Skip to main content

TiVo unleashes its biggest, baddest DVR yet with the new 4K Bolt+

netflix tivo intellectual property bolt plus larger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Last week, an FCC filing revealed that TiVo was working on a new headless DVR, but while that seemed a ways off, company retail general manager said to stay tuned for an announcement around CEDIA 2016, September 13-17. The company has made good on the promise with the unveiling of its 4K Bolt+ DVR, the successor to the original Bolt, released in 2015.

In our review of the original Bolt, we called it the best DVR the company had ever made up until that point. The Bolt+ seems as if it stands a good chance of carrying on that tradition, keeping the 4K resolution of the original, but upping the tuner count to six, compared to the four found in the original model, and boasting 3TB of built-in storage.

Recommended Videos

“With the TiVo Bolt+, our goal is to deliver the best DVR ever sold to consumers and continue to deliver a product with features that provide great value for our resell partners. The 4K TiVo Bolt+ is the all-in-one video system people have been waiting for,” general manager of TiVo retail products Ira Bahr said in a statement. “The ultimate multiroom video setup, TiVo Bolt+ eliminates some of the install hassle resellers run into including expensive matrix switchers, while providing the unified entertainment features that users have come to expect and are excited about.”

The Bolt+ features the company’s vaunted skip mode, allowing viewers to skip commercials with a single button press. Meanwhile QuickMode allows for watching recorded content up to 30 percent faster, with pitch-corrected audio ensuring the actors don’t sound like cartoon characters (unless they are, in fact, actually cartoon carriers).

In addition to more standard DVR features, the Bolt+ also features Remote Access, allowing viewers to watch recorded shows from a mobile device while away from home. Last year, certain TiVo models gained the ability to function as a Plex client, and the Bolt+ features this capability out of the box.

The TiVo Bolt+ will sell for $500, and will be available beginning September 15 via the TiVo website and Amazon, as well as Magnolia and other retail locations. The new DVR will also be on display at TiVo’s booth at CEDIA 2016 in Dallas, from September 13 to 17.

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Best gaming TVs of 2024 for Xbox Series X, PS5, and more
LG C4 OLED

The best TVs should look great, sound fantastic, and feature numerous optimizations for the types of content people love watching most. And while it would easy to say that a TV billed as 4K is all you need for a great gaming TV, pixel count is just one checkbox. If you’re a diehard gamer (console or PC), there are plenty of other picture specifications to consider when buying a new TV. And while 4K resolution is still essential, features such as HDR (high dynamic range), input lag, and response time are far more critical tech specs to gamers who want their games to be smooth, fast, and looking as good as they can. 

Not all TVs are created equal, and even some of the best TV brands have one or two sets that aren’t great for gaming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of all the best gaming TVs you can buy in 2024. With options from Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL, there’s a gaming TV on this list for just about everyone.

Read more
Amazon deals: TVs, laptops, headphones and more
amazon boxes on doorstep

Amazon is one of the most popular retail outlets on the planet. It has almost everything you could want among its shelves, and that includes a plenty of deals worth taking a look at. All of the best Amazon deals are scattered across departments, with some great TV deals, laptop deals, and tablet deals leading the charge. There are even some really great coffee maker deals and MacBook deals worth taking a look at. We’ve pieced together what we consider to be some of the best Amazon deals to toss in the shopping cart today, so read onward for all of the details. You can also check out what the competition is up to with the current Best Buy deals and Walmart deals.
TCL 43-inch S4 4K Google TV — $210 $280 25% off

Value is front and center with the TCL 50-inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV, as it’s a nice balance of affordability and features. It delivers stunning 4K picture quality with four times the resolution of Full HD, as well as endless entertainment with easy access to your favorite streaming services. Google Chromecast is built right into the TV, allowing you to easily stream movies, shows and photos from your Android or iOS device. It also has 3 HDMI inputs, which makes it great for gamers who want to connect several consoles, or for anybody looking to set up a home theater arrangement.

Read more
Best Beats headphone deals: Studio Pro, Studio Buds, Powerbeats
Beats Studio Pro sitting on travel case.

You haven’t fully shopped the best headphone deals until you’ve had a look at everything Beats has to offer. It’s one of the most popular headphone brands on the planet, but unlike Bose headphone deals and even Sony headphone deals, Beats headphone deals often turn out some significant price drops. Whether you’re looking for an in-ear option or a set of the best wireless headphones Beats has you covered, and we’ve got you covered when it comes to the check-out line. Below you’ll find all of the best Beats headphone deals. They include some substantial discounts on the Beats Studio 3 and Powerbeats Pro headphones, but if you’d like to consider some other options be sure to check out what’s going on among today's best AirPods deals, best AirPods Pro deals, and best AirPods Max deals.

Best Beats earbuds deals

Read more