They're 'working on it'.
But most of us are pretty sure it's a hardware thing.
But most of us are pretty sure it's a hardware thing.
S3 Cablecards
Will the S3 ever use Multi-stream cablecards? Why pay for 2 cards a month when one Multi can do it cheaper. Since the Tivo HD can use them why not the S3? Or does is Tivo phasing out the S3 in favor of the HD model?
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I'm just trying to figure out then if purchasing an S3 is even worth doing. I don't want to keep paying on 2 cablecards a month when the technology allows for the use of one card.
FWIW we only pay $1.50 per month for each of our cable cards to Comcast. Others pay a little more, some a little less. If that's going to break the bank...maybe a VCR is in order?Resist said:I'm just trying to figure out then if purchasing an S3 is even worth doing. I don't want to keep paying on 2 cablecards a month when the technology allows for the use of one card.
You're lucky. Oceanic TW charges a duplicate service fee of $8 for each cable card. They also charge extra per HD outlet ($6.95) for the HD programming package, and they consider each cable card to be an outlet. So for two cable cards with optional services and the HD package like you might want with the THD or S3, we pay 8x2 + 6.95x2 which assumes you already have those packages on your account. If the cablecards were your only package options, you would pay for the digital package, optional packages (HBO, etc) and the optional HD programming package plus $2.70 per month for the first cable card, then $8 + $6.95 for the second cablecard.richsadams said:FWIW we only pay $1.50 per month for each of our cable cards to Comcast. Others pay a little more, some a little less.
I don't know what they charge for an M-stream card with two authorized channels, but I imagine they found a way to charge the same amount.
With their own DVR that has two tuners (but no cablecards) they only charge you once for the HD programming package and there's no additional outlet fee for the second tuner. Basically, they are extracting an extra $15 per month from S3 and THD users with two cablecards. (ok, a bit less if you subtract their fee of $2.70 per month for the basic cablecard only, so let's call it about $12 extra per month.)
-David
In my area Charter Cable charges $1.50 per card. You can't blame me for trying to keep my costs down.richsadams said:FWIW we only pay $1.50 per month for each of our cable cards to Comcast. Others pay a little more
I try to get a head and yet the costs for everything keep going up. It all adds up.
Please explain why you believe it's hardware. Simply because TiVo's priorities don't match you own???Joybob said:They're 'working on it'.
But most of us are pretty sure it's a hardware thing.
Only difference between the two units is hardware?JohnBrowning said:Please explain why you believe it's hardware. Simply because TiVo's priorities don't match you own???
That doesnt mean that there is a HW problem in S3. The THD moved to a commercially available part instead of the much more expensive Xilinx module solution.Joybob said:Only difference between the two units is hardware?
It doesnt mean that there ISNT a HW problem though... It could be a HW problem or it could be that Tivo's priorities have been focused on the much higher volume THD product. They could view that the S3 isnt broken... and their efforts would be best focused elsewhere right now. There just isnt any way for use to know from the outside looking in.
I never said it was a hardware PROBLEM. I simply meant that since the hardware is different that's the cause for multistream not being enabled. If it were the same hardware they could use the same software for multistream on both units.SCSIRAID said:That doesnt mean that there is a HW problem in S3. The THD moved to a commercially available part instead of the much more expensive Xilinx module solution.
It doesnt mean that there ISNT a HW problem though... It could be a HW problem or it could be that Tivo's priorities have been focused on the much higher volume THD product. They could view that the S3 isnt broken... and their efforts would be best focused elsewhere right now. There just isnt any way for use to know from the outside looking in.
OK... I misinterpreted your statement to mean a hardware problem. I think a lot of folks may interpret it the same way I did.Joybob said:I never said it was a hardware PROBLEM. I simply meant that since the hardware is different that's the cause for multistream not being enabled. If it were the same hardware they could use the same software for multistream on both units.
Well I suck at english so.SCSIRAID said:OK... I misinterpreted your statement to mean a hardware problem. I think a lot of folks may interpret it the same way I did.
