Switching from DirecTivo HD, please clarify some things

[jsirota]

I am currently using a DirecTV customer with their Tivo-powered HD-DVR (the HR10-250). Prior to this unit I had several SD Tivos, both standalone and DirecTivo units.

I am very likely going to switch to the S3 with Comcast soon. But I just want to confirm some things:

1) Comcast offers HD locals ... don't most cable companies? Why are people using OTA antennas with the S3? One of the reasons I want to switch is because I'm too far away to get strong OTA signals with the small antenna my HOA allows. So I'm hoping I can just throw away the antenna. Just want to make sure that I won't really need it anymore.

2) Does the S3 have all of the nifty Tivo features that I lost when I switched to a DirecTivo? HMO, Tivo2Go, etc?

3) Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different?

Thanks!

[Redux]

I am currently using a DirecTV customer with their Tivo-powered HD-DVR (the HR10-250). Prior to this unit I had several SD Tivos, both standalone and DirecTivo units.

I am very likely going to switch to the S3 with Comcast soon. But I just want to confirm some things:

1) Comcast offers HD locals ... don't most cable companies? Why are people using OTA antennas with the S3? One of the reasons I want to switch is because I'm too far away to get strong OTA signals with the small antenna my HOA allows. So I'm hoping I can just throw away the antenna. Just want to make sure that I won't really need it anymore.

2) Does the S3 have all of the nifty Tivo features that I lost when I switched to a DirecTivo? HMO, Tivo2Go, etc?

3) Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different?

1. OTA HiDef is usually better than cable and better than DirecTV. Your particular cable locals may be close or worse, YMMV.

2. No. The s3 is a big step backward in important respects. Pie in the sky (so to speak) someday, maybe. There has never been a better consumer-entertainment delivery system comparable to a hacked DTivo and may never be again.

3. I hate it (the transition from DTivo to the Tivo SA S3). But what can you do in the face of a company (DirecTV) intent on suicide?

[GoHokies!]

I am currently using a DirecTV customer with their Tivo-powered HD-DVR (the HR10-250). Prior to this unit I had several SD Tivos, both standalone and DirecTivo units.

I am very likely going to switch to the S3 with Comcast soon. But I just want to confirm some things:

1) Comcast offers HD locals ... don't most cable companies? Why are people using OTA antennas with the S3? One of the reasons I want to switch is because I'm too far away to get strong OTA signals with the small antenna my HOA allows. So I'm hoping I can just throw away the antenna. Just want to make sure that I won't really need it anymore.

Yes - the OTA HD people for the most part are paying for only analog cable that doesn't include the HDs. (actually, the HD locals are carried unencrypted so the S3 can tune them but there isn't any guide data - that's what people are talking about when you see all the discussion on "unencrypted QAM support"). Analog cable + HD OTA is a lot cheaper and a satisfactory solution for some. (but you miss out on ESPN HD, which is half the reason that I have HD, so it's whatever works for you.

2) Does the S3 have all of the nifty Tivo features that I lost when I switched to a DirecTivo? HMO, Tivo2Go, etc?

HMO: Yes
Tivo to go/come back/MRV: Not yet. Cable Labs hasn't approved this for Tivo. THere is a WIDE spectrum on opinion on here on when this is going to happen - Tivo says they are working with CL to get it approved soonest.

Don't know any of any other differences, I've never had a DirecTivo. I don't think that they have KidZone or the recently deleted folder or some of the TivoCast things that recently came out in the S2 and should be a part of the S3's Fall update.

3) Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different?

Thanks!

See above. I can tell you that I love my S3, it's been a flawless out of the box experience. There have been a few threads around here where lots of people have shared that experience. There are a lot of very loud critics of the box here too, so I'm sure that you'll see a wide variety of answers to that question.

[gostan]

I am currently using a DirecTV customer with their Tivo-powered HD-DVR (the HR10-250). Prior to this unit I had several SD Tivos, both standalone and DirecTivo units.

I am very likely going to switch to the S3 with Comcast soon. But I just want to confirm some things:

1) Comcast offers HD locals ... don't most cable companies? Why are people using OTA antennas with the S3? One of the reasons I want to switch is because I'm too far away to get strong OTA signals with the small antenna my HOA allows. So I'm hoping I can just throw away the antenna. Just want to make sure that I won't really need it anymore.
My OTA antenna was already installed and in use with my HR10-250, so why take it down. I will tell you that the OTA tuner in the S3 is far stronger than the one in the HR10-250, and that mmy OTA stations come in much stronger.
2) Does the S3 have all of the nifty Tivo features that I lost when I switched to a DirecTivo? HMO, Tivo2Go, etc? Folders yes.
3) Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different? For me the switch has been a successful one as the HD PQ on Comcast is IMO superior to HD-lite of DirecTV.

Thanks! Try it, you will like it. And you can keep your DirecTV for up to 30 days while you try it, and if you are disappointed, simply return the S3 and cancel the service and stay with DirecTV. I don't think you will.

[ashu]

(Seeing as your oft-asked questions DID get answered ...)

4) Does this danged forum have a Search button?

:p

[Sixto]

Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different? Here's my analysis from 11/11/06:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=718504&postcount=82

[vman41]

1) Comcast offers HD locals ... don't most cable companies? Why are people using OTA antennas with the S3? One of the reasons I want to switch is because I'm too far away to get strong OTA signals with the small antenna my HOA allows. So I'm hoping I can just throw away the antenna. Just want to make sure that I won't really need it anymore.

'Most cable companies' is not all, Time-Warner isn't carrying the HD streams of stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, so ABC and Fox are not available. Besides, digital OTA + analog cable is a completely viable combination. Upgrading to digital cable and renting 2 cablecards to get a couple more HD channels like TNT-HD is a tough call.

I thought FCC regulations didn't allow HOAs to keep you from putting up any antenna necessary to receive OTA signals.

[btwyx]

3) Has anyone else made the same switch who can tell me what really feels different?I switched from an HR10-250 to an S3. The S3 is remarkably similar to the HR10 with the 6.3 upgrade. What I don't like about the switch is Comcast, their service makes D* look brilliantly customer focussed (and I used to think D* was bad), and their SD quality doesn't seem to be as good as D* (and I thought D*'s quality was bad).

I'd prefer D* if they actually would support HD on a TiVo platform.