Series 3 - 1st line

[buscuitboy]

I currently have a Series 2 DT TiVo and have loved it for years. I have it networked into my home network and transfer video files frequently using pyTivo. I also use the TiVo desktop software. Everything has been working great, but I am now looking at probably getting a Series 3 mainly for the Netflix support & possible future digital cable support (w/ cable cards).

I am considering a TiVo TCD648250B model from ebay. This appears to be an older one & part of the first line of HD Tivos that were offered, but doesn't seem to be manufactured anymore. It has a capacity of 300hrs (SD) so this would more than fit my needs right now. I also like the idea of future storage expansion via its eSATA port. Does this model allow any kind of video transferring like pyTivo? This is another big must I need. Does it also allow the TiVo desktop software to be used? I would assume so, but want to make sure before I invest hundreds of dollars for it.

I have read a review on this model and it states it has two main drawbacks over the series 2. It says there is no "TiVoToGo and the Multi-Room Viewing function". is this true? The review is kind of old so maybe this is no longer the case, but thought I'd ask anyway. If so, I'm also worried there might not be a way to transfer video files from my PC like I do with my Series 2.

Would I be better off going with the newer current HD TiVos on Tivos site? If so, what are the main advantages of them over this TCD648250B model. Any thoughts and/or opinions would be great.

[ThAbtO]

With the current 11.0 software you can transfer to/from s2/S3HD/XL/Computer, also Netflix. Although you cannot transfer HD content to the S2 from the S3.

The S3 is an outdated model. The HD and HD XL models are current. Tivo service will support all except Series 1 with software updates.

[buscuitboy]

From my understanding, Netflix won't work on Series 2 though, correct? The reason I am looking at an original S3 is cause it comes with 300hr of capacity for the same price as the current HD. It sounds like there is really no difference except that the S3s are no longer made, correct?

Seems kind of odd that they would discontinue these S3s, but are still making the Series 2 DT like the one I currently have.

[mattack]

Advantage:
It has a OLED screen on the front of the Tivo to show what's recording. I'm in a small room, so am close to my Tivo.. I realize it may be hard to read for those farther away.

I thought that that was an unnecessary/silly thing to have, but I *really* like it and wish my TivoHD had it. Enough for the price difference at the time? No, but for example, I'd pay a one-time fee of at LEAST $20 (maybe more) at purchase time to have the screen... though I admit, like I said above, one probably doesn't realize at purchase time if they think it's useful or not.

Disadvantage:
It requires TWO cablecards (for dual tuner operation, obviously for *cable* subscribers with digital/HD/encrypted channels). TivoHD works with 1 "M" cableCard for dual tuner operation. This can be a few dollars to MANY dollars extra per month, depending upon one's cable company.

[buscuitboy]

yea, the front display is actually something I like as well about these older Series 3 over the current HD and HD XL & one of the main reasons I have decided to get this model over the newer ones. Is there any other differences. Did these older series 3 maybe not run as good as the new ones? Or maybe there is something else.

[flyers]

also the S3 can use a custom e-SATA. The HD and HD-XL is limited to the my-DVR expander.

[Kablemodem]

AFAIK, the only benefit of the newer models over the S3 is that they require one cable card instead of two, which can save you some money. The S3 is also THX certified, but that doesn't mean much to most people.

[steve614]

Also, some have claimed that transfers to and from the S3 are faster than the newer HD models.