Shortly after announcing a new DirecTV combination unit, TiVo is making bigger news, all by themselves. A new standalone DVR has been released, with tons of exciting features.
The TiVo HD XL, if you couldn't guess by the name, has extra-large high-def recording. It can record up to 150 hours of HD content, the highest capacity currently available, with two tuners, so it can record two different HD programs at the same time.
The TiVo HD XL is THX Certified. It also has plenty of broadband features so you can download movies, watch YouTube, or listen to Rhapsody music.
UPDATE: TiVo has made comments at their quarterly financial call that indicates they won't be adding tru2way in the near future. They seem to be interested in the technology, but need to work it into their corporate plans.
Keep reading for the complete press release. Do you think it's worth the $599.99 price tag?
TiVo Unveils the Ultimate DVR for Digital Cable, Ready to Record More HD Content than Ever
TiVo is launching something extra special at this year's CEDIA show,
the TiVo HD XL, – a brand new premium DVR that comes with extra large
recording capacity
Exclusive THX Certification Ensures Audio and Video Excellence
Alviso, CA -- September 04, 2008 – TiVo Inc., the creator of and a
leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs),
announced today the launch of the TiVo® HD XL Digital Video Recorder.
Available online today, the TiVo HD XL box offers more recording
capacity than any other DVR available, be it satellite or cable.
Boasting 150 hours of high definition television recording capacity,
the HD XL has enough space to appease even the most devoted
entertainment fans. The TiVo HD XL is also THX® Certified to ensure it
delivers accurate and exceptional sound and video playback in your home
theater.
"With so much HD content now available, we felt it
was vital to offer consumers an easy way to record as much television
programming as they'd like to watch at a later time without ever having
to worry about capacity," said Andrew Morrison, Director of Product
Platforms at TiVo. "What is great about the XL is it gives content
lovers plenty of room for all the programming they love, saving them
from having to decide if they need to prematurely delete a favorite
movie or a big game memory when space gets tight. Satellite or cable
DVRs simply can't match it."
On top of increased recording
capacity, the TiVo HD XL DVR offers all the innovative broadband
features that TiVo lovers have grown accustomed and addicted to. Users
can download thousands of movies & TV shows directly to the TV,
browse and watch endless YouTube videos, listen to thousands of songs
from Rhapsody, or view hundreds of music videos from Music Choice.
Features exclusive to TiVo HD XL include the 150 hours of HD recording
space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote control and
an included HDMI cable.
Similar to TiVo HD, dual tuners
allow subscribers to record two different shows in HD at the same time,
while watching a third pre-recorded show. The TiVo HD XL is designed to
fit seamlessly into the most discerning home theater systems,
compatible with HD digital cable, analog cable and over-the-air digital
HD (ATSC).
As with the TiVo HD, the TiVo HD XL box delivers
the best in high definition entertainment, allowing the consumer to
experience TiVo's acclaimed service features, such as Season Pass™
recordings, Universal Swivel Search and WishList® searches, in sharp,
vivid high definition images. Extensive video analysis and performance
testing by THX ensures content will always record and playback at the
maximum quality and resolution.
"TiVo pioneered the DVR
category, and they are maintaining that position with the new high
performance, high capacity TiVo HD XL," said Dr. Michael Rudd, Chief AV
Architect at THX. "As more consumers adopt high definition programming,
they will expect their recorded content to reflect the same level of
quality and consistency as the original broadcasts. With a Terabyte
hard drive, the TiVo HD XL lets users enjoy more HD movies, sports and
other programs in high definition than ever before, and THX
certification ensures that the quality is always superb."
The
TiVo HD XL box joins the existing TiVo product line, and is available
online today for $599.99 at www.tivo.com. Other retailers that will
unveil TiVo HD XL as early as next week include Magnolia Home Theater,
Amazon, and various other high-end retailers and customer installers. —Leslie Shapiro
