Question on Disk Space...

[mogulbumm]

Have had the Comcast DVR service for quite a while and just switched to TIVO. Certainly not unhappy but nothing to write home about either. However, I do like some of the TIVO features a bit better.

Like other users, I've found it to be slower and a bit more cumbersome, plus I REALLY miss the 30-second skip (one of the most used features here...) and the ability to look at the guide and skip days with a single button.

One thing I cannot locate is remaining disk space. I think this is a necessity. I can see in the settings where is shows a 158Gb (160Gb) hard disk, but we need to know how much space is avail for recordings, especially if it is a 1st-run week and we are on vacation (we record everything in HD when available - might as well take advantage of that!)

Any ideas on where this is located and how to find out? I'm probably just missing it...

Also, anybody know where I can get a power cable for the motorola box? The comcast tech left my old DVR by mistake so I was going to move it to the attic to see if it still works (and have the best of both worlds)...

[ajwees41]

Have had the Comcast DVR service for quite a while and just switched to TIVO. Certainly not unhappy but nothing to write home about either. However, I do like some of the TIVO features a bit better.

Like other users, I've found it to be slower and a bit more cumbersome, plus I REALLY miss the 30-second skip (one of the most used features here...) and the ability to look at the guide and skip days with a single button.

One thing I cannot locate is remaining disk space. I think this is a necessity. I can see in the settings where is shows a 158Gb (160Gb) hard disk, but we need to know how much space is avail for recordings, especially if it is a 1st-run week and we are on vacation (we record everything in HD when available - might as well take advantage of that!)

Any ideas on where this is located and how to find out? I'm probably just missing it...

Also, anybody know where I can get a power cable for the motorola box? The comcast tech left my old DVR by mistake so I was going to move it to the attic to see if it still works (and have the best of both worlds)...

you should return it they probably already have it deauthorized from your account plust the fact they will charge another fee for the box and service.

[mtchamp]

Hi, us long time TiVo users are used to not having a FSI (Free Space Indicator). TiVo automatically manages disk space by deleteing the oldest programs first unless they are marked, Do Not Delete (Green Ball).

You could turn on suggestions and if they are shrinking, your available space for new shows is shrinking as well. You can also use the recently deleted folder to monitor this.

The easiest way to solve space problems are larger drives. You can upgrade TiVo HD's internally or add eSATA drives. I hope Comcast provides this option soon. You can also get more DVR's for more space and tuners.

I've had nothing but TiVo's until now. I got a Comcast TiVo to try it out and I think it works pretty darn good. Comcast will be releasing the first software upgrade by months end, so hang in there. We are the first market to get TiVo on Comcast and they are taking feedback very seriously, so give it to them good. Comcast and TiVo both want to see this deployment of TiVo software on generic DVR boxes succeed.

[emoney14]

I've had nothing but TiVo's until now. I got a Comcast TiVo to try it out and I think it works pretty darn good.

Amazing... I think I've figured it out, though. mtchamp and others that stick up for a poor Comcast TiVo product MUST be TiVo stockholders. There must be no other explanation, as the Comcast TiVo is very slow w/ numerous defects. I've asked them to remove this service until it imroves. They are aware of the issues and recognize them, unlike stockholders in this community. Comcast is trying and have been very courteous w/ me, but let's tell it like it is and not lead others down a path of disapointment.

Ed

[BlackBetty]

Amazing... I think I've figured it out, though. mtchamp and others that stick up for a poor Comcast TiVo product MUST be TiVo stockholders. There must be no other explanation, as the Comcast TiVo is very slow w/ numerous defects. I've asked them to remove this service until it imroves. They are aware of the issues and recognize them, unlike stockholders in this community. Comcast is trying and have been very courteous w/ me, but let's tell it like it is and not lead others down a path of disapointment.

Ed

mtchamp is telling like it is. Most folks are very happy with the comcast tivo so far. and there are software updates coming very soon to address some of the issues that folks are talking about.

[mogulbumm]

mtchamp is telling like it is. Most folks are very happy with the comcast tivo so far. and there are software updates coming very soon to address some of the issues that folks are talking about.

I don't care either way. I was really just looking for a way to tell how much space I have left. I was an early DVR adopter as well when they released that, so I am used to stuff just not working right. The price that we pay...

I know that I could simply replace the drive in the unit with a larger drive (I can do that just as easily with the Comcast box, but won't since I don't own it). I would also love the ability to add the external drive. But for now, I wouldn't do either without some measure of space remaining. I'll take the ideas in stride and thank you all for your suggestions!

[mattack]

Hi, us long time TiVo users are used to not having a FSI (Free Space Indicator).

I think a better way to say it is that us Tivo users who want a FSI are resigned (not "used") to never getting a FSI.

I have lifetime Tivos, but I would still pay cold hard cash (in a one time fee) for this specific feature. (There are others I'd pay for, but this is at or tied at #1.)

no need to go into the "you don't need it..." reasoning. Those of us who want it have valid reasons for wanting it.

The *other* advantages of Tivo far outweigh the limitations (at least on the standalones, I don't have personal experience with the comcast/tivo box)..

[VivaLasVegas]

The answer to the 30 second skip question is in this thread http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=383056
My Comcast DVR w/Tivo comes on Monday and this will be the first thing I do.

As far as disk space - I've never had a DVR with a free-space-indicator, so I guess I don't understand the importance. In my 5 yrs with 2 Tivos, I've always had them at or near 100% full. I'd just let Tivo delete the oldest non-flagged programs when space is needed and otherwise let it fill any free space with suggestions. Again, I've never used the Comcast DVR so I don't know how you're used to using it and managing space.

[mattack]

As far as disk space - I've never had a DVR with a free-space-indicator, so I guess I don't understand the importance. In my 5 yrs with 2 Tivos, I've always had them at or near 100% full. I'd just let Tivo delete delete the oldest non-flagged programs when space is needed and otherwise let it fill any free space with suggestions. Again, I've never used the Comcast DVR so I don't know how you're used to using it and managing space.

Then fine, you don't need a free space indicator. I use that CONSTANTLY on my non-Tivo recorder. I use the "workarounds" (suggestions + recently deleted folder on my S3 & TivoHD, suggestions only on my S1) since there's no FSI.

I personally NEVER want a show deleted to make room.. I would rather not record a new episode. Yet I usually 'risk' it because having lots of shows marked as keep until I delete ends up with lots of warning dialogs, since the Tivo *can't* know you're going to watch & delete something by the time a new future recording is going to happen... (Though I'm starting to go back on this and *am* marking much more as keep until I delete.. I haven't gone through and made all of my SPs KUID yet though.)

If I had a FSI, and I knew there were 3 hours free now, and 4 hours were going to record when I was gone, I would either manually delete an existing recording (e.g. something from PBS which is likely to repeat on one of my other PBS stations) or delete something from the To Do list (again, likely a PBS show, or something I can catch later or maybe don't care that much about).

You can bring up the "recordings are different sizes", etc., issues, which are valid.. But I use the same amount of info just fine on my XS32 -- it tells me I have 2:15 free at the current recording level, so I know I'll be fine until I get home..

BTW, note that I say this as a *huge* Tivo fan overall. I love the capabilities and software in general.. I just think there are valid reasons for a FSI, and the people who don't want a FSI just wouldn't use that capability.

[VivaLasVegas]

I just wish there was support for an external hard drive. My Comcast Tivo was installed today. I'll see how it works out, but I think space is going to be a real issue. With that said, I could probably find use for FSI pretty quickly...