Mini or Roamio for second tv?

When you are OTA there aren't any real downsides to having a second Roamio OTA versus a Mini, assuming you have access to an antenna in both locations. Anything you record on one Roamio streams to the other and works just like if you recorded it there.

 

Thank you for the above inquiry and the response--I'm in the same situation and had come to the same tentative conclusion but have been wondering about it (for the extra $50, get all the Mini capabilities but in a standalone unit). For me, a further benefit is the networking aspect, being on wireless now and unsure about a wired connection due to lack of convenient coaxial cabling locations for a possible MoCA network (am now thinking of trying a powerline network)--at the very least, 2 separate OTA units give me greater flexibility, for the extra $50, let alone the extra tuners and storage.

The only "downside" I've seen is that the Roamio OTA in the current promotion is a refurb--but people have been reporting back favorably on that.

 

I am considering this as well. Only thing I can think of is maybe it not being as convenient since all of your recordings won't be in one cue? Don't you have to browse to the 2nd TiVo to see the recordings on that machine? Also, and this is both a pro and a con, you have to set up separate 1P's for both machines. That is a plus in that you have more tuners available and can therefore record different shows on each machine but it's also more to manage. Lastly, and this is minor and depends on your signal strength but currently I have my antenna lead directly plugged into the one Roamio in the house with no splitters, if I add a second Roamio vs a Mini then I have to split the signal. Currently I have a few of channels that are a little borderline on signal strength (I pick up stations from two different markets) and the splitter could aggravate that. And an amplifier doesn't work for me because half my channels are too strong and an amplifier causes problems for those.

 

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Thanks for the extra factors to consider--appreciated.

 

This may be a dumb question, but - is there any reason a Roamio OTA couldn't be used instead of a "Mini" even if your primary box is on cable?

I just bought a refurbished Bolt with lifetime and was debating about getting a Mini for a TV we only use once in a while. Currently that second TV is used for stuff like Netflix and Hulu via an Apple TV.

 

Yes for playing back recorded shows on Bolt. No live tv (which Mini can do), although you can start recording on Bolt, and then playback on Roamio OTA

 

The Roamio OTA can not share live tuners from another TiVo show so with a cable setup you loose live cable TV on the set you install the Roamio OTA. So for cable setup unless you want/need the OTA tuners in the Roamio OTA I think a Mini is a better solution.

 

This is EXACTLY how I'm using my Roamio OTA. I stream shows from the cable-connected Tivos (Roamio Pro & Roamio Base.) It sits in the back bedroom in lieu of a Mini.

In addition, anything from cable I want to keep around for later (series like Gotham/Homeland/Shameless/Dexter along with favorite movies) I transfer to the Roamio OTA - you can see in my .sig that it's greatly upgraded. It then becomes a streaming host if/when I decide I want to watch any of that ...

The one downside to this setup is the OTA can't 'siphon' a tuner from a Tivo like the Mini can. Since my cable-connected Tivos are already recording everything I want on cable, my solution to this is to stream the show from the host Tivo while it's recording. Minor difference & not an issue at all for me, but YMMV.

 

One more vote for the R/OTA over a Mini...

1. Additional storage
2. Additional tuners
3. Redundancy (that Mini does not do much if the host craps out)
4. Better Plex client
5. Inactivity timer (turns off the tv when you fall asleep)

No brainer, really, for another $50.

 

Aside from the workaround hassles in getting a cable Live TV-ish stream to the Roamio OTA, and scheduling recordings, some cable subscribers would lose access to cable on-demand programming at the Roamio OTA location. (e.g. Comcast customers) Of course, some customers don't have access to on-demand programming at all, so...

 

I think you need to be in TiVo ads. Although, you don't have a Bolt yet . . . .

 

Thanks to everyone for the informative responses! I (belatedly) apologize for inadvertently hijacking the thread though.

 

With 2 Roamios, do you get one combined My Shows? Or do you have to wonder where something recorded?

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

 

Neither. Each DVR's shows are listed separately, but there's no wondering; the other DVR's listing is easily accessible via its device icon at the bottom of the current DVR's 'My Shows' listing.

Though, yes, I would like the option of a merged presentation, but not as much as I'd like user profiles. (But won't be holding my breath for either.)

 

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread, but I have a question about adding a second Roamio to my existing one.
I currently have a Lifetime Sub Roamio with a cable card. I'm thinking of getting a second one for either OTA use or just as a second playback device (and possibly for transferring shows for long term storage). There's several used Roamio's on sale through Craigslist in the area for less than a Mini goes for, so I'm wondering about buying one of those instead of a Mini.

With the Mini no subscription is necessary, if I get a second Roamio would I need a sub for it if I only use it for playback and not recording?
If I do want to use it also as an OTA recording device will I need a sub for that box too?

Thanks!

 

Without a subscription a TiVo has no networking and no guide. Recording may be impossible. Keep watching for BF sales and used Roamio OTA w/All-In.

 

A refurb. Roamio OTA 1TB box with included Lifetime subscription will be going for $300 in TiVo's BF sale this week.