S2 DT vs Tivo HD

[jasbur]

I'm looking to buy someone a Tivo for Christmas.
They have a 4:3 TV and have basic cable (no cable box)
I'm thinking of getting them the Tivo HD to help "future-proof" the purchase.
Is this functionally the same as the Series 2 DT when used with analog cable?
Are there any benefits with going with the S2 instead?
Thanks for the help!

[rainwater]

It might be cheaper to use the free S2 DT for a year prepay deal and then switch to the TiVo HD later. Analog cable will actually look better on the TiVo HD when using the same recording quality so that is a bonus. Also, they can hook up an antenna and record the digital versions of the local stations if they live close enough which will have great quality over analog. As for features, it will basically work the same since the software is mostly the same now. The main hardware difference is the TiVo HD doesn't have RF out so you will need to use a splitter if you want basic cable into the TV as well.

[TexasGrillChef]

I would go with a TiVo HD myself.

Here are the following reasons:

1. If they ever buy a new TV because they want a new TV or because their old TV gets fried, thier new TV will more than likely be an HDTV, Thus having the TiVo HD would be better.

2. If they use OTA, Analog OTA will go away on February 17th, 2009. Thus on that date & after the S2 will NO LONGER receive any OTA. (without using a converter box)

3. Analog Cable does look better on a TiVo HD, even on an older 4:3 TV.

4. Soon after the OTA cutoff in 2009 many cable companies will start DROPPING Analog cable service. Most notably rumor has it, Dallas & Chicago & a few other cities will drop Analog Cable in 2010 to make room for the ever growing HD channels. Thus when Analog cable is dropped, the S2 will be a doorstop.

5. Even without a HDTV, with the TiVo HD they can STILL watch the better quality HD channels. Although they will have to live with watching those channels in "leterbox" mode.

The ONLY drawbacks or negatives I can think of for getting a TiVo HD instead of S2 are:

1. Higher cost for TiVo HD

2. If they live in area without good OTA, or in an area of cable that is using SDV. Even though an SDV dongle will be available soon. Until it is, if they are in an SDV area it could present problems until such dongle is available.

TGC

[lafos]

Remember when it was easy? Gee, should I buy a TiVo?

Now, you have to know what's in your area, what the cable company plans to do over the next year or so (analog/digital/sdv), etc. Of course, if you move, you can still get it wrong.

[PSXBatou]

Here is something interesting to me between the two. I recorded the replay of the De La Hoya fight last night on HBO2P on both of my TiVos. My S2 recorded it in its normal "best" setting and I could use TiVoToGo to transfer it to my Mac/Burn to DVD, however my TiVo HD wouldn't let me, it had the red circle next to the recording in the TiVo Transfer application. I guess the cable cards tell the TiVo not to allow it, but that same code isnt transfered to my S2 via the box its connected to.

Sorry if its a bit OT, but thats the big difference I notice between my S2 and my THD.

[zand94]

@ jasbur

I'm doing this now and honestly I would say go for the TivoHD. I just hooked mine up to replace one of my S2DTs (keeping it as backup if needed with cc issues) and I'm already enjoying it (watching the Grinch from an HD ABC channel via clear QAM). I'm not using HTDV at the moment so it's connected to my 27" Sony SD TV.

I did ask in this forum a few weeks ago about any specific settings that I should know about other than setting it to 4:3. there were not many replies and Ill go update that post soon as I find it, but if you do hook it up to a 4:3 TV, you'll need to make sure you set up the following items for proper viewing:

Settings->Video->Aspect Correction Mode->Panel
Settings->Video->Letterbox Color->Black (everyone's used to seeing black so this makes the most sense)
Settings->Video->TV Aspect Ratio->4:3 Classic Screen
Settings->Video->Video Output Format->480i Fixed
Settings->Video Smoothing->On (off by default - some people need it and some dont)

I'm connecting my TivoHD to my TV via S-video (you can do it via composite as well)
I'm connecting the audio to my receiver via the optical port. More than likely you would be using composite to connect to the TV if there is not a receiver.

Anyway - just figured i'd help you out a bit here as even with basic cable, you should get the local HD channels via clear QAM. You have to set manual recordings on them (no guide data) and the picture looks like i'm watching a DVD along with the 5.1 audio, but it would be worth it for some shows.

I'm definatley looking forward to watching Jericho and Lost in my now "HD-lite" setup