Tivo vs Comcast DVR??

[UWSurfer]

I don't use it for OTA, but yes, Both Tivo HD and the S3 can take ATSC input, which is what you're asking about. I have no idea if it will function without a service plan, and how the integration is with the OTA channels. You might want to head over to the tivo community forum and do some research there.

Both the Tivo HD and the S3 have esata ports, and you can expand the storage via plug-n-play with certain certified (Western Digital My DVR Expander) esata external drives, so don't worry about the space. Tivo HD will be fine, and in some cases maybe better than the older S3.

-David

Cool...Thank you David.

Due to your recommendation I paired a Tivo HD with the WD Drive which should give me twice the available storage space of the S3 for about the same price of a single S3. I just ordered it on Amazon for a hell of a price.

I'm certain I will have to pay now for a service plan. $299 for three years looks to be the best deal these days, although I may just buy a year for now to get a better sense of the unit. One REAL nice feature the old Reply unit offer's is the 30 second skip button. 4 - 6 presses and we're usually clear of most commercial breaks. I don't believe Tivo has this.

 

[Icarus]

Cool...Thank you David.

Due to your recommendation I paired a Tivo HD with the WD Drive which should give me twice the available storage space of the S3 for about the same price of a single S3. I just ordered it on Amazon for a hell of a price.

I'm certain I will have to pay now for a service plan. $299 for three years looks to be the best deal these days, although I may just buy a year for now to get a better sense of the unit. One REAL nice feature the old Reply unit offer's is the 30 second skip button. 4 - 6 presses and we're usually clear of most commercial breaks. I don't believe Tivo has this.

If you're considering paying $299 for three years, I believe they are offering lifetime (the life of the unit, not the owner) service for $399, on a limited basis. I think it expires sometime in February? I'm not sure what the deal is on it. I have to log in to the tivo site to see the option to purchase lifetime service on a new box. Maybe you should look into that.

Tivo does have a 30-second skip. But it's a hidden feature. You have to enter S-P-S-3-0-S to turn it on, and it changes the skip to tick button to the 30-second skip. (S is Select, P is Play). If you enter it correctly, it will respond with 3 chimes. During ff and rewind, the skip to tick button functions as it does now.

Here's a thread with most of the hidden codes.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?threadid=122090

 

[Icarus]

I read the t&c for the lifetime service offer:

# You must be an existing registered account holder with a “Qualifying Subscription” pursuant to TiVo’s Multi-Service Discount Agreement to be eligible for purchase a Product Lifetime Subscription.
# This is a limited time offer available from November 8, 2007 until February 13, 2008. TiVo reserves the right to terminate this offer at anytime, for any reason.

I guess strictly speaking, you don't qualify.

-David

 

[UWSurfer]

So if I want to buy two cheap units and setup a multi-service agreement, I may qualify for lifetime...so long as they want to grant it to me.

Even if we pay $12.75 a month, we're still far ahead of the cost of cable or satellite.

Thanks again for the info!

 

[Icarus]

Thanks again for the info!

No problem! Let us know how it goes when you get it all set up.

Did you buy the tivo wireless adapter? How are you going to connect it to your network?

-David

 

[UWSurfer]

Yes...I ordered the wireless adapter. I have DSL service from AT&T here in the house with the wireless router. I figured if it didn't work or is problematic I can run an ethernet cable to the router...but it's in another room which will make it interesting.

I took the free shipping from Amazon, so I won't have it until next week. Will update you when it's here.

 

[Icarus]

I think the other difference between the Tivo HD and the S3 is that the HD doesn't come with an HDMI cable, so if you need one, head over to monoprice.com. Just trying to make sure we have everything covered, but I'm sure you probably do.

The tivo wireless usb adapter should work just fine with your wireless router, assuming it's in range. Just have your WEP key and your wireless network settings handy when you configure the network on the Tivo HD. (It can often figure out a bunch of the settings on its own .. you'll see.) It will use dhcp just fine, but I gave it a static IP address. I don't think there's any benefit to it, but it's one less thing it has to figure out. I have noticed that once in a while on my S3, it can't sync to my network, and I end up restarting the tivo, and it's just fine. (The symptom is that it hasn't downloaded guide data for several days and you can also tell because all the network-aware menu items, like amazon unbox and Rhapsody aren't there when you go through the menus. It's only happened a few times and I've had it for a while now.)

