New Twc Box

[John Polulach]

Hi Gang
Has anyone checked out the new Tivo-like TWC box?  The guys on WTMJ radio were raving about it this morning
Does it record in hi_def?
JP

[sarusk]

Does not record HD. I'm told the HD DVR's will be out by end of the year.

[wireblsam]

The new DVR box is everything it was described to be.

However, TWC shutting off my entire service after picking up the box and having it take 3 hours to get the service reestablished is another matter.

[John Polulach]

What does the new TWC DVR box cost per month?

John

[wireblsam]

I was quoted $6.95 a month.  It was unclear whether that was on top of the normal converter charge or just the cost of the box per month.

[gparris]

DVR pricing means you must first have the digital service-as you must have to get the local HD channels-$39.95 minimum for mostly the analog channels plus music and a few other channels-140 in all. OR you can opt for the standard digital pkg of 180 channels more like you get with Directv for $5 more (a much better package) although it does not include any prem. channels.

Then  you are ready for DVR...which costs $6.95 for the rental box with the required remote and $5 per box for the DVR service-and you do not need a telephone line like the sat services do to use it. You can record two channels at a time and watch programmes already recorded on the 80GB hard drive. Access is easy and a child could do it...hence the parental controls. You can record any program even if it is in Dolby Digital sound unless it is an INDEMAND or PPV channel.

Pricing does not include franchise fees or sales tax.

Hope this helps!

[Shirow]

The DVR is great, but I sadly had to retire it once I got my HDTV

High-def ones are supposedly coming November/December, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

[beirnead]

Having tried both the TW DVR and TiVo Series 2 unit, I must say that the TiVo is a far superior product.  I picked up a TW DVR to try out to see if it was worth selling my TiVo on eBay.  It is not!  The TW DVR is not as advanced and refined as the TiVo.  The TW DVR is VERY slow at changing channels, often slow enough where I find myself pressing the channel up or down button 2 or 3 times before the channel changes.  The box is also very loud, especially in a bedroom.  It makes a lot of typical hard drive noises that the TiVo does not make.  The TW DVR also does not offer any suggestions for recording like the TiVo.

The TW DVR does have a few advantages over the TiVo.  It has the capability of recording 2 shows at the same time and is more easily integrated with the TW cable system (obviously).  The TiVo can only record one show at a time and requires an IR blaster to record the TW digital channels.

While the TiVo system feels very solid and has an interface the operates very smoothly, the TW DVR feels very clunky and unrefined.  I am not a TiVo fanatic or a TW basher, just someone who is offering their opinion after having tried both options.

[gparris]

I have had a unique experience before I move into my apartment and thereby losing my DIRECTV service: I have BOTH the Sony TIVO from DIRECTV and the TWC DVR!!

Sony DirecTivo DOES record 2 channels at the same time and lets you watch a 3rd programme already recorded! It is also quiet and allows for lookup of names and genre a little easier. It DOES require a line for each sat channel (2 lines)  linked directly up from the dish and a telephone line with a somewhat of a headache to sync up. Still, a fine product if you have $200 bucks or more plus maybe a extended warranty.

TWC DVR records TWO channels at the same time and allows for a 3rd recording to be viewed. It has NOT been at all noisy in my bedroom sitting right on top of the SONY DirecTivo. It does have a "different method" of getting favorites recorded, but they do work. PLUS : It does not require 2 cable lines into the box - OR a telephone line. Its also an easy setup and has good picture and Dolby Digital sound pass-thru for recording. I found channel changing easy when I first go thru the channel guide rather than that "flipping" from picture to picture.
BONUS: This DVR has something no TIVO has (that I know of): Picture-in-Picture that allows you to watch one with a 2nd channel "box" you can enlarge or move around the TV screen as you manipulate it - including a "swapout" feature.
Another plus is if the darn thing falls apart-with no warranty to buy and mess with-just return it to a TWC office for another one.(Hopefully this won't happen to me).

Both are great machines - I have gotten used to the TWC DVR and highly recommend it!;)