I think that most people realize that TiVo is about 1000 times better than the DVR that you get from your cable company, yet the cable companies still continue to rent out their DVRs by the truckload. This mostly has to do with the convenience of getting your set top box directly from your television provider, but some are under the false impression that they are saving money by renting their DVR instead of buying.
I was recently perusing my Comcast bill and noticed that they are once again raising prices on their DVR packages. At. $19.95 per month, it’s still 48 cents less per year than what TiVo currently charges for a TiVo premiere with no up front cost, yet millions of people still put up with a sub-par DVR experience at virtually the same price. Over the last 10 years, I remember TiVo raising prices once, over the same period it feels like Comcast has raised prices every 6 months. On the surface, $19.95 per month for a DVR may not sound like a lot, but thanks to the most recent rate changes, it now costs East Bay Comcast customers more to record their television each month, than it does to subscribe to their basic TV service.
It would be one thing, if Comcast was using your $240 per year in DVR fees to keep improving their DVR experience, but anyone whose used the device knows that it still suffers from severe lockups and buggy/slow interactions. Heck, even if the cable dinosaurs wanted to innovate, because of how much money they pay the content industry, they’re still prevented from offering services like Netflix on their DVRs.
#1 by cypherstream on December 30, 2010 - 11:03 am
That’s only for Anyroom DVR service, which is Multi-Room DVR. For the regular price which usually hovers around $16.95 a month or so, you get the standard DVR service. Upgrade to the Anyroom DVR for $19.95, then you get a DCX-3400m with built in MoCA and DCX-3200m clients for other rooms. They can all see the same playlist of recorded content, like DirecTV’s implementation.
A lot of customers also stick with the provider’s DVR because it also brings them a huge library of VOD titles, and other perks like Caller ID on TV. Plus it’s simple if it breaks or a new model DVR comes out, you can swap out no questions asked.
True though Comcast needs to update the software on that platform. It’s ugly and slow and very no-frills utilitarian. Verizon has a good idea going with their IMG 1.9 update currently in beta. The HD UI from Verizon is much welcomed. DirecTV investor day also revealed that they will be releasing a new HD GUI for their platform in 2011. Comcast has been testing J-Guide and also the Spectrum (rng-210n) systems which have updated HD GUI’s.
Now only if Tivo could complete their HD GUI and enable that second core. The Virgin Media Tivo looks great. If only they could bring that to DirecTivo and Tivo Premiere, we’d be in buisness. Otherwise I hear DirecTivo will use the same old tired 10 year old SD interface. BORING… I’ll stick with my HR24-200 and get DirecTV’s HD-GUI later this year.
#2 by Davis on December 30, 2010 - 1:37 pm
I’m pretty sure that “anyroom DVR service” is the same price as “regular” DVR service, particularly because there is a per DVR unit if you want to go the anyroom route. Of course Comcast could make it easier for people to see the pricing except they seem to charge different amounts depending upon how competitive each region is. Whether we’re talking $17 per month or $20, either way it’s a lot of money for a device that you don’t get to keep once you’re done renting it. As far as extras like VOD content goes, I can’t say that I ever found it all that compelling. I’d much rather have access to Netflix’s watch instantly. I can’t comment on Verizon’s DVR because they don’t service my area.
#3 by cypherstream on December 30, 2010 - 2:42 pm
Well what Comcast is good at with the VOD is their intense library of programs in both HD and SD. It’s really nice to be able to pick an HD VOD program and have it start instantly, no buffering, no stuttering, no downloading… it just works.
Also the SDV implementation can sometimes be buggy with Tuning adapters and Tivo’s. I guess it depends on a number of factors including who the SDV vendor is, the TA drivers, cable cards and firmware versions and who makes the adapter (Cisco or Motorola). Comcast doesn’t really use SDV yet, as they opted for analog reclamation to get bandwidth, but who knows, maybe someday they will. I wouldn’t rule it out, as it’s a very efficient way to use spectrum.
I have DirecTV now that I moved just outside of a Comcast serviceable area. They charge me $7 for DVR service, and an extra $3 for multiroom access. The secondary receiver is $5 a month (going up to $6 a month in Feb.). So equipment wise, for a two room HD-DVR solution (500GB) it costs $15 ($16 in Feb.)
I’ll still keep my eye on the DirecTivo implementation, but if it’s the same 10 year old UI and no MR-DVR support on last gen hardware (HR-22 vs HR-24), I’ll pass. DirecTV is working on a big UI HD Experience upgrade for the DVR’s, and I’m interested to see what that will bring to the table.
#4 by Zatz on December 31, 2010 - 3:56 am
You’re alive!
Yeah, VOD has a real value for many. But Davis raises a good point in light of TiVo’s new pricing.