iPhone Tivo Remote

I just downloaded the "DVR Remote" iPhone app. Basically it allows me to use my iPhone as a remote to control my Tivo via wifi. Im not exactly sure when Im going to use it, but it tickled me when it actually worked. The lite version of the app is free, but the Pause, Replay and Skip buttons are removed, otherwise the full version is $3. I can see it being very useful when you do searches, because its much easier to type on a keyboard rather than having to select each letter at a time.

Roger's Favorite Things

Here are my top 5 favorite tech products.



1. Tivo Series 3
Tivo has become the heart of my home entertainment system. Its not just a DVR anymore but instead has become a home media center. Recording shows is the main function, but it can do so much more especially when connected to my home network. Stream video, photos, music. Rent and watch movies from amazon or netflix. Watch youtube videos. Transfer recorded shows back and forth between my computer. Convert shows to my iphone. The possibilities are endless. No need for a Home PC Theater set up.
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2. iPhone 3G
Nothing can compare to the iphone's intuitive interface. Checking email, surfing the internet, taking pictures, playing games at your fingertips never felt so natural.
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3. Eye-fi memory card
This is a perfect example of thinking out of the box. Instead of enabling the camera to perform wireless transfers, why not just do it for memory cards. I had my doubts but this thing actually works. Not only does it transfer my photos wirelessly to my computer but it can automatically upload to flickr - my photo sharing website. 2 birds with one stone. Love it.
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4. Western Digital My Passport portable hard drive
This small, compact, and sexy external hard drive is all you need to back up or transfer your files. The best feature about this drive is that there is no separate power supply needed. Yes, that means all you need to do is plug it into your USB slot (in Windows or Mac) and you are good to go. No software necessary.




5. Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote
You will only need to purchase one of these universal remotes in your lifetime because you can always update the remote using your computer and the internet. The remote is configured by connecting to Logitech's Harmony website application. The application has a comprehensive database of all tv components. So all you need to do is find the new component you just purchased and the remote will know exactly how to control it. Not only that but you can also create a custom sequence of commands to perform with a click of a button. For example, I have a "watch a dvd" command which will turn on my tv, dvd, and receiver and set the correct inputs all at once.

Program your Tivo on your cell phone

Finally, Tivo created a mobile web app specifically to schedule and record TV shows. I've been waiting for an iphone app, but I guess this browser-based web app will do. Keep in mind that this app might not even be officially live yet as Tivo has not made an announcement. Also, you need to have a network connected Tivo, a Tivo account, and an internet-enabled cell phone.

Source: Mobile Crunch

Tivo + iPhone = :)

Time is a luxury these days, especially with 2 needy boys. No more time to sit on my couch and watch my HD shows on my Tivo. But now I have a solution - watch my Tivo recorded shows on my iPhone during my weekday commutes to work.

Setup

1. Tivo Series 3 - to record TV shows.


2. Tivo Wireless Adapter - to send shows wirelessly to my computer.


3. Wireless router - to receive shows wirelessly.


4. Tivo Desktop Plus - to manage/transfer and convert shows to compatible iPhone format.


5. iTunes - to sync shows to iPhone.


6. iPhone - to watch shows.

Now you might think this is a big hassle, but I already had most of this set up already. The only new thing I added was the Tivo Desktop Plus Software to make this entire process complete. The software unfortunately is not free ($24.95) but is well worth it as it does practically everything automatically. Believe it or not, the only manual thing I do is sync my iPhone. Dont believe me? Well, let me explain.

First of all, I just configure Tivo Desktop Plus to download to my computer any TV show on my Tivo ie. Heroes, Prison Break, Terminator. These are .TIVO files. Secondly, I tell it to convert the .TIVO files into the iPhone format .mp4. Lastly, it adds the shows into my iTunes library. Keep in mind that all of the above is only a one time set up. So now, whenever a new episode of Heroes has been recorded on my Tivo, it will also be waiting for me in my iTunes library in which I just have to sync my iPhone. Major kudos for Tivo for simplifying such a complex process. The Tivo software doesnt work 100% of the time. Sometimes, it doesnt transfer over the recording automatically. Or it transfered the recording, but didnt convert it to mp4. Had some issues with some Heroes episodes. But maybe its because NBC adds some DRM into its shows. Who knows.

