TivoToGo from TiVo is here?
TiVo Inc has a lot of new information on their site about TiVo to go. It looks like you can sign up for their priority list to get the software updates that will enable the TiVoToGo feature. If you have TiVo service update, version 7.1-X then you already have the software you need.
You can fill out a priority sign up form at http://research.tivo.com/tivotogo/ This should get you the software earlier. But according to the web site, "it will take several weeks for you to receive the software after you put in your request."
Right now the option to burn your shows to DVD with Sonic MyDVD is not yet available. You can sign up to be notified of the availability of the software on the TiVo site. It looks like it will be ready sometime in mid-January.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone who's actually using the TiVoToGo service right now.
UPDATE: Here's the official press realease from TiVo
TiVoToGo™ Service Enhancement Allows Subscribers to Enjoy Their Favorite Shows Anytime, AnywhereJanuary 3, 2005 - ALVISO, CA – TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) announced today its new TiVoToGo™ service enhancement is now available and has begun to roll out the software update to standalone TiVo® Series2™ boxes. The TiVoToGo service enhancement allows subscribers to transfer programs from their TiVo box to a laptop to enjoy their favorite shows anywhere, anytime. The TiVoToGo service enhancement is available at no extra charge as part of the TiVo service. TiVoToGo adds to a growing list of exclusive features found only on the TiVo service and not available on generic cable or satellite DVR. These include, Online Scheduling, Season Pass™ recordings, WishList™ searches, and home networked music and photos.
"We're all about delivering lifestyle benefits to our subscribers. Consumers don't want to be tied to their living room to watch their favorite entertainment. Other generic DVRs confine your entertainment experience to the living room, but with TiVoToGo, subscribers can take their favorite shows with them to enjoy on business trips or family vacations," said Matt Wisk, chief marketing officer, TiVo.
How the TiVoToGo™ Service Enhancement Works
TiVo Series2 standalone subscribers, except those with DVD recorders, will automatically receive the new TiVoToGo feature when their DVRs make their routine connection to the TiVo service. TiVo boxes will automatically retrieve the software update necessary to enable the new capability and subscribers will receive a message on their TiVo boxes after they have received the update. TiVo plans to roll out the TiVoToGo feature to DVD recorder subscribers of the TiVo service later this year.
It's easy to transfer programs from a TiVo Series2 box to your laptop. Just connect your TiVo box to your home network, go to www.tivo.com/togo to download and install the free TiVo Desktop software to your laptop computer. The TiVoToGo service enhancement securely encrypts programming during the transfer to the laptop. Once transferred, subscribers enter a password they created during software installation that will allow decryption of the file and playback.
TiVo has carefully designed the TiVoToGo service enhancement to respect the copyrights of copy-protected content while offering flexibility to its subscribers. Programming that is protected with Macrovision copy protection including, PPV, VOD and commercial DVDs, will not be transferable to a laptop.
The TiVoToGo service enhancement will be distributed automatically to TiVo Series2 standalone subscribers through a scheduled rollout process. To sign up for priority distribution, go to www.tivo.com/priority. The TiVo Desktop software for TiVoToGo supports only Windows XP and 2000 operating systems at this time.
This week at the Consumer Electronics Show, TiVo plans to announce a number of new partnerships with technology leaders who are developing new technologies and products that will work with TiVoToGo.
