TiVo Premiere

Originally posted to RohJuh.com on Mar 02, 2010.

Today, we introduced the Premiere and Premiere XL which both feature the cool new wide-screen HD UI (High-Definition User Interface for the lay people). They also feature remote controls designed by yours truly.

To the casual eye, the Premiere XL remote probably doesn’t look much different from the current Series3 / TiVoGlo remote. However, there are some important changes.

Perhaps the most obvious is the inclusion of the four colored A B C D buttons which will be used for various functions in the UI. My feelings towards these buttons are somewhat mixed. On the one hand, I generally oppose adding any buttons to the remote. On the other hand, these buttons, particularly with the colors we have chosen, really add some nice visual pop against the glossy black plastic. And of course, I can see the benefit such flexible function buttons provide from a UI standpoint.

The battery architecture was also changed from 4 AAA batteries to 2 AA batteries. AA batteries are generally cheaper and more readily available than AAA, and the charge capacity of 2 AA batteries is actually higher than 4 AAA batteries. This required a slight expansion to the remote’s form, especially in the “waist” area, but the feel/ergonomic difference is virtually imperceptible. Some might even say that the slightly expanded waist feels better.

We also went with a new faceplate design. By “faceplate”, I am referring to the glossy black plastic that surrounds the keys. In the Series3 design, this was a clear piece of injection molded plastic that was painted black and then laser-etched to allow the backlight to shine through TiVo’s antennae and legs.

The Series4/Premiere remote uses a printed, cut, and formed piece of plastic (an applique in technical jargon). From a design standpoint, the appeal of this approach is that it enables the printing of a smooth gradient around the TiVo button (the white glow around the TiVo guy). The gradient/glow looks great in bright ambient light, but also in a dark room because it actually glows when the backlight is on.

Another big change (at least in the eye of this designer :-) is that the TiVo button now actually has the true TiVo shape. In previous remotes, the TiVo body was very geometrical – basically a trapezoid. The true TiVo guy has a much more contoured and organic shape. When you compare the pre-Series4 TiVo button to the Series4 TiVo button, I think you’ll agree it looks much better.

From a backlight standpoint, we changed the backlight color from amber to white which results in brighter and more efficient lighting. We also utilized an improved light diffusion system which basically means that the backlight is more uniform among all the keys (reduced “hot spots” in which certain keys are more brightly lit than other keys). The Activity light (the light that flashes with each key press) color was also changed from red to amber to match what the user sees on the TiVo box itself – the TiVo box flashes an amber LED with each successful remote button press.

I’m also happy that our basic remote (the one that ships with the base Premiere) now has the improved Series3/Series4 form which is much more comfortable and ergonomic (and sexier looking!). It also has the Select button in the middle of the navigation disc. In Series 2 remotes, the Select button is below the nav disc.

So there you have it. There’s a bit more to these remotes than meets the eye. And of course, they’re perfect complements to our great-looking Premiere boxes. Go out and buy one and see for yourself!

Here are some pics of the Premiere and Premiere XL.

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