The judgment is in and TiVo has been declared the winner by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This has been hailed as a potential game winning victory. So why is Dish Network celebrating its so called loss in this long and drawn out battle?

There are a few simple reasons that have led Dish Network to begin declaring a roundabout victory in the fight with TiVo that has been ongoing for the past six years. The first of these is that by losing the court battle, Dish may find itself with the opportunity to bid on being an exclusive provider of DVR technology through a contract with TiVo.

While Dish has stated that it intends to go through the entire Federal Circuit before conceding defeat, but once that money-wasting effort is complete,  it will be interesting to see just how the company goes about recuperating. This latest court case marks an important point that has been some time in coming. The costs of the legal battle have long plagued Dish Network and have had a detrimental effect on stocks.

Now the firm has reached the point where the majority of the costs are being worked into the stocks. This should allow the stocks to begin recovering their pre-lawsuit value. This will make investors quite happy as the company has taken a rather hard hit since the court battle first began.

Dish Network customers have been wondering whether or not the court ordered cease-and-desist would affect their DVR service. Dish Network has said, however, that thus far, its customers will not be impacted by the latest judgment. In a best case scenario, the company will be able to find a workable design-around that the courts will accept leaving Dish free from further contempt charges.

Another rather simple fix could involve the company having to pay a fee per each DVR enabled unit. At worst, TiVo could award DirecTV a contract as the sole DVR provider. For now though this seems like the least likely possibility. As it stands Dish appears to be coming out ahead in its loss to TiVo.

As the Internet continues to make its way into our lives, it’s only natural that Google is also making inroads into your living room as well.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google Inc. is working on a project with Dish Network regarding the operation of a set top box. Just what the set top box would actually do remains a mystery, nevertheless the secret project is underway and the public may never see it.

Google has stated that the project may be “discontinued at any time.”

Since the box project is housed at Google and not Dish Network, assumptions have been made that the –hopefully– Internet-ready device would pick up WI-FI signals and run on Google’s operating system Android. Combined with a version of their browser Chrome, the box would allow users search functionality for shows through the use of a keyboard.

Streaming content may also be a feature since Google-Owned YouTube is readily available on countless Blu-ray players and other devices.

The big question: what’s in it for Google and what’s in it for Dish Network? For Google, the search giant will be making more strides to grow an already huge customer base for its mammoth advertising scheme via its “nascent TV ad-brokering business.” That’s great news for advertisers.

A major problem for Madison Avenue is how to get their products in front of DVR-using audiences who routinely bypass ads. With the Google box, ads may be played in its guide or every “white space” that may be shown through its GUI.

For Dish, having a set top box capable of Android-based Google goodness opens a realm of possibilities for Internet applications with third party developers continuing to make apps for the OS. Also, if viewers like the features of a proposed Google box but hate the ads, I’m willing to bet a premium package will be offered to consumers for a price.

Dish Network could also be looking for more opportunities to enhance its boxes on the heels of their long-running court battle with Tivo regarding their DVR functionality. A case Tivo ultimately won, which may impact millions of Dish DVR users.

Personally, I’m not sure how appetizing a set top box that forces users to use a keyboard is. Will consumers go ga-ga for keyword searches? The guide on DirecTV and Dish Network works great along with online DVR programming. Similar to Tivo’s existing functionality of actor searches, perhaps Google’s Dish box might offer a superior version. I’d rather see a set up similar to Roku with Netflix streaming, Amazon purchases and Pandora’s custom music stations.

But, like all of us, we’ll have to wait and see.

Perhaps one of the most sought after technologies available to television viewers today has also become one of the most contentious pieces as well. DVR technology was developed by a small company named TiVo back in 1999. When it was first attempting to market its new design TiVo took a prototype to Dish Network.

The story goes that Dish actually kept the prototype and integrated that technology into a DVR system of its own. This technology which allows television users to both store and retrieve videos in a digital format has since become wildly popular. It has become so popular in fact that many people equate the name of the company, TiVo, with the equipment itself. People will ask if another is going to “TiVo” a show.

In 2004 TiVo decided to take Dish Network to court for patent infringement due to the similarities of the Dish technology to its own. TiVo won the case as well as the subsequent appeal filed by Dish in district court. TiVo was paid $104 million by Dish to cover both damages and interest for the duration that it had made use of the suspect technology.

