For users interesting in owning their TiVo outright, but for whom the AUD$699 cost is too much to swallow in one go, a 10-payment plan is also offered. AUD$69.90 a month for 10 months covers the cost of the TiVo.

The up-front, no fees and retail options remains for user who prefer that option.

Foxtel’s General Manager Box Office, New Media and Pay-Per-View, Brenden Moo responded by saying“I was under the impression that TiVo were not going to offer a subscription service their new Flexirent offering smacks of a disguised subscription fee”. That is one way to look at it, but he may be concerned as Foxtel’s pay-TV service subscription costs from AUD$37.95 up to AUD$105.95 depending on the package, and their iQ2 HD DVR is an additional AUD$200 up-front. So a TiVo subscription package priced about the same as their low-end offer with no up-front fee could provide some strong competition.

There’s another interesting tidbit on the TiVo Australia website, while they’re using MPEG-2 today for movie downloads, by March 2009 they plan to use MPEG-4 to reduce bandwidth usage and speed up downloads. Since other announcements for Australia have later appeared in the US it makes me wonder if we’ll be seeing MPEG-4 movie downloads in the US soon.

Via Smarthouse.

Via Smarthouse.

“The storage device will be exclusive to the TiVo and will record HD Television. Consumers will not be able to attach the device to other computers or recorders. The TiVo software will automatically see the device and record to it when the storage built into the device is full”.

In the US, of course, it is a standard Western Digital 500GB eSATA My DVR Expander, and the same drive works with Scientific Atlanta cable DVRs as well as with any PC that supports eSATA. Now, this could simply be the ‘Seven Media insider’ who was talking to Smarthouse not knowing that they were talking about. It is true that once you attach a drive to the TiVo it is formatted for the TiVo and you cannot them connect it to another device without reformatting it. But eSATA is eSATA and the drive can be reformatted and reused. I tend to suspect that will actually be the case in Australia too.

Smarthouse also says Seven is set to roll out the TiVo to other retailers, now that Harvey Norman’s three month exclusive is up, including retailer Dick Smith. (What is it with Australian retailers and guys names?) Retailer JB Hi Fi CEO Richard Uechtritz says they still haven’t decided if they will stock TiVo.

Interestingly this story comes just one day after Smarthouse posted a rumor mongering story entitled “Is Seven Media Set To Dump Tivo?” In that story they claimed that ‘Seven Media insiders’ told them that sales through Harvey Norman failed to hit targets and that they were now ‘reviewing their options’. They also said it was “slammed by reviewers.” And pulled this bit from the Australian PC Magazine:

PC Magazine wrote “unlike its US counterpart, the Aussie TiVo is a crippled box. Shipping with a 160GB HD, the TiVo allows you to record up to a pathetic 32 hours of HD or 62 of SD television.

Having personally read a lot of reviews of the Australian TiVo, I have to wonder about the agenda behind this particular Smarthouse article. The reviews of the Australian TiVo have been overwhelmingly positive. Yes, there are issues, and probably the primary one is the hard drive size. But APC was also off base saying it was ‘crippled’ compared to the US box – it has the same 160GB drive. It has lacked the option for eSATA expansion available in the US, but, as above, that’s coming. And calling 32 hours of HD ‘pathetic’? A wee bit of hyperbole. That’s more recording time than the original TiVo models had at all. And more than the TiVo HD has in the US (we tend to have higher bitrates, apparently.) And most users are happy with it. I remember reading that APC ‘review’ when it first appeared, particularly because it was probably the single harshest review of the lot and the only one that I recall being wholly negative. It seemed like the author started out looking for reasons to slam the TiVo. It read more like a rant than a review.

Smarthouse goes on to say “A key problem for Seven Media is content and the emergence of IPTV which will allow consumers to download movies and other content to a HD TV screen.” Yet the author doesn’t say why this is a problem. This is odd, especially since Seven Network has stated that this is specifically not a problem, quite the opposite, since the TiVo will also server as their IPTV gateway into the home. It struck me as very strange that the author would lay this out as a problem with nothing to support the argument when Seven’s stated plans for TiVo include broadband content delivery and IPTV features.

Smarthouse then goes on to talk about Nero’s LiquidTV and declares it a threat to Seven’s TiVo offering. But while they mention it goes on sale October 15th, they fail to mention that’s only in the US, Canada, and Mexico. And really, those who will opt for an HTPC are mostly a different market from those who will opt for an STB. LiquidTV | TiVo PC is no more a thread to Seven’s TiVo box than it is a threat to standalone TiVos in the US – basically none. And that, of course, hinges on some future launch of a version for Australia. The North American version won’t do any good as you need an EPG feed to use it.

