Looks like something I may have a use for, but don't know anything about them. What should I look for and who makes the better ones?
Any info is appreciated.
Any info is appreciated.
Anyone have a TIVO machine?
- Thread starter Penguinfan
- Start date
Mine is RCA. Don't know how many manufacturers there are, but mine works perectly. It's simply to program for future recording and a snap for immediate recording. I know you will need a large hard drive if you record HDTV. Each HD hour takes about10 gigs of space. Mine is only 30 gigs, but I don't record HD and I have never run out of space. I would recommend it.....they're getting cheaper every day and there are no tapes to f*** with.
Thanks. Do you have to subscribe to a monthly service for it? I heard that somewhere I think.
Appreciate the reply.
Appreciate the reply.
penguin,
I think it is alot like $4.99 a month has to be plugged it and it downloads info for 30 mins at 2am every nite.
paid 79 bucks for mine.
what i was confused w/at first, i thought u could watch a different program and have it record something, it won't do that.
also i have fallen asleep many a nites watching a game on the couch to wake up to a sewing show. It will change the channels and record alot of bs on pbs if ur not watching it.
I think it is alot like $4.99 a month has to be plugged it and it downloads info for 30 mins at 2am every nite.
paid 79 bucks for mine.
what i was confused w/at first, i thought u could watch a different program and have it record something, it won't do that.
also i have fallen asleep many a nites watching a game on the couch to wake up to a sewing show. It will change the channels and record alot of bs on pbs if ur not watching it.
PF......i have a DVR called *Replay TV* quite similar to TIVO i'm sure.....(but i've only had it for a year now so it isn't hooked up yet....LOL) want to say from reading the manuals that it was a $250 one time fee or $10 a month.
Penguin, don't look back don't pass go, go straight to best buy and buy one. You really won't be disappointed. I'd use the analogy of crack. Once you have your first hit, you are addicted for life.
My subscription is $12.95 a month, and I paid 200 for my tivo 2 years ago, but i know they are cheaper now.
COUNTING guy, you can watch one show and tape another. you just need a special routing switch and some wires. I don't know what they are, my entertainment system was installed for me, but it can be done, because we do it(ask a tech guy at best buy or circuit city). As for waking up and having your tv on pbs channels, i have had that happen as well. not sure why. you need to have a phone cord hooked up to it at least twice a month where it can download program info. you don't need it every night. it'll give you a message when you do, or you can just leave it in there all the time. it only downloads for a 1/2 hour once or twice a month and its always late at night
the season pass is the best. one of my favorite tv shows is the shield, and i don't ever have to be around on tuesday nights, just set it up to tape the season and it will and i can watch at leisure.
My subscription is $12.95 a month, and I paid 200 for my tivo 2 years ago, but i know they are cheaper now.
COUNTING guy, you can watch one show and tape another. you just need a special routing switch and some wires. I don't know what they are, my entertainment system was installed for me, but it can be done, because we do it(ask a tech guy at best buy or circuit city). As for waking up and having your tv on pbs channels, i have had that happen as well. not sure why. you need to have a phone cord hooked up to it at least twice a month where it can download program info. you don't need it every night. it'll give you a message when you do, or you can just leave it in there all the time. it only downloads for a 1/2 hour once or twice a month and its always late at night
the season pass is the best. one of my favorite tv shows is the shield, and i don't ever have to be around on tuesday nights, just set it up to tape the season and it will and i can watch at leisure.
Costco carries four different ones.
http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=&topnav=&search=tivo
http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=&topnav=&search=tivo
Thanks for the info folks, keep it coming. My day usually starts at about 3:00 AM here in the east so it is tough to catch the games at night and I think putting them to DVR and watching them when I get home would work out great.
tivo or a replay are great
Most people are better with a TIVO
If you have directv, then get a DirectTivo, which has two inputs so you can record two shows airing at once.
For a regular Tivo here is the best place for info
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/
Basically a DVR lets you decide when to watch tv and not let the tv/networks tell you when. I do a lot of my tv watching on the weekends when I have time and I am awake
Most people are better with a TIVO
If you have directv, then get a DirectTivo, which has two inputs so you can record two shows airing at once.
For a regular Tivo here is the best place for info
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/
Basically a DVR lets you decide when to watch tv and not let the tv/networks tell you when. I do a lot of my tv watching on the weekends when I have time and I am awake
BSU... sounds like you have some knowledge about multiple systems. I have DirecTV, but the DVR i picked up for $10 is a *Replay TV* .... did you say that most people are better off with TIVO because replayTV isn't DTV compatible?? 
