Series 3 and Comcast configuration

[ccoulson]

Sorry in advance if this has been covered elsewhere, but I am just making the jump to HD and I suspect a Tivo Series 3 is in my very near (next week) future and I have some questions.

I understand that MRV is not yet available for the S3, but that pieces of it are starting to become visible. I have 2 Series2's and I would love for my units to share info. So, here are my questions:

- Is it true that MRV will NOT (never?) be available on an S3 using (Comcast) CableCards? Does this also limit transferring content TO the S3, or only HD content FROM an S3?
- Do we expect the Comcast DVR with Tivo software to participate in MRV and TTG?
- Is there any benefit/point in using BOTH a Cable STB AND CableCards?
- Once MRV is available for a Series3, will it down-convert content to a Series2?
- Once MRV is available for a Series3, will is up-convert content from a Series2?
- What are the implications of transferring HD content to TTG?

From a setup perspective, I expect to have the following HDMI sources: Cable STB (if I don't use CableCards), S3, Blu-Ray DVD player, AppleTV, and a PS3. What is the optimal setup? Do you connect your HD devices to the HDMI inputs on the CableBox (if you have one - I understand the Comcast boxes have 2 HDMI in?), an A/V tuner (most seem to only have 3), or directly to the TV (I purchased one with 3 HDMI in).

Thanks.

[lessd]

Sorry in advance if this has been covered elsewhere, but I am just making the jump to HD and I suspect a Tivo Series 3 is in my very near (next week) future and I have some questions.

I understand that MRV is not yet available for the S3, but that pieces of it are starting to become visible. I have 2 Series2's and I would love for my units to share info. So, here are my questions:

- Is it true that MRV will NOT (never?) be available on an S3 using (Comcast) CableCards? Does this also limit transferring content TO the S3, or only HD content FROM an S3?
- Do we expect the Comcast DVR with Tivo software to participate in MRV and TTG?
- Is there any benefit/point in using BOTH a Cable STB AND CableCards?
- Once MRV is available for a Series3, will it down-convert content to a Series2?
- Once MRV is available for a Series3, will is up-convert content from a Series2?
- What are the implications of transferring HD content to TTG?

From a setup perspective, I expect to have the following HDMI sources: Cable STB (if I don't use CableCards), S3, Blu-Ray DVD player, AppleTV, and a PS3. What is the optimal setup? Do you connect your HD devices to the HDMI inputs on the CableBox (if you have one - I understand the Comcast boxes have 2 HDMI in?), an A/V tuner (most seem to only have 3), or directly to the TV (I purchased one with 3 HDMI in).

Thanks.

Nobody on this form could answer your MRV questions or give you anything that is not now known, you may get speculation but not facts that you can make an informed decision on. I have two Series 3 with Lifetime because I am hoping to get MRV and replace some series 2 TiVos, if I don't I don't and I can't do anything about it.

[bifsiff94]

- Is it true that MRV will NOT (never?) be available on an S3 using (Comcast) CableCards? Does this also limit transferring content TO the S3, or only HD content FROM an S3?


Tivo has said that they are working on this, so NEVER is too strong. But only Tivo when this might be available.


- Do we expect the Comcast DVR with Tivo software to participate in MRV and TTG?


I believe that Tivo has said the comcast DVR will not have the MRV and TTG features.


- Is there any benefit/point in using BOTH a Cable STB AND CableCards?


Yes, if you like using on demand or pay per view, then you will still need a set top box. (Actually, you can call your pay per view in to comcast and get it on the S3, but you can't buy it using your remote.)

If you use the STB with the S3, you don't have the S3 control the STB like you do with an S2. You would want to split the cable and feed one into each box, then output each box separately to your TV. There is no IR blaster or cable box controller on the S3 as it is meant to be a STB replacement. The one thing it can't do is send information back to Comcast, which is why on-demand and PPV aren't possible using version 1.0 cablecards.




- Once MRV is available for a Series3, will is up-convert content from a Series2?


Once you've recorded content at a certain quality, it is what it is. That said, the S3 could potentially upconvert 480i content to 480p. I don't know if it does.




From a setup perspective, I expect to have the following HDMI sources: Cable STB (if I don't use CableCards), S3, Blu-Ray DVD player, AppleTV, and a PS3. What is the optimal setup? Do you connect your HD devices to the HDMI inputs on the CableBox (if you have one - I understand the Comcast boxes have 2 HDMI in?), an A/V tuner (most seem to only have 3), or directly to the TV (I purchased one with 3 HDMI in).

That's a lot of HDMI devices, so you may find that you have to use component inputs. There really isn't much difference in quality, although there are many who feel passionate that HDMI is better. I've never used the HDMI inputs on my comcast box, but I don't think they will allow you to send content from another box, through your comcast box to your TV. I could be wrong, but I don't think those inputs are going to help you.

[Poochie]

From a setup perspective, I expect to have the following HDMI sources: Cable STB (if I don't use CableCards), S3, Blu-Ray DVD player, AppleTV, and a PS3. What is the optimal setup? Do you connect your HD devices to the HDMI inputs on the CableBox (if you have one - I understand the Comcast boxes have 2 HDMI in?), an A/V tuner (most seem to only have 3), or directly to the TV (I purchased one with 3 HDMI in).

Thanks.

You might want to consider an HDMI switcher. I personally use the Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch for my S3 and my PS3, and send the output to the one HDMI input on my projector. It has an IR remote with discrete buttons for each input, and its remote codes are in the Harmony database, so it works well with my setup. It ran a little less than $100 if I recall correctly.

[GoHokies!]

Once you've recorded content at a certain quality, it is what it is. That said, the S3 could potentially upconvert 480i content to 480p. I don't know if it does.It depends on the settings on your Tivo - if you set it to one of the fixed modes, everything gets upconverted.

As far as optimal setup, I would forget the cable STB (no reason for it, unless you REALLY need On Demand in addition to all the shows that you record) and just use component for the S3.