TiVo released its long-awaited TiVoToGo feature today. Unfortunately, no one can use it yet. The feature, which allows TiVo DVR owners to transfer video from their DVR to computers and DVDs, requires the latest version of the TiVo software. Doesn't TiVo automatically download software updates? Well, sort of. TiVo plans to roll out the new software over the next few weeks. The company's website does allow customers to add themselves to a software priority list, but even priority customers may not receive the updates for several weeks. Non-priority customers? Who knows when they'll receive it. I have to admit that I was under the impression that my TiVo software was being updated automatically as new versions became available, but a quick check of the system information in each box indicates otherwise. The latest software is version 7.1, but the DVR I purchased just three months ago is only on version 5. Worse than that, my original unit, which is about 18 months old, is only on version 4, a full three releases behind the current edition. Maybe by summer I'll be up to date. I'll keep you posted. Once the feature is installed, I suspect my bitterness will evaporate swiftly.

* * *

TiVo to DVD: The documentation on the TiVo website is a bit cryptic, but it appears that TiVo is forcing all customers to use one specific brand of DVD burning software (Sonic Solutions) to transfer video to DVD. And the software, which isn't even on the market yet, won't be offered for free to TiVo subscribers. No price for the software has been announced, but Sonic Solutions current DVD burning product costs $70 in it's cheapest form. This brand restriction is probably due to Digital Rights Management issues, but is it really smart for business? Hopefully TiVo is already working with other software makers to provide more options. If not, it will only open the door for cable companies who are already stealing substantial business from TiVo with cheaper, no-frills DVRs. If one of these companies was to offer the same functionality using any burning software (or at least software that's available for free to subscribers), there would be little incentive for consumers to choose TiVo. Two words for TiVo: "Remember Betamax." Or better yet, "Remember DeCSS." After all, it will probably only take a few days for some hack of TiVo's DRM to show up on the Internet. Oddly enough, while such a hack would decrease TiVo and Sonic Solution's profits, it would probably keep subscribers from defecting to another product.

* * *

Oscar Nods: Academy Award nominations will be announced in just three weeks. I'm in the early stages of assembling my predictions for who will be nominated in the major categories. Check back in about a week for the first installment. It should be fun. I usually do quite poorly.