Not quite. Both the S3 and THD units have 2 tuners meaning they can always record 2 programs at once while watching a pre-recorded program at the same time. If by "watch" you mean watching live TV then that counts as 1 tuner in use so then only 1 tuner remains for recording something else in parallel.
A few S3 and THD questions
I just picked up a Tivo HD. I am considering returning it for a S3 given the $200 rebate - I like the way the S3 looks....
I guess it is more clarification i need than anything else.
This is my understanding.
THD can record/watch 2 programs at once IE watch one and record one OR watch zero and record 2
THD can use 1 M-Type CableCard or 2 S-Type CableCards
THD has better (implemented) hardware
S3 can record/watch 3 programs at once IE watch one and record two OR watch zero and record 3
S3 can use 2 M-Type CableCards or 2 S-Type CableCards - does not matter one way or another as long as they work
S3 has better software but its hardware is limited (has some unimplemented hardware)
I guess points 1 and 2 are the ones that I am the most confused about.
Sorry if this has been covered but I have looked through all of the pages and could not find an answer.
Thanks
I guess it is more clarification i need than anything else.
This is my understanding.
THD can record/watch 2 programs at once IE watch one and record one OR watch zero and record 2
THD can use 1 M-Type CableCard or 2 S-Type CableCards
THD has better (implemented) hardware
S3 can record/watch 3 programs at once IE watch one and record two OR watch zero and record 3
S3 can use 2 M-Type CableCards or 2 S-Type CableCards - does not matter one way or another as long as they work
S3 has better software but its hardware is limited (has some unimplemented hardware)
I guess points 1 and 2 are the ones that I am the most confused about.
Sorry if this has been covered but I have looked through all of the pages and could not find an answer.
Thanks
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
item #1: they are exactly the samePatranus said:This is my understanding.
THD can record/watch 2 programs at once IE watch one and record one OR watch zero and record 2
THD can use 1 M-Type CableCard or 2 S-Type CableCards
THD has better (implemented) hardware
S3 can record/watch 3 programs at once IE watch one and record two OR watch zero and record 3
S3 can use 2 M-Type CableCards or 2 S-Type CableCards - does not matter one way or another as long as they work
S3 has better software but its hardware is limited (has some unimplemented hardware)
item #2: they both can use 2 S-Type CableCards but S3 cannot use an M-Type CableCard and THD can use 1 M-Type CableCard
item #3: huh?!?
--
Alan
S3 can use an M-card, but you need two of them (or 1 M and 1 S.)
two tuners, equals recording of two programs at once, not three..
your third option is to view from the "Now Playing List" to view a third program
your third option is to view from the "Now Playing List" to view a third program
I guess what is confusing me is this from the Tivo web site:
"Control live HDTV and record 2 digital cable shows at once"
"Control live HDTV and record 2 digital cable shows at once"
You can watch one of the programs that is being recorded and "control it" whatever that means.
No TiVo has more than two tuners.
No TiVo has more than two tuners.
hmmmm that makes my decision that much harder. I really like the way the S3 looks, and i miss the clock on my cable box
You can buy a clock for like $5.
If you like the way the S3 looks, buy one at Circuit City with a 10% discount and send in for the rebate. You'll end up paying about the same as getting a THD and upgrading to the S3 remote and have about 50% more capacity without having to upgrade the internal drive.
When it comes down to it, I really don't see any compelling reason to buy and S3 over a THD when considering the price difference(even if you can use the $200 rebate).
The front panel OLED is nice but just a novelty. THX certification means basically nothing. The glowy remote may be a draw for some, but I'll take my Logitech Harmony 880 over it any day. Yes, it does have a bit more storage capacity than the THD but that point is rendered moot when you consider the ability to add storage now(via hack) or later when the eSATA port is officially enabled. You can add gobs more storage at a fraction of the cost compared to the extra built-in amount you get in the S3. I haven't come close to reaching any kind of full capacity with my THD. I have a lot of season passes and my Tivo Suggestions folder always has about 80-100 shows for me to pick from. I tend to watch my shows in a timely manner and delete it when done so extra storage hasn't really been a big concern for me.
Both boxes suffer from the same lack of TTG/MRV capability(until Nov?). The THD has more convenient location for the CCs and can use M-Cards(although Comcast in my area seem completely clueless about their existence).
In the end, if the lack of OLED display and glowy learning remote are enough to make you want to spend a few hundred dollars more for basically the same box, then that is up to you.
The front panel OLED is nice but just a novelty. THX certification means basically nothing. The glowy remote may be a draw for some, but I'll take my Logitech Harmony 880 over it any day. Yes, it does have a bit more storage capacity than the THD but that point is rendered moot when you consider the ability to add storage now(via hack) or later when the eSATA port is officially enabled. You can add gobs more storage at a fraction of the cost compared to the extra built-in amount you get in the S3. I haven't come close to reaching any kind of full capacity with my THD. I have a lot of season passes and my Tivo Suggestions folder always has about 80-100 shows for me to pick from. I tend to watch my shows in a timely manner and delete it when done so extra storage hasn't really been a big concern for me.
