So we've known for a while that TiVo collects data from its subscribers. (I forget how, but there was a ``most-watched'' press release months ago in addition to the latest Janet Jackson crap.)

Now TiVo has signed a deal with Nielsen.

Is this positive or negative? Do you think that TiVo anonymoizes its data enough? Would including demographic information be bad?

Personally, I think it's positive. Anything to increase the sample size of the Nielsen ratings can only enhance TV, as far as I can see.

I agree increasing the nielsen sample size is a good thing.

Do you think that TiVo anonymoizes its data enough?

I'm not that worried about them finding out what I watch anyway.

I don't see a problem with it, as long as the data is anonymized. I know they track the data so that they can give good suggestions, and it seems to work well.

In fact, I'm surprised they haven't struck a deal with Nielsen before now. It's the perfect Nielsen box, and people are willing to pay a subscription to have one. What could be better than that?

Yeah, I don't see it as a bad thing. Maybe all the shows I like won't get friggen cancelled now.

Hate to Jack your thread But I have been thinking about getting a TIVO can anyone tell me if it works with out being hooked to a phone line (I don't have a phone at home just my cell phone)

It's the perfect Nielsen box, and people are willing to pay a subscription to have one. What could be better than that?

Wouldn't that produce somewhat skewed data? I would think TiVo owners are, almost by defination, not the average TV viewers, but rather a bit more enthusiastic.

But perhaps the more enthusiastic viewer is the very demographic the advertisers actually want to know about. Oh, but TiVo viewers skip all the ads!

-jk

Now TiVo has signed a deal with Nielsen.

Definitly a good thing. Gives Neilson a much wider data source, and a more natural input. The Tivo I think has gained enough acceptance, that with the combination of real Neilson boxes, should give a more accurate picture of what people are watching. And, without a specific Neilson box sitting there, people are less likley to try and taint the data.

What do you have for an internet connection ? You can update it via the internet.

can anyone tell me if it works with out being hooked to a phone line

Yes, but then it just acts like a VCR. The advantage of Tivo is the guide data and suggestions, which you can only get with a telephone connection.

As was said elsewhere in this thread, it is possible to configure most Tivo boxes to use an ethernet connection and get their guide data from the internet if you have that kind of connection.

If you get a DirecTiVo (that is, DirecTV reciever with TiVo built in), then you'd be golden except you couldn't order pay-per-view. Otherwise, you'll have to ``hack'' it to connect it to the internet. Not much of a hack in most cases, really.

If you get a DriecTiVo (that is, DirecTV reciever with TiVo built in), then you'd be golden except you couldn't order pay-per-view.

Oddly, my DirecTivo still makes the daily phone call. Is that just to upload its tracking data, or is it still getting its guide data the old fashioned way?

A Series 2 Tivo with the Home Media option ($99 extra) will allow you to use a broadband connection for guide updates.

A DirecTivo will use the dish to pull guide updates. I don't believe they need a phone line for anything except ordering pay per view, but I could be wrong.

Older Tivos can be hacked to add ethernet.

ReplayTV units 4500 and above have broadband support out of the box.

Do you have a series 1 or 2 directivo?

I've always said that I have no problem with Tivo collecting data on what I watch. I've seen shows I love get cancelled for years, and have been pissed about it. I mean, only one person I've ever known has been chosen by Nielsen. Maybe finally I'll be at least somewhat represented.

Do you have a series 1 or 2 directivo?

Me? Series 2. It's the most recent Hughes unit, I think its model number is "HDVR2".

Okay. Same one I've got. I don't think mine calls out every night.

Hmmm. Yeah, it does. I can't think why. It definitely gets the show data off the satellite. I guess solely for data collection purposes, as I haven't bought a PPV in a while.

software updates.

Every day? Or at least every 30 hours?

Agree, I've had two of my DirecTivos working 100% with no phoneline hooked up. It might still be trying to call, but it doens't need to make the call to work.

You don't need the Home Media Option for the series two it does the updates over the internet without it you just need a supported usb to ethernet adaptor.

With the older series one Tivo there is a slight hack where you can connect the Tivo to a serial port on a pc and it can get to the internet that way. Link

And of course as you pointed out the replay comes ready to go with ethernet built in.

Not sure. Haven't watched it that closely.

I meant that's how often mine does it. I can't imagine why, though, other than for viewing info.