Archive through January 03, 2003
MoveCloseDeleteAdmin

TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 March: Thoughts on TiVo wanted please...: Archive through January 03, 2003

Meggieprice

Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 02:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My son has been begging for TiVo for a couple of years and we are thinking of making it his Santa present (yes-at 10 he still believes -hey-so do i- and I like to have Santa's gift be one we have always said no to so it clearly couldn't come from anyone but Santa!)

Anyhoo- what do you all have to say about it? Are you glad you have it? What advantages? Any disadvantages?

Meggieprice

Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 02:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Mods- could you change the "in" to "on" in the thread title?

Thanks!

Done. (22)

Draheid

Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 02:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
We absolutely love our TiVo. Be warned, though, the initial cost is a bit deceiving.

Just to 'scare' you, here's what I've paid for ours:

$200.00 - Basic TiVo unit - At an Outlet Store Refubished
$200.00 - Lifetime Service - Required for programming otherwise it's just a fancy VCR
$240.00 - More HD Storage - Able to schedule more recording and at better quality
$ 80.00 - Network Card - Downloads schedules via cablemodem.
$720.00 - Total plus I installed the upgrades myself!

Scared yet? Well, I tend to go all-out on things like this. You don't need the extra space or the network (provided there is dialup service locally.)

Currently, TiVo is running a $50.00 rebate on their new units with more storage & features. Or, you can check places like 9thtee.com for units that have been refurbished and/or upgraded for a better price.

Bottom line, if you do decide to invest in this, it's a great machine. I wouldn't want to be without mine.

Meggieprice

Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 02:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Dra- what schedule does it use? I am asking because my own stupid local cable program guide that runs onscreen AND tv-guide online for my area both have many channels wrong due to the EST-PCT discrepancy. It drives me crazy! Where does the programming info for TiVo come from?

By the way- you are a God! I knew the day I was having trouble getting into chat that all I would have to do is look around and Dra would give us a link! I told my husband you are the TVCH techno God.

Draheid

Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 03:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggieprice,
I'm not sure where TiVo get's their schedule information from, probably something like TVData or another service that compiles it for others like newspapers, etc. They do update daily and there's usually about 2 weeks worth of schedules in the TiVo at any time. So the information is usually very current. (ie. it caught that BB3 was moved to 11:30 the night of the football game ...)

There are many many options on how TiVo will find shows for you to watch and enjoy. From browsing the schedules themselves to Wishlists to favorites based on what you have recorded in the past. It's really a great addition to your entertainment center.

You should check out the TiVo Website for a guided tour & lots of Q&A about the product. It's a very informative site.

Essence

Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 01:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Draheid that site is great. Thank you. I've been wondering about TiVo for quite some time now. Never thought to look in the general discussion thread about it until today. This is just what I needed.

Draheid

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 06:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Essence: I just learned recently that the some cable companies are currently distributing the equivalent of a TiVo system in the form of Digital Cable box with built-in Digital Video Recorder. If you have cable in your home, this might be an alternative to buying a machine yourself. I've heard that these actually have more features than a TiVo including additional features such as being able to watch one show while recording another and record two shows at the same time. (TiVo cannot do either of these. You can only watch a show that's already been recorded while it records another.)

Check with your cable company to see if they have these. Another note: You will have to subscribe to their digital cable product (and probably pay a rental fee for the box) in order to receive this. I've also heard that, because these are so new, they are hard to get currently. As production of the units increases, it should get easier.

FWIW

Max

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 09:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have Dish Network and just purchased their receiver with a built-in PVR (the generic form of TIVO technology). I LOVE IT! It was so simple. Just replace the old satellite receiver with the new one, call Dish Network's customer service line and give them some numbers off the old box and the new one and VIOLA! everything worked.

It doesn't have all the "features" of TIVO, but those are things I don't want anyway. For example, it doesn't track your viewing and then record things on its own that it 'thinks' you might like.

Anyway, if you've got Dish Network, I highly recommend this. I got the model 508 (I think that's the right number) at Costco for $269. No other costs involved since I already pay for Dish Network programming. :) They have a newer model (700-series) out now that has two tuners, but I haven't seen that in the stores yet and its list price is $569 or in that range.

Draheid

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 09:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Max: The advantage to the dual-tuners, from what I understand, is the ability to have the unit record one program while you watch another 'live'. With your unit, probably the only option, like with TiVo, is that you either watch what's being recorded or something that was recorded previously while it's recording another program. With TiVo, you can at least use your TV's tuner to watch something different while the unit records for you. Something you can't do with only satellite service. Does that make sense?

Bob2112

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 10:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Most Dish Network receivers do accept an antenna feed from either cable or "rabbit" ears which will pass this signal through to your TV tuner. I belive the PVR will still record the digital signal from the satellite while doing this, but I have not tested that. There is a button on the remote to switch between the feeds, but it is not clearly marked (have to RTFM).

