TiVo

TiVo just announced a box that does it all, the TiVo Premiere DVR. Available in April in two versions, the TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL, the boxes can access cable programming, movies, web videos, and music.

With the new TiVo Premiere, you can watch and search for movies from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and Blockbuster On Demand; view YouTube videos, listen to Pandora radio (in the coming months) and more.

The TiVo Premiere box has up to 45 hours of HD storage space or up to 400 hours of standard definition programming. The TiVo Premiere XL box holds up to 150 hours of HD or up to 1350 hours of standard definition programming. Both boxes will be available in April, with the Premiere priced at $299.99 and the Premiere XL $499.99.

Two new accessories were also announced; the TiVo Wireless N adapter which allows for faster downloads and content streaming and a new QWERTY TiVo remote. Both will be available in May. Read more

TiVo today announced that they are lowering the price on both the TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs. The TiVo HD is now $249.99 (reg. $299.99) and TiVo HD XL is now offered at $499.99 (reg. $599.99).

Need an HDTV to go with the TiVo? In addition to the lower price, you can get an additional $100 off the cost of an HD TiVo DVR when you purchase an HDTV from Best Buy, bringing the price of a TiVo HD DVR to only $149.99. A subscription to the TiVo service is required and sold separately.

"This holiday season consumers are focused on giving great gifts at a great value. It's not how much you spend, but how much you get for what you pay," said Tony Lee vice president of marketing for TiVo. "The TiVo service offers the world's largest on demand video library, giving you and your family countless hours of in-home entertainment. So rather than giving a gift that will be shoved into a junk drawer or forgotten days later, give the gift that your family will use all year long, a TiVo HD DVR."

Get more information on TiVo products and service at tivo.com.

More and more HD programming is being offered on television. And what does HD programming do? Take up valuable space on your DVR's hard drive. If you are anything like me and (totally) rely on your TiVo to record your favorite television programming, WD has announced a solution to this problem. Their new My DVR Expander is now offered with 1 TB capacity. It is compatible with TiVo Series3 and TiVO HD DVRs and can add up to 140 hours of HD programming recordings by just attaching the device to your TiVo DVR.

The new TiVo My DVR Expander with 1 TB capacity is available now through WD's online store (and select retailers) for $199. A relatively small price to pay to not have to make a "date" with your TV.Read more

Amazon announced yesterday that customers can now buy HDTV programming and HD movies from the Amazon Video On Demand service. Compatible devices include the Roku digital video player, TiVo Series3, HD XL DVRs, and the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link. The Amazon Video On Demand library is also now available on Panasonic VIERA CAST enabled HDTVs.

HD movies rent for $3.99 - $4.99. HDTV programming can also be purchased and watched on a PC or Mac (through a compatible device) for $2.99.

For more information on the service, visit www.amazon.com/videoondemand/tv.Read more

Netflix keeps expanding in ways for their members to watch movies. Now TiVo and Netflix announce that their users can watch movies from Netflix on their TiVo DVR's. This is at no additional charge to current subscribers of both services. Some HD content has been added to the 12,000 movies and TV shows, with more standard and HD titles promised. Netflix joins TiVo extra features like Rhapsody music, Youtube video, Picasa and Photobucket.

After adding the movie to the Instant Queue via the Netflix website, with the TiVo you can browse the choices, read about the movies, and rate them.

As with Netflix on the Xbox 360, I wonder if will they add being able to choose movies from the TiVo?

I'm now curious whether the Comcast TiVo accounts can have Netflix too.

Check into streaming from Netflix to your TiVo at www.tivo.com/netflix.

TiVo is launching a new free mobile optimized website. Anyone - subscribers and non-subscribers can browse m.tivo.com to check TV schedules. Kinda handy to get information on upcoming episodes of The Office from your phone. TiVo subscribers can then schedule recordings or set a Season Pass on their TiVo boxes at home.

Settings by zip code and provider (satellite or cable company) let you customize the schedule.

It is marked as a beta test now, but should be fully released soon.