TiVo pulls together broadband, traditional TV
Don Day June 16th, 2007
TiVo, Inc. is rolling out an upgrade to Series Two DVR owners that changes the way you find content with the device. Called “Universal Swivel Search,” the feature uses the DVR’s optional broadband connection to locate content (screencap below).
For instance, I pulled up a recording of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - then went to the Universal Swivel Search option. After opting in to the program, I was introduced to a lengthy menu of options, fed straight to the TiVo via the Internet:
- Under “Available Downloads,” users are given a list (and soon will be able to purchase and download) any past show through Amazon Unbox. This was a big “WOW” moment for me - if I miss an episode of a show, I can buy it and watch it on TV without ever touching my computer.
- “If You Like This…” included several (somewhat) similar shows. I clicked on Heroes, and was taken to a similar menu for that program
- A list of the actors on the program. For each one, a user can see other shows or movies the performer appeared in. TiVo checks both the programming schedule, and Internet sources. For Amanda Peet, her movie Identity isn’t scheduled to appear on my cable lineup over the next two weeks, but it IS on Unbox.
- Each show is tagged - for quick cross-referencing. One of Studio 60’s tags is sketch comedy, and programs like SNL and Mad TV were listed.
Previously, users were limited to searching the data downloaded to the TiVo hard drive, which is limited to about two weeks of program guide info on their TV service provider. Now you can find a vast array of content from multiple sources. TiVo says about 14 websites are included in the service right now - including the NY Times, CNet, iVillage and Rocketboom.
2 Comments Add your own
1. krista | June 16th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
FYI - This is a really good review of Swivel from the blog lost remote
2. FrankM | June 16th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I’d like to see a convergence of show episode listings and tivo suggest. You say “what?”….
How many of us have been 40 minutes into a “CSI”, only to realize that you’ve seen the episode before?
Instead of saying “record new episodes only”; “record all episodes on this day and channel”; or “record all episodes”, the Tivo/DVR keeps a text file (~30k of disc space!) of all episodes that you have seen of a show, and only records the ones that you haven’t… and maybe even a step further… let you manually edit the list.
For example, only record “Law & Order” when it is an episode I have not seen, and it is from 1992-2004 (the Jerry Orbach years).
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