A version number like 1.3 may sound like a small upgrade from 1.2.1 but in reality, it is a very respectable and free upgrade.  When I first saw the list of enhancements that would be included in the TiVo 1.3 release, I was a little disappointed.  But it's the items that are not on the feature list that make it a great upgrade.

Before I talk about these unlisted features, let's look at the documented ones.

Automatic pause

From TiVo's website, "This feature bookmarks a viewers' place when watching a recorded TV program. When the viewer exits a show, TiVo automatically bookmarks the spot so viewers can pick up where they left off when they resume watching the program at a later time."

This is a feature that TiVo really needed to implement.  It was the only one of the PersonalTV boxes that didn't have the ability to automatically pick up where you left off when watching recorded programs.  On previous TiVo versions you had to hit pause button before leaving the program or you spot would not be saved.

TiVomatic^TM interactive previews

From TiVo's website, "TiVomatic simplifies recording even more. TiVo viewers will see the TiVomatic icon pop up in the corner of their TV screen when they are watching a TiVomatic preview. By simply pressing "Select" on the TiVo remote, viewers are given the opportunity to schedule the recording when it airs. Previously announced as Ipreview, this feature allows consumers to record shows on impulse from the previews for those shows. Partners NBC, Showtime and Encore will be the first to implement this interactive convenience for consumers"

One of the best features of PersonalTV is the ability to skip through commercials.  It appears that TiVo and it's partners are searching for a way to make it worth your time to watch them by making them more interactive.  Further evidence of this phenomenon is the fact that TiVo doesn't (and probably never will) have a 30 second skip feature.  This feature will not keep you from skipping commercials.   It simply gives you an incentive not to.

Automatic detection of channel lineup changes

From TiVo's website,  "TiVo viewers no longer need to go through a lengthy "Guided Set-up" to correct channel-lineup changes that occur when broadcasters decide to switch channel numbers or content. TiVo automatically detects these changes, notifies the viewer of the change via a service message, and updates the "To Do List" if the new channel lineup affects a planned recording."

This is one of the features that really surprised me.  I never realized how often I was having to change the channel setups on my various PTV boxes until this feature arrived.  If you have a satellite system, you know that your line up is changing every day.  It is so much more convenient for TiVo to automatically handle new and deleted channels.    One other nice thing that TiVo does for you that ReplayTV does not is to default the new channel to not selected.  On ReplayTV, the new channel just quietly shows up in your guide regardless of whether you subscribe or not.  This can cause problems if it tries to record something on one of these channels.

Local telephone access (Point-of-Presence)

From the TiVo Website, "This feature was added to further increase reliability and drive efficiency in the TiVo service as the volume of TiVo subscribers grows. Viewers are asked to enter an area code that helps TiVo determine the best local access number for the daily telephone connection to the TiVo service. A national toll-free number is still available when local numbers aren't accessible in their area."

This feature really isn't a feature as much as a way for TiVo to save money on phone calls  Then again, maybe they can lower the price of service now that they will save so much money on long-distance charges.  

Built-in TiVo demonstration

From the TiVo website, "TiVo's new "Demo Mode" will provide retailers with an additional tool for in-store demos with or without phone connections, and help generate more sales and better product education at the point of sale. The demo also helps prospective customers become better informed about the TiVo service."

While these features are pretty useful and do make up a good point release upgrade to the TiVo software, there are some other features that are also worth mentioning.

That darn Live TV Blur filter

TiVo programmers had a great idea.  When recording a satellite recording, they decided to blur the picture to try to minimize the artifacting (many people call this Pixelization or Blockiness) that is inherent with these heavily compressed digital pictures.   Well, this worked OK for those of you with small TV's, but those of us blessed with a large screen just saw a blurry picture.

In the 1.3 release, this Live TV filter has been removed.  Now the picture is almost un-distinguishable from the original.  Thank You TiVo.

Small GUI enhancements.

There are numerous small tweaks that have been done to enhance usability.  The one that jumped out at me was a change to the IR setup descriptions.  In the past, you could set up your IR blaster using various codes.  Many of these codes were followed by a dash and a number like this 10001-01.  This code after the dash was to indicate the speed with which the TiVo would send digits to he Cable or Satellite receiver.   How we were supposed to decipher this, I don't know.  In the 1.3 release they have renamed these as Slow, Medium and Fast.  Once I realized this, I was able to tweak my IR connection settings and now have a 100% reliable IR connection with my Echostar 5000.

Well, that's pretty much it.  It is a pretty good upgrade but TiVo is just getting started.  They are expected to release their new Version 2.0 software before the end of the year.  Stay tuned to iwantptv.com as we wait for this and many other exciting products from TiVo.