I would like to see Tivo develop an app for Smart TVs and Streaming devices that will provide the full functionality of the Tivo Mini and/or develop a wireless, 4K Mini that's competitively priced compared to other streaming devices.
I'll start out my noting that I'm not currently a Tivo user. I'm looking for a simpler solution for my home that won't require me to function as full-time tech support for family and guests, and that eliminates the need to continue to rent boxes from the cable company. Dropping cable for OTA just isn't realistic at this point. I've been looking at the Tivo Bolt and I really like the features that it offers, but the lack of options live streaming to Smart TVs or Streaming Devices is keeping me from making the purchase.
The showstopper for me is the requirement to purchase Tivo Minis for each additional TV that I have in the house. I have a total of 6 TVs that I would ideally want to be able to connect. I can live with the 4-tuner limitation we would have if we went with a single Bolt since we never really have all 6 going at the same time. However, in order to get them all connected I would have to purchase a minimum of 1 Bolt and 5 Minis. That's around $1,000 and does not include the service subscription. I'm paying $48/month in cable box rentals today, so we're talking about payback period of over 20 months.
In addition to the upfront costs, I'm also not wild about the lack of WiFi support with the Minis. This effectively makes them nothing more than your typical cable boxes that require power and coax connections to the wall, and an HDMI cable running to the TV. A wireless solution would provide a lot more flexibility in where I can place the TV. I do realize that people have successfully used extenders and access points to effectively make the Minis work over WiFi, but that requires significant additional costs and space for the access points. It also means running another power cord to the wall.
I can buy an entry-level smart TV for less than $50 more than the price of the mini, or a streaming stick than can use the HDMI and USB ports on my current TVs for ~$40. Cable providers are making their apps available on smart TVs and streamers, and services like Sling TV and Playstation Vue are starting to mature. Given the 20-month payback period that I mentioned before, I'm inclined to hold off on Tivo and see how the market develops.
If Tivo were to announce that they are releasing apps for smart TVs and streamers that provide the same functionality as their Minis, or if they introduced a wireless mini that supports 4K and was priced in line with the Amazon Fire TV or Roku 4, I'd dive right in.
I'll start out my noting that I'm not currently a Tivo user. I'm looking for a simpler solution for my home that won't require me to function as full-time tech support for family and guests, and that eliminates the need to continue to rent boxes from the cable company. Dropping cable for OTA just isn't realistic at this point. I've been looking at the Tivo Bolt and I really like the features that it offers, but the lack of options live streaming to Smart TVs or Streaming Devices is keeping me from making the purchase.
The showstopper for me is the requirement to purchase Tivo Minis for each additional TV that I have in the house. I have a total of 6 TVs that I would ideally want to be able to connect. I can live with the 4-tuner limitation we would have if we went with a single Bolt since we never really have all 6 going at the same time. However, in order to get them all connected I would have to purchase a minimum of 1 Bolt and 5 Minis. That's around $1,000 and does not include the service subscription. I'm paying $48/month in cable box rentals today, so we're talking about payback period of over 20 months.
In addition to the upfront costs, I'm also not wild about the lack of WiFi support with the Minis. This effectively makes them nothing more than your typical cable boxes that require power and coax connections to the wall, and an HDMI cable running to the TV. A wireless solution would provide a lot more flexibility in where I can place the TV. I do realize that people have successfully used extenders and access points to effectively make the Minis work over WiFi, but that requires significant additional costs and space for the access points. It also means running another power cord to the wall.
I can buy an entry-level smart TV for less than $50 more than the price of the mini, or a streaming stick than can use the HDMI and USB ports on my current TVs for ~$40. Cable providers are making their apps available on smart TVs and streamers, and services like Sling TV and Playstation Vue are starting to mature. Given the 20-month payback period that I mentioned before, I'm inclined to hold off on Tivo and see how the market develops.
If Tivo were to announce that they are releasing apps for smart TVs and streamers that provide the same functionality as their Minis, or if they introduced a wireless mini that supports 4K and was priced in line with the Amazon Fire TV or Roku 4, I'd dive right in.
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