Transfer of Tivo HD programs to Remote TV

[AZrob]

Hi all,

Is there any way at present to stream either directly or via some intervening device Tivo High Def programs to a remote TV? Presently, I use a Leapfrog to send SD programs from my Tivo HD in the family room to my SD TV in the master bedroom. This works fine because it's SD to SD. The Leapfrog units connect over a coaxial cable that I am treating like a it was a twisted pair. (This is the old version of the Leapfrog that uses twisted pair wire to connect the 2 units). However, Leapfrog does not support High Def.

Now I'd like to buy an HD TV for the bedroom. Does the current state-of-the-art offer a solution, either wireless or using my own coax network within the house to transmit HD signals from a Tivo?

I know I could just buy a second Tivo for the bedroom and transfer using Tivo To Go, but I'd rather avoid the monthly cost as well as the problem of the sound of the Tivo in the bedroom (my wife has trouble sleeping).

Thanks for any help,

Rob from AZ

[TexasGrillChef]

YES.... here are your options:

1. Buy another TiVo... you can get a refurb for $199 I think.

2. Buy a Slingbox Pro-HD and a Slingcatcher. This will provide MORE features and capability than you probably need. It is also MORE expensive than just buying a second TiVo. However, it would give you the capability to watch your TiVo from your phone/laptop anywhere in the world. This option would cost you a totall of $698 ($299 for each device)

3. If the distance is over 50'. Run a HDMI cable usin a HDMI booster at the start of the cable run. You can get good quality HDMI cables in 100' lengths for about $80 to $100 and the HDMI signal booster for another $75 to $100. If the distance is less than 50' you won't need the booster. This however won't allow you to use your remote control from the bedroom. You will have to invest another $100 or more for a IR remote control repeater. (Aprox cost if over 50'.... $300) You might be able to find a IR repeater cheaper, but remember you get what you pay for.

4. You could run componet cables, although keep in mind that with HD Netflix coming as well as other HD services in the future. An HDMI cable WILL BE REQUIRED if you want the full 1080i picture. (HDMI cable will be required with HD Netlfix to get 1080i resolution)
720p will be available via component. This however won't allow you to use your remote control from the bedroom. You will have to invest another $100 or more for a IR remote control repeater. You will still need a signal booster for runs over 50'. Aprox cost for this solution still about $300 if you have to go over 50'


5. Wireless HDMI that is good for up to 66' will be available by January 2009. Genfen is making a wireless HDMI unit that will also switch between 2 HDMI inputs. This unit will run about $399 and will provide 1080p resolutions. Keep in mind that for the price your getting 3 (THREE) devices in one. A HDMI switch, wireless HDMI cabl, & IR remote control repeater which will send back IR remote signals back to the home unit.

Those are the options that I know of. There could be more. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Hope that helps

IMHO though... just buy another TiVo HD unit. Thats what I did. I am happier about that as well. One other advantage if you hook it up to your cable, or even go OTA... 2 extra tuners to record up to 4 shows at one time. (2 on your other Tivo and 2 on this one). Keeps my family happier this way too!

TGC

[AZrob]

Thanks!

You know, if I could just use the 2nd Tivo as a slave device to the first, and not have to pay the monthly service, I'd consider that (worries about the disk sound aside). But Tivo needs it's fees, I guess, to stay in business.

Rob

[TexasGrillChef]

Thanks!

You know, if I could just use the 2nd Tivo as a slave device to the first, and not have to pay the monthly service, I'd consider that (worries about the disk sound aside). But Tivo needs it's fees, I guess, to stay in business.

Rob

The wall where I hang my 40" LCD display is a common wall with my bedroom closet. SO... I just keep the TiVo in the closet, and poked a hole in the wall.
As far as the remote go. I had and extra old remote control extended thats about 10 years old that works just fine. ;)

TGC

[janry]

More and more, I'm beginning to realize VCR's aren't all that bad. The last time I bought some, we got two VCR's for less than $150. One's in the den. One's in the bedroom. All I have to do to transfer programs between them is to pop the tape out of one and walk it to the other one. :D


I guess the HiDef part is a bit problematic, however.

[lastdeadcat]

TiVoes must be subscribed to transfer programs over a home network. There is a Multi-Subscription Discount for more than one TiVo on you account.

[TexasGrillChef]

More and more, I'm beginning to realize VCR's aren't all that bad. The last time I bought some, we got two VCR's for less than $150. One's in the den. One's in the bedroom. All I have to do to transfer programs between them is to pop the tape out of one and walk it to the other one. :D


I guess the HiDef part is a bit problematic, however.

