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The series 1 TiVo doesn't have the hardware capabilities to do this.

-No USB ports. You can crack the case and shove an expensive 10mbps NIC in there, but no manufacturer would ever want you to do that.

-It has a very slow processor. The processor in the Series 1 is slower and a different architecture than the series 2. Even if TiVo recompiled their software to work with the S1, it would slow the TiVo down so much that it would be unbearable.



The real annoyance is that this won't ever reach DirecTV users. My series 2 is exactly the same as any other series 2 Standalone TiVo except for the fact that it has two sat tuners in it, and runs a lower software version because DirecTV refuses to release the newer software to us.

If you honestly think this is the same as downloading a torrent of your favorite show, you are a fool. TiVo is a subcription based service, and I'm sure IFC gets paid for allowing the downloads.

i pay for my internet, and my cable tv. so what if you download a tv show off a torrent or you download it off TiVo... it's BS. and ya, im sure tv shows will get royalties.

No, your argument is BS. What you pay for your internet hasn't a thing to do with downloading TV shows. I pay for car insurance but that doesn't mean I can drive to a store and walk out without paying for stuff. As far as paying for cable TV, you're quite free to record any show you like, but that does not mean you can also download shows off the internet.

I think what he's saying is that if I pay for cable TV, especially something like HBO, I should be able to download Real Time with Bill Maher and other TV shows that air on HBO.

The problem really isn't that I'm not allowed to download those shows, it's that you (and I) are not allowed to *share* those shows, because then you're giving people who haven't paid for them access.

Of course, if HBO were smart they'd let subscribers download whatever they wanted.

Then there's the completely different issue of advert-based shows. Do the downloads contain the advertisements? If so, then I'd say you've got a tough argument against them. However, if (as is common) the commercials are stripped out - then you get into to difficult territory.

Of course you can always fast-forward the commercials. But you can do that with a DVR box or even a VCR if you wanted to.

I don't think there are any clear answers as to what's right and wrong... And I don't think the TV studios are smart enough to figure it out without a long, drawn out and painful learning process.

Aside from news programs, there are very specific TV shows that I want to watch. Those include Stargate SG1 and Atlantis, Top Gear, USA's "The 4400", Family Guy and American Dad.

If I could pay a small subscription fee for each of those and download the episodes in a clean, HD format (without any *cumbersome* DRM), I would gladly do it. The cable companies wouldn't like it (although they're still getting my broadband money), but the TV studios could go directly to the consumer - drop the advertising model - and make a killing whilst providing me a better service.

The real trick is to make the first several episodes of a season completely free. At least 2 or 3 of them. Then charge a subscription or even a Per-Season fee. Something like you'd pay for the DVD set. Except they don't need to market through stores, stamp discs, or anything like that... just buy a server.

It's coming, might be a long time yet but it will get here. Someday you'll be able to choose from an entire library of old shows and movies and pick which one you want to watch, when you want.

Actually its here...In Florida. I can select from thousands of diffrent show via On-Demand. For example, I can select any of the HBO's that played today, or watch guitar lessons...

Haha, that's not specific to Florida We had that in NY years ago, and it's here in Washington too.

But it's not the same... it's streamed, not downloadable. And the library changes all the time. I can't go through and watch any episode of Stargate ever, for example.

And most cable companies charge you extra fees for OnDemand access to HBO, even if you're an HBO subscriber.

DirecTV users will NEVER have this. We can't even share files between multiple TiVos in our homes. DirecTV's content providers won't allow it.

Last edited by 47827 on 15 Aug 2005 - 00:16

What about Dish Network? I was thinking about getting something like TiVo for mine (though I'm leaning more towards a Panasonic DVR now).

Directv is dumping tivo soon enough going to make thier own software for thier own boxes...

Still though they will down the road implement this someday but not as a tivo.

And don't get me wrong i love tivo, its their software that makes the box great... try using another dvr after using a tivo these days, you will be pissed off...

I just bought a HD DVR Tivo, yesterday form directv... might as well get it while it lasts :/