Icarus said:You're lucky. Oceanic TW charges a duplicate service fee of $8 for each cable card. They also charge extra per HD outlet ($6.95) for the HD programming package, and they consider each cable card to be an outlet. So for two cable cards with optional services and the HD package like you might want with the THD or S3, we pay 8x2 + 6.95x2 which assumes you already have those packages on your account. If the cablecards were your only package options, you would pay for the digital package, optional packages (HBO, etc) and the optional HD programming package plus $2.70 per month for the first cable card, then $8 + $6.95 for the second cablecard.
I don't know what they charge for an M-stream card with two authorized channels, but I imagine they found a way to charge the same amount.
With their own DVR that has two tuners (but no cablecards) they only charge you once for the HD programming package and there's no additional outlet fee for the second tuner. Basically, they are extracting an extra $15 per month from S3 and THD users with two cablecards. (ok, a bit less if you subtract their fee of $2.70 per month for the basic cablecard only, so let's call it about $12 extra per month.)
-David
Yeow! We have to pay for premium digital and all, so it may come out in the wash. If we used a POS Comcast DVR the cost would drop by $3/mo., so it's pretty much a no brainer.Sorry that they're making you grab your ankles there. Sheesh!
Understood. :up:Resist said:In my area Charter Cable charges $3 per card. You can't blame me for trying to keep my costs down.
I try to get a head and yet the costs for everything keep going up. It all adds up.
while you're at it, how about sending me $1.50 a month too?richsadams said:FWIW we only pay $1.50 per month for each of our cable cards to Comcast. Others pay a little more, some a little less. If that's going to break the bank...maybe a VCR is in order?
Sure, no problem...send me your bank account number and password. I'll make sure it's deposited every month.bizzy said:while you're at it, how about sending me $1.50 a month too?
I've said it already today, and I'll say it again: with the addition of eSATA support, the Series3 loses it only real advantage over the THD--> "official" storage. Of course we have had our own solutions to this problem, but those are now largely moot for 90% of Tivo customers.
For the price of a Series3, you can get a THD, add a big-a$$ eSATA drive, and snag a Glo remote direct from Tivo. You lose out on THX (uh-oh) and the OLED screen (which is admittedly really cool). You gain the same storage potential, M-Cards, MPEG-4 hardware, and a better hardware architecture generally.
It should be a no-brainer. THD FTW.
For the price of a Series3, you can get a THD, add a big-a$$ eSATA drive, and snag a Glo remote direct from Tivo. You lose out on THX (uh-oh) and the OLED screen (which is admittedly really cool). You gain the same storage potential, M-Cards, MPEG-4 hardware, and a better hardware architecture generally.
It should be a no-brainer. THD FTW.
Hard to argue with. The S3 does appear to have a better tuner which may only matter to a small segment of folks. Creston is also very narrow.Revolutionary said:I've said it already today, and I'll say it again: with the addition of eSATA support, the Series3 loses it only real advantage over the THD--> "official" storage. Of course we have had our own solutions to this problem, but those are now largely moot for 90% of Tivo customers.
For the price of a Series3, you can get a THD, add a big-a$$ eSATA drive, and snag a Glo remote direct from Tivo. You lose out on THX (uh-oh) and the OLED screen (which is admittedly really cool). You gain the same storage potential, M-Cards, MPEG-4 hardware, and a better hardware architecture generally.
It should be a no-brainer. THD FTW.
S3 is now over a year old and technology just keeps on marching.
It would be interesting to know the actual sales figures.... It probably wont be long until more THD's have been sold than S3's (if it hasnt already happened). It used to be that you couldnt find many S3's in stores. Now you can find stacks of THD's.
Yes but isn't this based on the price of the unit compared to the S3? I want the best product and considering the Amazon prices are pretty low and the $200 rebate, I'm wondering how well the S3 is compared to the HD box. Sure the S3 display is cool and the backlite remote is a great thing. But besides the extra recording room is the S3 a better box? How does it have a better tuner?SCSIRAID said:It would be interesting to know the actual sales figures.... It probably wont be long until more THD's have been sold than S3's (if it hasnt already happened).
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