Telling quote from Comcast's CEO

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

This quote from Brian Roberts is very insteresting:

said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Customers love
the ease and convenience of our current DVR service, and we look forward to
working with TiVo to enhance that service and offer customers the best-in-
class DVR experience."

The implication is that their current DVR is *not* a "best-in-class"
DVR. Not that it takes more than about 10 seconds of using it for
the thought, "Man, TiVo is way better than *this*!" to come to mind.

-- TRW
_______________________________________
t r w 7
at
i x dot n e t c o m dot c o m
_______________________________________

 

[Sean]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 17:21:47 GMT, trw7at@ixdot.netcomdotcom (Tim
Witort) wrote:

>This quote from Brian Roberts is very insteresting:
>
>said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Customers love
>the ease and convenience of our current DVR service, and we look forward to
>working with TiVo to enhance that service and offer customers the best-in-
>class DVR experience."
>
>The implication is that their current DVR is *not* a "best-in-class"
>DVR. Not that it takes more than about 10 seconds of using it for
>the thought, "Man, TiVo is way better than *this*!" to come to mind.
>
>-- TRW
>_______________________________________
>t r w 7
>at
>i x dot n e t c o m dot c o m
>_______________________________________


After 2 years of development they had better come up with something
better than they have now. God knows the existing Cable Tivo is worse
than the Comcast cable product.

Sean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Sean" <none> wrote in message
news:lkug31pvpmcjfu7auest1hvoth2ndb886e@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 17:21:47 GMT, trw7at@ixdot.netcomdotcom (Tim
> Witort) wrote:
>
SNIP

> After 2 years of development they had better come up with something
> better than they have now. God knows the existing Cable Tivo is worse
> than the Comcast cable product.
>
> Sean

What Cable Tivo?

TC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Tim Witort" <trw7at@ixdot.netcomdotcom> wrote in message
news:Xns961B5FBCDCABtimwitortwrotethis@207.217.125.201...
> This quote from Brian Roberts is very insteresting:
>
> said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Customers love
> the ease and convenience of our current DVR service, and we look forward
> to
> working with TiVo to enhance that service and offer customers the best-in-
> class DVR experience."
>
> The implication is that their current DVR is *not* a "best-in-class"
> DVR. Not that it takes more than about 10 seconds of using it for
> the thought, "Man, TiVo is way better than *this*!" to come to mind.
>
> -- TRW


Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while viewing
another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone Tivo makes
this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly Digital which
Tivo doesn't deliver today.

So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
DVR?

Cheers
TC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
> from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while viewing
> another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone Tivo makes
> this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly Digital which
> Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>
> So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
> DVR?

In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the
comcast deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)

Randy S.

 

[Sean]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 04:59:17 GMT, "Tony Clark"
<curiousgeorge1964@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>"Sean" <none> wrote in message
>news:lkug31pvpmcjfu7auest1hvoth2ndb886e@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 17:21:47 GMT, trw7at@ixdot.netcomdotcom (Tim
>> Witort) wrote:
>>
>SNIP
>
>> After 2 years of development they had better come up with something
>> better than they have now. God knows the existing Cable Tivo is worse
>> than the Comcast cable product.
>>
>> Sean
>
>What Cable Tivo?
>
>TC
>
The stand alone Tivo, which is the only option at this point fopr
Cable customers.

Sean

 

[Sean]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 08:29:19 -0500, "Randy S."
<rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:

>
>> Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
>> from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while viewing
>> another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone Tivo makes
>> this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly Digital which
>> Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>>
>> So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
>> DVR?
>
>In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
>Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the
>comcast deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)
>
>Randy S.


Let me translate Randy's comment for you.

In a word? Reduced functionality.

OK, that's 2 words but this is Randy we're talking about. He won't
know the difference.

Randy is splitting hairs on this. Pretending that all Tivo has to do
to get HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1 + on demand is call up a hardware
manufacturer and ask them to upgrade the hardware.

That's just nonsense but remember, this is Randy we're talking about.

All the featutures you mentioned are real advantages of the hardware +
software delived by Comcast.

Stand alone Tivo's are in the dark ages in comparison.

Sean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Tony Clark seemed to utter in
news:uht_d.11654$oO4.9714@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:

>
> "Tim Witort" <trw7at@ixdot.netcomdotcom> wrote in message
> news:Xns961B5FBCDCABtimwitortwrotethis@207.217.125.201...
>> This quote from Brian Roberts is very insteresting:
>>
>> said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Customers
>> love the ease and convenience of our current DVR service, and we look
>> forward to working with TiVo to enhance that service and offer
>> customers the best-in- class DVR experience."
>>
>> The implication is that their current DVR is *not* a "best-in-class"
>> DVR. Not that it takes more than about 10 seconds of using it for
>> the thought, "Man, TiVo is way better than *this*!" to come to mind.
>>
>> -- TRW
>
>
> Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at
> one from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while
> viewing another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a
> standalone Tivo makes this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD
> and Dobly Digital which Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>
> So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a
> cable DVR?