The court also barred Dish from using the TiVo-based technology on any of its equipment both existing and future. Immediately following this loss Dish Network attempted a design-around that would not violate TiVo’s patent. The U.S. District Court in Marshall Texas, however, felt that the new design was not acceptable and ordered an additional $103 million be awarded as well as $200 million for sanctions covering its contempt of the cease-and-desist order.

Dish continues to appeal, believing that eventually the court of appeals will yield an acceptable verdict. It also continues to try to develop a design-around that the courts, and TiVo, will accept. TiVo has stated that it will continue to seek damages as long as its technology is being used by Dish Network.

As I wrote earlier this week, TiVo was set to give a press conference on their new features.  Well, people are raving about it.  The result was the infamous “how did I ever watch TV without this?”  CEO Tom Rodgers said that the new top-box is not only a new cable box, but is also a movie box, web box, and music box.  TiVo Premiere is ingeniously set up after  months of tweaking, allowing users to access “millions of pieces of content” in an organized and user-friendly fashion.

Just looking at the interface, it has a Windows Media Center feel.  The show and movie icons are big and bright and the left hand column of media choices is straightforward.  You can peruse through internet TV, movies, music, on-demand, and even YouTube videos with the distinctive blip of TiVo.  There is also a button that allows the user to fast-forward 30 seconds of recorded material in one second.  You know what that means…no commercials!!!

Now that you’re all excited about this new set-top box, here’s the only downer.  It will be released next month as the baseline Premiere 320 GB for $299.  It will be able to record 400 hours of SD and 45 hours of HD.  If you’re super hardcore, then you’ll want to go for the $499 model (yes you read that correctly).  It is dubbed as the Premiere XL and has one terabyte of recording space.  That means you can store a ridiculous 1,350 hours of SD and 150 hours of HD.  The only downer about the XL is that it works with cable only and not satellite users.  So start saving up!

Unimpressed by the appeal put forth by Dish Network and EchoStar, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the previous ruling of a lower court which awarded TiVo $300 million or more. The previous ruling had found that the satellite operator was in contempt of a previous order which had demanded that all DVRs that infringed on an important patent held by TiVo be disabled.

EchoStar Communications was taken to court on the grounds of patent infringement by TiVo back in 2004. As of August 2006 Dish found itself having been ordered to disable all of its DVR equipment that violates the TiVo patent.

The patent in question concerned TiVo’s “Time Warp” technology which lies at the heart of its DVR capabilities. Dish Network continued to hold out on disabling its DVRs and by June 2009 found itself in contempt of court. This led to the award of another $103 million and interest to TiVo. Once again, by September 2009 Dish and EchoStar were ordered to pay even more fines to cover additional damages as well as sanctions for the contempt charge. With this new amount the total was now in excess of $300 million.

TiVo released a statement expressing the company’s pleasure that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the lower court’s ruling on both the infringement and the subsequent order to disable. Now that this ruling has been upheld TiVo will come closer to collecting on the amounts due as well as having grounds to push for further sanctions and damages for the period leading up to this newest appeal.

Both Dish and EchoStar expressed disappointment with the ruling but agree to seek further review. They have also stated that a design-around to fix the patent infringement will be submitted to the district court for its approval. If approved, this design-around will allow the companies to get out of contempt.
So far DVR customers will not be affected by the ruling as the companies have stated that they would be carrying the case through the entire Federal Circuit.

TiVo is set to release its next generation of set-top boxes and it will now include web search results along with the normal television listings.  The new feature to the interface will allow subscribers to locate programs on websites such as Google, YouTube, and Amazon, as well as Netflix and Wible.  The results would be displayed with broadcast, cable TV and pay-per-view listings.

Intertwining the internet and television is nothing new.  Many of the new televisions have internet hookups where you can get basic information about things on your screen.  This is important for TiVo just to keep up with the ever-expanding times.  Other big news is expected out of TiVo’s news conference which is scheduled for tomorrow, March 2.

Another feature that is speculated to break is that TiVo’s new DVR will be able to record more shows simultaneously.  One tuner wasn’t enough at first, and now it two isn’t enough either.  That would be crazy but would also just pad the stats of station ratings.  Soon, it might come to the point of providers just posting the websites on certain days and allowing viewers to watch it whenever they want after downloading.  But that’s really extreme and far-fetched.  Expect this first generation of new boxes to be outrageously high, some are even projecting around $500.  It might be wise to wait a year for the price drop and perhaps a better version to come out after the patches.  I’m not sure if I would shell half a grand for a set-top box.  And if I did, it better be damn good.

