If the new TiVo XL is as good as it gets, it might be time to find a new love.

When the TiVo first came to Australia, I was one of the few tech journos who defended it when others criticised its small hard drive, high price tag, lack of ad-skipping and disturbingly close relationship with one of the local broadcasters. My argument was that the TiVo is one of those rare gadgets which “just works” and, while it lacks bells and whistles, its core PVR features were some of the best on the market. When it comes to a PVR torture test such as keeping up with the gruelling Tour de France, the TiVo’s strengths shine.

The TiVo might be a rock solid PVR, but I also want a device that’s going to keep up with the times rather than hold me back. After a slow start we’ve seen an explosion in online entertainment options this year and there’s more content on offer than ever. I reckon Fetch TV is the one to keep an eye on and chief executive Scott Lorson has exciting plans for the next 12 months, some of which you’ll hear on Tech Talk Radio on Monday night.

With so much happening in the Australian market, it’s heartbreaking to learn that the new TiVo XL is merely the same Series 3 TiVo with a storage boost, $699 price tag and the same wimpy CASPA video service. Worse yet, I’m told we’ll never see Series 4 TiVos in Australia because our small population means there’s no “return on investment”. Such an approach might see my love affair with TiVo come to an end, especially considering local players such as Fetch TV and Bigpond are investing plenty of time and effort into adding new services and features designed specifically for the Australian market. While TiVo's CASPA has the potential to keep pace, the deafening silence from Hybrid TV this year doesn't fill me with confidence.

TiVo has always targeted the “Mums n’ Dads” market, but even they are going to baulk at a PVR that costs significantly more and does significantly less than what they can get from their ISP for a few dollars a month. Sadly I suspect my TiVo has seen its last Tour de France. I’ll be sorry to say goodbye, but we'll always have Paris.