Based on some slightly grainy pictures, there's rampant speculation about a demonstration of possible TiVo future features, including the downloading and uploading of video.
The photos were taken during a meetup in Las Vegas by TiVo enthusiasts. They talk about the photos in this TiVo Community thread. The speculation, which some say is incorrect, is that the demos showed how a TiVo-Netflix deal might work, with TiVo downloading movies from Netflix.
But as someone else mentioned in the TiVo Community thread, why does TiVo need Netflix? Netflix is simply a distributor of DVDs. TiVo could do the same thing on its own by licensing digital versions of films and letting subscribers download them.
Via PVRblog.
1. TiVo doesn't need NetFlix technologically or anything - but it is business. NetFlix is a strong, established brand in the 'movie rental' business. TiVo is not. NetFlix also has a large userbase of established renters that is a ready made target market for a joint service.
NetFlix brings customers to TiVo, TiVo brings customers to NetFlix. They get to use NetFlix marketing, which is a leg up. It is all business.
Posted at 1:11PM on Jun 17th 2005 by MegaZone