Comments on: TiVo Netflix HD hands-on

By: Blu-ray player’s sales up 13%, which is modest, I guess

Blu-ray player’s sales up 13%, which is modest, I guess — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:31:49 +0000

[...] local cinema. But I’m totally content with the HD picture that streaming media services like Netflix and Vudu offer. The point and click convenience is so much more satisfying that a higher quality [...]

By: Netflix is coming Sony Bravia HDTVs

Netflix is coming Sony Bravia HDTVs — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:07:41 +0000

[...] Link Module. Netflix was everywhere in 2008. It worked out deals with Microsoft for the Xbox 360, TiVo, Samsung, Lg, and many others, but today’s news is likely one of the most important [...]

By: Darin Loertscher

Darin Loertscher — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:13:42 +0000

Good points made, just want to add that you can also watch netflix HD on your xbox 360 if you have xbox live. Because I just purchased a TiVo HD I’ll be canceling my xbox live subscription. Who has time to watch so much great TV AND play games online?

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:58:07 +0000

The problem is not SD vs. HD, it is the codec. TiVo has no choice. Netflix uses the VC-1 codec for all of their streaming, SD and HD. The TiVo Series2 cannot decode VC-1, it lacks the hardware. It will never be compatible, period. Only the Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL have hardware that can decoded VC-1. So there was no decision not to support the Series2, it wasn’t even an option.

You can always pick up the $99 Roku box to get Netflix on your TV.

By: webonics

webonics — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:23:03 +0000

TiVo should make this service available to all customers despite the TiVo box. HD-quality should only be available to those boxes equipped to handle that content. But most Netflix content is not in HD and therefore could be viewed on any of the TiVo hardware.

I have a Series 2 so I will not get to enjoy this service despite my subscription to both services. And in an economic downturn like this, purchasing/upgrading to a higher-end box is the last thing on my list. And so, I’ll just have to continue to stream my NetFlix movies via my computer. (Although, I hope they get the native Mac app for NetFlix streaming out soon.)

Its a good idea for both companies but TiVo seems to have missed the mark a bit since the majority of their customer base is on a Series 2 and most of their revenue comes from the service rather than the hardware sale.

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:26:08 +0000

At least two of the things you mentioned – 720p vs. 1080p and selection – are completely out of TiVo’s control. Those are determined by Netflix. All Netflix HD streaming is 720p, they don’t have 1080p available at all. 1080p requires 2.5x the bandwidth of 720p for the same image quality. Otherwise you have to compress 1080p *more* to get it into the pipe, and the end result is a *lower* quality image and viewing experience. You’re better off with a higher quality 720p signal and a good upscaler (and the one in the TiVo is pretty good) than a lower quality 1080p signal compressed to hell and back.

As for flagging content as HD or not, I don’t know if that’s in TiVo’s power or is also controlled by Netflix. If there is some DB flag to identify HD content TiVo could use that to toggle a UI element.

By: William Higgins

William Higgins — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:18:16 +0000

I got the Fall Update this weekend but no Netflix. I assume they just turned it on this morning or they are staggering the roll-out to TiVo users. I can’t wait to try it out. This will be a huge win for TiVo!