Tivo Premier Elite vs HR...?

2416 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by MichaelK, Jan 21, 2012

mp11

Discussion Starter · Jan 19, 2012

My Tivo HD will be 3 years old come this April, and I know the hard drive will be on borrowed time. So I'm starting to think a little ahead right now, what does Dish and Directv have that compares to the Tivo Elite? I'm talking features and stability etc. I'd like to stay with Tivo, however $500 is a bit much. Any input is appreciated.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

aaronwt

· #2 · Jan 19, 2012

Why would the hard drive be on borrowed time? A typical hard drive will last many, many years longer than that

Save

Dan203

· #3 · Jan 19, 2012

Not to mention that the hard drive is the easiest piece of the TiVo to replace if it does die.

Now if you're just looking for 4 tuners in one box then by all means, but don't assume your HD is on it's last leg.

Also one more thing to keep in mind is that the Elite can not record analog cable or OTA of any kind. So if any of your cable channels are still analog, or you use an antenna for anything, then an Elite is not a viable replacement for an HD.

Dan

Save

mp11

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 19, 2012

OK guys, about the HD lifespan, seems when I first got the TivoHD someone mentioned the HD on a DVR could go anytime after 2 years is why I mentioned that. But I suppose that was wrong.

But I also like the idea of 4 tuners and more storage capacity. I think I read that Directv has an HD DVR with 4 tuners? Not sure about Dish. But a couple of questions.
1- Saw a video review of a Tivo Premier and the guy mentioned that certain menus aren't HD menus. Also, Youtube HD videos cannot be seen in HD. Does that go for the Elite also?
2- Any chance the Elite will ever have OTA capability?

Save

RangerOne

· #5 · Jan 19, 2012

mp11 said:
OK guys, about the HD lifespan, seems when I first got the TivoHD someone mentioned the HD on a DVR could go anytime after 2 years is why I mentioned that. But I suppose that was wrong. But I also like the idea of 4 tuners and more storage capacity. I think I read that Directv has an HD DVR with 4 tuners? Not sure about Dish. But a couple of questions.
1- Saw a video review of a Tivo Premier and the guy mentioned that certain menus aren't HD menus. Also, Youtube HD videos cannot be seen in HD. Does that go for the Elite also?
2- Any chance the Elite will ever have OTA capability?

With the recent upgrade, a lot of the menus are now in HD. What's not in HD are mostly configuration screens

There's a new YouTube client (and Netflix) that will be rolling out with the next software update (after 20.2)

Maybe eventually on OTA for the Elite but it would cost even more $$$. I guess you could buy an additional regular Premiere or XL if you need OTA

Save

Dan203

· #6 · Jan 21, 2012

mp11 said:
2- Any chance the Elite will ever have OTA capability?

Not the current model. It would need an OTA tuner and the current Elite does not have one. I guess they could potentially add one via USB, but that's highly unlikely.

Dan

Save

MichaelK

· #7 · Jan 21, 2012

mp11 said:
... I think I read that Directv has an HD DVR with 4 tuners? ...

apparently their latest "whole home DVR" has FIVE (5) tuners. You can even do away with set top boxes in the other rooms if you happen to have certain samsung tv's that are RVU compatible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RVU_Alliance (looks like LG might have some in the future also). And I think they are probably all converted over so you only need a single cable everywhere as if you home was wired for cabletv.

If it wasn't for cable's bundling then i would have given Directv a serious look recently instead of getting an Elite.

It just seems so difficult to get directv for TV + cable for broadband + telco or cable for phone to come anyplace near the price for cable triple play in my neck of the woods. I had directv since around the time it came out circa 1995 (remember it was only MPEG1 and the default dish was only one box at a time)- but i left for cable completely because of the S3 and directv's switch to MP4 without a tivo successor to my HR10-250's in 2006.

But now, I'm almost married to comcast, and can't really see a way that I can part ways without paying an "unbundling" tax. ( somehow I "forget" the $900 Tivo elite "Tax"- lol)

See less See more

Save

Soapm

· #8 · Jan 21, 2012

You could get another HD with lifetime for about $300 and have 4 tuners.

Save

jpcamaro70

· #9 · Jan 21, 2012

MichaelK said:
apparently their latest "whole home DVR" has FIVE (5) tuners. You can even do away with set top boxes in the other rooms if you happen to have certain samsung tv's that are RVU compatible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RVU_Alliance (looks like LG might have some in the future also). And I think they are probably all converted over so you only need a single cable everywhere as if you home was wired for cabletv.

If it wasn't for cable's bundling then i would have given Directv a serious look recently instead of getting an Elite.

It just seems so difficult to get directv for TV + cable for broadband + telco or cable for phone to come anyplace near the price for cable triple play in my neck of the woods. I had directv since around the time it came out circa 1995 (remember it was only MPEG1 and the default dish was only one box at a time)- but i left for cable completely because of the S3 and directv's switch to MP4 without a tivo successor to my HR10-250's in 2006.

But now, I'm almost married to comcast, and can't really see a way that I can part ways without paying an "unbundling" tax. ( somehow I "forget" the $900 Tivo elite "Tax"- lol)

That's how they get you, the bundle.

Save

MichaelK

· #10 · Jan 21, 2012

jpcamaro70 said:
That's how they get you, the bundle.

exactly and it's a pretty smart marketing move. They lock you and and increase their average bill in the process. All without a contract or anything really negative (besides their general disdain for their customers).

I used to tell people that asked to get Directv as it was so much better. Now i tell people to get triple play. Directv may have an edge with hardware, and certainly if you care about out of market sports, but beyond that cable is tough to beat triple play. The pricing is awesome. And actually comcast in my neck of the woods just keeps adding channels and increasing my broadband speeds without asking anything in return. They even keep getting rid of their extra fees. First they topped charging extra for HD, they they stopped charging for cable cards, then they stopped charging additional outlet fees (when they went all digital), this last bill they started giving me a 2.50 credit for each cable card for bring your own equipment. So my bill really isn't significantly different then when i moved over in 2006.

See less See more

Save

1 - 10 of 10 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.

Top Contributors this Month