One more newbie question

[beckkl]

Wow, you guys rock.  You gotta love the message boards that people actually post on.  Anywho, thanks for the info about Fox.  For now, I think I'll just stick with an indoor antenna.  Any suggestions?

Also, I currently have Tivo/Warner/Cable Modem, and am looking at going the DirectTivo/DirectTV/DSL route.  This is a pretty big change, and my significant other is a bit challenged when having to mess around with inputs on the TV, receiver, etc.  So I don't want to turn her world upside down with having a complicated process for everything.  

I guess my question is, what are the drawbacks from switching from a Tivo/cable solution to a DirectTivo/DTV solution.

Thanks again for your help,
Kyle

[borghe]

if you are saying you are using an SA tivo with a cable box, going to DirecTivo will only make life easier.. and this isn't an opinion...

basically as you know, an SA tivo is like a super vcr.. it can do all of these things, but still needs to be hooked up to a cable box to get all of the channels... DirecTivo the Tivo IS the cable box..

The advantages are:

generally better looking picture than SA Tivo and cable (it copies the DirecTV stream, it doesn't recompress like the SA Tivo does)

dual tuners, record two shows while watching a third

lower cost. SA Tivo costs $13/month. DirecTivo costs $5/month, free if you get the top package.

umm.. those are the biggies off the top of my head.

note if you mean the TWC DVR box, then the differences are minimal, both in use and actual operation. you get season passes, wishlists, and suggestions on Tivo.

[beckkl]

Blasphemy!  Comparing Tivo to the Warner PVR!  I wouldn't mention that around my Tivo.  He is very proud.

Anyway, that seems like a good idea, except that I will be losing my Home Media option, and I use that quite a bit.  One question though...  How would I record stuff that that is broadcast in HD?  I assume I would just set Tivo up to record its SD counterpart, right?  I wish the Tivo HD box wasn't so expensive... Oh well.

Thanks again.

[Paul S.]

Originally posted by beckkl
Blasphemy!  Comparing Tivo to the Warner PVR!  I wouldn't mention that around my Tivo.  He is very proud.

Anyway, that seems like a good idea, except that I will be losing my Home Media option, and I use that quite a bit.  One question though...  How would I record stuff that that is broadcast in HD?  I assume I would just set Tivo up to record its SD counterpart, right?  I wish the Tivo HD box wasn't so expensive... Oh well.

Thanks again.

TWC is gonna have  HD-DVR boxes for rent real soon. Too bad you hafta shell out all that $ for SAT.

[beckkl]

I know it...  I have been on the fence about Sat vs. Cable...  I think I just may wait until the TWC HD PVR boxes are out....

The problem is that my girlfriend is in love with Tivo, and has had considerable experience with the TWC PVR.  According to her, it is not as easy to use.  And she would know  Oh well, its all the same to me, I would much rather have the TWC box if it meant that I didn't have to have another box cluttering my AV cab.

[borghe]

You can't record HD with a SD DirecTivo.. have to pop for the just released HD Tivo.. at $1000, I wouldn't be surprised to see you running for the hills though.. I can tell you that it is a wonderful machine (especially upgraded to 63 hours of HD space), but it is definitely pricey.

I won't lie to you.. if $1000 is too rich for your blood, the TWC HD-DVR is infinitely a better deal right now (well, aside from that whole part about it not being out yet). $9/month even with the extra $5/month for DVR service (DirecTV it is free at the highest package) it would take 5 years to catch up with my Tivo.

For me the choice was this. HD recording NOW, Tivo interface, and not having to go back to cable's customer service and support. I get and can record from all of my HD locals except for 6 (hopefully sooner rather than later), and hopefully in the very near future I will be able to hack this box as well and put it on my network and extract video from it.

but yeah, it's $1000.

[beckkl]

Yeah, $1000 after buying a house, this TV, and a whole bunch of crap to put in the house (thanks to my SO), I think she would beat the crap out of me if I bought a $1000 Tivo....  

So in the meantime I guess I stick with standard cable/Tivo, then upgrade to digital cable/TWC PVR, and wait for Direct TV to start offereing an HD Tivo.

Kyle

[borghe]

I'm assuming you mean wait for DirecTV to lower the price.. the $1000 unit I have is an HD DirecTivo.

[Joseph S]

What's to record? It was great even back in 2002, I recently uncovered a few archives from the old HDNet on CBSHD days, Football games, and that lighthouse rerun. I wish I had found the program "GetDataBack" before I gave up recovering the 2002 Winter olympic files.

Unless TWC gives Firewire expansion ("Not in our sector") options, I think the Tivo/Sat option is better because you have the chance to upgrade and replace the HD of course at the added expense.

[borghe]

well, I can also tell you that hacking is well under way for the HD Tivo.. there are already bash prompts activated and TivoWebPlus is running on it... unfortunately at this point it requires getting your prom chip replaced on the board (not entirely enthusiastic to send my $100 unit out to NJ to have a surface mounted IC replaced with a new socketed one) and you can then run almost all of the bare hacks without any modification. I am sure video extraction to a PC isn't too much further away.

* Usual Tivo hacking disclaimer. All hacks I am talking about are 100% legal. This doesn't include the ability to steal DirecTV and/or Tivo service. Nor do I know anything about how to do that. So don't ask.

[Y2kGrizz]

Originally posted by beckkl
I think she would beat the crap out of me if I bought a $1000 Tivo....  

Kyle

 No doubt. I'd probably do the same to myself if I spent a grand on a sat box.
I was a DirectTv customer for a few years, dating back to when Tivo first came out. Absolutley LOVE Tivo.  But after buying an HDTV late last year and not wanting to give up DVR capabilities I had to go to cable. Even though Directv now has an HD-DVR box I still can't stand the fact that you can't get locals in HD without going OTA. They are more than happy to charge you for local channels, you just won't get them in HD. I checked and VOOM is the same way.
Although I agree with most that TWC is a pain, at this point if you want HD and you want DVR cbl is OK. Of course, right now I run the 2 box setup (SD & HD). But that will change shortly. At least I hope so:)

[borghe]

I still can't stand the fact that you can't get locals in HD without going OTA. They are more than happy to charge you for local channels, you just won't get them in HD. I checked and VOOM is the same way.

ota locals at this point are effortless (with a few conditions*).. both DirecTV and Voom will now install an OTA antenna for you to receive them with. As of now, locals tune in the same way over HD DirecTV and Voom as they do cable. AND if you are in a position to get them and only have HD capable boxes in your house, there is no reason at all to pay DirecTV..

it should also be noted that technically, cable charges "extra" for locals as well. We've just been paying for those extra charges since its inception that we think they are for free, but the last time I checked, TWC won't run a line to your house and give you local channels for free.

* Note - the conditions of course. To get the OTA antenna you have to be able to have it installed, and currently for reception of all channels except for fox it is highly recommended that you are in the immediate metro milwaukee area. So while OTA locals are currently not a solution for everyone, they are a quite real solution for many in the Milwaukee area (and actually madison as well) and with Voom and DirecTV both willing to supply and install an antenna for a nominal charge (usually $50-100) it couldn't be any less complicated.