Newbie - Series 2 or wait for Series 3?

[washfan]

I've spent all day researching Tivo and I decided to order one. Haven't actually pulled the trigger, but I'm hooked.

So, I come here and see all this talk about Series 3. I don't currently own an HDTV, but I planned on buying one in the next year or two.

Do I buy a Series 2 DT or wait for the Series 3? I want to know if I'll be kicking myself in a year because all I have is "this crappy Series 2"....know what I mean? If I get a Series 2 and then have HD Cable later, will it work at all (never mind recording in HD)?

Look, all I want to do is record shows while I'm gone, rewind amazing plays on sports or if the wife is talking over a good part, and maybe transfer some VCR tapes to it and along to my computer so I can burn DVD's.

Honestly, will the Series 2 work for me?

Thanks in advance!

[nhaigh]

I'm waiting on the S3 but have bought a S2DT in the past couple of weeks to keep me going. I figure after rebate it was only $99 and I'll use it a a second TiVo when the S3 comes out.

[TiVo Mel]

I'd get the S2. It is estimated that the S3 will retail for about $750 and you currently don't have HD.

The S2 will do everything you need/want right now.

When you make the HD jump in a few years, purchase an S3 with your HDTV (the cost of the S3 will probably drop to less than $250 by that time). :)

[Bierboy]

...(the cost of the S3 will probably drop to less than $250 by that time). :)Someone's been sniffing the whiteout again...

[ZeoTiVo]

I'd get the S2. It is estimated that the S3 will retail for about $750 and you currently don't have HD.

The S2 will do everything you need/want right now.

When you make the HD jump in a few years, purchase an S3 with your HDTV (the cost of the S3 will probably drop to less than $250 by that time). :)

I think it is possible the S3 will drop in price like that as well. They are competing with cable company DVRs after all.

also I have a DT now and I really like it. I am also in the mind of waiting a year or so to get HD. The cost to jump on HD now outweighs the benefit to me.

the DT will make an excellent second set TiVo when the time comes to go HD. Reports on Series 3 are that the SD content can be MRVed around so you can use the DT as a second TV DVR adn still pull the shows to the main viewing room if you wish.

[DTSDude]

Welcome to the boards, as you can see I'm in noob land as well. Not more than a week ago I made the same exact post. Here's how it worked out for me: I know I'm buying an HDTV in October but I don't want to wait for October or the series3 to get a DVR. If you don't have a TiVo and you don't see yourself getting an HDTV in the near future you'd be silly to not hop on TiVo's website and pick up a series2 dual tuner for $30 with a 1 year service agreement (~$19 a month). In October TiVo gods willing, I'll buy my series3 and just move the 2 to the bedroom upstairs.

Hope this helps.

[washfan]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it.

If anyone really cares, I bought the Series 2 DT. Should be here Friday, and I can't wait to start playing.

Thanks again!

chris

[tekgeek]

I would go with the series 2. There is simply not enough HD programing to warrant the added expense of the HD TIVO. Maybe in a year or two.

[jctivo]

I don't have HD TV yet. I'm thinking of purchasing one in the fall (and hope I can aford Tivo Series 3).

As far as available HD Programming, aren't most evening Major Network (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) shows in HD? And aren't most major sports?

I understand that Bravo, TLC, etc...isn't in HD.

I'm just curious to why people say there isn't that much HD programming. Maybe I'm just lucky and it seems my "shows" are.

[terryfoster]

There is simply not enough HD programing to warrant the added expense of the HD TIVO.

It is purely your opinion that there isn't enough HD programming. Since the majority of my shows are primetime network programs, there is enough HD programming to warrant the S3. Sure if you watch mostly cable network programming, then there really isn't alot of HD programming and yet that is still only opinion.

Let the OP decide if there is enough HD programming.

[Bierboy]

It is purely your opinion that there isn't enough HD programming. Since the majority of my shows are primetime network programs, there is enough HD programming to warrant the S3. Sure if you watch mostly cable network programming, then there really isn't alot of HD programming and yet that is still only opinion.

Let the OP decide if there is enough HD programming.I agree. I used the Sony DHG HD SA recorder for several months, and there were many times I wished it had dual tuners. For me, there is more than enough HD content out there now to warrant a dual tuner standalone HD recorder.