Tivo Series3 ‘Lite’ Details Leak?

TiVo promised it would offer a lower-priced high-definition DVR later this year; now, possible leaks from retailers point to a tantalizing $299 unit coming soon.

Last May, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers indicated that TiVo was working on a new, lower-cover, high definition-capable DVR unit that it planned to get out the door sometime in 2007. Rogers’ comments were in response to concerns that the company’s $800 high-defSeries3 DVR was too expensive for the market. Although the Series3 can sometimes be had for around $500 with sales and promotions and the company has been showing some progress in its partnership with Comcast, the bottom line is that TiVo is still struggling in the marketplace, despite having sparked the DVR television revolution.

Now, details have apparently leaked from retailers (and have been collected in the TiVo Community online forums) regarding a "Series3 Lite" or "Tivo HD" DVR on the wayo—and if the information is accurate, TiVo’s forthcoming set-top box may be very appealing to consumers, especially those getting into high-definition programming. The so-called "Series3 Lite" will apparently offer almost all the features of the more-expensive Series3, including dual tuners, a range of video inputs, support for two single-channel CableCards, and support for 1080p high definition content, while opting for a smaller hard drive and a standard remote in lieu of the sophisticated "learning" remove, while omitting the Series3’s OLED display and THX certification. And possibly the most appealing aspect: a reported price tag of $299.

It must be emphasized that information about the unit—including all its technical details—are unconfirmed, and TiVo representatives refused to comment on the information or discuss any forthcoming set-top box products. However, as described, the product would likely meet the needs of many consumers who are making the move to HD programming, while videophiles, professionals, and enthusiasts will still have the option of the more pimped-out original Series3 unit.