Well, it seems Tivo has finally lost its spice.

With the newest upgrades, they have added broadcast flags to certain programs. They will only allow shows to exist on your box up until a certain date. They will prevent "Transfer to VCR".

With using the Tivo To Go service, the transfered show has the Tivo logo that floats all around your screen during the entire program. Every so often, a webpage scrolls across the bottom of your screen.

Although my family bought it, not me, I will not even consider buying it for my home when I get one. I would rather build my own DVR box.

Wow, tivo definatly SUCKS now.

I don't know where you get your information dkreifus, so before I (try and) counter these points, please cite your source.

'cause I have heard the fears behind their broadcast flags, but not the removal of "Transfer to VCR" which really isn't anything special anyway and can always be done old school. I also haven't seen such a watermark or webpage ad during a TiVo2Go playback.

However, if you want TOTAL control then of course build your own, but that's not the reason people buy TiVo in the first place. They do it for the simplicity and that's why even I chose it over a homemade DVR system.

As for the Tivo To Go watermark, I can vouch for that first hand. As for other stuff, I'll post some sources. I have read direct testimonials, but I'll get sources soon

A start...

http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/r...blic/tv2186.htm

Well my TiVo2Go transfers from three weeks ago don't have such a watermark under Windows Media Player, but I'll do one now just in case to see if I get different results.

These pics are copied from Tivocommunity

Well if you go back, I wasn't debating the broadcast flags as I knew about them.

However, now I see that the watermarks you're referring to are the Macrovision copy protection crap which I have actually heard of. However, that's only applied by some program providers, and doesn't (necessarily) apply to standard programing, so I haven't experienced it first hand. It also goes hand-in-hand with the broadcast flag stuff and blocking "Transfer To VCR" when necessary. Therefore, it seems all of your original points boil down to this newly-enforced technology.

I will agree that it's unfortunate they've added such things, but I still love TiVo and will continue to recommend it to people. However, if you want total control and/or bypass the service fees, then by all means do it yourself. Just stick with Linux-based setups though or, eventually, you'll probably say the same thing about Microsoft's Media Center Edition.

that's such crap... HTPC sounds like how i'll go next

I don't own a TiVo boxset but can't you hardware hack it or summat? Similar to chipping PS/PS2/Xbox ?

It was built into their new software. Its a flag activated by the broadcaster. In theory, it could be hacked. You would have to make the system ignore the broadcast flag.

At which point, like uncapping your modem, TiVo will check everyone's systems and cancel anyone who modified the firmware.

Right. So now its time to either build a myth TV, or your own DVR.

On a side note. There are about 20 congressmen right now pushing for standard broadcast flag for all DVRs. They want to make it a law. I don't know the exact deals with why the FCC wasn't pushing for this directly, but either way, we need to call our representatives and fight this.

I'll get more details when I am home and can research this more.