TiVo 2009 Annual Report Download - page 10

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Table of Contents
Our Technology
TiVo has developed a technology portfolio that makes the TiVo service available on a standalone retail DVR product line that receives over-the-air
digital signals and is CableCARDTM ready and can also be deployed by cable operators such as RCN, on integrated set-top boxes used by major television
distributors, such as DIRECTV and in the future Virgin Media, through software downloads on set-top boxes for cable television providers like Comcast and
in the future Cox, and through over-the-air DVB-T in Australia and New Zealand. Our strategy is to sign additional distribution agreements in the future to
make the TiVo service available on set-top boxes and other devices. TiVo's technology for enabling the TiVo service includes: the TiVo service client
software platform, the TiVo service infrastructure, and TiVo-enabled DVR hardware design.
TiVo Service Client Software. The TiVo service client software runs on TiVo-enabled DVRs. It consists of operational software required for a TiVo-
enabled DVR to deliver the TiVo service. The software includes system components such as a media-oriented file system, a high-performance transactional
database, an integrated security system, and application components such as media management and user interface. We have enhanced the client software to
support multiple services and applications, such as receipt of broadband video content, digital music and photos. The TiVo client software manages
interaction with the TiVo service infrastructure. After the initial set-up of the TiVo service, the TiVo-enabled DVR will automatically connect to the TiVo
service infrastructure over a dial-up or broadband connection to download the program guide data, client software upgrades, Showcases, and other content.
We are currently extending the TiVo service client software to enable future deployment on certain commonly used integrated DVR set-top boxes.
Under the terms of our agreement with Comcast, for example, Comcast has made the TiVo service available in the New England region as a software upgrade
to its already installed base of certain Motorola DVRs and in the future on certain Cisco DVRs. We also intend to extend the TiVo service to run on other
DVR set-top boxes capable of supporting Comcast-deployed middleware and forthcoming Tru2Way solutions.
TiVo Service Infrastructure. The TiVo service infrastructure enables the ongoing operation of the TiVo service, managing the distribution of
proprietary services, and specialized content such as program guide data, interactive advertising, and TiVo client software upgrades. It interfaces with our
billing and customer support systems for service authorization and bug tracking. In addition, the TiVo service infrastructure collects anonymous viewing
information uploaded from TiVo-enabled DVRs for use in our audience research measurement efforts. The infrastructure has also been designed to work with
the networks of service provider customers, for example, by utilizing DIRECTV's satellite bandwidth to deliver data to DIRECTV receivers with TiVo
service.
TiVo-Enabled DVR Hardware Design. The TiVo-enabled DVR hardware design is a specification developed by TiVo for set-top boxes containing a
hard disk drive, a CPU and memory, digital video chips, and other components. We provide this design to our contract manufacturer that produces TiVo-
branded DVRs. The DVR hardware design has been integrated into a variety of products. The TiVo-enabled DVR hardware design includes a modular front-
end that allows the basic platform to be used for digital and analog broadcast, digital and analog cable, and satellite applications. In addition, certain designs
include USB ports to allow connection to broadband networks and external devices to enable existing and future services. A TiVo-enabled DVR without a
subscription to the TiVo service has minimal functionality.
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