Newbie help needed - Recording two shows at once

[frank]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Hey all.

I currently use a VCR to time shift and I've had enough. I have
regular basic cable at the moment and that's all I want.

So that is my current set up.

I want to buy a Tivo player with a built in hard drive that can then
burn those shows to DVD. Money is no object as long as it will do
what I need it to do.

I need one that can record two shows together as often there are two
shows I want to record that are on at the same time.

Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
want to have to do that.

If this feature isn't currently available would it be in the near
future? Is there a technical reason why it isn't available?

Oh, and I am partial to Pioneer DVD gear. I have a high end Pioneer
DVD player that I'm very happy with.

Any thoughts or suggestions that might be able to help me would be
appreciated. Thanks to anyone and everyone.



Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

>I currently use a VCR to time shift and I've had enough. I have
>regular basic cable at the moment and that's all I want.
>
>So that is my current set up.
>
>I want to buy a Tivo player with a built in hard drive that can then
>burn those shows to DVD. Money is no object as long as it will do
>what I need it to do.
>
>I need one that can record two shows together as often there are two
>shows I want to record that are on at the same time.

A standalone TiVo records one show at a time.
A DirecTV TiVo records two shows at a time but only from DirecTV.
As far as I know, there are no standalone non-TiVo PVRs that do
two shows at a time, either, unless you buy two of them.

>Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
>want to have to do that.
>
>If this feature isn't currently available would it be in the near
>future? Is there a technical reason why it isn't available?

Two tuners cost money. There's the additional issue that you need
two cable boxes if you want to record two encrypted programs from
cable simultaneously. There is also the issue that recording from
cable box output requires compression to record to the hard disk,
and that requires a hardware MPEG encoder or more CPU power, *per*
show being simultaneously recorded.

Gordon L. Burditt

 

[Howard]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in
news:9k8od1porilr7f1fasl3on09u5733v0sbl@4ax.com:

> I want to buy a Tivo player with a built in hard drive that can then
> burn those shows to DVD. Money is no object as long as it will do
> what I need it to do.
>
> I need one that can record two shows together as often there are two
> shows I want to record that are on at the same time.
>
> Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
> want to have to do that.

Just out of curiosity, if money is no object exactly what is the problem
with buying two TiVos? Currently there are TiVos with DVD recording
ability, and TiVos with two tuners (only if you have DirecTV), but no TiVos
with two tuners and DVD burning.

--
Minister of All Things Digital & Electronic, and Holder of Past Knowledge
stile99@email.com. Cabal# 24601-fnord | Sleep is irrelevant.
I speak for no one but myself, and |Caffeine will be assimilated.
no one else speaks for me. O- | Decaf is futile.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

In article <9k8od1porilr7f1fasl3on09u5733v0sbl@4ax.com>,
Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote:

> Hey all.
>
> I currently use a VCR to time shift and I've had enough. I have
> regular basic cable at the moment and that's all I want.
>
> So that is my current set up.
>
> I want to buy a Tivo player with a built in hard drive that can then
> burn those shows to DVD. Money is no object as long as it will do
> what I need it to do.
>
> I need one that can record two shows together as often there are two
> shows I want to record that are on at the same time.
>
> Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
> want to have to do that.

You just said money is no object. To work with Cable you'd need 2 TiVo
units. Then you'd use TiVo to Go functionality to move shows to a PC and
thence to DVD.

Or go to DirecTv with TiVo which has 2 tuners and can do the 2 shows at
once. Although you'd have to "hack" it to offload shows to DVD in
digital quality.

http/www.dellanave.com/projects/tivo/62slices.html



> If this feature isn't currently available would it be in the near
> future? Is there a technical reason why it isn't available?
>
> Oh, and I am partial to Pioneer DVD gear. I have a high end Pioneer
> DVD player that I'm very happy with.

Pioneer makes a DVD Recorder with TiVo built in that would work nicely
with your cable, but only 1 show is recordable at a time.

