Cox to offer TiVo Premiere DVRs with cable VOD content available

Cox Communications is breaking from the norm with the announcement that the cable company will start offering TiVo Premiere DVR boxes with full access to Cox's video On Demand service.

Normally, cable customers have to choose between having access or using their own DVR set-up. But this new deal could set a precendent for how cable companies and set-top box manufacturers like TiVo work together.

Cox will promote the TiVo Premiere set-top box to its subscribers and provide free installation to customers. Naturally, the service will still be optional, but users will need to have a CableCARD to access both TiVo and Cox's VOD service.

While the Cox VOD/TiVo Premiere project will make its way to all of the cable company's major markets, there doesn't appear to be a timeline just yet.