Will one of these setups work? Series 3 + Comcast + older Tivo box + wireless

[NativeBlue]

Had a Hughes DirecTV Tivo box (Model HDVR2) hooked up about 5 years ago. Upon moving I couldn't get DirecTV for awhile and had to get Comcast — we HATED their DVR. By the time we moved again and were able to get satellite, DirecTV had all but stopped supporting Tivo (no longer did the billing through DirecTV, generally being disagreeable about not wanting THEIR DVR, etc.) so we got Dish (and DSL for Internet).

So now, a few years later we still want our Tivo back and, due to wanting faster internet, think we're ready to bite the bullet and get Comcast. The only thing we really hated was their DVR so we figure the Tivo will take care of that. We want to be able to access shows from both our family room and bedroom, though, and would prefer not to buy two brand new boxes so, here are my questions:

1) Will the TiVo HD DVR work with Comcast and, if yes, will we have to have a Comcast cable box hooked up to (to access OnDemand, etc.)?

2) Are any features of the HD DVR disabled when using with Comcast?

3) We would use the HD box in the family room — if we hook up a wireless adapter to that box and another adapter in the bedroom, can we use my existing DirecTV box hooked up to this network with Comcast? Assuming no, can I buy a used Series 2 box and hook it up to Comcast/the wireless adapter and share programs with the HD box (yes, I know the programs wouldn't appear in HD).

4) Am I correct that I have to pay a monthly fee for both boxes?

5) I want to download Netflix — does a cable have to go directly from the cable modem to the Tivo or can it hook up to my wireless network? If so, does that require yet another Tivo wireless adapter be installed (that would make three total)?

6) IF I can use that Series 2 box to watch programs originally recorded on the HD box via the wireless network, does that include the Netflix programs?

7) Just confirming, no landline is needed as long as we have cable broadband Internet access, right?

Okay, I *think* that's all for now. I'm trying to make sure I think through everything so I don't end up with a bunch of unexpected charges. Thanks for your help!

[gastrof]

I can answer question 1.

The Series 3 TiVos take cable cards which replace cable boxes. As I understand it, tho', they're not two way devices. Don't believe you can do pay per view type things on the Series 3.

Not yet, anyway.

Still, Comcast can provide you with cable cards, likely for a rental fee, and your TiVo series 3 will serve as its own cable box.

They are NOT meant to work with any external tuner, so you can't use a cable box with it. If you want PPV or OnDemand, you'll have to have a box connected to a separate input on your TV.

Now, let's try the rest...

Question 2-
Comcast may have channels like HBO coded as "copy once", meaning you can only record them to the TiVo, but you can't transfer them to another TiVo or to your computer. They may even impose a time limit after which the recording will be automatically deleted from the TiVo's hard drive.

Question 3-
Unsubbed TiVo boxes can't be used to transfer shows to another TiVo in the house. Also, the DirecTiVos can't be used with cable.
If you get a Series 2, it should be useable with cable, even if your provider has gone all digital, provided you use a cable box with it. It'll also be able to handle some transfers with the Series 3, but remember about Comcast limiting transfers on some channels, and also understand anything recorded in HD on the Series 3 can't be moved to the Series 2 (since it doesn't handle high def recordings). There is no way to make a show recorded in HD into an SD recording. (Not using just the TiVos to do it, anyway.)

Question 4
Most TiVos have to be subbed to work, and each subscription costs. Believe you can add a second unit for a lower price, however.

Question 5
I have no idea.

Question 6
I really don't know, but I'll guess you CAN transfer the recordings, provided they're not in HD.

Question 7
I'm fairly sure you can have a Series 3 "phone home" by internet. Series 2s have done it for long enough.

[pdonoghu]

5) You need a connection to your home network, typically to a router, either wired or wireless. If wireless, you need the Tivo wireless adapter. One network connection for each Tivo. That one connection on each Tivo will get your updates, transfer programs between Tivos, and access internet broadband content.

6) You don't record Netflix, it is streamed, so you can not transfer it. Netflix requires MPEG-4, which the Series 2 do not support. You can do Amazon video downloads to the Series 2 or Series 3. You can not transfer an Amazon rental video. It has to be played on the Tivo it was downloaded to.

7) Correct, you do not need a land line if you have broadband internet access.

[ThAbtO]

1) Will the TiVo HD DVR work with Comcast and, if yes, will we have to have a Comcast cable box hooked up to (to access OnDemand, etc.)?

The Tivo Series 3/HD/XL models work with antenna and/or cable without the cable box but rather use cable cards provided by the cable company.


3) We would use the HD box in the family room — if we hook up a wireless adapter to that box and another adapter in the bedroom, can we use my existing DirecTV box hooked up to this network with Comcast? Assuming no, can I buy a used Series 2 box and hook it up to Comcast/the wireless adapter and share programs with the HD box (yes, I know the programs wouldn't appear in HD).

Series 2 can hook up to your network router using wireless Tivo adapter or a USB wired adapter. The Series 3/HD/XL includes a network port for wired connections. Most shows can be transferred to the S2 except for the HD content.



4) Am I correct that I have to pay a monthly fee for both boxes?
Yes, all Tivo needs a subscription whether monthly, yearly, or lifetime, to get transfers, guide, etc. There are a few models which have a free Tivo Service called Tivo basic, which is guide data and not much else.



5) I want to download Netflix — does a cable have to go directly from the cable modem to the Tivo or can it hook up to my wireless network? If so, does that require yet another Tivo wireless adapter be installed (that would make three total)?

Netflix does not download to the Tivo, it is streamed over your network so it cannot be transferred to another box. Tivo will use a single network connection for guide data, Netflix, youtube.


6) IF I can use that Series 2 box to watch programs originally recorded on the HD box via the wireless network, does that include the Netflix programs?

HD content will not transfer from a S3/HD/XL box to a S2. See above answer for Netflix.



7) Just confirming, no landline is needed as long as we have cable broadband Internet access, right?

You can use landline phone for the connection but you are limited to guide data and software updates only.

You would need to have the network router to cable/DSL for the Tivos to be able to get its Video on Demand features (ie: Netflix, youtube, etc. For the S3/HD/XL only. Other features available for the S2 as well as the S3).



Okay, I *think* that's all for now. I'm trying to make sure I think through everything so I don't end up with a bunch of unexpected charges. Thanks for your help!
Welcome.

[NativeBlue]

thanks so much for all of your help. Yeah, I knew about Netflix streaming —*I think I posted that when I was tired and had too many different scenarios in my head!! I'm debating whether to get a series 2 or just go ahead and get another series 3 right now...