TiVo digital video recorders

TiVo digital video recorders encompass a number of digital video recorder (DVR) models that TiVo, Inc. designed. Features may vary, but a common feature is that all of the units listed here require TiVo service and use its operating system.

TiVo units have been manufactured by various OEMs, including Philips, Sony, Pioneer, Toshiba, and Humax. Cisco Systems and Samsung joined forces with pay TV Provider Virgin Media (UK-only) to create the Virgin Media TiVo box. The OEMs license the software from TiVo Inc.

To date, there have been six "series" of TiVo units produced, with the sixth series, the Bolt, released in October 2015.

TiVo DVR models

Series1

TypeManufacturerModelCapacityNotes
HoursGB
StandalonePhilipsHDR1101414First model, March 31, 1999
HDR1121414
HDR2122022
HDR31030
HDR312302x14
HDR31201
HDR31202
HDR31203
HDR31204
3030
HDR612602x30
SonySVR20003030Custom remote control RMT-V303
ThomsonPVR10UK402x20UK-only, uses SCART input/output
DirecTVPhilipsDSR60003540
SonySat-T603540Custom remote control RM-Y809
HughesGXCEBOT3540

The Series1 (retronym) was the original TiVo digital video recorder.

Series1 TiVo systems are based on PowerPC processors connected to MPEG-2 encoder/decoder chips and IDE/ATA hard drives. Series1 TiVo units used one or two drives of 13–60 GB. Although not supported by TiVo or equipment manufacturers, larger drives can be added.

Series1 standalone

All standalone TiVo systems have coax/RF-in and an internal cable-ready tuner, analog video input—composite/RCA, and S-Video—for use with an external cable box or satellite receiver. The TiVo unit can use a serial cable or IR blasters to control the external receiver. They have coax/RF, composite/RCA, and S-Video output, and the DVD systems also have component out. Audio is RCA stereo, and the DVD systems also have digital optical out.

Series1 DirecTV

Some TiVo systems are integrated with DirecTV receivers. These "DirecTiVo" recorders record the incoming satellite MPEG-2 digital stream directly to the hard disk without conversion. Because of this, and the fact that they have two tuners, DirecTiVos are able to record two programs at once. In addition, the lack of digital conversion allows recorded video to be of the same quality as live video. DirecTiVos have no MPEG encoder chip, and can only record DirecTV streams.

Series1 End of Life

TiVo has upgraded the data associated with all the shows and movies on TiVo DVRs to provide more accurate program information to subscribers. Unfortunately, Series1 DVRs cannot use this new guide data. Series1 DVRs will receive their final guide update on 9/15/2016 and will no longer be able to create any new recordings from the program guide after 9/29/2016. Customers will continue to be able to access any existing recordings on the DVR and will be able to create manual recordings, but Series1 DVRs will no longer receive guide data.[1]

Series2

TypeManufacturerModelCapacityNotes
HoursGB
StandaloneTiVo/AT&TTCD1300404040USB 1.1
TCD2300404040
TiVoTCD2300404040
TCD2400404040
TCD24004A4040
TCD5400404040
TCD1400606060USB 1.1
TCD2400808080
TCD24008A8080
TCD540080
TCD542080
8080
TCD240140140120
TCD540140140120
TCD6490808080Dual-tuner
TCD649180180160Dual-tuner
PioneerDVR-810H8080DVD Recorder
DVR-57H120120DVD Recorder
ToshibaSD-H4008080DVD Player
RS-TX20120120DVD Recorder
RS-TX60160160DVD Recorder
HumaxT8008080
T2500300250
DRT4004040DVD Recorder
DRT8008080DVD Recorder
SonySVR30008080
DirecTVHughesHDVR23540
HDVR33540
SD-DVR403540
SD-DVR807080
SD-DVR120100120
PhilipsDSR70003540
DSR7043540
DSR7087080
RCADVR393540
DVR403540
DVR807080
SamsungSIR-S4040R3540
SIR-S4080R7080
SIR-S4120R100120
DirecTVR107080
HR10-250200250High definition, both satellite and terrestrial (OTA ATSC tuner)
Front view of a Series2 TCD540040 TiVo unit
Back view of a Series2 TCD540040 TiVo unit

The Series2 was a complete redesign of the TiVo hardware. It includes USB ports (for Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters), a new CPU, and more RAM. The availability of network connectivity has spread to the software side, where new features like TiVoToGo and Home Media Engine applications are now supported.

