Time Warner supports what it was against

[Jacob S]

Time Warner was against this PVR thing saying we steal commercials on the satellite systems, and then here they come out with an announcement saying that they are coming out with a PVR unit for their cable system. Whats the difference in having PVR on a cable system than a satellite system?

[ramcm7]

Although recently postponed, I believe TW Cable is being spun off via IPO, and thus will no longer be part of AOLTW. I always felt that TW Cable (delivery method) was out of line with the desired focus of the rest of their business (content.)

[AllieVi]

Originally posted by Jacob S
Time Warner was against this PVR thing saying we steal commercials on the satellite systems, and then here they come out with an announcement saying that they are coming out with a PVR unit for their cable system. Whats the difference in having PVR on a cable system than a satellite system?
I suppose it depends on what features are included in the PVR TW offers. Since commercial-skipping is the issue, you may not find that capability on their units. I expect PVR's to be a very popular item as more people learn of their capabilities. TW would be shooting itself in the foot if it didn't have an offering.

[James_F]

As was posted here a couple months ago...

http://www.cox.com/Future/pvr.asp

or

http://www.sciatl.com/news/02may06-3.htm

or

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/customers/prod_sub_PVR.htm

Seems like cable is finally going to use their bandwith... If I could have HDTV, PVR and NFL ST... I'd be a Cox customer.... :shrug:

[Steve Mehs]

No matter what TW or any of the other divisions of AOL-TW does or gives me, they will never see another dime from me, except for paying indirectly for the CNN and Turner channels I never watch on E*.

[RichW]

Its not unusual for a large company to have differences among divisions as to industry standards and laws. For example, when I was working for Motorola in the late 60s, my job was to identify technical issues in using UHF channels 14-20 and 70-83 for non broadcast TV.

Meanwhile, our consumer division, which made TVs, was part of the Consumer Electronic Industies Association which opposed my work.

[Jacob S]

I suppose we will NOT have to worry about them talking against the PVR units any longer. Has there been anymore word of them opposing the PVR units since they announced what they did about using them for their own cable systems?

I guess they decided that if you cant beat them, use them.

[James_F]

As long as you can't skip commercials, they don't seem to care. I think we are about to see an explosion of PVRs when cable companies start offering them. Thats a good thing for all comsumers... :D

[Jacob S]

Hopefully they will make the product better, cheaper, and widely available with more features.

If TW uses PVR's then how can they have it not do the commercial skip? Have the manufacturer prevent the unit from doing so? Will the customers get into trouble if they hack it and allow it to skip commercials?

[James_F]

Well I'm sure they'll have fast forward. Thats good enough for me....