Looking at buying DVR or Tivo, any info?

Trizoy · 10-07-2006, 01:06 AM

Hello,
I was looking at buying some equipment to record TV programs, and wanted to know what the best options is. I really dont want to get locked into a 1year contract with Tivo, but if necessary I guess I would.

Is the Paid service by Tivo necessary to get the same usability as the tivo box? Are there certain boxes I should stay away from?

Note: I did not want to record via my TV tuner as i want to be able to watch them on my tv... (but if price is right I might do it)

Thanks for the info!

**The_Other_One** · 10-07-2006, 02:12 AM

Maybe someone can tell me why on earth you have to pay for Tivo! I still can't understand that! There are other DVR units that don't have any monthly charge. My dad has one by Panasonic. I don't recall the model right off, but it's just like my TV-Top DVD-Recorder, just with a 100G HD in it as well.

Trizoy · 10-07-2006, 02:17 AM

Well I know with Tivo there is an update every 2 or 3 weeks which downloads the tv guide. But 15-20$ a month? please... So there is a Recorder which doesnt charge for this?

rogueeskimo · 10-07-2006, 05:18 AM

i have a hauppage tuner card, hooked up to my cable, and then hooked up to my tv...

i can use my comp as a DVR...

*u do need win xp mc to do this

Trizoy · 10-07-2006, 05:28 AM

So your Tv tuner has a Coax in and out? Is there a display on the tv like tivo showing which program you want to watch?

**The_Other_One** · 10-07-2006, 05:44 AM

I don't know of any with cable in and out, but a few have RCA/SVHS output. However, you still need a monitor/video card to actually control them and what not. If you wish to make a PVR out of a computer, and only connect to a TV, you need a video card with TV out, or one of the All-in-one cards.

There are a few cards that have input/output(I think the WinTV PVR500 or something like that) but I'm quite sure it only shows rendered videos(IE MPEG1 and 2) and NOT your desktop.

Trizoy · 10-07-2006, 05:52 AM

Well I found this on Ebay. This is a DVD recorder with an 80gb HD with a lifetime Basci Tivo Service... Is this a scam? Or has tivo released these with free lifetime serrvice? Are there other options?

**The_Other_One** · 10-07-2006, 06:47 AM

It's probably a scam or hacked unit. I don't know exactly how their service works, but I do know a friend of mine purchased a Tivo that was apparently a return that already had a lifetime service on it. It's probably out there, but if one's on ebay, I just wouldn't feel too confortable about it...

Kazoon · 10-08-2006, 04:24 AM

Just get directv and you can get a free dvr with tivo...its the bomb

Cable sucks, very poor sound and picture quality compared to dss!

Trizoy · 10-08-2006, 04:29 AM

I have Digital Cable, the picture and Sound quality are great.

10-07-2006, 01:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,647	Looking at buying DVR or Tivo, any info? Hello, I was looking at buying some equipment to record TV programs, and wanted to know what the best options is. I really dont want to get locked into a 1year contract with Tivo, but if necessary I guess I would. Is the Paid service by Tivo necessary to get the same usability as the tivo box? Are there certain boxes I should stay away from? Note: I did not want to record via my TV tuner as i want to be able to watch them on my tv... (but if price is right I might do it) Thanks for the info! __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

10-07-2006, 02:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	Maybe someone can tell me why on earth you have to pay for Tivo! I still can't understand that! There are other DVR units that don't have any monthly charge. My dad has one by Panasonic. I don't recall the model right off, but it's just like my TV-Top DVD-Recorder, just with a 100G HD in it as well. __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

10-07-2006, 02:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,647	Well I know with Tivo there is an update every 2 or 3 weeks which downloads the tv guide. But 15-20$ a month? please... So there is a Recorder which doesnt charge for this? __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

10-07-2006, 05:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
rogueeskimo Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 68	i have a hauppage tuner card, hooked up to my cable, and then hooked up to my tv... i can use my comp as a DVR... u do need win xp mc to do this __________________ //::t3h r1g::\\* CPU: AMD Athlon X2 4600+ Windsor GPU: BFG GeForce 7600 GT OC 256 MB (custom overclocked: 630 MHz core clk, 775 MHz memory clock) RAM: 2 GB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM HDD: Seagate 320GB 7200RPM Serial ATA MOBO: ASUS A8M2N-LA Socket AM2 Micro ATX Audio: Realtek ALC 888 High Definition 8 channel PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 480-Watt ATX

10-07-2006, 05:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,647	So your Tv tuner has a Coax in and out? Is there a display on the tv like tivo showing which program you want to watch? __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

10-07-2006, 05:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	I don't know of any with cable in and out, but a few have RCA/SVHS output. However, you still need a monitor/video card to actually control them and what not. If you wish to make a PVR out of a computer, and only connect to a TV, you need a video card with TV out, or one of the All-in-one cards. There are a few cards that have input/output(I think the WinTV PVR500 or something like that) but I'm quite sure it only shows rendered videos(IE MPEG1 and 2) and NOT your desktop. __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

10-07-2006, 05:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,647	Well I found this on Ebay. This is a DVD recorder with an 80gb HD with a lifetime Basci Tivo Service... Is this a scam? Or has tivo released these with free lifetime serrvice? Are there other options? __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

10-07-2006, 06:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	It's probably a scam or hacked unit. I don't know exactly how their service works, but I do know a friend of mine purchased a Tivo that was apparently a return that already had a lifetime service on it. It's probably out there, but if one's on ebay, I just wouldn't feel too confortable about it... __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

10-08-2006, 04:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kazoon Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 270	Just get directv and you can get a free dvr with tivo...its the bomb Cable sucks, very poor sound and picture quality compared to dss!

10-08-2006, 04:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Campbell, Ca Posts: 4,647	I have Digital Cable, the picture and Sound quality are great. __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

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