TiVo versus X1 review after two weeks

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I’ve used a Roamio Pro since 2013. My provider is Comcast. I enjoy the TiVo but have become frustrated with the quality of the guide data and the current product offerings.

I’ve been running an X1 DVR for two weeks, alongside my TiVo. I have the Arris XG1v4-A model. So far, the X1 box is okay. I don’t know how long I’ll continue to run two DVRs, but so far I can say I could see myself ditching the TiVo and going it alone with the X1.

TL;DR: I originally bought a TiVo because in 2013 the reviews of the X1 were horrendous! The TiVo was great! We’ve enjoyed its features for seven years. My two week test has quieted my fears about leaving the TiVo world and going forward with an X1. It would be fine.

My list of pros and cons:

Pros:
• OnDemand is back.
• Free Netflix account.
• Free Peacock account (would have had this anyway since I’m an Xfinity customer?).
• Voice control works great (I’ve never used a TiVo voice remote).
• The X1 has picked up at least two recordings that my TiVo missed (bad guide data?).
• I never found a way on the TiVo to use a series pass or wishlist to record NASCAR races that didn’t either miss stuff or record too much stuff (like the truck races). On the X1 I found one choice that said “NASCAR Cup Series” and it only records cup races. It has worked nicely so far. Maybe there will be similar choices for college football?

Cons:
• Tivo’s commercial skip is better than X1’s “Smart Resume” (but Smart Resume is okay).
• The X1 will let me do a manual recording, but not a recurring manual recording. I would like the X1 to add this feature.
• When you enter a folder of recordings the guide switches to large tiles instead of the grid. I called Xfinity about this and the rep said this annoyed her too and she would submit a feature request.
• I miss skipping to the tick marks on the TiVo timeline. The X1’s “lightning” fast forward is pretty good though.

Remote controls: I’ve been using a TiVo remote long enough that for most functions I don’t even need to look at it…just pick it up and press the buttons. The X1 remote has smaller buttons, smaller type and feels foreign in my hand. After two weeks I’m getting more used to it every day. And I do like the lighted buttons on the X1 remote.

Changing channels: On the TiVo you enter the new channel number and it changes to that channel. On the X1 you enter the new channel number and get a search box where you select the channel (it’s always the top-most result) and press the center OK button. I need to use voice control more often to change channels, it works quite well and is faster than the search method.

Switching tuners: I loved being able to switch tuners on the TiVo and having each tuner have a 30 minute buffer. There is no way on an X1 to switch tuners, but the left-arrow button on the remote lets you quickly and easily change channels (to the last nine channels you’ve used) but there is no buffer. I believe the X1 has a 60 minute buffer when you stay on one channel. I have not investigated X1’s “Favorites” feature yet.

Picture quality: It’s hard to evaluate PQ when you can’t see them side-by-side. I’d say the PQ of the X1 is the same or maybe a bit better than the TiVo, but that’s just a hunch…they look very close. I have noticed a peculiarity where I set the X1 to 2160p60 4K UHD and the next day it has changed to 1080p60 HD (My Sony Bravia is 4K UHD). I’d say, for me, that 1080p60 HD looks the same as my TiVo Roamio, while 2160p60 4K UHD looks a little better than the TiVo Roamio.

Resolving recording conflicts: My TiVo would almost always resolve a recording conflict by catching a repeat showing during the overnight hours. I’ve only had one recording conflict so far on the X1 and I had to resolve it myself.

Cost: The X1 added $5/month to my Comcast bill and may have changed the “customer owned equipment credit” because the X1 is now my “primary” box and the two cable cards I have are bumped down. I believe my account now shows the X1 as costing $5/month and two cable cards at $4.95 each ($9.90/month total). My three TiVo Mini’s have no monthly cost, the X1 equivalent would cost $9.95 each ($29.85/month total). Ouch! (Two cable cards because my adult son has a TiVo Bolt.)

Series recordings: On my desktop computer it was easy to put TiVo Online in one window and Xfinity Stream in another window and transfer my series recordings. The Xfinity Stream search function would find a show and a few clicks later it was added as a series recording. I’d say I had 150 series recordings transferred in about 15 or 20 minutes. One oddity: the online Xfinity Stream and my X1 box could not find three shows (The Voice, Talking Dead and So You Think You Can Dance). I guess I’ll have to wait for these shows to show up in the guide.

Xfinity Stream app: I’ve used the Xfinity Stream app a bit on my desktop computer, iPad and iPhone to access recordings and live TV. It works well. I have not downloaded a recording yet or investigated how out-of-home streaming would work.

 

Yes, both HDMI to my AVR and then one HDMI cable to my display.

I guess I'm only paying $5/month for my TiVo ($10 for guide data minus the $5 Xfinity credit) so I'll keep it around for a while.

 

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Yes, free Netflix. My old Xfinity deal was titled "Super Triple Play" and includes a free Netflix account. I think the new Xfinity deal has a different name...but I don't have it handy just now. Something like "Super + More".

The free Netflix account is one user and standard definition. Upon activating the free Netflix on the X1 it asked if we wanted the free account or keep our current account (four users and HD) for $3/month. We opted to pay the $3/month and keep our current account. And it's billed on our Xfinity bill, not through Netflix the way we had been paying. Old cost was $16/month.

 

Current product offerings matter, to me, because my Roamio isn't going to last forever. Sure, I can easily replace the HDD...but there are other problems that can end a Roamio's life too. Also, my wife had been pushing for an X1 to bring back OnDemand.

The shows my TiVo missed were a couple of car shows on the MotorTrend network.

OP Manager a patent? I don't know.

 

We considered getting/returning the X1 about a year ago when I first learned of and had the free Netflix offer. Just never got around to it.

 

Interesting. I asked if this area was on "Simple & Easy" and didn't get a clear answer.

The billing is frustrating. In the past I've gotten good deals by visiting my local Comcast store and asking about saving money. This time, when picking up the X1, the rep said my Super Triple Play for $159.99 was cheaper than any promo they had and that it wouldn't change for another year. So a few days later I get a new bill and $159.99 has changed to $188.98.

I called in and at first and was told there was nothing cheaper, but a few minutes later was offered $169. So I took that. The web site is still showing $188.98, so I'm waiting to see what my paper bill says when it arrives. If I remember right the package is now called "Super + More." The rep said I would lose NFL Red Zone, but it's been over two weeks and I still have Red Zone.

I'm also not sure when and how an X1 saves recordings to the cloud. The X1 I have has a 500 GB internal hard drive. As far as I can tell everything we record goes to the hard drive. I've seen nothing that mentions capacity or paying for more storage. I don't anticipate having a problem with storage. We're retired and while we do record a lot we watch a lot and my TiVo was never more than 20% full...often much less.

 

Ah, I see. Thanks.

 

Great info, thanks!

I'll do some research...maybe call in again tomorrow. I'm a little perturbed that the current bill, online, still shows Super Triple Play @ $188.98 even though a subsequent call got me the Super + More for $160 something. Paper bill hasn't arrived yet...but I'm guessing it'll show the Super Triple Play for $188.98 when it should show the Super + More rate.

 

I remember trying keywords like -Practice and -Qualifying and a few others. Don't remember trying -Classic NASCAR and your others. It's only been about three weeks...but the NASCAR Cup "collection" on the X1 has worked well and sure was a lot easier.