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Some Help For Newbie Buying Tivo For Christmas
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Posted by: CreekVideo

My wife recently went back to work full time after a 14 year timeout to raise the kids to high school age. Needless to say we are in shock and stressed. She complains repeatedly about missing her shows and movies. So I thought TIVO - a perfect Christmas gift. I didnt realize their were so many technical issues. If someone could help with the following it would be greatly apprecaited.

1) Should I get a series 1 or 2?

2) We have TimeWarner digital cable (in Ohio). Am I going to have major problems changing channels? The reported 3-6 sec delays (w/the IR blasters) seem like it might be hard to get used to...? If I drop the digital cable - which means I can feed cable directly into Tivos tuner - does this solve problem. Problem is we like all the public access stuff in the 100+ channel ranges.

3) Should I go for 60 or 80 hour version? Is it hard to upgrade later?

4) Do the IR blaster come with the units?

5) Should I order from Tivo web site - or go pick one up at Best Buy? Are there any warranty issues here? What about ordering from Amazon? I have a gift certificate for $50 off Tivo?

6) Is is possible to record PPV movies to watch when you really have time? Is it possible to push those off to VCR tape for later viewing as well?

7) If I get 2 Tivos down the road...do I need to subscriptions?

8) Final question...promise....should I go monthly or buy a lifetime subscripton.

Thanks so much in advance and happy holidays to all!

Posted by: phone1

You probably won't find a new Series 1. Based on your concerns about hookup (it's very easy really) and warranty, etc. I'd suggest buying the current model.
Most people use cable boxes without any problems.
Doubt you'll find the 60 hour still available (it's discontinued). Buy either the TiVo or Sony 80 hour unit.
Yes - IR blasters included.
Buy it where you get the best price. You're not confusing the Amazon $50 off with the TiVo $50 rebate are you? The rebate comes from TiVo and it doesn't matter where you buy the box. (Good until Dec 31st.)
I'll let someone using PPV answer this one. One note about macrovision (copy protection). TiVo can record macrovision encoded programming without distortion, but the encoding is still present. If you send a such recording from TiVo to a VCR, the macro-vision distortion will be present.
Yes, one sub per box.
Most here favor lifetime. You can recoup most of the cost if you later sell the unit for some reason (you do know the sub goes with the box). Monthly is just money down the drain IMO. (Probably better for TiVo though!)

You're going to love TiVo! Good luck and welcome to the TiVolution!

Posted by: dan_isaacs

Good questions. I'm looking at adding a Tivo to my TW Digital setup, and have some of the same concerns.

I'll address what I think I know. :)

1) I'm getting a Series 2. The USB will make networking simple.

3) I'm getting the Sony SVR-3000, which is an 80 hour unit. the difficulty in upgrading is relative judgment. If you are comfortable replacing parts and troubleshooting problems on your PC, the Tivo won't present too big a challenge. The directions are straightforward and well documented. And you can always buy upgrade kits.

5) I wouldn't buy @ Best Buy. You can find much cheaper prices online. Best Buy will likely offer an extended warranty (since they seem to do that with everything), if that's a concern. The Sony comes with a 1 year warranty.

6) Yes. And it's easier to offload to tape if you have a Sony VCR with Sony Tivo.

7) As I understand it, yes.

8) Do the math. 250/13 = ~19. So if you plan on having it for at least 19 months, and can afford the Lifetime subscription, then that would be your best option.

Posted by: Tonybeans

quote:
Originally posted by CreekVideo
My wife recently went back to work full time after a 14 year timeout to raise the kids to high school age. Needless to say we are in shock and stressed. She complains repeatedly about missing her shows and movies. So I thought TIVO - a perfect Christmas gift. I didnt realize their were so many technical issues. If someone could help with the following it would be greatly apprecaited.

1) Should I get a series 1 or 2?

2) We have TimeWarner digital cable (in Ohio). Am I going to have major problems changing channels? The reported 3-6 sec delays (w/the IR blasters) seem like it might be hard to get used to...? If I drop the digital cable - which means I can feed cable directly into Tivos tuner - does this solve problem. Problem is we like all the public access stuff in the 100+ channel ranges.

3) Should I go for 60 or 80 hour version? Is it hard to upgrade later?

4) Do the IR blaster come with the units?

