Recording 2 Channels and Watching Another

[xco]

Does TIVO have the ability to be recording 2 channels at the same time for example 70 & 90 and still let users watch a channel from the same group that is being recorded for example 72 or 99?

[gastrof]

There are several different models of TiVo with different abilities.

The most current, the Series 4 or "TiVo Premiere" can record two channels at once, but that uses up its two tuners.

Any viewing of a third channel would depend on having a third tuner of some sort.

Since the Series 4s work with only OverTheAir and cable, your TV would need its own digital OTA tuner or cable box to tune the the third channel. (If the TV can take a cable card, that'd do it too.)

You'd have to have the TiVo feeding into the TV thru some type of external input jack(s), and if the source is cable, the cable box would need to feed in thru a different input or set of inputs. (Naturally, if the TV was using its own tuner, no additional input would be needed aside from what's used by the TiVo.)

The feed from the source (antenna or cable) would have to be split, one leg feeding the TiVo, the other feeding the TV (or cable box).

[ThAbtO]

To put it short; The Series 3/HD/HD XL/ Premiere/Premiere XL records 2 channels at once and you can watch a recorded show at the same time, OR tune the TV to watch another channel.

[xco]

Wow, I thought this highly regarded item would have this basic feature. Even my Topfield can do that.

[ZeoTiVo]

Wow, I thought this highly regarded item would have this basic feature. Even my Topfield can do that.

it is one of a few then - and the feature of only being able to watch a channel in the same range instead of say - channel 6 does not fit the TiVo approach of trying to keep things simple for mainstream users.

I simply have 4 tuners to record with and rarely watch Live TV anyway.

[orangeboy]

Wow, I thought this highly regarded item would have this basic feature. Even my Topfield can do that.

Curious: Why isn't Topfield's PVRs discussed as TiVo competition, or for comparison? I actually never heard of the brand before now...

[TonyTheTiger]

Ah yes, Topfield. That well-known and highly respected Korean company that has taken the world by storm!!

[Mike-Mike]

Curious: Why isn't Topfield's PVRs discussed as TiVo competition, or for comparison? I actually never heard of the brand before now...

same here

[pdhenry]

And now you have, thanks to our new friend xco. Glad to educate you, xco!

[fatlard]

Does TIVO have the ability to be recording 2 channels at the same time for example 70 & 90 and still let users watch a channel from the same group that is being recorded for example 72 or 99?

Tivo currently does not have that ability to do that.


However, Moxi can record two channels and watch a third channel since it has three tuners.

Keep in my the tuners will be limited to two if your cable company uses SDV.

[xco]

New Topfield machines even have quad tuners and can record 4 channels at once so long as the channels are in the same groups.

[moyekj]

New Topfield machines even have quad tuners and can record 4 channels at once so long as the channels are in the same groups. It's just recording all digital channels carried on same QAM. But given that channels can move around to different QAMs as cable co. sees fit it's not something I would want to rely on.

[scandia101]

New Topfield machines even have quad tuners and can record 4 channels at once so long as the channels are in the same groups.

Same groups? exactly what does this mean?

[JimboG]

It means this chump is busy spamming in favor of some questionable Korean-made satellite DVR from a company that allegedly has been around since 1998 yet none of us have heard of.:rolleyes:

To the original poster, if you would like to record more than two channels of North American over the air or cable HDTV programming at the same time, you can buy a couple Tivos, buy digital TV tuners for your PC or Mac, or get a Moxi which can record two digital cable channels and one analog cable channel with no over the air channels at all.

[JimboG]

Does TIVO have the ability to be recording 2 channels at the same time for example 70 & 90 and still let users watch a channel from the same group that is being recorded for example 72 or 99?

As you obviously know as a North American over the air HDTV viewer (yeah right!), full power channels 2 through 51 now must be broadcast in digital TV. There still are some analog low power broadcasts on channels 52-69, but the US hasn't had any broadcasts on 70 and higher since the early 1980's.

