A few questions

[tommage]

Hi, some may be answered elsewhere but I figure ask them all in one place. I currently have series 2 with lifetime upgraded to 220 hours.

1. I would like to transfer about 100 hours of recordings on my Series 2 to the new Series 3 (assuming I buy one), can this be done? What would be needed parts wise, I have no network setup now. I do have wireless router and some USB network adaptors but they are not hooked up to anything. Do I need cable/DSL internet or can two TIVOS be linked for transfer without going through computer (I have dialup internet)

2. I have Comcast TV (oh boy, gotta love that). Right now just basic cable, no digital, no HD, no cable cards. The questions, Series 3 with two tuners. I know you can put in two cable cards (cable cards are HD capable right?) but could you put in one card for one tuner and use the other tuner for just basic cable as is (I ask this as I notice some Comcast customers are saying Comcast will charge a monthly fee for the second card)? Or if you use one card do you HAVE to use two? Or would it be possible to install one cable card and use a digital cable or HD box for the other tuner (so could have PPV and On demand capability?)

3. I think I know the answer to this one, but am I right, you have to buy the series 3 from TIVO to be able to transfer your existing lifetime? Gonna take some thinking to get best deal, transfer for $199 and "give up" other box or buy one that someone activates lifetime on after waiting awhile, or buy one of those "gift cards" floating around. If buy through retail chain can probably get 10%-20% off with discounts, then buy the gift card thing. To me MAYBE $1200 for a lifetime box would be worth it while keeping my other box intact, wonder if that will become possible anytime soon? I guess I have til January to think about it, if I can wait that long..............................

[Granzella]

1. You can't transfer your recordings from a S2 to S3. At least not now.

2. I believe if you use 1 cable card only then it is only a single tuner only. You mention you only have basic cable, do you have a digital TV? If not, I dont see any reason getting a series 3 unless you have HDTV. If you do then disregard that last statement.

3.Yes you have to buy from tivo.com/vip to upgrade.

[Krellion]

1. Right now, the function that you would use to officially move recordings to another TiVo, called "Multi-Room Viewing", is not enabled on the Series3 boxes, and there is currently no known date for when it might be enabled, if at all. You would need a home network set up to connect them, and I believe this requires that the TiVos be set to use the network (and not dialup) for updates.

2. Yes, the CableCARDs will allow you to tune HD material over your cable connection. If you only install one Card into the Series3, it will revert to being a single-tuner box (though TiVo has said that they are looking into changing this). You could also wait a few months for your cable provider to get the newer multi-stream cards in, where you would then only need one for the Series3. The Series3 is unable to be set up to record from an external source, such as a cable box or satellite receiver.

3. From what I've read around here, that is correct. (I didn't look too much into this as my Series1 doesn't have Lifetime on it.)

[tommage]

1. You can't transfer your recordings from a S2 to S3. At least not now.

2. I believe if you use 1 cable card only then it is only a single tuner only. You mention you only have basic cable, do you have a digital TV? If not, I dont see any reason getting a series 3 unless you have HDTV. If you do then disregard that last statement.

3.Yes you have to buy from tivo.com/vip to upgrade.

Yah I have HD TV, use an antenna for a few digital stations for now. Hmm, that cable card thing could be a hassle then, NO WAY I'm paying Comcast rental for a second card, they charge so much now I'm wondering when they will attempt a takeover of IBM or Microsoft ;) How about no cards at all, one tuner "as is", the other use with a Comcast box? And maybe a card for the TV. Thanks for answers :)

[tommage]

"How about no cards at all, one tuner "as is", the other use with a Comcast box? And maybe a card for the TV. Thanks for answers "

Oops, made my second post before I saw second reply. Guess I would not be able to use a box at all with the new TIVO. So stuck with two cards or wait for that new type of card or just use two basic tuners for now? Heh, getting complicated, or could use one card and not bother with second tuner.

[megazone]

You should check out the FAQ & Review pinned at the top of the forum, I think they'd answer a lot of your questions.