-David

 

[UWSurfer]

Good to know about the wireless settings and behavior.

Our TV has one HDMI input to it and we've got a cable now connected to it from the media center (Home theater sound, CD/DVD Player, receiver). I'll likely follow Tivo's diagram and move it to the Tivo using another input for the media center.

We are curious if anyone has figured out how to stream movies from Netflix service with Tivo. I know my PC has a player I had to d/l...but given I've not seen any talk about it I assume it's not an option now.

 

[Icarus]

We are curious if anyone has figured out how to stream movies from Netflix service with Tivo. I know my PC has a player I had to d/l...but given I've not seen any talk about it I assume it's not an option now.

For Tivo you can use amazon unbox to stream movies and tv shows directly to your tivo. There's usually a bunch of specials each week. You can order from your computer web browser at amazon.com or from your tivo. Once you get your account setup with tivo, you can link your tivo(s) to your amazon account. I think I got a $10 amazon unbox credit for signing up. Not sure if they still offer that credit or not.

Once the download starts, the show shows up in your Now Playing list. You can watch it whenever you want. Rentals can only be kept for 24 hours once you start watching it.

I doubt that you could legally download the movie from netflix and then use Tivo to Give Back to get the movie to your tivo, but you can check the Tivo Community Forum to see if there's any information there.

-David

 

[Old Hickory]

I have both the TIVO boxes and the Comcast DVR. No comparison - TIVO is far superior in every way. Better user interface, easier programming - and online scheduling.

Plus, by using the TIVO desktop, I download the recorded TIVO shows and movies directly to my PC and then easily transfer them onto my video iPod!

Yep. Get yourself an external Hard Drive for storing programs and/or burn them to DVD.

 

[UWSurfer]

The box for TiVo HD arrived today. The external hard drive, cable and wifi adapter are shipped separately and havn't arrived yet.

I purchased a one year service prepaid to get our feet wet. Setup went pretty simple using a phone connection for now. Couldn't get an TV picture out internal drive itself...just all the setup screens and menus, but gray screen where TV picture should be. Finally told the Tivo to do a reset and after it booted up for nearly 5 minutes...it worked great.

This model does record two separate shows simultaneously with an off air antenna as we proved last night. User interface is a little more cluttered than replay...but it's certainly friendly enough.

More once I get the rest of it.

 

[ownsmany]

we just got the standard tivo box today. I should have ordered the wireless adapter so we could use the broadband connection. We have a phone cord running across the hall for now. Wish the representative would have asked.

Can I get that at a best buy?

DD loves it so far. If it works as good as it seems, my get rid of one of the Comcast DVR boxes.

The TV guide screen seems small compared to the comcast one. Is it because it is on a small tv or is it small printing on the large tv's?
I'd love to find a way to lower the comcast bill.

It is over $100 per month

 

[Icarus]

What tv guide screen? You mean the tivo guide? It doesn't look small on my tv. It doesn't look small on my daughters small tv either.

Anyway, if you want it to look more like the comcast guide, bring up the guide, press enter to change the guide options, and then change the style to grid, if you have that option. It will probably be easier to read since the background isn't transparent. (I never tried that before. That's different.)

You can probably get it at best buy, but amazon has it for $39.99 with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-AG0100-W...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200999462&sr=1-1

-David

 

[sandcastles]

I have a question. We have Time Warner cable. Right now we get 73 channels, no premium channels. Just purchased a new big screen HDTV last week. Where do I go from here?

First let me explain, I have no grasp of electronics or high technology. I have been retired for 9 years so that will give you an idea of my age and lack of knowledge on this subject.

If I call Time Warner can they help me with what I need? I didn't know if I could trust them to give me best advice? If I get everything from them will them set everything up or do they hand me the box and I'm on my own?