>
> Any thoughts or suggestions that might be able to help me would be
> appreciated. Thanks to anyone and everyone.
>
>
>
> Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

>>Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
>>want to have to do that.
>
>
> You just said money is no object. To work with Cable you'd need 2 TiVo
> units. Then you'd use TiVo to Go functionality to move shows to a PC and
> thence to DVD.
>
> Or go to DirecTv with TiVo which has 2 tuners and can do the 2 shows at
> once. Although you'd have to "hack" it to offload shows to DVD in
> digital quality.
>
> http/www.dellanave.com/projects/tivo/62slices.html

It sounds to me his best bet is 2 Tivos, one with a DVD burner and one
without (or 2 with, if he just want's to burn money). If he want's to
burn a show from the other Tivo, just move it over with MRV.

There may be some scheduling complications, since the Tivo's won't
cooperatively schedule, but wouldn't putting the same season passes in,
but reversing the priorities make sure he get's everything (unless
there's a 3-way conflict)?

Remember that the monthly fees on the 2nd Tivo are half that of the
first, so it's not as expensive as it might seem to be at first.

Randy S.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

<<A DirecTV TiVo records two shows at a time but only from DirecTV.>>

That's not correct - a DirecTivo can record from DirecTV or antenna in
any combination, 2 shows at once.

John Cowart

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

bo peep <cowartmisc1@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <<A DirecTV TiVo records two shows at a time but only from DirecTV.>>

> That's not correct - a DirecTivo can record from DirecTV or antenna in
> any combination, 2 shows at once.

A SD DirecTiVo (which is generally what is meant by the term) can not
record from the antenna; DirecTV programs only.

--
Stephen Harris
usenet@spuddy.org
The truth is the truth, and opinion just opinion. But what is what?
My employer pays to ignore my opinions; you get to do it for free.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

bo peep wrote:
> <<A DirecTV TiVo records two shows at a time but only from DirecTV.>>
>
> That's not correct - a DirecTivo can record from DirecTV or antenna in
> any combination, 2 shows at once.

Sorry, John, you are operating with incomplete information.

A standard DirecTV TiVo:
Can record up to two channels of satellite programming.
Cannot record local digital HDTV broadcasts.
Cannot record regular analog (NTSC) broadcasts.
Cannot record unscrambled analog cable TV.
Cannot record digital cable (not even with a converter box).
Cannot record audio/video input from another source.

The High-Definition DirecTV TiVo:
Can record up to two channels of satellite programming, HDTV and SDTV.
Can record up to two channels of local HDTV+SDTV digital broadcast.
Can record one of each simultaneously.
Cannot record regular analog (NTSC) broadcasts.
Cannot record unscrambled analog cable TV.
Cannot record digital cable (not even with a converter box).
Cannot record audio/video input from another source.

So, you'll need to qualify your statement: a High-Def DirecTiVo can
record from DirecTV or local digital channels via antenna, or both.

-Joe

 

[seth]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"bo peep" <cowartmisc1@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1121871132.293755.34810@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> <<A DirecTV TiVo records two shows at a time but only from DirecTV.>>
>
> That's not correct - a DirecTivo can record from DirecTV or antenna in
> any combination, 2 shows at once.

Only HD unit can, and the antenna signal must be digital.

 

[frank]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Sure, money is no object to a point. I have the money to buy two
units, but at the moment I am doing exactly the same thing but with
two VCR's.

I want to stop using VCR's for the obvious reasons plus a couple of
reasons unique to me. However, it is not essential that I stop right
now, though sooner or later I will, whether it be by choice or need.

If I am going to stop now since I don't NEED to stop now, I would only
stop if the conversion would go exactly how I want it to.

One of my requirements (at this time) is to convert to only having to
use one piece of equipment. That doesn't seem to be possible at this
time from what you and others have said.

If I have to buy two TIVO's the annoyance factor of having to use two
pieces of equipment will still be there, a huge drawback to me.

On 19 Jul 2005 02:44:56 GMT, Howard <stile99@email..com> wrote:

>Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in
>news:9k8od1porilr7f1fasl3on09u5733v0sbl@4ax.com:
>
>> I want to buy a Tivo player with a built in hard drive that can then
>> burn those shows to DVD. Money is no object as long as it will do
>> what I need it to do.
>>
>> I need one that can record two shows together as often there are two
>> shows I want to record that are on at the same time.
>>
>> Otherwise, I would have to buy two Tivo players and I don't really
>> want to have to do that.
>
>Just out of curiosity, if money is no object exactly what is the problem
>with buying two TiVos? Currently there are TiVos with DVD recording
>ability, and TiVos with two tuners (only if you have DirecTV), but no TiVos
>with two tuners and DVD burning.

Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important

 

[frank]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Hmm, this raises another question. I only have basic cable right now,
and only want basic cable. I have no need for the premium channels.

I tend to buy the movies I want used, I'm not really a renter.

Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?

I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
show from a menu. Nonsense I say.



>
>Remember that the monthly fees on the 2nd Tivo are half that of the
>first, so it's not as expensive as it might seem to be at first.
>
>Randy S.

Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Frank wrote:
> I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
> show from a menu. Nonsense I say.

You must not have any favorite TV series in mind.

Back when The X-Files was on, I wanted to see each new
episode, regardless of what time of day it was broadcast.
All too often, the local Fox station would bump the show
to late night whenever the Oakland A's were playing.

I did not "pick the show from a menu", I requested a
Season Pass for the show. Set it and forget it.

This season I'm interested in Mythbusters. Without
any intervention on my part, my TiVo noticed that there
was a two-hour special on a different night, and recorded
that for me.

My wife has an interest in Harrison Ford. One day TiVo
noticed that Mr. Ford was listed as a guest star in an
old rerun of Gunsmoke on TV-Land, and recommended that
for her. That is something that you won't get from
the Sunday newspaper TV listings.

I have an Auto Record Wish List set for "WORLDCOM". My TiVo
automatically recorded the documentary on Bernie Ebbers on
CNBC. I don't have time to pour over all the TV listings
looking for something to record; I let the computer do that.

If you expect a DVR to be used the same as a VCR, no more, no
less, then you will be disappointed with TiVo. But if you
enjoy watching TV, and would like to have something to do
the drudge work, then a TiVo subscription is worthwhile.

-Joe

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Frank" <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:cdiud1hqroenuktphb1hpiidgv45n5msse@4ax.com...
> Hmm, this raises another question. I only have basic cable right now,
> and only want basic cable. I have no need for the premium channels.
>
> I tend to buy the movies I want used, I'm not really a renter.
>
> Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?
>
> I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
> does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
> the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
> show from a menu. Nonsense I say.

Certainly, one of the possibilities is to purchase a DVD recorder with a
hard drive and simply ignore the DVD part. The Lite-On 5045, selling for
$300, will do this. I've had mine for about 3 weeks. Yes, there are plenty
of things I would have done differently if I were the designer, but it DOES
do what you want it to do. It will record 66 hours of TV on its hard drive
with a quality essentially identical to the original. If you're willing to
accept quality similar to VHS SLP (EP), you can get 3 times as much on the
hard drive. All of this plus DVD recording.

If you wish, you can copy whatever is on the hard drive over to a DVD. This
process proceeds at 6 times normal speed. Note: the 5045 will NOT copy a
commercial DVD over to the hard drive, because of copy protection.

Norm Strong

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 2005-07-21, Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hmm, this raises another question. I only have basic cable right now,
> and only want basic cable. I have no need for the premium channels.
>
> I tend to buy the movies I want used, I'm not really a renter.
>
> Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?

It is required to have service for your TiVo to work. You can buy a
lifetime subscription instead of having to pay "monthly fees"

> I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
> does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
> the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
> show from a menu. Nonsense I say.

Given this information, perhaps TiVo isn't the best choice for you. I've
heard people say stuff like what you did and I wonder if they will become
TiVo converts once they realize how great it is or if there really are
people out there who really want to record based on date/time even though
that tends to be more problematic and not nearly as feature-rich as using
a guide like TiVo does (combined with all the other TiVo features).

--
This is my .sig

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

>Hmm, this raises another question. I only have basic cable right now,
>and only want basic cable. I have no need for the premium channels.
>
>I tend to buy the movies I want used, I'm not really a renter.
>
>Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?
>
>I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
>does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
>the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
>show from a menu. Nonsense I say.

A Series 1 standalone TiVo (or at least the vast majority of them
sold) will do time-and-channel recording with no subscription (no
hacking required).

Gordon L. Burditt

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

In article <11dvh76svdd4l83@corp.supernews.com>, Gordon Burditt
<gordon@hammy.burditt.org> wrote:

> >Hmm, this raises another question. I only have basic cable right now,
> >and only want basic cable. I have no need for the premium channels.
> >
> >I tend to buy the movies I want used, I'm not really a renter.
> >
> >Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?
> >
> >I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
> >does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
> >the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
> >show from a menu. Nonsense I say.
>
> A Series 1 standalone TiVo (or at least the vast majority of them
> sold) will do time-and-channel recording with no subscription (no
> hacking required).


