Using Tivo to record from basic cable

[mccann18]

Hi everyone, I wanted to ask a question as its something i know nothing about. I understand that this has probably been asked before a few times, but i just spent a long time looking and could not find an answer, so if anyone can help, it would be so appreciated.

OK, so basically here it is. I get cable from comcast, its the basic package and it just comes through my tv from a coax cable running from the wall into my tv. Now i don`t have a vcr anymore, but i want to be able to record tv shows, so i was wondering what my options are? i know i can get a dvd recorder, but i`m basically just wanting to be able to record shows, watch them once and then be done with them, so am i able to get a tivo box that will let me record tv shows when all i have is my tv and a coaz cable running into it? Do i need to get a cable box from comcast? i`m just so lost with it all because before now, all i had was antenna tv with a vcr.
So there it is, if i have a tv, a coax cable running into the back of it with basic cable, what do i need to do in order to be able to record tv shows?

I`m sorry if this might frustrate people with me being very dumb about the subject, and that its probably been asked before, but i`m just so lost and after hours of reading, can`t find an answer.
Any help would be so appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from anyone, thanks very much!
Paul

[Stormspace]

Actually this is all that TiVo is really good at now days. If you don't have HD channels, don't need digital channels, and only analog basic any model of TiVo will work fine for you. I'd get the HD model if I were you simply because it has a larger hard disk drive, thus more hours and if you ever do decide you want HD it will work.

[ThAbtO]

A Tivo is a GLORIFIED VCR, there is just no tape used. It records to a hard drive similar to what's on a computer.

Tivo can record from antenna, cable or satellite, depending on the model Series.

Series 1 (original) can record from:

• antenna (before the analog to digital transition; After that, it requires a digital to analog converter box)
• analog cable with or without cable box
• digital cable with a cable box
• satellite with the service's converter box

Series 2 can record from:

• antenna (before the analog to digital transition; After that, it requires a digital to analog converter box)
• analog cable with or without cable box
• digital cable with a cable box
• satellite with the service's converter box

Series 3 (includes HD and HD/XL models) can record from:

• analog antenna (without digital-to-analog converter box)
• digital antenna (without digital-to-analog converter box), standard and Hi-def
• analog cable without cable box
• digital cable with cable cards

Features:

• A Tivo(DVR) is like a glorified VCR with a computer brain.
• A VCR can record a maximum of 6-8 hours continuously, but it uses lots of mechanical parts and wears out over time. Including DVD Players and recorders.
• A Tivo can record dozens or hundreds of hours continuously with little to no mechanical wear.
• Picture quality will not change/degrade on a Tivo than a VCR with tape rubbing through each time the same video is played.
• Tape rewinding is eliminated. Push a button and you are back at the beginning in the time it takes to press that button.
• Tivo runs more quieter than a VCR.
• No preparing of media (tape, DVD) needed.
• Tivo is readily available to record without the need to erase, prepare, finalizing (DVDs).
• Finished watching a show? want to delete? Press a button and its done. The space is ready for more recording.
• Transfer recordings from one Tivo to another on the same network and watch.

EDIT: Most if not all these features are included with Tivo Service. Tivo Service is a Requirement, not an option.

Thanks Gastrof for reminding me.

[gastrof]

TiVo costs.

You buy the box, but you also have to pay a monthly fee for the recorder to keep running, unless you have certain older models that run without the subscribed service. Most do not.

[dlfl]

There are analog cable signals and digital cable signals. Basic cable used to be analog everywhere AFAIK, but some systems are removing all analog channels so basic cable is then digital. I believe Comcast has been doing this in some regions. To receive digital cable signals other than local broadcast stations, you need a Series 3 TiVo (S3, HD, or HD XL) and one or two CableCARDS inserted into it. These small cards are rented to you by the cable co. and will typically cost a few bucks per month.

You should definitely check out the TiVo HD Overview, Q&A, Setup, Tips sticky thread, in particular the Pre-purchase Q&A and the Known Issues Sections.

If your cable co.'s basic cable is indeed analog signals, you could use an S2 model in which case much of that sticky thread would not be applicable.