Series2 TiVo systems are based on MIPS processors connected to MPEG-2 encoder/decoder chips and high-capacity IDE/ATA hard drives. Current Series2 units have drives of 40–250GB in size. Although not supported by TiVo or equipment manufacturers, larger drives can be added.

Series2 standalone

All standalone TiVo systems have coax/RF-in and an internal cable-ready tuner, analog video input—composite/RCA, and S-Video—for use with an external cable box or satellite receiver. The TiVo unit can use a serial cable or IR blasters to control the external receiver. They have coax/RF, composite/RCA, and S-Video output, and the DVD systems also have component out. Audio is RCA stereo, and the DVD systems also have digital optical out. The Series2 systems also have USB ports, currently used only to support network (wired Ethernet and WiFi) adapters. The early Series2 units, models starting with 110/130/140, have USB 1.1 hardware, while all other systems have USB 2.0.

Some models manufactured by Toshiba, Pioneer, and Humax, under license from TiVo, contain DVD-R/RW drives. The models can transfer recordings from the built-in hard drive to DVD Video-compliant discs, playable in most modern DVD systems. The video encoding on these models was modified to match the DVD standard so transferring to DVD does not require transcoding.

The Series2 standalones can only tune analog signals, so to comply with FCC rules on analog TV phaseout, models that record from over-the-air channels are no longer sold. The dual tuner (DT) models and the TCD542 (a revision of the TCD540) will only record from cable and satellite sources.

Series2 DirecTV

Some TiVo systems are integrated with DirecTV receivers. These "DirecTiVo" recorders record the incoming satellite MPEG-2 digital stream directly to hard disk without conversion. Because of this and the fact that they have two tuners, DirecTiVos are able to record two programs at once. In addition, the lack of digital conversion allows recorded video to be of the same quality as live video. DirecTiVos have no MPEG encoder chip, and can only record DirecTV streams. However, DirecTV has disabled the networking capabilities on their systems, meaning DirecTiVo does not offer such features as multi-room viewing or TiVoToGo. Only the standalone systems can be networked without additional unsupported hacking.

The HR10-250 DirecTiVo units can also record HDTV to a 250GB hard drive, both from the DirecTV stream and over-the-air via a standard UHF- or VHF-capable antenna. They have four tuners (two DirecTV and two ATSC over-the-air) and, like the original DirecTiVo, can record two programs at once; further, the program guide is integrated between over-the-air and DirecTV so that all programs can be recorded and viewed in the same manner. Recording capacity is variable, up to 30 HD or 200 SD hours.

On July 8, 2006, DirecTV announced an upgrade to version 6.3 of the TiVo software for the HR10-250, the first major upgrade since this unit was released.[5] This upgrade includes features such as program grouping (folders), a much faster on-screen guide, and new sorting features.

In October 2007, DirecTV sent a message to all DirecTV TiVo R10 and HR10 users saying that they will be applying numerous features to the DirecTiVo. It include two features:

Series3 TiVo HD

TypeManufacturerModelCapacityNotesSoftware Version
Hours
HD/SD
GB
StandaloneTiVoTCD648250B (a.k.a. TiVo Series3 HD)32/300250THX-certified, no M-Card support.11.0m/11.0k
TCD652160 (a.k.a. TiVo HD)20/180160 11.0m/11.0k/11.0n
TCD658000 (a.k.a. TiVo HD XL)150/1,3501,024THX-certified11.0m/11.0k/11.0n
TCD663160 (a.k.a. TiVo 160)[6]30/60160Australia/NZ Model, DVB-T, Dolby Digital Decoder
TCD663320 (a.k.a. TiVo 320)[7]60/120320Australia/NZ Model, DVB-T, Dolby Digital Decoder
TCD663000 (a.k.a. TiVo XL)[8]150/1,3501,024Australia/NZ Model, DVB-T, Dolby Digital Decoder

The Series3 TiVo was officially unveiled at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show,[9] and was released to the public on September 12, 2006. In April 2010, it was superseded by the Series 4 "TiVo Premiere" and is supported but no longer manufactured by TiVo for North American markets.

The Series3 DVR features support for high-definition broadcasts and has two tuners. In North America, they each can receive analog and HDTV over-the-air (NTSC and ATSC) in addition to both analog and digital cable (QAM). Encrypted digital cable is decoded through CableCARDs available from the cable providers. As of September 2009 satellite TV connections are not supported. In Australia and New Zealand, the dual tuners support the recording of two digital (DVB-T) over-the-air signals at the same time, whilst playing back a third.

