Should I switch to digital cable?

[bonnie_raitt]

I am a long time Tivo user.

I have a fairly complicated setup. First, I have 2 Tivos (1 Series One and 1 Series 2) and a ReplayTV DVR. I use a couple of Peracom Avcast MediaCasters to view the 2 Tivos in other rooms. I have a Infocus 4800 projector in the main media room for watching TV. I am satisfied with SD TV on the large screen.

I also have LG LST-3510A HD tuner that I can get some local HD channels with (over my analog cable connection). However, I don't use it very much because I can't stand watching stuff live, it's awkward to change channels, there's no guide for the channel line up,and I have no way to record HD.

I have always had analog cable (to avoid having to use the IR blaster). However, I have decided to upgrade my projector to a Panasonic AE900 and I'm wondering if it's time to bite the bullet and switch to digital cable. My goal is to get more accessible HD content.

I'm worried that by switching from analog to digital, I will make my life more complicated (because of STBs). I'd love to hear from those of you who have made the switch from analog to digital. What are the pros and what are the cons?

I will probably be a early adoptor of the S3. How does this affect my decision?

Your advice is anxiously awaited. Thanks

[Crazydiamond]

I was a long time analog subscriber - I resisted digital because I did not want the hassle or costs of STB's. Then I got a Tivo, and another one. Then found myself really wanting channels only available on digital - and finally "gave in" and got digital - for just one of my five TV's (the main living room).

Love having all the digital channels - but the slow response time of the Tivo controlling the digital STB (IR blaster) is extremely frustrating. Also I don't like the additional monthly costs of adding STB's - would rather pay for more Tivo's!.

Right now – we record any digital shows on the one Tivo (with STB) and use wireless to transfer the shows to our second Tivo with analog (no STB).

I am awaiting the Series 3 primarily because of the cable card options and dual tuners.

[jsmeeker]

I am a long time Tivo user.

I have a fairly complicated setup. First, I have 2 Tivos (1 Series One and 1 Series 2) and a ReplayTV DVR. I use a couple of Peracom Avcast MediaCasters to view the 2 Tivos in other rooms. I have a Infocus 4800 projector in the main media room for watching TV. I am satisfied with SD TV on the large screen.

I also have LG LST-3510A HD tuner that I can get some local HD channels with (over my analog cable connection). However, I don't use it very much because I can't stand watching stuff live, it's awkward to change channels, there's no guide for the channel line up,and I have no way to record HD.

I have always had analog cable (to avoid having to use the IR blaster). However, I have decided to upgrade my projector to a Panasonic AE900 and I'm wondering if it's time to bite the bullet and switch to digital cable. My goal is to get more accessible HD content.

I'm worried that by switching from analog to digital, I will make my life more complicated (because of STBs). I'd love to hear from those of you who have made the switch from analog to digital. What are the pros and what are the cons?

I will probably be a early adoptor of the S3. How does this affect my decision?

Your advice is anxiously awaited. Thanks

If you go to the Series 3 because you want to get HD, you may need to upgrade to Digital Cable. Your cable company may require it. Mine does.

[bonnie_raitt]

Is it true that if I switch to digital, the lower channels are still analog. If this is the case, does this mean I can still use my present equipment to record these analog channels as before. In other words, can I record these lower analog cables without a STB?

[Crazydiamond]

Is it true that if I switch to digital, the lower channels are still analog. If this is the case, does this mean I can still use my present equipment to record these analog channels as before. In other words, can I record these lower analog cables without a STB?

Yes :up:

[Stormspace]

I resisted moving to digital cable for a large number of years mostly because I resented the need for the STB. The charge for it AND the charge for the channels. Seemed like double dipping to me. At any rate we purchased a 42" HD plasma monitor this past spring and the picture from the TiVo was horrid. We took several steps to correct this, increasing the quality of recorded shows and had the cable guy come out and replace the cables from the street. We still had some issues with the channels, so on a whim I asked a Best Buy guy what to do to get a better picture with SD equipment. He suggested getting a digital tuner from the cable co. I did and we did see a remarkable increase in picture quality, mostly on the digital channels (not HD) but also on the analog channels as well.

I'm not happy about doing it, but at the time I thought it was going to be a temporary thing until the S3 was released. However if the current rumors about S3 pricing hold any weight I'll likely go to a cable DVR and use my SD TiVo's to make a backup copy of the important shows.