What is TIVO, you ask? That is a major part of the problem, while owners of TIVO are fanatical about it, most of the public still isn't aware of this exciting product and technology. Basically, TIVO is a tapeless VCR, of referred to as DVR (Digital Video Recorder). That's right; video recording with no tape. Video and audio are recorded on a hard drive, similar to a computer hard drive.
However, the innovation, doesn't end there. TIVO also includes an interactive operating system that, when fully activated by payment of a modest monthly subscription fee, allows the user to record and store programs by time, title, and theme. In other words, no more blinking "12:00" - although you can, if you wish, set the TIVO to record by setting the time, TIVO can record your favorite shows, such as "The Sopranos", "SG1", or "Star Trek - Enterprise", just by selecting the title of the show from the menu. You can record once or tell the TIVO to record your show everytime it comes on - no problem, it just looks for the show title. How does it know when shows are on? TIVO periodically downloads an entire television schedule for your particular area by way of its internal modem in the wee hours of the morning when no one is likely to use the phone. If a phone call does come in, the TIVO download is automatically disengaged and resumes when the line is free.
However, the fun still doesn't end there! You are watching the Superbowl and you get interrupted by a phone call or one of the kids. No problem, just start your TIVO recording. Ten minutes later, you can watch what you missed, while the TIVO is still recording the rest of the game!
How can such a product miss? Although, up to this point TIVO has been struggling to gain mass acceptance as a standalone unit, luck may change in 2004 as TIVO has aggressively licensed its technology for use in other products. How about a TIVO combined with DVD Recorder or Satellite box. What about a TIVO than can record HDTV? It's actually here or coming soon. If the strategy TIVO laid out in 2003 comes to fruition, this technology may finally get the acceptance it deserves in 2004. In addition, similar DVR technology from other companies will be incorporated in a host of satellite and cable products in the coming year.
For basic information on TIVO, check out their web site.
There you have it, just a sprinkling of the significant trends for the past year in home theater (I am sure I left something out!). For a complete listing of my home theater and consumer electronics news stories and articles from the past year, check out my Blog Archive. Now, let's take a peek at the upcoming CES (Consumer Electronics Show), which previews consumer electronics products and trends for the coming year.
Continue on the next page: What's Ahead - CES 2004 - by clicking on the link below right.
