Reviewing the Prospects for the TiVo Series 4 Premiere and Premiere XL

March 3, 2010 - By Jose A. Gutierrez

March 3, 2010 – Since TiVo first revolutionized the TV viewing experience some ten years ago, their brand name has reached the point of becoming a “verb” and eventually landed their acclaimed software on hardware boxes from providers like Direct TV. Yesterday, TiVo announced the debut of its new Series4 Boxes, signaling their intention to take traditional television viewing to yet another level.

Branded as the TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL, the new offerings feature a new HD interface, based on Flash, which is capable of integrating content from a variety of available sources. Like many others technology manufacturers, TiVo hopes to become the premier media content aggregator for the big screen-connected crowd. Both models will be HD and capable of displaying full 1080p. Additionally, they will have storage capacity to record 45 and 150 hours of HD content, respectively.

For the audiophile, the Premiere XL boasts the coveted THX certification. TiVo also upped the ante by cultivating a deal that resulted in built-in support for the popular music service Pandora. A new remote control, with slide-out QWERTY keyboard will also be available as an optional extra.

In the times where everything from gaming consoles like Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and media boxes like Roku, which starts as low as $79.99, are competing for the HDMI port on the back of the TV, TiVo might be viewed by some as a late-comer. Fortunately for them, the Series4 TiVo has something other offerings don’t…a CableCARD slot. In Addition to connecting to the home network, external Hard Drives, the internet for streaming services like Netflix, and Over-the-Air HD, the potential for CableCARD connectivity promises to take TiVo’s product to a whole new level. (All you have to do is convince your cable provider to comply with the FCC mandate and provide you with the card.)

Though it is a crowded market, TiVo is betting its hard-earned reputation that the new models, with their unique interfaces, will ultimately become the box to beat. Both units will be
on available beginning in April with the 320 GB Premiere model for $299.00 and the 1TB Premiere XL model for $499.00.