The whole article just seemed like sensationalism without any real evidence to back it up, just rumors and unfounded speculation.

While July 1st was the launch day, units will be available for retail purchase starting July 29th. The units will be sold at retail in Harvey Norman and Domayne stores (both owned by Harvey Norman) for AUD$699 with no monthly fee, as expected. It was previously reported that Harvey Normal will have a three month exclusive on the sale of TiVo in Australia. While consumers will not be able to purchase a unit in stores until July 29th, beginning July 17th Harvey Norman will be conducting in-store demos to prep the market for the retail launch. The TiVo will also feature in the next Harvey Norman catalog which will be landing in Australian mailboxes during the next week.

ISP Unwired, a Seven subsidiary, will provide distribution and support for both retail and online TiVo purchases. TiVo will launch with all of the standard DVR features found in the US – Season Passes, WishLists, KidZone, TiVo Suggestions, etc. The TiVo USB WiFi adapter will also be available for AUD$59 for customers who cannot use the built-in wired Ethernet connection.

What TiVo will not have in Australia, at least at launch, are most of TiVo’s networking features. Photo viewing, music playback, TiVoToGo (including transfers to PMPs like the iPod, etc), and others will be added later. As there is no monthly fee, it looks like Seven Network will be using these features as a revenue source, charging for the upgrade similar to how TiVo first introduced them as the ‘Home Media Option’. Pricing for the update has not been announced, but it has been referred to as ‘tens of dollars’, so it doesn’t sound like it will be that expensive. I think it could be possible that the costs would include TiVo Desktop Plus capabilities, which runs USD$24.95. It does sound like broadband downloads will not come at an additional fee, but since that’s a competitive advantage and a revenue stream in its own right it isn’t too surprising.

According to Seven’s press releases, they’ll begin rolling out the additional features soon after launch, to continue over the next year. Seven will reportedly be spending ‘millions’ during the Olympics, for which they hold the Australian broadcast rights, to promote the new TiVo service. The TiVo sold in Australia is based on the platform used by the TiVo HD in the US, and it supports analog and digital broadcasts. So it is ready for the growing number of digital (DVB-T) broadcasts in Australia. Like the TiVo HD, the Australian TiVo has dual tuners, which handle both standard- and high-definition, and a 160GB hard drive. It also has an eSATA port and Seven will reportedly begin selling a drive to expand the TiVo early next year. We’ll have to see if the port is actually enabled or not once consumers get their hands on the box, perhaps they’ll work with the 500GB Western Digital My DVR Expander drive used in the US.

According to Smarthouse:

“We are currently in discussions with several content providers and we have already built the backend structure that is needed to deliver content such as movies and content from third party providers. Our initial plan is to give consumers a significantly better recording and management experience of free to air TV and then follow this up with addition services”.
James Warburton said “While the service will be advertising free initially, we do plan to run banner advertising inside content going forward. For the consumer they only pay a one off fee of $699 and no ongoing subscription fees”.

Seven’s major competitor is the pay-TV service Foxtel, which offers their Foxtel iQ2 DVR. While the iQ2 is only AUD$200, AUD$500 less than TiVo, there is a monthly fee. The iQ2 costs AUD$10-15 on top of the standard Foxtel subscription (Foxtel is a Pay TV service), which runs AUD$37.95 up to AUD$105.95 a month, depending on the level of service. Since the TiVo records free-to-air broadcasts and has no monthly fee, it rapidly becomes the less expensive option.

Seven took the opportunity at launch to take a swipe at Foxtel. As reported via Smarthouse:

A senior Seven executive said “We will have no churn like Foxtel and we anticipate that from September onwards Foxtel will see massive churn as consumers switch to the free TiVo service”.

They took a number of other shots at Foxtel, getting some early jabs in at what will be their main competitor. Seven called attention to the 70% of the Australian TV marker which has “turned their back on Foxtel” and opted for free-to-air TV. And claiming that the 30% that have opted for Foxtel still spend half of their time watching FTA TV.

Seven Network Press Releases:

Australians are now in full control of television with the TiVo HD DVR

Nearly everyone has undoubtedly heard of “TiVo” – well now this outstanding high definition digital video recorder (DVR) will be available in retail stores from July…just in time for the Olympic Games and the launch of your next favourite television series.

