TiVo offers up chromed-out "Glo" premium remote

If you've weighed both sides and finally (albeit begrudgingly) handed over your $800 or so for TiVo's Series3 box, what's another $50 get the same remote again with a flashy outfit? Apparently TiVo thinks it's just a drop in the bucket, as the company is now selling a "premium remote" that bears resemblance to Logitech's Harmony 670, which supposedly lets you take "maximum control" of your oh-so-pricey PVR. The "Glo," as it's so aptly called, sports only one main distinction over the bundled flavor: a chrome rim around the edges. However, the remote will reportedly still operate exactly like the non-glamorous version with Series2 boxes, Series1 units made by Philips, and "Hughes, Samsung, and RCA DirecTV DVR boxes with TiVo service." It also touts a "DVR switch" to dictate dual TiVos with the flick of the finger, and hopes to reel folks in with its fingerprint-loving glossy black finish. While we don't see much value in this "ultimate edition," you can place you order now for $49.99 if you've just got to have it all.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

[Tank @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:26PM]

So basically they're selling the same exact remote that comes bundled with the S3 separately. Only difference I see from my S3 remote is the chrome rim.

[Rod @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:27PM]

Wow... it's black and shiny. Totally worth the 50 bucks and worthy of an Engadget post.

[andy @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:38PM]

What the article doesn't mention is that the S3 remote is a fully assignable learning remote that will let you trash your TV and receiver remotes regardless of brand and weird interface.

It worked out well for me since I couldn't operate my TV or receiver with the standard codes or after a code search.

That would make it worth 50 bucks if I had a S2 instead of the S3 b/c the TIVO buttons make for easy use of the tivo.

[jason @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:10PM]

you obviously don't respect that engadget posts for just about every GADGET out there, weird because GADGET is part of their domain name

haven't you realized by now that there are plenty of people (ahem, mac people) who feel as soon as a new toy comes out they must have it?

if you don't want it don't get it, who cares

[zargon @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:18PM]

It will let me trash my TV and receiver remote? Not even close, TV... maybe, but no way for my receiver.

To trash my TV and receiver remote, I went out a bought a Philips Pronto, which is a dream of a remote. It is even easy for the wife to use.

[Bogey @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:59PM]

I guess they've gotta makeup those margins somehow - because of the several dozen people I know, and we all get HD and have HD capable TVs, I cannot think of a single person who has shelled out the $$$ for a Series3 box. Bring it down below, say... $450, and I'll plonk down the $$$. Until then, my good ol' Series2 with the non-shiny remote will do just fine, thank you very much.

[Jason @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:15PM]

The price is a little steep on the S3, I agree. I would pay $800 for it with no subscription fee, but I can't swallow $800 and then $10 a month for subscription plus the $10 a month for two cablecards my cable company is going to want.

[andy @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:27PM]

You picked up a Pronto for 50 bucks?

[Bruzer @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:47PM]

It's pricey and unworthy add on, I agree. I do however find it funny that you state the TiVo remote looks like the Harmony remote. That's like saying "Under Pressure" sounds a lot like "Ice Ice Baby". The TiVo Peanut remote has been with TiVo since it's inception. Was Harmony even around back then?

[zargon @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:34PM]

No, but if you want to stay inside the $50 box. You can pick up a remote that can do at least the same, if not more for $50 or less.

However, if we are staying inside the box you created by stating you can trash your TV and receiver remote. That simply just is not true with modern day TVs and especially receivers.

[Jeff @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:36PM]

As one of the "morons" who picked up a series 3, I have to say its well worth it. The value added that the series3 brings you is specifically that it acts just like your old tivo with the addition of letting you view HD content. That being said, I totally agree that this remote is pretty pointless if you already have a series3. It may be of use to some one who has a series1 or 2 for the learning capabilities.

I've read a lot of articles over the past few weeks here and elsewhere that are very down on tivo... as consumers we have a lot of power to support the things that are "good" and to boycott the things that are "bad" (e.g. circuit city / divx) ... I personally felt it was worth paying the money to tivo, a company I like rather than feed the cable monopoly further by paying for their DVR.

[pelxtastic @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:38PM]

Not that it justifies the $50 pricetag, but it is actually backlit as well. I'm just saying...

[Glenn Van Acker @ May 15th 2008 6:01PM]

How do you get the back light function to work? Thank you.

[morbo @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:40PM]

I paid the $$$. Plus I paid another $200 to move the lifetime from the S1 to the S3. Waiting for the 2 comcast cable cards was a hassle but its all ok now. I actually prefer the S1 remote to the S3 one. Anyway, I use a logitech harmony 550 that works fine with the S3. All in all I find the S3 a nice update since it was all done at once, one massive upgrade of TV etc to an HD setup. The tv is a 71" 1080P samsung projector (7178) with 2HDMI, one for the S3 and another for a PS3 when I decide to get one. (I worked on some of the PS3 hw so I have a personal incentive to get one). The plan was to get a blueray drive ergo... thus wait for the PS3.

[Jeff @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:58PM]

morbo,

great setup... I just got that same TV about 2 weeks ago, very happy with it. I am tempted to pick up a ps3 when it comes out.. The xbox/360 looks great on that TV, and it will be nice when the HDDVD player is released for it.

[John H @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:16PM]

My TiVo Remotes... LET ME SHOW YOU THEM!

[The Jeremy @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:44PM]

How about a free lifetime service transfer from your S2 to S3 if you buy 4 of these remotes for friends for the holidays?

[Laura @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:48PM]

"bears resemblance to Logitech's Harmony 670"

WTF? That's the peanut remote, streamlined with chrome and glossy plastic. It was TiVo's design in the first place.

[David @ Nov 12th 2007 1:23PM]

I'm really dissapointed that Engadget missed the main purpose of this remote... that it is a learning remote. For those few people who have a surround sound system which won't work with the normal universal remote codes, this remote is necessary. Thanks TiVo.

This really makes me question the factual content of all other Engadget reviews.