He doesn't want a TiVo. He wants a plain-vanilla DVR that he can
program like a VCR. I think the unsubbed TiVo's nag screens would
befuddle him as much as the prospect of picking programs from menus
seems to.

 

[Howard]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in
news:cdiud1hqroenuktphb1hpiidgv45n5msse@4ax.com:

> Is it required that I pay these "monthly fees" to use TIVO?

Yes.

> I want the TIVO I purchase to function for me just as my trusty VCR
> does now. I program the date, and time of what I want to record and
> the VCR does the rest. I do not want to pay to pick a specific tv
> show from a menu. Nonsense I say.

There are people that TiVo (or for that matter, almost any DVR) is not a
solution for, or just simply are not ready for it. You are one of them.
There's no gentle way to say it, so forgive me for being blunt. If you
want everything done exactly your way and refuse to bend even the
slightest, nobody is stopping you from building it yourself.

--
Minister of All Things Digital & Electronic, and Holder of Past Knowledge
stile99@email.com. Cabal# 24601-fnord | Sleep is irrelevant.
I speak for no one but myself, and |Caffeine will be assimilated.
no one else speaks for me. O- | Decaf is futile.

 

[Howard]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in
news:g8c0e117o2h2s8htjiti2diebskr9pf3v4@4ax.com:

> All I want a DVD recorder for is to do simple time shifting. I also
> want a unit with a hard drive. If I don't need an actual TIVO unit to
> do this, that's fine. I thought I would.

If this is truly want you want, TiVo or pretty much any other DVR will fill
your needs. However, you have also said you want dual tuners, and refuse
to pay for service.

> If I don't, what DO I need and is there something on the market for
> me?

Like I said, given your specs and unwillingness to waver in the slightest,
what you need is to build it yourself. You're asking if there is something
on the market that, in ONE box, has two tuners, a hard drive, a DVD burner,
and does not require a subscription? If this is correct, the answer is no.

--
Minister of All Things Digital & Electronic, and Holder of Past Knowledge
stile99@email.com. Cabal# 24601-fnord | Sleep is irrelevant.
I speak for no one but myself, and |Caffeine will be assimilated.
no one else speaks for me. O- | Decaf is futile.

 

[frank]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

I can almost deal with having to buy 2 units, but paying a
subscription to do what I plan on doing is not something I can accept.

I might wait about 6 months and see what comes down the pike. Is the
dual tuner feature unlikely to come out?

On 22 Jul 2005 00:22:29 GMT, Howard <stile99@email..com> wrote:

>Frank <Frankma@comcast.net> wrote in
>news:g8c0e117o2h2s8htjiti2diebskr9pf3v4@4ax.com:
>
>> All I want a DVD recorder for is to do simple time shifting. I also
>> want a unit with a hard drive. If I don't need an actual TIVO unit to
>> do this, that's fine. I thought I would.
>
>If this is truly want you want, TiVo or pretty much any other DVR will fill
>your needs. However, you have also said you want dual tuners, and refuse
>to pay for service.
>
>> If I don't, what DO I need and is there something on the market for
>> me?
>
>Like I said, given your specs and unwillingness to waver in the slightest,
>what you need is to build it yourself. You're asking if there is something
>on the market that, in ONE box, has two tuners, a hard drive, a DVD burner,
>and does not require a subscription? If this is correct, the answer is no.

Frank - on the internet, where even you can be important

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Frank wrote:
> I can almost deal with having to buy 2 units, but paying a
> subscription to do what I plan on doing is not something I can accept.
>
> I might wait about 6 months and see what comes down the pike. Is the
> dual tuner feature unlikely to come out?

In the SA Tivo? I'd say it's *likely* (crossing my fingers), however a
subscription will still be required. In a non-Tivo subscriptionless
DVR? If you can find one, I would rather doubt it.

You can find what you what with a media center PC probably. Of course
the software is relatively unreliable and the hardware will cost you 4
times as much upfront, but it will fit what you describe. A Tivo w/
lifetime sub would be cheaper.

Randy S.