Help Buying a DVR
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Help Buying a DVR
So Im buying a DVR soon but know very little about them (I do know enough to realize that football season is coming in a few months so i gotta get one).Please give info on the best one to get (replaytv, tivo, etc...) I have Comcast Cable and heard they might be coming out with there own brand, should I wait for this?Links to useful websites and previous threads will help as well.
Thanx in advance
Thanx in advance
Last edited by gmal2003; 05-25-04 at 09:48 PM.
#2
DVD Talk God
youll probably get it much cheaper, if you can get it through your cable service
i got in the the replaytv pricing snafu (unit + lifetime activation for $150) back around christmas.. and I dont know how I lived without this..
I really like the replay..
does tivo even do ethernet yet?
i got in the the replaytv pricing snafu (unit + lifetime activation for $150) back around christmas.. and I dont know how I lived without this..
I really like the replay..
does tivo even do ethernet yet?
#6
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If you just want something very basic, the DVR put out by Comcast is your cheapest option. Not much functionality but it serves the basic purpose.
If you want a good DVR with lots of functions, go with Replay or TIVO. I prefer Replay myself for cable or digital cable.
Of course the #1 option, is to get DirecTV with DIRECTIVO.
If you want a good DVR with lots of functions, go with Replay or TIVO. I prefer Replay myself for cable or digital cable.
Of course the #1 option, is to get DirecTV with DIRECTIVO.
#9
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Thanx guys, my Tivo demo dvd just came today and Ill be watching right after MADTV, of course if I had TIVO or ReplayTV I wouldnt have to wait to watch the demo, then again if I had one of the DVRs I wouldnt be watchin the demo now would I.
#10
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I've had my TiVO for about two months now, and I wouldn't want to give it up for anything. I went with it over the cable company's box because of the extra features, and I haven't been disapointed, it's well-worth the money. I haven't watched any "live" TV for over a month
#13
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I have been using the comcast dvr box for about 3 months now and havent had any major issues with it other than the fact that I cant watch one show while taping another. And when networks decide to run shows longer or start them a minute early. But besides that I am happy with it and its only an extra 9 bucks a month.
#14
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Originally posted by morpheus3715
I have been using the comcast dvr box for about 3 months now and havent had any major issues with it other than the fact that I cant watch one show while taping another. And when networks decide to run shows longer or start them a minute early. But besides that I am happy with it and its only an extra 9 bucks a month.
I have been using the comcast dvr box for about 3 months now and havent had any major issues with it other than the fact that I cant watch one show while taping another. And when networks decide to run shows longer or start them a minute early. But besides that I am happy with it and its only an extra 9 bucks a month.
What box do you have? Explorer 8000? If so, it has 2 tuners so you should be able to watch one thing and record another.
does replaytv have similar features to the Wishlist, and save to vcr options.
#15
DVD Talk Hero
There are a couple of DVR's out there at are "TiVo" yet come with free BASIC service. Yes, not near the functionality of the full service ($12.95 month or like $300 for lifetime). But, it might give you the feel for if you would like if before having to pay for the service.
For about $280.00 you can get this Toshiba which is an 80 DVR w/progressive scan DVD player and free basic Tivo. I think I'm going something like this. You can then "upgrade" to the full service by paying $12.95 per month or $300 lifetime if you want.
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...eed.TOS+SDH400
For about $280.00 you can get this Toshiba which is an 80 DVR w/progressive scan DVD player and free basic Tivo. I think I'm going something like this. You can then "upgrade" to the full service by paying $12.95 per month or $300 lifetime if you want.
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...eed.TOS+SDH400
#16
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
I might consider doing the comcast dvr although I probably wont, as of now I think Im slightly leaning towards ReplayTV although the TIVO demo has made it a very tough decision for me.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
I have Direct TV and just recently purchased a Phillips DVR 704
http://www.consumer.philips.com/glob...tId=DSR704R_17
So far I like it alot. It replaced an old direct tv box I had and for $4.99 a month I get the tivo functionality.
http://www.consumer.philips.com/glob...tId=DSR704R_17
So far I like it alot. It replaced an old direct tv box I had and for $4.99 a month I get the tivo functionality.
#19
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Originally posted by morpheus3715
I have the Motorola DCT6208 box
I have the Motorola DCT6208 box
That sucks. You know you can always split the cable - run one to the box and another direct to the TV. That way, you can watch one channel (analog only) which recording another.
#21
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Originally posted by morpheus3715
thanks for that info, im gonna put my technical skills to work this weekend and see if I cant make that happen.
thanks for that info, im gonna put my technical skills to work this weekend and see if I cant make that happen.
Since you have Comcast, you should call them and ask if they have any of the 2-tuner boxes, like the Explorer 8000 (like my Comcast offers).
#22
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Originally posted by Red Dog
That sucks. You know you can always split the cable - run one to the box and another direct to the TV. That way, you can watch one channel (analog only) which recording another.
That sucks. You know you can always split the cable - run one to the box and another direct to the TV. That way, you can watch one channel (analog only) which recording another.
#23
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For those people using a DVR with their cable system. Doesn't the DVR have to come from the cable company in order to have the menu functionality and ability to descramble digital signals? Or do you have to have a cable box and send the signal thru the DVR?
I am with Insight cable and have the Motorola DVR. I hate the fact that I can't watch 1 channel and record another.
I am with Insight cable and have the Motorola DVR. I hate the fact that I can't watch 1 channel and record another.
#24
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Originally posted by cajun_junky
For those people using a DVR with their cable system. Doesn't the DVR have to come from the cable company in order to have the menu functionality and ability to descramble digital signals? Or do you have to have a cable box and send the signal thru the DVR?
I am with Insight cable and have the Motorola DVR. I hate the fact that I can't watch 1 channel and record another.
For those people using a DVR with their cable system. Doesn't the DVR have to come from the cable company in order to have the menu functionality and ability to descramble digital signals? Or do you have to have a cable box and send the signal thru the DVR?
I am with Insight cable and have the Motorola DVR. I hate the fact that I can't watch 1 channel and record another.
No. For one thing, if you only have analog cable (without any cable box), you just plug the cable line right into the TIVO or Replay. If you do use a cable box, then the cable line goes from cable box to DVR to TV. The DVR has a device called a IR blaster which can change the channel of the cable box.
#25
DVD Talk Special Edition
Good info Red Dog.....much appreciated. I did not know the DVR could control the cable box. I was afraid of adding ANOTHER remote. I can hear my wife screaming at me already....ha ha ha