Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (
More info?)
"Randy S." <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote in message
news:d8lcff$ha4$1@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
>I have a sneaking suspicion that this is flamebait, but here goes:
LOL!
>
>> I currently have a TimeWarner DVR (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300) and
>> have been contemplating for a very long time about buying a TiVo. I have
>> a few questions for the TiVo pros and non-pros in this group before I
>> make a possible purchase.
>>
>> 1) On a TiVo, can I record two shows at a time while watching another? I
>> know with the DVR I have now I can do just that.
>
> No, current standalone Tivo's do not have dual tuners. Directv integrated
> Tivo's do, and can do what you describe, but until the next generation of
> Standalone Tivo's are released, they do not support that. To address some
> other hardware shortcomings before you ask about them, SA Tivo's also do
> not support 5.1 (or greater) surround sound, Hi-def signals or component
> video output. Directivo units support all of that.
I just got used to my dual tuners. I guess I can live without it if I move
up to a TiVo, but what if I have two shows that I want to tape and they are
on at the exact same time?
>
>>
>> 2) Does TiVo have a built in PiP? The DVR I have now does and allows me
>> to watch two channels at the same time and swap out the PiP channel with
>> the main picture or vice versa.
>
> No, there's no PIP. OTOH, there's really no need since there is only one
> tuner. Simply pause the recorded program while your checking out the live
> content, or vice versa. On the dual tuner Directivo you can easily flip
> between the tuners, again, with pause and rewind available, I see little
> need for PIP except for maybe live sporting events.
I guess I can live without this too. I didn't really use it that much, but
liked that it was there if I did need it.
>
>> 3) Is it difficult to hook up? I've heard that many people have had
>> trouble getting their cable box to work with the TiVo box. I think what
>> I'm asking here is are the two boxes going to be totally compatible or
>> are there going to be any conflicts that are going to force me to go back
>> to what I have now?
>
> Setup is very easy. The only problem that can occur from time to time is
> in the control of the cable box (if you need to use one for digital or
> scrambled channels). Typically SA Tivos must use IR blasters to control
> the cable box, and sometimes the remote codes fail, leaving recordings
> incorrect because the box was on the wrong station. When well setup this
> rarely occurs, however. Some cable boxes support serial cable connections
> to the Tivo, which makes for a more reliable connection.
I don't think my cable box supports serial cable connections, but then again
I don't think the DVR boxes and Digital boxes are the same, so it just
might. All I do know is that the DVR has an S-Video hookup and a USB
connection on the front that isn't currently used and a SATA connection on
the back. And I do know what you mean by the IR blasters being flaky. My
sister's VCR has one of those things and man is it worthless.
>
>> 4) What are the Pros and Cons of the TiVo box over the box I have now?
>
> In a couple of words? Software functionality, reliability, and ease of
> use. And to a slightly lesser extent, networking and modifiability.
Looks like I just might be moving up to a TiVo. I wish I had DirectTV
instead of Digital Cable because those TiVo boxes sound a whole lot better.
>
> Software functionality -
> Tivo provides several recording options that other DVR's don't. The main
> one is "Wishlists", which allow you to record any program (or subset of
> programs, like "sports") that corresponds to a keyword or words. You like
> Angelina Jolie? Setup a wish list on "Angelina Jolie" and you'll get not
> only every movie, but every talk show appearance and documentary related
> to her. There are also lots of other options in managing recordings.
>
> Reliability -
> Tivo rarely makes mistakes. Most mistakes that do occur are attributable
> to guide errors, not software. It means a lot to be able to trust that
> your recordings will be there when you expect them to be. This is in
> contrast to widely acknowledged occurances of Scientific Atlanta boxes
> routinely losing recordings, making partial or unviewable recordings, etc.
>
> Ease of Use-
> My grandmother can use a Tivo (once hooked up). With little to no
> instruction. Tivo's use is very intuitive, and that means a lot to the
> non-technophile public. It just does what you expect it to do, and things
> are where you expect them to be. The biggest newbie question we see here
> are about extraneous recordings showing up because of "suggestions",
> rarely are they questions about how to use the Tivo.
>
> Networking-
> Hook your Tivo to your wireless (or wired) network, and you get more
> frequent updates, ability to display photos and play music from your
> computer, display weather updates, movie times and other things. You can
> schedule recordings from over the Internet (you can do that w/out network
> as well, but it's quicker with). Transfer recorded programs to your PC
> and burn them to DVD.
>
> Modifiability-
> Want more storage space in your Tivo? Add a bigger hard drive. Want to
> enable web and ftp access to your recorded programs? (legally) Hack the
> OS. You can do just about anything you want to your Tivo as long as you
> don't try to steal service.
>>
>> I think that's all for now. If I think of any more questions, I'll be
>> sure to ask them.
>
> Well, I tried to answer a few you didn't ask as well. The fact is that
> cable DVR's have a few hardware related benefits over Tivo right now (dual
> tuners, surround sound, HD). Most of us here feel the other benefits
> outweigh them (naturally), due to the unreliability and general
> "clunkiness" (that's a word that comes up a lot from users who have
> converted from cable DVR's to Tivos) of the cable supplied DVRs.
Thanks Randy!
>
> Randy S.
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