| Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Martin Stark (MStark Copper.net)
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| Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:05:49 -0800 (PST) | |
I received HD OTA for about 6 years before I was able to get Fios TV. I
started with a Toshiba STB (gen 2 chipset) which I recently replaced
with a Samsung DTB-H260F (gen 5 chipset). Fios TV + TivoHD is MUCH
better than OTA. TivoHD + 1TB WD Caviar GP + Lifetime Full Service = ~
$300. + $250 + 350. I am happy with the deal I got.
Dennis Liu wrote:
Further clarifications below. Though it must be said that all of this information, and much much more, is available in several Tivo-devoted forums, as well as more general DVR-forums and A/V forums. GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND; we've given you more than enough to start with, dig a little to find out any specific answers you may need.
1. Tivo has a special format and its own software to watch shows from your Tivo on your computer. That format CAN be converted to a more standard one - again, check google for the details.
2. The # of CableCards you need depends upon (a) the type of cablecard your provider offers (multi-stream or single-stream), and whether your Tivo accepts MultiStream cards. Check tivo.com. Or again, google is your friend.
3. Yes, the computer can be located anywhere in the house, and there are RF remote controls to operate it, I believe. A TV tuner card (http://www.hauppauge.com/ is one popular brand, but GOOGLE) can be had for under $40, complete with software. You can hook up terrabytes of drives to your computer. BUT, remember, NO HD unless you go with a new Media Center PC for $$$$, or find the Sony Vaio tuner accessory, which accept CableCards. *OR* you can get an HD tuner card for your PC that will *NOT* work with HD channels from your cable box, but will get HD channels OVER THE AIR - you need an antenna, and reception depends on your location. There is even a website that tells you EXACTLY which stations you will be able to receive, given your exact address. I'd tell you the URL, but again, google is your friend.
4. Marty's Tivo Series 3 with big drives and lifetime subscription from eBay sounds like the way to go, assuming you can find it for a good price.
vty,
--Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: LarryT [mailto:l02turner [at] comcast.net] Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 8:29 AM
To: BigHeadDennis [at] gmail.com
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO
FERRARICONTENT++++
Thx Dennis, Articulate as usual. ;-)
OK, you said, get the $299 HD version (of the Tivo box) which I'm leaning toward.
I assume I can hook up a computer or ext Hard drive via USB or ethernet to move programs from Tivo to the hard drive and eventually to a DVD?
It sounds like I will need 2 cable cards to record more than 1 channel at a time - which I can rent from Comcast - I assume they plug into the Tivo Box?
course, I can get the Tivo box 1st and then see what additional cards I eed -
My main desktop is on the other side of the wall where the bedroom TV is - sounds like I could install a TV tuner card into that desktop and run a cable to the TV - and access all the hard drives hooked to that computer. I
have over 1TB when all the drives are added up. I'll have to see what cards
are costing now.
This is such a complex issue - there seems to be a lot of options - unless I
takes SteveJ's advice <<Get TiVo. However you have to swing it to make it work with your setup, get the TiVo>> and that's the way I am probably going to go.
I will probably buy the $299 HD capable Tivo - and I;ll search for a package
that might give me a free one ;-) if I pay for several years of service --
My biggest fear is spending several hundred $$s and finding I cannot record more than 1 channel or cannot move programs to a computer for eventual recording on a DVD. I think ya'll have provided the info needed to prevent that. ;-)
Merry 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: "Dennis Liu" <bigheaddennis [at] gmail.com>
To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
Cc: "'The FerrariList'" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++
http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/dave%40davehanda.comA 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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- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++, (continued)
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ Ferrarisimo [at] Comcast.net, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ LarryT, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ Dave Mills, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ Dennis Liu, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARICONTENT++++ Martin Stark, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI CONTENT++++ Martin Stark, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI CONTENT ++++ LarryT, December 21 2007
- Re: AV/DVR Help Please ++++++ OT +++++ NO FERRARI CONTENT ++++ Lee S. Lingo, December 20 2007
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