Comcast TiVo-like video-on demand
11-14-02, 02:53 PM
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Comcast TiVo-like video-on demand
Anyone else have this yet?
Just today, in Bensalem, PA Comcast started video-on-demand. You can rent movies for a 24 hour period; but you can actually pause, stop, rewind, just like a VCR! There are also cable TV shows archived that you can watch for free! I noticed it was activated this morning, and will be playing around with it this evening...are any other cable systems doing this yet? The archived shows included local news, stuff from A&E, Court TV, music videos, and some other categories I didn't have time to look through.
FS
Just today, in Bensalem, PA Comcast started video-on-demand. You can rent movies for a 24 hour period; but you can actually pause, stop, rewind, just like a VCR! There are also cable TV shows archived that you can watch for free! I noticed it was activated this morning, and will be playing around with it this evening...are any other cable systems doing this yet? The archived shows included local news, stuff from A&E, Court TV, music videos, and some other categories I didn't have time to look through.
FS
11-14-02, 03:08 PM
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Im my opinion, it's very MUCH like TiVo in it's functionality...
I said TiVo-like because for the first time you can stop, pause, rewind and fast forward a VOD show...and really, it's only one step away from TiVo. If the archive were complete, with every single show, say, from the past week or two, TiVo would become obsolete.
FS
I said TiVo-like because for the first time you can stop, pause, rewind and fast forward a VOD show...and really, it's only one step away from TiVo. If the archive were complete, with every single show, say, from the past week or two, TiVo would become obsolete.
FS
Last edited by FlashStash; 11-14-02 at 03:12 PM.
11-14-02, 03:16 PM
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Originally posted by FlashStash
Im my opinion, it's very MUCH like TiVo in it's functionality...
I said TiVo-like because for the first time you can stop, pause, rewind and fast forward a VOD show...and really, it's only one step away from TiVo. If the archive were complete, with every single show, say, from the past week or two, TiVo would become obsolete.
FS
Im my opinion, it's very MUCH like TiVo in it's functionality...
I said TiVo-like because for the first time you can stop, pause, rewind and fast forward a VOD show...and really, it's only one step away from TiVo. If the archive were complete, with every single show, say, from the past week or two, TiVo would become obsolete.
FS
Yeah but the archive is not even close to complete (any network programming?). Also, how long do programs stay in the archive? With a TIVO, you can keep that program forever on your hard drive if you want. Finally, how much does it cost - it is essentially a PPV type deal?
If the cable companies really want to do something for the consumer, why not build in PVRs into the cable boxes (much like a DIRECTIVO).
11-14-02, 03:23 PM
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Originally posted by Red Dog
Yeah but the archive is not even close to complete (any network programming?). Also, how long do programs stay in the archive? With a TIVO, you can keep that program forever on your hard drive if you want. Finally, how much does it cost - it is essentially a PPV type deal?
If the cable companies really want to do something for the consumer, why not build in PVRs into the cable boxes (much like a DIRECTIVO).
Yeah but the archive is not even close to complete (any network programming?). Also, how long do programs stay in the archive? With a TIVO, you can keep that program forever on your hard drive if you want. Finally, how much does it cost - it is essentially a PPV type deal?
If the cable companies really want to do something for the consumer, why not build in PVRs into the cable boxes (much like a DIRECTIVO).
It's not complete...I SAID that it wasn't, but if it were why would you need TiVo?
Network programming? Yup, I saw Meet the Press listed...and I'll look for more tonight...
Cost? I said in my first post the shows other than the movies were FREE, just part of their digital cable package.
Keeping programs forever? Output it to tape...TiVo is not intended to be a permanent storage device, thay's why they provide the tape output.
Sheesh! Next time I'll stick to less controversial topics like flicking cigarette butts out of car windows!
FS
11-14-02, 03:31 PM
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Originally posted by FlashStash
Why so argumentative about this?
It's not complete...I SAID that it wasn't, but if it were why would you need TiVo?
Network programming? Yup, I saw Meet the Press listed...and I'll look for more tonight...
Cost? I said in my first post the shows other than the movies were FREE, just part of their digital cable package.
Keeping programs forever? Output it to tape...TiVo is not intended to be a permanent storage device, thay's why they provide the tape output.
Sheesh! Next time I'll stick to less controversial topics like flicking cigarette butts out of car windows!
FS
Why so argumentative about this?
It's not complete...I SAID that it wasn't, but if it were why would you need TiVo?
Network programming? Yup, I saw Meet the Press listed...and I'll look for more tonight...
Cost? I said in my first post the shows other than the movies were FREE, just part of their digital cable package.
Keeping programs forever? Output it to tape...TiVo is not intended to be a permanent storage device, thay's why they provide the tape output.
Sheesh! Next time I'll stick to less controversial topics like flicking cigarette butts out of car windows!
FS
Relax. I was simply pointing out the difference btwn VOD and PVRs.
11-15-02, 09:03 AM
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The best thing about it is that you can get those pay-per-view movies whenever you want. You dont have to wait for the next showing at 10 or whatever. Other than that, the selection is unfortunately rather limited.
11-15-02, 05:25 PM
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Yeah, they've had VOD on Time Warner Cable for quite some time, it's fairly nifty - but we don't have an HD version yet 
.
.
11-15-02, 06:03 PM
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Is this Comcast, as in "soon to be AT&T Broadband" Comcast?
And, yes, I still flick my cigarette butts out the car window. In case you were interested.
And, yes, I still flick my cigarette butts out the car window. In case you were interested.
11-17-02, 02:56 PM
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I'd heard this was coming out toward the end of the year, but nothing has been said that I've seen here in Nashville.
It doesn't sound like you had to get a new box. What digital box are you using?
We've got the same General Instruments boxes they've used since before the market was bought from Intermedia. This is actually my third identical box that I've had over the last three years or so (had 2 die).
It doesn't sound like you had to get a new box. What digital box are you using?
We've got the same General Instruments boxes they've used since before the market was bought from Intermedia. This is actually my third identical box that I've had over the last three years or so (had 2 die).
11-17-02, 04:23 PM
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Originally posted by RichC2
but we don't have an HD version yet.
but we don't have an HD version yet
.
- H
11-17-02, 05:20 PM
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Originally posted by Red Dog
If the cable companies really want to do something for the consumer, why not build in PVRs into the cable boxes (much like a DIRECTIVO).
If the cable companies really want to do something for the consumer, why not build in PVRs into the cable boxes (much like a DIRECTIVO).
11-18-02, 11:05 AM
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I would have to agree with Red Dog on this one. VOD is totally different from PVR.
Yet I was talking to my friend who works for Time Warner and they are working on getting PVR (tivo/replay) type cable boxes. I dunno how much the cost factor or hardware is going to be rented for but it is going to be nice.
Yet I was talking to my friend who works for Time Warner and they are working on getting PVR (tivo/replay) type cable boxes. I dunno how much the cost factor or hardware is going to be rented for but it is going to be nice.
11-18-02, 11:21 AM
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Originally posted by thejammy
Yet I was talking to my friend who works for Time Warner and they are working on getting PVR (tivo/replay) type cable boxes. I dunno how much the cost factor or hardware is going to be rented for but it is going to be nice.
Yet I was talking to my friend who works for Time Warner and they are working on getting PVR (tivo/replay) type cable boxes. I dunno how much the cost factor or hardware is going to be rented for but it is going to be nice.
