[nick1817]

I'm very new to the standalone boxes. I had D* for years, but just moved into a new apartment and am stuck with with some Apartment proprietary cable co (Direct Path). Everything was prewired. They don't offer DVR's, HD programming, cable cards etc. Just Digital cable.

Needless to say, my living room's HDTV looks a little unused. The signal seems bad to me, but I only have a Series two hooked up to it via an S-Video Cable.

Would a HD Box (either one) improve the picture quality due to better tuners and connections?

I will probably get one or the other to at least get some OTA stuff in HD, but didn't know if this might improve the overall picture of SD content.

Thanks

 

[cr33p]

I'm very new to the standalone boxes. I had D* for years, but just moved into a new apartment and am stuck with with some Apartment proprietary cable co (Direct Path). Everything was prewired. They don't offer DVR's, HD programming, cable cards etc. Just Digital cable.

Needless to say, my living room's HDTV looks a little unused. The signal seems bad to me, but I only have a Series two hooked up to it via an S-Video Cable.

Would a HD Box (either one) improve the picture quality due to better tuners and connections?

I will probably get one or the other to at least get some OTA stuff in HD, but didn't know if this might improve the overall picture of SD content.

Thanks

Some have said that the SD quality on the new Tivo HD is better then that of the S2 units, and if you ran cable cards you could get digital versions of channels that arent in high def as well

 

[gweempose]

First of all, I thought that every cable company was required by law to offer cablecards. Of course, I could be wrong. I don't know all the specifics when it comes to small-scale, apartment centric operations. That being said, your picture quality should increase substantially if you upgrade to one of the available digital packages. Digital isn't always better, but in your case it should be since you indicated that your analog feed was crappy. Then again, a lot of it depends on how many of your analog channels are being simulcast as digital.

As far as buying a Series 3 Tivo, I'd say it's pretty much a no brainer if you live in an area where you can receive a bunch of OTA HD channels. Since the Tivo has a built-in ATSC tuner, you don't need a cablecard to record these. Plus, you may be able to tune in many of the digital cable stations as well, assuming they are broadcast "in the clear" without any encryption. Ay any rate, you will probably have to talk to your cable company to find out more information before making your decision. It is a shame, though, to have that gorgeous new HDTV just sitting there begging for some HD content to display.

Edit:

I just re-read your initial post, and you didn't indicate whether or not you already subscribe to a digital cable package. Is the cable fedd going directly to your Series 2, or is it going to a digital cable box which is being controlled by your Tivo? If the latter is true, some of what I previously said may not apply.

 

[AbMagFab]

I'm sure they offer Cable Cards, as they have to. Make sure they do, then get a TivoHD with CC's, and enjoy lots of HD, and better looking SD.

 

[nick1817]

Edit:

I just re-read your initial post, and you didn't indicate whether or not you already subscribe to a digital cable package. Is the cable fedd going directly to your Series 2, or is it going to a digital cable box which is being controlled by your Tivo? If the latter is true, some of what I previously said may not apply.

I currently subscribe to their Digital package- the current setup has the cable from wall split, one to the Cable Box, one to the Series Two.

I'll have to call and see if they offer cable cards. I'm surprised they don't have a 900 number- they seem so shady. I had to pay for my months service upfront with the install..

 

[Revolutionary]

I'm sure they offer Cable Cards, as they have to. Make sure they do, then get a TivoHD with CC's, and enjoy lots of HD, and better looking SD.

Is it an Oakwood community?

Oakwood and equivalent communities generally use local distribution of a contracted satellite feed. They are legally more akin to a hotel or extended stay facility than they are a genuine apartment community. They aren't required to carry cablecards, carry any HD (including local OTAs), or comply with most FCC regs applicable to a cable MSO.

If its not Oakwood, a telltail sign that it might be in this category is that they offer short-term leases on furnished apartments, or general "corporate housing."

 

[demon]

First of all, I thought that every cable company was required by law to offer cablecards.

Sadly, I found out firsthand that that's not necessarily the case - it's somehow based on the size of their subscriber base. Usually, if they operate in multiple cities though, they have a large enough operation to be subject, but not necessarily. Fortunately my cableco, by way of a recent merger, became subject, and finally coughed 'em up. He might want to research just how big the company in question is, as the days of small cablecos seem to be near their end - the big guys come in and swallow 'em up pretty regularly.

As far as buying a Series 3 Tivo, I'd say it's pretty much a no brainer if you live in an area where you can receive a bunch of OTA HD channels. Since the Tivo has a built-in ATSC tuner, you don't need a cablecard to record these.

Seconded.

 

[shady]

I currently subscribe to their Digital package- the current setup has the cable from wall split, one to the Cable Box, one to the Series Two.

I believe most people do it the other way around. Take the output of the Cablebox into the Series two, and then the other split goes to the TV (so you can watch an analog channel while Tivo is recording)

 

[nick1817]

Is it an Oakwood community?

Oakwood and equivalent communities generally use local distribution of a contracted satellite feed. They are legally more akin to a hotel or extended stay facility than they are a genuine apartment community. They aren't required to carry cablecards, carry any HD (including local OTAs), or comply with most FCC regs applicable to a cable MSO.

If its not Oakwood, a telltail sign that it might be in this category is that they offer short-term leases on furnished apartments, or general "corporate housing."

Empirian is the management Co.

 

[nick1817]

I believe most people do it the other way around. Take the output of the Cablebox into the Series two, and then the other split goes to the TV (so you can watch an analog channel while Tivo is recording)

I may have typed it backwards for all I know. I just installed it yesterday afternoon. Though, some would argue that would mean it is fresh on my mind...

But, i think I have Coax from wall split, one to Tivo, one To Cable Box, and RCA from Cable Box to Tivo. This still allows me to record two things at a time (so far)

My TV coax input is hooked up to my OTA

In any event, I can pick up my OTA HD/Digital channels with my little indoor antenna, and do so to watch live sporting stuff in HD. But, I'd be nice to be able to record those....

Mainly though, I was curious if the improved connections and tuners of the HD box might slightly imrpove the picture. Or if this cable co. just has a crappy feed. It looks "ok" on my bedroom SD TV

 

[shady]

Makes sense, I didn't realize it was a Dual Tuner Series 2 that you had.

 

[nick1817]

Yes'sir.

If there's a deal on the HD DVR, I'm going to have to jump on it. I'll need the Wireless hook up to move the S2 to the bedroom though....and a wireless router.....

Can someone explain the Tivo Rewards to me? If I buy another unit, can I entere one of your referral codes to give you points and such?

 

[gweempose]

Can someone explain the Tivo Rewards to me? If I buy another unit, can I enter one of your referral codes to give you points and such?

The Tivo Rewards program is quite simple. Every time you refer a friend to the Tivo service, you get 5,000 points. These points can be used to purchase merchandise from the Rewards site. When you activate your new box, Tivo will ask you for the e-mail address of the person who referred you. If you want to give them mine, I certainly wouldn't complain.

 

[megazone]

They also offer a credit card which earns rewards points for use.