[jmaditto]

OK – I used this forum 2 years ago to upgrade my Direct TV TiVo units and have been lurking again for the last day researching TiVo as I wish to get a stand alone unit ( I switched to TW in Feb). I have had a difficult time finding what I need and it seems the more I read the more questions I have so I decided to post.

I can’t take my Time Warner DVR anymore and want to move back to TiVo( loved my DirectTV with TiVo). Why I switched is another story. So, I have a HD DVR and a digital box w/DVR (non HD) to replace. I think I’m going to replace the non HD box first.

Series 2
It appears the Series 2 unit doesn’t use CableCards so I would keep my cable box ( I guess just get a digital box without the DVR from TW) and be able to record 2 channels at the same time as long as only one is a digital channel. Is this correct?

I’m curious how the TiVo stand alone unit works with the cable box. Do I use the TW box to watch and navigate live TV or will I use the TiVo box for everything? I’m used to the 1 box with TiVo, and now TW DVR built in, so it’s a bit confusing. I prefer the TiVo UI to the TW I have now.

Series 3 HD
I went to my TW site and they currently provide 1-way CableCards but expect to have 2-way cards in the 4th quarter or maybe 1st quarter next year. It’s my understanding that with the current 1-way cards I would need two of them to be able to record two shows at the same time. When the 2-way cards become available, can I just exchange my 1-way cards for one 2-way card in my Series 3 and record two shows at once? Also, will the 2-way card solve the SDV issue? The TW site indicates the 2-way card brings full functionality to the device…like their converter box is why I ask.

Sounds like I’m safe going with the Series 2 for my non HD source right now but it might be safer to wait to see how the CableCard and SDV plays out. I would hate to have a Series 3 and miss out on HD channels. Recommendations welcomed. Thanks

 

[classicsat]

You use the Series 2 to control everything mostly. The TiVo uses the cable box basically as a tuner. With the Series 2 DT, you can record two analog, or one analog+one digital. You would order PPV or VOD with the cable remote though. SDV is tuned just as regular channels are.

For the Series 3/TiVoHD;

They mean S-cards vs M-cards. You need two S-cards for dual tuning, or one M-card (M-card singe functionality not yet available on the S3, but is enabled on the TiVoHD, so if the are issuing M-cards, you will need two until Single M-cards are enabled on the S3).

So far, it seems the Series 3 platform is only one-way, so there is no SDV on it, no matter what cards you get.

 

[jmaditto]

Thanks for the reply. I found this article on CableCard 2.0 and further explained the S and M cards you posted about on engadgethd d o t c o m (cant post links yet) :down:

Your post also has me thinking about which TiVo box to purchase now. I guess I could get the TiVoHD and use a CableCard. That would provide me with non HD content and replace my current TW DVR…but then I would need 2 CableCards and the box does cost an extra $200. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of the Series 2 vs TiVoHD other than what I listed above?

Thanks for the info.

 

[steve614]

If I were in your position, I would would forget about the S2s and go ahead and get a TivoHD / S3.
The main con for the S2s is the FCC mandated analog to digital signal change that will happen in a couple of years. Cable cos in some areas have already gone all digital, IIRC.
The pros for the TivoHD / S3 are obvious.
Prepare for the future.

 

[jmaditto]

I hear you. I'm still planning to keep my 3 tube TVs into the digital age so I have to deal with the digital signal regardless of my TiVo. I really want TiVo on my HDTV but I'm going to see how the CableCard things plays out over the next 6 months or so.

I went ahead and picked up a Series 2 and configured it with my SA8300 without issue. Everything works perfectly but I can't get it to connect to my wireless network. I can't believe it is signal strength as I went ahead and "borrowed" my neighbors network and it works fine. I'll continue to troubleshoot...plan on bringing my laptop home from work to test signal strength. Weird as the TiVo is on the second floor of my house just like my wireless router.

 

[jmaditto]

...

I went ahead and picked up a Series 2 and configured it with my SA8300 without issue. Everything works perfectly but I can't get it to connect to my wireless network. I can't believe it is signal strength as I went ahead and "borrowed" my neighbors network and it works fine. I'll continue to troubleshoot...plan on bringing my laptop home from work to test signal strength. Weird as the TiVo is on the second floor of my house just like my wireless router.

Well, it has something to do with my password (even though I entered it correctly). I turned off wireless security and my TiVo connected just fine. I'll have to figure this one out as I don't like to leave my wireless network open

 

[classicsat]

If I were in your position, I would would forget about the S2s and go ahead and get a TivoHD / S3.
The main con for the S2s is the FCC mandated analog to digital signal change that will happen in a couple of years. Cable cos in some areas have already gone all digital, IIRC.
The pros for the TivoHD / S3 are obvious.
Prepare for the future.

The "Digital Mandate" does not directly affect what cable does, nor does it affect how you can connect an STB to and older display. A sEries 2 will still work fine with a cable STB for years to come, on an older TV set.

 

[steve614]

I knew the FCC mandate only dealt with OTA.
At the time, I must have been thinking of the threads I read about some cable outlets going all digital which turned the S2 DT essentially into a single tuner Tivo.