http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/04/tivo-hd-xl-dvr-150-hours-of-hd-recording-599-99-available-no/

Aw, snap. Not even 24 hours after we learned that a new DirecTV HD TiVo was on the way, in flies word from Denver that a new standalone TiVo is hitting even sooner -- like, today. The TiVo HD XL will become the flagship unit in TiVo's line by offering up 150 hours of high-def recording space, THX certification, a Series3 premium backlit remote and a bundled HDMI cable. As with the TiVo HD, this one boasts dual tuners for recording two HD programs simultaneously and a pretty similar design, but unlike the TiVo HD, this one will set you back a full $599.99. Those unaffected by the price tag can order one today from TiVo's website, and we're told to expect the box at various other retailers "as early as next week." Full press release after the break.

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.

At that price they can keep it. With lifetime subscription that puts the package at $1000. On the other hand TiVo HD has an expandable storage eSATA port. For $100 one can get a 500GB external drive and boost recording capacity as you need it for a lot less money.

As long as TiVo HD is available for ~$250 on the net, they can introduce whatever they want. Let's see how their pricing holds if the TR-50 ever makes it to market.

The only advantage I can think of is that it might have a newer generation ATSC tuner chip.

But for that price....

At that price they can keep it. With lifetime subscription that puts the package at $1000.

FYI, lifetime is $300 if one already has a Tivo.

Wow, lots of us thought they had totally given up on the 'high end' Tivo.

aah, ok, it's a 1TB drive. Hmm, a 1 TB drive is about $150 nowadays (Fry's/Best Buy drive du jour).

....Not even 24 hours after we learned that a new DirecTV HD TiVo was on the way....DirecTV are going back to using Tivo?

DirecTV are going back to using Tivo?

Yep. There are several threads on this over at www.tivocommunity.com

Frankly, there is nothing on TV that I need to see over and over again for that kind of jack. I have the NFL Ticket replays during the week, the really good programs are always replayed and a grand for a TiVO is insane. This comes from someone who has never had a problem spending money on audio/video gear. TiVO can keep it!

FYI, lifetime is $300 if one already has a Tivo.

Wow, lots of us thought they had totally given up on the 'high end' Tivo.

aah, ok, it's a 1TB drive. Hmm, a 1 TB drive is about $150 nowadays (Fry's/Best Buy drive du jour).But for a potentially new subscriber, sitting on the fence and waiting like me, it's $400 on top of the DVR cost.

Either way, that cost outlay is still, ouch . . .

Frankly, there is nothing on TV that I need to see over and over again for that kind of jack.Shoot - there isn't even that much stuff that I want to see once. :)

This discussion cracks me up considering in 2002 a Panasonic DMR-E20 went for the exact same price and you could only record to DVD-RAM and DVD-R on it (no HDD, no dual tuner, no guide, and obviously no HD recording). It was the price point (at that time) that finally made me think that standalone DVD recording was economically attractive. LOL!

And don't forget my first VCR that was just north of $1000, and that was 1982:eek:
Different times I guess;)

Frankly, there is nothing on TV that I need to see over and over again for that kind of jack. I have the NFL Ticket replays during the week, the really good programs are always replayed and a grand for a TiVO is insane. This comes from someone who has never had a problem spending money on audio/video gear. TiVO can keep it!

Have you ever *used* a Tivo?

Yes, call me a fanboy.. (Though there are PLENTY of issues I have with them, and heck, one of the issues is EXACTLY why I started coming here to the dvd recorder forum..)

There are plenty of extra features I wish Tivos had.. But for what they do, they do *extremely* well. (...and I say that even though admittedly the hard drive on one of my Tivos is starting to go..)

(...and I say that even though admittedly the hard drive on one of my Tivos is starting to go..)Is that HDD user replaceable?

Yes, I have upgraded a Sony SVR-2000 TIVO to a 160 GB HDD -- it comes with a 30 GB HDD. It was very easy to do.

For more info click here (http://www.weaknees.com/).

Is that HDD user replaceable?

It is not officially user replaceable, voids your warranty, you could possibly give yourself at least a big shock, etc..

But I would say, as a user, it is at the very least "accepted".

Google for Tivo Hacking or Tivo Upgrade, and you'll find lots of FAQs about how to replace/upgrade the hard drive. Actually, I believe that InstantCake, one of the third party products, essentially has a Tivo OS image, to allow replacement when your original drive is completely dead.. I would imagine that HAS to be officially licensed from Tivo, or they would have been sued.

Changing/upgrading the HDD in a TIVO is even easier than doing it on a computer. The companies that sell upgrade HDDs (e.g., Weaknees) have it all worked out. They send you everything you need including the torx screwdrivers needed to open the case and remove the HDD. You can even add an HDD on some models so that you have 2 HDDs, greatly expanding the storage capacity.

It probably would void your warranty, but I see no problem doing it after the warranty expires. In addition, it does not change your service with TIVO, including lifetime service, because all the service information is stored on flash memory and not on the HDD.

After I upgraded the HDD, the TIVO booted perfectly and instantly showed the increase storage capacity.

Highly recommended.