JB HiFi tO SEll TiVo Ok?
Amid doubts about its success, TiVo adds another distributor just in time for Christmas.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
The Seven Media Group has announced that JB Hi-Fi will commence selling TiVo in its stores this month. Just in time for Christmas too.
Harvey Norman has so far enjoyed the exclusive rights to sell TiVo since its launch in Australia on July 29.
“Australian consumers today are quite savvy and willing to invest in digital devices that will stay relevant over time as well as bring ongoing services and benefits. We believe the TiVo media device will achieve this,” said JB HiFi’s Richard Uechtritz.
But next week new software that basically turns a Windows PC into a TV recorder goes on sale. The pre packaged software program allows consumers to link a PC with a HD TV and do almost everything that the new Seven Tivo PVR does. It costs around $199 and includes a remote and a TV tuner that plugs into the PC. The interface on the computer screen looks just like the one on a TV equipped with a TiVo box.
Despite a massive advertising blitz during the recent Olympics sales of the TiVo PVR did not hit targets according to Seven Network insiders.
Meanwhile TiVo will be available in 100 JB Hi-Fi and Clive Anthony stores across Australia and will continue to retail at the launch price of $699.
Enquiries to TiVo about its products from TV Tonight have not been returned.
Source: Arrnet.com.au, Smarthouse
14 Responses
What a rip off!!! I agree with everyone else the cost is too much for too little. Like all things technology wise it will eventually come down in price just look at MP3 players, Plasmas and DVD players. For $699 I mid as well get Foxtel IQ for 12 months at least there are more channels than free to air to record.
I agree the price looks high for what you get but the only twin HD tuner PVR with a DVD burner is Panasonic and it costs $999 but is probably better since you can play and record to DVD plus it has a larger HDD.
Or you could step up to the BlueRay model for $1999!
What happened to JB’s position of too expensive for too little features? Are the sales figure publicly available?
Too expensive for most people. $699 is a lot just to watch TV really…
The price they’re asking is absolutely absurd!
I don’t know a lot about this yet but it records programs you set it to record right? So since our pathetic networks can’t seem to start and finish on time, that means you miss parts. I’m guessing you can set it manually too but the whole point of this thing is to make things easier.
Dick Smith Electronics has had it for the last couple of weeks as well.
JB HiFi and TiVo hAd so ManY uPPer AnD lOwEr lEtteRs i LosT tRAck
Samuel, so does TiVo but that feature has been turned off on the local version, WD has an external HD made specifically for the job and until something like that can be used here I’ll stick with my LG DVD/HDD. I’d rather upgrade (when needed) to a twin HD unit with larger HDD and DVD, maybe BlueRay.
The new software is Nero LiquidTV™ | TiVo® PC. Basically TiVo software by Nero on your PC as mentioned above.
Craig, some of the Topfield PVRs allow you to plug in an external hard drive and move recordings out of the PVR itself for editing and burning to DVD.
I’m waiting for the Topfield 7100 (the competitor closest in specs to Tivo) to drop below $700 before I invest – a little too pricey at the moment.
What’s with the crazy title capitalisation, am I missing the joke here?
Also, what is the name of the software being released for PC, anyone? Is this a Tivo branded Windows MCE alternative?
One big downside to TiVo and and PVR is no DVD and no way to save thing to another format so they are stuck inside the box, if it breaks then you more often than not will loose the programs you’ve spent months saving. A PC based system which is cheaper but offers way more is a winning idea. People can make their own DVDs, save programs long term on a HDD that is usually bigger than the TiVo. Most people once they get into recording shows they like could fill a TiVo in a week!
I wonder why it didn’t hit targets during the Olympics – it’s because it’s $699!!! Too expensive. I’m happy with my DVD DVR that I picked up for $300 until TiVo can offer me something that’s “out of this world”.
“Australian consumers today are quite savvy and willing to invest in digital devices that will stay relevant over time”?
They should invest in a Beyonwiz 🙂