Tivo vs Cable Company's DVR

[Treefarn]

So I just recently got a Tivo with service. I have a few days to decide whether I want to keep it. So I was wondering...

What are the pros and cons of a Tivo vs the DVR that my Cable Company (Comcast) offers? Is one better than the other?

I know one con of Tivo is that my cable TV channels change REAL slowly (from another post I put up, the answer was that apparently i am stuck with that).

So I would assume everyone reading this is a Tivo junkie, but hopefully there's some objectivity?

[HDTiVo]

Cable has DVRs too?

[cwerdna]

We need to know what box and software is on the box that Comcast in your area is providing. See http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3905142#post3905142 and http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=662673 for why.

So far, it seems there's at least Moxi, iGuide from TV Guide/Gemstar, MSTV [Microsoft TV Foundation Edition], SARA and Pioneer Passport.

The model # isn't enough because for example, the Motorola DCT-6412 could be running SARA, MSTV or iGuide [and maybe others] depending on the area.

[Treefarn]

The one offered here is Scientific Atlanta 8000 with the SARA Software.

[TiVo Troll]

Comcastic DVR's (http://www.comcast.com/dvrselect/)

[TiVo Troll]

So I just recently got a Tivo with service. I have a few days to decide whether I want to keep it. So I was wondering...

What are the pros and cons of a Tivo vs the DVR that my Cable Company (Comcast) offers? Is one better than the other?

I know one con of Tivo is that my cable TV channels change REAL slowly (from another post I put up, the answer was that apparently i am stuck with that).

So I would assume everyone reading this is a Tivo junkie, but hopefully there's some objectivity?

TiVo is the most stable DVR with the most detailed user options and is best by far if you want to timeshift everything you watch. However other DVR's may be better for you if you want to watch TV mostly in realtime except when there are programming conflicts.

Both styles of TiVo's EPG have small lettering on their busy displays while other EPG's are easier to read from a distance. When everything is timeshifted the EPG isn't used nearly as much.

Current Comcast boxes have dual tuners and can record HD programming and are cheaper than renting one or two Ser. 2 TiVo boxes. Tivo's dual HD box is due out later this year.

[cwerdna]

The one offered here is Scientific Atlanta 8000 with the SARA Software.
Cool. You can read a comparison by DrStrange at http://www.pvrcompare.com/sciatlframe.html.

[cwerdna]

Both styles of TiVo's EPG have small lettering on their busy displays while other EPG's are easier to read from a distance. When everything is timeshifted the EPG isn't used nearly as much.

Current Comcast boxes have dual tuners and can record HD programming and are cheaper than renting one or two Ser. 2 TiVo boxes. Tivo's dual HD box is due out later this year.
I almost never use the EPG while in live TV view since well, I almost never watch live TV anymore.

Not all Comcast boxes have dual tuners. Notice at http://www.comcast.com/dvrmotorola/, it says "Comcast offers two types of HD Capable DVR enabled receivers in your area, a Dual Tuner DVR with 120 GB of storage and a Single Tuner DVR with 80 GB of storage"

[drivered]

I have a TIVO box and a Scientific Atlanta 8000 DVR from Cablevision connected via a splitter to my Phillips 37" LCD HDTV. TIVO is best for all the different ways you can program recordings and general user friendliness.

The two main reasons why I decided to rent the SA 8000 despite having Tivo already is because it records HD channels with HD quality and because I can record two channels and watch live TV simultaneously without having to use a splitter. The analog channels on my HDTV don't look as good using either TIVO or the SA 8000 compared to a non-HD TV, but that's inherent in most LCD HDTV's.

The two biggest negatives for me regarding the SA 8000 is that when you start watching a show and switch to something else, it won't remember where you left off like Tivo does. So you have to start from the beginning and fast foward to where you were before, if you can remember.

The other negative is not being able to search by title in order to schedule recordings. You have to know the day, time and channel it's on, so you can select it from the guide (only one week's schedule available) and set your recording options.

If you don't have an HDTV and don't need simultaneous recording of two shows, then definitely get Tivo. You may also want to just subscribe month to month because Tivo will be coming out with an HD capable recorder, so don't get locked into anything long term.

