TiVo today is announcing an update to its iOS app that adds AirPlay support to allow users to stream content to the Apple TV. The feature builds on previous support for streaming content to an iOS device from a TiVo box, and the TiVo app now makes it easy to watch content recorded on a TiVo box on any TV in the house with an Apple TV connected.

TiVo Inc., a global leader in next-generation television services, has announced that for the first time TiVo users can access their content on TV via a third party consumer electronics device, giving entertainment junkies an amazing multiscreen experience. TiVo users can now stream their recorded shows to Apple TV via AirPlay. TiVo users have yet another way to watch their favorite shows, on another screen, wherever they are.

The feature works with TiVo's latest Roamio Pro and Roamio Plus boxes, which provide up to 3,000 hours of recording time and have built in Wi-Fi and MoCA support to enable easy streaming from the set-top box to other devices. Streaming from a basic Roamio or Premiere box requires a separate TiVo Stream auxiliary box to enable mobile streaming.

By turning on AirPlay Mirroring to an Apple TV from Control Center on the user's iOS device, content from the TiVo box can be streamed to the device and on to any Apple TV-equipped television on the local Wi-Fi network, replacing some of the functionality of the company's TiVo Mini box.

tivo_setup
We've had a few days to test out the new feature and have found it relatively easy to use. Following a one-time setup for streaming from the box to the iOS device, users simply need to turn on AirPlay to their desired Apple TV, navigate to My Shows in the TV app to find the show they wish to stream, and select the option to watch the show on their iPhone.

tivo_streaming
Recorded shows begin streaming quickly, while live shows take a few seconds longer as the TiVo has to begin recording the show and start streaming it to the iOS device. As with the previous support for streaming to iOS devices, several of the familiar TiVo functions are accessible on the iPhone player, including the 5-second rewind and 30-second skip buttons, as well as volume, show info, and options for zooming the picture and turning closed captioning on and off.

tivo_interface
The AirPlay functionality is handy for quickly and easily streaming content to televisions anywhere in the house, with the app adjusting video quality depending on connection strength. TiVo recommends that its boxes be connected to the local network via a wired Ethernet or MoCA connection, but even over Wi-Fi we found video quality to be decent, if not spectacular.

Unfortunately, TiVo's AirPlay functionality does not work outside of the local Wi-Fi network, preventing users from streaming content from their own TiVo box while visiting a friend's house, for example.

While the new AirPlay functionality isn't likely to become a primary viewing technique in my home's television setup, it could definitely be useful in a pinch such as when the television connected to the TiVo box is being used by another family member.

The updated version of TiVo's iOS app with the new AirPlay functionality should be rolling out today. [Direct Link]

Update: TiVo now tells us the AirPlay streaming functionality should work out of the home, although we were unable to get it to work during our testing.

Tags: AirPlay, TiVo

Top Rated Comments

bbeagle Avatar
121 months ago
Still Wayyyyy easier to have TiVo minis on the extra tvs. I guess it's an option if you can't afford a mini.
We bought our Tivos before minis were available (series 4?). One of ours hit the bucket last year, so we opted to upgrade it to a Tivo Roamio for like $50 because Tivo gave us a deal. Cheaper than fixing it by replacing the hard drive. We already have Apple TVs, so since we already have them, it's cheaper than buying new Tivo minis.

Plus our OTA Tivo Roamio won't support Tivo minis!!! Only the cable ones will.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
121 months ago
I am not sure I understand the point of this... I am ASSuming that most people that have WiFi/Ethernet in their home already have the ability to display TiVo content on that same TV...
You now only need ONE Tivo for an entire house. You might have 3 or 4 rooms with TVs for a family. Now you don't need to pay $200-$300 for each Tivo, and another $500 for a lifetime subscription for each one. A $69 Apple TV works instead.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macpro2000 Avatar
121 months ago
Still Wayyyyy easier to have TiVo minis on the extra tvs. I guess it's an option if you can't afford a mini.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence: New Features, Release Date, and More

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:26 am PDT by
iOS 18.1 will be released to the public in the coming weeks, and the software update introduces the first Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18.1 to be released. iOS 18.1: Apple Intelligence Features Here are some of the key Apple Intelligence features in the iOS 18.1 beta so far: A few Siri enhancements, including improved understanding...
top stories 12oct2024

Top Stories: iOS 18.1 Release Date, New Macs Incoming, and More

Saturday October 12, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Things are firming up for a big Halloween week for Apple, with the company's next operating system updates reportedly coming early in the week and hardware launches coming a few days later. Ahead of those hardware launches, we've recently seen what appears to be one of the most significant physical product leaks in years, while some of the new features in Apple's recent software updates have ...
16 pro

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Introduce These 5 New Features

Friday October 11, 2024 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series was released just a few weeks ago, there are already many rumored features for the iPhone 17 models, and especially for the Pro models. Below, we recap five key new features rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max so far: 24MP front camera for all iPhone 17 models: All four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Shocking M4 MacBook Pro Leak

Friday October 11, 2024 8:27 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the unprecedented leak of Apple's M4 MacBook Pro models and the company's rumored move to more staggered hardware and software releases. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Multiple leaks surrounding Apple's unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip recently surfaced online. The leaks began with unboxin...
ios 18 1 make primary

iOS 18.1 Includes Option to Set 'Primary' Email Address and Change iCloud Email

Friday October 11, 2024 3:55 pm PDT by
In iOS 18.1, there is a new option to set a "Primary" email address in the Settings app, which means it is easier to change the main email address associated with your Apple Account. The Primary email address is the one that is visible to other people when collaborating on and sharing documents, sending calendar invites, and more. Apple did not previously make it easy to change an Apple...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.0

Thursday October 10, 2024 12:10 pm PDT by
Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.0, preventing iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.0.1 from downgrading to iOS 18. Apple released iOS 18.0.1 a week ago on October 3. It is not unusual for Apple to stop signing older versions of iOS within a week or two after a new version of iOS is released. When Apple stops signing an update, it can no longer be installed on an iPhone due to a...
iPad mini review thumb

iPad Mini 7 Coming Next Month: What to Expect

Tuesday October 8, 2024 6:16 am PDT by
Rumors strongly suggest Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the last refresh. Here's a roundup of what we're expecting from the next version of Apple's small form factor tablet, based on the latest rumors and reports. Design and Display The new iPad mini is likely to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and overall design introduced with...
When Will Apple Launch More M4 Macs Feature

Will Apple Release M4 Macs Soon? Here's What the Latest Rumors Say

Thursday October 10, 2024 6:22 am PDT by
Apple often releases new Macs in the fall, but we are still waiting for official confirmation that the company has similar plans this year. We're approaching the middle of October now, and if Apple plans to announce new Macs before the holidays, recent history suggests it will happen this month. Here's what we know so far. As of writing this, it's been 220 days since Apple released a new...