Then again, don't let me stop you from touting a Korean DVR that none of us have heard of before on a Tivo specific forum.:down::down::down:

[ThAbtO]

As you obviously know as a North American over the air HDTV viewer (yeah right!), full power channels 2 through 51 now must be broadcast in digital TV. There still are some analog low power broadcasts on channels 52-69, but the US hasn't had any broadcasts on 70 and higher since the early 1980's.

On my last analog TV set, I can tune through channels 2-69 for antenna and 2-122 for cable settings.

[WhiskeyTango]

Has anyone looked at these things? They're like S2's for 4 times as much money with one extra limited-use tuner.

Topfield TF5000PVR: 80 gig non-upgradeable hard drive, no HD, $1,099. Aside from the third 'in group' tuner, it does have another thing that outshines Tivo..."Exciting games embedded". Who can argue with that?

[gastrof]

It means this chump is busy spamming in favor of some questionable Korean-made satellite DVR from a company that allegedly has been around since 1998 yet none of us have heard of.:rolleyes:

To the original poster, if you would like to record more than two channels of North American over the air or cable HDTV programming at the same time, you can buy a couple Tivos, buy digital TV tuners for your PC or Mac, or get a Moxi which can record two digital cable channels and one analog cable channel with no over the air channels at all.


Ummm...

The guy touting Topfield IS the original poster.

And I too would like to know what in the world "the same group" means.

[shwru980r]

Topfield TF5000PVR: 80 gig non-upgradeable hard drive, no HD, $1,099. Aside from the third 'in group' tuner, it does have another thing that outshines Tivo..."Exciting games embedded". Who can argue with that?

For that kind of money, you could pick up five used S2s with lifetime service so you'd have 5 tuners.

[moyekj]

And I too would like to know what in the world "the same group" means. See my response in this thread #12. Not something that is terribly useful or reliable to do since you are totally dependent on how channels are arranged per QAM which may not group channels you want together and can change at whim of cable co.

[ZeoTiVo]

it is one of a few then - and the feature of only being able to watch a channel in the same range instead of say - channel 6 does not fit the TiVo approach of trying to keep things simple for mainstream users.

I simply have 4 tuners to record with and rarely watch Live TV anyway.

New Topfield machines even have quad tuners and can record 4 channels at once so long as the channels are in the same groups.

Has anyone looked at these things? They're like S2's for 4 times as much money with one extra limited-use tuner.

Topfield TF5000PVR: 80 gig non-upgradeable hard drive, no HD, $1,099. Aside from the third 'in group' tuner, it does have another thing that outshines Tivo..."Exciting games embedded". Who can argue with that?

hehe - for 1400 dollars (retail price) I have 4 tuners across 2 boxes and they can record anything at anytime, including OTA and I can of course watch any of the tuners on a 30 minute buffer with trick play. Also Unbox(Amazon), Netflix streaming and now framechannel and likely more internet content as time marches on. I started with 160gigs each and upgraded to 1TB for 130$ a drive

I have a Wii for games and TiVo has some unExciting games 'embedded'.

so thanks for playing xco but I think you will not get much traction for pushing your topfields in this forum. Try avsforum - people there are into unusual gadgets

[xco]

Sorry guys I'm not pushing anything especially Topfield. I currently have a Topfield which is a piece of s@*t and constantly looses its services. When it does work I like the twin tuner recording and the ability to also watch another channel whilst recordings are occurring. Im looking to change to a new machine and thought TiVo may have been the option, but looks like I was wrong.

[orangeboy]

Sorry guys I'm not pushing anything especially Topfield. I currently have a Topfield which is a piece of s@*t and constantly looses its services. When it does work I like the twin tuner recording and the ability to also watch another channel whilst recordings are occurring. Im looking to change to a new machine and thought TiVo may have been the option, but looks like I was wrong.

I think most TiVo users don't watch tuners (meaning Live TV). I could be wrong about that, but that's the feeling I get. If both tuners are busy, why not watch something you've already recorded?