TiVo Intros $299 HD DVR

by Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/7/2007 6:53:00 AM

Denver — TiVo is showing CEDIA dealers its latest TiVo HD cable receiver carrying a more mainstream $299 suggested retail price.

The set-top digital video recorder, which started shipping last month, is a less pricey version of the Series 3 HD unit introduced last year.

Both models include dual CableCARD slots, and the new model will also accept the new multistread CableCARD (or M Card) capable of decoding multiple streams of encrypted cable content.

TiVo’s Andrew Morrison displays the company’s dual HD box.

To reduce the price, the new model uses a more cost-effective chip set and does not carry THX certification of the Series 3, which continues in the line.

In fact, TiVo announced at CEDIA a $200 rebate on the original Series 3 model.

TiVo’s boxes will output native and up-scaled HD video up to the 1080i format.

TiVo said retail placement for the TiVo HD box has been very strong, and the Series 3 continues to be a popular seller with custom installers and A/V specialty accounts.

TiVo platform and product management director Andrew Morrison said the company plans to upgrade both units in November to support the TiVo2Go and multi-room viewing feature supported in its standard-definition Series 2 devices. Firmware updates are handled remotely using a broadband connection.