[JOSHSKORN]

I have a very specific question on this. Mainly, I would like to know why I'm seeing all of this potential integration with HDHomeRun into other systems but not with TiVo DVRs. Personally, I'd rather stick with TiVo, because it actually has a 6 tuner device, whereas HDHomeRun does not...yet, plus with the money I've already invested in it.

So for instance, I've read that you can build a media center out of a Raspberry Pi device, and integrate HDHomeRun live TV into it. Why is that, and why not the ability to connect to a TiVo DVR, such as the Bolt+? I'm sure there are other systems that connect to HDHomeRun, but this is just one example. In fact, I've even read that you can connect the new TiVo Stream 4K to HDHomeRun, but you cannot connect it to a TiVo DVR (yet). I'm assuming it has to do with "IPTV" and that's where I would get a little lost. Can someone explain this, please? Thanks.

 

[dbpaddler]

Tivo dvr's aren't network tuners. They're closed systems. Network tuners like HD home run are designed to interact with apps to provide live TV. It's not anything new. Back in the day the setup was a hit mess for the average individual. You needed a computer and windows media center, plex, the gui was lackluster, family approval factor was low.

Now, they've come a long way. Some apps run off a NAS with no computer needed. Some have their own apps or there are 3rd party apps like Channels that do their own live channels and dvr service.

With the process being simplified and the gui's coming a long way, though I can't stand Channels' Barney purple oriented guide. It makes TE3 look modern.

But when all you're tied to hardware wise is a tuner setup and the rest is flexible, your options open up and you see how things can be better or just different than tivo.

Tivo is more like Recast. Closed system. Only works with their own devices. At least tivo doesn't have to transcode everything.

And say atsc 3.0 becomes a thing, all these software guides can easily adapt, and all you need to do is get an HD Homerun atsc 3.0 tuner and you're off an running. Theure doing the crowd funding thing with it now.

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[JOSHSKORN]

@dbpaddler thanks for the response.

Let me ask you (or anyone else) something. Can a "closed system" such as TiVo's DVRs (my Bolt+, specifically) connect to Live TV apps? I'm not talking about "right now", because I already know the answer to that, but can it potentially be done by means of a software update, another app or adding another device or not? Is there a specific hardware constraint that TiVo DVRs have that would prevent this?

 

[dbpaddler]

That's beyond my expertise, but I highly doubt tivo would ever update the software to allow their dvr to be used with other software/apps. If the dvr's are even capable of physically doing it. But at that point, why would you want to? You'd get much more selling your lifetime equipment and coming out ahead buying an HD HR Quatro tuner, a NAS or a mini pc and hard drive and running channels DVR or HD Homerun's own solution. Or just using various live channels apps.

Why would you want that big dvr when you can do it neater and cheaper with other products designed to work that way?

I sold three mini vox's and my bolt for about $700 recently. Think I paid less for them overall not to mention the year's of use I got out of them. Still sitting on the Roamio Pro only because it has about 200 movies on it from premium channels. The quatro cost me $140. I had an old laptop I loaded channels dvr on, and I bought three tivo stream 4k's for my two projectors and one TV. Have android on the other TV. Even dropping $80/year on Channels, it'll be a few years before it takes that money down to zero. By then software solutions for a home dvr could be more plentiful and cheaper.

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[powrcow]

@dbpaddler thanks for the response.

Let me ask you (or anyone else) something. Can a "closed system" such as TiVo's DVRs (my Bolt+, specifically) connect to Live TV apps? I'm not talking about "right now", because I already know the answer to that, but can it potentially be done by means of a software update, another app or adding another device or not? Is there a specific hardware constraint that TiVo DVRs have that would prevent this?

A TiVo is designed to be used within the TiVo ecosystem. Recording can be shared between TiVos, watched on remote Minis, or downloaded/streamed to a tablet/phone via the TiVo app. They don't play with other apps because they have the Mini, but also because they support CableLabs DRM.

You can download non-DRMed recordings from a TiVo and make them available to other media managers, but it won't be the same as controlling a network tuner.

The answer to your question is yes, TiVo could open things up. Their hardware allows for it - just look at the Mini. But there is no market pressure for them to do so, in fact there are many reasons why TiVo never will. If you want a network tuner that works with different apps, then you'll have to buy a network tuner that works with different apps.

 

[convergent]

I have a very specific question on this. Mainly, I would like to know why I'm seeing all of this potential integration with HDHomeRun into other systems but not with TiVo DVRs. Personally, I'd rather stick with TiVo, because it actually has a 6 tuner device, whereas HDHomeRun does not...yet, plus with the money I've already invested in it.

So for instance, I've read that you can build a media center out of a Raspberry Pi device, and integrate HDHomeRun live TV into it. Why is that, and why not the ability to connect to a TiVo DVR, such as the Bolt+? I'm sure there are other systems that connect to HDHomeRun, but this is just one example. In fact, I've even read that you can connect the new TiVo Stream 4K to HDHomeRun, but you cannot connect it to a TiVo DVR (yet). I'm assuming it has to do with "IPTV" and that's where I would get a little lost. Can someone explain this, please? Thanks.

Tivo is moving away from the DVR market, so I don't see them ever doing anything like what traditional Tivo owners would want like you've suggested. They seem to be OK losing all the existing users/fans.

As for the HDHR not having a 6 tuner model. You are forgetting that you can use multiple HDHRs together. You can buy many duo and quatro models, mix and match, and take up way less space than a Tivo. I have two quatro HDHRs which gives me 8 tuners and Channels DVR handles it seamlessly,

 

[dbpaddler]

If you go the Channels DVR route, get ready to be inundated with purple and devs who don't give a **** and think Barney is their branding... It looks cheap and hokey in comparison to other guides and menus that choose darker hues in blues and grays with bright white lettering instead of purple with lighter purple lettering. Not to mention whenever it's brought up, they ultimately shut the thread down so they don't have to hear the complaining. From that aspect, they're a bit of a joke.

From strictly a development point of view, they're pretty solid. They just have no clue when it comes to aesthetic and use of space. My only real peeve with the app.

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[wizwor]

If you go the Channels DVR route, get ready to be inundated with purple and devs who don't give a **** and think Barney is their branding... It looks cheap and hokey in comparison to other guides and menus that choose darker hues in blues and grays with bright white lettering instead of purple with lighter purple lettering. Not to mention whenever it's brought up, they ultimately shut the thread down so they don't have to hear the complaining. From that aspect, they're a bit of a joke.

Wiping coffee off my screen. Awesome characterization.