I was hoping to hook ours up for X-Mas, but now it sounds like maybe not????
I was hoping to hook ours up for X-Mas, but now it sounds like maybe not???? BahamaMama said:BSU... sounds like you have some knowledge about multiple systems. I have DirecTV, but the DVR i picked up for $10 is a *Replay TV* .... did you say that most people are better off with TIVO because replayTV isn't DTV compatible??
No you can replay with your Direct TV, but would be curious on the replay you picked up for 10.00, maybe that is the monthly fee.
Here is more info about the directv tivo
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/DVR_whydirectvdvr.dsp
DirectTivo also allows you to record tv in digital audio which I don't think replay/tivo does allow.
In my opinion Tivo is better for most people, and they will be around longer than Replay which has had like 4 owners. I love my replay but probably would buy a tivo today if I had to.
Just found out I can get this from my cable company as well, gonna look into that on Monday and see what thats all about.
If you record something with a Tivo can you transfer it to hard storage like a DVD or VHS tape if you want to?
If you record something with a Tivo can you transfer it to hard storage like a DVD or VHS tape if you want to?
Question: If I already have basic cable, do I just need to buy the TiVo unit and it'll hook directly to my existing cable line?
I have a Tivo and it's a Tivo brand series 2 reciever. I love it. It has performed beyond my wildest dreams. I paid about 250 for it a year ago and bought the lifetime subscription for it for 200 bucks (it might have been 300---I am burnt). I figured I wanted to own the machine so the cable company didn't make thousands off me over the years for "renting" their box...
I also cannot watch a different channel while taping so when I am taping, I bite the bullet and go watch a 35" TV in the living room instead of my nice 55" Mitsubishi. I know there is a way to do this but I am technically challenged (as well as mentally, phisically, mechanically, and sexually (according to my wife), etc...).
Mine has 80 hours of taping capabliltiy. They sell smaller ones (in terms of recording time), but figuring this is a 5+ year investment---hopefully--- the extra $$$ spent will be well worth it...
I also cannot watch a different channel while taping so when I am taping, I bite the bullet and go watch a 35" TV in the living room instead of my nice 55" Mitsubishi. I know there is a way to do this but I am technically challenged (as well as mentally, phisically, mechanically, and sexually (according to my wife), etc...).
Mine has 80 hours of taping capabliltiy. They sell smaller ones (in terms of recording time), but figuring this is a 5+ year investment---hopefully--- the extra $$$ spent will be well worth it...
missouri,
yes you will get a different box that has the unit built right into it and it will hook right into your existing cable line...
yes you will get a different box that has the unit built right into it and it will hook right into your existing cable line...
If you have Comcast cable, you can rent the DVR for $9.95 a month, nothing to buy. it records in HDTV as well and is the dual tuner
BSU, i used to work for a trucking company that *self insured* their loads...... It was from a refused load to Best Buy because the trailer had leaked. They sell *damaged goods* to employees AS IS and of course no warranty available. It didn't sell when they had it marked at $50, and i happened to be in the right place at the right time when they marked it down to $10 to unload it.
I got about 6 things from that load, and all the other things have worked perfectly so i'm crossing my fingers on this for when i hook it up.
I got about 6 things from that load, and all the other things have worked perfectly so i'm crossing my fingers on this for when i hook it up.
Kdogg,
Yes, you can rent the box from comcast for 10 bucks a month, but after 2 years you paid 240 +tax whereas if you buy one, you own it for 200 or less...
If it shts the bed in less than 2 years I am probably out of luck whereas the cable company would probably just swap your box out (hmmm sounds like a neat concept), so that may be a benefit of renting but I am a gamblin man...
Yes, you can rent the box from comcast for 10 bucks a month, but after 2 years you paid 240 +tax whereas if you buy one, you own it for 200 or less...
If it shts the bed in less than 2 years I am probably out of luck whereas the cable company would probably just swap your box out (hmmm sounds like a neat concept), so that may be a benefit of renting but I am a gamblin man...
yea its a tough choice. i like renting it because like you said, if it goes to the crapper, they will replace it for free. its also nice because i have a hdtv and the tuner is built into the dvr as well. its all one box. if you can buy one at a great deal get one, otherwise i would just recommend renting it.