5) Should I order from Tivo web site - or go pick one up at Best Buy? Are there any warranty issues here? What about ordering from Amazon? I have a gift certificate for $50 off Tivo?

6) Is is possible to record PPV movies to watch when you really have time? Is it possible to push those off to VCR tape for later viewing as well?

7) If I get 2 Tivos down the road...do I need to subscriptions?

8) Final question...promise....should I go monthly or buy a lifetime subscripton.

1) Series 1 are pretty hard to find new and used units have some potential headaches; as a new user, for ease of startup and maximum future support (e.g. USB) I'd recommend a Series 2 80 hour unit.

2) Because of the IR blaster Tivo uses (it's an IR emitter that plugs into the Tivo and is attached right over the face of the cable box IR receiver) there are almost always some quirks. Tivo has lots of codes and speeds to try to optimize this situation. Usually by using the slowest speeds, most people get 99%+ good channel changes. Of course, this slow speed makes channel surfing less practical, but between having a full schedule of recorded shows and a good on-screen program list (where you can just browse everything on live TV and pick from there), most people don't really surf anymore.

3) I'd get an 80 hour unit. Check the "Upgrade" forum on these boards for discussions about what must done to add HD later. Last time I checked there were bracket kits available to allow HD to be added to any current unit, but again check the FAQ on that board. If you are leery of opening up the case yourself, there are mail-order install services available too.

4) Yes, it's included.

5) Buy wherever you are comfortable. Best Buy has extended service agreements that many people use.

6) As far as I know, yes and yes.

7) Yes.

8) At 20 months of use, you will have saved money per month by getting a lifetime subscription (assuming you paid cash and aren't paying interest on the lifetime fee). If you think you will use it for 20 months (very likely based on everyone's experience) and you can afford it, it's a better choice in my opinion. In addition, TiVo's with lifetime subs are often worth around $200 more in the used market.

Check the FAQs at the very top of this message board; they have a lot of good information.

Good luck -- TiVo sounds like a perfect fit for your situation!

Posted by: phone1

quote:
Originally posted by dan_isaacs
6) Yes. And it's easier to offload to tape if you have a Sony VCR with Sony Tivo.

Don't let this influence your decision. I have a Sony TiVo & VCR. It saves you exactly one button push. You still have to turn on the VCR and select the correct input from TiVo manually. The only thing TiVo does for you is put the VCR in record. No big deal, hardly even worth hooking up the blasters.

Posted by: dan_isaacs

As I understood it, if i wanted to dedicate my VCR (which the Tivo is replacing) to the Tivo for tape archiving, I would not need to be present at all for the process to occur.

ex. I select Video1 as the source on my VCR. And I leave it on with a tape in there. Always. When something needs to go to tape, I just say, "I want this archived, whenever you have time" and the Tvio takes care of the rest.

Perhaps I misunderstand the steps involved in archiving, but I see that as helpful option. Not a deal breaker by any means, but not irrelevant.

Posted by: Crrink

Check out www.goodguys.com - they usually have some sort of 10% off promotion going, along with free shipping and NO sales tax! Wonderful customer service as well.
That's where I bought mine, and the first place I'd shop to buy anything else.

Posted by: phone1

quote:
Originally posted by dan_isaacs
As I understood it, if i wanted to dedicate my VCR (which the Tivo is replacing) to the Tivo for tape archiving, I would not need to be present at all for the process to occur.

ex. I select Video1 as the source on my VCR. And I leave it on with a tape in there. Always. When something needs to go to tape, I just say, "I want this archived, whenever you have time" and the Tvio takes care of the rest.

Perhaps I misunderstand the steps involved in archiving, but I see that as helpful option. Not a deal breaker by any means, but not irrelevant.

If you leave the VCR on all the time with the TiVo input selected, the Sony TiVo will send the record command to a Sony VCR. It will not turn on the power or select the correct input. The only step saved is putting the VCR in record manually. I ended up doing this anyway with my Sony because the command was so slow that it cut off most off the title banner that is displayed just before playback begins.

Posted by: Breacagan

I would lean toward the Sony SVR-3000 myself. If you purchase an item with a 1-year warranty with a gold or platinum or like credit card with automatic extended warranty protection, that's an instant 2-year warranty. Moreover, initial reports of the SVR-3000 suggest it is quieter and better designed than the TiVo TiVo, not to mention that it emits more blue light. ;)