Well, I have a DirecTiVo, not a standard TiVo. So I can record one
show while watching another live or record two shows while watching
a third recorded show. It also records Dolby Digital if the show is
broadcast with that by DirecTV.

The cable DVR that my friend just got has a clunky, confusing,
awkward, ugly user interface. Both DVRs put shows on the hard
disk, but the user interface is what you interract with
day in and day out. Using a TiVo then using a cable DVR is like
going from Windows XP back to Windows 3.0.

-- TRW
_______________________________________
t r w 7
at
i x dot n e t c o m dot c o m
_______________________________________

 

[john]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Sean wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 08:29:19 -0500, "Randy S."
> <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>>Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
>>>from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while viewing
>>>another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone Tivo makes
>>>this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly Digital which
>>>Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>>>
>>>So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
>>>DVR?
>>
>>In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
>>Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the
>>comcast deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)
>>
>>Randy S.
>
>
>
> Let me translate Randy's comment for you.
>
> In a word? Reduced functionality.
>
> OK, that's 2 words but this is Randy we're talking about. He won't
> know the difference.
>
> Randy is splitting hairs on this. Pretending that all Tivo has to do
> to get HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1 + on demand is call up a hardware
> manufacturer and ask them to upgrade the hardware.
>
> That's just nonsense but remember, this is Randy we're talking about.
>
> All the featutures you mentioned are real advantages of the hardware +
> software delived by Comcast.
>
> Stand alone Tivo's are in the dark ages in comparison.
>
> Sean

As usual, Sean has it all backwards. The Comcast DVR has greatly
*reduced* functionality vs. a standalone TiVo. TiVo has already
demonstrated software that supports HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1, etc., so
there's no problem there; meanwhile, Comcast (or whoever is writing
their software) remains oriented toward a VCR-like functionality (only
rudimentary search facilities, time-slot recording instead of finding
your programs for you, etc.). As Randy points out, now Comcast will
have access to TiVo's superior DVR software, which will be a win for
both companies.

- John

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Randy S." <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote in message
news:d1el3f$1eu8$2@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
>
>> Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
>> from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while
>> viewing another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone
>> Tivo makes this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly
>> Digital which Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>>
>> So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
>> DVR?
>
> In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
> Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the comcast
> deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)
>
> Randy S.

I agree that the future looks bright with Tivo combined with better
hardware. Still, while there are lots of things I like about Tivo features
like HD, dual tuners and Dolby Digital are hard to pass up. When it's all
said and done can't I simply record a series of programs on the Comcast DVR
just like Tivo? Is the software really that horrendous? Perhaps some
specific examples of where the Comcast SW is lacking?

Cheers
TC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Sean" <none> wrote in message
news:932m31d92km39ghe07i8ge4gvi5usfafaf@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 08:29:19 -0500, "Randy S."
> <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
SNIP

>
> Randy is splitting hairs on this. Pretending that all Tivo has to do
> to get HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1 + on demand is call up a hardware
> manufacturer and ask them to upgrade the hardware.
>

As I understand it Tivo can do some of these already. Certainly on Satellite
Tivo there are dual tuners and I belive Dolby 5.1. I thought I heard mention
of an HD Tivo too, although I hear it's quite costly.

> That's just nonsense but remember, this is Randy we're talking about.
>
> All the featutures you mentioned are real advantages of the hardware +
> software delived by Comcast.
>
> Stand alone Tivo's are in the dark ages in comparison.
>
Certainly Tivo is not leading edge with respect to HD and Dolby but then
again I suspect the current percentage of Cable subscribers today can't use
those features anyway. From what I am reading in this newsgroup it doesn't
sound like the Comcast DVR is leading edge in software functionality either.

TC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> I agree that the future looks bright with Tivo combined with better
> hardware. Still, while there are lots of things I like about Tivo features
> like HD, dual tuners and Dolby Digital are hard to pass up. When it's all
> said and done can't I simply record a series of programs on the Comcast DVR
> just like Tivo? Is the software really that horrendous? Perhaps some
> specific examples of where the Comcast SW is lacking?
>
> Cheers
> TC

I haven't used one, so I'm not a reliable source, but I can relay some
things I've heard. They tend to fall into 2 groups, features (lack of)
and bugs.