[TiVo Troll]

Although it isn't quite a DVR, Philips' discontinued hard-drive DVD recorder, HDRW720/17, as flawed as its remote and EPG (TV Guide+) are, is really kick-ass to use if someone can get over its really steep learning curve! It's also relatively cheap on eBay (around $250.)

The HDRW720/17 isn't a TiVo and doesn't pretend to be. It occasionally "hiccups", mostly due to TV Guide+. However it's really useful if a viewer watches most programs in realtime and archives occasional programs to DVD. It buffers live TV for up to six hours, doesn't dump the buffer when changing channels, and can SELECTIVELY record any portion of the ongoing buffer.

I already had the letterboxed version of Minority Report on DVD but last night recorded and burned a pan and scan version (for my 16" B&W TV--just kidding!) after editing out all the commercial breaks. The one thing the HDRW720 doesn't do is playlist (changing the chapter order) editing.

[cwerdna]

I have a TIVO box and a Scientific Atlanta 8000 DVR from Cablevision
What's the SA 8000 running? I think it could be running either SARA or Passport if not something else.

[TiVo Troll]

I almost never use the EPG while in live TV view since well, I almost never watch live TV anymore.

Not all Comcast boxes have dual tuners. Notice at http://www.comcast.com/dvrmotorola/, it says "Comcast offers two types of HD Capable DVR enabled receivers in your area, a Dual Tuner DVR with 120 GB of storage and a Single Tuner DVR with 80 GB of storage"

Of course. But those that do record two HD programs at the same time, as TiVo's Ser. 3 will. For $10. a month Comcast offers a good deal. (I watch shows I like when they first air and only watch time-shifted TV when there are scheduling conflicts.)

Now that I bought a couple of TiVo's (with Lifetime) they run as automatic back-ups. (I wish that TiVo would indicate with an icon in the EPG when a show is scheduled to record, as discussed in that other thread.) Much as die-hard timeshifters don't remember when shows air, I often forget that a show already has a Season Pass.

[cwerdna]

Now that I bought a couple of TiVo's (with Lifetime) they run as automatic back-ups. (I wish that TiVo would indicate with an icon in the EPG when a show is scheduled to record, as discussed in that other thread.) Much as die-hard timeshifters don't remember when shows air, I often forget that a show already has a Season Pass.
As I mentioned, I almost never watch live TV (which seems to hold true for most Tivo users). It seems pointless even for first aired shows as you'd have to sit thru the commercials. I'm also not usually home or in front of the TV when the show first airs anyhow or might not want to suddenly drop what I'm watching/doing to see it.

I set SPs for everything that I regularly watch (and even a lot of shows that I don't watch regularly).

No need for a dot or anything.. hit Tivo 1 to look at the season pass manager.

[NickIN]

All I know is I can't wait for the Series 3 to come out! I have the SA 8300HD and since the time change last weekend it has missed every one of my recordings this entire week! I know my old TiVo would have never done that to me.

[Sirshagg]

When I was using the SA8300 I recall that it wouldn't handle conflicts well. If i had a season pass (or whatever they called it, to a show and one time only wanted to record something else in the timeslot it completely cancelled the season pass and wouldn't even tell me.

[TiVo Troll]

Comcast is planning to go all digital in my area by the end of the third quarter. When this happens it will be interesting to see how they provide the necessary digital boxes for all outlets on an account. Currently one box is free, a DVR dual tuner HD box is $10. mo., and any additional digital boxes (standard or DVR) are charged a $5. monthly additional outlet fee. But all outlets provide 70+ analog channels without requiring any box. Sounds like there will effectively be a price increase.

Isn't TiVo at a disadvantage in marketing to cable customers who must have digital cable boxes to access cable programming? One standard Comcast settop box (with the same MS EPG as Comcast's DVR but w/o PIP) is included in the service. But adding even a dual TiVo for $13. monthly would still not allow recording two channels at the same time, while adding the Comcast HD dual tuner DVR for $10. would.

Adding instead a Comcast standard settop box for $5. plus a TiVo @ $13. starts to add up. Of course with cable the customer does not buy the settop box or DVR and repairs, if necessary, are part of the service.

[cwerdna]

NickIN and Sirshagg, what software was on your 8300HDs? Were they running Passport, SARA or something else?

