Why do I need CableCard?

[Andy D]

I’m new to Tivo.

The good news…

So far I really like it. I replaced an aging Panasonic DVR, and the TiVo is so much easier to use and I really like TiVotogo! I got a TiVo HD, and really like the ability to record two channels at once.

The bad news… I called Charter Communications last week to schedule an appointment for yesterday afternoon (Monday) to install CableCards (the CSR said they did not have multi-stream cards, so it would be $1.99 each per month for 2 single-stream cards) well, surprise, surprise, they did not show up. I’m just waiting for Verizon to bring FIOS to my neighborhood, then I believe I’ll wave goodbye to Charter.

I’ve been using the TiVo since Friday and I discovered that most of the channels I watch do not require the CableCard, I seldom watch the premium channels. When a new movie comes out that I like I usually buy the DVD. My son watches the premium channels on his TV, but I really don’t watch them often at all.

I don’t have an HD TV currently and really don’t plan to replace my TV for a couple of years. I just bought a new Sony 36 inch tube about 2 - 3 years ago and it still works great, I see no reason to replace it considering my viewing habits. I just bought the TiVo HD for the future. So I really don’t care about HD until it is the only thing available. As long as I don’t have to replace my TV, I will just watch it.

So why do I really need CableCard?

I only watch the second Discovery and History channel in the 100 – 200 channel range and I can live without being able to record them as I can still watch them on the cable box.

Is there something beyond the 100 – 200 numbered channels and the premium channels that CableCard enables?


I dont watch premium channels.
I don't have an HD TV.

The real question is why do ** I ** need CableCard? I am not sure I do, so if I hear from Charter my inclination is to decline for now.

Any comments on CableCard would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

[ah30k]

The reasons for the CableCARD are:
1) Access to digital content - sounds like you could live without them anyway.
2) Access to HD cable channels - you don't have an HD set yet.
3) Access to premium channels (really a subset of #1) - not applicable for you
4) Access to the digital simulcast of all analog channels - this will greatly improve your picture quality but to be honest if 1 through 3 are not important then this by itself is probably not worth it.

Looks to me like you could do without it.

[Andy D]

The reasons for the CableCARD are:
1) Access to digital content - sounds like you could live without them anyway.
2) Access to HD cable channels - you don't have an HD set yet.
3) Access to premium channels (really a subset of #1) - not applicable for you
4) Access to the digital simulcast of all analog channels - this will greatly improve your picture quality but to be honest if 1 through 3 are not important then this by itself is probably not worth it.

Looks to me like you could do without it.

Thanks for the quick reply. That pretty much sums it up. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Andy

[wmcbrine]

You'll definitely need them if you switch to Fios. Almost their entire lineup is digital only, and in fact they're dropping analog this year, possibly within the next few months.

[ZeoTiVo]

Thanks for the quick reply. That pretty much sums it up. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Andy

I run a TiVo HD without cable card for quite some time now and have no issues whatsoever.
Now recording the channels in digital veruss analog would make them look better but that alone is not a lot of incentive for me.

I did go to this website
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

and based on what the site told me
bought a 30$ OTA antenna to get some HD channels and other digital content. Maybe you are better off going that route for now until you upgrade the TV.

NOTE - the HD content will play fine on your TV - The TiVo HD will scale it to suit the display.

[acvthree]

ZeoTivo is dead on.

Check antennaweb out. I put an antenna in the attic and get incredible reception for locals.

Al

[Andy D]

You'll definitely need them if you switch to Fios. Almost their entire lineup is digital only, and in fact they're dropping analog this year, possibly within the next few months.


When FIOS comes to my neighborhood I will definately look at it. Going to CableCard with Verizon should be OK as most of my experiences with Verizon have been good, as compared to most of my experiences with Charter which have been less than stellar.

So, when I have to switch I will, but until then, I'll just live in the analog world.

Thanks to all for all the info, very helpful and very much appreciated.

Andy

[mattack]

So why do I really need CableCard?

I only watch the second Discovery and History channel in the 100 – 200 channel range and I can live without being able to record them as I can still watch them on the cable box.
...
The real question is why do ** I ** need CableCard? I am not sure I do, so if I hear from Charter my inclination is to decline for now.

Any comments on CableCard would be much appreciated.


I only skimmed the thread, but I don't think anyone else brought this up.

You MIGHT be able to save money by getting rid of the cable box and getting cablecards... and you'll still be able to watch the channel(s) you care about. (Except OnDemand if you care about that)

So if you're paying monthly for the box/remote.. you can turn them in, and at least ONE of the cablecards should be covered (i.e. free) in the digital cable package.. Then you'll be paying $2/month for the other one.

Then again, it sounds like you don't watch many of the digital channels at all, so you could cancel digital cable altogether and save lots of money and still Tivo the stuff you can now.

I don't have CableCards, but in your situation, it seems better to get cablecards since you'll get more than you do now (in your Tivo) for less money.