TiVo for Non-Cable Subscribers

[simonkodousek]

Hi,

Well, my cable bill was once again raised and now I am paying over $77 per month for the basic digital cable package, one digital cable box, and the standard DVR package. This is outrageous. So, my immediate thoughts were to dump the cable company (Time Warner), get two TiVo Series 2, and Blockbuster Total Access. Anyways, since I wouldn't have cable or satellite, I'd have to go with antenna. Does the TiVo Series 2 DT support antenna?

Thanks,
Simon :)

[Shawn95GT]

The DT does not do antenna - the single tuner S2s do, but analog only.

Right now only the Series 3 (also dual tuner) does off-air digital and analog.

[atmuscarella]

You can get the Series 2 single tuners from this sites store for $40 after rebate, but in less than 2 years there won't be any analog signal to record so I would recommend you really think about a Series 3 ($399 after rebate from this sites store).

Good Luck,

[cwoody222]

You could also get "lifeline" cable... usually just local channels and a few others (2-13 or so) for < $15 in most markets.

[GoHokies!]

You can get the Series 2 single tuners from this sites store for $40 after rebate, but in less than 2 years there won't be any analog signal to record so I would recommend you really think about a Series 3 ($399 after rebate from this sites store).

Good Luck,Hopefully, as cheap digital OTA tuners become more prevalent in the next 2 years, Tivo will add the codes in to be able to control them and keep the older Tivos working.

[simonkodousek]

You could also get "lifeline" cable... usually just local channels and a few others (2-13 or so) for < $15 in most markets.

That is what I am thinking. The service is $17 where we live, and it includes 25 channels, but even with two TiVo's, Blockbuster Total Access, and the "lifeline" cable, the price is still $20 under my current cable bill! :)

[Shawn95GT]

Hopefully, as cheap digital OTA tuners become more prevalent in the next 2 years, Tivo will add the codes in to be able to control them and keep the older Tivos working.
Or release their own Tivo branded ATSC tuner.

The only problem is that the S3 is now already below the $400 after rebate price. It'll be hard to justify anything much over $100 for an ATSC add-on.

[bpurcell]

That is what I am thinking. The service is $17 where we live, and it includes 25 channels, but even with two TiVo's, Blockbuster Total Access, and the "lifeline" cable, the price is still $20 under my current cable bill! :)

If you get the basic cable service, you shouldn't really need two Tivos. One S2 DT will normally record more than enough shows, and it's pretty rare that I have three shows at the same time that I want to watch. The only reason I could see you wanting two Tivos is if you have more than one TV and want to do MRV.

[simonkodousek]

If you get the basic cable service, you shouldn't really need two Tivos. One S2 DT will normally record more than enough shows, and it's pretty rare that I have three shows at the same time that I want to watch. The only reason I could see you wanting two Tivos is if you have more than one TV and want to do MRV.

The reason I'd like two TiVo's is so both TV's can have an on-screen guide and DVR. :)

[hdhdliving]

You can get the Series 2 single tuners from this sites store for $40 after rebate, but in less than 2 years there won't be any analog signal to record so I would recommend you really think about a Series 3 ($399 after rebate from this sites store).

Good Luck,


Not necessarily. Analog will still be available on cable. Cable does is not affected by the law to switch to digital.

[gastrof]

...Analog will still be available on cable. Cable does is not affected by the law to switch to digital.

Who sold you that bill of goods?

In many places Time Warner cable has discontinued analog service, except for a few "nothing" channels like community access.

If TW has gotten away with it and their customers haven't made them go back, what makes you think it won't happen elsewhere?

Other companies could easilly follow their example.

[wolflord11]

Not necessarily. Analog will still be available on cable. Cable does is not affected by the law to switch to digital.

Within a few Years all Cable companies will switch to digital. Why would you stay with analog, when you can have digital. Get out of the dark ages!

[atmuscarella]

Originally Posted by hdhdliving
Not necessarily. Analog will still be available on cable. Cable does is not affected by the law to switch to digital.I was responding to the original poster (OP) who wanted to record OTA only. But I agree with what others have said - how long someone has analog cable available is an unknown and in many place will be gone before OTA analog. Plus the OP already has a 56" HD TV so the Series 3 seemed to make more sense all around.

Thanks,

[simonkodousek]

I understand that the S2 (non-DT) can support OTA. If I get this model, can I record a show while watching Live TV, or can I only do one or the other? :confused:

[Shawn95GT]

Yes you can record watching live, but you'll be watching what you are recording. If you want to watch something else live you'll need to split the antenna signal and use your TV's tuner.

It's kind of hard to explain, but with Tivo you'll find yourself very annoyed with Live TV. I didn't have this feeling with my cableco DVR.

[atmuscarella]

simonkodousek;

If you are going to be using your TiVo on the 56" DLP TV you have listed I would strongly recommend you consider going with a Series 3 TiVo, you will get dual digital tuners and be able to watch/record HD OTA. I think you would find the $399 well worth it. The old analog Series 2 TiVos really doesn't fit well into a system like the one you have listed.

Good Luck,

[GoHokies!]

Who sold you that bill of goods?

In many places Time Warner cable has discontinued analog service, except for a few "nothing" channels like community access.

If TW has gotten away with it and their customers haven't made them go back, what makes you think it won't happen elsewhere?

Other companies could easilly follow their example.
hdhdliving is technically correct, the law that is forcing the OTA changeover does not apply to cable companies.

