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

I've decided to finally leave the age of VCR and move into HD recording. I currently have HD satellite and could probably get a Tivo box from them, but are there better options, such as just buying a DVR with a hard drive? I'm not real sure whats out there, or which is the better way to go. Any input would be appreciated.

HD Tivo from Directv is tough. They lost the relationship w/ Tivo and they currently don't their Directv HD DVR out yet. The HD Tivo is MPEG2 and Directv is already rolling out their MPEG4, albeit slowly. I have an HD Tivo upgraded to 550 GB of space. It's slow but it works and it's Tivo based.

If I were to start today, go w/ Comcast (or your local cable co) and use their HD DVR on a monthly contract. DirecTV requires a 2 year commitment, which sucks. In about 6 mos, Tivo will release their Series 3 Tivo which takes 2 HD cable cards has 2 built in HD OTA tuners, supports all new s/w upgrades, and supports an external SATA Harddrive. I've heard estimates that this will be sub $500, maybe less. I will drop Directv in a heartbeat for this.

The research so far has told me that you are better off the your sat company's HD box.

I decided to keep the VCR a while longer until newer tech. fills the gaps.

Well, the CableCARD v2.0 stuff may be out in 6 months, or it may not. Unfortunately, that's what's holding TiVo back; sure, they could do an HDTiVo for OTA HD content, but it wouldn't work with satellite or cable. You're going to be in the same boat with anything but the cable/sat providers own HD DVR solutions.

Unfortunately cable is not an option, I have to use the satellite for both TV and high speed internet.

Ah, but you don't have to wait for Cablecard 2.0.

Series 3

But if you can't go cable, then you're stuck w/ Satellite.

Well, right you are. Fortunately, I have no interest in recording PPV. Neat!


On the other hand, I have basic cable and an analog TV. Oh well.

at this point, I would just wait until the new hd dvr comes out on directv. you will be able to get locals thru the dish and unlike the hd directivo, I am betting it won't cost money. I have read directv is going to lease their equipment just like dish network. why buy a hd directivo that costs a fair amount and won't get updates?

personally I am going to hate direct's new dvr because I am used to tivo but what are you going to do.

I could go to cable later down the line but it is more expensive, mainly because I have two dvr's and they charge a monthly fee for each.

I didn't know Directv had a hd dvr in the works, I already get the locals as well as East coast channels so I don't have a need to record one channel and watch another at the same time. I just want the ability to record programs in Hd when I'm away. Kinda of like having a VCR with good quality.

Well folks, we have had two different DVRs from our cable company; one was non-hd(before we had HD)and one that is HD.

For what it is worth; they weren't worth much!

They both did a respectable job in recording and playing back both audio and video in a daily use temporary recording context, but the long term reliability was/is a very sore issue around our house.

One had a disc drive failure, and the other has real inconsistent playback issues.

Perhaps it's a case of being "rental" units, but I wouldn't feel comfortable recording anything that I may want to keep around for an extended period of time.
Rich.