Help me figure out what to do

[tonypitt]

Right now I'm running 2 DirecTV Tivos and 2 'standard' TVs. We're finally read to invest in an HD TV and I cannot figure what to do as far as a service provider. My contract obligation with DirecTV is over and I could leave them if I wanted. My local cable company is Comcast.

The way I see it, I have the following options...

Stay with DirecTV and get 2 DirecTV HD DVRs. Look at moving to the Tivo DVR when it shows up next year.

Move to Comcast and switch the normal Tivo HD DVR. With this alternative I might actually put a Comcast HD DVR in one room to see how bad it is and then put a Tivo in the other.

I'm having a hard time deciding which alternative is best. I've read a lot about Comcast having issues with Tivo setup. I certainly don't want to go through a giant headache with all of that. If I thought that might not be so bad, it seems like the Comcast alternative might be best.

Any ideas or advice?

[JimSpence]

Personally, I'd stay with DirecTV and see if a deal could be struck to get the HD DVR. If you're satisfied with DirecTV service, the commitment shouldn't matter.

One thing to consider is that if you go to Comcast with the TiVo HD DVR you'll have to pay a subscription to TiVo. Or the Comcast DVR.

I really comes down to the bottom line. And channel selection of course.

[tonypitt]

Thanks Jim for the advice. I've read so many negative things about the DirecTV HD DVR, I kind of figured I'd wind up hating it and then being stuck for 2 years (or more). Good to know that at least one person here considers it a viable alternative.

I'm very interested in the new HD Tivo that DirecTV is supposed to be coming out with next year, but I don't think it's worth delaying moving to HD for 2 years in anticipation of that product.

[JimSpence]

The DirecTV HD DVR is a different animal, but my HR20-100 lives peacefully next to my HR10-250.

Although it hasn't been announced how DirecTV will bring out the new TiVo based HD DVR, it is speculated that it could be a software port to the HR2x platform as well as a new model number.

[shibby191]

Thanks Jim for the advice. I've read so many negative things about the DirecTV HD DVR, I kind of figured I'd wind up hating it and then being stuck for 2 years (or more). Good to know that at least one person here considers it a viable alternative.

I'm very interested in the new HD Tivo that DirecTV is supposed to be coming out with next year, but I don't think it's worth delaying moving to HD for 2 years in anticipation of that product.

Lots of people feel the DirecTV DVR is just fine. Yea, it's not a Tivo but it performs just fine for many. Check out DBSTalk for more detailed info.

Unless you really want to go to cable I don't see a reason why not to stick with DirecTV. You should be able to get at least one of their DVRs for free with install. Use it for the new HD channels only, your old DirecTivo's will be working just fine in the meantime. If you like it great, if not then the new DirecTivo HD is a year to 18 months away. In the meantime you get to record the new HD because no matter if you hate the DirecTv DVR or not, it records and allows you to play it back just fine. You can "suffer" until Tivo comes back. :D

[memnoch]

I'm also looking at Comcast because of LOS issues with the new sats. I'm actually dreading it though, because Comcast for me adds up to more money with less HD. I might have to do it anyway, but I'm not looking forward to it at all.

[shibby191]

I'm also looking at Comcast because of LOS issues with the new sats. I'm actually dreading it though, because Comcast for me adds up to more money with less HD. I might have to do it anyway, but I'm not looking forward to it at all.

Actually with the new sats most LOS issues go away. If you get good signals on 101 then you should be just fine on 99 and 103 unless you are shooting thru a pretty narrow hole in the trees. 110 and 119 which are quite a bit farther to the right and lower in the sky are no longer needed unless you get SD locals from them.

[RS4]

Right now I'm running 2 DirecTV Tivos and 2 'standard' TVs. We're finally read to invest in an HD TV and I cannot figure what to do as far as a service provider. My contract obligation with DirecTV is over and I could leave them if I wanted. My local cable company is Comcast.

The way I see it, I have the following options...

Stay with DirecTV and get 2 DirecTV HD DVRs. Look at moving to the Tivo DVR when it shows up next year.

Move to Comcast and switch the normal Tivo HD DVR. With this alternative I might actually put a Comcast HD DVR in one room to see how bad it is and then put a Tivo in the other.

I'm having a hard time deciding which alternative is best. I've read a lot about Comcast having issues with Tivo setup. I certainly don't want to go through a giant headache with all of that. If I thought that might not be so bad, it seems like the Comcast alternative might be best.

Any ideas or advice?

While there are folks who like the D* boxes, there are a lot of Tivo owners who don't like it at all, as in a major reason why D* is bringing back another DTivo. My suggestion is that you check out the Tivo HD with Comcast before committing to a 2-year box that you might not like.

You can get the Tivo HD for a 30-day trial. Comcast charged me $17.99 to try it out. Then if you don't like it, you're not committed to Comcast or Tivo. Comcast was cheaper for me and I did not have to sign any commitment.

But D* does not allow you to try their box at home - even for one day let alone 30. Some people are talking them into no commitment, but the only way I would do that is if you get it in writing, because others have said they were told no commitment, only to find out that it was their word against the CSR.

This way you can really enjoy all of the Tivo features. Who knows, you may even get a better deal from D* when the new Tivo comes along and you won't have to put up with a second rated box.

[memnoch]

Actually with the new sats most LOS issues go away. If you get good signals on 101 then you should be just fine on 99 and 103 unless you are shooting thru a pretty narrow hole in the trees. 110 and 119 which are quite a bit farther to the right and lower in the sky are no longer needed unless you get SD locals from them.

Thank you. If interested, my problems are here....
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=402401&page=2