Considering Tivo

[tsheley]

Hello,

This is my first post and I have done a lot of looking on this forum but I still have some concerns about getting service. I am considering a Dual Tuner Series 2 box.

First off here is my setup. I have a Philips 32" LCD TV with a Motorola DCT700 Digital Cable Box. I am not concerned with HDTV as I just get my locals in HD. My plan is to hook the DCT700 to the Tivo and then hook a cable to the second tuner for the Analog channels.

My big concern is picture quality. I know that since I am not using an HD Source it won't be the greatest but the picture from the DCT700 isn't that bad. Will I get pretty much the same quality if I hook the DCT700 to the Tivo?

Thanks!

[RoyK]

Picture quality is a subjective thing. My unit looks fine on my 42" Sony Grand Vega. Others find that the compression involved in TiVo's recording/playback results in a less than satisfactory image. The only way to know if you'll be happy with it is to try it. You will have a grace period before you need to subscribe so give it a shot and see if you think its satisfactory to you. You probably will. If not take it back.

[richsadams]

Picture quality is a subjective thing. My unit looks fine on my 42" Sony Grand Vega. Others find that the compression involved in TiVo's recording/playback results in a less than satisfactory image. The only way to know if you'll be happy with it is to try it. You will have a grace period before you need to subscribe so give it a shot and see if you think its satisfactory to you. You probably will. If not take it back.Roy's right on. We have a 21" LCD in our workout room hooked up to an S2 and the picture is quite good, more than acceptable. We'll probably replace it with a TiVo HD one of these days (and if you can afford it, it might be a good future hedge instead), but for now our S2 delivers very good picture quality.

There's a 30 day return window (for any reason). Give it a try, I'll bet you decide to keep it. ;)

[fredct]

Hello,

This is my first post and I have done a lot of looking on this forum but I still have some concerns about getting service. I am considering a Dual Tuner Series 2 box.

First off here is my setup. I have a Philips 32" LCD TV with a Motorola DCT700 Digital Cable Box. I am not concerned with HDTV as I just get my locals in HD. My plan is to hook the DCT700 to the Tivo and then hook a cable to the second tuner for the Analog channels.

My big concern is picture quality. I know that since I am not using an HD Source it won't be the greatest but the picture from the DCT700 isn't that bad. Will I get pretty much the same quality if I hook the DCT700 to the Tivo?

Thanks!

I would be surprised if the video quality was any worse than from the cable box itself. The S2DT has S-video out on the back which is pretty decent quality. Of course it depends which quality you're recording at too, but that's entirely your choice. And live tv is always 'best'. I've never seen a TiVo degrade quality, and agree with the others, give it a try.

[classicsat]

For that set, even if you don't intend to get HD cable, get the TiVoHD, since you receive OTA digital/HD anyways, plus you will be able to get HD cable, if you want to.

[RoyK]

For that set, even if you don't intend to get HD cable, get the TiVoHD, since you receive OTA digital/HD anyways, plus you will be able to get HD cable, if you want to.

But you wouldn't be able to control a set-top box (cable or satellite) if that is an issue for you.

[tsheley]

Thanks for all of the information. I have decided to go with my Cable Companies DVR instead of the Tivo. I did this because the DVR is only $14.99 a month, records HD channels, and I don't have to buy any equipment. Also I already have a TV Tuner on my Mac so if I want to record something for my iPod I can just use that.

Thanks again.