:
“Hello folks,
I am a comcast employee and want to advise you that the only cities in
the first phase of the vod launch in the bay area are Cupertino, Los
Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas,Monterey, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale….others will be added later this month! ”

Re: TiVo Premiere Customers, Sign Up To Get The Spring Software Update First

Double Eagle — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:07:58 -0000

S3 owners screwed again. Having a Tivo S3 with lifetime service doesn't mean Tivo will service it for life.

Re: TiVo Premiere Customers, Sign Up To Get The Spring Software Update First

Dbldbl — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:56:46 -0000

I happened to come across that priority page when reading up on an old post from Zatz... was researching a post re: last TiVo software upgrade. I saw a mention of South San Francisco-based owners getting the new xfinity OnDemand; am waiting on pins and needles, as I'm over in the East Bay.

Re: Thai Airways International First Airbus A380: Episode 1

Milton Wilson — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:10:37 -0000

It's always a pleasure to fly via Thai Airways. Their flight attendants are really great. I can't wait to get on their new AirBus.

Re: The Boeing 777 – 1,000 Strong And Growing

R.Campbell — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:56:15 -0000

its a winner for all who flys it, the 777 is the right aircraft to grow any airline in business today and in the future.if your not flying one your not consider one of the best.thats the only way i can put it.

Re: The Boeing 777 – 1,000 Strong And Growing

MegaZone — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:04:05 -0000

I've flown upstairs in a B747 - Business Class to Australia Boston to LA to Sydney, on the LA to Sydney leg, and the return. I can't remember the airline now, it was back in 1999. It was quite a nice experience, but I think the passenger experience has more to do with the interior choices the airline makes when fitting out the cabin. I'm sure the are B777s with nicer cabins than many B747s, and vice-versa. I've never had the scratch to pay for, or worked for an employer willing to pay for, a true first class experience on a transpacific flight. Though I'd certainly like to do it someday.

Re: The Boeing 777 – 1,000 Strong And Growing

Mullinaux — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:21:35 -0000

777 a great ride agreed. But can it beat your first trip upstairs in a 747?

MikeRenton

Re: Google & ThinkGeek – Highlights Of April Fools’ Day

Jessie Rappaport — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:22:19 -0000

It's Fiber-licious! Definitely hilarious. Google has pulled some serious, funny jokes for April Fools.