We've had the Dish Network PVR system for almost 2 years and will be getting a second unit soon to replace one of our other receivers. I'll have to look into the dual tuner model, since that is probably the biggest feature that is missing from our current model. We have had the hard drive fail once (and replaced under warranty) and Dish Network does download new software periodically which has corrupted the hard drive twice and forced a reformat which lost all recorded programming. But overall, it has been a good unit and makes it painful to watch shows live on the other receivers.

If we didn't have Dish Network, we would certainly get a TIVO unit. Even tape takes too long to get through the commercials.

Essence

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 10:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Draheid, thanks for the tip. I think I will contact my cable company, I wonder if they have that service. I'm really liking the TiVo concept, and that might be an option for me. You should see me trying to find blank tapes or tapes that I'm willing to record over. It's a mess sometimes. I'm already paying for digital cable, and the cable modem, so why not add some more on to my bill.

Draheid

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 10:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Essence: When I TiVo a show that I might want to watch again, I will 'move' it over to tape. Often, I'll actually monitor the recording, pause the VCR at commercials, then skip them on the TiVo and resume recording when the program comes back. This makes it convenient to watch it on tape without commercial breaks later. And you can fit more shows on a single tape! (Average 60 minute show w/o commercials is about 48 minutes!) :)

Fluff

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 10:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
ummmm.....what's TiVo........

Draheid

Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 10:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Fluff: Click Here to learn more about TiVo.

Wendo

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 12:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggie,

Hey! I just got a TiVo about a month and a half ago and I LOVE IT! It's the best, makes watching recorded shows SO easy. No having to wade through video tape searching for your program, nor do you have to worry about "changing" tapes if you're almost out of room. I use the Season Pass feature for my favorite shows and it just automatically records them. Program once and you're done. I highly recommend it. As Draheid posted, the TiVo site is very comprehensive and good at explaining how it works.

I didn't pay exactly what Draheid paid though since I bought the newer unit on the market. (Bought at Best Buy.)

Series 2 Tivo unit with 80 hours of record time (one with the larger storage): $399.99 - came with $50 rebate so final cost: $349.99

Lifetime subscription (tied to the unit): $249

At this point, I doubt I'll hack it. (No time really.) But, I'm sure I will eventually, when I've owned it longer etc. I went for the lifetime subscription because, after two years, you've paid for it if you go for monthly. IMO, a better deal.

Anyway, I love mine. Wish I had had it during BB. I missed a few of the tv shows and had I had the TiVo, I wouldn't have. But, I have it now and it's great.

It is certainly a financial investment, it's not cheap, but I, personally, am glad I got it. YMMV.

Draheid

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 01:36 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wendo: FWIW, my TiVo now has up to 130 hours of recording space in 'Basic Quality'. There were bigger hard drives available but they cost more and I figured this would be plenty. I set the default recording quality to 'Medium' which gives me about 77 hours of space. I also set all my season passes and most of my programmed recordings to 'Save until I delete' so I don't chance losing something I might not get watch right away.

Also, I have 'hacked' mine only in so far as enabling a couple of really nice features such as having the Now Playing list sorted alphabetically and using the 'advance button' to skip 30 seconds per press. Since most commercials are 30 seconds, 6 press usually gets me directly to the next segment of a show!

If you would like to learn more about some of the 'unknown' features like this, I highly recommend looking through the messages on the Tivo Community Bulletin Board. The TiVo website even has a link to this although they don't actually run it.

The instructions for the specific 'features' I've enabled, for your machine, can be found in the 'Underground Playground - TiVo Underground' area of that forumn. They do warn you in very 'scary' terms that some (or all) of the instructions listed may cause problems with your TiVo, however, so far I haven't had any problems with mine. I'm very happy with the features I've enabled on mine. They are very handy!

Good luck and welcome to the TiVo world! :)

Meggieprice

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 01:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Congrats Wendo!(How the heck have you been, anyway?) I think we will indeed make the jump- honestly I have come to want it myself and it would make Zachys dreams come true (always a thrill for me!). Guess I will check with my cable company first, though.

Dra-any recommendation for storage amount? You mentioned extra storage- is that an auxialry hard drive or something?

Draheid

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 04:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggieprice: The new units (Series 2) come with either 60 or 80 hours of recording in 'Basic Quality'. What that means is the quality is equivalent to VHS tape in SLP or EP mode. Not great. Especially on action video such as sports, etc. Not bad for cartoons or dramas, usually. I record everything in 'Medium quality' mode which gives me a total of 77 hours whereas 'Basic' would give me up to 130 hours. Your choices are somewhat limited though. Buying a new unit, you would void all warranties if you were to upgrade it prior to the expiration. Buying a used/already upgraded unit is an option but then you don't get the newer technology. 3rd option, which is what I did, is to buy a refurbished unit with a 90-day warranty then upgrade it after 90 days.