With the dual tuners, it can record or view any two sources simultaneously. For example, two over-the-air broadcasts, two cable programs, or any combination can be recorded at the same time. The initial hardware release (TCD648250B) was unable to take advantage of Multi-Stream CableCARDs and required the use of a pair of CableCARDs to enable its dual tuners with encrypted digital cable. The follow-up Series3 models had an option of using either one Multi-Stream card or two single stream cards.

Switched Digital Video (SDV), a technology which allows cable providers to only send the channel streams being watched instead of the entire channel lineup in order to better manage bandwidth, requires a USB attachment to a separate tuning adapter available from the cable providers.

One HDMI port and two sets of component, S-video, and composite outputs are included. The Series 3 is also the first DVR to feature THX-certified audio and video. The unit is also equipped with two USB 2.0 ports, a Fast Ethernet port, and a telephone modem, which are all used to connect to the TiVo service. The built-in wired Ethernet or an optional USB 802.11 wireless adapter can download video on demand from various providers. Multi-room viewing and transferring programs to and from a PC is allowed. HD content may only be transferred between Series 3 units.

A Series 3 can be connected to several types of televisions and if necessary convert to the appropriate resolution. This allows displaying HD channels on older TVs using composite or s-video connections.

Storage can be increased to 2 TB by replacement of the hard drive—something that can be done professionally, but is usually done by users familiar with how to perform PC drive replacement. An external SATA port allows up to 1TB in additional storage when using TiVo-certified external hard drives.

Limited Support for Series 1 - 3 models

Series 1-3 models, now have limited support but are no longer distributed for North American markets. With the release of the Bolt UES (Series 6) model, TiVo's CMO Ira Bahr publicly stated on October 2, 2015, the following in regards to S1-S3 TiVo units: "Specifically, if a box is on a monthly plan, AND the account gets cancelled, we will not re-activate it. PLS [Product Lifetime Service] boxes are exempt of course. And yes, we will transfer account ownership on these [PLS boxes]. We presently have no plans to discontinue the TiVo Service to any active TiVo device." On September 15, 2016, TiVo ended all support for Series 1s, though Series 2s and 3s with active subscriptions still receive guide data.

Series4 TiVo Premiere

Type Manufacturer Model Capacity Tuners Notes Software Version
Hours
HD/SD
GB
StandaloneTiVoTCD746320 (a.k.a. TiVo Premiere, 2010 model)[10]45/4003202 1080p, 1 M-Card slot, HD interface, optional qwerty remote20.7.1
TCD746500 (a.k.a. TiVo Premiere, 2012 model)[11] 75/6505002 2012 upgrade of TiVo Premiere, additional recording capacity20.7.1
TCD748000 (a.k.a. TiVo Premiere XL)[12]150/1,3501,0242Premium remote, THX certification20.7.1
TCD750500 (a.k.a. TiVo Premiere 4)[13]75/6505004 20.7.1
TCD758250 (a.k.a. TiVo Premiere Elite/XL4)[14]300/2,2002,0484Premium remote, THX certification20.7.1
DirecTVTHR22-100 (a.k.a. TiVo DirecTV DVR)[15]61/5295002DirecTV Exclusive20.4.7
Virgin MediaCisco SystemsCT8685DVB (a.k.a. Virgin Media TiVo)[16]150/1,3501,0243UK-only, HD interface, 10-Mbit/s dedicated line20.4.3
CT8620DVB (a.k.a. Virgin Media TiVo)[17]75/6755003UK-only, HD interface, 10-Mbit/s dedicated line20.4.3
Virgin MediaSamsungSMT-C7100 (a.k.a. Virgin Media TiVo)75/5005003UK-only, HD interface, 10-Mbit/s, (Successor of Cisco Systems CT8620DVB)20.4.3
SMT-7101 (a.k.a. Virgin Media TiVo)150/1,3501,0243UK-only, HD interface, 10Mbit/s, (Successor of Cisco Systems CT8685DVB)20.4.3
Canal DigitalTechnicolor SADSI803[18]45/4003202Scandinavia-only20.4.7

