This is it, it is finally official, the TiVo Premiere Elite. Not that it has been a big secret – we saw TiVo file for an FCC waiver to allow them to sell the Premiere Elite at retail a couple of months back. Then, in another filing, they encouraged the FCC to act fast as they wanted to announce the Elite at the CEDIA show, starting on September 7, 2011. Well, guess what, it is September 7th, and here is the announcement – but, unfortunately, no waiver yet. So the announcement is pending the FCC waiver. Note that the waiver request was filed on June 7th, so today is the 90 day mark and I believe the FCC is supposed to deliver a decision within 90 days of the request. So we may see the answer later today.
If the waiver is granted, and it does look like it will be, then this is what TiVo plans to release. As previously revealed, they’d like to ship the Elite by mid-September to have it on retail shelves by mid-October.
Even the product details, officially announced today, were previously revealed via an FCC filing. But let’s see what we can expect. You can see the official TiVo Premire Elite Data Sheet as a PDF, or I’ve included the pages as images in the gallery below. But the key data is as follows:
Product overview:
- 4 tuners allow you to record up to 4 shows at once
- 2 terabytes of recording capacity provide up to 300 hours of HD programming
- Easy access to broadband entertainment providers like Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, BLOCKBUSTER®, Amazon and YouTube™*
- Streams music and photos from any home network and the web*
- Full 1080p and 1080i support
- World’s only THX-certified DVR for optimal sound and video fidelity
- Free TiVo® App for iPad® and iPhone® provides a richer TV experience
- eSATA port supports increased storage via compatible hard drive
- Compatible with digital cable and Verizon FiOS®
- Enables a whole home solution by connecting with other TiVo DVRs
- Integrates with Crestron, Control4, RTI and other popular control systems
- Supports HDMI compliant splitters with up to 16 HDMI ports
- MoCA® support (including MoCA bridge)
- Superb source for HT upgrades and future expansion
What you’ll need:
- Subscription to the TiVo service via a broadband, Ethernet or MoCA connection
- Digital cable TV or Verizon FiOS® connection (does not support satellite, AT&T U-verse, antenna or analog cable)
- One multistream CableCARD™ decoder from cable company (required to receive digital cable channels, additional fee may apply)**
Supported Signal Sources:
- Digital cable (QAM only)
- Verizon FiOS®
Does not support analog cable, antenna (ATSC), satellite or AT&T U-verse.
Outputs: HDMI, component video, composite video, optical audio, analog audio
Video Output Modes Include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Inputs: CableCARD™ support, cable coax, Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 ports (2), e-SATA, MoCA
Architecture: TiVo Series4™
Audio/Video: THX® certified, Dolby 5.1
TiVo Premiere Elite Dimensions:
16.5″ W x 9.7″ D x 2.4″ H
Weight: 6.64 lbs.
Outer Carton Dimensions: 19.75″ W x 13″ D x 6.13″ H
UPC: 851342000933
Model: TCD758250
SKU: R75825
Optional Accessories:
- TiVo® Slide remote
- TiVo® Wireless N or G Network Adapter
Included in Box:
- Premiere Elite
- TiVo® Glo remote
- Instruction manual and Quick-Start guide
- Cables (includes 6’ HDMI, 6’ AC power, 6.5’ Ethernet, 6’ composite video & audio cable)
- THX optimizer glasses
*Broadband Internet connection required. Due to restrictions placed by copyright holders, certain premium programming cannot be transferred to computers or mobile devices. TiVo Desktop Plus software (sold separately) is required to transfer recordings to mobile devices.
**CableCARD™ Decoder. A CableCARD decoder is required for your TiVo Premiere Elite DVR to receive any cable programming. The TiVo Premiere Elite is designed for use only with digital cable systems. It does not receive analog programming, including over-the-air, and will not work with an over-the-air antenna. Most of the largest cable providers have “digital simulcast,” which means they rebroadcast all their analog channel programming on digital channels as well. This means that all or most of the programs available on analog channels are also available on digital channels when a CableCARD is inserted. Therefore, if your provider has “digital simulcast” and rebroadcasts all of its programming in analog you will not miss any of your cable channel programming with a TiVo Premiere Elite. If you are unsure whether your cable operator’s service provides digital simulcast of all analog programming, please contact your provider to determine whether it offers all-digital or digital simulcast service. If you plan to relocate to a new area or change your video service provider, please contact your new provider to determine whether it offers all-digital or digital simulcast service for all of its analog programming.
So, that pretty much jibes with everything we learned earlier from the FCC filing.
The press release basically reiterates the specs in a less concise form. If you’re interested, here’s the TiVo Premiere Elite Press Release as a PDF, or as images below. The one key bit I’ll cite is:
Pending FCC approval of TiVo’s request to waive a requirement to include analog tuners, The TiVo Premiere Elite will be available by the end of the year through tivo.com, authorized home theater installers and Magnolia stores nationwide. The TiVo Premiere will be on display at CEDIA 2011 in Indianapolis September 8-10 at Booth # 2140. For more information on the product and to sign up for notifications of availability please visit www.tivo.com/elite.
Note the www.tivo.com/elite link doesn’t appear to be live as of yet, but I expect TiVo will flip the switch soon. The page is up.
As you can see, the TiVo Premiere Elite looks pretty much like a TiVo Premiere with the addition of two more red ‘recording’ LED indicators on the right, and the ‘Elite’ badge on the left. The rear panel is similar, with the removal of the antenna coax input found on the Premiere.
You may have noticed one key bit of info is missing from this post – pricing. TiVo hasn’t revealed that yet. I’m still thinking $499 given the Premiere is $99 and the Premiere XL is $299. And while they’ve added two digital tuners and MoCA, they’ve removed two analog tuners and the associated encoders and RAM. And a 2TB drive isn’t that much more expensive than a 1TB drive. Then again, it is going to be pitched as a premium product, and the Series3 was $799 when it launched. So who knows, we’ll see how far off my prediction was in due course of time.
UPDATE: And the TiVo Premiere Elite webpage is up and includes the pricing – $499.99! Nailed it!
You can sign up on that page to receive email updates from TiVo.