Tivo's wishlists and search functions are much more powerful and
flexible than the Cable DVR's, and the overall interface is much more
intuitive. Others can probably fill in more specifics.

Reportedly the Cable DVR's have bad habits of not recording when they
were supposed to, or only recording a portion of a show. Apparently the
will also sometimes delete shows unexpectedly.

But again, this is all hearsay, mainly because I'm not willing to double
my cable bill just to be able to try one out.

Randy S.

 

[john]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Tony Clark wrote:
> "Randy S." <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:d1el3f$1eu8$2@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
>
>>>Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
>>>from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while
>>>viewing another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone
>>>Tivo makes this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly
>>>Digital which Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>>>
>>>So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
>>>DVR?
>>
>>In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
>>Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the comcast
>>deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)
>>
>>Randy S.
>
>
> I agree that the future looks bright with Tivo combined with better
> hardware. Still, while there are lots of things I like about Tivo features
> like HD, dual tuners and Dolby Digital are hard to pass up. When it's all
> said and done can't I simply record a series of programs on the Comcast DVR
> just like Tivo? Is the software really that horrendous? Perhaps some
> specific examples of where the Comcast SW is lacking?
>
> Cheers
> TC
>
>
I have both. The Comcast DVR tends to be pretty reliable and, of
course, records HD while my standalone TiVo does not. *However*, the
software leaves much to be desired. For example, there is no such thing
as a Season Pass; rather, you simply select a time slot and a repeat
pattern and hope the networks don't move the shows. For instance, I had
selected one of my favorite comedies to record every Saturday night at
10:00PM. When the local PBS station started their semi-yearly pledge
drive, there were other programs scheduled during this slot, but the DVR
"obediently" recorded *whatever* was being shown from 10-10:30PM and I
got some horrid Lawrence Welk "special". My standalone TiVo caught the
unusual programming and did not record at this time. . .but caught the
show when it came back on a couple of weeks later. Likewise, the DVR
has no Wishlist functionality (i.e., you can't input the name of a
movie, actor, director, whatever and have the unit record shows matching
your search criteria like you can on TiVo). The interface is also
*much* more primitive than TiVo's, hardly more than a grid you must
navigate to find the shows you want.

TiVo is simply much more elegant - the combo of the Comcast DVR and the
TiVo software should be dynamite!

- John

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> I have both. The Comcast DVR tends to be pretty reliable and, of
> course, records HD while my standalone TiVo does not. *However*, the
> software leaves much to be desired. For example, there is no such thing
> as a Season Pass; rather, you simply select a time slot and a repeat
> pattern and hope the networks don't move the shows.

Whoa, I didn't know that! The season pass functionality of the Tivo is
one of my favorite things about it. If the Comcast DVR can't do that
(and recording a time slot isn't even close), I wouldn't even consider
it (except for a backup to record HD, like you do). I *love* not having
to worry about *when* a show is on, or if it's preempted. And some
shows I couldn't even watch without it. For instance, I find Scrubs
fairly amusing, but NBC seems to change its air time every week. I had
given up even trying to find it before I had the Tivo, but now I don't
have to even think about it!

If Sean really think that Comcast's software is superior, he seriously
needs his head examined.

>
> TiVo is simply much more elegant - the combo of the Comcast DVR and the
> TiVo software should be dynamite!

I would agree with some that HD is a bit ahead of the curve, but it
certainly would be nice to have that capability, along with digital
sound (for those of us not on Directv). And I do run into conflicts
sometimes where dual tuners would be helpful. I hope that Cox gets
jealous of Comcast and makes a deal as well.

Randy S.

 

[Sean]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 21:09:29 GMT, John <none.ya@biz.com> wrote:

>Sean wrote:
>> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 08:29:19 -0500, "Randy S."
>> <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>Can you give specifics? I haven't used a cable DVR but am looking at one
>>>>from Comcast. One of the attractions is being able to record while viewing
>>>>another channel. Other benefits are On-Demand, using a standalone Tivo makes
>>>>this a bit difficult to access, and of course HD and Dobly Digital which
>>>>Tivo doesn't deliver today.
>>>>
>>>>So what is it that makes stand alone Tivo with cable better than a cable
>>>>DVR?
>>>
>>>In a word? Software. I don't think there's any question that the newer
>>>Cable DVR's have some hardware benefits. That's the beauty of the
>>>comcast deal, eventually you can have both! ;-)
>>>
>>>Randy S.
>>
>>
>>
>> Let me translate Randy's comment for you.
>>
>> In a word? Reduced functionality.
>>
>> OK, that's 2 words but this is Randy we're talking about. He won't
>> know the difference.
>>
>> Randy is splitting hairs on this. Pretending that all Tivo has to do
>> to get HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1 + on demand is call up a hardware
>> manufacturer and ask them to upgrade the hardware.
>>
>> That's just nonsense but remember, this is Randy we're talking about.
>>
>> All the featutures you mentioned are real advantages of the hardware +
>> software delived by Comcast.
>>
>> Stand alone Tivo's are in the dark ages in comparison.
>>
>> Sean
>
>As usual, Sean has it all backwards. The Comcast DVR has greatly
>*reduced* functionality vs. a standalone TiVo. TiVo has already
>demonstrated software that supports HD, 2 tuners, Dolby 5.1, etc., so
>there's no problem there; meanwhile, Comcast (or whoever is writing
>their software) remains oriented toward a VCR-like functionality (only
>rudimentary search facilities, time-slot recording instead of finding
>your programs for you, etc.). As Randy points out, now Comcast will
>have access to TiVo's superior DVR software, which will be a win for
>both companies.
>
>- John