The Series4 TiVo Premiere was officially unveiled on March 2, 2010,[19] and was released to the public on March 28, 2010. The higher-end Premiere model features a more sophisticated remote and larger hard drive. The TiVo Premiere has the features of the Series 3 TiVos with the addition of support for 1080p high definition video, and a new high definition user interface using Haxe.[20] It is also Energy Star compliant after cutting power consumption by 35% to 45%. The slimmer unit relies on a single Multi-stream CableCARD ("M-Card") slot and uses a dual core processor delivering greater performance. Communication speeds are claimed to be 3 to 5 times faster than a TiVo HD, and supports an optional QWERTY keyboard remote that communicates via Bluetooth (recently discontinued) . Like the Series 3, it does not support analog video input from devices such as satellite television or AT&T U-verse set top boxes as do the Series 2 TiVos. The new user interface is meant to seamlessly integrate features such as Rhapsody, Netflix, Amazon, Blockbuster, Hulu, and YouTube video, and make development of such applications easier through use of Adobe Stagecraft (Flash Lite 3.1 + Actionscript 2.0). The operating system enhancement allows third party Flash applications similar to those possible with HME, and other Flash Lite consumer devices such as Chumby. Such applications will be available from TiVo's application store.[21]

Hardware:

Series5 TiVo Roamio

Type Manufacturer Model Capacity Tuners Notes Software Version
Hours
HD/SD
TB
StandaloneTiVoTCD846510 (a.k.a. TiVo Roamio OTA)[22] 75/5000.54 Tuners Digital OTA only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD846000 (a.k.a. TiVo Roamio OTA 1TB)[23] 150/1,00014 Tuners Digital OTA only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD846500 (a.k.a. TiVo Roamio S)[24] 75/5000.54 Tuners Digital OTA or digital cable, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD848000 (a.k.a. TiVo Roamio Plus)[25] 150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, TiVo Stream, Remote Finder, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD840300 (a.k.a. TiVo Roamio Pro)[26] 450/3,00036 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, TiVo Stream, Remote Finder, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
RCN[27]TiVo T6 150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.6.3
Grande[28]150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.6.3
Atlantic Broadband[29]150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.6.3
Cogeco[30]150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix and YouTube20.6.3
Blue Ridge[31]150/1,00016 Tuners through digital cable only, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and Hulu20.6.3

Hardware:

Series6 TiVo Bolt

Type Manufacturer Model Capacity Tuners Notes Software Version
Hours
HD/SD
TB
StandaloneTiVoTCD849500 (a.k.a. white Bolt 500GB)75/5000.54Tuners Digital OTA or digital cable, 4K capable, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD849000 (a.k.a. white Bolt 1TB)150/1,00014Tuners Digital OTA or digital cable, 4K capable, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1
TCD849300 (a.k.a. black Bolt+) 450/3,000 3 6 Tuners through digital cable only, 4K capable, built-in Wi-Fi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify20.7.1

Hardware:

Other TiVo hardware

TiVo Mini

TypeManufacturerModelCapacityNotesSoftware Version
Hours
HD/SD
GB
StandaloneTiVoTCDA92000 (a.k.a. TiVo Mini, 2013 model)[32] n/an/a Borrows tuner from host DVR over Ethernet or MoCA connection; Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Pandora, and Spotify; includes IR remote.20.7.1
TCDA93000 (a.k.a. TiVo Mini, 2015 model)[33] n/an/a Borrows tuner from host DVR over Ethernet or MoCA connection; Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Pandora, and Spotify; includes RF remote.20.7.1

TiVo Stream

Introduced in 2012, TiVo Stream is an accessory that enables streaming (sometimes called "second-screen" viewing) from TiVo Premiere or Roamio DVRs to mobile devices, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets using the TiVo app.

Stream is a transcoder. It converts recorded MPEG-2 content from the Premiere or Roamio DVR to a reduced data rate format suitable for the mobile client on a wireless connection (H.264, usually at 720p.) Stream's hardware core is a specialized chip: the NXP (formerly Zenverge) ZN200.

Stream connects to the TiVo DVR via Ethernet on the customer's local network. On the mobile device, TiVo App discovers Stream and sets it up for use. The TiVo App user then selects a program from their DVR for viewing or downloading on their device. Downloading is at up to 4x the display rate; view-while-download is also possible. Stream can handle multiple mobile TiVo App client sessions at the same time.

Roamio Plus and Roamio Pro have Stream capability built-in, with identical capabilities to standalone Stream.

