Need Advice - Single Tuner HD Tivo???

[phillips hater]

I've got a series 1 (HDR112) that Tivo says is going kaput. Tivo has offered me the ability to transfer my lifetime subscription to another unit, as long as that unit is a single tuner unit. I've got local digital cable and HD direct tv running through my current TIVO unit. My question is does anybody know of a single tuner unit that is HD capable? If I can find such a unit this offer will work for me, if not I need to renegotiate somewhat.

Thanks for advice.

[gastrof]

There was an HD DirecTiVo. Don't know the specifics.

I think that was something you have to get thru Direct, tho'. TiVo's offer probably wouldn't be good on that. (Tho' you could ask them.)

I don't think Direct is selling them any more, or at least no more are being MADE, since Direct decided to sell their OWN high def DVR.

My suggestion is that you just get a Series 2. It'll keep doing everything your current setup is doing.

Recording in High Def?

OF COURSE NOT.

The single tuner units aren't designed to do that.

They CAN record from HD sources, but the picture has to be set to downconvert, as if you were using it with an analog TV set.

Feed such a downconverted signal into your TiVo instead, and you'll record the HD programming. It just won't be in HD.

Your series 1 can't record HD, it can only record a downconverted version. Same if you replace it with a series 2.

Personally, I've never seen what the fuss is about HD.

People say "It looks JUST LIKE IT'S REAL!!!"

Yeah?

Well it isn't. It's still TV, and the picture I get now is fine with me.

If someone wants to get high def equipment, fine. I got a second hand OTA HD tuner on eBay a while back....

I have no intention of getting a HD monitor any time soon. I got the tuner so I'll still be able to get OTA television if the need arises and the analogs are off the air. I'll use the thing with a standard monitor, which I already know will work with it.

You're doing something similar, using a Series 1 TiVo to record high def programming.

If they're willing to replace it with a Series 2 single tuner unit, and keep your lifetime service going too, go for it. Keeping doing what you're doing already, with a new TiVo to boot.



I do wonder tho...

What's wrong with your Series 1 that they can't fix it?

Hmmmm......

[classicsat]

There is no DVR TiVo, or anybody else for that matter, can provide that will do what you want (pass HD from the cable and/or DirecTV tuner)..

A current Standalone TiVo can only pass downconverted SD, no different than the TiVo you have now.

[Sirshagg]

Taken from: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=290723

Q. Can I transfer my Product Lifetime service contract to new hardware?

A. For Product Lifetime, the answer is no, just like today. This isn't really part of our announcement and the rules haven't changed, but since this is a frequently asked question I'm including it here. Product Lifetime is always tied to the specific box that you activated, as defined in the terms of the Product Lifetime Description: http://www.tivo.com/0.4.asp

There are only four exceptions:


30-day money back guarantee: During the first 30 days after you activate your Product Lifetime service, you can transfer freely from one unit to another.
Grandfather transfer: The one-time "Grandfather transfer" (for people who purchased Product Lifetime on or before January 21, 2000 [as in, more than six years ago], and who have not already used their one-time transfer) is still allowed and will also be honored for future hardware releases from TiVo, such as the Series3. If you have any trouble when you call, please mention KDB code 09-07-04 to the agent.
Authorized warranty replacement:In the event that a unit with Product Lifetime malfunctions, you can opt to have it repaired under warranty by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer (whether it's TiVo, Humax, Sony, etc.) cannot repair the unit and opts to replace it, we will transfer the Product Lifetime service to the new unit. In most cases this happens automatically. If not, you can usually make the change yourself in Manage My Account or by calling customer support.
Extended warranty through a retailer: As a courtesy, TiVo will usually allow a Product Lifetime service transfer in the case that you purchased an extended warranty from a retailer, and the retailer was not able to repair the unit and instead replaced it with an equivalent unit under the terms of their extended warranty program. Note that customer support might ask to see evidence of the extended warranty agreement.



Not sure what your situation is but if you got the lifetime on that series 1 unit before 1/20/2000 and you have not already transferred it to another unit you would be able to transfer it to the new Series 3 HD unit coming out later this year. If however this is not the case then you sould count yourself luck as they are making an expection for you by allowing the transfer at all.

[phillips hater]

Thanks for the advice. For the specifics, I believe that TIVO has been kind to me, but that I almost fall under the GRANDFATHER clause. I bought my unit, and the lifetime subscription, in April of 2000. I asked specifically about transferring to a HD unit and the tech said that I would be alowed to transfer my subscription to a single tuner unit. Its not the perfect fix to my problem, but I do feel that TIVO is working with me.

More details - Supposedly my unmodified (swear) unit stopped communicating correctly on its phone calls. My unit said that I had the guide downloaded for at least five more days, but it also said that I had not activated my service, and couldn't provide me with my service number. When I called TIVO the tech said that the engineers ??? notified my file that my box was miscommunicating??? The fact that I can transfer my lidfetime subscription makes me happy. As also is upgrading to a box that record mopre than 40 hours. I wish it was HD capable to match the rest of my system (Direct TV HD, Local Cable, HD ONKYO receiver & HD Toshiba TV) but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Again, thanks for the advice.