Be sure to check the TiVo site because there are several promotions going on now depending on the cable/satellite provider in your area.

Bottom line, 60 or 80 hours for a newer machine is probably sufficient for most people. The newer technology does hold some advantages as well.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions or catch me in chat some evening!

Meggieprice

Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 10:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Draheid (and I know you'll read this) do you know anything about the other kind that is the competition for Tivo? They have a 160 hour machine. We are indeed going to make the plunge....

Draheid

Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggie: I honestly don't know a lot about Tivo's competition specifically. I've never used one as there weren't any available in my local area at the time I was shopping for one of these.

At that time, the ReplayTV's biggest difference was the price. ReplayTV was about $200 more then a comparable Tivo, however, that price included the lifetime subscription to their programming guide service.

I just finished looking at a few things about ReplayTV and discovered that they've changed their pricing to match Tivo's. The units are now comparable in price but they also have the seperate (required) subscription fees which are also comparable to TiVo.

The biggest features that Replay offers is the networking of two or more units. If you have two units networked in your home, you can actually watch programs recorded on one unit through your home network on the other unit. 2nd is the 'Commercial Advance' which they claim can automatically eliminate up to 96% of all commercials within a program. (They have a disclaimer that your results may vary.)

I suppose you'll understand that I'm partial to Tivo simply because I own one. I have not seen ReplayTV in action so I really don't know what it will or won't do.

As a side note, ReplayTV apparently was purchased by Sonic Blue which is one of the original players in the MP3 market for digital audio recorders.

I hope this helps.

Meggieprice

Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 11:43 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Dra- figuring you will read this because you are you! We got the 80 hour Replay TV in the end- the salesmen at two stores recommended it and one of them didn't have it in stock but did have Tivo- which made his recommendation even more believable. Michael found one of the features too compelling to pass up- you can set it to skip commercials when it records.

We, of course, absolutely LOVE it- can't imagine life before having it. One problem though- how do you hook it, or Tivo, up so that you can watch one channel on the TV while it records another. There is something we are not seeing....and if anyone would know it's Dra!!!

Draheid

Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 01:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggieprice: LoL, thank you for the vote of confidence. I'll attempt to live up to your expectations! :O

With my TiVo, I simply connected it the same as I would a VCR. Cable into the Tivo, then cable from the Tivo to the TV. Then I simply turn OFF the Tivo while it's recording and watch TV on whatever channel I want.

Note, however, this only applies to 'Analog' cable signals. Digital cable is an entirely different matter and would require considerably more information for me to advise you on how to set it up.

Perhaps if you need further assistance with this, we could meet in chat for a 'live' conversation about it. Just let me know if this would work for you too.

I hope you're enjoying the new 'toy' (if you can call an 11 megapixel camera a toy! lol)!

Let me know how I can help.

Meggieprice

Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 01:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmmm....I think I should look at the directions some more- and I am definitely a manual reader- for some reason I thought you had to have the unit turned on to record.

Meanwhile Michael was fiddling some more and we now can watch TV on one input of our TV, have the Replay TV on another, and the VCR on a third! Next goal- hook the VCR to the Replay TV. Dra- I think I am more excited than Zach! Just the ability to pause a live show when the phone rings or start recording one and then start watching ten minutes later to skip the commercials- wow! The biggest thing for me is that we are always taping things for Michael's 15 year old and then there are unmarked video tapes all around and no idea what is on them- problem solved!

One thing that surprised me when we were shopping is that the "lifetime" subscription is life of the unit- that is not what I expected. We went with the monthly-thinking that in 2 years they will be cheaper, bigger, better...

I'll be in chat soon, problem or no- I miss you guys!

We did our first wedding with the new camera last Saturday. We use it for the portraits only cause the write time is so long it just isn't suited to the on the fly candid stuff. Those portraits are just amazing-so much data! They are 8x10 at 300 dpi! Every pore....

Draheid

Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 01:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Meggie: If I knew the exact abilities of your particular TV (make/model # that I could lookup online), I might be able to 'devise' an optimum setup for you and provide detailed 'how-to' instructions for your home entertainment system. I'll also be looking for more detailed info on ReplayTV so I can compare it to what I already know about Tivo. I'll let you know what I find out and may have some suggestions for you.

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the camera. I'm sure you both put a lot of thought before jumping into it and it sounds like it's turning out to be what you were hoping for.

I look forward to seeing you in chat again soon!

Fanny

Friday, January 03, 2003 - 04:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
h e l p m e
h e l p m e
h e l p m e

hahaha just kidding. Oh dear what time is it? Time to rush home to see what Tivo recorded for me today!
TTFN!