[Moebius]

I'm currently using both, cable DVR for HD and TiVo for SD. I was too spoiled on TiVo to not be able to record HD. In my case, it's the Motorola 6214. From using both, even with the advantage of the cable (dual tuner, hd capability), I still prefer the TiVo. The interface is much more intuitive, the unit as a whole seems more stable, and the extra functions (tansfer to other TiVo or pc, multimedia, wishlists, all that jazz) make it more than worthwhile.

Right now, I'm just biding time until Series 3 or the TiVo/Comcast deal comes to fruition.

[TiVo Troll]

I'm currently using both, cable DVR for HD and TiVo for SD. I was too spoiled on TiVo to not be able to record HD. In my case, it's the Motorola 6214. From using both, even with the advantage of the cable (dual tuner, hd capability), I still prefer the TiVo. The interface is much more intuitive, the unit as a whole seems more stable, and the extra functions (tansfer to other TiVo or pc, multimedia, wishlists, all that jazz) make it more than worthwhile.

Right now, I'm just biding time until Series 3 or the TiVo/Comcast deal comes to fruition.

A TiVo/Comcast DVR would be the best solution for a digital cable DVR. I wonder if Comcast would offer a TiVo DVR as a premium rental or a Comcast customer would have to buy it and then sub. to TiVo on a monthly basis? If a Comcast/TiVo DVR had to be bought before being subbed the monthly rental would be the determining factor for me when deciding between it and the Comcast box.

I hate monthly rentals in principle. If it wasn't for the chance to get Lifetime before it disappears I never would have bought my two new Ser. 2 TiVos. $7. a month would sell me on a TiVo/Comcast DVR, while for $13 I'd pass and get a Comcast DVR (http://www.comcast.com/dvrmicrosoft/).

BTW, although we don't have a HD monitor the Comcast HD DVR accesses all HD programming available and automatically downgrades the output to 480i so it provides more programming than a standard settop box. All Comcast settop boxes provide a lot of VOD including many free movies and programs. I'm surprised that Comcast is as good as it is, actually!

[dt_dc]

I wonder if Comcast would offer a TiVo DVR as a premium rental or a Comcast customer would have to buy it and then sub. to TiVo on a monthly basis?Comcast (and Tivo) executives have said several times that their intent is to make Tivo software an additional / premium option on existing DVR hardware.

Ie, you can get the "DVR Service" from Comcast for $X per month ... or for an additional fee ($X + $Y), you can get the "DVR Service with Tivo" from Comcast. And either way ... you get the same box.

[TiVo Troll]

Comcast (and Tivo) executives have said several times that their intent is to make Tivo software an additional / premium option on existing DVR hardware.

Ie, you can get the "DVR Service" from Comcast for $X per month ... or for an additional fee ($X + $Y), you can get the "DVR Service with Tivo" from Comcast. And either way ... you get the same box.

That's great news!

So if it happens let's see what the price premium vs. the feature mix is. I appreciate not to having to rent a service after buying hardware. One of the best things about Comcast is that everything is month to month with no service commitments whatsoever.

[Sirshagg]

NickIN and Sirshagg, what software was on your 8300HDs? Were they running Passport, SARA or something else?

Sorry, but it was more than a year ago that i had it and I never knew how to tell which is which. I have COX, a friend of mine has time warner with an 8300 and it is definitely different that what it had (UI wise much nicer, but not sure if it functioned better).

[cwerdna]

I'm currently using both, cable DVR for HD and TiVo for SD. I was too spoiled on TiVo to not be able to record HD. In my case, it's the Motorola 6214. From using both, even with the advantage of the cable (dual tuner, hd capability), I still prefer the TiVo. The interface is much more intuitive, the unit as a whole seems more stable, and the extra functions (tansfer to other TiVo or pc, multimedia, wishlists, all that jazz) make it more than worthwhile.
Do you mean the 6412? What software was on it? If it was the 6412, it could be running MSTV (not likely for your area), iGuide or Passport.

[cwerdna]

Sorry, but it was more than a year ago that i had it and I never knew how to tell which is which. I have COX, a friend of mine has time warner with an 8300 and it is definitely different that what it had (UI wise much nicer, but not sure if it functioned better).
See http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3905142#post3905142. Can you identify what you had and what your friend has? Right now, your description is pretty vague...