That being said, you're right too and cable companies are doing it of their own accord in order to conserve bandwidth.

[HiDefGator]

If you get the basic cable service, you shouldn't really need two Tivos. One S2 DT will normally record more than enough shows, and it's pretty rare that I have three shows at the same time that I want to watch. The only reason I could see you wanting two Tivos is if you have more than one TV and want to do MRV.

Sort of depends on how many people are living in the house doesn't it? I routinely find myself recording more than two things at the same time.

[classicsat]

The reason I'd like two TiVo's is so both TV's can have an on-screen guide and DVR. :)
Will two people separately be watching, or will only one TV be used at a time? If the latter you can use one DVR with a video/remote extender.

I understand that the S2 (non-DT) can support OTA. If I get this model, can I record a show while watching Live TV, or can I only do one or the other?

If you buy it retail (old stock) or second hand. I heard TiVo is now sending out 542 models, which are 540s with OTA tuning disabled.
You can record one channel, and watch another direct (no TiVo buffer) with your TV tuner.

I am perfectly okay watching a second channel direct with no buffer, since I watch that less that 10% of the time.

If it were me, I'd go for one Series 3, and likely an older Series 2 for the other set.

[jskipMan]

I have an S3 (Lifetime subscription) hooked to an outdoor antenna. I had to place a powered signal amplifier on the line due to my distance from the stations. I think my picture is MUCH better than the HD delivered from bright house (i previously owned and PAID for brighthouse HD service/box). I get all the major channels and if your not familiar with digital broadcasts, most stations are sending out multiple channels (24 hr weather/news ect.). I love my set-up, (42 inch Samsung 1080p) great TV at no monthly cost and on my time. FYI my xbox 360 looks great on it too!

FYI this is a great sight for seeing how close/far you are from digital signals -

antennaweb(dot)org

~cheers

[jskipMan]

Forgot to mention that I have been using the amazon unbox rentals (buy online and it downloads to the tivo) I much perfer that over block buster rentals.

[visionary]

jskipman, right on. I also am OTA only with an S3 and love it. Very sensitive tuner, better than any TV. If you have not tried it, do so. Even if you have cable, get your network shows OTA, then not only better quality, but if you have cable go out, or cablecards act up, you still have all your network stuff recording. Very good idea in stormy areas especially. Cable here (Cox) was out a week after the last hurricane, that is when I went to OTA and also used my old S1 for Dish network, and S3 for all network shows. Am very happy.

[MutantsForNukes]

Visionary, when you say the S3 tuner is more sensitive, would that mean that the signal will cut out less? I'm using an OTA antenna going right into my Samsung 720p DLP tv, and most of the time it's ok, but sometimes it starts to cut out, and I have to get up and adjust the antenna.

I'm hesitant to get an S3, cuz if it started doing that while recording, I'd be bummed. But if the S3 has a higher quality tuner, then maybe it wouldn't do this?

[mearlus]

Hi,

Well, my cable bill was once again raised and now I am paying over $77 per month for the basic digital cable package, one digital cable box, and the standard DVR package. This is outrageous. So, my immediate thoughts were to dump the cable company (Time Warner), get two TiVo Series 2, and Blockbuster Total Access. Anyways, since I wouldn't have cable or satellite, I'd have to go with antenna. Does the TiVo Series 2 DT support antenna?

Thanks,
Simon :)


Kind of a side question/comment. Have you called them and asked them to lower your monthly rate? Or asked for a promotional package discount?

I'm in Madison w/ Charter cable. We just have Extended Basic + 3Mbps internet. Over a year ago the monthly bill was 98$ or so. I was looking into DSL at the time so I called up and asked them if they could compete with ATT's rates. They lowered my bill to 77$ for 6 months. The rep even said "Call back in 6 months and request your rate to be lowered again".

So a few months ago our bill went up to 104$ or so since the 6 months had lapsed. I called back and told the rep that "I was told 6 months ago to call back and request a promotional discount again on my account to lower my monthly rate." I was on the phone for 15-20 minutes and he came back with my bill being lowered to 66$/month. No change in content, just lowered pricing.

It wasn't even that big of a hassle, which is pretty amazing. It's a game that's being played with the cable company but in the end they need -you-. You do not need them. They are relying on people not calling and canceling their account when their rates go up. Speaking of which you could call them and tell them you're going to cancel your account because your rates are too high. They'll probably counter you with a discount.

Granted my cable company is Charter and not Time Warner so this may not work with them but it would be worth a shot IMO if you like your content. Your mile may very of course. I think I got really 'lucky' for this current discount period but that is an extra 200$+ I'm saving for the next 6 months until I get to talk to the reps again.

mearlus

[visionary]

Mutant, yes, it means it will cut out less. You will always have some cut-outs. Aircraft flying near horizon reflect the signal, instead of seeing a ghost or static for a few seconds, with digital it cuts out. This is just like what happens with digital cell phones now too.

It is never totally avoidable, and you may have to adjust antenna as leaves grow and fall on trees, and also tha TV stations themselves often cheat on HDTV and run lower output power since there are fewer OTA listeners. That will go away as the cutover deadline nears.

But good news, a cutout that is RECORDED is different from one live, it will just skip to the next scene without say 5 seconds of black you'd see live. This is also why you may see zero length recordings on dead channels (cable or OTA) if the signal was absent.