Tivo vs TWC DVR in NC. Opinions?

[MoonlitOrchid]

I've had Time Warner digital cable for a while now and have been using their dvr. The first dvr that I had was the Scientific Atlantic 8000. When that kept messing up, they gave me the 8300, which I liked a lot better. Today, that one started messing up, so I took it back to them, and they wouldn't give me anything but the 8000 again. So, I thought maybe the issues were fixed. Within the hour, I realized that they were not fixed at all. I have heard that the cable company claims to not be compatible with Tivo. Has anyone had any issues with using these services together?

I figure if I can't get them to give me a new 8300 tomorrow than Im going to tell them to keep the dvr and order a tivo. Also I was wondering, on the tivo website, they have an offer that's got the dual tuner box plus the service for $19.95 a month. What happens if the Tivo recorder messes up in this time? Do they offer an extended warranty or anything? I'm pretty new to all of this and could search the threads forever, so I thought best just to make a post.

I am in the Charlotte service area, using time warner digital cable.

Thanks!

[mfogarty5]

I've had Time Warner digital cable for a while now and have been using their dvr. The first dvr that I had was the Scientific Atlantic 8000. When that kept messing up, they gave me the 8300, which I liked a lot better. Today, that one started messing up, so I took it back to them, and they wouldn't give me anything but the 8000 again. So, I thought maybe the issues were fixed. Within the hour, I realized that they were not fixed at all. I have heard that the cable company claims to not be compatible with Tivo. Has anyone had any issues with using these services together?

I figure if I can't get them to give me a new 8300 tomorrow than Im going to tell them to keep the dvr and order a tivo. Also I was wondering, on the tivo website, they have an offer that's got the dual tuner box plus the service for $19.95 a month. What happens if the Tivo recorder messes up in this time? Do they offer an extended warranty or anything? I'm pretty new to all of this and could search the threads forever, so I thought best just to make a post.

I am in the Charlotte service area, using time warner digital cable.

Thanks!


I live in Charlotte as well and recently switched from Charlotte analog cable plus TiVo to Directv and their new HD DVR, but I used the Scientific Atlanta for about a month as well.

Get the TiVo!! All of my coworkers think "DVR" is great, but like you they do have problems with the Scientific Atlanta. I used TiVo here for almost 2 years and I keep telling them that they have to try TiVo. It's SO much better than the TWC DVR!

Best of all, analog cable + TiVo is cheaper per month than Digital cable + crappy TWC DVR!

I highly recommend ditching the cable company DVR for TiVo.

[Frankenstien]

Can you give a little more info on what you're trying to get. Are you looking at HD or just digital cable?

If you are doing digital, then the Series 2 Dual Tuner is the way to go.

If you are going for HD, the the Series 3 is your option. Its pricey, but it replaces your cable box.

I am also in Charlotte and have a SA 8300 HD running Passport. We've had it for about two months. It's has worked pretty well.

[ZeoTiVo]

Charlotte as well and use TWC analog plus TiVo. Like mfogarty5 said - it is cheaper and just a nicer way to go. The extended basic cable package gives me all I want for homne viewing and then Netflix fills in the movie needs. Have a Toshiba TiVo plus DVD for DVD playback that is the same TiVo interface :up: Also have a DT for dual recording, works flawlessly.

I have setup some TiVo's (540 models) with cable boxes for neighbors with no problems. The cable rep was just trying to spread some FUD. Note Frankenstein's response on needing the S3 TiVo if you want HD though. I am planning on going HD around Christmas 2007 myself. No desire to be an early adopter on that with the cable company.

[MoonlitOrchid]

I've been doing digital cable through them, and today when I went to exchange the 8000 box for the 8300 (not HD) they refused, saying they didn't have any in stock. Until I told them to cancel my digital cable all together. After I uttered those words, they mysteriously 'found' one. So I brought it home and it's working alright.

However, I think I'm just going to switch back to dishnetwork and get the tivo afterall. It just seems like a more logical thing to do. It just amazes me how nasty the TWC people can be, at least those that I've had to talk to. Oh, does anyone know the shipping costs on the tivo's? I noticed that it has the options but not the prices.

[Frankenstien]

Free shipping if ordered from TiVo.

Free shipping from Amazon.

Probably from some other retailers as well.

[MoonlitOrchid]

I finally saw the free shipping bit. Oddly, I had been looking at it the whole time. Just missed it, I guess. Thank you for the reply!

[jdriesen]

If you are doing digital, then the Series 2 Dual Tuner is the way to go.

If you are going for HD, the the Series 3 is your option. Its pricey, but it replaces your cable box.

I am also in Charlotte and have a SA 8300 HD running Passport. We've had it for about two months. It's has worked pretty well.

I just got an HD TV and HD cable service. My Tivo Series 2 is not faring so well, so I'm trying to figure out the best thing to do.

If I run the signal from the SA 8000 to Tivo, will the picture look alright on an HD tv?

Having had the S2 for four years, will I be happy with the DVR functionality of the SA 8000? I don't know yet because they sent me one that's defective.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[MoonlitOrchid]

I dropped my digital cable and got my DirecTv installed today. My Tivo is set to arrive tomorrow, so it says.. but after reading the threads and seeing that they gave me the D11 receiver, I don't know if I'll be able to use the Tivo at all. Very disappointing.

[classicsat]

It should work with the D11 fine.

[Frankenstien]

I just got an HD TV and HD cable service. My Tivo Series 2 is not faring so well, so I'm trying to figure out the best thing to do.

If I run the signal from the SA 8000 to Tivo, will the picture look alright on an HD tv?

Having had the S2 for four years, will I be happy with the DVR functionality of the SA 8000? I don't know yet because they sent me one that's defective.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I use a splitter. One line goes to the TiVo and the other to the 8300. The HD picture wasn't affected.

I was having some issues receiving the CBS HD channel. A TWC tech came out and ran a new line and installed a signal amplifier. So far it's working fine.

[jdriesen]

I also use a splitter at the moment, but the picture coming from Tivo to the HD TV looks terrible. I was wondering if I could upgrade it by feeding the Tivo from the 8000, rather than giving it the Coax split from the wall.

[Frankenstien]

I also use a splitter at the moment, but the picture coming from Tivo to the HD TV looks terrible. I was wondering if I could upgrade it by feeding the Tivo from the 8000, rather than giving it the Coax split from the wall.

That would improve the signal to the 8000. I think I tried this with mine, but for some reason when the cable box changed channels, it made the TiVo change channels as well. Although I can't remember if I had the TiVo set with or without a box.

It's still worth a try. If it works that would be the simplest solution.

If it doesn't work out try calling your cable company and see if they can do anything to increase your signal.