Best Buy + TiVo = Partnership
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Best Buy and TiVo have formed a partnership to promote each other in a way that could benefit both companies. On the one hand, Best Buy will expose consumers to the benefits of TiVo compared to DVR services that satellite companies provide. Best Buy will benefit in that they will be able to advertise their products on TiVo. TiVo has had trouble getting consumers to know exactly the benefits that their products have to offer. Best Buy is in a struggle competing against Amazon and now Wal-Mart.
In an article from Silicon Alley Insider they state that:
This deal plugs gaps in both businesses. Best Buy will get visibility outside its stores. TiVo can take advantage of Best Buy’s customer interaction to position itself as more than just a recording device.
TiVo has been struggling to educate customers that they can also use the device to download and stream movies from Amazon and Netflix, watch vidoes on YouTube and buy movie tickets on Fandango.
I went out to the TiVo site to see if I could use their system with DishNetwork. Unfortunately I can’t. But the web site did state that TiVo was in the process of developing their services for Direct TV.
Does anyone reading this use TiVo? What is your opinion of the service?
Comments welcome.
12 Comments
mhz
July 9th, 2009
at 1:32pm
I still use an old DirectTivo, from the earlier partnership between Tivo and DirectTV. It still works, but is not capable of HD.
When I got an HD television, I got an HD DVR from Direct, but it has their own operating system, not the Tivo. The partnership *sort-of* ended a couple of years ago, and from that point on, DirectTV required you to lease a receiver with *their* OS on it.
All along they have continued to support my DirectTivo receiver, but they weren’t allowing more of them to be sold.
I heard that there is a renewed partnership in the works, where there might actually be an HD version of the DirectTivo, but I haven’t followed closely enough to know the details.
The old DirectTivo that I have has a special version of the Tivo OS, which does not allow networking or copying off the content, since that content is proprietary to DirectTV.
Tim Cousar
July 9th, 2009
at 2:01pm
I have three-year-old TiVo from DIRECTV. I love it, but I am looking forward to being able to buy one of the new, HD models. I’ve put off going to HD until they are available. I also have a DIRECTV DVR, and they each have advantages over the other, but the TiVo comes out ahead.
Tim Cousar
July 9th, 2009
at 2:02pm
Make that DIRECTV TiVo four-years-old now.
Chuck Eglinton
July 9th, 2009
at 2:17pm
I’ve been using DirecTV with a series 1 Tivo for several years.
In the TIVO setup screen you’ll need to describe which brand and model DirecTV receiver the TIVO will control and whether the TIVO will control it by Infrared or serial cable.
You can also buy DirecTV receivers with TIVO already installed.
I’m not sure if Dish is compatible with TIVO. I don’t see any options for DISH in my Tivo Series 1 setup options.
Ron Schenone
July 9th, 2009
at 2:40pm
Hi everyone,
This is why I love blogging. Where else can you ask a question and in a relatively short period of time receive expert answers from those in the know.
Thanks for the comments and for sharing your expertise. It is appreciated as always.
Best regards, Ron
Ryan Farmer
July 9th, 2009
at 4:56pm
Hmmm, a brick and mortar technology store partnering with a satellite TV company, partnering with Tivo.
Obsolete companies banding together to try and survive?
Jeff
July 9th, 2009
at 5:34pm
I can comment not on TiVo itself, but on the idea that a well setup Media center PC is far nicer, and has the same benefits, without the ads.
The partnership is nice, and I could see DirecTV getting back with TiVo since Best Buy sells DirecTV contracts out of their stores, TiVo, DirecTV and a Best Buy installation on their new HDTV. sounds like yummy business.
Lee
July 9th, 2009
at 6:43pm
I have 3 TiVos in my household and use them daily. I have been a TiVo user for several years and plan to continue that relationship until TiVo goes away or my hardware dies. I do not use the NetFlix feature but i have downloaded TV shows from Amazon. The TiVo is easy to use, my wife figured it out in no time and she is somewhat of a technophobe. Go TiVo, go Best Buy!
Buffet
July 10th, 2009
at 1:14am
I’m continually amazed when someone tells me they MUST be home at a certain time because something is on television. What they’re telling me is that they are being controlled by it, rather than the opposite. I have no intention of any device enslaving me and my valuable time, which is surely much better spent doing something constructive, i.e. reading, exercising, or, God forbid, socializing with real people, engaging them in real (two way) conversation. Television, for the most part, turns peoples minds (and bodies) to shit. Try turning off that hypnotic rubbish for a month, and TALK with your family. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to get to know them as well as the Simpsons? Oh, and get your asses to the library and the gym. You’ll be glad you did. Trust me.
Ron Schenone
July 10th, 2009
at 4:14am
Thanks for the additional information everyone.
Buffet - interesting and most likely truer than most of us wish to believe.
Should Best Buy’s business strategy be: Services, Not Products « Fredzimny’s CCCCC Blog
July 16th, 2009
at 9:31pm
[...] Best Buy + TiVo = Partnership lockergnome.com) [...]
Tony Liguori
August 4th, 2009
at 10:19am
I have a old Phillips DirecTv/TiVo combo box that I bought back in 2000. Series 1 of course. The hard drive went out a few months ago and I upgraded to a larger one, although, I was hesitant because I’m waiting for the new HD TiVo with integrated DirecTv tuner to come out. Looks like that might be early 2010.
Does anyone know what the hardware upgrade policy is for TiVo Lifetime subscriptions? I remember hearing that they will allow you to upgrade your hardware once without surrendering you Lifetime sub. So I’m waiting for 2010 thinking I’ll upgrade to HD and they’ll transfer my Lifetime sub to the new box. Am I mistaken?