Comments on: TiVo TVNZ and Telecom = Trouble

By: BillC

BillC — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:46:47 +0000

One thing that will help TiVo die is the lousy service by their helpdesk. I have a TiVo remote control that clearly needs fixing or replacing. The helpdesk is coming back with all sorts of rubish – none of which helps resolve the problem. The remote is barely useable and with TiVo so complicated already, I dare not try to train any of my family to use it till it is fixed.

By: TiVo TVNZ and Telecom = Trouble « Ben.geek.nz Forums

TiVo TVNZ and Telecom = Trouble « Ben.geek.nz Forums — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:06:38 +0000

[...] TiVo TVNZ and Telecom = TroubleFollow me on Twitter Posted 6 months ago # [...]

By: RA

RA — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:44:27 +0000

You Don’t Need a TiVo Anymore… It’s dying elsewhere. Why even bother?

http://gizmodo.com/5413053/you-dont-need-a-tivo-anymore

http://gizmodo.com/5412735/tivo-is-slowly-dying

Trust Telecom to jump on yesteryear’s bandwagon!

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:25:38 +0000

Thanks for the clarification Dylan. I’m waiting for a reply from Telecom (and a couple of other ISPs) about where the CASPA data is being blocked.

By: Dylan Reeve

Dylan Reeve — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:01:00 +0000

The on-demand features of TiVo are not just zerorated for Telecom customers, they are exclusive to Telecom customers. Even if another ISP decided it wanted to offer non-metered data for TiVo data it’s customers couldn’t access CASPA data.

I have no inside knowledge of the TiVo/Telecom deal at all, but I imagine it goes something like this – TVNZ is not in a position to provide retail for the devices, nor does it want to get involved in consumer finance to offer the device on a simple monthly rate. Also it was very important that the TiVo come to market with a unmetered broadband option, and one that was guaranteed, not something that might go away.

If I were in charge I would have done it very different – work with as many ISPs as possible to set up unmetered peered national data to TiVo content, and engage with national retailer (DSE, Noel Leeming, 100%, etc) to provide retail channel.

As it is I see two failings in the Telecom partnership – Telecom has a terrible retail presence, no one goes to a Telecom store looking to buy AV equipment, unlike everyone in the TV section of a Bond & Bond. And then there’s the exclusivity – as it is, the TiVo is essentially useless without a Telecom broadband connection (certainly not worth $900), if the lockout for other ISPs weren’t in place, at least users could decide if they wanted to pay for that data.

By: Craig Whitmore

Craig Whitmore — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:18:34 +0000

If you want to show your disapointment in TiVo in making the service available fully by Telecom Broadband Customers only then go to : http://www.petitiononline.com/TIVO/

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:39:02 +0000

oh come on guys. It’s about content right. $900 bucks to get the same stuff I can get for free on freeview…don’t think so. Pay per view content. Great! But I can get much larger catalogues through several other channels so $900 bucks for the conveniece of being able to download it straight to my TV? $900 – don’t think so.

All up mySky is easily a better option, there’s loads more content and no upfront fee if you don’t want.

By: Chainsaw

Chainsaw — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:08:32 +0000

So what exactly is Tivo, other than a hard disc recorder? Can it record the Freeview channels?

By: Glen Barnes

Glen Barnes — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:47:53 +0000

@ben Orcon have zero rated TVNZ On Demand downloads so I don’t see why they wouldn’t also offer zero rated TIVO data as well. I would expect TVNZ to sign on other ISP as well if they want to come onboard. It would be in their interest to get as many people as possible watching content over TIVO.

In fact there is probably nothing stopping any ISP just offering free TIVO downlaods even without TVNZ’s involvement. I think you may have jumped the gun on this one but it would be good to hear from TVNZ directly.

By: Owen

Owen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:18:33 +0000

Anything that I can use to order pizza using my TV, then I’m in.