Can someone simplify this for a n00b?

scottfarcuz · 06-30-2006, 08:43 PM

My wife recently decided we need a tivo unit. I noticed local retailers now offering free (after mail in rebate) boxes. I cant post a link but the big chain electronics stores are all offering a $70 and $150 mail in rebate on the $220 TiVo® Series2™ Digital Video Recorder (TCD540080)

Is there some sort of catch to this?

A few other questions.
I have no home phone line. I do have a wired home network. Will I have any problems setting up or using tivo with this? Do I need any adapters? I can easily wire from the tivo to the router.

With an 80 hour unit can I get 80 hours of recording that is near the same quality as a VCR?

GoHokies! · 06-30-2006, 08:50 PM

No catch - the 80 hour 540 units are going away in favor of the new Dual Tuner (DT) 80 hour units. Just be aware that there is a 1 year comittment when you activate, and you have to activate to get the rebate.

If you can get a wire to your TV, all you need with the single tuner 80 hour is a USB to Ethernet adapter. If you get the DT, it has a built in Ethernet port.

Quality is a subjective thing - the 80 hours is at Basic quality, I usually record at medium, and it is *near* indistinguishable from live TV, but I'm sure some other people have an opinion on that.

bpurcell · 06-30-2006, 09:21 PM

When you say near VCR quality for basic, it depends on the VCR unit you have. Most of the older VCR's and low budget VCR's would be very comparible to the basic and even sometimes worse than basic. I agree that Medium is fine for virtually any recording and is very close to live tv. The only exception is if you are into pausing shows to look at small details (like an episode of Lost), then you'd want to use high or best. The other exception is if you plan on moving the shows to your PC and burning them on a DVD. Virtually all of my recordings are Medium except cartoons, which look fine at basic.

As for networking, you need to look carefully at the box to know whether you need a phone line. If the store has an old box of the 540 Tivo, it will require a phone line to initially set up and then you can use a network. I believe the more recent 540 Tivos say on the box that they are already network ready and don't need a phone line.

scottfarcuz · 06-30-2006, 09:47 PM

Thank you very much for the input guys!

I guess the only thing I need to make sure of in store is the network setup compatibility.

How is the billing setup? Do they mail me a monthly bill, or will I be required to give them credit card info?

greg_burns · 06-30-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

I guess the only thing I need to make sure of in store is the network setup compatibility.

If you get a newer 540, it will be network "ready" only. You'll still need a USB to ethernet adapter (I recommend Netgear FA-120 for wired or Tivo's own Tivo Wireless Adapter for wireless).

If you get a DT unit, they come will an ethernet jack built-in.

sdzc · 06-30-2006, 10:02 PM

As an owner of 5 TIVO's, I will say this...

Get the Dual Tuner. You will greatly appreciate being able to record one show while watching another channel (or recording two shows at the same time).

greg_burns · 06-30-2006, 10:34 PM

As mentioned in another thread; Second Half 2006 starts in less than an hour.

Hold out for the S3.

scottfarcuz · 06-30-2006, 10:59 PM

I'm totally new to this what features would make the S3 worth holding out for?

Can anyone comment on this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

How is the billing setup? Do they mail me a monthly bill, or will I be required to give them credit card info?

greg_burns · 06-30-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

I'm totally new to this what features would make the S3 worth holding out for?

HD

GoHokies! · 06-30-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

I'm totally new to this what features would make the S3 worth holding out for?

Can anyone comment on this?

In a word, HD.

As far as billing, mine hits the CC every month. Not sure if you can do paper (I don't think you can).

btwyx · 07-01-2006, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg_burns

As mentioned in another thread; Second Half 2006 starts in less than an hour.

Not for TiVo it doesn't, they're west coast. The second half starts in 54 mins here.

bpurcell · 07-01-2006, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

I'm totally new to this what features would make the S3 worth holding out for?

Can anyone comment on this?

As the others said, if you own an HDTV, then S3 will be the only Tivo that will record in HD. But if your wife is interested in a Tivo because she saw the specials that essentially give away the Tivo box, she probably won't be happy with the S3 purchase price (not known yet, but everyone knows it will be high).

Most retail places, you can get the DT (649) for about 79 dollars after the rebates and not including the service contracts (same price no matter what model you have). I agree that paying the extra 79 dollars is worth it to get a DT instead of a free 540. But if that is too much, getting a 540080 for free is still not a bad deal, especially for someone unsure whether they want to have a Tivo. In a year after the contract expires, if you like the Tivo, you can then decide to fork over some money and upgrade to the DT or the S3.

jfh3 · 07-01-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

I guess the only thing I need to make sure of in store is the network setup compatibility.

How is the billing setup? Do they mail me a monthly bill, or will I be required to give them credit card info?

If you get one of the single tuner units, make sure that the box it comes in is one of the thinner boxes - the thickers ones, still in stock in some places, have the old software load that does not support set up via network.

(The text on the bottom flap on the top of the box will indicate broadband support on the newer boxes).

But I echo comments of the other posters - unless you need to record from antenna, spend a few extra $$ and get the dual tuner model.

As for billing, unless you pick one of the prepay service options, you provide a credit card number that is billed monthly. This is done on your Tivo account, which you can also use to schedule programs online.

scottfarcuz · 07-01-2006, 02:29 PM

wow guys thanks for all the great info! I was a little lost in the jargon on the forum being new, and you all really helped. My wife went out a few hours ago with intentions of picking up a dual tuner unit.

I don't have an HD set, and I can't see myself plunking down the cash for one in the near future.

jfh3 · 07-01-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfarcuz

My wife went out a few hours ago with intentions of picking up a dual tuner unit.

Good choice.

And welcome to TCF!

Lots of good help here.

scottfarcuz · 07-01-2006, 02:53 PM

EDIT: I did some searching and found the info I needed, Thanks again guys!

GoHokies! · 07-01-2006, 09:31 PM

Welcome to the family! You have no idea how your life is gonna change :-D