Trying to pick a DVR

[miller0521]

Ok so I am interested in having a DVR so that I can easily record TV shows that I don't want to miss. It seems that Tivo has better functionality than the Time Warner DVR box that is available to me. However what I am wondering, is should I spend the money on a box that records to DVD or is it better to somehow send the files from my Tivo to my pc.

Also is the quality good on Tivo? Is it just as good as taping to VHS?

Just trying to get some information from current users before I make my decision.

[rkester]

I have owned several units myself. A Series 1 Sony unit, and more recently a Humax DVD recording unit.

I love the DVD burning unit for makign discs of my shows. I can store them for watching latre, loan to buddies, or just get them off the Tivo's harddrive for watching in another room. I prefer this method over the TivoToGo method by a long shot.

The quality itself varies from TV to TV and based on the recording quality (basic being pretty lousy, best being topof the line, I use high qualty which is one step below best) you use. But ultimately, unless you have an HDTV, you should be quite satisfied with the quality you get.

[miller0521]

Why do you prefer this method over the Tivo To Go feature? I'm just trying to figure out why I'd need to buy a dvd burner tivo box when I have a dvd burner in my pc.

[Einselen]

Why do you prefer this method over the Tivo To Go feature? I'm just trying to figure out why I'd need to buy a dvd burner tivo box when I have a dvd burner in my pc.

I personally transfer my Tivo files to my computer and burn them that way. On the computer I can also cut out the commercials which is a bonus. I believe on the DVD Tivos you have to record them with the commercials.

However downside is time to transfer shows, cut commercials, reencode and burn the DVD.

[maki]

Why do you prefer this method over the Tivo To Go feature? I'm just trying to figure out why I'd need to buy a dvd burner tivo box when I have a dvd burner in my pc.

It's "point and click" simplicity. TiVoToGo transfers can take awhile just to complete, while on a DVD TiVo you can simply select the shows and it burns in several minutes.

I myself have a laptop with a DVD burner and I've never burned a DVD with it. Got a Humax TiVo and I've made several DVDs since.

[rkester]

What maki said. Its quick and easy. I pop in a DVD, tell it what to save to the DVD, and then let it go. In about 15-20 minutes I have a DVD ready to use.

I think being able to edit commericals out would be great. But, its pretty easy to skip thru them quickly wiht the FFWD button.

[miller0521]

does tivo to go cost extra? and can i just plug a cat5 cable into the tivo box?

[Stylin]

I've had TiVo for less than a yr (prior to that had a cable co dvr). I just recently bought a stand alone combo dvd recorder w/ vhs recorder. A couple months prior to the purchase I had (unsuccessfully) tried to put shows via laptop onto dvd. The process is not that hard I just didn't understand how to use the softwares, so got frustrated quickly and gave up. I think if someone is familiar with the process, it's probably very easy to copy the files from your computer.
Personally, my Dad always lectued me into staying away from buying dual purpose electronics, so did not look into buying a TiVo w/ dvd recording. I happened to purchase my dvd recorder w/ vhs because it was cheaper than the model without. Backing up shows with my current machine has been pretty simple. The only drawback so far is having to pause the dubbing to edit out commercials.

If you are comfortable with making dvds from your PC, then I would suggest just getting a stand alone TiVo. If not, look into a dual purpose TiVo or a stand alone dvd recorder. hth

[jgaermom]

Tivo to go is included but as others say it is close to real time. Takes an hour to transfer 1 hour program. I have a humax dvd and it takes about 10 minutes to burn a dvd on it. That is 1- 2hours depending on the quality of the shows. Also you can't directly burn from tivo to go. You have to transcode with another program. I love my dvd burner and would never give it up.

[miller0521]

Ok, still trying to decide. It seems to me that the biggest downside to tivo to go is the time it takes to transfer to the pc, however I don't see any problem with doing that then going to bed and letting it work.

I'm not sure how to use the dvd software, but I am sure I can figure it out, I want to start editing my home movies from my handycam anyways.

I guess I need to just figure out what I need to buy in order to use the tivo to go feature

[miller0521]

Ok so I placed an order for the Series 2 DT 80 hour using the house party discount. Hopefully I'll enjoy it!