TiVo stop production of its high-end cable-ready high-def DVR, the Series 3 a little awhile ago, leaving a hole in the high end of their line. Well TiVo filled that hole today by announcing the launch of the TiVo HD XL Digital Video Recorder. The TiVo HD XL box offers more recording capacity than any other DVR available, be it satellite or cable. Boasting 150 hours of high definition television recording capacity!
The TiVo HD XL is also THX certified to ensure it delivers accurate and exceptional sound and video playback in your home theater. Exclusive features to the TiVo HD XL model include THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote control and an included HDMI cable.
“With so much HD content now available, we felt it was vital to offer consumers an easy way to record as much television programming as they’d like to watch at a later time without ever having to worry about capacity,” said Andrew Morrison, Director of Product Platforms at TiVo. “What is great about the XL is it gives content lovers plenty of room for all the programming they love, saving them from having to decide if they need to prematurely delete a favorite movie or a big game memory when space gets tight. Satellite or cable DVRs simply can’t match it.”
On top of increased recording capacity, the TiVo HD XL DVR offers all the innovative broadband features that TiVo lovers have grown accustomed and addicted to. Users can download thousands of movies & TV shows directly to the TV from Amazon on Demand (Formerly Unbox), browse and watch endless YouTube videos, listen to thousands of songs from Rhapsody, or view hundreds of music videos from Music Choice. Similar to TiVo HD, dual tuners allow subscribers to record two different shows in HD at the same time, while watching a third pre-recorded show. The TiVo HD XL is designed to fit seamlessly into the most discerning home theater systems, compatible with HD digital cable, analog cable and over-the-air digital HD (ATSC).
As with the TiVo HD, the TiVo HD XL box delivers the best in high definition entertainment, allowing the consumer to experience TiVo’s acclaimed service features, such as Season Pass recordings, Universal Swivel Search and WishList searches, in sharp, vivid high definition images.
“TiVo pioneered the DVR category, and they are maintaining that position with the new high performance, high capacity TiVo HD XL,” said Dr. Michael Rudd, Chief AV Architect at THX. “As more consumers adopt high definition programming, they will expect their recorded content to reflect the same level of quality and consistency as the original broadcasts. With a Terabyte hard drive, the TiVo HD XL lets users enjoy more HD movies, sports and other programs in high definition than ever before, and THX certification ensures that the quality is always superb.”
But will people keep buying Tivo now the Cable company will “give” you HD recorder in your cable box? Both the cable company and Tvio get a monthly fee from you when have their box. You pick a fee for the guide or a rental fee from Cable Co for the hardware.
Until CableCARD 2 is released, using a Tivo as your tuner means no access to your cable system’s video-on demand services. I love many of the programs you can get via on demand like local sports, music video, ect.
But people that have Tivo love Tivo. It is almost like a cult in the way some people see Mac users talk about their machines. Tivo is the the easiest to use DVR out there! Plus, many people do fine cable company’s DVR confusing when it comes to navigation, so this should be a big seller to the die hard TV and movie fan out there.
The TiVo HD XL box joins the existing TiVo product line, and is available online today for $599.99 at www.tivo.com. Other retailers that will unveil TiVo HD XL as early as next week include Magnolia Home Theater, Amazon, and various other high-end retailers and customer installers.