Australians have rushed to purchase large LCD and Plasma screens (more than 1 million screens were purchased in the last 12 months) in an effort to enjoy a cinematic experience in their lounge room – with the TiVo® HD DVR they can now go much further…

With the TiVo HD DVR you can throw out the paper TV guide and all those VCR tapes. The TiVo HD DVR comes with a built-in program guide that tells you what’s on today and in the days ahead so you can record your favourite programs with a push of a button. Then watch your favourite programs when it suits you, you can also record two programs at once and then watch a third, pre-recorded, program at the same time, you can view and record high definition (HD) television with amazing high resolution playback picture and sound. And never ever miss your favourite part rushing to answer the phone (or deal with the kids) – the TiVo HD DVR lets you pause and rewind LIVE television.

The TiVo HD DVR comes with both a standard and high definition digital tuner which means that you can view more channels like ABC2 and 7HD, in most cases using your current analogue roof-top aerial. There is no complicated wiring or connection – simply plug your aerial into the back of your TiVo HD box and connect your TiVo HD box to your television…then presto you have digital television and can watch 15 channels versus only five channels available on older analogue TVs. As the commercial television networks launch new channels in the digital spectrum you will be able to see even more new channels that your analogue neighbours can’t.

But what is the real reason for having the TiVo HD DVR?…Absolute control of what you want to watch and when you want to watch it – through an award winning and friendly user interface – no more flashing lights on the front of the VCR!!

At the touch of a button you can request a Season Pass® and your TiVo HD DVR will record every single episode of your favourite series automatically. Better yet, if you love an actor or director – simply enter their name in your WishList™ and your TiVo HD DVR will automatically record every program with your favourite person in it.

With TiVo KidZone™ you can provide an oasis of kids programming for your children that keeps them in a safe haven of entertainment they will enjoy without the fear of exposing them to content that is inappropriate. And with TiVo® Suggestions you can have your TiVo HD DVR suggest programs that you might like based on your viewing and recording preferences. These are just some of the great features that are available to you through your TiVo HD unit.

And your TiVo DVR keeps on getting better. Via the broadband connection, consumers can access new features and functions on their TiVo unit as they are introduced. In addition to TV-specific features, the TiVo HD DVR will soon let you view your family photos on the television (optional upgrade) as well as enjoy your favourite YouTube clips. Video content from the internet will also be available soon, enabling you in future to hire a movie and download it through your broadband connection to your TiVo box for viewing. And for the TV addicts, you will be able to record even more of your favourite programs in 2009 when we introduce an external hard drive accessory that plugs straight into the back of your TiVo unit.

The TiVo HD DVR brings you all the features, and more, that until now were only available to pay television customers. Why pay monthly fees for pay television when 56% of pay television viewing is on the free channels anyway? With the TiVo HD DVR, available in retail stores from 29 July for $699, record favourite programs and watch it anytime, with no monthly fees. For more information see www.tivo.com.au or visit your nearest Harvey Norman store from 17 July for a demonstration.

TiVo, TV Your Way – without the monthly cost.

Seven brings the TiVo HD DVR to Australia

Sydney, Australia, July 1st 2008 –- Seven Media Group, one of Australia’s leading integrated media companies, and TiVo Inc, the creator and leader in digital video recorders, today unveiled plans for the launch of TiVo in Australia.

Australians will be able to enjoy the TiVo experience this month.

Under a mutually exclusive agreement, Seven has created the digital platform to enable TiVo’s digital video recorder and service, including the award-winning TiVo user interface.

All free-to-air television networks’ digital channels in Australia will be available on TiVo® DVRs. As FTA broadcasters create more compelling, interactive digital television offerings delivering more choice, more services and more content – the TiVo proposition becomes a compelling case to 70 per cent of Australians who chose free over pay television.

The TiVo® service will be available across Australia and will include internationally recognised TiVo features, including Season Pass® recordings and WishList™ searches and allow users to access broadband content on their televisions.

Through its partnership with TiVo Inc, Seven is deploying TiVo’s leading interactive advertising capabilities that will lead to new integrated interactive advertising strategies.

TiVo in Australia was announced today by Mr David Leckie, the Chief Executive Officer of Seven Media Group, and Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo Inc.

Mr Leckie said: “TiVo’s arrival in Australia further strengthens free-to-air television in Australia. Over more than five decades, free-to-air television continues to define the media landscape.

“Our future focuses on creating and delivering programming across multiple channels on digital free-to-air television, of dramatically expanding the television experience for the 7 out of 10 Australians who only watch free-to-air television. And it’s about us meeting new consumer demands for more control, more services and more involvement in the television experience.

“TiVo will play a key role in the future of free-to-air television in Australia: an industry committed to reflecting the lives of Australians, creating and producing programs that Australians want to watch and introducing the technology and the broader multi-channel platform that will redefine television in this country.”

