time to move upward to a newer model? what will be gained/lost?

[marklyn]

I've got 3 zippered HDVR2 units and really enjoy the convenience of setting recordings over the net, multi-room viewing, etc... but one of them is starting to crap out a bit. I haven't kept up with the latest models so I'm wondering what newer models might be available that would allow me the same/similar features that I currently have on my HDVR2's.
I did a little poking around in some of the other forums but I'm confused about all the new models and what features may come with them (natively) that I've had to add to my HDVR2's by zippering, etc.

I'd appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on the subject to help me decide to replace the ailing HDVR2 with another series 2 and re-zipper it or can I upgrade and get similar features?

I'd even be open to a standalone Tivo (used with cable) if I could have the same internet recording, multi-room, etc.

[classicsat]

Except the R10 (which need a PROM mod to hack), there are really no significantly newer DirecTV TiVos (yet).

For Standalones (which have been around longer than DirecTV TiVos), but do have current models:

Series 2 DT

• Can record from two analog cable channels, or one box channel and one analog cable channel (if analog cable is present and set up).
• The box can be cable, IPTV, or satellite.
• It does not support antenna, either with its analog tuners or with box, but can work to some degree with analog antenna and/or an OTA convertor box.
• Box only services (which do not supply analog cable) will render the unit a Single Tuner.

TiVo HD (or TiVo HD-XL)

• Can record analog/digital from antenna, and/or analog digital cable or FIOS
• Uses cablecards to map to digital cable channel numbers, and decrypt encrypted channels.
• It is also dual tuner, and can record from any two of the listed sources at the same time.
• Like your DirecTV TiVo, it will directly record the digital channel stream of a digital channel (SD or HD) directly, in the native video format, resolutions, and bit rate.
• It cannot work with box sources, such as IPTV and satellite.

As for networking, the Series 2 and Series 3 line have similar networking features, which include:

• Making the service call over your broadband network.
• Setting recordings from TCO and TiVo's partner sites (you can do that with dial-up, but they get updated every day or so, as opposed to several times an hour on a broadband connected TiVo).
• In home sharing of video, audio, and photos, as well as internet access of same. This includes TiVo<>TiVo transfers (MRV), and PC<> TiVo trasnfers (TiVoToGo/ComeBack). The HD models add direct MPEG4 support; the Series 2s just do MPEG 2, other formats need converted on a PC.
• All of that with no hacking of the TiVo itself. There are 3rd party apps to make content sharing and conversion easier than the official TiVo Desktop, often free.

[marklyn]

Originally Posted by classicsat

Except the R10 (which need a PROM mod to hack), there are really no significantly newer DirecTV TiVos (yet).

For Standalones (which have been around longer than DirecTV TiVos), but do have current models:

Series 2 DT

• Can record from two analog cable channels, or one box channel and one analog cable channel (if analog cable is present and set up).
• The box can be cable, IPTV, or satellite.
• It does not support antenna, either with its analog tuners or with box, but can work to some degree with analog antenna and/or an OTA convertor box.
• Box only services (which do not supply analog cable) will render the unit a Single Tuner.

TiVo HD (or TiVo HD-XL)

• Can record analog/digital from antenna, and/or analog digital cable or FIOS
• Uses cablecards to map to digital cable channel numbers, and decrypt encrypted channels.
• It is also dual tuner, and can record from any two of the listed sources at the same time.
• Like your DirecTV TiVo, it will directly record the digital channel stream of a digital channel (SD or HD) directly, in the native video format, resolutions, and bit rate.
• It cannot work with box sources, such as IPTV and satellite.

As for networking, the Series 2 and Series 3 line have similar networking features, which include:

• Making the service call over your broadband network.
• Setting recordings from TCO and TiVo's partner sites (you can do that with dial-up, but they get updated every day or so, as opposed to several times an hour on a broadband connected TiVo).
• In home sharing of video, audio, and photos, as well as internet access of same. This includes TiVo<>TiVo transfers (MRV), and PC<> TiVo trasnfers (TiVoToGo/ComeBack). The HD models add direct MPEG4 support; the Series 2s just do MPEG 2, other formats need converted on a PC.
• All of that with no hacking of the TiVo itself. There are 3rd party apps to make content sharing and conversion easier than the official TiVo Desktop, often free.

Good information, thanks for the nice write up.
So it sounds like if I really wanted to go back to cable I could and use a cable card. Do these particular units allow accessing over the internet or multi-room viewing? That's what I'm interested in the most, whether it's a stand-alone Tivo or a newer model DirecTivo.

[classicsat]

All Series 2s/3s allow MRV (with the proviso the provider hasn't protected the content, and only SD content can be transferred to Series 2s), and the feature to set recordings from the internet. None have an in-depth interface like TiVoWebPlus. MRV And TiVoToGo are only allowed witihn your home, although there are VPN and routing tricks that may be able to use them outside your home. As I said, there isn't (yet) any really newer DirecTV model. Since the R10, DirecTV went to their own DVR. TiVo cannot make DirecTV TiVos on their own.

[MungoJerrie]

Originally Posted by marklyn

Do these particular units allow accessing over the internet or multi-room viewing? That's what I'm interested in the most, whether it's a stand-alone Tivo or a newer model DirecTivo.

One thing you should be aware of if you go with a Standalone (Non-DTV) Tivo, you WILL NOT be able to MRV with your old DTivos. Recent 9.x software has changed the MRV protocol and it is not compatible with 6.x versions. All SA Tivos will happily MRV with like 9.x peers but nothing else.