Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Tivo vs DVR

HomeDad, you are in for a treat. When I got Tivo a couple of years ago, it changed my life. Really. Zapping commercials is quick and easy. The season pass feature means no missed episodes, even if the network moves the airing time. Like Costa Rica? Do a keyword search and within seconds, you have titles, airtimes, and descriptions of all the shows on Costa Rica for the next two weeks. Just push a button and record the ones you want. If you have two lines running to your TV, you can watch one program while recording another. You can even watch a prerecorded program while recording two new ones simultaneously. The picture and sound are flawless - I see no degradation vs live TV. I cannot overstate the convenience and service you will enjoy.

That said, I am sad that Rupert Murdoch decided to abandon Tivo when he bought DirecTV. Word is that he wants to keep everything inhouse to contain costs/keep all profits. Hence, DirecTV DVRs are here. I am in the midst of a new HT install and am upgrading from SD to HD via DirecTV. Have not yet bought the DVRs or the new dish that will be required, but the cables in-house are all there now.

To get my local (Wash DC) channels in HD, the local hi-fi guy said that I will need a 5 LNB dish. I think that otherwise the HD standard is 3 LNB. I have no idea what this lingo means other than only the 5 LNB dish is capable of receiving signals from the desired satellite.

My SD Tivo still works great with DirecTV, but word in the Tivo community is that over the next few years it will probably lose capabilities and need to be replaced with the Murdoch DVR which is less well-reviewed, not as convenient/featured, etc. Sigh.

Still, once you go DVR, you never go back.

A couple of things to keep in mind.

Cabling

How many receivers do you have now? You may need a multiplexer if you have too many and want more than one tuner per dvr (a must). Would also need at least two cable runs to the dvr. Why at least two? Depends on if you want more than one tuner running and want to receive off air signals for locals. The new dvr from directv has locals from satellites but doesn't have the WB or UPN (or the CW or whatever the new channel is going to be called). If you want to record that channel in hd, you would have to use an antenna. Normally (as the case of the hd dvr now) you could use a diplexor and have the antenna signal go across the same line as the satelite signal. I have read a few places that said the new directv receivers won't allow the use of a diplexer, so you would need a separate cable line ran to the receiver for that option.

I have 3 receivers. Sounds like alot of work just to be able to record a few shows. The VCR is starting to look ok now. I do like the options the DVR and Tivo enable, but it sounds like I should wait awhile for some better technology.

Homedad - I agree with medic8r. I've had TIVO for a year and it's been terrific. I especially enjoy watching an hour program in 40 minutes by skipping over the commercials. I often turn on the TV, but don't start watching until 15 minutes into the program just so I can skip the commercials!

I can't help you with the DirecTV questions, but I did just upgrade to digital HD cable (Comcast) and now have their DVR. It has 2 tuners which is really nice (records 2 pgms at once, and I can even watch one and record 2 others IF I ever wanted to). The Tivo (Series 2) has better software and a few more features though.

BTW - I just rec'd my Denon 3805 yesterday, and the speakers arrive today! I'll be writing for setup advice over the next few days! I feel like a kid at Christmas!

Thanks for the input. Your going to have some fun today

You get to watch the front door two days in a row. I bet you'll have a late night tomorrow!

I was so impressed with tivo, I ended up getting two boxes. Best investment I've made in tv ever. I'm embarrassed to say it was my wife who had to talk me into it. I thought it would be one of those gee wiz 30 day wonders ... boy was I proved wrong.

Everyone seems to like this TiVo thing... I guess I will have to check into it and get on board?

I'm back looking again also. Sounds like Directv has their new DVR out, I may have to switch dishes, but if they work me a deal I'm going to do it.

LOL.

I don't know if it's for you, dllewel....