TiVo Demos ATSC 3.0 Network Tuner To Retrofit Existing DVRs

[osu1991]

TiVo Demos ATSC 3.0 Network Tuner To Retrofit Existing DVRs




TiVo has developed software that enables current generation Hydra-powered DVR hardware to manage a network ATSC 3.0 tuner and deliver next gen OTA content through those existing boxes.

 

[edisonprime]

I hope I don’t have to hook the actual eventual tuner to a computer for I don’t have a 4K-capable computer-plus its a Mac.

 

[navychop]

Sounds like the goal is to make an adapter that will feed the signal to certain existing STBs.


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[primestar31]

I hope I don’t have to hook the actual eventual tuner to a computer for I don’t have a 4K-capable computer-plus its a Mac.

I believe it's an ATSC 3.0 network GATEWAY device. That would mean it goes on your LAN, and the Tivo would tune in through it's ethernet cable or wireless, if your Tivo is hooked up that way.

Now, my Tivo has 4 OTA tuners. My question would be of this gateway: "is it capable of allowing all 4 tuners to be able to record different ATSC 3.0 channels at the same time, like it can for ATSC 1.0 now"?

 

[osu1991]

I hope I don’t have to hook the actual eventual tuner to a computer for I don’t have a 4K-capable computer-plus its a Mac.

The linux computer was being used, because they don't have an actual box with processing logic. Eventually, if their proof of concept moves forward, they would have some type of chip in the box with the tuner(s) to process the signal and send it to the Bolt or Mini.

Whether that is a single 3.0 tuner or multiple 3.0 tuners that has yet to be determined.

 

[harshness]

As was pointed out in a comment, the big stumbling block is being able to handle HEVC and that will take out legions of TiVotees with their surgically enhanced non-Hydra DVRs.

Streaming from USB isn't rocket science. Getting people to adopt Hydra may be biblical.

 

[primestar31]

Well, the only Tivo's that can handle HEVC, are the Bolts. Those are very pricey compared to Roamio's. They also have that insane "bent" form factor, AND only use 2.5inch drives. So it's more expensive to buy higher capacity internal drives compared to standard 3.5inch size. Though you could probably use a 3.5inch drive with an adapter, but have it outside the case.

Hopefully they add something to this gateway to do the HEVC decoding before being streamed to the Tivo. That would make it much more compatible.

 

[harshness]

Hopefully they add something to this gateway to do the HEVC decoding before being streamed to the Tivo. That would make it much more compatible.

Transcoding doesn't come cheap. Look at the price difference between the HDHomerun Duo and the HDHomerun Extend or the anything and the Tablo.

There's also some question of whether or not any of the TiVos can handle the sound format of Next Gen TV. ATSC 3.0 specifies Dolby AC-4 for the US, Canada and maybe Mexico (and MPEG-H for most of the rest of the planet) that is not backward compatible with DD (AC-3) or DD+ (E-AC-3).

 

[primestar31]

Transcoding doesn't come cheap. Look at the price difference between the HDHomerun Duo and the HDHomerun Extend or the anything and the Tablo.

There's also some question of whether or not any of the TiVos can handle the sound format of Next Gen TV. ATSC 3.0 specifies Dolby AC-4 for the US, Canada and maybe Mexico (and MPEG-H for most of the rest of the planet) that is not backward compatible with DD (AC-3) or DD+ (E-AC-3).

Well, I agree with all of that. However Tivo is likely to try betting the farm on this device, as without it ALL their present DVR's used for OTA are completely obsolete. At least they will be for sure after ATSC 1.0 shuts down after 5 years.

I give them props for at least thinking about creating this. It seems like it could be an elegant way to go instead of one decoder = one tv set type setup.

 

[navychop]

So they can sell new boxes. Not a problem- it’s an opportunity.


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[harshness]

However Tivo is likely to try betting the farm on this device, as without it ALL their present DVR's used for OTA are completely obsolete.

I expect that TiVo will walk away from OTA. While there's lots of interest in OTA now, I think it will wane as the two standards compete for bandwidth and the stations try to force the conversion.

Having to add one or more Next Gen TV boxes (picturing a dongle is a bald-faced lie) at a pretty steep price will make the conversion mostly unpalatable.

TiVo has been edging ever closer to being a cable box company and this may be the final straw.

 

[navychop]

I suspect OTT has a brighter future, especially combined with OTA, than a pure play for cable boxes. More so since cablecos seem to be edging toward being pure Internet providers.


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[harshness]

More so since cablecos seem to be edging toward being pure Internet providers.

I believe that if OTT gets enough traction, unicasting will kill the Internet.

Cable is sitting on top of a multicast goldmine with QAM and I suspect that any suggestions by the bigger players that they want you streaming is based on capturing those without cable broadband.

Comcast hasn't given up on X1 (although it was supposed to be X4 by now) and I've heard good things about a couple of the other DVR platforms.

 

[danristheman]

 

[jayn_j]

Well, I agree with all of that. However Tivo is likely to try betting the farm on this device, as without it ALL their present DVR's used for OTA are completely obsolete. At least they will be for sure after ATSC 1.0 shuts down after 5 years.
I give them props for at least thinking about creating this. It seems like it could be an elegant way to go instead of one decoder = one tv set type setup.

I have been around a long time (I'm 70) and have seen a lot of cases where companies try to adapt to new technology. They tend to demonstrate an 'adapter' box that allows older sets to function with the new features. I recall examples like modulators to allow dolby digital soundtracks on laserdiscs, digital inpout adapters for older receivers, the ATSC1 boxes for TVs, a myriad bunch of computer and video game adapters. Usually, these things never see the light of day. When they do, the cost is so high that it is cheaper and better to simply upgrade.

The only one I can think of the 'kinda' worked was the atsc 1.0 tuners for old NTSC only TVs. The reason it worked was that the government subsidized these boxes in order to force the digital channel transition. However, even that was very short lived and the vast majority of folks quickly moved on the cheap flat screen LCD sets because the advantages were obvious and the cost was low. It also wasn't necessary for the majority of consumers that relied on cable boxes that continued to spit out NTSC.

My feeling is that TIVOs strategy here is to promise an upgrade path in order to prevent loss of sales of the current product. They will most likely have an ATSC3 compatible unit in the timeframe and will provide some sort of promotion so they never have to deliver the adapter.

 

[harshness]

My feeling is that TIVOs strategy here is to promise an upgrade path in order to prevent loss of sales of the current product.

TiVo's focus seem to be shifting away from their DVRs. Their stock value is less than half of what it was two years ago and they've had many lay-offs.

The two most recent announcements out of TiVo have been intellectual property things.

 

[navychop]

The only reason TiVo is around today is because of the funding they got from Dish in the lawsuit.


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[Jim5506]

Didn't I read that their patent just expired?

 

[navychop]

I believe a batch of their patents have expired, or are about to.


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[harshness]

After watching the CCN NAB video:

Who decided that network-based and USB tuners are the answer for the masses?

Joe Sixpack needs HDMI to make this work with his TV and sound bar!