TiVo BOLT supports streaming with its own transcoder. It is also compatible with Stream for users who need to support more clients or faster downloading.

TiVo Bridge

TiVo Bridge[34] is an accessory to connect an Ethernet network to MoCA. It supports Ethernet (10/100/Gbit) and MoCA 2.0 (up to 450Mbit/s) connections. The Bridge is most often used to connect a whole-home TiVo DVR + Mini network to the household WAN/LAN router. It can also be used to add MoCA networking to TiVo DVRs that do not include it, such as the two-tuner Premiere and the Roamio.

MoCA networking is a popular choice for whole-home DVR systems because, unlike Ethernet, it uses ordinary RG-6 coaxial cabling which may already be installed in the customer's home. It is also often used in place of wireless as it provides a reliable, fade-free connection robust enough to handle even high-rate MPEG-2 video from the DVR.

TiVo app

TiVo announced an iPad app on November 22, 2010. The app allows customers to manage their TiVos from their iPad.[35]

The TiVo companion app for iPad was released in the weeks following its announcement.

The app works with TiVo Premiere, Premiere XL, Premiere 4, Premiere XL4, and Roamio boxes. Limited functionality is also available for Series 3 devices.

TiVo also released apps for the iPhone and Android devices. TiVo's Director of Retail and Channel Marketing, Bard Williams, stated the app: "...offers ... complete control over management and program selection, a multi-touch remote that features gestures-based navigation, and the ability to manage and navigate Season Pass recording, your queue and info about cast, crew, similar shows – without interrupting your TV experience...When you're not at home, the app still lets you interact with your Premiere for basic management and recording tasks."[36]

References

  1. "Series1: End of Life FAQ". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  2. http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/7317-PB02-R.pdf
  3. http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/7318-PB01-R.pdf
  4. http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/7040-PB07-R.pdf
  5. http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P3200006
  6. "TiVo Repairs in Australia by Darren King". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  7. "TiVo Repairs in Australia by Darren King". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  8. "TiVo Repairs in Australia by Darren King". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  9. George Hotelling (January 5, 2006). "HD TiVo Series 3 @ CES". PVRBlog.
  10. Tivo Premiere datasheet (PDF), Tivo Corporation, March 2010
  11. Lawler, Richard (March 23, 2012). "TiVo Premiere DVRs may get more storage soon, $149 500GB units appear for preorders". Engadget. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  12. Tivo Premiere XL datasheet (PDF), Tivo Corporation, March 2010
  13. Lawler, Richard (August 16, 2012). "TiVo Premiere 4 is official, brings four tuners and 500GB of storage for $250". Engadget. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  14. Drawbaugh, Ben (May 10, 2012). "TiVo Premiere XL4 review". Engadget. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  15. Taub, Eric A. (March 28, 2012). "TiVo and DirecTV: Together Again". The New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  16. Virgin Media TiVo review, TechRadar, 29 March 2011
  17. Virgin Media to offer 500GB TiVo box in May, TechRadar, 11 April 2011
  18. TiVo and Technicolor Team Up to Offer Integrated PVR Solution, TiVo, 21 May 2010
  19. David Lieberman (March 3, 2010). "TiVo shows off upgraded DVR, TiVo Premiere". USA Today.
  20. http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=519125
  21. Ken Fowler (March 3, 2010), TiVo Premiere Review, Scribd
  22. "TiVo launches Roamio OTA DVR. Is it a good deal?". TechTimes.com. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  23. "TiVo's cord-cutting DVR gets more storage and drops subscriptions". Endgadget.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  24. "TiVo TCD846500 Roamio HD Digital Video Recorder". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  25. "TiVo TCD848000 Roamio Plus HD DVR". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  26. "TiVo TCD840300 Roamio Pro HD DVR". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  27. "TiVo T6". RCN Corporation. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  28. "TiVo FAQ". Grande Communications. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  29. "Say Hello to TiVo®!". Atlantic Broadband. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  30. "TiVo Service". Cogeco. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  31. "TiVo". Blue Ridge Communications. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  32. "TiVo Mini review". Engadget.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  33. "TiVo's new Mini is close, but it could be missing the WiFi we're waiting for". Engadget.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  34. https://www.tivo.com/shop/detail/bridge
  35. Report: TiVo Announces Companion App for iPad, TiVo.com, November 22, 2010
  36. Leslie Horn (June 20, 2011), Report: TiVo iPhone, Android Apps are Coming, PCMag.com
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