JVC did make a Hi-Def VCR. Requires special VCR tapes... I don't know if they are still made or not. I bet you could probably find one on Ebay... but on the other hand. I do remember new they ran about $800 as well!

TGC

[NJ_HB]

I have TiVo Desktop on my laptop which has a video out port. The laptop can then be connected to most modern TVs with the proper cabling. (Composite/S-Video/Component).
This enables you to download any non-protected TiVo content and then watch on your laptop or other TV.

[netringer]

YES.... here are your options:

1. Buy another TiVo... you can get a refurb for $199 I think.

2. Buy a Slingbox Pro-HD and a Slingcatcher. This will provide MORE features and capability than you probably need. It is also MORE expensive than just buying a second TiVo. However, it would give you the capability to watch your TiVo from your phone/laptop anywhere in the world. This option would cost you a totall of $698 ($299 for each device)

3. If the distance is over 50'. Run a HDMI cable usin a HDMI booster at the start of the cable run. You can get good quality HDMI cables in 100' lengths for about $80 to $100 and the HDMI signal booster for another $75 to $100. If the distance is less than 50' you won't need the booster. This however won't allow you to use your remote control from the bedroom. You will have to invest another $100 or more for a IR remote control repeater. (Aprox cost if over 50'.... $300) You might be able to find a IR repeater cheaper, but remember you get what you pay for.

4. You could run componet cables, although keep in mind that with HD Netflix coming as well as other HD services in the future. An HDMI cable WILL BE REQUIRED if you want the full 1080i picture. (HDMI cable will be required with HD Netlfix to get 1080i resolution)
720p will be available via component. This however won't allow you to use your remote control from the bedroom. You will have to invest another $100 or more for a IR remote control repeater. You will still need a signal booster for runs over 50'. Aprox cost for this solution still about $300 if you have to go over 50'


5. Wireless HDMI that is good for up to 66' will be available by January 2009. Genfen is making a wireless HDMI unit that will also switch between 2 HDMI inputs. This unit will run about $399 and will provide 1080p resolutions. Keep in mind that for the price your getting 3 (THREE) devices in one. A HDMI switch, wireless HDMI cabl, & IR remote control repeater which will send back IR remote signals back to the home unit.

Those are the options that I know of. There could be more. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Hope that helps

IMHO though... just buy another TiVo HD unit. Thats what I did. I am happier about that as well. One other advantage if you hook it up to your cable, or even go OTA... 2 extra tuners to record up to 4 shows at one time. (2 on your other Tivo and 2 on this one). Keeps my family happier this way too!

TGC

This is what I've been seeking, too.

I'd like to be bale to access my TiVo, or TiVo and media network content from elsewhere in the house. I have no problem at present with multiple viewers - just me in a bedroom or remote office, with my old analog SD TVs for now.

What you didn't mention is the issue of getting a viable SD S-video signal from an HS source. I thought I could just extend the video, but something has to downconvert it. AFAIK, the S-video outputs on my S3 woudl go dead when playing HD content. You also can't MRV transfer HD content from from an HD TiVo to a SD TiVo...and as before a second HD Tivo won't downconvert to SD.

I just found the Slingbox->Slingcatcher solution. I suspect that's the best answer for me if it does downconvert - and obviously it does to stream - but the $600 cost is nuts, for that I could buy another basic HD TV and be halfway there.

*sigh*

[TexasGrillChef]

This is what I've been seeking, too.

I'd like to be bale to access my TiVo, or TiVo and media network content from elsewhere in the house. I have no problem at present with multiple viewers - just me in a bedroom or remote office, with my old analog SD TVs for now.

What you didn't mention is the issue of getting a viable SD S-video signal from an HS source. I thought I could just extend the video, but something has to downconvert it. AFAIK, the S-video outputs on my S3 woudl go dead when playing HD content. You also can't MRV transfer HD content from from an HD TiVo to a SD TiVo...and as before a second HD Tivo won't downconvert to SD.

I just found the Slingbox->Slingcatcher solution. I suspect that's the best answer for me if it does downconvert - and obviously it does to stream - but the $600 cost is nuts, for that I could buy another basic HD TV and be halfway there.

*sigh*

1) A second TiVo HD can be hooked to a SD TV via composite &/or S-Video. As long as the HDMI connection isn't connected it will work just fine and downconvert to your SD TV.

2) You can transfer the video to your computer. Downconvert using any number of programs available. Some are cheaper than others, some do a better job. Once on your computer you can burn to DVD or if you have a TiVo S2, you can transfer it there.

TGC