Both boxes suffer from the same lack of TTG/MRV capability(until Nov?). The THD has more convenient location for the CCs and can use M-Cards(although Comcast in my area seem completely clueless about their existence).
In the end, if the lack of OLED display and glowy learning remote are enough to make you want to spend a few hundred dollars more for basically the same box, then that is up to you.
The Series3 is a better buy right now... at least for as long as the $200 rebate lasts, and when you buy the Series3 from a retailer at $599.99 or less.Evilmonkee said:When it comes down to it, I really don't see any compelling reason to buy and S3 over a THD when considering the price difference(even if you can use the $200 rebate).
The front panel OLED is nice but just a novelty. THX certification means basically nothing. The glowy remote may be a draw for some, but I'll take my Logitech Harmony 880 over it any day. Yes, it does have a bit more storage capacity than the THD but that point is rendered moot when you consider the ability to add storage now(via hack) or later when the eSATA port is officially enabled. You can add gobs more storage at a fraction of the cost compared to the extra built-in amount you get in the S3. I haven't come close to reaching any kind of full capacity with my THD. I have a lot of season passes and my Tivo Suggestions folder always has about 80-100 shows for me to pick from. I tend to watch my shows in a timely manner and delete it when done so extra storage hasn't really been a big concern for me.
Both boxes suffer from the same lack of TTG/MRV capability(until Nov?). The THD has more convenient location for the CCs and can use M-Cards(although Comcast in my area seem completely clueless about their existence).
In the end, if the lack of OLED display and glowy learning remote are enough to make you want to spend a few hundred dollars more for basically the same box, then that is up to you.
You get 50% more storage space out of the box with the Series3.
You get the OLED display, which while a "novelty" of sorts, in practice becomes rather useful and valuable.
You get the Glo Remote, a $50 value (eBay it if you don't want it/use it -- it's still "value").
$599.99 - $200 rebate = $399.99
But right now you can get a 10% off coupon for Circuit City. That makes the final price work out to: $599.99 - $60 discount - $200 rebate = $339.99
So for $40 more you get 50% more storage space, the Glo Remote (a $50 value), and the OLED display. Plus you get a nicer case, THX certification (for whatever that's worth), and an extra set of composite video/audio outputs.
It's worthwhile for the extra storage space alone.
I just got my S3. I thought about getting a THD instead. In the end I went with the S3 because I could use both internal and external storage (hacks). Probably moot when they actually do come out with offical eSATA support.Patranus said:I just picked up a Tivo HD. I am considering returning it for a S3 given the $200 rebate - I like the way the S3 looks....
I also liked the THX (yeah, I know I'm a sucker for marketing hoopla) as almost all of the upscaling HDMI AV receivers I was looking at were THX as well. Don't forget the FREE (act now, operators standing by) HDMI cable you get with the S3, too.
Once they turn on the Multi-Room (multi Tivo) option, I will probably get a THD for the bedroom.
In the end, get what you like. I had a $250 Amazon credit from a training class I took at work, so the price difference really wasn't a consideration for me. I do think the S3 is generally over priced for not much more, if any performance.
Ya, I just got back from CC with an S3....
Overall I am liking it a lot more than the THD at the moment. It seems much more responsive and overall faster. Everything from the unit to the packaging to the inclusion of the phone splitter make it feel more complete. I get less of the cheep feeling that i got from the THD.
And I GOT MY CLOCK!!!
I am able to get a rebate based on a technicality so I think that it will work out for the best.
Thanks for the info.
Overall I am liking it a lot more than the THD at the moment. It seems much more responsive and overall faster. Everything from the unit to the packaging to the inclusion of the phone splitter make it feel more complete. I get less of the cheep feeling that i got from the THD.
And I GOT MY CLOCK!!!
I am able to get a rebate based on a technicality
so I think that it will work out for the best.Thanks for the info.
I ordered a THD from Amazon for $265 last night. I already have a series3. If 160gb is too small, I can put the 250gb from my S3 in there (the S3 has been upgraded to 500gb internally.)
I am replacing my Series2 with the THD, so I don't qualify for the rebate. The VCR in that room makes a nice clock. I got a free glo-remote when I bought Toast 8.
I am replacing my Series2 with the THD, so I don't qualify for the rebate. The VCR in that room makes a nice clock. I got a free glo-remote when I bought Toast 8.
The 8.3 software on the S3 sped up the menus over the 8.1 version, which is what is currently on the TivoHD. But one can expect the TiVoHD to be getting those improvements soon (maybe with the TTG/MRV November release?)Patranus said:It seems much more responsive and overall faster.
I really don't like living in the world of IF and WHEN - I have my Blu-Ray player for that.CharlesH said:The 8.3 software on the S3 sped up the menus over the 8.1 version, which is what is currently on the TivoHD. But one can expect the TiVoHD to be getting those improvements soon (maybe with the TTG/MRV November release?)
Thanks guys.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
TiVo Community Forum
A forum community dedicated to TiVo digital video recorder owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about programming, streaming, content, schedules, home theaters, displays, models, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Steveknj
364 Replies
cheesesteak
337 Replies
Rob Helmerichs
323 Replies
Recommended Communities
