TiVo unveils new set-top box by Magdalena Rosova

TiVo Inc introduced a brand new television set-top box that besides ordinary program listing allows finding videos from Web outlets such as YouTube. TiVo, famous for awesome digital TV recording, will offer its “Premiere” box this April at starting price $300. The Premiere box will be availabe at Best Buy and Amazon.com. Users of the new TV set will be able to find myriad videos via a single system. TiVo wanted to differentiate itself from digital video recorders (DVR) offered by cable and satellite providers. DVRs are favorite among people for their ability to record shows, pause live TV and skip commercials. DVRs are distributed free by cable companies, bu! t they luck many of TiVo's features. TiVo will offer two models, first one that holds 45 hours of HD content will be available for $300 and the second one that holds 150 hours will cost $500. Providers such as Time Warner or Cablevision have handed out millions of DVRs. Customers of these providers pay a monthly fee, which is cheaper than TiVo's. Analyst James McQuivey thinks that even though TiVo offered more benefits, it was more comfortable for customers to stay with their cable providers. TiVo's new innovation is good for its current customers who can simply upgrade to better version. McQuivey does not expect new customers to join. The new box was built on a flash platform, it uses Adobe Flash software. That means the system can work with related tools and services made by outside developers. TiVo has DVR deals with providers Comcast, RCN Corp, and Virgin Media. RCN is the only provider that will distribute the new boxes this year.

related story (sgx16660): http://www.pcworld.com/article/190644/tivos_new_settop_box_u...

by Magdalena Rosova for SigEx Ventures (http://sigexventures.com)

SigEx Ventures's matrix of properties are quickly becoming leaders in digital telebroadcasting, free content delivery allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, video blogs and SMS. SigEx Ventures invests in projects deploying "free" to add-on royalty revenue models