Mr Rogers said: “We are excited to be partnering with the Seven Media Group to bring Australian television viewers all the benefits that TiVo has to offer.

“TiVo has transformed the television viewing experience for consumers giving them an unprecedented level of control over the programming they watch, and when they watch it and it does so in an incredibly easy to use and simple way. It also provides endless entertainment options beyond cable and satellite.

“By working with Seven, one of the foremost media companies in Australia and the world, we have a strong partner that understands that the future of television technology lies at the intersection between broadcast and broadband.

Together, we expect to generate the same success in Australia that we did in the US and establish a platform which will extend our opportunities to grow in other parts of the world.”

TiVo DVRs will be sold through the Harvey Norman owned complexes, Harvey Norman and Domayne. Unwired will support the sales and distribution of TiVo units to both retail and online customers.

“Harvey Norman was chosen as our launch retail partner because of its national reach, with more than 190 stores and its position as the leading home entertainment retailer in Australia,” according to James Warburton, Seven’s Network Director of Sales.

“Customers will not be tied to an ongoing subscription plan and as new features become available TiVo HD automatically updates using the home broadband connection. There will also be additional services and accessories available as optional extras.”

What is TiVo?

With a TiVo HD DVR there is no longer a need for the paper TV guide as the TiVo HD DVR comes with a built-in program guide to record your favourite programs at the touch of a button. Be able to watch favourite programs when it suits, record two programs at once and then watch a third, pre-recorded, program at the same time, view and record high definition (HD) television with amazing high resolution playback picture and sound. What’s more TiVo heralds the end of missing a favourite part rushing to answer the phone (or deal with the kids) because you can pause and rewind LIVE television.

The TiVo HD DVR comes with both a standard and high definition digital tuner which means more channels than analogue. There is no complicated wiring or connection. As the commercial television networks launch new channels in the digital spectrum Australians will be able to see more new channels which analogue neighbours can’t.

But what is the real reason for having a TiVo HD DVR?…Absolute control of what you want to watch and when you want to watch it – through an award winning and friendly user interface – no more flashing lights on the front of the VCR!!.

Request a Season Pass® and TiVo HD will record every single episode of a favourite series automatically. The WishList™ feature provides viewers with the ability to identify an actor and their TiVo HD DVR will automatically record programs containing their favourite star.

TiVo KidZone™ provides an oasis of kids programming for children that keeps them in a safe haven of entertainment they will enjoy without the fear of exposing them to content that is inappropriate.

Via the broadband connection, consumers can access new features and functions on their TiVo unit as they are introduced. For example, in addition to TV-specific features – the TiVo HD DVR will soon support viewing family photos on the television (optional upgrade) as well as watch favourite YouTube clips. Video content from the internet is also on the horizon by hiring a movie and downloading it through the home’s broadband connection directly to a TiVo HD DVR for viewing.

Having a TiVo HD DVR means no monthly fees for pay television. The TiVo HD DVR will be available in retail stores from 29 July for a cost of $699. For more information see www.tivo.com.au or visit your nearest Harvey Norman store from 17 July for a demonstration. TiVo, TV Your Way – without the monthly cost.

FAQ

ABOUT TiVo

What is TiVo?
The TiVo® DVR and TiVo® service bring you all your favorite TV shows, ready to watch whenever you want. Plus it connects to the internet using your home broadband connection which will continually update your TiVo program guide information and bring you future services like optional upgrade movie downloads, music, photos, and more – right to your TV. All this at your command with one simple remote control.

What are the TiVo features?
With a TiVo DVR connected to your home network and your TiVo service activated (at tivo.com.au) you can:

• Record every episode of your favourite show.
• Record two shows at once
• Control live and recorded shows with pause, rewind, fast-forward, instant replay, and slow motion
• Search for shows by title, actor, category, or keyword
• Record by actor, director, or even your favourite sport
• See shows TiVo recommends just for you
• Pre-approve shows for kids
• Schedule shows online from Yahoo!7.

Who says the TiVo experience is better overseas?
TiVo Inc has been leading the TiVo revolution since 1997. They make the TiVo DVR and the Emmy award-winning TiVo service. That’s all they do. Just a quick online search and you’ll find legions of TiVo devotees talking about how it’s changed their lives for the better. The TiVo service really is the easiest way to search, record, and watch your favorite shows. You’ll even discover great shows you never knew existed.

• The TiVo DVR is the best-known and most-loved DVR on the planet
• Over 91% of TiVo users would recommend it to their friends
• Over 81% of TiVo users would give up their iPod before their TiVo DVR

Is there an Australian website about TiVo?
Yes. Consumers can visit tivo.com.au to understand the TiVo product for Australia. We will be updating this website regularly to reflect new services, accessories and retail opportunities.

