TiVo Series 3: sans TiVoToGo
p2pnet.net News:- The new TiVo Series 3 for HD is out, but without TiVoToGo, a feature in past versions which allows users to move recorded shows to a computer or other device.
Why?
In Who Killed TiVoToGo?, the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) says it’s all about DRM (digital restrictions management) and it’s an ominous tale for anyone looking forward to high-definition (HD) television.
“When you upgrade to HD TV, you will lose some of your favorite features on other digital devices,” states the EFF’s Derek Slater, the report’s author. “DRM restrictions won’t stop ‘Internet piracy,’ but they will hamper your ability to watch recorded TV content wherever and whenever you choose.”
To satisfy Hollywood’s demands, and because of Digital Millennium Copyright Act’ (DMCA) restrictions on unlocking DRM even for lawful uses, digital cable and satellite providers have to transmit content loaded with DRM and, “innovators like TiVo have to get permission from Hollywood and the TV providers before creating compatible devices,” he states.
TiVo Series 3 HD, “is one of many new devices that replaces your typical cable set-top box by taking advantage of CableCARD technology,” says the report, adding that because TiVo could not get permission to include the TiVoToGo feature in conjunction with CableCARD, the feature was removed.
“Had Hollywood and the TV providers obtained this kind of veto power years ago, the original TiVo might never have been created,” says Slater.
“Remember, Hollywood tried to stamp out DVRs when they first started to become widespread, suing DVR-maker ReplayTV into bankruptcy and comparing commercial-skipping to ’stealing.’ TiVoToGo is the latest casualty in Hollywood’s crusade against new technologies.”
Also See:
EFF – Who Killed TiVoToGo?, October 3, 2006
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October 3rd, 2006 at 4:20 pm
I don’t understand the issue with downloading content to a portable device now that HD is involved. On a small screen it isn’t going to look any different than standard definition.
My guess is that this restriction is about protecting the broadcasters’ new revenue models around selling episodes of their content on DVDs and online outlets like iTunes.
While we’re at it, what happened to the 30 skip easter egg in the series 3. Seems as though that had to go as well. I feel like I’m being hung upsidedown while the broadcasters shake all of the change out of my pockets.
November 30th, 2006 at 3:56 am
The 30 second skip easter egg is still there. TiVoToGo is actually still on the box, it’s just disabled.