 

[Icarus]

The easiest thing for you would be to start off with a cable company hi-def DVR, or if you don't want a DVR, they should be able to offer you just a hi-def cable box.

They will set it all up for you, but will charge you for a service call to set it up. They may have a deal if you add the digital package at the same time, which you probably have to do to get the hi-def channels anyway. If you just get the cable box. it's pretty easy to set up yourself.

(I can't believe I'm telling somebody not to get a tivo. The truth is that if you have somebody to help you get everything setup, a tivo HD might be perfect for you.)

Anyway, we can look at your cable company's web site and tell you exactly what to tell them. Do you have any other tvs in the house, and what sort of service do you want on them? You can keep them all on the analog cable if you want to. You could also try calling them just to get their recommendation on what they want you to get and report back here before getting it. At least with cable, there's no commitments. You can return their equipment any time.

I guess the other option would be to pay somebody to install and setup your tivo HD. Maybe Best Buy or CC offers installation service that you can buy? I don't know. I've always just done it myself.

If you're at all handy, I could probably walk you through it.

-David

 

[Janis]

we just got the standard tivo box today. I should have ordered the wireless adapter so we could use the broadband connection. We have a phone cord running across the hall for now. Wish the representative would have asked.

Can I get that at a best buy?

Yes - you can get the adapter at Best Buy. Make sure it is the TIVO branded one. There have been service issues with the non-TIVO adapters-

 

[sandcastles]

Thanks for all the suggestions David. We have three other televisions but analog is fine for them. They aren't watched very often.

I guess I just want their basic digital service. I'm looking forward to getting some of the higher channels I can't get now but I'm not interested in the premium channels.

We have a CC here. I can find out if they can recommend someone to set it up for me. I am not handy with this type of thing at al

 

[JudyS]

Wow, David, I am impressed by your knowledge of Tivo!

Ok, I have a newbie question, for David or anyone else. I current have DirectTV, with their version of Tivo. However, this lacks a lot of the functionality of regular Tivo. What really bugs me is that you can't get programming off of the Tivo box and onto your computer, so you can't watch your Tivo'd shows on your computer or iPod, can't burn them onto a DVD, etc. Also, there is no computer interface for setting up programming.

Is there any reason why I can't buy real Tivo and use it with my DirectTV signal?

 

[Icarus]

Judy,

I guess I'm kind of a Tivo nut. I remember that I flew over to Honolulu to buy my first Series 1 Tivo when I couldn't find one on Kauai, back when I lived there. I purchased "lifetime" service for it, back when it was cheaper, and I added a second hard drive to it, and the rest is history. I still have that S1, but it's in my daughters bedroom now, and I transferred the lifetime service on it to an S3, which is a hi-def tivo for cable and OTA reception only. The old S1 doesn't have any of the features you mentioned either, but it's still a great basic DVR.

If your box is working, you should stick with what you have. (I'm assuming you have the real D-Tivo box, and not just a Dtv DVR without the tivo service.)

The integrated Direct-Tivos aren't made or sold any more, though they are available in a few places like ebay and some third party companies that specialize in selling DVRs.

You could get a series 2 and control a separate DirectTV sat receiver from the S2 Tivo, but what you have is better, even though you can't do TivoToGo, and the other newer features. On the other hand, you would lose the ability to record two programs at once with the separate S2 + Dtv receiver.

The other advantage is that your tivo service monthly fee is cheaper or free, depending on your Dtv package.

All the features that you mentioned that you don't have, I almost never use them. I don't bother with TivoToGo, I don't do any multi-room viewing with multiple tivos, and I've only tried the online scheduling once or twice. I have used Amazon Unbox to download movies and some tv shows I somehow missed recording, but your Dtv PPV service is probably just as good as Amazon Unbox. On the other hand, just because I don't use those features, doesn't mean you wouldn't.

I guess if you don't care about being able to use two tuners at once and don't mind paying for an extra Dtv receiver and paying for the S2 plus it's monthly service fee, you can go that route. Basically, you have to decide which is better for you. I would think having two tuners trumps everything else.

