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
109 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
109 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
109 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

Apple Logo

Apple Discontinued These 5 Products This Year

Monday November 27, 2023 7:03 am PST by
As the end of 2023 nears, now is a good opportunity to look back at some of the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Apple products discontinued in 2023 include the iPhone 13 mini, 13-inch MacBook Pro, MagSafe Battery Pack, MagSafe Duo Charger, and leather accessories. Also check out our lists of Apple products discontinued in 2022 and 2021. iPhone Mini ...
ios 17 namedrop

Police Departments and News Sites Spreading Misinformation About How iOS 17 NameDrop Feature Works

Monday November 27, 2023 5:11 pm PST by
Apple with iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 introduced a new NameDrop feature that is designed to allow users to place Apple devices near one another to quickly exchange contact information. Sharing contact information is done with explicit user permission, but some news organizations and police departments have been spreading misinformation about how functions. As noted by The Washington Post,...
iOS 17

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
iOS 17

iOS 17.1.2 Update for iPhone Likely to Be Released This Week

Monday November 27, 2023 8:24 am PST by
Apple will likely release iOS 17.1.2 this week, based on mounting evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs in recent days. As a minor update, iOS 17.1.2 should be focused on bug fixes, but it's unclear exactly which issues might be addressed. Some users have continued to experience Wi-Fi issues on iOS 17.1.1, so perhaps iOS 17.1.2 will include the same fix for Wi-Fi...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Week Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Week has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find some of the same deals still around for the next few days, although many from Black Friday have now expired. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...