Give me Advice on which Tivo to buy?

[Capmeister]

I am thinking about leaving DirecTV for FiOS. But I don't want the FiOS DVRs.

If I get two TIVO HDs and add my 1TB eSATA that I have on my DirecTV HR2x, am I really missing out if I don't have a TIVOHD-XL on my living room TV? I mean, THX? I use it just for TV shows, not really movies. So other than the larger harddrive, which I can add myself, why should I spend more money?

Is anyone using HD Tivos on Fios and what do you think?

[DavidRupe]

Either system is good.

[Capmeister]

Well, I'm familiar with TiVo service (and really the cost is about on par with the rental DVR you get with FiOS) but don't all the outlets get the same data from the channels? I mean, is this a TiVo screwup, or wouldn't my HR2x have also faulty data provided by the channels?

But my question was a technical one: Is there any real functional reason to get an HD-XL if I don't care about THX and want to add a 1TB eSata to a normal HD Tivo?

[turbobozz]

Originally Posted by Capmeister

Well, I'm familiar with TiVo service (and really the cost is about on par with the rental DVR you get with FiOS) but don't all the outlets get the same data from the channels? I mean, is this a TiVo screwup, or wouldn't my HR2x have also faulty data provided by the channels?

But my question was a technical one: Is there any real functional reason to get an HD-XL if I don't care about THX and want to add a 1TB eSata to a normal HD Tivo?

You have to use the TiVo sanctioned eSata drives.
And for some reason, eSata drives seem like they are less reliable than internal drives on TiVos
(My eSata drive hasn't had a problem, but there seems to be alot of chatter on forums about the eSata drives dying, bad esata cables, bad power supply, etc.)

[Pixel]

Originally Posted by Capmeister

I am thinking about leaving DirecTV for FiOS. But I don't want the FiOS DVRs.

If I get two TIVO HDs and add my 1TB eSATA that I have on my DirecTV HR2x, am I really missing out if I don't have a TIVOHD-XL on my living room TV? I mean, THX? I use it just for TV shows, not really movies. So other than the larger harddrive, which I can add myself, why should I spend more money?

Is anyone using HD Tivos on Fios and what do you think?

I can't speak to the FIOS situation beyond wishing it was available to me. But having just looked around at info about installing a larger HD in my TIVO HD, it appears that the maximum amount of expansion is less with a TIVO HD than with a TIVO HD XL. I think with the THD, it's about 1 Tb plus the size of the disk originally in it. With an XL it's 2Tb or so.

There's a FAQ around here with specifics on that. You should find and read that.

[Capmeister]

Okay, guys. Thanks!

[JasonRossSmith]

Here's a link to the Drive Expansion Thread.

From Everything I've read the XL adds the following:

-larger hard drive
-THX
-Glow Remote

If you only care about HD space it's definately cheaper to upgrade yourself. Note the XL can handle a 2TB internal drive where the regular HD can only handle 1.25 TB. Read the FAQ link for all the details, it is VERY well written, and people check it for questions from guys like us after we've read it.

[Capmeister]

Excellent source of info! Thanks!