Moving to Cable/TiVo from.....

[parent723]

I can't seem to get a decent signal with my Dish so I am switching to cable. One question I have is this: I can currently record 2 different shows AND still watch a 3rd show (just did it tonight as a matter of fact!). I haven't purchased a TiVo yet, and wonder if there is any particular model I should look for. I really like that option.

Thanks in advance.

[supasta]

You DEFINATELY need a Series2 DT unit. It works EXACTLY as you describe what you want. You can record 2 shows at once, and watch a third. However, with this DT unit this is ONLY the case when NOT using a cable box. Things differ a little when using a box, but still will work in some fashions.

Either way, I would recommend the DT TiVo as it is the latest model....

[mchips]

The latest TiVo, a dual-tuner unit, allows for recording two shows at the same time...

If you want to watch a third, and your TV has more than one input, you can always split the cable, with one line going to the TiVo and another going to the TV...

My TV has three inputs, so I have two dual-tuner units connected to it (one to the S-Video input, and the other to the composite input), and then have the cable line split between the two TiVo's and a third into the RF input of my TV...

With this setup, I can record four shows at the same time while still watching a fifth...

Of course, then I have at least two other TiVo's in other rooms that I can use to record even more programs at the same time, and with my home network, I can then transfer those programs between my TiVo's, so I'm not stuck watching it on the TiVo that it was recorded on...

You'll find that you can do much more with a TiVo than you could with the Dish DVR, and a TiVo does it all so much better... you can even schedule recordings over the Internet; e.g., from work or a friend's house...

Welcome to the party, there's nothing as a great as a TiVo...

:)

[jfh3]

However, with this DT unit this is ONLY the case when NOT using a cable box.

Not true. With a DT you can still record 2 shows and watch a third (prerecorded) show when using a cable box. It's just that with a cable box you are limited to recording one "digital cable box" channel at a time. The other recording can be taking place from any other cable station (usually channels 2-99).

[parent723]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I am getting cable (with a digital cable box), however I only have a standard TV at the moment so I don't know what good the digital cable box will be. If I understand you correctly, I can connect the cable from the wall directly into the TiVo but must split it first so that I have 2 inputs (this is because there are 2 tuners in the TiVo)? If I want to watch the show on another TV (downstairs) I must somehow get them connected. Is there a cable out on the TiVo that can go to the downstairs TV?

One more question: Does DT mean Digital Tuner? :o

Thanks again!

[Deacon West]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I am getting cable (with a digital cable box), however I only have a standard TV at the moment so I don't know what good the digital cable box will be. If I understand you correctly, I can connect the cable from the wall directly into the TiVo but must split it first so that I have 2 inputs (this is because there are 2 tuners in the TiVo)? If I want to watch the show on another TV (downstairs) I must somehow get them connected. Is there a cable out on the TiVo that can go to the downstairs TV?

One more question: Does DT mean Digital Tuner? :o

Thanks again!

1. The picture from the digital cable box is usually superior to the picture from the analog signal, even if you only use channels 2-99.

2. The DT (and here I mean Dual Tuner TiVo) will split the signal for you internally. The only reason to split it before the TiVo is if you want to have it go into another input on your TV. That way, you could be recording two shows with your TiVo and wathching another live through one of your TV's other inputs.

3. Yes, you could split the output from your TiVo and run coax to a second TV. With this setup, you couldn't use your peanut (the TiVo remote) from the secondary TV as the remote signal wouldn't reach from downstairs to upstairs. However, the best way to do this is to have two Series 2 TiVos. With Tivo to Go you can network the two and watch any show from either DVR. You can also do cool things like store programs on your desktop or laptop. Personally, I think the TiVo wireless network adapter with a home network is the way to go. That way your program guide and updates are taken from your internet connection. (This does of course assume that you have high speed internet at home with a wireless home network)

4. While DT can mean Digital Tuner, here in the TC it usually means Dual Tuner.

[classicsat]

Digital cable might give you some or more channels you don't get with analog cable, and better PQ.

You would split before the TiVo to go to the digital box, and/or your TV.

[parent723]

Thanks all! I got my TiVo last night and tried to set it up. The website was down for maintenance so I couldn't register it but went through the rest of the setup. For some reason it didn't like the way I connected it for basic cable. I followed the instructions EXACTLY (same as above from WJ777. I get a picture on one tuner (not sure which one) but not on the other. I did use a coax cable from my old satellite installation but that shouldn't matter should it? I will continue to troubleshoot tonight!

By the way, if you get two TiVos as stated above for networking do you have to pay for two subscriptions even though you are only really recording on one TiVo?

[mchips]

By the way, if you get two TiVos as stated above for networking do you have to pay for two subscriptions even though you are only really recording on one TiVo? If you want it to be enabled for MRV (multi-room viewing/transfers), you will have to pay a second subscription fee... but if you buy the second TiVo at a retail location instead of as a bundled hardware/service package on tivo.com, you can get the MSD (Multi-Service Discount), making the service fee of the second and any additional TiVo's only $6.95 instead of $12.95...

If you do have a home network, you might want to check out Galleon (http://www.galleon.tv/)... besides doing many of the same things as TiVo Desktop and the Yahoo apps in MPP&M, it can also do additional cool stuff, like be able to check your email via your TiVo...

I use all three, TiVo Desktop, Galleon and the Yahoo apps...