TiVo Experience Coming To PCs

TiVo and software maker Nero are partnering in the launch of a new platform that will bring TiVo's popular digital video recorder (DVR) experience to PCs. The platform comes with a one-year subscription to the TiVo service, which automatically finds and digitally records a user's favorite TV shows.

Beginning Oct. 15, Nero will offer consumers in the United States and Canada two purchase paths for adding TiVo to PCs -- a complete hardware-software kit retailing in stores for $199 and an online software download priced at $99, said Nero Senior Vice President Kris Barton.

The complete Nero LiquidTV-TiVo PC kit "includes all the software and hardware required to turn your PC into a TiVo PC," Barton said. "The other solution is for people who already have all the necessary hardware built into their machines and just want to purchase the software."

Two Paths to TiVo

Designed for use on PCs running Windows XP or Vista, Nero's kit includes a TiVo PC remote, a TV-tuner PC card, and the IR Blaster -- a USB peripheral that generates an infrared connection between a cable or satellite box and the PC.

"The IR Blaster's function is to make sure that your PC and your set-top or satellite-top box are talking to each other," Barton said. "You won't need it if you are using a regular antenna or have the cable signal coming to the TV right out of the wall."

Nero's software download option, which will also be available to consumers in Mexico, is for customers who already have the requisite hardware installed on desktop PCs and laptops.

"A lot of PCs now ship from the manufacturer with TV tuner cards already built in," Barton said. "Everything else is optional. You can use a remote control but don't have to" because the same functions can be performed...