What should I do? TimeWarner or stick with D*?

[UnmadeBed]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site. I have had tivo for 4 years now and I love it. I am getting a new HDTV and I want to upgrade but of course now D* (who I currently get my tv from) isn't offering the HD Tivo receiver anymore, nor can they give me a time when they will be able to sell me their new HD DVR. I was going to buy one of the D* HD tivos on ebay but they are the same price as the new ones and from what I have gathered from reading this forum they are wayyy buggy. So what do you fine folks think I should do? Should I buy the HD D* tivo on ebay or something (or from someone here ;) ), should I wait for them to send me their new HD DVR or should I just drop this lame ass company and go with TimeWarner? Please note: if I go with TimeWarner I will be using their DVR as I don't have $800 for the Tivo s3. Thanks in advance everyone!

[HiDefGator]

If you aren't going to buy the S3 then I would wait for the HR20 and stick with DTV. But you must keep an open mind. After spending four years with Tivo you are going to hate anything non-Tivo for weeks until you get used to it.

DTV is clearly working very hard to get the HR20 up to snuff with frequent software updates. Just keep in mind that the HR20 is hundreds of dollars less money than the S3 you really want.

[Gweeto]

I am also willing to bet that you will dislike the time warner dvr a lot more than the DTV HR20. I know I hate the comcast motorola dvr. If you decide to stay with DTV remember that any new HD content will be MPEG4 so you will one day need the HR20. Also keep in mind that no ones DVR is always perfect. If you don't believe me go to DBSTalk and look at the forums for the other providers. If they ever get the bugs worked out and activate OTA on the HR20 I personally think it is a good box. Hopefully that will happen within 6 months.

Ultimately go with your gut. Your "lame a** company" line sounds like you are leaning towards TimeWarner :) Also remember this is a TIVO forum and since DTV is dropping TIVO the advice given on this forum is usually TIVOCentric.

[20TIL6]

Here's a thought:

Drop by your local Circuit City or Best Buy and look to see if they have any of the former HD DTiVo's on display. The HR10-250. It will probably still have a $200 price tag. Then tell them you'd like to buy one of those. They'll come back to you and say that the model has been discontinued, and that the new model, HR20, is on backorder or something.

Then ask if you can buy the display unit.

Seriously, I was in my local Circuit City maybe a month ago and they had an HR10-250 on display for $199. I asked about buying one and they said it was discontinued and all their stock had been taken away. But the display was still there. I left thinking I could have bought the display. No matter what anyone says, the demand for the HR10-250 is high. Just go look at what Weaknees is selling new ones for. We're talking S3 money. I've watched the price steadily climb from around $400.

But I ultimately dropped DTV and bought a couple of S3 units. Yeah, it was expensive, but consider that I am not tied to DTV or cable. I can get uncompressed HD free with an OTA antenna. And, TiVo's are the only units with broadband capability (I don't think cable or sat DVRs have this, or at least it's not functioning). So I'm looking forward to eventually, it will happen, buying cable/sat content ala carte via download.

So I might hook up with cable right now just to get content I really want, and cannot get anywhere else. But those days are numbered.

[UnmadeBed]

Ya I am leaning towards ditching them once my ball and chain contract is up. They have consistently dropped the ball with me recently and I HATE knowing my money is going straight into Rupert Murdoch's pocket. And I realize this is a tivo message board but that's why I posted here. I LOVE Tivo and every other DVR I've used at other people's houses looks horrible and is hard to navigate. I would compare it to Apple vs Windows but that's a whole different debate. D* fails to realize that a big reason why many people signed up was the built in Tivo. I just can't believe that D* expects me to continue being a customer when they can't even give me the equipment I need.. and even if they can they want a large investment and commitment. When my friend who had TimeWarner needed to upgrade he called, they came and installed his HD DVR free and he only has to pay a nominal (like $10/m) more. Anyway, I'm still interested in what everyone here has to say about my situation...

[redram38]

I have the SA8300 from then Time Warner and now Comcast and I have Zero problems with it. No audio drops like I am having now with my HR10. Overall they are both pretty equal IMO. I use both because I record everything I watch and watch waaayyyyy to much lol. Si if you can get the 8300 then you would be ok, plus there is no upfront lease fee.

[jimest]

If you can get the SA8300HD with Passport software you will be happy, you will not be happy if you get the SA8300HD with Sara software.

I am in the Central Ohio area and TW is using Passport software here, I don't know what TW is using in other parts of the Country.

JIm

[UnmadeBed]

so I just wanted to post an update here... I wrangled and bitched and argued and got them to order me an HR20 for $99....... until I get the receipt in the mail for $299 and not including the 5LNB dish I was also promised. I called and talked to 3 different people, all of whom gave a different story. One guy offered me $100 off but I said I wanted the deal I was promised. Anyway, I got through to rentention who were really rude and in essence told me I could pay $299 for the HR20 or I could cancel :eek: :mad: :down: . She didn't care AT ALL that I am going to cancel despite the fact I subscribe to total choice premier and pay my bill on time every single month. I spoke with a guy from Dish Network and they have a good deal going and more HD channels. And if the DVR isn't Tivo who cares if it's an HR20 or whatever the Dish one is? I would try the CSR roulette but I am so sick of D*'s atrocious customer service and hearing something different from each rep I talk to. Lastly, I've basically ruled out cable cause it's a good $20++ a month over either and their service is lousy here too. :down: If any of you have any guidance or ideas to offer I'm all ears and really appreciate it. Thanks! :up: