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View Full Version : IR Blaster + Component/HDMI video output?

thedrizzle
10-09-2008, 02:42 PM
Hello. I am about to buy a TiVo and I have an HDTV but regular comcast digital cable.

I want to *NOT* use cable cards so an IR blaster is my only option. I noticed TiVo stopped using the blaster in their Series3/HD boxes.
I also noticed that Series2 Tivos do not even have component video.

My question is: Is there any way to use an IR blaster for TiVo channel changes and have at least Component video out to my TV? The deal breaker is definitely the IR blaster for me.

Thanks!
Zimm
10-09-2008, 04:11 PM
Research the TivoHD and Series 3. They require no external cable box (only cableCARDS). They are the only Tivo boxes capable of outputting HD.
ewilts
10-11-2008, 09:25 AM
Hello. I am about to buy a TiVo and I have an HDTV but regular comcast digital cable.

I want to *NOT* use cable cards
The ONLY TiVos that can record digital cable are the Series 3 and TiVo HD lines. They will record OTA without CableCARDs but only become full-featured for Comcast digital cable with CableCARDs.

FWIW, I pay $1.99 per month to upgrade from Comcast analog extended service to Digital Basic and the 2 CableCARDs are included in that price. What do you have against CableCARDs?

.../Ed
classicsat
10-11-2008, 10:55 AM
If you want TiVo, you have the choice of the HD models that use cablecards, or the SD models that use a box.
Simple as that.
Jonathan_S
10-14-2008, 03:18 PM
They're only standard def but don't the Humax HRT400 (http://www.humaxdigital.com/usa/products_DRT400_40.html) TiVo+DVD-R units have component out?
They support IR Blaster control of a cable box.

Sure, their component output's really for DVD playback, but it does have it.
(But not component input, :D input maxes out at s-video)
The TiVo output quality is limited mainly by it's mpeg-2 compression chip, not by the output interface; so your recorded shows aren't going to look any better over component.
RonDawg
10-14-2008, 08:28 PM
They're only standard def but don't the Humax HRT400 (http://www.humaxdigital.com/usa/products_DRT400_40.html) TiVo+DVD-R units have component out?
They support IR Blaster control of a cable box.

Sure, their component output's really for DVD playback, but it does have it.

I believe all of the TiVo/DVD combo units have component out. But as you stated, it's primarily meant for DVD 480p playback.