Tivo - experiences?

fishman · Jan 29, 2004

Seeing the thread on satellite tv got me to thinking again about tivo. I don't know that much about it except that it records something like a vcr, only better /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, and you have to pay a monthly fee.

To those that have it, is it worth it? I've heard it will also seek out similar shows to ones you've asked it to record and get those for you as well. Is this true? Are there other, better competing systems out there? Any good deals to be had? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I have directv if that has any bearing on it.

I get tired of having 200 channels with nothing good to watch the few times I want to take a load off. It would be great to just sit down and think "wonder what my tivo picked up for me today?" Is this too much to ask? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

bebster · Jan 29, 2004

TIVO is great! Have had it for over a year. Records our favorite shows automatically, so now we decide when we want to watch TV. I even find that I sit down to watch a show 15 mins after it begins, figuring as I skip commercials I'll eventually catch up by the end of an hour. Have programmed in all favorite shows and they record automatically. Some I then even download to my VCR if I want to save them, since the harddisk only holds 40 hours (I should have bought the 80 hour model). Bought it at Circuit City I think. Couldn't live without it now!

DirecTV has a special deal that is even cheaper and has a model that enables you to record one channel while watching another (standard Tivo only records the channel you are watching), and that's certainly the way to go.

from another post:
 They have a combined unit called DirecTivo or Diretv DVR. These units are actually better than Tivo standalone units. They come with two tuners so you can watch one channel while recording another, or record two channels at the same time. They are currently on offer from $99.00 dollars for units that will record about 35 hours. The extra cost of the Tivo service for you will be $4.95 for all your receivers.

aloha · Jan 29, 2004

Why do you suppose TiVo does not give subscribers a no-phone line option? Could it be that they are in the business of sucking commercially valuable data out of subscribers' households? You need to decide the value you put on your privacy.

Muhammad · Jan 29, 2004

Have it, love it, and wouldn't give it up. With TiVo, TV fits around your schedule, not the other way around. I use it mainly for programs that are on while I'm not home (or late at night)... and sometimes sporting events.

Plus, you can record back to a VCR (tape or DVD) so you can build quite a movie collection.

There's really no comparison. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

zuiko · Jan 29, 2004

For the DirecTivo boxes that are Tivo and DirecTV combined in one unit you only need the phone line to activate the recording options. Once you do that you can leave it unplugged. It will nag once per day but that isn't too bad. The only reason it calls in any more is to report what you are watching.

I activated a couple boxes at my house for my Dad who doesnt have a phone line. It was no problem. The boxes dont even need to be hooked to the satellite to do it.

Of course the standalone Tivo units need the phone line to pick up guide data and software updates.

zuiko · Jan 29, 2004

I wouldn't be without mine. 95% of what I watch is off Tivo. About the only thing I watch live is Fox News Channel. I also have DirecTV.

Inspector507 · Jan 29, 2004

Is there a monthly charge to use Tivo?

GaryM · Jan 29, 2004

Inspector,

$4.95 no mater how many receivers you have. At least that's what I was told when I signed up.

MikePA · Jan 29, 2004

I have had two ReplayTV devices for a couple of years. I tried a Tivo and could never get its modem to download data correctly. The current models can use a broadband connection and you can connect them to a computer network which allows you to transfer recordings between them. When I bought them, ReplayTV must have been anxious for cash because they offered a $200 (I think) lifetime subscription or a monthly fee. I opted for the lifetime subscription on both units.

While I like being able to record shows, being able to pause, stop, rewind, etc. live TV is just as valuable. Want to fix a sandwich and not miss anything? Hit Stop. Gotta take a phone call, Hit Stop. Need to run out and get dinner? Hit Stop. What kind of tractor was that guy driving? Rewind.

Tivo and ReplayTV are one of those devices you wonder how you'd use it until you buy it. Then you wonder how you lived without it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif When I first bought them, my wife thought they were just another electronic toy. Now she can't live without them either. In fact, we will be watching live TV, a commercial will come on and she will tell me to fast forward through it!

The online channel guide specific to your cable or satellite provider is great, being able to seach it is valuable as well. We use it to record shows late at night and we also keep some of them long term for watching when the cable goes out.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jan 29, 2004

I have the Direct TV unit that lets you record two different channels at the same time or watch one and record one. I had the Dish unit and only could record but not watch at the same time if it was a different channel. The Direct TV unit is the way to go, especially if you have kids and they want to watch something at the same time you do, ( only big screen and sound system in the house) no more fighting. To down load to a VCR is easy, start the move, start the VCR, DONE! Since the signal is digital you do not loose anything going to the tape. When the DVD recording units come down in cost, I will replace the VCR with a DVD recorder.

You can never say "nothing on TV to watch" with a two channel recorder!

fishman · Jan 29, 2004

( You can never say "nothing on TV to watch" with a two channel recorder!
)

Yikes! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif That's what scares me! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jan 29, 2004

Fish,

If you are watching something you recorded, you can record two other channels at the SAME TIME. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, cool to do THREE things at the same time, too bad you can not do that with other things. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Also if you do not watch what you record, it will erase the show if you do not save it.

Best part is when you have time to watch TV, you watch it, not OH XYZ show is on and do I watch it or continue to read TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

powerstroke2000 · Jan 30, 2004

I was looking into getting tivo but don't have a landline phone to hook it to /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

MikePA · Jan 30, 2004

I was looking into getting tivo but don't have a landline phone to hook it to
Do you have a broadband connection to hook it to?

MadReferee · Jan 30, 2004

For information on everything you ever wanted to know about DBS satellite TV (DirecTV, Dish, etc) and satellite TV technology in general go to DBS Forums .

For more information than you will ever want to know about TIVO go to TIVO Community Forums .

If you want information on upgrading existing TIVO's or getting a new TIVO, go to TIVO Upgrades .

Have fun.

fishman · Jan 30, 2004

Thanks to all. It sounds like the consensus is "It's good, go get it!"

powerstroke2000 · Jan 30, 2004

I have adelphia's powerlink right now

PBMAX · Jan 30, 2004

I just ordered one from DTV the other day. They will be out to install it and a multiswitch next Sat. It's only the 35hr model ($125 inc tax&handle)which you can also by at BBuy as well. But you have to buy the multiswitch as well. When they install it they provide it for free. According to the fellow I talked to when I called to find out why they did not tell me about the 10 wait upfront. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I want my new gadget now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...
O' well the multiswitch runs from 20 to 70 bucks if buy it... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif So, I figured I would just wait.... BTW way u do have to have the Dual LNB on your dish to use it accrding to the TIVO forum... TO record 2 channels. Try this site if you would like to know more about how they hook up to DTV....

tivo community http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55509

MikePA · Jan 30, 2004

I have adelphia's powerlink right now 
Sounds like you have a cable modem connection. Tivos and ReplayTVs can connect to a network, so you don't need land line.

PBMAX · Jan 30, 2004

Speaking of networking one... Does any one know how to hook one to PC and have the PC dial the modem to connect when the TIVO needs to. This would save me money on the londistance calls. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Longdistance from my house is just down the road.. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Small phone co here area calling is more than the ph bill... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif