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So confused on what to buy
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Posted by: tdominey

Hey folks -- first timer here. Interested in buying a Tivo but I can't figure out what my options are.

I have an HDTV digital cable receiver from Comcast, which is plugged into my HDTV using component video cables. From what I can tell reading the Tivo site, in order to use the cable box with a Tivo, I would have to ditch the component cables (which provide a much better picture) and downshift to either standard Video-AudioL-AudioR RCA cables, or use the coaxial cable. I really don't want to lose the component cables here. Is there something else I can do? Thanks!

Posted by: Dan203

TiVos can NOT record HDTV, that's why they don't have component inputs. However if your box supports it you can use the S-Video output, which provided the maximum quality SD signal a TiVo can support.

Dan

Posted by: jlb

TiVO is coming out with an HD box in the near future.

Posted by: tdominey

I'm not as concerned about recording HDTV content (there isn't that much anyway) as I am losing the capability to watch it. I thought more about this later, and now I'm wondering if I could leave the component cables where they are, but run an additional coaxial cable from the Comcast box to the Tivo and then into the TV. Then whenever I want to watch HD content, I would switch the TV to "Component" mode (like a DVD player), or when I want to access the Tivo, I would use the Antenna (coaxial) input. Hmmmm.

Posted by: Sromkie

quote:
Originally posted by tdominey
I'm not as concerned about recording HDTV content (there isn't that much anyway) as I am losing the capability to watch it. I thought more about this later, and now I'm wondering if I could leave the component cables where they are, but run an additional coaxial cable from the Comcast box to the Tivo and then into the TV. Then whenever I want to watch HD content, I would switch the TV to "Component" mode (like a DVD player), or when I want to access the Tivo, I would use the Antenna (coaxial) input. Hmmmm.

That would work just fine as long as you are aware that your TiVo will not be able to record anything other than a blank screen with audio while you are on the HD channels. If you don't mind only having analog channels recorded on your TiVo, a splitter may be a better option. That way the TiVo isn't even using the box.

Or, you could get a second box just for the TiVo. That option works great for me. You just have to make sure that the TiVo's digital box cannot be interfered with by the HD boxes remote.

Posted by: tdominey

quote:
Originally posted by Sromkie
If you don't mind only having analog channels recorded on your TiVo, a splitter may be a better option. That way the TiVo isn't even using the box.

By "analog" I assume you mean non-HD channels, which is okay w/ me. Just to make sure I get the splitter concept, I'd split the coaxial cable BEFORE any hardware and run one line to the Comcast HD box and the other to the Tivo? Can the Tivo pick up all the channels (HD excluded) that the Comcast box would? And if so, could I just leave the Comcast box off, unless I'm interested in watching HD content?

Part of me is thinking of waiting for an HD Tivo box (or at least one w/ component inputs) but something tells me it'll be pretty expensive. :D

Posted by: classicsat

No, analog is the non digital channels that can be directly tuned by traditonal "cable ready" tuners, an SA Tivo being one of them.

Posted by: Sromkie

quote:
Originally posted by classicsat
No, analog is the non digital channels that can be directly tuned by traditonal "cable ready" tuners, an SA Tivo being one of them.

Right, just channels 99 and below (depending on your cable co.).

quote:
Originally posted by tdominey
Just to make sure I get the splitter concept, I'd split the coaxial cable BEFORE any hardware and run one line to the Comcast HD box and the other to the Tivo?

That's exactly the setup you would need, and then yes, you could leave the HD box off unless you were using it.

I still like the 2 box option best though so that you can get your digital channels on the TiVo as well :)

Posted by: devdogaz

quote:
Originally posted by tdominey
By "analog" I assume you mean non-HD channels, which is okay w/ me. Just to make sure I get the splitter concept, I'd split the coaxial cable BEFORE any hardware and run one line to the Comcast HD box and the other to the Tivo? Can the Tivo pick up all the channels (HD excluded) that the Comcast box would? And if so, could I just leave the Comcast box off, unless I'm interested in watching HD content?

With most cable systems, the channels under 100 are analog and can be tuned on any standard TV or VCR (or SA Tivo) without a cable box. If you don't mind only being able to TiVo these channels, your best option is to split the coax from the wall before it goes into the HD box. If you receive premium channels like HBO or if there are other digital tier channels that you "have" to be able to TiVo, then renting a second cable box from Comcast would be your best option. The second box would would not have to be HD and would probably be only a couple bucks a month.

The HD Tivo that is coming out soon will only work with DirecTV and over-the-air HD broadcasts. An HD TiVo that will work with cable has not been announced and is unlikely within the next year at a minimum.