Is changing channels on a TiVo *supposed* to be slow?

[Kaido]

So I just hooked up my TiVo today and it takes like 3 seconds for the image to load when I change the channel. Channel surfing is wicked slow. Is that normal?

 

[keeleysam]

Yes.

 

[TwiceOver]

Kinda. I wouldn't say 3sec slow. Probably 1.5sec for me. I don't "surf" anymore... That's what the channel guide is for.

 

[loup garou]

Yes, it takes time for the TiVo to process the command, send it to the IR Blaster, the cablebox to accept the command and change the channel. You shouldn't be channel surfing anyways, that's the beauty of DVRs!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: keeleysam
Yes.

Thanks for the fast response! Other than that I really like it, my first one!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Yes, it takes time for the TiVo to process the command, send it to the IR Blaster, the cablebox to accept the command and change the channel. You shouldn't be channel surfing anyways, that's the beauty of DVRs!

I don't have a cable box, I just get the basic 80 channels or whatever.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Kinda. I wouldn't say 3sec slow. Probably 1.5sec for me. I don't "surf" anymore... That's what the channel guide is for.

Is there any way to *just* show the channel guide? Mine overlays over the current channel and it's really distracting.

 

[Zorro]

Did you get your TIVO with the mops promo ?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zorro
Did you get your TIVO with the mops promo ?

No, never heard of that. I was just going to buy it from TiVo, but a user on these boards recommended getting it through a 3rd party service. It's more expensive up front (I got the dual-tuner for like $75 AR instead of $30 from TiVo), but you save more over time. It's about $17 a month for the 3-year contract from TiVo vs. $13 a month for the 3-year contract if you bought it from a non-Tivo company like Circuit City or Buy.com. In addition, if you buy it 3rd party and then activate it, you have the option of paying $299 up-front for a 3-year service agreement. I chose to do that because it worked out like like $8.31 a month that way, except that I had to pay it up front. I'm ditching Netflix, so I'm saving about 50% a month based on those figures

 

[yobarman]

The thing takes like 15 minutes to start up with directTV on it. Never turn it off

 

[Paulson]

our DirecTV TiVo's (which are hacked and networked and all that jazz) don't take very long between channels...

They are soooooooooooooooooooooooo fricken nice to have. I do agree though they take damn near 15 minutes to boot up (of course I've got ftp & webserver & tyserver & other crap on mine so it takes a little longer)