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Last post 19 years ago by Cigarick. 12 replies replies.
TIVO or the Cable Company's PVR?
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00camper Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 6:00 AM EST
Joined: 07-11-2003
Posts: 2,326
I had been thinking about getting a TIVO for a long time when Insight Cable began offering its own version called a PVR. I've heard nothing but good things about TIVO and nothing at all about the cable company's version, except their advertising.

Anybody here try the cable company's PVR?
AVB Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 6:08 AM EST
Joined: 05-21-2003
Posts: 995
TIVO is just a brand name of a PVR (Personal Video Recorder). They all work the same so you have to look at the cost of the subscription and things like that.
puskarich Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 7:11 AM EST
Joined: 01-04-2003
Posts: 2,143
I've looked into both, but havent made the leap yet. My cable co charges $10/month for the PVR. I dont watch all that much TV, so I cant justify the cost right now. Obviously, rental v/s ownership would be one of the decisions you'd have to make.

One thing I didnt like about TIVO is that it needs to make a daily phone call to get updated listings. I'd check with your cable co and see what kind of connection the PVR requires to get its updated listings. I got rid of my land line, so the TIVO option wasnt worth me getting it connected again. I have a feature on my TV called Guide Plus. It gets the listings from the cable connection. That works much better for me. IMO, current technology should not dictate that you make a phone call to get cable listing updates. That is silly.

Another question to research is if the TIVO/PVR can record the new digital, HD, and/or PPV channels. Some of these recorders cant, but some can.

If I were to make the leap, I'd probably get the PVR from my cable co first. I'd see how well I liked the features. If it was a must have item in my AV cabinet, I'd probably purchase something a little more permanent.



usahog Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 7:24 AM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
I looked into this one also as puskarich says... We settled on a DVD burner with 80 gig hard drive I can set it up and record the whole movie/show/game and watch it and also have the option to burn it off if I want... the set-up is complicated a bit but once your done you can record like a vcr..

Hog
Seth Gekko Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 10:19 AM EST
Joined: 01-30-2004
Posts: 2,311
I've got one built right into my computer. Just had to run a line from the cable box. Works great, and there's NO CHARGE. I don't watch tv shows, but will record a movie off HBO once in a while, or a sporting event. Absolutely simple to use.
sketcha Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 10:45 AM EST
Joined: 03-26-2003
Posts: 3,238
Hey Seth,

What program is that?
00camper Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 11:31 AM EST
Joined: 07-11-2003
Posts: 2,326
Seth,
I have lots of questions, but the main one is: will the software scan for program titles and automatically record them? For example, the PVR is able to scan for any occurance of Hogan's Heroes or Monty Python and automatically record it.

My email for more information is

marty @ public-finance . com

Thanks.
Schmitty22 Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 3:45 PM EST
Joined: 01-27-2003
Posts: 4,892
Cable PVR will be better imho. I have tivo and had a pvr for dishnetwork prior. The tivo is good but the IR blaster blows. It delays channel changing and sometimes miss changes channels in auto record. The cable company PVR is direct control and does not mess with the IR blaster (re directing channel changing via IR to the cable box). I plan on switching to cable PVR when Comcast in my area gets it.

Seth Gekko Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Sep 27 2004, 4:40 PM EST
Joined: 01-30-2004
Posts: 2,311
Sketcha & 00Camper, I regret to say that the PVR came installed on the computer, so I'm too stupid to know how it works. . . . . It's an HP m376m, with Windows XP Media center edition. . . I don't know if it's the software or a piece of hardware that handles the recording. . . . It has a guide, that downloads info from the cable company every time I start up windows. . . you can search by category, title or keyword, but I'm pretty sure it won't automatically search out and record a specific title on it's own. . . you can also record from the PVR to dvd, but I haven't tried that yet. . . . There's no question there's not as many options as Tivo, but if you're shopping for a computer, it's worth looking into. . . . just don't know how it can be added to an existing computer. . . . another thing - the way it's set up, you can't watch one channel on tv, and record another on the computer. . . . the computer has an adaptor that will change the channel on the cable box automatically, but if you want to record while the kids are watching Spongebob, it won't work. . . . they can however, watch DVD's, vhs and use Playstation while it's recording. . . .

It's perfect for me, because I might only record something once every couple of weeks. . . For those who would be using it on a daily basis, you may want more flexibility. . .
boofa75 Offline
#10 Posted: Sat, Oct 2 2004, 3:55 AM EST
Joined: 12-08-2002
Posts: 452
Tivo is by far the best choice. Other than being able to record live television and being able to record your favorite show whenever it's on.

Somebody mentioned that the Tivo dials up to update the guide..yes your are correct but if you have a broadband connection at home and a router..you can have the Tivo update itself through your existing internet connection...faster and alot easier. Also, with the broadband connection, Tivo calls it the "Home Media", you are able to send your photos to your Tivo and mp3's to your Tivo...so now you can see your pictures on your television and listen to your mp3's through your exisiting tv/home theater setup...great for party's.

If you have two Tivos and they are both on the Home Media option, you can transfer recorded content between the two...so if you have a Tivo in the living room and your recorded Survivor and you want to watch it upstairs in your bedroom where the other Tivo is..you can send the video from one to the other.

Another great feature is if you are away..let's say on vacation or a friends house..you can go to the tivo website and program your tivo from whereever you have an internet connection..you'll always be able to record a show even if you're not home.

Tivo is the best choice my friends.
NeWcS Offline
#11 Posted: Sat, Oct 2 2004, 8:32 AM EST
Joined: 07-20-2004
Posts: 64
TIVO for sure. The only problem is you will no longer watch live TV. Well for me that is the case. I get home and see what it recorded for me while at work and watch that.

My 2 cents
E-Chick Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Oct 4 2004, 6:03 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Live tv sucks...

I'd give up any show live, to view what I've chosen and recorded on my TIVO!!!

Pros and cons in everything....but I have THREE TIVOs in my house. Den, son's room, my room. If it isn't recorded on one of those, I'm S.O.L....which is never!

Season Pass, baby! If you had Tivo, you'd already know what I was talking about...it's like, "Hey, all of my favorite shows are on right now! Let's see, which one should I watch FIRST, and without ads!?"


You'll never go back.................Marla
Cigarick Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, Oct 4 2004, 6:25 PM EST
Joined: 07-28-2002
Posts: 3,078
http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/
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