Getting TiVo?

[InverseOfNeo]

So my mom wants to get my step-dad a TiVo for Christmas. I dont know where the best place to get one is. Nor do I know the difference between models. We do have DirecTV so I know that we need the DirecTiVo. The capacity doesnt matter, in fact the smaller the better cuz I'll put a bigger hard drive in there most likely. Any recommendations or suggestions or anything?

 

[Dulanic]

Just get one of the 35 Hour ones... their $99. Their all basically the same.. CC has the Hughes, BB has the phillips... and I think there are one or 2 others out there too. My buddy has the Hughes, and it works great for him.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

So whats the biggest hard drive one of the can take? Which one is easiest to mod and put a bigger hard drive in it?

 

[Alternex]

Series 1 is pretty easy. Most people put two 120 gb hard drives in them since the limit is a little over 240gb
try tivocommunity.com

and get turbonet so you can update tivo using your home lan/broadband as opposed to phone line (which takes forever). When it's on the network you can telnet in and access the file system

 

[loup garou]

http://www.newreleasesvideo.com/hinsdale-how-to/index9.html
Lots of Tivo upgrading info.

 

It's been a long time since I got my Tivo. Remember when they were offering contests and seeming to give it to everyone who applied? As a result, I haven't shopped for Tivo and cannot help you here.

However, I do have a question: Does Tivo require subscription even to set it up to record a show? I was so pissed off when I finally hooked up my Tivo and wanted to record the VS Fashion Show using it. It would not let me manually select a station and time to record. :| So is this a given that to do anything with Tivo, you must subscribe? Is there any way out?

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: luvly
However, I do have a question: Does Tivo require subscription even to set it up to record a show? I was so pissed off when I finally hooked up my Tivo and wanted to record the VS Fashion Show using it. It would not let me manually select a station and time to record. :| So is this a given that to do anything with Tivo, you must subscribe? Is there any way out?

Yeah, you can't do it manually like a VCR. The only exception is the $1200 Tivo-DVDR combo, which allows you do program it manually like a VCR.

If you have directTV already, and swapping out your reciever isn't a problem, go ahead and get the direct Tivo. Otherwise, you can use a regular Tivo with satallite service, its just slightly more complicated to set up

 

[RossMAN]

InverseOfNeo,

We faced the exact same dilemma and I'll make it easy for you:

1) Go to Best Buy B&M, they had the Hughes DVR2 for $93.90 with no rebate hassle. I paid $49 for mine at CC but that deal ended a few months ago.
2) The TivoCommunity.com forums are your friend.
3) If you don't feel like upgrading the DirecTIVO yourself, you can always buy an upgrade kit. Unfortunately they aren't cheap $169 for 120GB with free shipping.
4) The nice things I have noticed with the DirecTIVO are:

• $5 vs $13 monthly fee
• The DirecTV receiver is built in, so this will REPLACE your existing DirecTV receiver. This saves space in your entertainment center.
• The picture quality is amazing since it's all digital direct from the satellite feed straight to the hard drive. Unlike the regular TIVO, the setting is always on highest quality.

 

[InverseOfNeo]

Thanks a lot RossMAN. I have already went to the tivocommunities and printed out the Hindsdale How-To guide. I wasnt sure where the best place and best unit to get, but I think Ill get that one at BB. Thanks again!

 

[RossMAN]

Check out BB and CC.

The Hughes DVR2 is awesome (BB.com doesn't carry it )

 

[konichiwa]

Btw RossMAN I was just reading through the Hinsdale guide and there seems to be two Hughes DirecTivo units -- Series 1 and Series 2. I just ordered the $99 package from DirecTV with the Hughes unit but how do I know if I'm getting S1 or S2?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: konichiwa
Btw RossMAN I was just reading through the Hinsdale guide and there seems to be two Hughes DirecTivo units -- Series 1 and Series 2. I just ordered the $99 package from DirecTV with the Hughes unit but how do I know if I'm getting S1 or S2?

I can't imagine you'd get a series 1, it's been awhile since they've sold those...

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: konichiwa
Btw RossMAN I was just reading through the Hinsdale guide and there seems to be two Hughes DirecTivo units -- Series 1 and Series 2. I just ordered the $99 package from DirecTV with the Hughes unit but how do I know if I'm getting S1 or S2?

Is the model an HDVR1 or HDVR2?

Sweet you should all bookmark this thread.

 

[konichiwa]

I looked and looked on the site but it doesn't say what the model is.

 

[RossMAN]

I would assume that you're going to get the S2.

Can you call and ask them? Are they open today?

 

[konichiwa]

I could but what's the point? I have to wait to get my unit before I can do the upgrade anyway so...it's just my curiosity.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: konichiwa
I could but what's the point? I have to wait to get my unit before I can do the upgrade anyway so...it's just my curiosity.

Patience!

While you wait for your DirecTIVO to arrive learn how to enable backdoor mode :lips:

 

[Dulanic]

CC now carries the SDDVR40 instead of the HDVR2... tho it's the same thing, just a model # change.