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TiVo today launches a new decoder, the TiVo BOLT OTA, which will join its existing line of BOLT brand TiVo devices, including the voice activated BOLT VOX DVRs launched last year. This new device, as its name suggests, is designed for cable cutters that use a digital antenna to watch live TV over the airwaves. It will replace the TiVO Roamio OTA DVR, which will no longer be sold.
Specifically, the BOLT OTA 4K Ultra High Definition compatible decoder is designed to work with virtually any HD Antenna and TV, allowing customers to drop out of cable or satellite TV without losing the ability to watch and record. live television.
The device is similar to the BOLT VOX 1 TB because it also offers 4 tuners and supports 150 hours of HD programming. But it costs less because the support of the BOLT VOX cable has been abandoned in favor of the antenna only.
This also reduces the cost of the device.
While the 1TB BOLT VOX is at $ 299.99 with a TiVo service plan at $ 14.99 per month, the new BOLT OTA 1TB is at $ 249.99 and has a monthly fee of $ 6.99. (Or you can pay $ 69.99 a year, if you wish, or you can withdraw fees with an upfront payment of $ 249.)
In addition, the device comes with TiVo's VOX Voice Remote and, conveniently, a 6 "HDMI 6K cable.
On the back are the inputs and outputs for the remote searcher, the coaxial connection for the antenna, the optical audio output, the audio L / R, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, 2 USB 2.0 ports, the external storage port and power supply.
Like other TiVo devices, the BOLT OTA is aimed at consumers seeking to combine access to traditional television programming – in this case, an antenna – with on-demand streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube and others.
TiVo's software includes more than 20 popular streaming applications. It's not as much as something like Roku or Apple TV, for example, but covers a lot of majors like Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, Vudu, Pandora, Plex, EPIX, iHeartRadio, MLB.TV and others. .
The new OTA BOLT will also support the TiVo Mini for a multi-room installation and for the entire home – but only on Ethernet, not on MoCA (coaxial networking), which is not supported on the new device.
Other TiVo BOLT OTA outlets include its TiVo SkipMode feature, universal live TV search, OneSearch recordings and streaming services, and the ability to use voice commands. to find programming.
In fact, TiVo's line of digital VCRs support Amazon Alexa – it's worth noting that Amazon has apparently been targeting the TiVo market with its new Fire TV Recast, which has forced TiVo to -cost box .
Amazon's new set-top box will stream and record live TV and provide access to traditional streaming services, such as Netflix, plus Amazon's video catalog, and any other applications that support Fire TV devices.
And the redesign offers the ability to stream to other connected devices at home and on the outside without additional monthly fees. This is probably the biggest threat for TiVo, which has used monthly service plans to generate revenue beyond the one-time cost of purchasing equipment itself.
The 2-tuner version of Fire TV Recast costs $ 230 and the 4-tuner option at $ 280, which places it slightly above the new BOLT OTA, which costs $ 250. But without the need for a subscription, Fire TV Recast users could save money over time. (The solution to TiVo's monthly fee is the initial payment of $ 249 for its all-inclusive plan, now that Roamio is sold at no charge.)
Despite the similarities between the products, TiVo says that Amazon is not a rival.
"It's very important to understand that TiVo does not see Amazon as a competitor," said Ted Malone, vice president of consumer products and services at TiVo. "We run a lot of our services on AWS; we sell our products via Amazon; we support Alexa; We were the first and, to my knowledge, one of the best integrations of the Alexa Video Skills Kit. And we support Amazon Prime Video on our boxes. We really see Amazon at the partner level, "he says.
In addition, he adds, the devices are different. TiVo aims to feel more like a professional TV product – perhaps an updated cable TV box – while Amazon's Fire TV Recast looks more like the DIY solutions offered by Tablo or ChannelMaster.
"They have completed a pleasant employment of integrating firmly with the Amazon ecosystem, "he continues. "But I thought you are Probably do not Go at see their Rush at support Google Voice or Roku customers or a lot of the things were Make this are more open, of a ecosystem point of view, "notes Malone.
He says that Amazon's entry will raise awareness, and it will be good for TiVo. "We thought this once this tide departures rising, we thought this we can again provide a Solution this East differentiated and targets East slightly different customer type, "says Malone.
For example, BOLT OTA allows customers to play five programs at the same time (2 on mobile, 2 via Minis and 1 via local playback). The redesign – even the 4-tuner version – only supports 2 outputs at the same time, he says.
TiVo wants to focus on its OTA product line as it is the only one to grow. Customer revenues using OTA devices increased 10 percent year-over-year, while TiVo's cable installation base decreased by 5 percent, according to the company.
TiVo BOLT OTA will be available from Friday, September 28, 2018 on TiVo.com and Amazon. Best Buy will stock it in stores on October 7th.
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