Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++
From: Steve Jenkins (stevestevejenkins.com)
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:51:54 -0800 (PST)
Ok, ok... I'll jump in.

Get TiVo. However you have to swing it to make it work with your setup, get
the TiVo.

SteveJ 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Liu [mailto:bigheaddennis [at] gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:21 PM
To: Steve Jenkins
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO
FERRARICONTENT++++

A few quick additions, since SteveJ hasn't yet jumped in.

Larry, you have essentially three options:

1.  Get the Comcast DVR.  Yes, the software is not as good as Tivo, but it's
"free", but for the monthly rental fee, but compare that against the monthly
Tivo fee.  If it breaks, etc., you can get another one from Comcast for free
by walking into your local Comcast office.  And, best of all, Comcast is
rolling out TIVO software in its boxes.  Some Boston area homes have already
gotten them, apparently, and the rollout will continue through Q2, so the
blogs report.

2.  Use a PC laying around the house as a media center.  Can even be an
older model - don't need much horsepower.  Lots of cheap tv tuner cards or
even USB tuner devices, all of which come with media software.  No monthly
rental fees, and can use massive disk drives and can record directly to cds
or dvds.

3.  Go with Tivo.

Big question - are you going to watch HD or not?  If YES, then #2 is pretty
much OUT unless you spend $3k or so for a new gen high end media center PC
that can record HD (using a CableCard), though Sony has apparently just
released a Vaio-branded HD usb device that will work with any computer
($400?).  The comcast box works just hunky dory with HD, but you're limited
to 80 gigs of storage, and not upgradeable, so you're only getting 20 hours
of HD recorded.

And, Larry, god bless you, we all know that you will stumble across stuff
you'll want to archive and you will run out of space inside of a month.  :-)

So, back to Tivo:

A.  The $99 tivo (Series 2) will not record HD.  Get the $299 "HD" version,
which Tivo released after the Series 3 (which also records HD) hit the
market and flopped because it was so expensive.  The Series 3 has a few
features tha the "HD" does not, but none of which matters to you, EXCEPT
IIRC, the S3 accepts multi-stream CableCards, while the HD takes only single
stream CableCards, which means you will need to rent TWO from Comcast to
record two channels simultaneously (and you will), so it'll be around $4 a
month (plus your Tivo fee).  The Series 3 is effectively out of production,
so you may pick one up at discount for the price of the HD, which would make
it a good deal.

B.  What's a CableCard?  It's basically the descrambling hardware/software
needed to record scrambled cable channels.  With a CableCard, you no longer
need a cable box (and no need to jigger up a controller so that the Tivo
controls the cable box with an IR blaster, etc.).  Multi-stream means that
the card can handle two channels.  Single stream is, natch, just one, so you
need two if you want to record/watch two channels simultaneously (and, yes,
you do).

C.  The Series 3 and the HD both now accept external Hard drives
plug-and-play (eSata?), so no need to modify the box, etc.  Just buy a cheap
external HD and plug it in (though IIRC, the "HD" series might require a
Western Digital branded version, but it's still plug and play).

D.  Shop around if you only want standard def and can live with the Series
2; I've seen deals where the Series 2 is *FREE* if you buy the long term
Tivo subscription.

vty,

--Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Greenfield [mailto:coyote [at] acme-ltd.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 9:53 PM
To: Dennis Liu
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI
CONTENT++++

80 hours is most likely at basic quality. If you start recording at  
'best' quality, it will probably be half or less that.

It might be enough depending ok how you use it.

I forget which model I have, I think it is the basic 80 hour (I keep  
meaning to put a larger drive in it) dual tuner model.

This will plug into your network. You can then install the TiVo  
desktop on your computer which will allow you to transfer them over  
the network. You can then burn them to DVD, or archive them however  
you see fit.

It will also connect to the TiVo service over the net for updates and  
scheduling.

Remember that if you have a cable box, that you can only record one  
channel off the cable box and one on basic cable at the same time or  
two basic channels at the same time.

Setting my tivo up to recognize both the basic channels and premium  
channels on the cable box was a pain.  It only wanted to do one or the  
other.

Tech support was no help, they told me I couldn't do it with my cable  
(time warner) but after muddling around with it for awhile I was able  
to get it to work the way I wanted it to.

HTH,

Jeff

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 20, 2007, at 6:04 PM, "LarryT" <l02turner [at] comcast.net> wrote:

> Thanks Dave! (and Martin),
>    Just left the Tivo site and they offer a $99 DVR with a monthly  
> plan of
> $8.31 if paid for 3 years at a  time.
>
>    The basic DVR they offer looks like it will do all I want - 80  
> hours of
> recording, record more than one channel at a time.etc.  I cannot  
> imagine I
> would need more than 80 hours.
>
>   One thing, can I copy programs I record to DVD's?  That way they  
> can be
> saved indefinately.
>
>    Also, is there a compelling reason to buy the more expensive DVR at
> $300?
>
>    Since I know so little about this I hate to buy more than I need  
> - and
> obversely, hate buying something and find out I need more options.   
> But as a
> wise man once told me, "You don't know what you don't know." I have  
> to ask
> questions ;-)
>
>    Mostly we record shows so we can watch them at another date.   Some
> programs I save - like special car stuff like Top Gear, many SpeedTV  
> races,
> etc.
>
>    Thanks for the help --
>
> Marry Christmas -
>
> Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
> Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
> PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
> .
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Handa" <dave [at] davehanda.com>
> To: "'LarryT'" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
> Cc: "'The FerrariList'" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:19 PM
> Subject: RE: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI  
> CONTENT
> ++++
>
>
>> I HATE the Comcast DVR too!  It sucks and is not user friendly.
>>
>> Get a Tivo one, either standard or HD, depending on your  
>> requirements. All
>> you need from Comcast is a cable card to allow the tuner to pick up  
>> all
>> your
>> channels. It might even require two cable cards if you want to  
>> watch on
>> one
>> channel, while recording another.
>>
>> I am in the same boat, I have a standard definition Tivo, and a  
>> Comcast HD
>> DVR and the Tivo prompts are so much easier to use, and the Tivo  
>> has many
>> more features.  Tivo even knows not to record a show that is a  
>> repeat.
>> Comcast will record the same Mojo channel shows I like endlessly.   
>> So each
>> week I have to go through and delete all the repeats.
>>
>> You will have to pay a subscriber fee to Tivo for their programming
>> service,
>> it is required for it to work.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: LarryT [mailto:l02turner [at] comcast.net]
>> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:13 PM
>> To: dave [at] davehanda.com
>> Cc: The FerrariList
>> Subject: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI  
>> CONTENT
>> ++++
>>
>> Howdy -
>> Finally sprung for the basic digital package for my TV and now I  
>> find not
>> having a DVR is a PITA.   Naturally renting one from Comcast is a  
>> never
>> ending thing and we'd like to buy one- but I am having trouble  
>> buying one.
>>
>> Most are sold as Leasing Units - as a package with Tivo or Direct TV.
>>
>> Any suggestions/explanations why things are like this?  Can I buy a  
>> DVR
>> and
>> install it in my Comcast system - paying Comcast the req'd fee's of
>> course.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
>> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
>> Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
>> PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
>> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
>> .
>>
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>>
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>
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