TIVO question
#1
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TIVO question
Hi. I'm looking into Tivo but looking for any advice. Currently, I have a high def TV with the HD Samsung receiver. I just want tivo to record shows that I'm not home in time to watch. I know I won't be able to record the HD channels, but that's not a big deal. How does the tivo box work? It doesn't replace my existing receiver does it? Because then I'd lose my high def capabilities since the tivo box that directv offers isn't high def. Or does it kind of hook up like a VCR as a stand alone unit?
#2
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You would need to get a Directivo (directv and tivo receiver combined). Yes, it would take the place of your HD receiver, but you could use them both. How many lines do you have running to your TV area now? Run 3. Hook one up to the HD receiver and the other two to the directivo receiver. Hook the HD receiver to one of the inputs on the TV and the directivo to a different input. Now they will work independently. When you want to watch recorded shows, just put your TV on that input. When you want to watch HD live, just put the TV on that one.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=236681
Stew
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=236681
Stew
#3
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Actually, DirecTV does offer a HD Tivo for $999 or less. But it may not be a good buy at this point, as it will be partly obsolete as soon as the MPEG4 channels (HD locals) come online, which will start this year.
#4
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Exactly. DirectTV does have an awsome HD Tivo that lets you record to HD channels and play one back at the same time. Also, its very easy to open up and extract HD content (and add disk space). The problem is that DTV is going to MPEG4 and rendering the boxes useless in the months/years to come.
I guess all those folks are getting screwed, even if DTV offers a trade-in value for the Hughes boxes
I guess all those folks are getting screwed, even if DTV offers a trade-in value for the Hughes boxes
#5
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A lot of the buzz from DTV says those who have a HD DirecTiVo will have them swapped out for little or no money.
I've had mine for a year now and don't regret the upgrade at all.
I've had mine for a year now and don't regret the upgrade at all.
#6
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tacoman,
D* is working on at least 2 other DVR technologies for HD recording. It is assumed that one of these will exist once MPEG4 is necessary, or the Tivo will be reworked with the new decoder. What everyone is worried about is the functionality of the different, future DVRs. Tivo is the best, and a downgrade is expected.
Also, the SD channels will remain MPEG2-equivalent as they are now. So the HDTivo will always work for those channels. Plus it should continue to work for OTA HD channels. It makes it a possible buy even now when the obsoletion is known and looming ever nearer. I just wish they'd knock the price down, I'd have already ordered one if it was 1/2 the price.
D* is working on at least 2 other DVR technologies for HD recording. It is assumed that one of these will exist once MPEG4 is necessary, or the Tivo will be reworked with the new decoder. What everyone is worried about is the functionality of the different, future DVRs. Tivo is the best, and a downgrade is expected.
Also, the SD channels will remain MPEG2-equivalent as they are now. So the HDTivo will always work for those channels. Plus it should continue to work for OTA HD channels. It makes it a possible buy even now when the obsoletion is known and looming ever nearer. I just wish they'd knock the price down, I'd have already ordered one if it was 1/2 the price.
#7
DVD Talk Legend
I'm glad you reminded me of the OTA HD signals being mpg2, Spiky. I'd say 95% of my HD recording is from my antenna for local HD. If the new HD DVR ends up costing me a huge chunk of change, that 5% isn't really worth the upgrade.
#8
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Originally Posted by Spiky
Actually, DirecTV does offer a HD Tivo for $999 or less. But it may not be a good buy at this point, as it will be partly obsolete as soon as the MPEG4 channels (HD locals) come online, which will start this year.
If you can get an HDTivo for some of the prices I've seen online, it's well worth it.