Right.

The Tivo I own has zero functionality. It's sitting in my closet
while I use the Comcast DVR to watch HD with full Dolby and 2 tuners.

Point me to the Cable Tivo that can do that or you;re just another
Tivo Rumpswab.

Sean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 11:46:00 -0500, Sean wrote:

> The Tivo I own has zero functionality. It's sitting in my closet

It does not have zero functionality, you are simply not using it.

It may have zero 'utility' for you at present, but it's still miles more
'functional' than anything with a "Scientific Atlanta" or "Motorola"
namebrand on it.

--
Lenroc

 

[Sean]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 08:30:38 -0500, "Randy S."
<rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:

>I haven't used one, so I'm not a reliable source,

No truer words were ever written.

But don't let that stop you from spewing nonsense.

Sean

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Tony Clark <curiousgeorge1964@hotmail.com> wrote:
[...]
> Certainly Tivo is not leading edge with respect to HD and Dolby but
> then again I suspect the current percentage of Cable subscribers today
> can't use those features anyway. From what I am reading in this
> newsgroup it doesn't sound like the Comcast DVR is leading edge in
> software functionality either.

TiVo's satellite boxes support HD, Dolby, dual-tuners, etc. The only
reason you can't buy a cable-enabled TiVo today with all those features is
the cable companies.

Until the FCC rammed CableCARD down the throats of the cable companies,
there was zero chance of ever seeing a standalone TiVo that could natively
record digital cable (HD or SD). This was because the cable companies
insisted on using proprietary equipment so they could rent you a set-top
box and maintain control.

Unfortunately, CableCARD isn't a complete standard yet. The current
approved/mandated standard doesn't allow for interactivity (cable company
channel guide, pay per view, video on demand or the still unproven concept
of interactive TV). TiVo probably should have had a first-gen CableCARD-
compatible standalone TiVo on the market by now, but it seems they decided
to pursue getting a cable provider deal (Comcast) while they waited for
the updated CableCARD standard to be hammered out (that's taking forever
and consumer electronics manufacturers are accusing the cable companies of
dragging the process out unnecessarily).

So, to recap: TiVo's software can easily handle HD, Dolby Digital, two
tuners, etc. They don't yet have a cable-compatible box with those
features is because until recently, it wasn't even remotely possible for
there to be such a box. If they had released such a box by now, it
wouldn't be as functional as a box built specifically for Comcast, nor
would it be as functional as one created for the eventual (but still
non-existent) second-generation CableCARD standard.

In short, Sean's a jackass fighting against strawmen. But we already knew
that.

--Paul
** Note "removemunged" in email address and remove to reply. **

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 01:38:50 +0000, John wrote:

> Sean, I *have* the Comcast DVR - it does *not* have the functionality you
> claim.

At times like this, it may be helpful to remember that the Comcast DVR is
so immature that they have different versions in different markets.

Maybe once they work out the bugs, they'll roll out a single version
nationwide.

--
Lenroc

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Once upon a time, Sean <none> said:
>You can if you have a friggin thousand dollars to piss away for
>something that will not handle the new sattelites DTV is putting up
>soon.

Since I'm in (IIRC) the 86th sized market, those new satellites won't be
carrying anything I can get for a long time to come. The DirecTV HD DVR
can be had for a good bit less than $1000 as well. With Comcast, I'd
have to spend at least $20-25 more per month to equal my current DirecTV
service; I can buy the DirecTV HD DVR and come out ahead by the time it
needs replacing to get new channels (and I am pretty confident that
DirecTV will offer some type of trade-in or incentive on the upgrade).

Also, given some of the weird problems local people are seeing with
cable-based HD DVRs, I sure wouldn't spend a dime on one of them.
--
Chris Adams <cmadams@hiwaay.net>
Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.