Not only can I transfer my Tivo recorded shows, but I can also transfer Caden's as well. ie. Teletubbies, Wiggles. Now Caden can watch his TV shows when we're on vacation like when we're on an airplane OR in the hotel room. Huh? Yes, Apple sells an iPhone AV cable in which you can hook your iPhone up to a TV. But Im still debating whether or not to spend $49 on it. Yes, Apple is charging $49 for that stinkin' cable! What a ripoff.

Tivo Series 3 HD

I recently upgraded my Tivo Series 1 to Tivo Series 3 HD. Nope I dont have HD programming. So why did I get it you might ask? Well, because Tivo made me do it.

Here was the deal (expired).

For a limited time, transfer your product lifetime service from a Series1™ or
Series2™ box to the new Series3™ HD for only $199. As an added bonus, we'll
keep TiVo service activated on your old box for another 12 months for no
additional charge.

My current Tivo Series 1 w/ lifetime subscription works perfectly fine. I've been using it for over 5 years now and I love it. But what caught my attention in this deal was the opportunity to transfer my lifetime subscription. Tivo recently retired their lifetime subs on all Tivos. You can no longer get a lifetime sub on a new Tivo. Also, you cannot transfer a lifetime sub to another Tivo box. So this would be my only opportunity to upgrade my Tivo box as well as transfer my lifetime sub in one shot. I dont think Tivo will ever offer the opportunity to transfer a lifetime sub again. In otherwords, this will be the only way to get a Tivo Series 3 with lifetime. But that $199 lifetime transfer fee hurts, especially when I originally already paid $299 for my original lifetime sub. Ouch. So that's how Tivo trapped me.

Why do you LOVE Tivo? - No one can beat the functionality and the user experience that the Tivo has to offer. It is smart, sexy, and simple. You've probably heard of the cable companies offering their DVR's, but everyone who has experienced them says that they cannot compare to Tivo. Tivo is truly one of my favorite tech gadget. Tivo really did an outstanding job when it comes to user interface. Its hard to think of anything to improve it even on my standards ;)

What are the main differences between Tivo series 1, 2, and 3? - A lot. Let's talk about the Series 2 first.

1. Series 2 has the networking functionality which allows you to network your tivo to your home computer which is connect to the internet. You will need a Tivo wireless adapter to wireless connect your tivo to your wireless router.



2. Once you have this connection, you can do several things.You can use TivoToGo which is the ability to transfer your Tivo recordings onto your computer. Once the videos are transfered to your computer, then you can do whatever you want with the video. ie. burn them on dvd.



3. Stream your mp3s and pictures to your TV and home theater system.



4. Update Tivo without using a phone line.



5. Use Tivo online scheduling. In otherwords, you can go to Tivo's website and schedule your recordings there. This is cool if you are not home and you forgot to record something. However, you must schedule the recording at least 1 hour prior to the show starting since the Tivo does the online update about once per hour.



6. Real time Traffic and Weather



7. Many of the series 2 are dual tuner which is one of my favorite features. It can record 2 shows at the same time. Therefore, you can also record a show and watch another show at the same time.

Onto to Series 3

1. Series 3 has all of the features above except for TivoToGo. This is very sad, but hopefully they will allow it in a future software update. I think Tivo ran into a lot of copyright issues so until they get those settled, no TivoToGo.



2. Can record in HD.



3. THX



4. More than enough space. 300 hours standard record time. 32 hours in HD.
   

So basically, Series 3 is much like the Series 2, but has all of the high quality sound and video capabilities.

So what happens to your Tivo Series 1 box? - So this box no longer has the lifetime sub. Tivo gives me a free year's subscription. But in order to use the box after a year, I would have to start paying the monthly fee :(

Tivo Lifetime Subscription Ending :(

Tivo is ending their Lifetime Subscriptions. They have extended it through April 15 only by calling to activate. I still have my Tivo Series 1 w/ lifetime and it still works great. Cant live without it.