TiVo Community Forums Archives

TiVoCommunity.com
(c)opyright 1995-2005 All rights reserved
indexcheckTC
This area is a static history of posts in the TiVo Community Forum Archive.
This archive history was made for the simple indexing of search sites like Google.

Pages:1

Pvr
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Ralph000

OK, I am ready to purchase a PVR.

Since these systems are somewhat expensive and often require multi-year commitments (lifetime activation, etc) I want to check them all out before deciding which one gets the nod.

BTW, I did ReplayTV support for 3 months (about 18 months ago) while the company was self-destructing (sending tech support over to India). :rolleyes

1) Being a computer nerd I like to plug everything I can into my home network. The ReplayTV would stream shows between systems over the network and I see that Tivo does that now too. However, will the Tivo send shows across the Internet like Replay could do 18 months ago?

2) Does Tivo still REQUIRE you to update your channel guide over a phone line? I only have a cell phone and (obviously) this is a deal breaker for me as running a 200' phone cord to the neighbors house every week or so is really not an option. :D

3) Do they have some method (USB ports) for connecting wireless network cards and do they work OK streaming from one system to another?

4) Can I use a program (3rd party or not) to get shows off my Tivo and save them to my computer hard drive, and then watch them on the computer?

5) If I have a question will I need to speak to someone that lives outside the US? (This is a deal breaker.)

Dure to the stupidity of Sonicblue I REALLY don't wnt to consider ReplayTV and UltimateVT requires a SatTV system which I want nothing to do with.
I am hoping that Tivo has at least caught up with ReplayTV if not surpassed the technical abilities that they had 18 months ago.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ralph

Posted by: tomo_kun

Somones been out of the loop.
1. No, TiVo only sends video to other TiVo boxes in your network. Soon with TiVo2Go, you will be able to watch them on your computer (Requires HomeMediaOption)
2.If you have a Series II TiVo (wich you will buy new in store) that isnt a DirecTV DVR with TiVo, you can connect it via your network with a USB adapter
3.See above
4.You can use avideo capture card, digital video extraction talk is forbidden
here. You can wait for TiVo2Go.

Ultimate TV was Discontinued, but for the BEST TiVo experence, get the DirecTV DVR with TiVo (Dual Tuners, no Home media option :(, no phone line "required")

Posted by: Ralph000

Yeah, I only watch 2 shows a week. Myth Busters and American Chopper.
I just have not bothered to keep watch on what was going on in the PVR market. The wife just expressed interest in getting one so I have started looking at them again.

Posted by: Jonathan_S

quote:
2.If you have a Series II TiVo (wich you will buy new in store) that isnt a DirecTV DVR with TiVo, you can connect it via your network with a USB adapter

Just a heads up. The series 2 units didn't originally come with a revision of the software new enough to do setup over broadband. My understanding is that all of them now do, but if you got one that had been sitting in a warehouse for a long time it might not. So you might have to do the original setup and software update using a phone line.

Posted by: tomo_kun

quote:
Originally posted by Jonathan_S
Just a heads up. The series 2 units didn't originally come with a revision of the software new enough to do setup over broadband. My understanding is that all of them now do, but if you got one that had been sitting in a warehouse for a long time it might not. So you might have to do the original setup and software update using a phone line.

Wrong. Currently guideded set up even for boxes with 4.0 installed to require a phone line. But there is a workaround with wired USB adapters.

Posted by: Bigg

If you are really that much of a PC geek like myslef, look at BeyondTV or MythTV on a custom built pc. that way digital transfer fo programming is possible.

Posted by: ZeoTiVo

the wired USB workaround will probably work for you - it is not complicated and a search of landline setup on the forum will find lots of info on it.

also be aware that even if you need a landline it is a one time about 1 hour process you can do at someone elses house (all local or toll free) and bring the TiVo back to your house and hook it up to your network.

so do not get something you do not like just because of a 1 hour hassle (like you said it is a multiyear committment)

also if your Wife is going to be the main user then consider the TiVo interface for setting up season passes/wishlists and setting priorities etc.. vs. other systems.

I will also say you should look at BeyondTv and MythTV, the interfaces on those have changed recently and are extremely better then they were just a year ago.