Confused by options

[Handust]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and have always been the "geeky" one in the family, but my geekiness is more along the lines of computers. I am truly humbled by all the knowledge here!

Anyway, while I'm new here, I'm not new to Tivo -- have had Tivo since the first 14-hour one (still going strong in our bedroom TV) and then got a DirecTV Tivo a few years back. We've moved temporarily into a rental home while renovations are being done on our house, and DirecTV is coming to "move" our dish (actually, I guess they give us a new dish and replace all our receivers?) Seems like the right time to finally upgrade. I was going to wait until moving back into our permanent house, but I doubt they are giving us DVRs and I can't live without one.

But I am completely confused by all the options available now. I barely know what the Series 2 means. I would love the convenience of a DVD burner in the box, but then I read at WeakKnees that they strongly recommend the DirecTV Tivo units over any other type, with an external burner if you must have it. So now I'm even more confused.

I guess our needs are fairly simple compared with most here. I'd like to be able to record onto DVD, and I really think I want the Tivo interface (rather than a generic DVR, I guess?), I'd like to be able to network the Tivos, and will be getting a Slingbox. I'm thinking of getting two units for 2 different TVs: a DirecTV DVR (but it won't be Tivo??? :( ) and either a Humax or Toshiba DVR. I'm hoping that creates the best of all worlds for us. Since we've been hobbling by on 30 hour and 14 hour Tivos, anything over 80 hours sounds beyond great, and possibly even overkill. We do have two young kids who go a little crazy recording Nick, though! DH watches hockey sometimes, but not too sports crazy.

Is Humax that bad? I seem to be hearing two completely differing opinions. We're not image quality freaks, so I'm not sure if I can justify getting the more expensive Toshiba (seems to be out of stock, too).

Sorry for so many newbie questions. I've been reading like crazy, but have to get something before the DirecTV installer comes on Thursday 2/1. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Handust

[bigpuma]

If you want a stand alone TiVo or combo DVD recorder TiVo you might want to ask this in the appropriate forums.

The advantage of the DirecTV DVR (preferably with Tivo) is that you can record 2 shows at once which cuts down on conflicts. The disadvantage is that you will not have any of the HMO features, like sharing shows in different rooms, or playing music from your computer etc.

If you like the TiVO interface you can still find the R10 model and perhaps an older Hughes SD-DVR80. The R15 does not have the TiVo software so you may want to avoid that.

[Rax]

If you currently have or plan to get DirecTV service, get the DirecTV DVR. That's your best option.

And not having TiVo software isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[dnemec123]

Double-check the DirecTV Movers issue... I thought they only provided the dish and cables, you provide the receivers.

Good luck!
Dale

[tbeckner]

If you currently have or plan to get DirecTV service, get the DirecTV DVR. That's your best option.

And not having TiVo software isn't necessarily a bad thing.I agree that not having TiVo software is not a bad thing, but since he is a long term TiVo user it could be for him, because many, but not all long term TiVo users do not like the "Other DVR".

[Handust]

Thanks for the replies -- guess I do need to find out a couple of things from DirecTV. We've used them for about 8 or 9 years and are just moving our service to the rental. I was surprised to hear that they would be providing a new dish and apparently replacing our receivers (not something I asked for). I'm just not sure I want the replacements. I'm perfectly willing to buy my own new upgraded receivers to be sure I get what I want.

I guess I was also just going by what I heard other people say -- that they much preferred an actual Tivo unit as opposed to a generic DVR, but maybe I'm mistaken? Are they more or less the same? I've been all over the internet trying to find out the difference between the R10 and R15, whether the R10 is still available, whether the other one is a bad thing. Again, so much has changed since I was in the market for one of these things -- the technology has just passed me right by.

Maybe I'll just let DirecTV come by and see what they install on Thursday and make my decision afterward. I just assumed they'd be installing plain ol' receivers (no DVR at all), but we are Tivo-aholics around here and can't do without it.

Handust

[MikeF]

If you are a "Tivoholic" as you state and very used to TiVo, I think you will be disappointed with the current state of the R15. I do belived this receiver (or its followons) when they work out the bugs and add features will be a very good receiver (I played with one at Circuit City tongith and have to say I like the Picutre and sound while scanning the guide... I miss that from my old DISHplayer 7200 days). But right now with all of the bugs and stuff, I just don't consider that box ready for primetime (I'd highly advise you to read the stuff over at DBStalk to see pluses and minuses of the R15).

If you have no interest in hacking a DTiVo then the R10 should be fine (and you can get those easily from ValueElectronics, and the local CC or BB stores).

If you want to hack, or just want a Series 2 DTivo, then call ValueElectonics as they still had a few new DVR80s available (and they qualify for the rebate). You could also take a shot at the $15 deal for a refurbished unit and see what you get that way.

Good Luck!