It wasn't that long ago that Netflix and TiVo were dating, and then TiVo went and cheated on Netflix with Blockbuster... and now Amazon? The LA Times is reporting that Amazon and TiVo will be testing "Amazon Unbox on TiVo" starting today.
TiVo Chief Executive Tom Rogers said TiVo decided to go with Amazon.com in its new venture because the online retailer had a large customer network and a large catalog of distribution rights, which Netflix couldn't deliver.
The one major advantage of this relationship is that a TiVo is already connected to the TV, while many other services (Netflix, Wal-Mart, iTunes, Cinemanow, etc.) are waiting for a device to connect them to the TV. Tivo, Xbox 360, and MovieBeam are the early leaders in getting movies to the TV, but Apple is expected to join them shortly with the AppleTV.
via PVR Blog.
Hmmm...
I like Amazon, and Tivo definitely provides the set top box that I believe a real download service needs, but I've always been ambivalent about Tivo. Their hardware is closed, and IMO their monthly charge is too high. Once you pay for the hardware, the only service you're getting from Tivo, really, is a channel guide. That really shouldn't cost more than a few dollars a month. To me, the balance of their charge amounts to a box rental fee, and that's so 1980.
I think I'll wait. I'm sure one of emerging services will provide a box without charging a monthly rental fee. Perhaps one of them will even invent a box that isn't a closed system - maybe something I can add MythTV to.
Posted by: gir | February 07, 2007 at 08:22 AM
Imagine if I could use online movies on my DSM-320 (medialounge by d-link). Up till now the only videos you can actually play on the media lounge are obtained illegally. Any service that allows pay-per-download and what-not locks down their files so tight that you can't use it with a media reciever. This, of course, is choking the growth of the media reciever industry, I feel.
Posted by: FredFredrickson | February 07, 2007 at 09:50 AM
I'm disappointed with this. I really wanted Netflix and Tivo to marry. But I'll keep an open mind on this and see what happens.
Posted by: Lamarr Wilson | February 07, 2007 at 11:27 PM