How does TiVo compare to Comcast DVR?

[Argo]

Has anyone used both? Can you draw parallels for me? Thinking of potentially swapping my TiVo for a Comcast DVR, especially if I get HDTV.

 

[Queasy]

Pluses on the Comcast DVR side:
- Integrated Dual Tuner (can record two shows while watching a recorded show)
- HDTV Support
- Firewire ports that potentially could lead to more storage space

Minuses on the Comcast DVR side:
- Clunky interface
- Smallish hard drive for HDTV
- Still a bit buggy
- Comcast

Pluses for TiVo
- Best interface and feature set
- Hackable
- Expandable

Minuses for TiVo
- Non-integrated single tuner (DirecTivo has dual integrated tuners)
- No HDTV support for now (DirecTivo supports HDTV but expensive. TiVo showcased a stand-alone HDTivo at CES)
- More expensive monthly fee

 

[SpunkyJones]

I use a HD Directv Tivo, and couldn't be happier. I have a friend who had to switch from Tivo to a comcast dvr, and he says the interface and software suck compared to Tivo, but its better than nothing.

 

[Argo]

How big is the hard drive for Compcast DVR? And I was afraid about the interface being worse, I love TiVo interface.

 

[Queasy]

The Motorola Comcast DVR can do 15 hours of HDTV content or 60 hours of SDTV. It probably has around an 80-120GB HD built-in. Comcast also has a Scientific Atlanta DVR. Stay away from it. The Motorola is by far the better of the two.

 

[Queasy]

Here is a pretty good starting place for a review of the Motorola DVR for Comcast.

 

[Argo]

Hmm, I want to try getting it. So it's only $10 a month and it doesn't cost anything to get it upfront? Sounds too good to be true. Btw, does the DVR replace Digital Cable box or is it added in addition to it?

 

[miri]

I have the dual tuner comcast DVR and it rocks. I used to have the single tuner one but it was terrible. It had a terrible menu interface and only 1 tuner. The new dual tuner DVR rocks, the menu interface is greatly improved, it has a bigger hard drive and you can record 2 shows at once.

 

[miri]

Make sure you get the dual tuner one.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: miri
I have the dual tuner comcast DVR and it rocks. I used to have the single tuner one but it was terrible. It had a terrible menu interface and only 1 tuner. The new dual tuner DVR rocks, the menu interface is greatly improved, it has a bigger hard drive and you can record 2 shows at once.

Do you still keep your cable box or does the dvr replace it? If that's the case, I'll probably call Comcast right now 🙂

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Argo

Originally posted by: miri
I have the dual tuner comcast DVR and it rocks. I used to have the single tuner one but it was terrible. It had a terrible menu interface and only 1 tuner. The new dual tuner DVR rocks, the menu interface is greatly improved, it has a bigger hard drive and you can record 2 shows at once.

Do you still keep your cable box or does the dvr replace it? If that's the case, I'll probably call Comcast right now 🙂

It replaces your existing box.

 

[MrBond]

I know this is tin-foiling it a bit, but I'd say another advantage of a Tivo over a Comcast owned box is that the Tivo is providor independant. If in the future Comcast doesn't want you fast forwarding through commericals, it's only a software upgrade away.

Now Tivo could do the same thing, but I doubt advertisers would be able to lean as heavily on them to do it. It'd likely take some sort of legislation or lawsuit for Tivo to cut out their most popular feature.

Comcast does have a nice price point there. There's Tivo2Go, home media options, and remote program scheduling over the internet with Tivo, not to mention Season Passes and the Tivo suggestions. You'll have to decide if that stuff is worth $80 for the tivo and an extra $5/month.

 

[Dunbar]

Sorry but the stand alone Tivo just doesn't cut it compared to these dual-tuner HD DVR's from the cable companies. I used to have DirecTivos and now use a MOXI from Adelphia ($13 a month including HD service) and the ability to record in HD is too much of an advantage not to switch.

 

[miri]

Do you need to rent a cable box if you have Tivo and digital cable? Have to factor that price in as well. With the comcast DVR its only what $9.95 a month for dual tuner DVR and you dont need a separate digital cable box.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: Queasy
The Motorola Comcast DVR can do 15 hours of HDTV content or 60 hours of SDTV. It probably has around an 80-120GB HD built-in. Comcast also has a Scientific Atlanta DVR. Stay away from it. The Motorola is by far the better of the two.

How is motorola better? They gave me SCientific Atlanta one. First of all, they gave me non-HDTV DVR sicen the guys said it won't work with my regular tv until I actually upgrade to HDTV. He also said it's only 30 hours as opposed to 60 hours on HDTV DVR.

 

[Merlyn3D]

I have the Motorola comcast dual-dvr box. It's really really nice, and the new tvguide software is pretty good. It IS a little buggy, but nothing really that major, and for only $10 a month, it seems like a great deal over paying some huge sum of money then a monthly fee on top of it.

 

[FlyLice]

Is the Comcast DVR available in the Los Angeles area?

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: Merlyn3D
I have the Motorola comcast dual-dvr box. It's really really nice, and the new tvguide software is pretty good. It IS a little buggy, but nothing really that major, and for only $10 a month, it seems like a great deal over paying some huge sum of money then a monthly fee on top of it.

Do you have the HDTV capable one? If so do you actually need HDTV capable TV to use it?

From what I understand the new and improved MicrosoftTV scheduler is only available on HDTV Motorola Box. Is that true?

 

[Merlyn3D]

I have the HDTV one, the motorola 6214. It has TVGuide's iguide software on there. From what I've heard, the MS software is only testing in the Washington area. You might want to check www.pvrblog.com for more info.

 

[UpgradeFailure]

I have this box for HD use....is it possible to activate it to record shows? Hack? Or does comcast have to turn it on/activate it on their end?