TiVoToGo is Now in Distribution!

By Alexander Grundner | January 3rd, 2005 (0) Comments

TiVo has (finally) announced the availability of TiVoToGo, a new service enhancement that allows standalone TiVo Series2 boxes (not available to Series1 or DirecTV boxes) to stream video content stored on its hard drive to a networked PC for playback, storage, or burning to a DVD as an encrypted data file or DVD video (requires an upcoming version of Sonic MyDVD to playback content on other DVD players). Unfortunately, there was no word about TiVoToGo working with portable video players, as previously mentioned in earlier reports.

TiVo® Goes Mobile; Delivers Groundbreaking TiVoToGo™ Service Enhancement

TiVoToGo™ Service Enhancement Allows Subscribers to Enjoy Their Favorite Shows Anytime, Anywhere

January 3, 2005 – ALVISO, CA – TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) announced today its new TiVoToGo™ service enhancement is now available and has begun to roll out the software update to standalone TiVo® Series2™ boxes. The TiVoToGo service enhancement allows subscribers to transfer programs from their TiVo box to a laptop to enjoy their favorite shows anywhere, anytime. The TiVoToGo service enhancement is available at no extra charge as part of the TiVo service. TiVoToGo adds to a growing list of exclusive features found only on the TiVo service and not available on generic cable or satellite DVR. These include, Online Scheduling, Season Pass™ recordings, WishList™ searches, and home networked music and photos.

“We’re all about delivering lifestyle benefits to our subscribers. Consumers don’t want to be tied to their living room to watch their favorite entertainment. Other generic DVRs confine your entertainment experience to the living room, but with TiVoToGo, subscribers can take their favorite shows with them to enjoy on business trips or family vacations,” said Matt Wisk, chief marketing officer, TiVo.

How the TiVoToGo™ Service Enhancement Works

TiVo Series2 standalone subscribers, except those with DVD recorders, will automatically receive the new TiVoToGo feature when their DVRs make their routine connection to the TiVo service. TiVo boxes will automatically retrieve the software update necessary to enable the new capability and subscribers will receive a message on their TiVo boxes after they have received the update. TiVo plans to roll out the TiVoToGo feature to DVD recorder subscribers of the TiVo service later this year.

It’s easy to transfer programs from a TiVo Series2 box to your laptop. Just connect your TiVo box to your home network, go to www.tivo.com/togo to download and install the free TiVo Desktop software to your laptop computer. The TiVoToGo service enhancement securely encrypts programming during the transfer to the laptop. Once transferred, subscribers enter a password they created during software installation that will allow decryption of the file and playback.

TiVo has carefully designed the TiVoToGo service enhancement to respect the copyrights of copy-protected content while offering flexibility to its subscribers. Programming that is protected with Macrovision copy protection including, PPV, VOD and commercial DVDs, will not be transferable to a laptop.

The TiVoToGo service enhancement will be distributed automatically to TiVo Series2 standalone subscribers through a scheduled rollout process. To sign up for priority distribution, go to www.tivo.com/priority. The TiVo Desktop software for TiVoToGo supports only Windows XP and 2000 operating systems at this time.

This week at the Consumer Electronics Show, TiVo plans to announce a number of new partnerships with technology leaders who are developing new technologies and products that will work with TiVoToGo.

About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), a pioneer in home entertainment, created a brand new category of products with the development of the first digital video recorder (DVR). Today, the Company continues to revolutionize the way consumers watch and access home entertainment by making TiVo the focal point of the digital living room, a center for sharing and experiencing television, music, photos and other content. TiVo connects consumers to the digital entertainment they want, where and when they want it. The Company is based in Alviso, Calif.

* TiVo has also posted an FAQ on TiVoToGo’s capabilities

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