tivo series 2 + hdtv

[lordxenu79]

Ok, so I have a standard series 2 tivo box and a 42 inch Insignia plasma 720p hdtv. My question is this. Is there any possible way to improve the image of recorded shows in standard definition. I'm well aware there's hd tivo now. I'm not spending 700 dollars plus for it. I'm also aware that it's impossible to record any of my hd channels(local only) in hd on my tivo. I'm just wondering if there's any possible configuration I could muster that could make it look at least decent. Last night I was watching my recording of Damages and it was almost unwatchable the image was so bad. Anyone else have this particular setup and know a decent way to improve the quality that won't set me back $100.00 plus?

[chrisirmo]

The best you can do is hook the TV up with an S-Video cable and set all your recordings to "Best" quality. It'll still look like crap.

Spring for the TiVo HD at ~$259 from Amazon and you'll be a lot happier.

[dylanemcgregor]

Spring for the TiVo HD at ~$259 from Amazon and you'll be a lot happier.

Will that make SD shows look any better?

I'm thinking of getting a HDTV soon (and hopefully an HD Tivo), but I have no intention of watching shows in HD.

[wdwms]

Will that make SD shows look any better?

I'm thinking of getting a HDTV soon (and hopefully an HD Tivo), but I have no intention of watching shows in HD.

Yes it will. We have a Tivo HD and a Tivo S3 after having an S1 for 6.5 years... the S1/S2 are analog tuners. The TivoHD and TivoS3 with cable cards are digital and will out-perform the S2/S3. The difference over the S1 is quite apparent both on SD and HD TVs. HOWEVER; if you use a TivoHD/S3 w/out cable cards you will see little to no improvement; as you'd still be using analog signal; except for a few digital channels that your provider may provide or if you hook up an antenna as well.

Why would you invest in a HDTV with no intentions of watching shows in HD? Makes no sense to me. If it is for the "coolness" factor of a flat screen, save you $$ in a high yield savings and get something better when you are ready. And enjoy SD on your SD set...

If you want a clearer SD picture, then get a TivoHD/S3 and hook it up withe cable cards to your SD tv.

If you want a clearer SD picture & HDTV, then get a TivoHD/S3 and hook it up withe cable cards to a new HDTV.

-t

[chrisirmo]

Will that make SD shows look any better?

I'm thinking of getting a HDTV soon (and hopefully an HD Tivo), but I have no intention of watching shows in HD.
No offense, but why on earth would you buy an HDTV if you no intention of watching HD shows?

Since the TiVo HD can record from several different sources, the answer varies. If you record the digital channels (either antenna or cable with a cable card), you'll see them exactly as they are broadcast with no additional compression by the TiVo. Recording analog channels (either antenna or cable) will be compressed much as they are now. IIRC, the bitrate is slightly higher.

You should see some improvement by being able to use either component of HDMI for your connections, as well.

[lordxenu79]

Yes it will. We have a Tivo HD and a Tivo S3 after having an S1 for 6.5 years... the S1/S2 are analog tuners. The TivoHD and TivoS3 with cable cards are digital and will out-perform the S2/S3. The difference over the S1 is quite apparent both on SD and HD TVs. HOWEVER; if you use a TivoHD/S3 w/out cable cards you will see little to no improvement; as you'd still be using analog signal; except for a few digital channels that your provider may provide or if you hook up an antenna as well.

Why would you invest in a HDTV with no intentions of watching shows in HD? Makes no sense to me. If it is for the "coolness" factor of a flat screen, save you $$ in a high yield savings and get something better when you are ready. And enjoy SD on your SD set...

If you want a clearer SD picture, then get a TivoHD/S3 and hook it up withe cable cards to your SD tv.

If you want a clearer SD picture & HDTV, then get a TivoHD/S3 and hook it up withe cable cards to a new HDTV.

-t


I certainly will look into this in the near future. Just looking for temporary solutions. Question...what exactly do you mean by cable card?

[Stu_Bee]

No offense, but why on earth would you buy an HDTV if you no intention of watching HD shows?

I can't speak for the poster, but..I have an HDTV with a S2 currently. The benefits still include:
- Watching widescreen DVD's
- Xbox 360 (and other HD devices)
- Watching HD/widescreen programs on Tivo...albeit downconverted to SD (cablebox -> Tivo)

I personally am awaiting the Comcast-Tivo DVR to compare benefits.
I would have already upgraded to the S3 (transferring my s2 lifetime) if the S3 allowed PC -> Tivo transfers.

[lordxenu79]

I can't speak for the poster, but..I have an HDTV with a S2 currently. The benefits still include:
- Watching widescreen DVD's
- Xbox 360 (and other HD devices)
- Watching HD/widescreen programs on Tivo...albeit downconverted to SD (cablebox -> Tivo)

I personally am awaiting the Comcast-Tivo DVR to compare benefits.
I would have already upgraded to the S3 (transferring my s2 lifetime) if the S3 allowed PC -> Tivo transfers.


Yeah, true enough. In fact with my cable provider(time warner) the only cable channels offered in HD are ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Discovery, CMT and Speed. While I do enjoy ESPN, I don't have much interest in the other channels right now. It almost seems pointless. The only downside is that I'm still suffering from poor SD channel output at this point, especially in the tivo-recorded viewings.

[Stu_Bee]

The only downside is that I'm still suffering from poor SD channel output at this point, especially in the tivo-recorded viewings.

Not all digital hd cable box's support it, but my comcast box let's me Tivo the HD channels, because it downconverts the HD signal to SD thru the svideo. The quality of the Tivo'd HD channels is much better than the SD, so that helps with most of the primetime network shows.

[lordxenu79]

Not all digital hd cable box's support it, but my comcast box let's me Tivo the HD channels, because it downconverts the HD signal to SD thru the svideo. The quality of the Tivo'd HD channels is much better than the SD, so that helps with most of the primetime network shows.

I'll keep that in mind. I went ahead and replaced the component cables with s-video for a short-term fix and I must say I can tell a clear difference. This setup will work until I upgrade.