-David

 

[JudyS]

...If your box is working, you should stick with what you have. (I'm assuming you have the real D-Tivo box, and not just a Dtv DVR without the tivo service.)....You could get a series 2 and control a separate DirectTV sat receiver from the S2 Tivo, but what you have is better, even though you can't do TivoToGo, and the other newer features. On the other hand, you would lose the ability to record two programs at once with the separate S2 + Dtv receiver....

Thanks, David!

I think what I have actually is DirectTV Tivo, yes. And, I didn't realize I'd lose the ability to record two programs at once by going to "straight" Tivo instead of DirectTV Tivo. So, yes, that is worth keeping.

The problem is, our Tivo is in just one room (our attached garage, because that's where the treadmill is), and there are two rooms (the garage and the living room) where we want to watch the programming. The only way we've found to get programs off the Tivo so we can watch in our living room is to make a VHS tape, and play it on the living room VCR. This means a huge drop in quality, and I'd really like something better. Do you know of some way to get programming off a DirectTV Tivo, other than by making a tape? Or, are there websites that would tell us how to rig something up to get the programming off the Tivo in some better format?

 

[Icarus]

Their might be ways to hack it, but I don't do any of that. Another thing you could do is run the video out from the d-tivo and distribute that to the other tvs in the house. You could use some sort of UHF remote to control the d-tivo from the other rooms in the house.

Why not just get a second D-Tivo? I see them all over the place on ebay, or if you want a "new" or "refurbished" one, you can try places like weaknees.com and other DVR resellers. Places like weaknees will sell you standard or expanded ones (with larger or 2nd hard drives) if you want them upgraded.

You might need a second cable run from your switch to the new d-tivo, if you only have one cable run there now.

Or, you could go with a new tivo S2 and use that to control your existing sat receiver box in your second location, and accept that you can only use one tuner with it. But you still have the other box with two tuners and you can move that one to where you watch the most tv.

You have lots of options. Slingbox might also work for you.

-David

 

[UWSurfer]

The box for TiVo HD arrived today. The external hard drive, cable and wifi adapter are shipped separately and havn't arrived yet.

I purchased a one year service prepaid to get our feet wet. Setup went pretty simple using a phone connection for now. Couldn't get an TV picture out internal drive itself...just all the setup screens and menus, but gray screen where TV picture should be. Finally told the Tivo to do a reset and after it booted up for nearly 5 minutes...it worked great.

This model does record two separate shows simultaneously with an off air antenna as we proved last night. User interface is a little more cluttered than replay...but it's certainly friendly enough.

More once I get the rest of it.

All the parts and pieces arrived and went together well EXCEPT the drive doesn't read by the TIVO. After a bit of reasearching...Amazon mated and sold me a WD brand "MY Book Premium ES Edition". The Tivo website has an identical looking drive they call "MY DVR Expander". I suspect the formating and embeded software on MY DVR is designed for TIVO whereas the MY Book is for Windows and Mac computers.

Now I have to figure out if there is a way use the My Book or simply have to buy the MY DVR from the Tivo site.

(sigh)

 

[Icarus]

Well, if you want to open the box and void your warranty, you could use it, but I wouldn't go that route. You have to format and marry the drives on your computer, if you have a computer with extra sata connectors. If you do that, you might as well just replace the internal drive. If you want more info on that, it's all there in the Esata Expansion FAQ sticky in the S3 forum on tivocommunity.com

You should return it to amazon.com. I think Best Buy also sells the My DVR Expander, and the price is about the same.

The difference between the My Book and the My DVR Expander is that the latter is built for the heavier duty cycle that it will get on a DVR. Most external drives are not accessed 24/7, but your tivo will access the external storage all the time. (At least that's what "they" say.)

In the meantime, you can use the tivo. When you add the new storage to it, assuming you go the My DVR Expander route, you won't lose anything that you already recorded.

-David

 

[Icarus]

Link the Tivo Community Forum esata expansion faq thread.

http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784

The first post pretty much has all the info you need. You don't really need to read the rest of that really long thread. (Unless you want to.)

-David

 

[UWSurfer]

Yeah...back it goes to Amazon.

I'll be next door to my local Best Buy tomorrow morning and will stop in.

Thanks!