ABOUT the TiVo DVR and BROADBAND

How about download speed?
All that is required is a connection to any Australian broadband service using an Ethernet cable plugged into the back of the TiVo box or via the TiVo Wireless Adapter (sold separately). The TiVo unit typically connects back to base via the TiVo service on a daily basis to check for updated software and updated service information, including the latest program guide listings. This process is invisible to the customer and happens in the background. Download speed won’t effect these daily downloads.

How do you download things?
Typical materials downloaded to the TiVo unit would be software updates, programme guide information and updates. Software updates and programme guide updates are initiated over the TiVo service and there is no action is required by the customer.

To download video files in future, the customer would have to request that the video file is downloaded. The request would take place via a screen built into the TiVo user interface (not yet available). The key point is that the download of any video files are completely controlled by the customer.

When will full broadband services, like video downloads, be available?
We will start introducing services soon after launch and the range of services will grow substantially over the 12 months from launch.

The TiVo service is an ongoing process of innovation and renewal. That’s the beauty of the TiVo DVR – we can introduce these new services and your TiVo DVR just picks them up! Then you decide which ones you want to watch.

How much will it add to broadband costs?
That depends on the user’s broadband plan. The point is that this will always be well within the user’s control to decide what content they want to download and what they do not.

BUYING A TiVo DVR

How much does it cost?
$699 with no monthly fees.

What do you need to use TiVo?
A rooftop aerial, a television and a broadband connection. Where you formerly plugged the aerial cable into your television – now you plug your aerial cable into your TiVo box and your TiVo box into your television.

Because the TiVo DVR has both a standard and high definition tuner – to get the most out of your television you will want to have a high definition capable television. But if you don’t – not to worry. You can still see the high definition channels on your television – but it will not be in true HD because your screen resolution is not high enough.

How do I get one installed? What support services are offered?
If you can install a DVD player, you can install a TiVo DVR! Harvey Norman will also be providing installation services through their stores. We will also be working to provide additional installation services in the coming months.

Can I connect a TiVo DVR to multiple TV’s?
This is an optional feature, at an additional cost, that we will make available in 2009.

How many hours storage does it have?
At least 60 hours in SD and 20 hours in HD (depending on station broadcast formats recorded) . In 2009, customers will also have the option to purchase an external hard drive accessory so that you can record significantly more programming content.

How often is the EPG updated?
Daily.

Who provides the EPG information?
The broadcasters license their program guide information to us for use in the TiVo service. We then use a third party to aggregate the information and put it into the correct TiVo format plus check that the data is robust enough to support the TiVo features such as Wishlist™ and Season Pass®.

What is the life of TiVo DVR?
Because your TiVo DVR is broadband connected – it will continually update its own software ensuring that the functionality is best of class and the features are automatically downloaded to the box without the need to purchase a new box and you can choose whether or not to purchase optional upgrades. People in the US are still using their TiVo DVRs purchased in 2001/2002…they last a long time.

What is the role of Unwired?
We are utilizing their significant expertise in sales, retailing, distribution and logistics to bring TiVo DVRs to market in Australia.

TiVo PRODUCT ROADMAP

When will other broadband (including video download) services be available?
We will start introducing services soon after launch and the range of services will grow substantially over the 12 months from launch.

Does the TiVo service support IPTV?
The TiVo service supports the downloading of video content to the TiVo unit.

Will the TiVo service have video on demand?
In the coming months we will introduce a range of video services on TiVo that allow consumers to view broadband video delivered to their TiVo box. A full video on demand service is also on the horizon in the next 12 months as an optional upgrade service which will allow users to hire movies and download them to the TiVo box through its broadband connection.

According to Seven Media insiders, James Warburton the network’s sales director “blew his stack” with Unwired CEO David Spence after he revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald last month intimate details in the TiVo roll out.

Unwired will handle distribution, sales, and service for TiVo in Australia, with the majority of units sold at retail. This is also interesting:

It is expected that consumers who take up the service could end up getting over 100 channels of content for free however the only hitch will be that users will be unable to remove advertising totally with new software set to deliver a commercial as they try to fast forward.

That really just sounds like the ‘billboard’ ads we have in the US, where static image ads may be displayed while fast forwarding through recorded commercials. Which really isn’t such a big deal. It isn’t known if the 30-second skip back door will work in Australia as it does in the US. I’m not sure where the 100 channels of content will come from, since there aren’t that many OTA DVB-T channels. I’m guessing they mean some kind of downloaded content.