Can you usea standalnoe TIVO as a dumb vcr?

[tonyt78]

I was thinking about getting a second TIVO and just using it to manually record. I don't want to use any of the special features it includes or anything like that. Kind of a dumb vcr that stores it's recording digitaly on a HD. Is this possible or do you have to activate it and all that stuff?

Thanks,

Tony

[atmuscarella]

Depends on the model, you can do what you want with some of the older series 1 units, and the Toshiba and Pioneer DVD units. You can not do it with the current Humax and TiVo stand alone series 2 TiVos.

atmuscarella

[rkester]

Definately can do that with a Series 1 Sony unit. And they can be had for very cheap. Just put the video source on the channel you want and hit record on the tivo and it does the trick.

[mattack]

But they nag you all the time. I admittedly bought my second Tivo with the intention of using it this way.. (it was knowingly busted when I bought it, and the symptoms sounded like and were indeed a drive failure -- so I ended up getting a lifetime subscribed Tivo for around $80 + a drive)

But nowadays I really think people who want this functionality should just get one of the devices *designed* to be used this way -- like a lot of the standalone dvd recorders (to use with rewritable DVDs mostly), or even better, standalone hard drive/DVD recorders. I have one that I use *with* my Tivos, because I can edit the recordings on it but can't on the Tivos, and can record in multiple sessions to a DVD-R. (I would have preferred paying more money for the Tivo interface, but since I can't get those features.. I got the non-tivo one.)

[mick66]

But nowadays I really think people who want this functionality should just get one of the devices *designed* to be used this way --

The old SA S1s were designed that way and they can be found for under $50.

like a lot of the standalone dvd recorders (to use with rewritable DVDs mostly)
Not really practical with the added bonus of having to deal with changing out discs to record and watch - much like the hassle of using video tapes.

or even better, standalone hard drive/DVD recorders. I have one that I use *with* my Tivos, because I can edit the recordings on it but can't on the Tivos, and can record in multiple sessions to a DVD-R.
that's quite a bit more than the "dumb vcr" like dvr that the OP wants.

[tonyt78]

Thanks for the great replies everyone!! Getting som e really good feedback here.

[cwerdna]

I would try to look around for a used Tivo w/lifetime subscription or a used Replay. Or, just get yourself any new/used Tivo and do ths $6.95/mo extra on the extra unit on the same account. I think, you'll find the nag screens and limitations of unsubbed Tivos to be pretty annoying and hate the lack of EPG.

[JimSpence]

You should also look into a DVD recorder with a hardrive. The problem with one of those is that it won't control a cable or sat box as a source.