Tretakoff Musings

Few brands inspire warm and fuzzy feelings in me. Of the ones that do, it's because they have the capacity to surprise and delight me with delicious unexpected gifts at the most opportune times. And I'm happy to say, one just has. Tivo, whose service I have awaited with endless frustration to come onto my behemoth of a clunker Comcast DVR, has just released TivoHD. Yes, there had been a Tivo HD DVR before....for the ungodly price of $1,000 (fell to $700). Instead, I was driven into the arms of that cheap tramp from Comcast, who promised me a "good (HD) time" for less than $20 a month. Well, as you might expect, I walked away with an empty feeling, pining for the luxury that was my Tivo, but knowing I was not willing to fork over the asking price. Today, the sensuality of my lovely Tivo in glorious two tuner HD, with Amazon Unbox service and web-based programming, can be had for three precious Jacksons , 70% less than before. Caveat: you have to argue with Comcast to w...

With the unbelievable noise that is the iPhone, an important news item slipped out unnoticed, except by the good folks at Ars Technica: Tivo is FINALLY coming to the Comcast DVR's, over a year after it was first announced. The best part of this is this quote: "Comcast DVRs based on the TiVo software should be ready in select areas as early as August." Comcast, I'm hereby DEMANDING I be in one of those select areas. I want my Tivo Comcast DVR before Heroes and Lost start again! Our long national cable nightmare for cheap(er) DVR's may finally be on the verge of ending.

So close, I can almost taste it. Today, at CES, Comcast finally demo'ed Tivo on their DVR. As I have this miserable piece of crap excuse for a box, with it's sluggish UI and hit or miss recording ability, I miss my Tivo every day. Will I be willing to pay a few bucks more a month for Tivo's UI, reliability, and great features on my already bloated Comcast box? YES. Now, when's the date? Rumor is, I'll be able to update the existing box instead of getting a new one. Seems unlikely, as Tivo's Thumbs Up/Down buttons aren't on the Comcast remote. Still, I'll keep you posted!