Can someone explain Tivo to me?

[busmaster11]

that kinda sucks that there's that restriction... Oh well... guess I'll go for one of those... thanks..

 

[busmaster11]

Hey guys.

I hate to keep bumping my same stupid retarded thread...

But all I want is something that will record onto hd, a coax or composite or component signal from my directtv box and pass it through to my TV at the same time...

Somehow I thought this could all be done for a one-time hit of no more than 150$ or so for hardware... no?

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: busmaster11
Hey guys.

I hate to keep bumping my same stupid retarded thread...

But all I want is something that will record onto hd, a coax or composite or component signal from my directtv box and pass it through to my TV at the same time...

Somehow I thought this could all be done for a one-time hit of no more than 150$ or so for hardware... no?

You want a DirecTivo. Just pay for the service. The ability to set program season passes is worth it.

 

[BornStar]

That was possible when the SD-H400 was on the shelves. I was able to get mine for $80 however Toshiba doesn't make them anymore so you're going to pay more on ebay most likely. I haven't priced them out there. If you don't want to pay a monthly fee, you're going to need to get a TiVo with Basic.

 

[zachtos]

I have been wondering this same thing for so long. WHY CANT YOU RECORD withough a SUBSCRIPTION????????????

1. Why do I need to give somebody money for a service I dont want, Can't I just use this just like a VCR if I want?

Example: record channel 112 wednesday 10pm-10:30pm

2. Can I do this w/ no phone line? Just plug it in and set it?

3. Can I record over 3 days out w/ TIVO basic if I want "dumb recording"?

4. Is the service required for analog cable or just for digital/satelite cable?

I'm not sure why these companies need to be so greedy and why I should pay them for a digitial VCR. Sure I would pay for a service, but how is it a service to make a microcontroller change the channel on a timer and send an instruction to record to the HD... that is not a service, but If it connects online to download a guide and automatically find a program by name, that is a service. Do we not have the option to treat this like old VCR's except w/ more capacity?

 

[Paulson]

The thing is, tivo doesn't make any money off of the tivo boxes. The only thing they currently make money off of is the subscriptions and ad placements via showcases and special contests.

Therefore, they want you to either have a subscription or don't want you to use it at all. With your subscription that gets you both guide data and the ability to use all of it's features.

There is only one tivo basic model I know of, and that's been pointed out in previous posts.

 

[zachtos]

why can't a "digital VCR" be manufactured? there is an audience that wants it, then why do we need more monthly fees for services many of us dont want or need? It's stupid. The only thing I can think of is, maybe copyright protection and computer transfering of data is stopping production of a unit that can function like an old VCR and still use TIVO service if desired.

I'm going to look into building my own PVR instead since this whole DVR industry is crooked and confusing. You know what? chances are I would not have used the TIVO for any piracy related use, but since I'll be making a PVR because they dont offer the functionality I want, now I'm sure I'll be recording and copying like a fiend. strange how that works out.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: zachtos
I have been wondering this same thing for so long. WHY CANT YOU RECORD withough a SUBSCRIPTION????????????

Wow, chill. They are out there. DVRs are like digital VCR, where you can set up a time and channel and record. Tivo Basic does the same thing. The subscription gives you much more options though, like doing a search, and recording a show by name, so that all shows are recorded, even if their timeslots change (ie due to a sports game going overtime), or it gives you recommendation base on what you watch.

3. Can I record over 3 days out w/ TIVO basic if I want "dumb recording"?

No, you cannot. But you couldn't either with your VCR, so i don't know why you want to... seeing as you want it to function just like a VCR.

 

[MrBond]

Keep in mind, any Tivo unit with a rebate is going to require you pay for the Tivo service for a certain amount of time. If you're just going to use Tivo Basic, you can't send in the rebate.

Check the rebate form for terms and conditions.

 

[zachtos]

I just wanted a set top DVR that would say let me record a channel every wednesday at 10pm without a internet/phone/network connection. I'm going to give up and just start calling random tech support numbers since I can't even find answers in these set top's manuals.

 

[busmaster11]

Originally posted by: zachtos
I just wanted a set top DVR that would say let me record a channel every wednesday at 10pm without a internet/phone/network connection. I'm going to give up and just start calling random tech support numbers since I can't even find answers in these set top's manuals.

Can you go from cable-box into a VIVO capable video card via s-video and record to your pc?

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

I cancelled our TiVo series 2 service today (cable HD dual tuner DVR FTW!!!) and they offered to drop my fee to $6.95/mo, it was tempting.

Kind of makes you wonder just how high their profit margins are on their regular service fees. $6.95 a month still has to be profitable for them, otherwise they'd just drop you rather than take a loss on an already disinterested customer.

 

[zachtos]

too expensive to build a TIVO/DVR unit for the amount that I will actually use the device. I'll just go re-purchase my VCR that broke recently. That will work fine for the one or two shows a week I miss, not worth $10+/mo for that or $600+time to build one.

 

[Pastore]

What the hell are you guys talking about? Any standalone DVR you buy can be used without a subscription to a service. They work just like a VCR. Go to amazon and search for 'DVR', you'll get lots of standalone devices that work just like a VCR and record to their internal HD's.

 

[Indolent]

I see some of you mention that your cable company has hdtv dual tuners. Does Time Warner offer this? I didn't see any mention of dual tuner on their website.