The time has come when just having a Tivo or DVR is not enough. Now, consumers are flocking to purchase the Tivo HD DVR. The HD DVR offers more features than a regular Tivo or DVR does, including the ability to record in high definition. While keeping the standard features of a Tivo, it also expands on those features creating a more comprehensive product.

Pre-Approve Shows and Channels for Kids

The Tivo HD DVR has incorporated KidZone. With KidZone, parents can block channels and shows so their children cannot watch them. Parents can block certain shows on the channel or the entire channel. It allows parents to be more at ease with their children and the television.

Bigger Hard Drive Means More Shows

With the Tivo HD DVR, users can record and store up to 20 hours of high definition TV. If that does not sound like much to you, consider how much standard definition television the HD DVR can hold. In a standard definition format, your Tivo will be able to store up to 180 hours of television. You will be able to hold onto all of your movies and play them right there on your Tivo.

DVR Expander

What if you want to be able to store even more shows and movies in high definition? You can, with the DVR Expander. The expander is a little box that you can purchase in addition to your Tivo HD DVR. With the expander, you can store an additional 65 hours of high definition television or 600 hours of standard definition television. The DVR Expander is incredibly easy to hook up, and is another benefit of buying a Tivo HD DVR.

CableCard

Are you sick of having so many receivers next to your television? Does your living room look more like an electronics store than a living space? If that is the case, it is time to get the Tivo HD DVR and a CableCard to go along with it. What will a CableCard do? It will allow you to get rid of your cable box. By inserting the CableCard into your Tivo HD DVR, your Tivo will be able to act as both your DVR and cable box. Imagine the space you will save.

Improved Searching Capabilities

Is there an actor or director that you love, and you want to be able to watch everything they are in? Type their name into the search function. The Tivo HD DVR will then bring up all of the available shows or movies they are in. Record them and watch them later. The increased search options give you more control over your programming than ever.

Everything You Love about Tivo Service
The Tivo HD DVR also incorporates everything that you love in the Tivo service. You can still record two shows at once. You can pause and rewind live television shows. You can do everything you have been able to do with your Tivo in the past, and then some.

Upgrade to the Tivo HD DVR and improve the quality of entertainment in your house. Users have been pleased with the service. They love recording shows in high definition and taking advantage of the added features of the Tivo HD DVR.

Get the new TiVo HD DVR now for just $299.99 plus service!

When it initially came out onto the scene, TiVo!
transformed the way people watched television. Now, years later, it has managed to get even better with age by expanding its services. The Tivo DVR now offers more than ever before by using state of the art technology.

Record Television Shows

It is like a VCR, only better. The Tivo DVR records television shows so you can play them back at a later time. By recording a show and playing it back later, users can avoid commercials. Also, two shows can be recorded at once, which helps eliminate fighting between couples who cannot decide what to watch.

Pause Live TV

Isn’t it annoying when you miss what a character on your favorite show is saying because the person sitting next to you is talking? With Tivo, you can pause and rewind live TV, so you will never have to worry about missing something important again.

Tivo and the Internet

A Tivo is not only a useful tool for recording television shows. Users can connect their Tivo to their internet connection. By connecting to the internet, you can take movies, photos, music, and videos from your computer and display them on your television set.

Tivo has Good Taste

Tivo owners also benefit from the recommendations the service offers. Tivo will record shows that it thinks you will enjoy based on your viewing pattern. Some of your favorite shows might be found through this feature.

Affordable

One would think that all of these features would be expensive. Actually, once you purchase the actual Tivo, the service is very inexpensive. The Tivo itself can be bought for as low as $99. Users can pay $129 annually or $12.95 a month for the full Tivo service. There is also the option of buying the lifetime service for $399. Those who plan on sticking with their Tivo would definitely benefit from the lifetime subscription.

A Tivo is a great addition to any household. It takes entertainment to the next level. Never again worry about missing your favorite show. It is an affordable way to bring entertainment back into your home.

To find out more about the Tivo service, visit the TiVo!
website.

I just saw this deal over on Slick Deals this morning and had to post it.  Today Woot.com has a DirecTV TiVo DVR remote control for just $0.99 (limit 3) + $5 flat S/H. Although these have a DirecTV logo on them, they will work with any regular TiVo series 1-3 DVR.  So for those of you that misplaced your Tivo remote and don’t feel like going on an adventure to find it, heres your oppertunity to get a brand new one for next to nothing!

Update:  Looks like this offer is only good for 1 day.