[DDRio]

Charlie said on the chat that the third party contracts (Tivo, UltimateTV) will continue after the merger.

 

[Steve Mehs]

Whats up with DirecTiVos? Philips no longers lists their on their website and I havent seen any in CE stores in a while

 

[John Corn]

Does this mean DDRio is going to become a D* sub?
No mention of the 721 on Charlie Chat last night........

 

[Geronimo]

Well if DTivo and UTV only receive the DTV signal with DSS encryption either they have decided to go with that platform---or an equipment swap is needed.

 

[Chris Freeland]

I suspect that the first new receivers post-merger will be able to use both DSS and DVB encryption, Charlie and RCA have already indicated that duel encryption boxes would be made available. Ultimately it is my belief that DSS will be the ultimate dominant standard because it will be cheaper for the new E* to switch current E* subs to DSS equipment then the other way. However if the New E* does choose to go with DVB, there is no reason that new TIVO and UTV box’s could not be adapted to DVB encryption.

 

[Geronimo]

I will take your word for it! But I have never before heard that conversion was a simple or practical matter. Thanks for the info Chris!

 

[nate_wendt]

The current stock of Tivos is the gen 1 model, and the reason that they are getting scarce is that all of the makers, including Phillips, are gearing up for the launch of the gen 2 model. I am told that this should be available sometime in late summer, though nothing much has been said about the new hardware specs.

 

[AllieVi]

The explanation that the DirecTiVo's are out-of-production for months due to model changeover seems strange. I can't think of a similar situation with any other popular electronic product when an improvement/change is made. As I've mentioned before, I suspect the delay is to allow them to accommodate whatever newer broadcast standard D* and E* are planning. The halt of production of the generation 1 models would be to avoid having to eventually replace them with free upgrades to generation 2 models. I suspect the E* 721 won't be available until it, too, is capable of the newer standard.

 

[John Corn]

AllieVi, I've read where the Series2 TiVo's are showing up now at Best Buys......I haven't seen a thing regarding DirectTiVo's. :shrug:

 

[nate_wendt]

Strange or not, thats what the boys at my distributors tell me. I have also heard the the gen 2 tivos are selling at certain retailers, which also makes me wonder why so long a wait for the D*-tivos.

 

[Guest]

The series 2 standalone are at Best Buy currently. The Series 2 DTIVO doesn't come out until Q3 2002. Philips has stopped making Tivo for Tivo.

 

[spanishannouncetable]

Originally posted by John Corn
AllieVi, I've read where the Series2 TiVo's are showing up now at Best Buys......I haven't seen a thing regarding DirectTiVo's. :shrug:

Directv sent out an official press release about their increased partnership with TiVo, and the scheduled Q3 release of Series II DirecTiVos, a couple of months ago. Here's the link -

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/headline.jsp?id=02_21_2001A

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Welcome Spanishannounce Table :hi:

(I would never want to sit at that table, its the one the wrestlers alwasy go through!)

I get the feeling the sercurity system which will be in place after the merger will be DirecTV's, this way the Tivos and Ultimate TV's can live, plus its been leaked out that the older Dish Receivers can have their security electronicly updated and can use DirecTV's security.

 

[spanishannouncetable]

Recent moves by both providers seem to indicate Directv will be the system of choice should the merger go through.

1) Echostar hires RCA to make receivers which work with either system.
2) Directv's announcement of an even closer partnership with TiVo and upcoming release of Series II DirecTiVos.
3) Charlie Ergan's own positive comments on the future of Tivo and UltimateTV service.

Add to this the bottom-line economic reality of receiver swaps (upgrading as many current E* receivers by download as possible then handing out a few new Directv receivers VS. manufacturing and shipping enough Dish Network receivers to replace 15,000,000 Directv receivers ) makes me feel fairly confident in the future of my DirecTiVos

 

[MarkA]

I think that Charlie has a role to play in the new DirecTV cards. Note - their no longer using CAS by News Corp (Echostar and News Corp aren't exactly friends ). I think he's trying to see if the DSS setup can be made secure enough for his wants, and if it can he's going to use it.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Mark
I think that Charlie has a role to play in the new DirecTV cards. Note - their no longer using CAS by News Corp (Echostar and News Corp aren't exactly friends ). I think he's trying to see if the DSS setup can be made secure enough for his wants, and if it can he's going to use it.

These decisions were already made many many months ago, which would naturally pre-date the deal with RCA. I'd link the DBSForums thread, but they're still down.

This scenario was hotly argued by E* subs at DBSForums for awhile. I'm glad Charlie is now easing out the news to Joe Consumer.

I never heard that older E* receivers could be converted. Tat is interesting, and could be good news for the 6000 owners.