49: Roamio and Siracusiet

Cord Cutting

The transition from traditional cable to streaming services is a significant shift in how we consume media. Casey Liss shares his experience of cutting the cord back in 2007, highlighting the cumbersome nature of DVRs and the appeal of streaming services like Netflix and iTunes. He finds streaming a more elegant and cost-effective solution, especially since it eliminates the hassle of commercials and scheduling conflicts 1. John Siracusa echoes this sentiment, having abandoned live television with the advent of TiVo, which allows him to skip commercials and watch shows on his own schedule 2.

Live television is dead to me. Flipping through channels is dead to me. All that totally gone from that point on for the past decade of my life.

--- John Siracusa

This shift reflects a broader trend towards personalized and on-demand viewing experiences.

   

DVR Evolution

DVR technology has evolved, offering new features and capabilities, yet it still faces challenges. John Siracusa discusses the advancements in DVRs, such as remote control via iOS apps and streaming capabilities, though he notes the hardware and software still have room for improvement 3. Marco Arment appreciates the convenience of DVRs, despite using basic Verizon equipment, and acknowledges the potential benefits of upgrading to a TiVo for a better experience 4.

I don't debate that a TiVo is surely better in every measurable way and probably a bunch of immeasurable ones as well.

--- Marco Arment

For heavy TV watchers, Siracusa emphasizes the importance of ample storage and the ability to watch shows immediately, which DVRs can provide 5.