directv tivo vs dt?

[cooper243]

I might be moving and would think about getting Directv instead of cable. I currently have a dual-tuner, but if I am correct, I could only get one tuner working because of directtv. Should I keep that or find a used directv tivo? What is the benefit of having an actual directtv tivo?

Thank you!

[tivoman]

Pros:
▪ Can record 2 channels at once.
▪ Don't have to worry about what record quality you select, since it records the digital signal directly.
▪ One fee for all your D*TiVos - $5.99 (1 to 8 units), SA $12.99/$6.95 per unit.
▪ All in one unit, don't have to deal with serial or rf thingy :)

Cons:
▪ NO HME service (connecting it to your computer)
88 - Can't play your music or pictures from your cpu.
88 - Can't connect it to your network.
88 - Can't program it from some other location.
88 - Can't transfer shows from one TiVo to another unit.
▪ Have to connect to a phone line (can have it not dial at all)

This off the top of my head, so if anyone else can think of some other pros and cons, please post.

▪ Some of the HME can be done with the right TiVo and a little hacking to it, but I haven't done it. Search is are friend here. :D

[ForrestB]

If you purchase a series 2 DirecTivo (USB port on the back) and swapping IDE hard drives in a PC doesn't scare you, then you can hack your Tivo to enable all of those cons Zipper (http://www.mastersav.com/tivo_zipper.html)

[wolflord11]

Pros:
▪ Can record 2 channels at once.
▪ Don't have to worry about what record quality you select, since it records the digital signal directly.
▪ One fee for all your D*TiVos - $5.99 (1 to 8 units), SA $12.99/$6.95 per unit.
▪ All in one unit, don't have to deal with serial or rf thingy :)

Cons:
▪ NO HME service (connecting it to your computer)
88 - Can't play your music or pictures from your cpu.
88 - Can't connect it to your network.
88 - Can't program it from some other location.
88 - Can't transfer shows from one TiVo to another unit.
▪ Have to connect to a phone line (can have it not dial at all)

This off the top of my head, so if anyone else can think of some other pros and cons, please post.

▪ Some of the HME can be done with the right TiVo and a little hacking to it, but I haven't done it. Search is are friend here. :D

With a little work you can connect a Directv/Tivo unit to your home Network. So that pretty much takes out all the Cons.

Also, you do not need to connect it to a Phoneline at all. The SA Tivo unit must be connected.

The OP says they have a Dual Tuner but could only get One Tuner to work because of Directv. But then says they are switching from Cable.

Do you mean you have a DT (Dual Tuner) Tivo unit? If this is the case the Dual Tuner does not work because of Directv. All Tivo DT units only act as a ST with Sat. You need a Directv or Directv/Tivo unit to have Dual Tuner. :D

[classicsat]

I currently have a dual-tuner, but if I am correct, I could only get one tuner working because of directtv.
It is because satellite is all digital and "diffrernt" from vable anyway, so requires a box (Which a standalone TiVo can control one of), not becasue the provider is specifically DirecTV.

[HiDefGator]

If you get the HR20 you get dual tuners, you can connect it to your network and play pictures\music from your computer with it.

[nhaigh]

If you move to the DirecTiVo you will also loose all the broadband features such as TiVoCast, Unboxed, 365 Live, Yahoo, Online Scheduling etc etc.

[wolflord11]

If you get the HR20 you get dual tuners, you can connect it to your network and play pictures\music from your computer with it.

But you will also need to give up the Tivo interface. The HR20 is an in house HD DVR. Goodbye Tivo.

[wolflord11]

If you move to the DirecTiVo you will also loose all the broadband features such as TiVoCast, Unboxed, 365 Live, Yahoo, Online Scheduling etc etc.

But you will gain the Power of a Directv/Tivo unit. The best that Directv and Tivo have ever had.

And full Digital recording, not analog as with the Tivo Stand Alone unit.

And price needs to be taken into consdieration to:

Tivo: Best Price: $12.95 a Month for Service (3 year Term)
Directv: $5.99 a Month DVR Fee (All DVR's on account) Free First Unit on account, $4.99 a Month for every unit after that.

Best Price for Directv: $5.99 a Month.

Basically you would be paying half of what the Tivo would cost each Month.

[cooper243]

Thank you all for the help. I current have a dt s2 with cable, if I switch to DirectTV, then I would think about the directivo option. I really do like the broadband features so this is a tough decision.

[nhaigh]

But you will gain the Power of a Directv/Tivo unit. The best that Directv and Tivo have ever had.

And full Digital recording, not analog as with the Tivo Stand Alone unit.

And price needs to be taken into consdieration to:

Tivo: Best Price: $12.95 a Month for Service (3 year Term)
Directv: $5.99 a Month DVR Fee (All DVR's on account) Free First Unit on account, $4.99 a Month for every unit after that.

Best Price for Directv: $5.99 a Month.

Basically you would be paying half of what the Tivo would cost each Month.

I understand those points of view, but can also say I used to be a DTV customer and those arguments were not enough for me.

[Bonanzaair]

I understand those points of view, but can also say I used to be a DTV customer and those arguments were not enough for me.


Same here. I just download my second Unbox movie this week... Everyone talks of the lower cost of DirecTV DVR+ or older DTivos. Come on - we are talking about less than $100 a year (A YEAR). Unbox, Kids Zone, TivoCAST, current Tivo software upgrades are worth more than the additional expense. Series 2 boxes can be had on Ebay for $50 one time ownership cost and less than $100 a year (A YEAR) additional expense over cable/sat DVRs. Wake up America!


Bonanza

[bidger]

I used a S2 standalone single tuner TiVo and I found the bulk of the features offered rated a BFD in comparison to what I got from my D-TiVos.

[wolflord11]

Also take into consideration other things. In our Area we have Directv or Cable. Now Cable costs an additional $20 a Month for the Program Package over what we pay now. AND: Each of their own DVR's is $10 a Month. So an additional $40 over what we pay now.

So I could pay an additional $60 a Month for a similar Setup with Cable, but give up my Directv/Tivo's. Not an option.

Or, switch to Standard Cable Receivers, and use Tivo's. Still it would be alot more costly.

[nhaigh]

Also take into consideration other things. In our Area we have Directv or Cable. Now Cable costs an additional $20 a Month for the Program Package over what we pay now. AND: Each of their own DVR's is $10 a Month. So an additional $40 over what we pay now.

So I could pay an additional $60 a Month for a similar Setup with Cable, but give up my Directv/Tivo's. Not an option.

Or, switch to Standard Cable Receivers, and use Tivo's. Still it would be alot more costly.

Well my bill went down when I switched to cable and the number premium and HD channels went up. I know it was a promotion but when it ended a short while ago I just switched to another promotion thus keeping the cost below that of DTV.

[Stanley Rohner]

The HR20 non-TiVo HDTV DIRECTV DVR is your best option.

It's not a TiVo, but that's no big deal.

It will record Over-The-Air HD, DIRECTV HD, and of course all the other channels DIRECTV offers. It works with the MPEG4 fomat which DIRECTV is using for HD locals and any future HD channels.