If I have Comcast what does TIVO provide?

[iamgeniusrnti]

OK,

I am a techie from hell, I always got to have the latest and greatest...

That being said, I have Comcast in the DC Metro area. I have their HD DVR service with just about every channel imaginable along with their internet ofcourse.

I like what I have been reading about Tivo. But I don't understand the process of getting it on my Comcast service.

If I buy a Tivo, I know I still have to pay Comast for something right. I mean, I still pay for the programming. I assume I save money on the equipment rental and I assume I save money on "DVR Service".

So if I get the Tivo Series 3, why am I paying $12 per month to Tivo? Is it to get their guide pumped into my equipment?

When the box comes in, I assume I plug it in and call Comast to get the MAC # swapped out? What is the process?

[bkdtv]

In some areas, Comcast offers a TiVo software upgrade for their Motorola DVRs for an extra $2.99/mo. This replaces the existing iGuide software on the box. It's basically TiVo lite, albeit it runs a bit slower than a real TiVo due to less available memory. It uses Comcast's guide data, rather than TiVo's guide data. It does support Comcast's VOD. This software is not yet available on on Comcast's Motorola DVRs in the DC area.

If you buy a $199-$249 TiVoHD, you own the DVR. That means you can upgrade the internal drive or add an external drive to increase capacity, neither of which you can do with the Motorola DVR used by Comcast in DC. I upgraded my TiVoHD with a 1TB hard drive ($140) for 144+ HD hours and 1000+ SD hours of capacity.

TiVo charges a monthly fee because a) the box is sold at a loss, and b) it costs them money to provide the guide data and continually update / improve the software. Advantages of the TiVo include superior usability and improved reliability, due to somewhat better guide information. The TivoHD offers a number features not available on the standard Comcast DVR software, including the ability to autorecord all programs matching certain criteria; multi-room viewing to share of recordings between different TiVos in your home; and direct YouTube access. TiVo also allows you to download recordings to your PC or Mac over your network using a standard web browser, which you can then burn to DVD or Blu-ray disk without commercials.

The main disadvantage of a TivoHD is that it cannot support cable company VOD. Comcast's VOD is only available on their own DVRs -- that includes the Comcast Motorola DVR with TiVo software. That said, TiVo does support Amazon Unbox and just announced support for Netflix (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=409095) on the TivoHD/Series3; with a $8.99/mo Netflix subscription, you have unlimited access to thousands of movies -- including a growing number in HD -- streamed straight to your box. For Netflix customers, this service is arguably even better than VOD.

To use a TivoHD with your digital cable subscription, you would need a CableCard from Comcast. The CableCard plugs into the front of the TivoHD and authorizes all the channels you receive. It's basically an access card. Comcast provides one free CableCard (on request) to those with digital cable.

TivoHD Screenshots

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/nowplaying13.jpg
Multiple recordings of the same program are stored in folders to reduce clutter.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/seasonpass.jpg
Season pass priority list determines what programs are recorded first when three programs conflict.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/seasonpass_options.jpg
Options available for every series recording and wishlist

Wishlists automatically record new episodes and/or repeats of all programs meeting certain criteria, regardless of date, time, and channel. You can have as many keywords and title keywords as you want, and you can define them as required, optional, or ignore. For example, you could create a wishlist to record all University of Maryland sports, except for volleyball and lacrosse, and store them in a UMD Sports folder.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/wishlist6a_large.jpg
This wishlist records all new Redskins games, regardless of date, time, and channel, and organizes them into a WASHINGTON REDSKINS folder, as seen in the first screenshot above.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/pick_channels.jpg
Completely remove the channels you don't want from the guide. You can also create a separate favorites list.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/sysinfo_1tb.jpg
Note the above image reflects a TivoHD with a 1TB drive upgrade.


http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivoweb.png
Download recordings directly from the Tivo to your PC with any web browser.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivodesktoptransfer.png
With TiVo Desktop, you can automatically transfer new episodes of your favorite series to your computer as they are recorded.

[BlackBetty]

bkdtv WOW :up::up::up::up::up::up::up:

[dschultznet]

bkdtv.... QUESTION... I have Comcast cable, Series 3 and TiVo HD, TTG... I get a red circle with a bar icon next to shows like Dexter...and Premium content I cannot transfer to another Tivo or my pc over the network... How are you able to do this??? I can transfer most other content... Thanks

[bkdtv]

bkdtv.... QUESTION... I have Comcast cable, Series 3 and TiVo HD, TTG... I get a red circle with a bar icon next to shows like Dexter...and Premium content I cannot transfer to another Tivo or my pc over the network... How are you able to do this??? I can transfer most other content... ThanksIt sounds like your Comcast system applies copy protection to those channels. My cable provider doesn't.

[kwayne]

Thank You for your write-up about using Comcast with a Tivo. I currently have a TIVO - 1 which I have upgraded, added a drive, internet capability, etc. It also has a lifetime program. I have tried to get Tivo to let me buy a Tivo HD and move my lifetime program to it, but no dice. They will give me a $ 100 off but still $ 299. My question is if I buy a TivoHD, rent a cablecard from Comcast can I use their program features? I am thinking of not subscribing to the Tivo program. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers, Wayne

[lkupersmith]

Thank You for your write-up about using Comcast with a Tivo. I currently have a TIVO - 1 which I have upgraded, added a drive, internet capability, etc. It also has a lifetime program. I have tried to get Tivo to let me buy a Tivo HD and move my lifetime program to it, but no dice. They will give me a $ 100 off but still $ 299. My question is if I buy a TivoHD, rent a cablecard from Comcast can I use their program features? I am thinking of not subscribing to the Tivo program. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers, Wayne

If you're using a TiVo box (not the Comcast TiVo, but real) you'll need service from TiVo in order to use it. Comcast's guide will not be available.