JPThanks to a new deal with Nero, TiVo is well on its way to hitting your PC. Sure, Windows Media Center has done a good job of dominating the DVR on a PC industry for oh so long, but it looks like they are getting some competition from a worthy competitor.
Soon you’ll have your choice of Open Source MythTV (and SageTV), Closed source Windows Media Center, and Closed source (but non-windows) Nero/TiVo TiVo service. I like choices, and the only thing that has kept me from getting a TiVo in the past has been the monthly fees, so, removing those by making me responsible for obtaining the proper hardware, well that’s fine, and I might use the TiVo app on my PC when it comes out.
It’s something of a moist relief that manufacturers are helping broadcasters to save me from myself. Every day of my miserable life I’m but a step away from accidentally pirating something recorded on my PVR, and unintentionally damaging the trusting, loyal relationship I have with the people who supply me with endless reality TV and formulaic comedy docu-drama. Thank the lucky stars for Thomson and their NexGuard fingerprinting and encryption technology, which can embed a unique code that includes the serial number of your set-top box into anything you record from it. That way, should you inadvertently produce several thousand copies of, say, Desperate Housewives for your own, personal use, you can be tracked down and roughly flogged.
