TiVo's hitting New Zealand

It might be a long-standing DVR fixture in the United States, but down in the land of kiwis TiVo hasn't shown up at all. That's changing this November, when the service finally reaches New Zealand.

Unfortunately, TiVo comes with some caveats in New Zealand. It will only work with over-the-air programming available through Freeview; users who use a premium television providers like Sky can't take advantage of TiVo. Last year, Sky launched the MySky DVR, which has already made solid inroads among consumers. Still, according to Stuff.co.nz, TiVo hopes to sell 120,000 units by 2011, a relatively bold goal for the market considering MySky itself has only sold 80,000 units over the last year.

— Will Greenwald

Blockbuster, TiVo join forces, put VOD on DVR

TiVo has just announced a partnership with Blockbuster to expand the availability of both TiVo DVRs and Blockbuster's on-demand video service. By the second half of 2009, TiVo will have integrated Blockbuster OnDemand content into its Series2, Series3, HD, and HD XL DVR units. Users will be able to rent and buy movies from Blockbuster directly through their TiVos.

In addition to getting Blockbuster videos while watching their TiVos, customers will also be able to get TiVos while browsing at Blockbuster. The company's brick-and-mortar stores will begin carrying TiVos, and blockbuster.com will directly sell the units.

To promote the partnership, both TiVo and Blockbuster plan to begin marketing campaigns that highlight the crossover services and products. Blockbuster already offers a set-top box for its VOD content, the 2Wire MediaPoint Media Player. Keep an eye on Bitstream as we determine whether Blockbuster's little brother to the TiVo will end up a Jan Brady or a Chuck Cunningham.

(UPDATE: I spoke with a Blockbuster representative, who said that the company will still sell the 2Wire MediaPoint box, and that it doesn't plan to drop the system any time soon. It will be sold alongside TiVo products at Blockbuster stores and on blockbuster.com. Jan Brady it is!)

— Will Greenwald

Amazon's TiVo/Samsung Sale

Did Santa bring you everything you wanted? Need to fill in a few blank spots on your wish list? Just in time, Amazon is playing an elf.  From now until December 29th, get $150 off the price of a TiVo HD DVR when you purchase one of seven select Samsung HDTVs.

Models from Samsung range from a 40-inch up to a 52-inch, all LCD, all 1080p. The TiVo is model TCD652160 records up to 180 hours of standard def, or up to 20 hours of HD content.

Need even more persuasion? Get two free movie from Amazon Video on Demand.

See which Samsung models are on the list.

Netflix, Now On TiVo

If you've been putting off getting a TiVo, now might be the time. Looks like TiVo and Netflix are cozying up, in a really attractive way. Who needs a limited pay-per-view schedule when you can have the Netflix library at your fingertips?

TiVo and Netflix have an amazing offer. If you have an unlimited Netflix plan, (and they're offering a two-week trial period right now) you'll see an activation code that you can go online to activate. While online at Netflix, just pick and choose your movies.

Then, tune in on your TiVo. (Only good on TiVo HD, TiVo HD XL, and Series 3 DVRs. If you were debating between a TiVo and other DVR, the choice just became clearer.

Keep reading for the complete press release.

TiVo/Amazon HD? Oops, Our Bad

A few observant users over at EngadgetHD spotted something interesting on their TiVo screens. When they looked at the Video On Demand screen for Amazon's streaming service, they noticed an interesting option. Suddenly, there was an option for "Available in High Definition." Cool, right?

Not so fast. This was just a test. According to TiVo's PR firm...

TiVo Guilt?

Come on. 'Fess up. How much stuff do you have backlogged on your TiVo? Me? I've got 27 shows in a folder called "Everest," 34 episodes of House, and a stack of movies that I record whenever HBO or Showtime has a free preview weekend. When it looked like my TiVo might be dying, I went into a panic when I realized how many movies I had stored, unwatched, for years. Sure, I meant to get around to Hotel Rwanda, was waiting for just the right time for The Aviator, and the rainy day that would be perfect for March of the Penguins. Seems like I'm not alone.

CNN is reporting that more and more people are experiencing something called "TiVo guilt," where TiVo owners feel overwhelmed and guilty about the about of content stored, unwatched on their DVRs.

See what industry experts say about this "condition" . . .

TiVo On The Go

TiVo has offered remote scheduling via cell phone for a while now, but it wasn't exactly a simple process, and it wasn't available to everyone. Until now. TiVo just launched TiVo Mobile, a free website optimized for the mobile phone market. It's easy to use from any mobile platform, carrier or browser.  Woohoo!

Next time I forget to record Boston Legal, I'm covered. Not only can I see what's on, I can program my home TiVo to record, from anywhere.

Plus, it's not restricted to TiVo subscribers. Anyone can log on and browse through the guide to see what's on TV through any Internet-enabled phone.

So, where do you point your browser?

Best Buy's TiVo HD/HDTV Bundle

There are ghosts in my machines. I'm convinced of it. Two weeks ago, my trusty 32-inch CRT TV started to fail. The picture would go green, then black and white, and then the death roll. Grrr.  Off to Best Buy to start researching what I wanted.

Not two days after that, my TiVo started in with me. The program would just freeze for a few seconds, randomly. No matter if I was watching live TV (although continually buffered) or playing back from the drive. Uh-oh. It was time to start watching all the movies I had archived on it. Was there a conspiracy in my home theater?

Now I have to wonder if Best Buy has a hand in this. They just announced a new special - save $100 on a TiVo HD DVR when you buy an HDTV. Did they sabotage my home theater? I think so!

Keep reading for the details on the deal.

TiVo + Domino's Pizza; Never Leave the Couch. Ever.

Oh happy day. We reported last week that lucky Aussie's were getting pizza through their TiVos. But, starting today, TiVo broadband subscribers can order Domino's Pizza, right from an on-screen widget on their TiVo menu. The service is free, and it's for both delivery and pick-up orders. Just pay cash when the doorbell rings. Get the door . . . it's Domino's!

Now, sure, we know that if you have TiVo, you can pause whatever you're watching so you can walk away and make the call. But why bother?

But wait - it gets even better.

TiVo Checking into the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach

TiVo subscribers, how many times has this happened to you? You're watching TV, miss a line of dialogue, grab the remote for a replay, only to realize you're not home, and you don't have TiVo at the hotel you're checked into. Life sucks.

Well, chic travelers checking into the new Mondrian in South Beach, Miami won't have to worry about missing a show when their phone rings. TiVo is checking into their hotel rooms, for the first time ever.

From TiVo: "When traveling, schedules can be unpredictable and television choices in hotels are typically limited, making it far more difficult to watch your favorite programs . . . until now. For the first time in any hotel, guests of the new Mondrian in South Beach can enjoy the TiVo service right in their rooms, so they know that after enjoying dinner in Miami their favorite show will be waiting for them when they get back to their rooms."

See what the hotel rep had to say.